Chapter 34

The American guards, who were lined up and ready to fire, were caught off guard by the sudden flying nunchucks. Two of the outermost white men were unfortunately hit by the spinning nunchucks, immediately collapsing with blood streaming from their heads, and their muskets were long gone.

The American guards fell into chaos and it took a while for them to stabilize under the barking orders of Sassoon's bodyguards, barely managing to raise their muskets and aim again. Unfortunately, a team of the general's personal guards arrived just in time, surrounding the Americans and ‘protecting’ them. They were forcibly escorted away amidst Sassoon's furious curses.

"Master, I'll help you!"

Only then did Lin Sha finally feel at ease, dashing to the open-air stage in two quick steps. His steel saber gleamed with a cold light as he slashed and hacked wildly, felling two masked men in front of him in the blink of an eye.

Blood splattered, and cries of agony echoed!

The masked men, already on the brink of panic and collapse, were now faced with Wong Fei-hung's long staff sweeping across and Lin Sha's frenzied hacking. They could no longer withstand the pressure and scattered in a burst.

"The target is tough, let's retreat quickly!"

A leader among the masked men, after fiercely hacking several times, finally managed to force back Wong Fei-hung's long staff. He leaped out of the battle in two quick steps, glanced around, and shouted loudly. Without caring whether his comrades could escape safely, he turned and disappeared into the chaotic crowd.

With the leader's example, the other masked men, who were already struggling to hold on, immediately scattered without a word.

"Don't chase the fleeing enemy, let's quickly help the officials stabilize the situation and treat the wounded!"

Wong Fei-hung held his long staff horizontally, blocking Porky Rong and Ling Yun-kai who were about to pursue. He then led his disciples to run around and treat the severely injured.

The general of Foshan had a sullen face, seething with anger but unable to vent it.

He was not a fool and, after calming down, he realized that the American merchants and the masked men were targeting only Wong Fei-hung. Unfortunately, he had been dragged into the situation and was tricked by the brat Lin Sha into taking on this messy task, effectively doing the dirty work for Wong Fei-hung.

Of course, the sudden appearance of the masked men had endangered his personal safety, and there was a suspicion of assassination. Even without Wong Fei-hung, he would not have let them off easily, but the frustration and anger were overwhelming.

Soon, the few masked men who had been felled by Lin Sha's saber were dragged over by the general's personal guards, leaving a long trail of bright red blood and pig-like screams on the ground.

When the masks were roughly pulled off their faces, it was clear that no further interrogation was needed. They were all familiar faces, none other than the core members of the missing Shahe Gang.

Ignoring the Foshan general, who was fuming with rage, the people of Baozhi Lin quickly evacuated the wounded, leaving the mess for the general's office to handle.

...

"Aso, wound medicine!"

"Okay, Master, I'm coming!"

"Asha, Qilingsan!"

"Qilingsan, Master, catch it!"

"..."

The main hall of Baozhi Lin, which had been half-destroyed by a fire, now reeked of blood and was filled with moans, having turned into a large ward.

Most of the audience who were injured at the open-air stage were brought to Baozhi Lin for further treatment. For a time, Baozhi Lin was bustling with activity, with people coming and going without a moment's rest.

The craftsmen recruited to rebuild Baozhi Lin seemed to be affected by the atmosphere, moving much more gently, afraid of making too much noise and disturbing the unfortunate wounded.

Adding to the troubles, a few young men from the local militia quietly arrived, bringing a critically ill and highly sensitive patient.

A middle-aged uncle had been deceived by the American merchant Sassoon to go to the Gold Mountain to mine for gold. He fell ill on the journey and was mercilessly thrown off the ship. Fortunately, the ship was still in coastal waters, and he was washed ashore by the tide and discovered by the local militia. Due to his special status, he had to be secretly sent to Baozhi Lin for treatment.

This was truly a troublesome person. At this point, Baozhi Lin and the American merchant Sassoon were at odds. If the Americans found out that Baozhi Lin was hiding a ‘fugitive’ coolie, it would be a serious problem.

After all, the uncle had signed a three-year indenture contract with the American merchant, involving a large sum of silver. Even though the people of Baozhi Lin were indignant about the uncle's plight, they could not change the fact that they were in the wrong.

Wong Fei-hung gathered Lin Sha and the other disciples for a detailed discussion, deciding that the matter should not be publicized. Once the uncle's condition improved, they would give him some travel money and send him home. As for settling accounts with the American merchant, even the government was powerless, let alone they, who were just people from the martial arts world.

Because of this, the atmosphere at Baozhi Lin became even more somber. It wasn't until evening, when the workers who had been busy all day had a full meal and returned home in groups, that Baozhi Lin returned to its usual calm.

...

"Yan Zhendong from Shandong, here to challenge Master Wong Fei-hung at Baozhi Lin!"

As the night fell, the disciples had just lit the torches and assigned the night watch, preparing to return to their rooms for a good rest, when a deep, Shandong-accented voice suddenly rang out.

"Which bastard is it? Can't you see Baozhi Lin is full of patients?"

The most irritable eldest disciple, Porky Rong, threw down his teapot and stormed towards the source of the voice.

"Shi Rong, no rudeness!"

Wong Fei-hung's face changed, and he swiftly leaped out of the back courtyard. Lin Sha, moving even faster than his master, had already shouted and rushed to the front hall to catch up with the eldest disciple.

"Yan Zhendong from Shandong, here to challenge Master Wong Fei-hung..."

Just as they stepped into the damaged main hall, the two disciples saw a tall, imposing middle-aged man with a strong martial aura striding through the front hall towards the main hall.

"Damn, if you want to challenge us, you have to get past me first!"

Porky Rong's face twisted in anger, and he crouched slightly, stepping forward in a bow stance. In a flash, he was in front of the man, his right fist shooting out like a cannon.

"Hmph, mere trifles!"

The man sneered, speaking in a strange Shandong accent. Instead of retreating, he advanced, his left foot stepping forward and his right leg shooting out like a spring, striking Porky Rong in the stomach and sending him flying.

"Eldest Brother!"

Lin Sha's eyes blazed with anger. His body moved like a swift arrow, leaping up and catching Porky Rong by the shoulder, redirecting most of the impact. He then landed with Porky Rong in his arms, taking three steps back to steady himself.

What incredible strength!

Lin Sha was shocked, but his face remained calm, his cold eyes shooting out a piercing glare. He gently placed the dazed eldest brother down and took a step forward towards the suddenly appearing Shandong boxer Yan Zhendong: "I don't care who you are, but if you dare to challenge Baozhi Lin and injure my eldest brother, Yan, you're going to die!"