Chapter Twenty-Six

“This is an age where appearance counts. It's no longer like the old days, when character mattered; the change is remarkable,” Rain Star Moon mused, resting her chin in her hand, reflecting on how people lived last century.

Lin Zimo replied, “Just because someone looks good doesn’t mean their character is good. People’s hearts are filthy.”

“That’s hard to say. The way things are now, it’s difficult to predict what’s in someone’s heart.”

Rain Star Moon continued reading her novel. Lin Zimo, having just sat down beside her, was still in high spirits, and started fidgeting to catch her attention. But Rain Star Moon was completely engrossed in her book, unable to break away from the plot. She was so moved by the story that tears rolled down her cheeks.

Lin Zimo was startled, afraid her antics had made Rain Star Moon cry, and wanted to apologize. Rain Star Moon, snapping out of the narrative, explained it was just the novel's drama that had overwhelmed her, and she hadn’t even noticed Lin Zimo. What kind of book could move Rain Star Moon to tears twice? Lin Zimo checked the title: it was Luo E’s “Cherry Blossoms Beneath the Starry Sky.”

“Is this book really so good?” Lin Zimo asked.

“That’s none of your business. Just do your own thing and leave me to mine.”

“No words.”

Their attention shifted to Huang Feifan, who was sparring with Xiao Jian. This was their first match since mastering the Quick Strike style. Even Huang Feifan was curious to see the results of his rigorous training.

Zhang Yi was excited too; his two weeks of hard work hadn’t been wasted. If he could knock out his opponent in a real match, it would be perfect.

Xiao Jian warned them to use the Quick Strike leg techniques sparingly in competitions. If too many people knew about it, they’d start devising strategies to counter those who used the leg style.

At Zhang Yi’s shout to begin, the two launched straight into a battle of leg techniques. From Zhang Yi’s perspective, their speed was evenly matched—lightning fast, surpassing the basic level. The only obvious sign of their mastery was the incredible speed of their kicks.

Huang Feifan used the first move of Quick Strike: “Scattered Outside, Scattered Within.” The moment he unleashed it, even Xiao Jian felt an invisible pressure, forcing him to defend.

Xiao Jian was used to intimidating others, but now, he was the one under pressure from Huang Feifan. Clearly, this leg technique was so powerful it could awaken a person’s hidden potential.

Unable to withstand it, Xiao Jian called for a halt. He knew he couldn’t handle Huang Feifan’s “Scattered Outside, Scattered Within”—it was suffocating.

Huang Feifan stopped and eagerly asked, “Brother Xiao, how was that?”

Xiao Jian smiled, “Perfect. I had no confidence I could block your kick. Your power is immense. With more practice, you’ll reach mastery.”

“Yes,” Huang Feifan replied, thrilled to have made Xiao Jian feel threatened. Would others react the same way?

Zhang Yi then jumped in, eager to spar with Huang Feifan. Just like Xiao Jian, he was overwhelmed by “Scattered Outside, Scattered Within” and quickly gave up resisting. Experiencing the terror of the technique firsthand, he finally understood why Xiao Jian warned them to use it sparingly—it could make an opponent surrender instantly, and winning without a fight felt hollow.

Afterward, the three sat down, and Xiao Jian was very satisfied with Huang Feifan and Zhang Yi’s performance. Though he had been training for two months, their talent was impressive. To Xiao Jian, their future was bright; Rain Star Moon, however, thought it was simply a matter of having help.

Just then, someone posted a message in the Tianyuan Team’s group chat. Xiao Jian opened it—it was from Chen Siyu, with an address and an urgent request for help.

“Chen Siyu’s in trouble. Let’s go help her,” Xiao Jian said.

“Let’s hurry!” Huang Feifan urged.

“Yes.”

Following Chen Siyu’s directions, Xiao Jian and the others set out. Aside from heavy traffic, there were no other issues. Half an hour later, they arrived at Chen Siyu’s location.

Seeing Chen Siyu, Xiao Jian approached her. “What happened? Why the urgency?”

Chen Siyu felt a sense of safety as soon as she saw the three arrive, and explained, “People started fighting because of me. You have to stop them.”

“Why were they fighting over you?” Huang Feifan inquired.

Chen Siyu explained: Someone wanted to pursue her—the same Wang Feng whom Rain Star Moon had once thrown over her shoulder. Wang Feng was captivated by Chen Siyu’s looks and tried to woo her, but he wasn’t the only one; another man liked her too. The two started arguing, and Wang Feng called for backup. Lin Zimo had warned earlier that Wang Feng was a shady character, so Rain Star Moon should be careful.

Rain Star Moon had mentioned him to Xiao Jian, and he was wary. During Chen Siyu’s call, the fight had already begun. Wang Feng had the numbers and quickly drove the other suitor away. Chen Siyu escaped and waited for the three, fearing things could get worse.

