Chapter Sixty-Nine: More Ruthless Than Me

With both hands gripping the handle of the cleaver, the withered-faced thug drove the blade downward, its tip aimed mercilessly at Zhou Zhi’s thigh. Zhou Zhi, still reeling from the heavy kick Liu Hui had just delivered, could scarcely catch his breath. Only when the others crowded around Liu Hui to greet him did Zhou Zhi manage to gulp a few breaths and rally his strength.

Now, seeing the blade about to plunge, his body instinctively rolled to the side—but he was still a moment too slow. The tip of the cleaver sliced into the flesh of his thigh.

Before the blood could flow, a searing pain shot through him. Zhou Zhi drew in a sharp, fierce breath but did not utter a sound. His star-bright eyes flashed with an icy light. Without aiming, he swung the axe in his right hand at the withered-faced thug, while his left hand clawed madly in the same direction.

The thug tried frantically to dodge, managing to avoid the axe, but Zhou Zhi’s powerful left hand clamped onto the thug’s right hand—the one holding the cleaver—gripping it like iron.

It was fortunate indeed that this body was strong and robust. Zhou Zhi’s grasp was relentless, refusing to let go. The thug twisted and fought, desperate to break free. The more he struggled, the tighter Zhou Zhi’s grip became, and with the threat of Zhou Zhi’s wild axe swings, the thug could no longer move his cleaver at all.

“What are you all standing around for? Get in here! Beat this brat until he’s crippled, but remember, not a fatal wound!” Liu Hui barked, seeing his henchman unable to subdue Zhou Zhi alone.

A life lost was a grave matter. Liu Hui was only in this for the money, to smooth over someone’s troubles—he had no interest in getting Zhou Zhi killed and bringing the law down on his own head.

Truth be told, the other men wanted to step in, but with the thug blocking Zhou Zhi, there was no easy way to help. Especially those holding long wooden clubs—they simply couldn’t get a clear swing.

The men circled the tangled pair, searching for an opening.

Pain throbbed from Zhou Zhi’s wounded thigh, but his mind was clearer than ever, and his strength erupted in a sudden surge.

With a mighty pull, his left hand dragged the thug down to the ground.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Zhou Zhi rolled with him, the two locked in a desperate grapple.

At some point, the thug lost hold of his cleaver. Zhou Zhi, though still clutching his axe, was unable to swing it freely in the chaos.

The four men standing around were at a loss—any blow might strike the wrong target, injuring their own man instead of Zhou Zhi. Amid their confusion, the thug suddenly let out a hideous yelp—then both of his hands flew from Zhou Zhi to clutch at his ear.

Zhou Zhi wasted no time. His axe now free, he brought it down savagely onto the thug’s arm.

The blow made the thug howl as if his soul were being torn from his body. His shoulder bone had clearly been shattered by Zhou Zhi’s axe. Zhou Zhi showed not a hint of mercy. One hand seized the thug, the other raised the axe, its blade gleaming as he pointed it down—not yet striking, but glaring coldly at the others.

Zhou Zhi’s hair was in wild disarray, tangled across his chest and down his back. His eyes blazed with murderous light. Blood smeared his face, and between his teeth he clenched half of a severed ear. In the white snow, he looked every inch a demon—terrifying, formidable.

Only then did the others realize what had happened—during their struggle on the ground, Zhou Zhi had bitten off half of the thug’s ear.

Heavens! This man was vicious—did he want to eat human flesh?

The gangsters followed Liu Hui for the sake of a meal, for the little pleasures in life, for the thrill of a fight now and then—not to risk their lives. But Zhou Zhi clearly meant to go all the way. The way he looked now, they’d only seen such a nightmare in their worst dreams. Especially with the thug’s wailing cries, they were frozen in fear, unable to move.

Zhou Zhi spat the ear onto the ground and said to Liu Hui, “Do you believe I’ll split his skull with this axe right now?”

It was the first time Zhou Zhi had spoken since Liu Hui and his men arrived; his voice was so icy it sent chills down their spines.

The thug, still lucid, screamed, “Boss, I believe him! I believe him! He’ll kill me—boss, you have to save me!”

His cries were pitiful in the extreme.

But Zhou Zhi paid him no heed, not even a furrow in his brow.

Liu Hui, who had been watching the struggle closely, now saw Zhou Zhi’s fearsome face all too clearly. He couldn’t help but feel a shiver of dread. Ruthless—this kid was even more ruthless than himself.

Though Liu Hui was no slouch in a fight and moved with agility, he found himself at a loss. Should he try to snatch his man from Zhou Zhi? Impossible—Zhou Zhi’s axe was poised to strike. Any move and that axe would split the thug’s head in an instant.

After a moment’s cold contemplation, Liu Hui cupped his hands toward Zhou Zhi and said solemnly, “Zhou Zhi, I, Liu Hui, admit defeat today. Let him go and we’ll leave at once. We’ll never trouble you again.”

His words carried gravity.

Perhaps fearing Zhou Zhi might refuse, he added, “I’m a man of my word.”

“Fine! I’ll let him go!” Zhou Zhi barely hesitated before shoving the thug aside and rising slowly to his feet.

Blood from his thigh wound had soaked a large patch of his trousers, yet Zhou Zhi stood tall and straight, his hair wild, his appearance both terrifying and unyielding.

The thug at last managed to escape, one hand clutching his ear, the other hanging limp—his shoulder bone had been shattered by Zhou Zhi’s axe, and he could not stop moaning in pain.

“What now, boss?” the four men asked Liu Hui, their voices trembling despite their words of bravado—Zhou Zhi had shaken them to the core.

Liu Hui, seeing Zhou Zhi truly let his man go, paused in surprise. This boy has guts, he thought. That’s real presence.

He cupped his hands again and called out, “Zhou Zhi, I, Liu Hui, keep my word. I’m convinced—you win. We’re leaving.”

With that, he ignored his still-wailing henchman and turned to go.

The other four quickly helped the injured thug, and the six of them withdrew at a measured pace.

Just then, from the west side of the vegetable greenhouse, two figures slowly rose and shouted, “Brother Liu Hui, wait for us!”

Liu Hui stopped and turned.

The two hurried over, but stopped first in front of Zhou Zhi, bowing deeply and respectfully. “Young Master Zhou, it’s us. We’ve come to see you.”

They were Niu Desheng and Liu Wa.

Only after greeting Zhou Zhi did they approach Liu Hui, bowing and fawning. “Boss, it’s us.”

Liu Hui snorted, “What are you two mongrels doing here?”

Niu Desheng grinned obsequiously. “We had nothing to do, so we came out for a stroll. We happened to see you and Young Master Zhou fighting for your lives, so we rushed over to mediate. Brother Liu Hui, we have a suggestion—let’s make peace between you and Young Master Zhou. We all have to see each other in the future; let’s not let old grudges get in the way.”

Brother Liu Hui, Young Master Zhou—seems like I’m a generation below Zhou Zhi! Liu Hui thought wryly to himself.