Chapter Thirty-Nine: An Ambush in the Deep Alley

“Damn it… Here I am, a forty-year-old man, getting stolen a kiss by a little girl… Amitabha… What a sin… Truly a sin…”

As a man raised under the red flag and nurtured by the gentle breeze of spring, with proper values and no unseemly habits, he would never even entertain a half-thought about an underage girl.

He hauled the drunken Sun Fatty, who was heavier than a dead pig, back to Food Is Heaven, and only then did Feng Jingzhe, his steps unsteady, begin making his way home.

By now, the city gates would soon be closed, so he chose to take a few shortcuts; otherwise, he feared he’d end up sleeping on the street.

In his haze, it felt as if he’d forgotten something, but no matter how he tried to recall, nothing came to mind.

The main street was nearly deserted, and this alley he’d just turned into was so dark it was hard to see the road at all. Still, he often took this route after eating lamb soup, so he walked it by heart, needing little light.

Yet at that moment, a flicker of firelight appeared at the far end of the alley. Judging by its size, it wasn’t from a lantern—more likely, someone was carrying a torch.

Soon, one torch became two, then four, then eight, and in an instant, the entire length of the alley was illuminated.

Feng Jingzhe did a quick count. Good heavens, thirteen men had arrived at this end alone.

Each was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with arms nearly as thick as his own calves, and all had their faces covered with black scarves. Their ill intent was plain as day.

A wise man avoids immediate danger; Feng Jingzhe turned to retreat, only to find that flames now flickered behind him too, at some point.

The newcomers were dressed the same, and the one in front dragged an iron bar as he walked.

But to Feng Jingzhe’s surprise, a few yards behind him now stood an old woman, though he didn’t know when she had appeared.

With both ends of the alley blocked, he and the old woman were now trapped in the middle.

“My friends, we have no quarrel, no grudge, past or present. If I’ve offended you in any way, let’s talk it out. If apologies are needed, I’ll apologize. If compensation is needed, I’ll pay. There’s no need for things to go this far…”

As he spoke, Feng Jingzhe retreated, putting the old woman behind him.

“Don’t be afraid, ma’am. They’re here for me. Stay calm and don’t shout, and I trust they won’t trouble you…”

Thud. Thud. Thud…

The mob gave no reply to his words. Instead, they began rhythmically pounding their clubs against the ground, the sound echoing with an ominous chill.

“A bunch of idiots. Do they think they’re some street gangsters?”

Seeing the men on both sides drawing closer, Feng Jingzhe knew there was no point in talking further. If a fight was inevitable, he might as well strike first.

He was decisive—without hesitation, he unbuckled his belt to use as a weapon, and shed his long robe, which would hamper his movements.

In the firelight, his frame appeared lean, almost thin. The leader of the group sneered in mockery when he saw this.

“Idiot, what are you laughing at… Yes, you, look over here…”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Feng Jingzhe surged forward with the wind at his heels, whipping his belt with a sound like slicing air, striking the leader square in the eyes.

Crack!

The leader clearly hadn’t expected his target not only to be unafraid but to attack first. Caught off guard, his face was lashed by the belt. The blow wasn’t deadly, but instinctively he flinched and shut his eyes.

Bang!

Feng Jingzhe darted forward, driving his shoulder into the man’s chest like an arrow, making him feel as if he’d been struck by a sledgehammer. He staggered back, crashing into several men behind, almost toppling them.

“All together! We’re only to cripple his limbs, leave him alive!”

A club swung down; Feng Jingzhe deftly caught the attacker’s wrist, braced it with his own, and drove his elbow into the man’s joint.

With a sickening crack, the man’s arm twisted backward at a grotesque angle, and his club clattered to the ground.

He sidestepped, thrusting his foot into the attacker’s knee.

Crack!

The leg bent backward at a forty-five-degree angle. Feng Jingzhe never struck unless he meant to finish it.

Spinning, he blocked another blow and launched a snapping kick to the groin.

Crack!

The man behind him let out a shriek, doubling over and clutching his crotch. Feng Jingzhe sidestepped another club, then kicked the attacker’s hip, shattering bone and sending him reeling into two of his own allies.

Turning left, he dodged another club, retreating twice more to avoid two more assailants. The next opponent, having learned his lesson, attacked more cautiously.

In the brief lull, a gust of air warned Feng Jingzhe of an attack from behind. He saw a man charging to ambush him, but instead of dodging, Feng Jingzhe stepped back into him.

A wrist lock, a woodcutter’s twist—

Crack!

The man’s arm snapped at the elbow, bone protruding from flesh.

Feng Jingzhe then threw him over his shoulder in a tornado back-drop throw—an astonishing feat for someone so slight, lifting and hurling a man twice his size over his head and slamming him to the ground.

“Oh my…”

“Mother of mercy… I’m being crushed!”

“This one’s tough—bring out the powder!”

Such vicious joint attacks were enough to chill the bravest hearts. Even the old woman, who’d been standing dazed in the corner, suddenly opened her eyes wide in shock.

Had anyone approached her, they would have seen astonishment in those formerly clouded eyes.

After Feng Jingzhe’s throw, four or five men were struck and tumbled to the ground. As they scrambled back up, some of their black scarves had slipped, revealing their faces.

In panic, many tried to cover their faces with their hands, but it was a futile gesture.

“Boss, he saw my face! What do we do?”

“And that old woman too—she must have seen us!”

Their rough, sun-darkened skin spoke of years of hard labor, but no ordinary farmhand could grow so burly.

While Feng Jingzhe pondered, the remaining ten or so men’s eyes filled with murderous intent.

“He’s seen us. To prevent future revenge, we can’t leave any survivors!”

“But boss, I heard this guy has a background…”

“Doesn’t matter! He’s crippled so many of our brothers—if we don’t finish him, how do I answer to their families?”

Sensing the change, Feng Jingzhe hurried to the old woman’s side, picking up a discarded club.

“Don’t worry, ma’am. These are just a few stray dogs. Stay behind me and you’ll be fine…”

Among the dozen attackers, some had already dropped their clubs and drawn daggers.

“Listen, we have no grudge, no reason to kill each other for a little cash! Leave now, and I’ll promise not to pursue this any further… Otherwise, the next blows won’t just break arms and legs…”

But it was clear they were determined to fight to the death.

Resigned, Feng Jingzhe angled the broken club to the ground and stomped on it, snapping it cleanly.

When he picked it up again, he held a sharp wooden spike…