"Mr. Tian Zhanpeng, you have a delivery. Please sign for it."

In the cold of the twelfth month of the traditional calendar, the Nine Pouch Elder of Beggars' Sect had all the doors of his house wide open. He was packing his things.

The old building where his rented home was located was suddenly about to be demolished. The owners were on the verge of experiencing a quantum leap in social class to become the "nobility of demolished residences" and were all celebrating. However, while there were families rejoicing, there were also families worrying. The residents who rented homes were as though struck by lightning during a clear, cloudless day, and were all shrouded in a cloud of despair.

"Leave it at the door." Elder Tian was on the phone. He answered without thinking and then turned back to the phone to say to the landlord, "...There's also the gas that I just refuelled last week. I haven't used it much. How are you going to account for that?"

The landlord had already become a winner in life and his generosity was sky-high. "Take it with you! I'll give you the gas tank, take it as a farewell gift! May both our futures be bright and beautiful!"

Elder Tian, "..."

The galvanised steel body of the gas tank was indeed printed with the words "Bright and Beautiful Future" in red, barely visible beneath the grease smears. It sat conspicuously in a corner with this "adorable" appearance, its future as murky as its owner.

Elder Tian had stayed there for six years. A house, no matter how rundown, was worth a fortune to someone destitute. He spent an entire afternoon before he was done packing up everything he wanted to bring away with him. Large bags and small bags were strewn all over the floor, a completely chaotic and miserable sight. He looked around for a few seconds and realised that there was really no place for him to rest. Thus, this old man whose age was nearly seventy raised his arms and wiped the sweat on his forehead with his sleeves, then slowly walked to the door and sat down on the doorstep with a sigh. He rolled a cigarette for himself.

What was he to do?

His only choice was to go to one of his disciples' homes and make do for the time being while he slowly looked for another place.

Thinking of it, his days were like that of a dog's and yet, he was still shameless enough to fight for the Dog Beating Staff. Was he going to grab it and demonstrate cutting himself with a bamboo staff? Elder Tian grimaced and blew out a puff of smoke. While ridiculing himself this way, he carelessly tore open the delivery package at the door.

Who sent something to him? This nonsense could only be an invoice or an ad…

Elder Tian's careless movements suddenly paused. An old photograph fell out of the express delivery envelope. He was first stunned, then he abruptly realised something. In that instant, all the sweat on Elder Tian's body chilled and he shivered involuntarily. The old photograph at his feet showed the back window of a very hidden small courtyard in Mudpool Backlane. A younger him was climbing out of the window together with a group of people. Some were already on the ground while some were still climbing out in a fluster.

The photo captured his face from the front. He was glaring viciously in a direction. Tian Zhanpeng remembered that at that time, his state of mind was too disordered and he had been looking in Yang Ping's direction. But Yang Ping was not in this photo!

About ten years had passed but that incident was still vivid in his memories.

For some years, Elder Tian had been in other parts of the country taking care of matters in the branches. He had just returned to Yanning and found a place to settle down when an unexpected visitor came. It was Yang Ping.

At that time, Yang Ping had already been ousted from Beggars' Sect and had even disappeared for nearly ten years. When he suddenly reappeared, Tian Zhanpeng nearly couldn't recognise him at first glance.

When Old Sect Leader Yang severed ties with Yang Ping, he had listed out Yang Ping's sins. There were stuff like "Had once used the sect's internal network to disseminate malicious rumours and slanders about so-and-so," "Relied on strength to bully the weak, and gathered hired thugs to attack so-and-so" and "Raised his hand against his own wife and child, uncompassionate and unfilial." After reading it, a person would think that this dude was immoral and had done all sorts of bad things but they would not be able to find the main point.

Hence, everyone in Beggars' Sect knew very well in their hearts and guts that the real reason why Yang Ping was ousted from Beggars' Sect was because he tried to murder the former North Branch Master of Travellers' Sect, Zhang Meizhen.

Tian Zhanpeng heard people say that when the apartments in No. 110 were distributed, Yang Ping didn't know yet that Zhang Meizhen also had one. It was only when she retired and came back to Yanning, and bumped into Yang Ping who was operating the elevator when she moved in that he knew. One was a female cadre official who retired in honour, the other had both arms disabled and was a pitiful worm depending on operating the elevator to make a living. Yang Ping went mad on the spot.

Zhang Meizhen also wasn't a warm-hearted person. She had a sarcastic mouth and there were old grudges between her and Yang Ping, so she took the chance to ridicule him. After he went back, Yang Ping might have become more revolted the more he thought about it. Some said that he set fire on Zhang Meizhen's home and there were also some who said that he gathered a group of people to corner her at the little guest house where she was staying.

