Chapter Two: The Heinous Assault Incident

Young Master Gao’s full name was Gao Kan, originally the son of Gao Qiu’s elder brother. As Gao Qiu had no heirs of his own, he adopted this boy as his son. Relying on the power and influence of his father, Gao Qiu, Gao Kan indulged every animalistic urge to the fullest. He had one particular vice: a passion for novelty—new women fascinated him, and anything out of the ordinary drew his eager curiosity.

Zhao Yu grasped this weakness well. He deliberately let Gao Kan’s cronies catch wind of his impending duel with Bucktooth Chun, presenting the information as if by accident. As Zhao Yu anticipated, the news was like the scent of blood to a wildcat for Gao Kan. He hurried to the scene, his retinue of lackeys in tow, their excitement palpable. Some of his underlings even knew Bucktooth Chun personally and naturally slipped into Bucktooth Chun’s group.

Bucktooth Chun was beside himself with excitement at Gao Kan’s unexpected arrival. Though unsure why Gao Kan was present, he knew that if he could win the young master’s favor, he would be untouchable in Bianliang’s underworld. The whole crowd surged toward the appointed place, and from afar, they saw Zhao Yu standing tall before a group of street youths.

Bucktooth Chun signaled his followers to halt. He intended to give a grand introduction, showcase his strength, and impress Gao Kan. Yet, before he could utter a word, Gao Kan spoke first.

“Hurry up and fight! Don’t dawdle. I want to see blood!”

No sooner had Gao Kan spoken than a black object came hurtling straight at him. Startled, he shrieked, “Mother!” and tried to duck, but his neck was too short, and sprawled as he was on his sedan chair, there was nowhere to hide.

Bucktooth Chun, seeing something fly his way, instinctively recoiled, thinking at first the object was meant for him. He soon realized Zhao Yu’s real target was Gao Kan.

A piercing scream erupted from Gao Kan, followed by a wailing fit: “Blood! I’m bleeding! Somebody, help me! Father, I’ve been attacked!”

Everyone—including Bucktooth Chun—stood stunned. None had dreamed that Little Yu would dare lay a hand on Young Master Gao.

In the moment of shock, they looked up to find Zhao Yu and his crew already slipping swiftly into the alley.

“To strike our young master? Tired of living, are they? After them! Don’t let those brats escape!” The lackeys, outraged as if their own ancestors’ graves had been desecrated, charged into the alley. Only a few guards stayed behind, the rest howling as they dashed forward.

Bucktooth Chun was nearly desperate enough to wish for death. Gao Kan had been attacked right under his nose. If he failed to catch the culprit, Little Yu, he’d have no standing left in the capital—he might not even keep his life.

There was no time to think. With his own men, he hurried after Gao Kan’s lackeys.

Gao Kan’s injury wasn’t serious—a mere stone had smashed his nose, leaving his face bloodied. As the pain faded, it was soon replaced by rage. Never in his life had he been struck like this!

“Carry me after them! If I don’t flay those bastards alive, I’m no man!” he roared.

His men had no choice but to lift him and rush forward. But as they reached the alley, they saw nothing but a white haze, with countless cries of pain echoing out.

“Those dirty scoundrels! Lime powder—close your eyes!” someone shouted.

“Ow! Who hit me, damn it?” another cursed.

The ambush happened so fast that even a fool would realize there was a trap ahead. Gao Kan’s bearers didn’t wait for orders; at once, they spun around and tried to flee—anything to avoid harm befalling their master.

Hidden in the shadows, Zhao Yu had his eyes fixed on Gao Kan. How could he let him escape so easily? With a flick of his wrist, he sent a tripping rope weighted with stones at both ends whirling toward the retreating lackeys’ legs.

This was no lethal weapon, but it was deadly effective for catching people on the run. The rope wrapped around one lackey’s calf, the stones twisted together, and down he went. This unfortunate soul was one of those carrying Gao Kan.

Gao Kan, being hurried along, never expected his men to fall. As they lost balance, he tumbled from his perch, landing headfirst on the stone pavement. The impact was brutal—his vision went black, his fat cheeks smacked the ground, and agony exploded in his mouth. When he opened it, several bloodied teeth and spittle fell out. His bearers, only realizing their charge had fallen after running several steps, turned back in a panic.

“You little bastards, you dare leave me here? Wait till my father hears of this!” Gao Kan blustered, his head spinning, his mouth bleeding, and his words slurred from a bitten tongue.

The lackeys’ sole duty was to keep Young Master Gao safe and happy. Now, with their charge injured twice, how could they dare abandon him? At the first sign of trouble, they had already turned back. Before Gao Kan could finish shouting, they rushed to his side—just as Zhao Yu arrived.

Zhao Yu had no intention of fighting head-on. He simply tossed another bag of lime at them.

“There he goes again with his dirty tricks—shut your eyes!” someone yelled.

“Protect the young master!” others shouted.

The swirling lime quickly enveloped Gao Kan and his men. Zhao Yu and his friends, prepared for this, had taken precautions; the mild irritant barely affected them.

As the lime settled and Gao Kan’s men were still disoriented, Zhao Yu charged forward and, raising his iron ruler, brought it down hard on Gao Kan’s knee.

This was a task Zhao Yu had to do himself. His powerful background ensured that even if Gao Qiu caught him, he would be safe. Besides, if his own brothers realized the fat boy was Young Master Gao, they’d never dare lay a finger on him.

A sickening crack sounded as bone shattered; Gao Kan screamed and lost consciousness.

The skirmish in the alley was already winding down. With their eyes stinging from lime, Bucktooth Chun and Gao Kan’s lackeys were helpless, the fight hopelessly one-sided. These bullies, so used to swaggering behind their master, were now sobbing and fleeing in disarray.

Seeing the deed was done, Zhao Yu whistled for his men, and they melted away into the darkness of the alley.

Zhao Yu had timed it perfectly. Barely had they vanished when a flood of constables and city guards from Kaifeng Prefecture stormed onto the scene. With so few men, Zhao Yu’s crew couldn’t prevent every slip—some enemies managed to escape.

One fleeing lackey soon encountered a patrol of city officers. Upon hearing that the son of Grand Marshal Gao had been attacked, the officers charged as if infused with new energy. Catching the culprits was less important than currying favor with the Grand Marshal.

None of them expected to find Young Master Gao so grievously injured. At the sight of his battered state, they were struck dumb with terror.

In truth, everyone knew that, given Gao Kan’s behavior, it was only a matter of time before someone killed him in the street. Still, a report had to be made to the Grand Marshal.

Soon, as Gao Kan was carried home for treatment, the city’s streets were locked down. The constables and soldiers began a full-scale manhunt for the assailants. What had begun as a simple street brawl was now officially classified as a brutal attack by notorious bandits.