Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

"Snapped--!"

Chen Zhan turned around, raised his hand and closed the pawnshop door. The heavy wooden door shut out all light and noise from outside.

They also kept dozens of axemen outside the door.

Outside the pawnshop, dozens of executioners looked at each other, but none of them dared to push the door open.

They could hear faint noises coming from inside the house, and without Yinmian Liu's command, no one dared to move.

Inside the black and white pawnshop, the candlelight remained dim, reflecting the mess on the floor.

Chen Zhan sat back down in the intact solid wood chair, picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of cool tea. He held the teacup between his fingertips and sipped it slowly.

The herbal tea, once swallowed, is refreshing and has a sweet aftertaste, creating a strangely pleasant sensation.

Yinmian Liu collapsed to the ground, covered in blood, his face as pale as paper.

He had long been out of practice and his swordsmanship was far inferior to what it had been a decade or so ago.

In the art of boxing, the worst thing is to be lazy.

Practice hard in the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer; if you don't practice for a day, your strength will weaken.

If you don't practice for three days, you'll only have clumsy skills; if you don't practice for ten days, you'll become a complete novice.

Moreover, Liu, the man with the dark side, has been in a high position and living a life of luxury for more than ten years, so he has hardly trained at all, and most of his skills have been lost.

Just now, Chen Zhan threw him, breaking several of his ribs and deforming one of his legs. Now, even moving a finger causes him to convulse in pain.

Fire-Burning Vajra and Tiger Claw Vajra, each with a severed arm, were just recovering from the excruciating pain and struggling to sit up when Chen Zhan slowly returned to the house.

Without stopping, he casually patted each of their waists and abdomens with a light touch.

The two giants groaned, their strength instantly dissipating. Unable to hold on any longer, they collapsed to the ground, pressed together with Yin Mian Liu, only able to groan in pain.

The ten black-clad swordsmen were the least injured.

Previously, Chen Zhan had only struck her wrist with a chop, causing numbness due to poor blood circulation. Now, her wrist has gradually regained sensation and she can move it with difficulty.

But no one dared to move, no one dared to take even half a step forward.

Their own Third Master collapsed at Chen Zhan's feet, groaning in pain. The two Vajra Warriors were completely powerless to resist. The mysterious person in front of them was so powerful that they couldn't even muster the thought of resisting.

Chen Zhan took two more sips of cold tea, put down the teacup, and the bottom of the cup collided with the table, making a crisp sound.

Yinmian Liu gritted his teeth, forcing himself to calm down. He raised his head and roared at Chen Zhan, "Your Excellency is a powerful force, and I, Liu San'er, admit defeat! But I really haven't offended you, have I? Selling you information is such a small matter, it shouldn't warrant such a ruthless pursuit!"

Chen Zhan nodded, his tone calm and even: "Actually, you're right, I was indeed deliberately picking a fight."

Upon hearing this, hope instantly ignited in Yinmian Liu's eyes, and his mind immediately became active.

As long as the other party has a purpose and demands, there is room for maneuver. As long as one can survive, anything is negotiable.

What do you desire, sir?

He quickly spoke up, his tone full of flattery, "Money, territory, manpower, just name your price! Even if you want to establish a sect in Tianjin, I, Liu San'er, will fully support you. There's nothing I can't do in Tianjin!"

Seeing Chen Zhan gently shake his head, Liu with a stern face hurriedly added, "Why are you shaking your head? Why don't you tell me what it is that I, Liu San'er, can't do? Just ask, and I'll do everything in my power to get it done for you!"

Chen Zhan lowered his head, his gaze sweeping over the shady Liu on the ground, and lightly tapped the account book beside him with his finger: "I want the foreigners dead, can you do it?"

Yin Mian Liu froze instantly, opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word, and fell into silence.

He had colluded with foreigners for many years and knew all too well how powerful they were. Let alone killing a foreigner, even offending an ordinary foreign missionary could bring about utter destruction. Chen Zhan's words were simply beyond his capabilities.

After a moment, Liu Cai, with his dark face, finally came to his senses. His eyes were full of doubt as he cautiously asked, "Are you a member of the imperial court?"

In his view, only people from the imperial court would dare to say such things.

But Chen Zhan's appearance was nothing like that of a court official—he didn't shave his head, didn't wear a braid, and dressed casually, without any of the smoothness or rigidity of an official.

"The Qing court deserves to die too."

Chen Zhan's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, like a thunderclap in Yinmian Liu's ears.

Yinmian Liu was even more bewildered.

These days, there are many people who dare to oppose foreigners, but not many who dare to oppose the Qing government. This is the first time he has ever seen someone who dares to oppose both foreigners and the Qing government.

The concept of "revolution" simply didn't exist in his mind.

In his view, whether it was foreigners or the Qing Dynasty, it was just a matter of changing rulers.

People from all walks of life, from the most humble to the most ordinary, will continue to live according to their previous ways of life, regardless of the dynasty or the time.

