Thunder
The business of "Gu Family Furnace" gradually improved, and the clanging sound of blacksmithing became a reassuring rhythm in the west of the village. However, this fragile peace was shattered one crisp autumn afternoon by the sudden sound of horses' hooves.
Seven or eight nags of horses galloped into the village, kicking up dust. The men on horseback all had fierce faces and were dressed in rags but exuded a menacing aura. The leader was a one-eyed man with a scar on his face. He was the second-in-command of the bandits that Gu Tieshan had dealt with in the mountains before, and was known as "Blind Leopard".
The sound of horses' hooves startled the entire village. Women and children hurriedly hid in their homes, while the men gathered in the open space in the center of the village, their faces filled with fear and helplessness. Upon receiving the news, Zhao Shouren hurriedly led two village guards, running out to greet them with a fawning smile.
"Master Leopard! What brings you here? Come in, have some tea..." Zhao Shouren bowed deeply.
"Shut the fuck up!" Blind Leopard cracked his whip in the air, his one eye flashing with ferocity. "Zhao Shouren, I'm not here for tea today! I lost a brother in your territory last time, how are we going to settle that score? And what about this month's tribute? Double it!"
Zhao Shouren's face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on his brow: "Master Leopard, this... this was an accident last time, an accident! The harvest in the village this year wasn't good, it's really..."
"Bullshit!" Blind Leopard spat. "I heard you have a new blacksmith who's pretty good at fighting? Damn it, is that the kid who hurt my brother? Perfect, today I'll take him and his money! Hand over that blacksmith and his wife, and make sure you have enough tribute, or I'll raze your Linjiang Village to the ground today!"
The bandits drew their knives and clubs, grinning maliciously as they echoed their cries, instantly creating a tense atmosphere. The villagers were terrified, daring not to speak out against their anger. Zhao Xiaoshuan mingled in the crowd, his fists clenched tightly, his eyes bloodshot, but his father held him back firmly.
The news quickly reached the "Gu Family Stove" in Tunwei.
Xiao Chen ran back from outside, panting: "Brother Gu, Sister Chen, something bad has happened! That gang of bandits from last time has come looking for us. They specifically want to arrest you and demand more tribute from the village!"
Xiu Niang was so frightened that her face turned ashen, and Shuanzi was also in a panic.
Gu Tieshan was sharpening a woodcutter's knife. Upon hearing this, he paused for a moment, then continued to steadily sharpen the blade, making a soft, rustling sound. He looked at Shen Lanjun.
Shen Lanjun remained calm, handing the child in her arms to Xiu Niang, and whispered, "Take the children to the cellar." Then she walked to Gu Tieshan's side, her voice light and quick, "There's no way to avoid it. If we're going to fight, we have to fight with our might, but we can't use knives and guns, otherwise the consequences will be endless. Capture the leader to catch the thief, and finish this quickly."
Gu Tieshan nodded. He put down the millstone, stood up, picked up the thick, hardwood carrying pole he usually used to carry firewood from the corner of the wall, weighed it in his hand, and strode out of the courtyard. He wasn't wearing armor or carrying a sharp weapon; it was as if he was just going to drive away stray dogs that had wandered into the yard.
Shen Lanjun did not follow them out. She quickly walked to the courtyard wall and calmly observed the development of the situation in the center of the village through a few gaps.
When Gu Tieshan appeared at the edge of the open space carrying a carrying pole, all the villagers' eyes were focused on him, filled with worry, curiosity, and a hint of inexplicable expectation.
When Zhao Shouren saw him, it was as if he had seen a savior, or as if he had seen a jinx. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
The blind leopard glared with his one eye and recognized Gu Tieshan. Old and new grudges surged into his heart, and he sneered, "Damn it, it's you, blacksmith! You dare to show your face? Brothers, cripple him!"
Several bandits charged forward, howling and brandishing knives and clubs. The villagers gasped in alarm.
