"Yo, isn't this Li Qi? Tsk tsk tsk, I heard you fled after killing someone. How come you're back? Aren't you afraid of the constables? You're right here; if you caused a death and ran away, it would have been fine, but coming back now, do you think the officials care about their year-end performance?" Zhang Caitou saw Li Qi return and made odd sounds, clicking his tongue incessantly.
That was precisely why Li Qi had fled back then.
If one fled after committing murder, the authorities might treat it as if nothing happened, not filing a case and letting things be. No one cared.
But if one stayed put, they wouldn't mind arresting someone to boost their year-end statistics.
Li Qi shook his head without saying much.
However, Zhang Caitou suddenly noticed someone in front of him.
So fast!
How did he silently rush to stand before him?
Of course, it was fast!
In the mountains, Li Qi could match a goat's speed in an instant and sprint a mile in ten seconds.
Those were mountain paths requiring climbing and jumping.
Now, with no obstacles, Zhang Caitou didn't even react before seeing a black shadow rushing toward him!
The next second, everything went dark, and he felt a tightness in his chest.
Several seconds later, Zhang Caitou began to feel... pain.
Pain surged from all over his body.
The pain in his chest was particularly intense! He instinctively knelt down, curling up like a shrimp, coughing.
"Cough, cough... Ugh!"
He coughed and vomited, losing control of his lower body.
Saliva, tears, vomit, mucus, urine—all mixed together as he lay limp in his own filth, eyes vacant, feeling only pain and nausea.
Of course, Li Qi's punch had struck his vital areas squarely, breaking several ribs and possibly causing internal bleeding. Not dying from that punch was a testament to his physical strength.
"Hey, Zhang Caitou, don't just focus on wetting yourself. Weren't you curious about our good news?" Li Qi squatted down, looking at Zhang Caitou calmly. "Paibo Gang's good news is that I've returned, which is why everyone is so happy. Any problem with that?"
But Zhang Caitou couldn't respond anymore.
His mind was blank, his vision darkened, and his body convulsed from intense pain. His ears rang, rendering him unable to answer Li Qi.
A rank nine warrior like Zhang Caitou, even twenty of them together, wouldn't last more than two or three seconds against Li Qi.
After entering the ranks, there was a fundamental gap between ordinary people and warriors.
The other haulers, however, stood silent.
Their necks seemed rusted as they stared blankly at Li Qi.
They knew Brother Li had become stronger after returning.
Zhang Caitou commanded hundreds of farmers whose techniques allowed them to harness earth power, rooting themselves like plants. They claimed they could withstand a full charge from a wild ox without retreating.
This was terrifying. The wild oxes in this world were akin to light tanks from WWII. To stop a charging tank with one's body...
That was Zhang Caitou's strength, giving him the confidence to confront Paibo Gang alone.
Even if he came, Paibo Gang couldn't hold him.
But Zhang Caitou, who boasted he could withstand a wild ox's charge, was reduced to a curled-up mess by Li Qi's single punch, unable even to speak through vomiting and crying.
A rank nine warrior, combined with the explosive power of Carp Flow Intent, could deliver a blow equivalent to the force of four bulls, concentrated into a much smaller area.
After delivering the punch, watching the stunned crowd, Li Qi frowned, stood up, and waved his hand. "What are you standing around for? Waiting for him to wake up? Haven't you done this sort of thing before?"
These words snapped the haulers out of their stupor.
They became excited, cheering, finding sticks and ropes, quickly preparing to break Zhang Caitou's toes to prevent escape, then tying him up tightly and hanging him.
This was old hat for them.
Fights among low-level gangs were common. Before, Li Qi often led such actions!
With this reminder, the haulers' muscle memory kicked in, efficiently breaking legs, tying up, and hanging Zhang Caitou while laughing, then celebrating together.
Indeed! Brother Li was still the same Brother Li!
Still the smartest, bravest, most loyal, and brotherly-minded leader of the gang!
When Brother Li used to lead them to fight for interests and territory, they often did such things!
Now, the powerful yet unfamiliar Li Qi merged with the familiar image of Brother Li, leaving the haulers with no doubts. After finishing their task, they gathered around Li Qi.
Some praised him, some chatted, but most asked what had happened during the past half month.
"Alright! So many people chattering, it's deafening! Shut up, go buy wine and meat, we'll talk while eating tonight!" Li Qi waved them off, instructing them.
Since Brother Li said so, the haulers naturally complied, joking around happily, linking arms, passing around the gold ingot Li Qi gave them, each taking a bite, marveling at its rarity.
Indeed, they had never truly seen gold before.
Gold!
Such a small piece was worth tens of thousands of qian!
Watching their reactions, Li Qi couldn't help but admire Uncle Six's composure. With steady demeanor, he considered how to use the gold first and how to distribute it next.
Then he heard a crack.
"Hmm...?" Curious about the sound, Li Qi turned back and saw Uncle Six holding his mouth, hopping in place in pain, still clutching a gold ingot.
He had bitten the gold ingot, hurting his teeth.
Old folks, poor dental health.
Seeing this, Li Qi slapped his forehead.
Well, retracting his previous thoughts.
Let's first deal with Zhang Caitou's matter.
The man was already hung up, weakly dangling, too feeble to lift a hand.
Li Qi grabbed a water flask from one of the haulers, splashing water onto Zhang Caitou's face to wake him up.
"Zhang Caitou, can you tell us now who that big shot behind you is? Why did you suddenly decide to come alone to Paibo Gang to cause trouble?"
Just as Li Qi finished asking, the response wasn't from Zhang Caitou.
"Truly, the state capital hides many talents; even a small hauler gang conceals a celestial warrior." A voice came from behind Li Qi, seemingly distant.