Looking at his bewildered expression, Chen Zhan slowly spoke, breaking the silence in the room: "You want to live?"

Yinmian Liu suddenly looked up, a glint of wild joy flashing in his eyes. He nodded frantically, his voice trembling, "I want to live! I want to live! If you'll spare my life, I'll do anything you ask!"

"Do two things for me, and I might live, or I might die."

Chen Zhan paused, then added, "But at least, they won't die immediately."

"I'll do it! I'll do it!" Yinmian Liu agreed immediately without even thinking.

He was extremely good at reading people and could tell that Chen Zhan had no intention of lying to him.

As long as he can leave this place, he will have a glimmer of hope. If he hides in the concession area and relies on the protection of the foreigners, no matter how capable Chen Zhan is, he will not be able to find him.

"Ah."

Chen Zhan nodded slightly. "Have your men bring me all the information on foreigners in the concession."

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over Yinmian Liu, and added, "Don't tell me you've been colluding with foreigners for so many years without gathering any information. I've seen your ledgers."

Yinmian Liu's heart skipped a beat. He dared not hide anything and quickly pointed to the leader of the ten black-clad swordsmen, saying urgently, "Yes! There's information! Go to my room, the third compartment from the left, there's a wooden box inside. The money and the foreigners' information are all in there. Bring it all over!"

He originally wanted to send the two Great Vajras, but they were too badly injured to even stand up, so he had to send the leader of the knife-wielding gang.

The leader of the knife-wielders did not hesitate and nodded quickly. He carefully bypassed Chen Zhan and hurried towards the backyard.

After the leader of the knife-wielding gang left, Chen Zhan looked at Yinmian Liu and asked calmly, "What forces do you have a grudge against?"

Yinmian Liu thought for a moment, then said with a wry smile, "There are too many forces I have grudges against. But if I had to say who hates me to the bone, it would be Tiezui Ma Liu. He has always wanted to take over my shady business, but he doesn't understand the game and can't do business well. Besides, his backer isn't strong enough."

If you don't understand the system, you don't understand the ins and outs of the shady business.

The gray market is never just about buying low and selling high. It involves many techniques such as fraud, gambling, pawning, and loan sharking. Most importantly, it involves business acumen and maneuvering among various forces.

Iron-Mouthed Ma Liu is a notorious hoodlum in Tianjin, with many skilled men under his command. However, he only knows how to use his fists and doesn't understand business or social maneuvering.

Over time, no one was willing to cooperate with him.

His business never really grew big, and he could only survive by seizing territory, markets, temple fairs, and the power to influence weddings and funerals, extorting small vendors, and collecting protection money.

This kind of business with no initial investment is exciting, but the money comes too slowly. Many ordinary merchants don't make much profit at all, and if they are squeezed too much, there won't be a next time.

He also has too many brothers under his command.

Therefore, I greatly admire Liu with a darker complexion.

"Who is his backer?" Chen Zhan asked again.

"His third uncle works in Prince Yi's residence; he's a guard captain." "Prince Yi?"

Yinmian Liu hurriedly explained, afraid that Chen Zhan was unaware of Prince Yi's importance: "He is the current Iron-Cap Prince, Aisin-Gioro Yixin, the sixth son of Emperor Daoguang, the half-brother of Emperor Xianfeng, and the current emperor's sixth uncle!"

He explained in great detail, word by word, afraid of saying a single wrong word and displeasing Chen Zhan.

"Isn't this backer strong enough?" Chen Zhan raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone tinged with curiosity.

"The Iron-Capped King is powerful enough, but he can't quench our thirst from afar!"

"It's not so easy for the capital to extend its influence into Tianjin. Besides, his third uncle is just an ordinary guard commander. He can't represent Prince Yi at all, nor can he borrow much of Prince Yi's power."

Chen Zhan nodded casually, "Yeah, perfect. Find him, and I'll kill him."

"what?"

Yinmian Liu was stunned and didn't react.
These major powers in Tianjin are deeply entrenched, each with powerful backers.

Chen Zhan had just captured him and hadn't even had time to deal with him before he was going to kill Tie Zui Ma Liu. This was going to completely disrupt the situation in Tianjin!

Little did he know that when Chen Zhan was looking through the notes from the pawnshop, he had already listed Tie Zui Ma Liu as one of the people who had to be killed.

Iron-Mouthed Ma Liu committed numerous evils, including trafficking women and children; the blood on his hands was no less than that of the other man.

"Didn't you understand?"

Chen Zhan's gaze turned slightly cold as he swept it over Liu with the dark expression. "You feel sorry for him? Why don't you die in his place?"

Yinmian Liu trembled all over and quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak again.

Just then, a soft "click-click" sound came from the corner.

Chen Zhan's gaze swept across the corner in an instant.