Instead of retreating, Gu Tieshan advanced, his footwork changing to the mud-walking step of Baguazhang. His body moved like a swimming fish, dodging the incoming blades with lightning speed. His carrying pole moved like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, striking the wrist of the bandit in front with perfect accuracy.
"Snap!" "Ah!"
The bandit's wrist was broken instantly, and his single knife slipped from his hand.
The carrying pole swept back with a dull thud, striking the back of another bandit's leg.
"Thump!" The bandit knelt down in response.
Gu Tieshan's movements were relentless; the carrying pole seemed to come alive in his hands as he thrust, swept, pointed, and lifted—his moves were ancient and ruthless, entirely techniques for fighting to the death on the battlefield, yet he skillfully avoided vital points, injuring without killing. A series of loud cracking sounds followed by piercing screams filled the air, and in the blink of an eye, the four or five bandits who had rushed forward were lying on the ground, writhing and groaning while clutching their wrists or legs.
The whole process took only a few breaths!
Everyone was stunned. The villagers stared wide-eyed at the blacksmith, who stood firmly in the center, carrying a shoulder pole. Zhao Xiaoshuan trembled with excitement.
The blind leopard was both shocked and furious. He hadn't expected the blacksmith to be so troublesome. With a roar, he personally swung his ghost-head knife and chopped down hard at Gu Tieshan's head! This strike was made with rage, as if he wanted to split Gu Tieshan in two.
Gu Tieshan's eyes turned cold. Without dodging or avoiding, he slammed the carrying pole on the ground and used the momentum to leap into the air. At the same time, he lashed out with his right leg like a steel whip, delivering a fierce stab that struck the blind leopard's wrist holding the knife!
"Bang!" "Ugh!"
Blind Leopard felt as if his wrist had been struck by an iron hammer; his entire arm went numb instantly, and he could no longer hold onto the ghost-head saber, which clattered to the ground. Before he could react, Gu Tieshan landed silently, and the other end of the carrying pole, like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair, touched his Adam's apple. The icy touch made the hairs on his body stand on end, and his single eye filled with terror. He froze on the spot, not daring to move.
The entire room fell silent.
All that remained were the groans of the bandits on the ground and the sound of the wind.
Gu Tieshan's gaze was icy as he swept over the remaining terrified bandits. His voice was not loud, but every word was like a hammer: "Get out. If you take another step into Linjiang Village, it won't be your hand that gets broken, it will be your neck."
The bandits, as if granted a pardon, scrambled to their feet, helping their fallen comrades and the ashen-faced blind leopard to their feet. They climbed onto their horses in a disheveled state and fled the village without looking back, not daring to utter a single harsh word.
As soon as the bandits left, cheers of relief erupted in the village. The crowd gathered around, their eyes filled with gratitude and awe as they looked at Gu Tieshan.
"Master Gu! Thank you so much!"
"That's amazing! Let's see if those bandits dare to come again!"
Zhao Shouren squeezed forward, his expression complex, a mixture of relief at escaping trouble and a barely perceptible apprehension. He chuckled dryly, “Master Gu is truly… truly a hidden master, incredibly skilled! He has done a great service to our village!”
Gu Tieshan simply waved his hand, picked up the undamaged carrying pole, and silently walked back to the courtyard at the end of the village amidst a chorus of praise.
The courtyard gate was closed, shutting out the noise from outside.
Shen Lanjun stood in the courtyard, looking at him.
"The effect is very good," she said softly. "Your authority has been established, but troubles will follow. Zhao Shouren probably won't be able to sleep soundly."
Gu Tieshan placed the carrying pole against the wall, his expression remaining calm.
"When soldiers come, generals will meet them."
He looked at Shen Lanjun and added, "Your judgment is very accurate."
Shen Lanjun nodded slightly, her gaze turning towards the outside of the courtyard. Thunder had already sounded; the weather in Linjiang Village was about to change. And they had been thrust into the eye of the storm.
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