The big black man did come, looking at the dozen or so people behind him, all dressed in short clothes, with a few of them wearing copper-studded cuffs on their wrists and open cotton-padded jackets revealing large copper-headed belts, exuding an air of arrogance.

  Chen Zikun looked at the people on the other side, then looked at his own people. Baoqing was sturdy but timid, Xiaoshunzi was clever but weak, Zhao Jiaoyong was a stranger who had been pulled into this trouble unfairly. The only ones who could fight were Dalian and himself. But two fists can't defeat four hands, even if they have extraordinary skills, they can't withstand the other side's dozen or so people rushing up at once.

  Outside the city, people are ruthless and cruel, even small things can lead to murder. Chen Zikun has seen many such cases where people have lost their lives over trivial matters. Since today's matter cannot be settled amicably, Chen Zikun's evil intentions arose, and his anger reached its peak. Before the two sides could exchange words, he pulled out a dagger from his waist and pounced on the big black man like a hungry tiger, pinning him down. The sharp blade was pressed against his neck.

  "Damn it! Who dares to move me first, I'll wipe him out!" Chen Zikun gritted his teeth, revealing a fierce expression.

  This move not only scared off the group of black big men, but also scared off Zhao Dahan. What's going on? They haven't even started yet and they're already taking the final step. We Beijing guys don't play like this. Even if we bring people along, it's not necessarily a fight to the death. We need to report our numbers first, then talk about the rules. Usually, people who hang out in Tianqiao area all know each other, and it's easy to find someone familiar with both sides. We can go to a teahouse, have some noodles, and talk things over. A crisis can be resolved like this. If we meet someone straightforward, we might even become friends. Even if we meet someone who doesn't know how to behave and wants to fight, it's not like they'll just start swinging at us. The other side won't bully the minority either. We need to have a one-on-one duel to show off our Beijing guys' heroic spirit.

  When they saw someone fighting, the idle men strolling on the bridge quickly gathered around, each with a look of excitement, more excited than watching a foreign movie of a big girl taking a bath. They cheered and shouted while watching, the scene was chaotic, who still went to watch the father-daughter duo's acrobatic performance? The two packed up their things, picked up the copper coins on the ground, and left dejectedly. Before leaving, the girl glared fiercely at Chen Zikun in the crowd who was showing off.

  Chen Zikun is now in a bit of a pickle, that big black man's bravery far exceeds his imagination. Under the threat of the knife blade, he actually stands tall and proud, saying loudly: "Today, all you old and young masters are witnesses, if you have the guts, just stab me with one knife, if my brother Ma blinks an eye, it doesn't count as a good man, if you don't dare to stab, then you're a coward!"

  "Good!" The idlers burst into applause, and some even clapped their hands. The big black man looked pleased with himself, like a hero.

  Chen Zikun felt a surge of blood rushing to his head, and the men who had emerged from the flashing knives and guns couldn't take this. He withdrew his bayonet and stabbed it into the black giant's chest. In the brief moment, no one could react, and the black giant didn't expect his opponent to really stab him, and he stood still in shock.

  At the critical moment, Zhao Dahai, who had been closely monitoring the situation, made his move. He quickly stretched out his palm and slapped Chen Zikun's arm, causing a surge of force to transmit through it. The knife blade deviated slightly and stabbed into the side waist of the big black man, but there was no resistance as if it had entered flesh, only passing through the thick clothing.

  Even so, it scared the big black man to death, this knife really touched his chest, that must be a fatal blow, who would have thought that this kid was so bold.

  Ma Er Ye, who was used to being lawless and domineering, met his match in Chen Zi Kun, a typical young and arrogant rich kid. One thing countered another, and this time Ma Er Ye really fell hard, stumbling and sitting on the ground with chattering teeth.

  The idlers cheered again, but this time it was for Chen Zikun. The men of Tianqiao admired the brave and daring good fellows, and Chen Zikun's bold move was just what they liked. As for whether or not Master Ma died, they didn't care.

  Ma Er Ye was furious and pointed at Chen Zi Kun, scolding loudly: "You dare to do this! Brothers, beat him for me!"

