Chapter 11: Yucheng District

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The representatives from the Five Forms Sect gave an order: within one month, seize control of Yucheng District and bring it under the rule of Kuicheng District. This could be refused, and one could choose not to act. However, such defiance would only lead to one outcome: the leadership of Kuicheng District would be replaced, and the Five Forms Sect would send someone to take over. Escape was impossible. The Five Forms Sect was not a mere local force on Shanli Island but a legitimate power recognized within the Eastern Extreme Kingdom, wielding far greater strength than imagined. Moreover, Zhang Ji and Elder Kui had no intention of fleeing.

“Shanli Island is about to see a change of power,” Elder Kui said to Zhang Ji with a meaningful tone.

“The Five Forms Sect wants to unify Shanli Island, right?” Zhang Ji asked.

“Exactly. I suspect it’s because the eldest disciple of the Five Forms Sect was exiled here. To redeem himself, the sect chose to restore order on Shanli Island and wash him clean of his sins by uniting the island’s factions. Only then would the Eastern Extreme Kingdom officially endorse the unification,” Elder Kui grew more confident in his theory. “That explains why the government would tacitly allow the unification.”

“Why not just deal directly with the faction leaders? Why have us carry out the attack?” Zhang Ji was puzzled. Given the Five Forms Sect’s power, they could probably make the leaders surrender outright wherever they went.

“There must be restrictions,” Elder Kui speculated. The sect likely couldn’t appear openly and had to rely on local forces instead.

“That makes sense,” Zhang Ji nodded.

“When do we move? Yucheng District has no real experts, just a few with guns,” Elder Kui said.

“One month is plenty of time. Give me twenty days to prepare,” Zhang Ji replied.

Elder Kui didn’t understand what Zhang Ji needed to prepare but didn’t ask further. The Five Forms Sect no longer recognized Elder Kui but acknowledged Zhang Ji. In truth, Zhang Ji’s strength had already surpassed Elder Kui’s. Though it was still called Kuicheng District, it would soon belong entirely to Zhang Ji.

...

Zhang Ji’s preparation was focused solely on training. He needed to grow stronger. With the medicine now available, he aimed to have at least two “Iron Shirt” skill crystals before setting out. Inside the Boundary Space, he currently had one “Iron Shirt” skill crystal plus three skill essences, amounting to 90% mastery. Yet he continued to train.

Time passed quickly, and after twenty days, Zhang Ji soaked again in the medicinal liquid. A new skill essence was extracted into the Boundary Space. With a slight thought, ten skill essences intertwined and merged swiftly.

[Notification: Successfully synthesized one “Iron Shirt” (Standard) combat skill crystal.]

Now in the Boundary Space floated two “Iron Shirt” combat skill crystals. At Zhang Ji’s command, they vanished and infused into his body. The sensation of his “water bottle”—his body’s capacity—expanding returned. His body felt slightly swollen and sore, but only briefly. Soon, he fully adapted.

He stood and examined himself in the mirror. His once swollen muscles had not grown larger but contracted somewhat. He poked his abdominal muscles with his fingers. The elasticity remained, now filled with greater resilience. Though smaller, his muscles offered stronger defense and higher explosive potential.

After tidying up, Zhang Ji ate a meal of roast duck rice and prepared to depart.

...

In a vehicle resembling a jeep, Zhang Ji was speeding wildly. Elder Kui sat beside him, and five gun-wielding underlings occupied the back seats. Wu Chen was not with them this time; he was left behind. The five underlings were just for show.

On Shanli Island, taking territory was easy. One simply beat the local boss into submission and forced their surrender. Once the opponent realized they were outmatched and their life was in your hands, they had no choice but to comply. Brutal, but effective.

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Earlier, Hong Kang had tried the same tactic against Elder Kui, even with a traitor’s help. Yet Elder Kui survived and counter-killed Hong Kang.

Though Zhang Ji had driven before, this was his first time racing recklessly across untamed wilderness without proper roads.

After less than half an hour’s drive, they arrived at Yucheng District. The leader there was known as “Octopus,” though his real name was Zhang Yu. He wore an exoskeleton armor with six mechanical arms armed with guns.

Vehicles had to be inspected before entering Yucheng District, but Zhang Ji’s group gave no chance and simply broke through.

“Someone’s broken in!” a guard immediately reported over a walkie-talkie. This was the only communication device permitted here; satellite phones were banned, except for exceptions like the Five Forms Sect who could relay information through their own communication terminals. Elder Kui had previously received intel this way.

Yucheng’s urban planning was as poor as Kuicheng’s. They couldn’t drive far before having to stop. Zhang Ji, Elder Kui, and the others got out, heading straight for a tall building in the distance. The district leaders usually occupied the highest floor to maintain a commanding view, a favored position especially in this chaotic place.

