Chapter 58: Chapter 56: Slaying Outside the City

Step 1: Contextual Analysis

Literary genre: Chinese web novel/xianxia/martial arts fiction

Language style: Descriptive, action-oriented, with dialogue exchanges

Tone: Serious, with elements of martial arts combat and suspense

Plot keywords: night chase, martial arts, combat, ambush, attempted assault, four-step fist

Characters:

- Wu Liangchen (武良辰): Male, protagonist, skilled in martial arts, appears to have recently had a breakthrough

- Zhu Chao (朱超): Male, antagonist, member of Long Wind Martial Arts Hall, appears to be a sexual predator/criminal

- Gao Kai (高凯): Male, mentioned but not present, seems to be superior to Zhu Chao

- Yan Zongtai (严宗泰): Male, mentioned but not present, appears to be a higher-up at Long Wind Martial Arts Hall

- Bai Erya (白二丫): Female, mentioned as a potential victim, works at a food stall with her father

- Bai family (白家): A family running a food stall in South City

This appears to be a martial arts story with Wu Liangchen chasing and confronting Zhu Chao, who was attempting to assault/attack someone from the Bai family. The scene involves a chase outside the city and culminates in a martial arts fight where Wu Liangchen defeats Zhu Chao.

Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing

Let me begin translating while adhering to all rules, especially the glossary terms:

In the forest outside the city, two dark shadows were racing at extreme speed.

The night prowler running ahead was filled with terror.

He never imagined that this mysterious person who appeared out of nowhere and ruined his plans would be so formidable.

Despite pushing himself to his limits during this escape, he still couldn’t shake his pursuer.

In fact, the distance between them was constantly shrinking.

This made him silently regret his earlier provocation.

Had he known this person was so skilled, he wouldn’t have lingered but should have fled immediately.

The question was: when had Dinghai City acquired such a master of Qinggong?

Could it be someone from Fuping Martial Arts Hall, known for their excellence in Leg Skill and Qinggong?

But he knew almost all disciples from Fuping Martial Arts Hall, and none matched this pursuer.

Could it be... the Heartless Dao?

This speculation sent chills down his spine, and he finally made up his mind. He abruptly stopped, turned around, and said:

"Friend, we’re strangers to each other. You ruined my plans, and I didn’t complain. Why do you keep chasing me?"

Upon hearing this voice, Wu Liangchen felt a jolt of recognition. He immediately identified the man.

This was the person from Long Wind Martial Arts Hall who had been beheading someone outside the city before.

He never expected to encounter him again.

Indeed.

This man in black was Zhu Chao from Long Wind Martial Arts Hall, the capable subordinate of Yan Zongtai and cousin of Gao Kai.

Recently, Gao Kai had warned him to keep a low profile and avoid causing trouble.

Zhu Chao had indeed behaved for a while, refraining from his predatory habits and instead visiting brothels in the lawless district to satisfy his urges.

But lately, with the rapidly deteriorating situation, even the brothels in the lawless district had closed their doors.

This left Zhu Chao, who was extremely lecherous and could hardly go a day without women, feeling quite frustrated.

Eventually, he decided not to target women from official or wealthy families, as that would be too risky.

Instead, he turned his attention to ordinary citizens in South City.

Though these women lacked the refined qualities of sheltered young ladies due to their daily labor, these humble beauties had their own special charm.

More importantly, these families occupied the lowest stratum of society, and if anything happened, nobody would pay attention—perfect for his current situation.

With this in mind, Zhu Chao had wandered through South City during the day and spotted the father-daughter pair from the Bai family selling flatbread.

Since that incident several nights ago, the Bai family had been too afraid to sell wonton soup anymore and had taken a few days off.

But they couldn’t keep depleting their savings, especially since they needed to save for the daughter’s dowry. So the old man had converted his wonton stall to sell flatbread, and only during the midday meal.

Though they didn’t make much money, it was enough for the father and daughter to get by.

Unfortunately, they had caught Zhu Chao’s eye.

When he saw Bai Erya with her svelte figure and youthful charm, Zhu Chao had practically drooled. He then secretly surveilled them until he confirmed the Bai family’s residence before departing.