  A dozen men rushed forward, a chaotic battle unfolded, the onlookers not only didn't disperse but instead gathered more, from time to time bursting into cheers and applause. The father-daughter performers who had already walked far away with their knives, guns, cymbals, and drums turned back to gaze at the scene, the girl spat out: "They're all just local rascals, they'd be better off dead!"

  The sky bridge has never been so lively, the idle men are excited as if it's New Year's Eve, surrounded by three layers inside and out, with over a dozen people packed together. Don't be fooled by the intimidating appearance of Ma Er's gang, with their wrist guards and arm bands, they're all cowards when it comes to real action.

  The most brilliant ones were Zhao Dahi and Chen Zikun. Dahi used Shaolin Kung Fu, strong and powerful, fierce and fast, while Zikun used a unique freehand style, with his head, fists, elbows, knees, and legs all becoming weapons. Although the moves seemed simple and clumsy, they were direct and forceful, wild and unmatched. With one punch, either noses would bleed or teeth would fly out, making the onlookers cheer loudly and excitedly.

  Baoqing, Xiaoshunzi and Zhao Jiaoyong were not idle either. Although they weren't as good at fighting, they had also been used to group fights in the alleys since childhood. Their combat effectiveness was on par with those thugs, and they didn't suffer much from each other's blows.

  Not much effort, Ma Er Ye's men were lying on the ground, humming and snoring, and Second Master's front tooth was knocked out by Chen Zi Kun, speaking with a lisp.

  "Wait for me, Sunzi!" Ma Er Ye threw out a sentence and walked away with the support of his subordinates, while the onlookers let out a burst of hisses.

  Chen Zikun and his friends won the fight against all odds, proudly shaking hands with everyone around them, looking like heroes.

  "Gentlemen, I'm embarrassed."

  A distant siren sounded, Zhao Dahai's face sank: "Not good, the patrol police are coming, run quickly!"

  The onlookers made way, and the five brothers took off in a flash, running a mile before stopping to burst out laughing. They looked at each other, their clothes torn and faces bloody, but their spirits were unusually high.

  "Let's go, I'll buy drinks!"

  The five of them walked with vigor, and soon arrived at a large wine cellar run by people from Shanxi Province. On the way, they met a vendor selling sauce and donkey meat from a pushcart. Zhao Dahan bought a big piece, had the vendor slice it thinly, wrap it in old newspaper, and tucked it into his chest pocket. Upon entering the wine cellar, they saw a row of three-foot square wine vats buried along the wall, half underground and half above ground, with red-lacquered wooden lids on top. The five men took low stools to sit down, and the waiter came over to take their order: "What can I get for you gentlemen?"

  "Three catties of white dried noodles, fried peanuts, salted duck eggs, stir-fried tofu, and then get two and a half catties of braised buns from across the street. Bring these first, if not enough, I'll call you again."

  Because they just fought a group battle together, everyone admired Chen Zikun even more, and also became familiar with the newly joined Zhao Jiaoyong. Zhao Dahan said: "Let's take this opportunity for us to formally get to know each other, who will introduce themselves first?"

  "My name is Xue Baoqing, I was born in the 28th year of Guangxu, this year I'm 17 years old. My family lives outside Xuanwu Gate, at Liu Shu Hutong. My father is Xue Ping Shun from the Front Gate Police Station. I am the only child."

  "My name is Zhao Jia-yong, I'm 16 years old, and my home is in Yonghegong Paobu Hutong. Now I'm a soldier in the Traffic Department's Road Protection Army." Although he had already introduced himself once when they first met, he said it all again.

  "My name is Chen Zikong, I'm from outside the pass, and there's no one left in my family." Chen Zikong said dryly, his eyes somewhat dim, because he didn't even know his own exact age.

  Xiao Shunzi blinked his eyes and finally said: "My name is Li Yaoting, I'm 17 years old, and I also live in Liu Shu Hutong."

  Zhao Dahi raised his wine bowl: "I'm seven or eight years older than you, I'm your elder brother. Today is a happy day, from now on we brothers will get along well, nothing more to say, let's drink!"

