007 Another Kick to the Chest

Chapter 007: Kicked in the Chest Again

In the stillness of the night, Fang Rulai’s shout cut through the darkness, chilling and clear.

The masked man in black was momentarily stunned by the unexpected words, “Grand Commander.” Wasn’t that little monk the one he had just framed a moment ago? Why did he suddenly sound like an ally? Could he be someone the Grand Commander had planted, disguised as a monk, to infiltrate the authorities and assist him? After all, if he weren’t a comrade, how would he know the highly secretive title “Grand Commander?”

He froze, out of place and time, but Head Constable Xing, after a brief shock, reacted swiftly.

“You, get back to the yamen and call for reinforcements!” With the mention of “Big Brother” and “Grand Commander,” he feared there would be a whole nest of them.

“You, go rescue Miss Guan!” The monk was still chained; surely he couldn’t break free so quickly. If he could save her in time, perhaps his dreams of becoming a local lord might yet come true.

Issuing his orders, Head Constable Xing turned and pulled a saber from the hands of a subordinate, charging once more at the masked man. “You scoundrel, your accomplices have been caught. Are you still not going to surrender?”

By now, in Xing’s mind, the masked man in black was already grouped together with Fang Rulai, the murderer he had caught on the scene.

The masked man snapped back to his senses and parried. At that moment, Fang Rulai’s voice rang out again, “Big Brother, throw your knives! We can’t let them call for backup from the authorities!”

If just moments ago the masked man was still unsure whether Fang Rulai was a comrade, the instant he heard the word “throwing knives,” he was certain. No one but a close ally would know of his skill with throwing knives.

“Understood, brother!” The masked man feinted, dodging Head Constable Xing’s attack, then reached into his robe with both hands and flicked his wrists. Whoosh, whoosh—two throwing knives shot out, one toward the runner headed for the yamen, the other at the officer near Fang Rulai.

“Dodge!” Head Constable Xing shouted in warning.

But it was too late. Before his words had fully left his lips, the thuds of bodies hitting the ground rang out loud and clear.

“I’ll fight you to the end!” Head Constable Xing’s eyes were bloodshot. He and his two remaining men lunged forward.

The masked man fought as he retreated. “Brother, kill Guan Shiyin, and let’s get out of here!”

Fang Rulai kicked Guan Shiyin in the chest. “Big Brother, leaving the roots means endless trouble in the future!”

The masked man understood instantly. Originally, the plan was to let the authorities believe Guan Shiyin had been killed by an old enemy. But now, with so many officers dead and Guan Shiyin’s fate uncertain, the only way to keep the secret was to silence everyone.

With that thought, the masked man unleashed his full strength. Head Constable Xing’s saber swung down, but the masked man blocked with all his might, then, with another flick of his wrists, sent out two more knives. Whoosh, whoosh—two more officers fell.

Seeing the situation turn against him, Xing turned to flee. The masked man sneered and sent out another pair of knives.

Xing twisted, flinging his saber in return.

Thwack, thwack—two blades struck flesh in quick succession, then, with a final crash, both men fell to the ground.

Xing fell on his back, eyes open in death, having dodged the first knife but not the second.

The masked man collapsed forward, his eyes unclosed, having evaded the saber that came from ahead but not the one that came from behind.

At last, the night returned to its former silence.

After a while, Fang Rulai’s voice broke the quiet. “Thank you.”

Guan Shiyin lowered her hand from the saber-throwing gesture. “As thanks, will you let me kick you twice in return?” That bald little monk had kicked her in the face and then the chest without holding back in the slightest.

Fang Rulai unfastened the chains and walked toward the masked man. “You wanted his life; I helped you do it. So, you say thank you to me, and I get to kick you twice in return.”

Guan Shiyin pulled out the apple crushed in her chest and took a savage bite. “If you let me kick you four times, tell me how you learned such private secrets about other people.” She hadn’t seen him use any magic or skills, but when she closed her eyes and reopened them, he suddenly knew a secret she had spent great effort to uncover. What kind of ability was this?

