Zhang Chong finally felt fear. He cowered, hunching his shoulders until he looked just like a frightened quail.
Liang Song snorted coldly and slammed his fire poker heavily onto the ground right next to Zhang Chong’s feet.
"Agh!"
A hideous shriek erupted from Zhang Chong’s throat.
The scene turned incredibly awkward.
Liang Song took the opportunity to mock him, "The poker didn't even touch you. What are you screaming for?"
Zhang Chong’s face flickered between shades of pale and blue. The gazes of his henchmen, sharp as needles, made him feel restless and exposed. Fearing for his future standing, Zhang Chong pushed his terror aside. Dying was better than losing face! He snatched up a sickle from the side and, gnashing his teeth, charged at Liang Song.
"Go to hell!"
Liang Song had anticipated this move. He gathered his strength, lifted his leg, and kicked Zhang Chong squarely in the chest.
A crooked arc traced through the air before Zhang Chong landed heavily beside Sun Da and Liu Qiang. He spat out a mouthful of blood, looking nearly half-dead. Liang Song had gauged his strength carefully; he had no intention of killing the man, though he had ensured he would be bedridden for at least a couple of weeks.
Liang Song returned to Grandma Liang and Mother Liang, settling them safely to the side.
It took a long moment for Sun Da and Liu Qiang to snap out of their shock.
"What are you standing there for!"
They looked at Liang Song’s sturdy, solid back and couldn't help but swallow hard. No one had told them this kid could fight so well. Liu Qiang, suddenly afraid, yanked Old Bai toward him.
"Why didn't you mention that this kid knows how to fight?"
Old Bai looked innocent. "His father was a soldier; he’s had high standards since he was a boy. Even if I hadn't said anything, couldn't you tell just by looking at his build?"
Stung by the retort, Liu Qiang looked flustered and angry. "Too much talk! If this job doesn't get done, you're going to pay for it later!"
Despite his bluster, Liu Qiang’s demeanor turned sycophantic the moment he looked toward Sun Da. "County Magistrate, why don't we just call it a day?"
Sun Da’s face was dark as he glared at Liang Song. "Call it a day? What are you talking about? This is official business. If I stop every time I run into some unruly peasant, wouldn't I just be encouraging such vile behavior?"
Liang Song sneered when he heard this. "You call yourself a public official? Worried about 'vile behavior'? That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard all year!"
The villagers had originally just thought Sun Da was shameless, but hearing Liang Song put it this way, they found it made perfect sense. A ripple of suppressed laughter spread through the crowd. Though quiet, the sound rang out loudly in Sun Da’s ears.
"What are you all laughing at!" Sun Da roared.
The scene fell deathly silent. Sun Da’s face was black with rage. He slowly approached Liang Song.
"So, you think you’re a tough guy, huh?"
Liang Song said nothing. His gaze, clear and upright, met Sun Da’s head-on without a hint of fear.
Sun Da gave a sinister laugh. "Alright, alright. I don’t want to be accused of bullying you. Since you’re so good at fighting, I’ll let you fight to your heart’s content!"
With that, Sun Da ordered his men to summon the County Public Security Bureau. The villagers felt as if they were facing a great army. The color drained from Grandma Liang and Mother Liang’s faces. Seeing their weak, vulnerable state, a cruel and arrogant smile spread across Sun Da’s face.
"If you want to fight, I’ll find people to spar with you. But what a shame—hitting a police officer is a crime that earns you a jail cell."
"Once you're inside, I’ll tell the boys to take good care of you. Don't worry, we won't play you to death too easily."
"I haven't seen someone with this much backbone in a long time—someone who dares to go head-to-head with me. It’s rare entertainment. I’d like to see how long you last."
"Let’s see just how hard your bones really are!"
After finishing his speech, Sun Da retreated to a reclining chair set up to the side. With the shade of a large tree overhead, Liu Qiang immediately transformed into a lackey, fanning Sun Da with great zeal.
Old Bai, the village head, didn't want to see anyone killed, so he hurried over to Liang Song.
"Song, stop fighting the Magistrate. He has powerful backing; it’s no exaggeration to say he runs De’an County with an iron fist."
"Anyone who has ever crossed him has met a miserable end!" Old Bai pleaded earnestly. "Song, you're the only son in your family. If something happens to you, how will your grandmother and mother go on?"
Grandma Liang’s resolve wavered. She didn't want their home of many years destroyed, but she feared for her grandson even more. After that last fight, Song was already injured, and her heart ached for him. If more men arrived, there was no way he could hold them off.
"Song, we can always get another house. Wherever Grandma is, that’s home. Let’s just stop fighting them."
Liang Song looked at his grandmother’s reddened eyes and shook his head slowly but firmly.
"Grandma, this isn't just a house. It holds all the memories of our family."
"It can grow old and dilapidated with time, but it must never be reduced to rubble by the hands of a corrupt official and his power."
He slowly looked up. "If Father were here, he wouldn't retreat a single step!"
*Wee-woo, wee-woo…*
The sound of sirens grew louder, and three or four police cars came into view.
A pot-bellied officer with a bloated face stepped out of the lead car, swinging a baton with a swaggering air.
"Magistrate Sun!"
Zhong Mao from the county bureau had been hand-picked by Sun Da. He knew exactly where his loyalties lay: first as Sun Da’s lackey, and only then as the Chief of the County Police. "Which one of these blind idiots dared to get in the way of the Magistrate’s business?"
Sun Da was satisfied with Zhong Mao’s attitude and lazily gestured toward the straight-standing Liang Song. "He’s a good fighter. Tell your men to be careful."
Zhong Mao let out a sharp cry upon hearing this.
"Damn it! Let’s see who dares to move!"
He swayed over to stand in front of Liang Song. "You dare to hit a police officer?"
Liang Song could tell instantly that this police chief was nothing but a dog on Sun Da’s leash.
"I’ve already hit the master, why should I be afraid of a few dogs?"
He didn't hold back, hitting Zhong Mao where it hurt most. Zhong Mao’s face turned livid, his eyes flashing with malice.
"You’ve got guts, kid! I’d like to see how many lives you have to throw away fighting us!"
"Brothers, don't be polite! These unruly peasants are obstructing official business—teach them a lesson so they’ll remember it!"
Watching these wolves in police uniforms reach out to terrorize innocent villagers, Liang Song felt his blood boil. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "I’m the one who has a problem with you! Don't involve other innocent people!"
Zhong Mao chuckled mockingly. "I'm involving them. What are you going to do about it?"
The moment he finished speaking, he waved his hand, signaling his men to attack. Watching the innocent villagers being bullied and scattering in terror, Liang Song’s blood surged.
"You are absolutely shameless!"
Zhong Mao was even more excited by this reaction. "Boys, hit them hard! Don't let our reputation for being shameless go to waste!"
"Yes, sir!"
Just as the village erupted into chaos, another round of sirens wailed.
This time, the formation was even larger than before. In the distance, dozens of police cars were visible, closing in.