Soon, a crowd of ragged gunmen emerged, along with a few motorcycle gang members.

“Who are you?” someone demanded.

“You’re my daddy!” Elder Kui shot back.

“Looking for death!”

“Rat-a-tat-tat~!”

No words could settle the matter; the two sides clashed violently. Elder Kui and his underlings fired two shots before seeking cover. Zhang Ji, however, made no effort to hide and charged forward under fire.

“Pfft~!”

A bullet struck his bulletproof vest with some impact but barely affected him—not even a twinge of pain.

Zhang Ji’s gunfire, however, was lethal, each shot capable of killing.

“Vrrr-vrrr-vrrr~!”

Four motorcycles charged toward them. Zhang Ji aimed and swept his fire across one rider. The rider was hit, the modified bike went out of control and skidded aside.

“Boom~!”

The motorcycle’s fuel tank was struck, igniting a blazing flame. Another rider fired at Zhang Ji while rapidly approaching in his vehicle. As the bike neared, Zhang Ji sidestepped and delivered a fierce kick.

“Squeak~! Bang~!”

Zhang Ji shot as he kicked, instantly smashing the rider’s skull.

By then, Elder Kui and his men had neutralized two more motorcycles.

Before long, only a dozen corpses and one barely alive person remained from the attackers.

“Where’s Octopus?” Elder Kui grabbed the survivor, demanding answers. Though their target was the tall building, Octopus might not be inside.

Turns out, Elder Kui’s caution was justified.

“He’s with his new mistress… Give me a quick death…”

Elder Kui stood and drew his pistol.

“Bang~!”

...

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Soon, Zhang Ji and Elder Kui confronted “Octopus.” The man was heavily armed, his mechanical arms aimed guns directly at them.

“Elder Kui, our two districts have always kept to ourselves. You come here and kill so many of my men—that’s improper, isn’t it?” Octopus said.

“From today onward, Yucheng District belongs to Kuicheng District,” Zhang Ji replied. “What do you think?”

“Don’t interrupt your elders,” Octopus sneered at Zhang Ji. “Elder Kui, if you can’t control your subordinates, do you want me to help?”

Before Elder Kui could respond, a figure suddenly dashed forward. It was Zhang Ji. His speed far exceeded human limits, thanks to the formidable physical attributes granted by “Iron Shirt,” allowing him to forsake self-preservation and unleash terrifying force.

The distance between them was less than a hundred meters—just a moment’s breath for Zhang Ji.

“Rat-a-tat-tat~!”

Octopus fired decisively. Bullets struck Zhang Ji, who didn’t even flinch or dodge. His level twenty “Iron Shirt” skill allowed him to withstand such gunfire outright.

“Boom~! Bang~!”

Before anyone could react, Zhang Ji kicked Octopus with such force that the man flew into a nearby wall, armor and all. Octopus weighed well over a hundred kilograms, yet Zhang Ji’s kick seemed to send him as if he weighed only a few pounds.

Upon impact, Octopus’s breath ceased; his chest caved in dramatically. His exoskeleton failed to protect him—partly due to its poor quality.

“Enough of this nonsense,” Zhang Ji withdrew his foot and looked at the terrified crowd. “From now on, this place belongs to Kuicheng District. Everyone must obey Kuicheng’s orders. Understand?”

No one replied; all were stunned. The tale of Zhang Ji, bulletproof and unharmed, killing Octopus with one kick was terrifying.

“You, you will be Kuicheng District’s agent here,” Zhang Ji said to a man in front. “Now, immediately summon all the local bosses.”

“Me?” the man was surprised.

“If you’re not satisfied, we’ll find someone else.”

Before he could answer, Zhang Ji stepped forward and struck him with a fierce punch.

“Bang~! Crack~! Pfft~!”

The man’s skull shattered like a melon upon impact.

Zhang Ji then looked at a second man. “If he refuses, you’ll do it.”

The punch was a clear warning. The second man hesitated but dared not refuse. “Okay… right away!”

Zhang Ji wiped his fist on the corpse and sat down somewhere.

Elder Kui approached and said, “You’ve improved again?”

Having practiced “Iron Shirt” for many years himself, Elder Kui knew its limits well. Zhang Ji’s performance far exceeded the skill’s known boundaries.

“Something like that,” Zhang Ji replied.

A hint of astonishment appeared in Elder Kui’s eyes. Now he finally understood what a genius was—a person who mastered in one month what he had strived to perfect for nearly twenty years. And then, within another month, broke through the limits to advance further. While ordinary men like Elder Kui were capped by the methods, geniuses constantly shattered their limits.

Soon, all local industry leaders had gathered. Naturally, some resisted Zhang Ji’s authority. But after Zhang Ji took two more “walnuts” while under fire, matters became much simpler.

Yucheng District had thus become a subdivision of Kuicheng District.