Munching on the apple, Guan Shiyin’s eyes grew feverish. If only she could have such a power...

“Fine, two kicks it is,” Fang Rulai agreed, bending down to retrieve the deed to Granny Zhu’s house from the secret pocket on the masked man’s chest. He then turned to Guan Shiyin. “Should I kick your face first, then your chest, just like before?”

He kicked with all his might, knowing full well she would never reveal her secret. The glint of greed in her eyes made it obvious she would use it to the fullest if she knew. So, she would rather risk being kicked hard twice than let him learn her ability.

Fang Rulai wore the look of someone resigned to fate, as if repaying a debt was the most natural thing in the world. With a look, he signaled her to hurry up—get it over with so he could go home.

For the second time that day, Guan Shiyin’s eyes widened in rare astonishment. “You!” She wanted to ask if he was really a woman—how could a woman agree so readily to be kicked in the face and chest?

Seeing him frozen, Fang Rulai spun around and strode toward the city gates. “It’s your own fault for not kicking. Well, goodbye!”

Guan Shiyin, mouth half open and apple forgotten, wondered how this shameless bald monk could be even more naturally brazen than herself.

“Master, you’ve truly married a remarkable son-in-law!” Like a wraith, Guan Yue appeared behind her, full of admiration. With that domineering air, deciding everything singlehandedly, was there anyone in this world besides her master who could match her?

Guan Shiyin’s gaze clung to the receding figure in the ochre monk’s robe, pride in her voice. “Of course! Would your master ever choose poorly?”

“...” Guan Yue was speechless. She had forgotten that her master’s mind could never be judged by common sense.

At last, Fang Rulai’s figure faded into the distance, and only then did Guan Shiyin rise gracefully, landing in a flourish on a brand new wooden chair nearby.

“What about the so-called Grand Commander who lured you away?”

“Handled just as you ordered, Master.”

“And the deed to Fahua Monastery he was carrying?”

“Returned to its original place.”

“The original place?”

“Yes, hidden in a secret compartment in the kitchen.”

“And the hundred baskets of betrothal radishes?”

“Neatly stacked in front of the secret compartment.”

“Excellent!” Guan Shiyin suddenly let out a cackling laugh, spraying apple fragments everywhere. “She’s clever—first thing she’ll do when she gets home is check if the deed is missing. She’s ruthless—if she dares settle blood debts on the spot, she’ll know when she sees those radishes that marrying me is the only real solution.”

That cackling laughter sounded again, and Guan Yue, shivering at the goosebumps on her arms, forced herself to interrupt for the first time, “Master, what about the Second Prince?”

“Hold off on reporting for now. I haven’t secured my son-in-law yet, so I can’t just wipe out the supporting clowns all at once.” Guan Shiyin pulled out another apple from the other side of her chest and took a bite. “By the way, is that little monk really completely bald...?”

Crunch, crunch, went the apple.

“If we share a bed in the future, with no hair to toss around for fun...” Crunch, crunch. “Well, at least there’ll be nothing blocking the view of his chest...” Crunch, crunch. “I do love apples best!”

Meanwhile, outside the city at Fahua Monastery, a shrill scream rang out: “I hate radishes the most!”

Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers! (There’s a special event on the official forum today—grab some coins if you have time. Wishing you all the best of luck!)

A heartfelt thank you to the generous supporters of November 27: yzl1002, chenqing2008, Chou Dan Haha, Zi Yufei, Feng Ling Wuwei, wy0701, Chao Jin Lu Kui (in no particular order).

Thank you all for your support—it’s a bit of pressure, but even more motivation! I’ll keep working hard to live up to everyone’s expectations!

P.S. Now offering Guan Shiyin’s signature apples for sale—any takers? Or do you prefer radishes? Wink~

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