When night fell, Zhu Chao changed into his night clothes and came to South City, ready to enjoy his "feast." By sheer coincidence, he ran into Wu Liangchen.

Seeing that Wu Liangchen remained silent, Zhu Chao spoke again: "Friend, I think there’s been a misunderstanding between us. I was only going to that house to collect some money. If I’ve disturbed you, please forgive me."

"Let’s each go our separate ways and pretend this never happened. What do you think?"

While speaking, Zhu Chao was carefully observing the surrounding terrain.

He was very familiar with this forest outside the city.

After all, he often did dirty work for Gao Kai, and this location was frequently chosen for its convenience in disposing of bodies.

So if his opponent refused to back down, Zhu Chao was confident he could escape, or even turn the tables.

"Heh!" Wu Liangchen deliberately made his voice hoarse as he laughed coldly.

"Each go our separate ways... you think it’s that simple?"

"What do you mean by that? Don’t tell me you actually think I’m afraid of you?" Zhu Chao’s voice grew cold.

Before his words faded, he had already sprinted away—not toward Wu Liangchen, but in another direction.

Wu Liangchen immediately gave chase.

Hearing the sound of pursuit, Zhu Chao secretly rejoiced while reaching for his waist, quietly preparing.

Suddenly.

He spun around, drawing a flexible blade from his waist that unfurled like a ribbon toward Wu Liangchen’s neck.

This strike was incredibly fast—Zhu Chao’s most prized killing move.

Ordinary Martial Artists would have no time to react and would perish under his blade.

But surprisingly, this confident strike missed its mark.

Because the moment Zhu Chao turned, Wu Liangchen had already anticipated the blade attack and prepared accordingly.

In the instant the blade came down, Wu Liangchen had already moved to Zhu Chao’s left side and launched a punch.

After his blade missed, Zhu Chao realized the danger and tried to dodge, but it was too late.

The punch landed squarely on his blade-wielding hand, sending the weapon flying.

The force was so great that Zhu Chao grunted and was thrown backward. In shock, he exclaimed:

"Four-Step Fist—who are you from Long Wind Martial Arts Hall?"

"I’m nobody!" Wu Liangchen coldly replied, then closed in to strike Zhu Chao again.

That previous punch had greatly boosted Wu Liangchen’s confidence.

Though Zhu Chao must also be a Martial Artist who had completed tendon and bone strengthening—otherwise he couldn’t have withstood that punch without breaking bones.

But that was the extent of it.

Whether in reaction speed, strength, or any other aspect, Wu Liangchen was superior to Zhu Chao, even to the point of overwhelming him.

If word of this got out, no one would believe it.

After all, Wu Liangchen had just broken through a few hours ago, yet he could dominate Zhu Chao, who had achieved his breakthrough much earlier.

This demonstrated the miraculous power of the Ten Thousand Laws Tripod.

Meanwhile, Zhu Chao was floundering, growing more alarmed with each exchange.

Though Wu Liangchen was clearly using the Four-Step Fist, Zhu Chao couldn’t dodge his attacks. After taking several blows, his chest roiled with surging Qi and Blood, clearly unable to withstand these violent impacts.

This left him completely bewildered.

It wasn’t surprising that the Four-Step Fist might have spread outside and been learned by others.

After all, this martial technique was considered the most basic introductory form at Long Wind Martial Arts Hall, used by new disciples to temper their bodies.

But how could such a crude martial art become so marvelously effective in this black-clothed man’s hands, to the point where he couldn’t even defend against it?

What was going on? And what connection did this man have with Long Wind Martial Arts Hall?

These questions swirled in Zhu Chao’s mind.

Just then, Wu Liangchen broke through Zhu Chao’s guard with a punch, then suddenly stepped forward and kicked him in the abdomen.

Zhu Chao could no longer hold on and was sent flying like a broken sack.

Wu Liangchen followed closely, leaping up and smashing a fist into his back.

Poof!

Zhu Chao coughed up a large mouthful of blood as he was slammed heavily into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.