Chapter 21: Beating up Bi Hao and finally getting revenge.

Because the duty of guarding the servants' quarters would take several hours, Li Xian and Zhao Dachun first went to the vegetarian restaurant for a hearty meal before they began. Only after they had something in their stomachs did they head to the servants' quarters.

Before starting any work, one must first hand over the duties to Luo Fang, the steward.

"Manager Luo, it's been a long time."

Upon seeing Luo Fang again, Li Xian smiled knowingly. Their identities and circumstances were now different.

While it wasn't exactly a triumphant triumph, it certainly allowed them to vent their anger to some extent.

Luo Fang gave a forced smile, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back. Now that Li Xian was a formal bodyguard, he really couldn't do anything about it.

"I am grateful for Steward Luo's help; otherwise, this position as a guard would have been none of my business," Li Xian said calmly.

"Hahaha, yes." Luo Fang clenched his fist into his palm, his heart filled with malice: "You lowly beast, you dare to come back and gloat after gaining some power."

Zhao Dachun said, "Manager Luo, organizing the odd jobs is your responsibility; we are only responsible for keeping watch. Please hurry up, or we won't be able to finish this work."

After a brief handover, Luo Fang struck a gong to summon all the servants. Qingning County lacked everything, but it had no shortage of people.

During this period, Luo Fang recruited nearly a hundred more menial laborers, keeping the total number around 1,300.

Li Xian's gaze fell on the ninth gang's servants. But he only glanced at them briefly before looking away.

The servants of the Ninth Gang didn't recognize Li Xian. They looked at him with admiration, envy, and a sense of vague wonder. They whispered among themselves, saying they had never seen such a handsome guard, so dashing, almost like a god.

Luo Fang gave the order.

The laborers began moving timber and stone. Some of the smaller stones were hauled away in wooden carts. But the timber was much harder to transport.

Even the small pieces of timber were about ten feet tall, requiring seven or eight people to carry them step by step back to the village.

The three-mile journey was truly arduous.

Looking at the laborers, drenched in sweat and gritting their teeth as they toiled away, Li Xian felt no sense of relief or joy at escaping his misery.

On the other side.

Luo Fang found Bi Hao and asked, "My good nephew, is your injury any better?"

Bi Hao's defeat in the last fight displeased Luo Fang. Since then, Luo Fang's attitude towards Bi Hao has changed drastically, and he frequently slaps him.

Bi Hao had begun to fear his cousin, his eyes darting around. When he saw Luo Fang approaching, he took three steps back, covering his face with his hands. "Cousin...cousin, what's wrong?"

"Do you want revenge?" Luo Fang asked, squinting his eyes.

"Revenge? Who..." Bi Hao suddenly had a flash of inspiration, his eyes blazing with hatred, "Could it be that ingrate Li Xian!?"

Luo Fang nodded. "That's right, it's that guy."

"You said last time that Li Xian's martial arts skills were far inferior to yours, is that true?" Luo Fang asked seriously.

"Naturally true!" Bi Hao slammed his fist into his thigh, his teeth clenching until they bled. "That brat! If we have another match, I will avenge him!"

"Great, the opportunity has arrived."

Luo Fang pointed into the distance and sneered, "That's Li Xian. This kid's only been a guard for a few days, but he's already acting all high and mighty. Go find him later and challenge him to a duel. Defeat him and make him lose face. Afterwards, I'll use this opportunity to pull some strings! Hehe."

Bi Hao exclaimed with delight, "Then I can become a bodyguard? That's wonderful! I've always dreamed of being a bodyguard."

Luo Fang spat, "Dream on. That kid has already established himself. Unless he makes a mistake, he won't be able to get off."

Bi Hao was very disappointed. He looked at Li Xian and was taken aback. "Uncle, is he really Li Xian?" Luo Fang nodded. "Absolutely."

Bi Hao observed that Li Xian was neatly dressed, handsome, and beginning to show his charm. He was much taller and stronger than before.

Then he thought of himself. Although he had his uncle's protection, he was still just a menial servant. And his uncle's attitude towards him had changed drastically; he often beat and scolded him, which wasn't good either. A surge of resentment welled up inside him: "If it weren't for you, all of this would be mine!"

"Good nephew, it's up to you this time." Luo Fang patted Bi Hao on the shoulder. "Also, remember... don't be careless this time. This kid has mastered the Four Directions Fist, otherwise he won't pass the test."