The sect leader punished his own son for the sake of his old flame. It was not something they could all talk about much but behind his back, they discussed the matter and many of them actually sided with Yang Ping. After all, Yang Ping was one of Beggars' Sect own while Zhang Meizhen was a former member of Travellers' Sect with which they had grievances and grudges that could not be settled. Even though those involved in the tragedy back in that year were already punished by law and the matter was considered over, the two large sects were enemies from then on. The words "Travellers' Sect" was the synonym for "dog shit" in Beggars' Sect's vocabulary.

Time had worn away not an insignificant amount from Yang Ping who had disappeared for nearly ten years. His eyes were dark and sinister, like they were suppressing a volcano that was about to erupt. After he came in, he went right to the main point and told him that he had found Wei Xiao's hiding place.

Wei Xiao was a shadow hanging above the heads of the people of their generation. He stood out among the crowd and had made his name in just one fight back in that year. The most important thing was, there were many rumours swirling around him, making this person seem to be not really someone from the righteous path.

This life of Yang Ping's was half ruined by his own hands and half by Wei Xiao. Due to the limitations of his body, he practised martial arts more ruthlessly than anyone else, and wanted to stand out among his peers more than anyone else. Having suppressed his zeal for long enough, he wanted to astound everyone in a single roar but who would have thought that the moment he opened his mouth, he was turned into a squib by Wei Xiao and the tendons of his arms broken.

Back then, Tian Zhanpeng had actually been among the group of people who gave Wei Xiao a letter of challenge. However, his shifu was still alive then and before he could keep his appointment, he was found out by his shifu. The old man struck him across the palms on his hands and locked him up. After the incident, Tian Zhanpeng found out the result of that fight and was both indignant and regretful… and also a little bit grateful. He had always deceived himself into thinking that if he had gone along back then, things wouldn't have turned out that way.

Yang Ping came to find him and said, "Tian-laoge, Wei Xiao is evil to the core. Right now, those few people from the righteous paths in the martial arts world whose words carry any weight are ignoring this matter. They are unable to shame their old friend and are letting this rogue go free. Last time, our skills were inadequate and we were also careless. That's why we lost to his despicable tricks. This time, we must not let him escape! For so many years, even in my dreams, I wanted to wash away my past disgrace but I had not been able to find him. Now, I have finally caught him! Tian-laoge, I know that you were unable to make it the last time and it must have troubled you all this while. If you were also there, would we brothers fall to our current state?"

With this instigation, Tian Zhanpeng became eager to give it a try. At the same time, he was also feeling guilty and impatient. In this state of confusion, he followed Yang Ping.

He went to take a look when the day arrived. With Yang Ping in the lead, the few people whom Wei Xiao had injured were all gathered there. These people all lived half in seclusion after being injured by Wei Xiao and no one knew whether their injuries were healed or how much their skills had deteriorated. When Tian Zhanpeng saw the state of their troops, he thought pessimistically that he would be the main attacker in this fight against Wei Xiao.

When they found Wei Xiao's home, the door was opened. A thin old man was waiting for them, his appearance neat and clean. He had steeped tea and there was a letter laying beside his hands.

It was only then that Tian Zhanpeng knew that Yang Ping had already given Wei Xiao a letter of challenge.

Tian Zhanpeng felt that it was a little unexpected. In his mind, he had cast Wei Xiao in the role of a villain who hid behind half-truths. He never thought that Yang Ping would have given him a letter of challenge ahead of time.

Didn't he say he was afraid that person would run away? And he still dared to alert the enemy?

And, strangely, Wei Xiao had not run away.

Not only had he not run, that man was sitting upright in the front hall, looking as though he was calmly waiting for his visitors. He even had quite the air of a respected senior who embodied the saying "When your moral character is as deep as an abyss and aloof as the highest mountain ridge, you need not fear the oncoming wind."

Or perhaps he is too conceited and looks down on all of us, Tian Zhanpeng thought in his heart.

Since the letter of challenge came from Yang Ping, naturally he was the first one to go up. Tian Zhanpeng looked at the people around him and felt very regretful. He had heard that the last time they challenged Wei Xiao, they had all fought together by the end of the fight. He never thought that the shadow Wei Xiao left in their hearts would still remain after so many years. This time, they didn't even dare attack together. They were actually all there just to be cheerleaders!

Tian Zhanpeng sighed and prepared himself for the eventual one-on-one fight with Wei Xiao.

Who would have thought that he would not have the chance to do anything.

Yang Ping—this man whose arms and legs had been broken, whose four limbs wouldn't be on the same level plane if he sprawled on the ground—had taken who-knew-what super advanced energy pills beforehand. The moment he made his move, everyone was dumbstruck.

What he used was definitely not the martial arts passed down by Old Sect Leader Yang. When his chicken claw of a hand smashed down, the granite table top cracked!

