Chapter Twenty: Displaying Miracles Before Others

“Master Li.”
The magistrate, Xue, rose to his feet in excitement, walked over to Li Yun, and grasped his sleeve, saying, “You’ve only just recovered from your wounds…”

The chieftain Li smiled kindly. “I am quite well now.”

Magistrate Xue coughed and stepped even closer, lowering his voice. “There’s no need for this. I can handle them…”

Li Yun shook his head slightly, his gaze unwavering, and replied coolly, “You needn’t worry, Master Xue. I have some modest martial skills—dealing with a few retainers from the manor houses shouldn’t be a problem.”

Though Magistrate Xue had not known Li Yun for long, he could tell that this was a cautious man. Once he was sure Li Yun was not simply drunk, the magistrate returned gracefully to his seat, looking calmly at the others around the table.

“Well, since Master Li is so inclined, let us all witness your ability to single-handedly vanquish several bandits.”

The chieftain Li smiled and turned to Master Zheng. “Master Zheng, where are your men?”

Seeing Li Yun’s confident expression, Master Zheng hesitated. After a moment, he said, “Master Li, this room is rather cramped for such a demonstration. Why not take it outside?”

Li Yun glanced at the available space—barely enough for four people to stand; even that seemed crowded. If all four attacked at once, there would be little room for maneuver, let alone for any tactical movement.

Nevertheless, Li Yun remained composed, smiling as he said, “Since this is for everyone’s amusement, it should naturally be done before our esteemed guests. No need to move outside—please, Master Zheng, have your retainers come in.”

Only then did Master Zheng summon his attendant, murmured a few instructions, and soon the attendant hurried out. Moments later, four sturdy men entered, one after the other.

They were in their late twenties or thirties, dressed in short jackets and all built powerfully.

These were the “manor retainers” peculiar to this era—essentially, local gentry who owned sizable lands, sometimes fortifying their estates as if they were strongholds. Large estates, with thousands or even tens of thousands of acres, often kept dozens or even hundreds of hired fighters, known as retainers.

It was such people who allowed the local gentry to protect their wealth, dominate their regions, and oppress the common folk. For only through force could power be maintained.

Some of the largest estates were so well-defended that even robbers, bandits, or marauding soldiers would have trouble breaking in.

Master Zheng was a typical landowner of this kind, with several thousand acres, and, under the guise of an “enthusiast of martial arts,” he kept many such men in his employ.

The four men before them were his most skilled retainers, always following him for protection. Each was nearly as tall as Li Yun himself.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of the tavern, there was another gathering—a banquet hosted by Madam Xue for the “ladies of distinction” from Qingyang County. Besides hosting them, she wished to make it clear to these notorious gossips that her daughter’s reputation was untouched.

In truth, these so-called “ladies” were the true hubs of local rumor and reputation.

Xue Yun’er was among them. Hearing the commotion below, she and her mother excused themselves and went to the railing to watch.

Soon, every lady on the second floor was drawn to the spectacle, crowding the balustrade in a ring.

Madam Xue stood beside her daughter, watching Li Yun facing the four men below, her brows drawn together. “Your father is too much—how could he allow our family’s benefactor to be forced into such a situation?”

Yun’er kept her gaze on Li Yun below. Hearing her mother’s words, she shook her head gently and whispered, “Mother, Brother Li is very clever.”

The implication was clear—Li Yun would not have allowed himself to be pushed into this predicament unless it was by his own choice.

Madam Xue still frowned. “In such a cramped space—if all four rush him at once, how could he possibly cope?”

This made Yun’er frown as well. That day, before she was taken up the mountain, she had seen Li Yun fighting with several constables. Back then, he let his guard down, was pinned by two men grabbing his legs, and knocked out by a blow from the squad leader’s sword hilt.

Now… the situation seemed even worse.

If Li Yun were to lose here, wouldn’t his story about rescuing people from bandits collapse under its own weight?

Her heart clenched at the thought.

“They’re starting! They’re starting!”
Just as Miss Xue was lost in thought, a lady beside her cried out in surprise.

Yun’er quickly looked down.

Below, the formalities had ended, and the chieftain Li had even taunted them a bit. The four martial retainers could hold back no longer and charged at Li Yun!

Noticing Li Yun’s steady stance, they dared not be careless, spreading out to attack from four directions.

Chieftain Li bent his knees slightly, his whole body like a crouching tiger. Though he wore a long robe that concealed much of his physique, the moment he lowered himself, the muscles of his back and waist stood out. They weren’t overly large, nor exaggerated, but radiated explosive strength.

The ladies watching from above all gasped in unison.

A few young widows covered their mouths and giggled, their eyes following Li Yun intently. Some, emboldened, whispered among themselves, their faces flushed with laughter like silver bells.

Meanwhile, below, Li Yun faced his four opponents and launched his attack.

He knew he must not let himself be surrounded; if he were, even the greatest skill would be for nothing. So he picked one target and, relying on brute strength, charged straight at him!

This move had never failed him before.

But as Li Yun barreled toward his chosen opponent, the man barely dodged aside. Chieftain Li exhaled sharply, making himself stop dead in his tracks. Without hesitation, his right fist shot out in a whip-like blow, smashing into the man’s waist and belly!

His strength was immense—the man went down immediately, losing all ability to fight after just one strike.

By then, the other three had already closed in.

Li Yun let out a cold laugh, thrust out his right hand, and grabbed at another. Knowing Li Yun’s strength, the man ducked low to evade, but Li Yun pressed in relentlessly, slamming into him with a brutal shoulder-check.

Li Yun was strong enough to draw a heavy war bow; his might was beyond what these manor hands could handle. The second man failed to dodge and was knocked off his feet, crashing into a bench and sprawling out.

Yet Li Yun did not go unharmed—one of the remaining two landed a punch on his back, the other struck his shoulder.

Li Yun staggered slightly, but seemed not to notice.

The two retainers exchanged alarmed glances, then quickly stepped back, clasped their hands, and declared, “We concede, master!”

But the chieftain, roused to ferocity by their blows, ignored them entirely. He charged forward, seized each by the collar, planted his feet, and with a mighty heave, threw them straight out of the main hall!

Both men flew several yards before hitting the ground, rolling and tumbling, exchanging shocked looks.

Though this all takes long to describe, it happened in the blink of an eye. In a clean, decisive burst, Chieftain Li had defeated four skilled retainers.

“Bravo!!”
“What skill!”

As the two men went flying, cheers erupted throughout the tavern.

Loudest of all was Magistrate Xue.

Even his two sons, who had previously been wary, now looked at Li Yun with newfound respect.

Clearly, they now believed that Li Yun had indeed rescued their sister from bandits. With such fighting prowess, overcoming a few mountain bandits up close was hardly a challenge.

The discussion among the ladies upstairs grew even more animated. A young widow from a wealthy family gazed at Li Yun with a tender, lingering look.

“This Master Li is truly impressive—”
A woman laughed softly. “I wonder if he’s married yet—”

Even Madam Xue could not help but look at Li Yun, sighing inwardly, “Without such ability, how could he possibly have saved my child?”

Miss Xue’s eyes sparkled as she watched Li Yun, lost in thought.

Chieftain Li caught his breath, strode back to the table, looked calmly at Magistrate Xue and the others, and clasped his fists in salute.

“Forgive my modest display.”