“So that’s what happened. Where is Wang Feng now?” Xiao Jian asked.

“Look, he’s already here,” Chen Siyu said, pointing to the other side of the bridge. Wang Feng stood there, flanked by seven or eight men, intent on a gang beating. The three immediately went on alert.

“He’s not about to lose control, is he?” Zhang Yi wondered.

“It’s possible. Look at how he gazes at Chen Siyu—full of hunger,” Huang Feifan observed.

“Be careful. Get ready to fight,” Xiao Jian said seriously.

“Chen Siyu, you belong to me!” Wang Feng’s voice was shrill, his eyes devoid of emotion, filled only with possessiveness. His cronies shared the same sentiment—how could someone as good as Chen Siyu fall into Wang Feng’s hands? To them, Chen Siyu was just an object.

Chen Siyu’s face was filled with rage; she had nothing to say to someone like Wang Feng. Only by beating him into submission would he leave her alone.

Wang Feng signaled his men to rush forward and subdue Chen Siyu, but Xiao Jian and the others wouldn’t allow it. Anyone who wanted to touch Chen Siyu would have to get past them first—they wouldn’t let a single hair on her head be harmed.

The three divided the task efficiently. Xiao Jian took on the tallest thugs, while Huang Feifan and Zhang Yi handled the rest. Chen Siyu didn’t understand why, as a Tianyuan Team member herself, her body wouldn’t move—she could only watch, wishing she could help.

During the fight, Zhang Yi was injured. To protect Huang Feifan from being knocked out by a baseball bat, he blocked the blow with his arms, leaving his right hand too painful to lift. Huang Feifan, seeing Zhang Yi hurt while protecting him, immediately lost his temper. Was it possible someone would try to kill him?

“You hurt my brother—you’re finished!” Huang Feifan went all out. Normally quiet, he struggled to control his emotions, but seeing Zhang Yi injured for his sake pushed him over the edge.

Huang Feifan decided to use Quick Strike’s “Shifting Sand” technique to teach the thugs a lesson and show them his power.

“Take this!”

The thugs were crushed by Huang Feifan’s “Shifting Sand,” unable to breathe. Xiao Jian had already dealt with his opponents—their abilities were on a completely different level.

Everyone else focused on Huang Feifan, sensing his overwhelming threat. It felt as if the man before them was about to unleash a massacre.

They all attacked Huang Feifan together. Watching these youths, the same age as him, Huang Feifan wondered why they chose to live on the streets. They truly didn’t understand their parents’ intentions.

He sighed, “I didn’t want to hurt you, but since you insist…”

Huang Feifan began to unleash “Shifting Sand.” As everyone advanced, his first kick sent one flying, then another two followed.

Wang Feng was dumbfounded, thinking his numbers would easily overwhelm the three. He hadn’t expected to encounter such formidable opponents. He tried to escape, but Xiao Jian caught him, warning that any more tricks would cost him his life.

Police cars appeared in the distance. During the fight, Chen Siyu had called the police and requested an ambulance to take Zhang Yi to the hospital. Zhang Yi’s arm was badly bruised and swollen, but he endured the pain and made it to the hospital.

Xiao Jian and the others accompanied Chen Siyu to give their statements, as they were involved in the altercation. Xiao Jian explained it was self-defense to protect Chen Siyu, and she confirmed their account.

As for Wang Feng, it was his second time in the police station. Last time, he had pushed Rain Star Moon from the second floor to the first, and was reprimanded for it. Now, he had caused another incident over a girl, and even the male officers thought he was beyond hope.

Wang Feng was detained for seven hours. After Chen Siyu and the others finished their statements, they left the station and immediately went to the hospital to check on Zhang Yi. Xiao Jian called Rain Star Moon, and Chen Siyu messaged Lin Zimo, urging them to hurry to the hospital.

Half an hour later, everyone arrived. Zhang Yi was undergoing surgery.

The doctor explained that the bones in Zhang Yi’s right arm were shattered and needed to be removed surgically. The operation could leave lasting complications. Everyone prayed for him.

Chen Siyu recounted the incident to Rain Star Moon, who, after hearing it, angrily punched the wall. “Wang Feng, if I’d known it was you, I’d have beaten you until you soiled yourself—let’s see if you would still act so arrogant.”

Xiao Jian said, “He’s being punished with detention. What matters now is whether Zhang Yi’s arm can recover.”

He was right. If Zhang Yi’s arm didn’t heal, their team would be down a member for the upcoming competition. Without Zhang Yi’s support, the team wouldn’t be complete. Rain Star Moon closed her eyes in prayer, and everyone else fell silent, waiting for the outcome.

The hospital notified Zhang Yi’s family, urging them to come quickly. About an hour later, his parents arrived outside the operating room.