In the early morning, the gentle hum of the market was already stirring. The lovers, Ping'an, Guo Baiyu, and Zhao Renshu, strolled through the bustling stalls, their hands intertwined, buying a few random, delightful items before returning home. They decided on fresh, steaming noodles for breakfast, a simple pleasure. As they sat down at their accustomed table, Zhao Renshu, with his usual flourish, ordered for them both.
"Just order what you can eat," Guo Baiyu advised, a soft smile touching his lips. He then looked at Ping'an, his gaze filled with tender concern. "How are your hands?"
"My hands are fine," Ping'an replied, a faint, contented smile gracing her lips, her eyes shining. "They're not hot anymore, thanks to your care."
The two men smiled at her, their faces reflecting her peace, and she smiled back, a picture of tranquil contentment, a shared moment of domestic bliss.
As they waited for their food, seven young men dressed in crisp red and white robes, clearly Guozhao disciples, entered the sitting area in front of the stall and sat down at the table directly in front of them. Immediately afterwards, another group of ten young people, clad in striking purple and black robes, joined them, settling boisterously beside the red and white-clad group, their presence a stark contrast.
A young lady, presumably the server, approached the young men in red and white, her smile polite. "What can I get you?"
One of the young teens, Lee Nianzu, replied, his voice clear and respectful, "Anything without meat."
"We have plain noodles with vegetables and buns," the young lady offered, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"We'll take that," the teen said, his voice firm. "Two buns per person with one noodle soup per person."
Zhao Renshu, observing the scene, suddenly shook his head, a grim realization hitting him. Today was the fifteenth day of the month; he, too, could only eat vegetables. He felt a pang of profound sympathy for himself and his disciples, a shared culinary fate.
Guo Baiyu, ever observant, noticed his expression. "You don't look too happy?" he teased gently.
Zhao Renshu frowned, a mock pout on his face. "I feel sorry for the kiddos. Why did you write it into a rule?"
"Because I love my wife," Guo Baiyu said simply, his gaze softening, filled with a deep, unwavering tenderness as he looked at Ping'an, acknowledging the source of his devotion. "I want everyone to honor her on that day."
The group of young men in purple and black, from the Golden Gate Sector, began stroking the young lady server, their hands wandering, making her visibly uncomfortable, her face flushing with distress. One of them, bolder and more obnoxious, even tried to grab her breasts.
Instantly, the young man in red and white, Lee Nianzu, moved with lightning speed, grabbing the offending hand and twisting it sharply, pushing the purple and black-clad youth back, a swift act of protection. The terrified girl quickly darted behind the red and white-clad young man for safety, clinging to him.
"Guozhao Hunters, it's none of your business!" the young man in purple and black snarled, his face contorted in anger and humiliation.
Another young man in purple and black, with a sneer twisting his lips, added, "How dare this little ant? What is your name, little ant?!"
The young man in red and white, Lee Nianzu, smiled calmly, a deceptive serenity in his demeanor, though his eyes held a steely glint. "Lee Nianzu, disciple of Guozhao Hunters," he stated, his voice clear and proud.
The young men in purple and black burst into harsh, derisive laughter, their mockery echoing through the inn.
"Do you know what the Six Sectors call your sector?" another young man taunted, his voice dripping with condescension.
"Cutsleeves!" the young men in purple and black chanted in unison, their voices ringing with cruel amusement, erupting into laughter once more, a mocking reference to the polyamorous relationship of the Guozhao masters.
A young teenager from the red and white group, Ah Lei, rushed forward, his face red with fury, about to punch the first taunting man on the other side.
"Ah Lei!" Lee Nianzu warned, his voice sharp, authoritative, stopping him mid-lunge.
Yu Lei breathed heavily, his chest heaving, restraining himself with visible effort. "If you dare to insult my Third Master and Teacher Lee," he hissed, his voice trembling with contained rage, "I will definitely let this punch land on you!"
Lu He, one of the Golden Gate disciples, stood up, a smug look on his face. "Ah Ye," he sneered, addressing his fellow Golden Gate disciple, "do you know that there is a rule in the Guozhao principles, 'Never use your fist on a mutual disagreement'?" He walked slowly toward Lee Nianzu and Yu Lei, his gaze mocking. "May I ask, what kind of punishment if a disciple broke that rule?"
Lee Nianzu maintained his calm, stoic demeanor, his voice clear and steady. "Ten strokes on the back and kneel down for one day."
Sien Ye, another Golden Gate disciple, provocatively sneered, a cruel glint in his eye. "Punch me, and you will be punished!" He laughed, openly daring them.
"You see, Ah Ye," Lu He said, gesturing triumphantly, "he won't land that punch on you."
Tian Xiang, a Guozhao disciple, interjected, his voice clear and firm, unable to tolerate the disrespect. "I don't understand why Golden Gate Sector is so arrogant. I don't remember seeing the name of your sector on 'The Wall Of Heroes'." He shook his head, a disdainful look on his face. "Wait, Ah Lei, where is the Guozhao Sector located on 'The Wall Of Heroes'?"
Yu Lei smiled, a flash of fierce pride in his eyes. "First!" he declared, his voice ringing with triumph.
"Enough," Lee Nianzu said, a hint of steel in his voice, his patience wearing thin. "I apologize for the behavior of my younger juniors." He looked pointedly at his two younger disciples. "Go back and sit down. If Senior Brother knows, you two will be in trouble."