  Drinking and eating, having a great time, only Chen Zikong had a worried look on his face. Zhao Dahan comforted him, saying: "Brother, don't take it to heart, I've seen many people like Ma Er, he's just that kind of guy, if he hit you, so be it, no big deal."

  Chen Zikun thought to himself, "No need to mention beating him up, even if he killed me, I wouldn't be afraid", but what was on his mind was something else entirely.

  "Hey Big Brother Hai, do you think that father-daughter duo who performs for a living will make it or not?" He thought for a moment before asking.

  Zhao Dahai was taken aback and lost his smile: "I thought you were thinking of something, but it turned out to be about them. Brother, you're really interesting. When fighting, you're ruthless and merciless, but you have a compassionate heart. Don't worry, those who run the streets don't care about this. At worst, we can just change places and continue performing. Beijing isn't just Tianqiao, after all."

  Only then did Chen Zikong put his mind at ease.

  A big wine jar is a place for drinking and chatting, it doesn't matter how long you stay. The five brothers eat and drink, in no time three kilograms of white liquor are gone, the dishes are almost finished too. Two and a half kilograms of braised pancakes are brought in, eaten together with the soup, sweating all over, Zhao Da Hai ordered another three kilograms of white liquor, cut a plate of cooked beef, the brothers chatted slowly.

  "Baoqing, Xiaoshun'er, you two are also getting older, it's time to find a proper job and settle down." Zhao Dahan said with a hint of drunkenness and a tone of persuasion.

  "Big Brother Hai, my dad has already helped me plan it out. First, I'll go be a live-in nanny for a rich family, and in a month, I can at least save a few bucks. In a year, I'll be able to buy a new car." Bao Qing said with a hint of pride.

  Li Yaoting also didn't want to show weakness: "Big Brother Hai, at the beginning of spring I went to Liu Guo restaurant as a waiter, wearing a suit and tie, sometimes just tips for one day were several blocks."

  "Not bad."

  Chen Zikun felt a little bewildered, everyone else had a way out, but he himself didn't know where his path lay.

  "Zi Kun, you're not bad at this. Your fighting skills may not be sophisticated, but your speed and strength are decent. The key is that you're ruthless enough. I think it's a waste if you don't use these skills to make a living. Why don't you try joining the Third Battalion of the Baoding Army when they start recruiting? Maybe in a few years, you'll be wearing a golden epaulette."

  Zhao Jiayong highly agreed with this proposal: "That's right, Brother Chen is most suitable for being a soldier, doing anything else would be a waste of his talent."

  A night of drinking left Zhao Jiayong leaning against the wall, vomiting violently. Chen Zikun's stomach was churning, but he gritted his teeth and tried not to lose face. Big Brother Hai patted him on the back and said, "Vomit and you'll feel better." Only then did he let out a loud whoosh of vomit.

  Baoqing was the only one who could hold on, not vomiting a single mouthful, lying on the lid of the vat unconscious. Zhao Dahan went out and called a rickshaw, gave the driver 10 cents, and he and his brothers lifted Zhao Jiaoyong onto the rickshaw, instructing the driver to take him to Cannon Bureau Alley before waving goodbye.

  Bao Qing snored like thunder, no matter how he was shaken, he didn't wake up. There was nothing to do but let Chen Zikun carry him back.

  On the way back to Dashan Inn, Zhao Dahan saw that the grain store was closing its door and suddenly remembered that he hadn't bought any food for his family. He hastily bought two catties of white flour, five catties of sweet potato flour, and also bought a big Chinese cabbage on the way. Singing opera all the way home, when he arrived home, he couldn't avoid being scolded by his wife.

  As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard the sound of a man scolding and a woman sobbing from the apricot house. Zhao Dahi frowned: "Uncle is drunk again."

  Suddenly a crisp sound, it was the sound of the ceramic basin shattering. The woman's sobbing turned into a terrified wail. Chen Zikong's anger rose from his heart: "Damn it!" He kicked Baoqing to the ground and strode forward, kicking open the door to Xing'er's house with one foot.