"I don't know what Luo Tongyun is good for, I'm going to get my ten taels of silver back from him!"

“Uncle, my Three Talents Fist is not without its merits!” Bi Hao’s voice was hoarse.

After the uncle and nephew discussed their plan, Luo Fang seized the opportunity, struck the gong, and let the servants rest for a while.

During a break, the two uncles and nephews took turns speaking, their words nothing more than sarcastic remarks and attempts to provoke Li Xian, hoping he would have another fight with Bi Hao.

"Oh?" Li Xian looked at Bi Hao. "Brother Bi, are you still unsatisfied with the last duel?"

“Lord Li…” Bi Hao lowered his head and said, “It’s not that I’m dissatisfied, but as the saying goes, martial arts skills must be learned from actual combat. I have recently made some progress and would like to ask Lord Li for some pointers. Of course, if you are afraid of a lowly servant like me, then you may refuse.”

Li Xian said, "Sparring is good, but fists and feet have no eyes, and a fight is inevitable..."

“It’s alright, I’m Bi Hao, I’m just a worthless life anyway, sir, there’s no need to hold back.” Bi Hao immediately pressed his advantage and blocked all the steps.

"Alright, alright." Li Xian shook his head.

Seeing that his plan had succeeded, Luo Fang called his servants to form a circle and watch the two fight.

“You lowly beasts, this kind of eye candy isn’t something you get to see every day.”

"Take a good look at all of you."

"If I can learn even a little bit, and with a bit more luck, I might just become the next Head Guard Li!"

...

"I'm honored." Bi Hao clenched his fists and assumed a fighting stance, focusing all his attention.

After a moment of preparation, he suddenly stepped forward and made three feints to test Li Xian, but Li Xian saw through them all and stood still.

"Good lad, you're quite the actor." Seeing that he couldn't intimidate Li Xian, Bi Hao immediately feigned an attack and delivered a "territory punch" to Li Xian's chest.

Li Xian unleashed the Wild Bull Fist, specifically the "Bull Charge" move, where internal energy enveloped his fist, creating a whooshing sound like a wild bull the instant the punch landed. The two fists collided.

This time, it was Bi Hao who suffered a fracture.

The power of the Wild Bull Fist may seem calm, but it actually contains a raging torrent. In a one-on-one fight, even the Four Directions Fist would find it difficult to win.

Li Xian sneered, "You asked for this!"

As the Wild Bull Fist finished its punch, it immediately followed up with the Four Directions Fist, aiming straight for his face. Bi Hao hurriedly raised his hand to defend, only to see the fist's trajectory change, striking instead his shoulder.

Li Xian unleashed nine punches in quick succession. Each punch was unpredictable and demonstrated the ultimate application of boxing principles. With a few loud bangs, Bi Hao was defeated.

This fight will keep me bedridden for at least a month.

Li Xian narrowed his eyes. "If these two, uncle and nephew, have the chance, they will definitely take my life. I won't hold back." With his last punch, he aimed for Bi Hao's throat.

"Uncle..." Bi Hao was terrified, his intuition telling him that he was really going to die.

"How dare you!"

Enraged, Luo Fang leaped forward, reaching out to protect Bi Hao. Knowing he couldn't kill Bi Hao, Li Xian's body trembled, causing his fist to deflect again.

The slap landed squarely on Luo Fang's face.

This punch delivered a full 70% of his internal energy, causing Luo Fang's cheeks to swell and turn red, and even loosening a few of his teeth.

That's really not light!

Li Xian frowned, withdrew his fist, his arm feeling sore and numb, and he couldn't muster any strength for a moment. The instant he struck Luo Fang's face, a force of recoil had returned to him.

"Luo Fang's martial arts are not bad; I am no match for him now." A thought flashed through Li Xian's mind, and he turned to smile and said, "Brother Bi, did you gain any insight from the guidance just now?"

Bi Hao was both shocked and furious. Instructions? He had almost lost his life, and he wanted instructions? Luo Fang spoke first, saying, "Thank you for your instruction, Guardian Li. My foolish nephew should have learned a lot."

The voice was somewhat gloomy.

“Excellent, excellent,” Li Xian said with a smile.

This time it was worth it; they gave Bi Hao a good beating and also slapped Luo Fang in the face.

(End of this chapter)