The three disciples, chastened, walked over and quietly sat down.
Lu He, emboldened by their apparent retreat, grabbed another bun from his table and, with a malicious grin, threw it, hitting Yu Lei squarely in the face. Lu He mocked, his voice dripping with venom, "Oh, the Guozhao Sector eats vegetables on the fifteenth of every month, because your two masters married the same woman, and you can't eat meat on the fifteenth day of the month. What a shame? Your Shimu is a whor..."
A chair suddenly flew through the air with a terrifying speed, a blurred projectile, hitting Lu He directly in the face with a sickening thud. The impact broke Lu He's nose with a sickening crunch.
Guozhao Zhiqiang, his face a mask of cold fury, landed on the table with a crash, then kicked Lu He hard in the chest, sending him flying and smashing into a second table, shattering it. He jumped over the debris and, with a swift, deadly movement, drew his sword, placing its tip instantly at Lu He's throat.
Guozhao Zhiqiang looked coldly down at Lu He, who lay bleeding and whimpering on the ground, his eyes burning with controlled rage. "I didn't hear clearly?" he demanded, his voice chilling, devoid of mercy.
Some of the Yi Clan's disciples whispered amongst themselves, their faces pale with fear, "Black Hunter!" The feared title spread like wildfire.
Immediately, a sword flew directly towards Guozhao Zhiqiang, a desperate attempt to rescue Lu He, but he swiftly blocked it with a clang of steel. Before Lu He could even begin to rise, Guozhao Zhiqiang's quick sword was pressed against his neck once more, a chilling promise of death. The incoming sword flew back to its master's hand. A beautiful young lady and an older man, their faces etched with concern, approached the group, having rushed to the scene.
All the Yi Clan disciples immediately bowed, their voices unified in respect and apprehension. "Co-leader," they murmured.
Zhou Zhong, the older man, spoke, his voice firm. "Let go of him."
Guozhao Zhiqiang ignored him, his gaze fixed on Lu He, his jaw tight. "I didn't hear you clearly," he repeated, his voice dangerously low, menacing.
"Co-leader, help me!" Lu He pleaded, tears of fear and pain in his eyes.
Zhou Caihong, the young lady, then launched a swift, graceful attack on Guozhao Zhiqiang, but he, with a fluid movement, pressed his left foot hard against Lu He's leg, blocking her path and her attack, using Lu He as a shield. Zhou Caihong's sword was fast, but it was no match for Guozhao Zhiqiang's precision and ruthlessness. Guozhao Zhiqiang whirled on Lu He's leg and delivered a swift, powerful kick to Zhou Caihong. She blocked his kick with her scabbard but stumbled back, falling into her father's arms.
Guozhao Zhiqiang looked at Zhou Caihong coldly, his eyes piercing. "Don't attack me anymore," he warned, his voice chilling. "I don't want your fiancé to have no bride on the day of his wedding."
Zhou Zhong attacked Guozhao Zhiqiang with three deadly daggers, throwing them with expert precision. Guozhao Zhiqiang executed two quick backflips, his sword a blur, swinging to block all three daggers with precise clangs. Si Ye quickly helped Lu He up, dragging him away from the immediate danger.
Zhou Zhong smiled, a hint of admiration, despite the hostility, in his voice. "Young man, your swordsmanship is good. There are not many people who can block my dagger attack. What is your name?"
Guozhao Zhiqiang replied coldly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Guozhao Zhiqiang."
"A Guozhao Hunter," Zhou Caihong stated, looking at Guozhao Zhiqiang with renewed apprehension. "Everyone, go back to the inn first," he commanded her disciples, trying to de-escalate.
"Anyone can walk away except him," Guozhao Zhiqiang declared, his sword points unwavering, still aimed at Lu He. "I have a score to settle with him."
"May I ask, what did he do wrong?" Zhou Zhong inquired, his voice calm, assessing the situation.
"He knows what he did wrong," Guozhao Zhiqiang stated, his eyes fixed on Lu He, a silent, damning accusation.
"Co-leader, I didn't do anything, they started attacking us!" Lu He protested, his voice high-pitched with fear.
"You liar!" Yu Lei shouted, his face red with indignation. "You disrespected our Masters and our Shimu! You called her a..."
"Ah Lei," Lee Nianzu warned, shaking his head, a quiet plea to stop before more damage was done. "Senior brother, let it go."
"Young man," Zhou Zhong interjected, his voice reasonable, "since you have broken his nose and hurt his leg, let's just say it's punishment enough for him."
"I want his tongue," Guozhao Zhiqiang said, his voice terrifyingly unyielding, a chilling promise of retribution.
"It's a little dispute," Zhou Caihong argued, her voice strained, trying to appeal to his sense of reason. "Why turn it into something big?"
Tian Xiang spoke up, his voice clear and firm, echoing the Guozhao principles. "We, as hunters, vowed to protect the weak and the innocent. According to Guozhao Sector Rules and Punishments, if someone harassed another person, their hands would be flogged twenty times and one finger would be cut off, and they would be kicked out of the sector. I dare ask, does Golden Gate Sector have such rules and punishments?"
"Well said!" Zhao Renshu's booming laughter erupted from behind them, startling everyone. He clapped his hands, a sound like thunder, and walked casually towards the group of young people, a dangerous glint in his eye.
Guozhao Zhiqiang's body stiffened. He did not dare to look back, instantly recognizing that voice, and the true wrath that had just arrived.