Although Huo Liaojingang had lost an arm, he somehow produced a short flintlock pistol and was quickly loading gunpowder with his only intact left hand, quietly aiming the muzzle at Chen Zhan.

Without any hesitation!

"Bam—!"

The flintlock pistol fired, and a torrent of fire shot out, heading straight for Chen Zhan.

The moment the "click-click" sound rang out, Yinmian Liu was already so frightened that he lay on the ground, too scared to move.

He had heard the sound of flintlock muskets being loaded countless times, and he knew the power and range of flintlock muskets.

This distance is less than ten meters.

This flintlock musket, though less powerful than the modern firearms of Westerners decades later, was still powerful enough to pierce ordinary clothing and flesh, making it a deadly weapon for ordinary people.

Chen Zhan's expression remained unchanged, his right hand resting on the teacup.

Seeing this, he focused his energy on his dantian, and his whole body surged with power. He then used his four fingers to strike the celadon teacup.

"Snap—!"

The celadon teacup shattered instantly, the fragments carried by the force of the four fingers, flying like arrows straight towards the direction of the Fiery Vajra.

The fire snake collided with the porcelain shard, producing a piercing, crisp sound. The porcelain shard, struck by the fire snake, shattered and broke into fine powder, which then drifted into the air.

The dim candlelight flickered violently, its light flashing on and off.

Even after the porcelain shards shattered, the fiery serpent continued its relentless advance, carrying the pungent smell of gunpowder, as it hurtled towards Chen Zhan.

Modern flintlock muskets use black powder and fire round lead bullets.

The lead bullet was extremely fast, and it arrived in front of Chen Zhan in the blink of an eye.

Chen Zhan raised his left hand to block in front of him, his fingers and wrists flying, his strength concentrated at his fingertips, and with each flick, his nails made a "clanging" sound, like metal clashing.

As soon as the sound subsided, Yinmian Liu eagerly raised his head, wanting to see the horrific state of Chen Zhan after being hit by a lead bullet.

But what he saw was a scene he would never forget – between two fingers of Chen Zhan's left hand was a scalding hot lead pellet, with some gunpowder powder and the smell of burning still clinging to his fingers.

His expression was calm, as if he had merely picked up a tiny, insignificant pebble.

Catching a musket with bare hands!
Yinmian Liu trembled all over, his lips quivering, and he couldn't help but ask, "Are you... are you even human?"

Chen Zhan smiled, raised his hand and threw the lead pellet on the ground. The pellet landed on the bluestone floor with a crisp "ding" sound, and was still slightly hot.

"So, it seems like you can't kill me?"

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the fiery-faced man in the corner, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery: "Try faking it again?"

In the corner, Huo Liao Jingang's eyes were bloodshot, filled with resentment and madness.

With his only intact left hand, he quickly reached behind him, trying to load another gunpowder and lead bullet, but with only one hand, his movements were clumsy and slow, and he couldn't move quickly at all.

Chen Zhan moved swiftly and appeared in front of him in an instant, his speed as fast as a ghost, leaving no afterimage.

Bagua Palm Press!

He pressed one hand onto the flintlock pistol, unleashing a burst of power.

The flintlock pistol, made primarily of sheet metal and supplemented with hardwood, was more fragile than a piece of paper under his palm strike, and was crushed to pieces from start to finish.

Immediately afterwards, Chen Zhan rubbed his palm together, kneading the shattered iron and wood chips from the broken flintlock gun into a ball, and then pressed it down, forcefully crushing the only intact left hand of the Fire-Blazing Vajra.

"what--!"

Before he could finish screaming, Chen Zhan struck again, driving the scrap metal and wood chips deep into his chest.

"Pfft pfft—!"

Fire-Burning Vajra spat out two mouthfuls of blood, his eyes instantly lost their light, his body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Chen Zhan turned around, his figure swayed, and he returned to the seat in front of Yin Mian Liu.

I sat down again and poured myself a glass of iced tea.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, looked at the still-shaken Yinmian Liu on the ground, and asked calmly, "Third Master Liu, do you think this fierce dragon of mine can cross the Qujiang River in Tianjin?"

Yinmian Liu was already completely disoriented, his mind wandering, constantly muttering, "We'll get through it, we'll definitely get through it."

At this moment, he was truly afraid.

There's no such thing as a powerful dragon being unable to suppress a local snake. If it can't be suppressed, it's just that the dragon isn't fierce enough, powerful enough, or ruthless enough.

What is a Raptor?

The fierce dragons that had roamed Tianjin for decades were not dragons at all; compared to Chen Zhan, they were all serpents, snakes, or insects.

He finally understood that Chen Zhan was not some fierce dragon crossing the river, but a killing god, a killing god he could not afford to offend.

This time, the foreigners are in trouble too.
Silence fell again in the room, broken only by the crackling of the candlelight and the faint trembling of Yinmian Liu.

"Those who want to watch the show, come in too, I'm talking to you."

Chen Zhan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried to the corner outside. (End of Chapter)