Putting aside the fact that the tendons in his arms had been broken later on, even when Yang Ping was young and strong and at the peak of his power, he definitely did not have that kind of skill.

On the other hand, it was the legendary "nightmare of the martial arts world" Wei Xiao who seemed disabled. He was dragging one useless leg around and his breathing was weak and unsteady. After just two or three rounds, he was covered in cold sweat and his face was pale.

Before Tian Zhanpeng and the rest could understand what was going on, Yang Ping clapped a palm on Wei Xiao's chest, sending the other person flying. Wei Xiao slid down the wall and after a long while, still failed to climb to his feet. A mouthful of blood speckled the front of his shirt, a sight that shocked them.

Tian Zhanpeng finally regained his senses and hurried forward to hold Yang Ping back. He shouted, "Enough! He's going to die!"

Even though Yang Ping had sent a "letter of challenge to a deathmatch" and it had not mattered if someone was beaten to death in the past, things were not the same after liberation. How could they really kill someone?

His heart in his throat, Tian Zhanpeng came forward a couple of steps and peered at Wei Xiao's face. "Hey, you… are you okay? Shall we call 120 and get you to the hospital?"

Wei Xiao gave him a barely perceptible nod and only said that there was no need. He tried to push himself up a few times but failed to, then clutched his chest and curled up at the foot of the wall. He said a few words to Yang Ping that, up to this day, Tian Zhanpeng still did not understand.

"You've won," he said almost inaudibly. "Everyone has seen it. They're all witnesses. Will this do?"

Yang Ping's mouth was curved in a pleased yet sinister smile.

Wei Xiao drew another shaky breath and said softly, "Then, the grudge between us two, ends here, right? Don't involve others."

Yang Ping replied with a sneer. "I have no interest in that, neither do I have the time to bother with it."

Upon hearing that, Wei Xiao laughed. He let out a long exhale. His lungs seemed to have been injured, his breaths were unsteady as he said, "Yang-xiong is someone with pride and obstinacy. I believe you… Then, forgive me for not being able to send you off… At this hour… there should be a night market up ahead. There are many people, many eyes. You all should leave by the backyard."

Utterly confused, Tian Zhanpeng followed Yang Ping and the rest to leave via the back window. After jumping out the window, he still did not understand what was so bad about there being "many people, many eyes." They made an appointment with someone for a martial arts match. It was an open and honest matter, why would they be afraid of anyone knowing?

Could it be that Wei Xiao thought it was embarrassing that he had lost?

But wasn't it Yang Ping's long-cherished wish to embarrass Wan Mu Chun? Why was he suddenly so "kind-hearted" and considerate of the dignity of the person he had defeated, and followed his instructions to leave by the back window?

When they came out of the back window, Tian Zhanpeng gave Yang Ping a look full of suspicion. Coincidentally, he saw Yang Ping wiping the blood stains on his hands and he realised with shock that Yang Ping's palms were suffused with a terrifying purple colour!

What kind of… demonic skill was he practising?

Yang Ping parted ways with everyone, the very picture of calm. Before leaving, he even told them, "The grudge is over, don't look for Wei Xiao in private and give him any more trouble." Listening to that made Tian Zhanpeng think that he had been possessed. Hence, ultimately, he could not resist and secretly returned to Wei Xiao's home late at night. He was a little curious and also a little afraid that something had really happened to Wei Xiao.

In the end, he saw that someone had tidied up the scene of the fight that had been in shambles. The blood stains had been wiped clean and even the table top that Yang Ping had cracked with his palm had glue applied on it. Wei Xiao himself had changed out of his bloodstained clothes and was lying quietly on the bed… and not breathing.

He looked as though he had passed away in his sleep from old age.

Tian Zhanpeng was terrified. His thoughts were in a mess like a pot of congee. He turned and fled.

Wei Xiao told Yang Ping to leave through the backyard and Yang Ping indeed left through the backyard… Could it be, the two of them had known then that the match would result in death and were purposely hiding the matter from prying ears and eyes?

Then… didn't that mean that Yang Ping had killed someone with a strike of his palm? He was aware of what he was doing, this was intentional murder!

And, the more bizarre question was, why was Wei Xiao protecting him? Wei Xiao let Yang Ping go and even cleaned up the scene? Could it be that his taste was not like ordinary people and he was secretly in love with this chihuahua?!

The old man who lived alone passed away while lying peacefully on his bed. There were also no family members pursuing the matter so it typically would be handled as a case of sudden death due to heart failure. There was no one to make a police report and, naturally, no one to collect the body.

The nightmare haunting a generation of the martial arts world disappeared into thin air just like that. This murder shrouded in thick and heavy fog had always been like a stone in Tian Zhanpeng's heart. He did not understand and dared not bring it up.

And today, he finally knew the answer…

Because other than that photograph, a printed letter also fell out of the envelope.