Our people are still few. They have gathered all their forces here this time. If it weren't for Old San Wu's men who had planned ahead, we would have been overrun by now.
At this moment, several individuals were already moving towards our position. I told Old San Wu and Wen Siqiang to prepare, as some were heading our way.
Old San Wu said they were ready and told me not to worry.
I had never witnessed the capabilities of someone who had undergone five years of top-tier international military training. It is said that such training is extremely brutal, with severe punishments. Within that training, there are no names, no identities; everyone is merely a codename. Life or death is entirely up to fate.
His successful graduation indicates he is at least a competent student.
I saw him wearing black gloves, with a cold glint visible on them. I assumed the gloves were equipped with weapons.
He took a step forward, assuming an offensive stance, waiting for the black-clad figures to approach.
Wen Siqiang and I stood to his left and right, vigilantly observing the fighting crowd.
Seniors were stationed at the main entrance, guarding the way. I felt assured. Today's mission was to prevent anyone from leaving; if they came, they wouldn't be going back.
Quite a few people had already fallen in the hall. I couldn't definitively say whether we or the opponents had more casualties. But I couldn't afford to dwell on it. Even if we had to fight to the last person, we wouldn't let them leave this building.
At this moment, five or six black-clad figures had broken through the encirclement and were moving towards us.
I said, "They're coming."
Wen Siqiang, holding two batons, threw one to me.
Old San Wu was already moving with quick, light steps, his gaze fixed on the approaching black-clad figures.
Strangely, they weren't heading directly for us but were dispersing, spreading out in different directions.
What were they planning to do?
Ambush us while everyone was distracted?
Or were they trying to avoid direct confrontation and find another way to the upper floors?
The only possibility was that they intended to conceal themselves, hide in some corner, and wait for an opportunity.
I was about to tell Wen Siqiang to go to the main entrance and notify the seniors to come and keep an eye on these individuals, but it was too late. Just then, another four or five people broke through the cordon. This time, they didn't disperse; they charged directly at us.
I told Old San Wu, "Let's take care of these few first!"
These individuals didn't attempt any detours. Before we could even speak, they were upon us.
Old San Wu of the Wu family was truly formidable. He lunged forward, and before one of the attackers could even throw a punch, the man was already falling backward.
Immediately after, he swung a fist towards the head of another who was charging beside him. The man's head tilted, and he too fell to the ground.
Wen Siqiang and I weren't as spectacular. Each of us was engaged by an opponent. Although I wasn't injured while swinging the baton, I was under such pressure that I couldn't afford to relax for a moment, fearing that any lapse would lead to my defeat.
By then, Old San Wu had dealt with two of them. He grabbed the one engaging me from behind and slapped him across the face, leaving several bloody marks.
The man, in pain, tilted his head. I struck his ear with a baton, and with a yelp, he collapsed on the ground.
We didn't bother with him anymore and quickly went to help Wen Siqiang.
Wen Siqiang was in a worse state; he had already taken several hits and was struggling to hold on.
Old San Wu executed a somersault and kicked the man grappling with Wen Siqiang in the waist. Immediately after, he sprang up like a carp and regained his footing. At that moment, my baton arrived, striking the man on the head.
I felt I had used all my strength, yet he remained completely still. I realized we had met our match. Old San Wu's flying kick and my baton strike hadn't managed to take him down. He released Wen Siqiang, twisted his neck, and moved his arms. Without acknowledging me, he walked directly towards Old San Wu.
It seemed it wasn't Wen Siqiang's weakness, but this man's sheer power.
I could hear the sound of his shoulder bones shifting with his movements. He strode with steady steps to Old San Wu's front. He didn't attack but simply looked down at him.
It was only then that I realized how tall and powerfully built this man was. Our own not-so-short stature made us look small and frail in comparison.
Even with Old San Wu's profound skills, he seemed to be struggling against someone a head taller and significantly stronger. He didn't make eye contact but took a step back and then punched the man in the abdomen.
Despite the blades or other hidden weapons on his hands, this man was as unyielding as if he had an adamantine body, unaffected as if the blow had landed on wood.
Seeing that he hadn't moved, I leaped up and swung my baton with all my might at his head.
Unexpectedly, just as the baton was about to connect, he suddenly raised his left hand and caught the descending blow.
He snatched the baton from my grip, his strength so immense that he nearly lifted me off my feet.
I didn't let go. While I was entangled with him, Old San Wu punched him in the stomach again, then pulled downward along his abdomen. The hulking brute finally couldn't bear it; he bent over in pain, his force weakening.
I pulled the baton from his grasp and struck him on the back with it, one blow, two blows, three blows. Even bent over, he was still very tall, forcing me to jump each time to bring the baton down on him.
I spent a long time conceptualizing this book. I stayed in Tengchong for several months in 2010, and that's when my understanding of jade began.
Jade is beautiful, exquisitely beautiful. The Xiangxie Hotel where we stayed had a jade carving weighing over a ton in its lobby, which was quite shocking and spectacular.
The jade ornaments in the display hall were even more captivating, a feast for the eyes.
It was around that time that I suddenly fell in love with jade. Whenever I had free time, I would visit the jade market, though mostly just to browse and admire.
Sometimes I would buy a small item, just to satisfy my craving.
Jade can be addictive, especially stone gambling. It's truly a matter of "one cut to poverty, one cut to wealth, one cut to rags." Such stories unfold daily in the stone gambling city.
Just as written in the book, most stones don't yield great surprises. Getting even a hint of color is considered good. Yet, people, driven by dreams of riches, constantly seek the next opportunity.
I've written about the experiences of someone striving in this industry. Please take it as a story. If it can offer any insight or help, I will be content.
The book has been published. I started uploading chapters consecutively from the end of last month, meeting the requirements for publication. From now on, chapters will be locked. If you feel this book is worth reading, I hope you will spend a few thousand coins to support the author. I wouldn't know the hardship of writing a book if I wasn't doing it; it's a difficult task, not only mentally draining but also with the pressure of daily updates.
I once missed the last high-speed train of the day because I was writing, and I had to forfeit my ticket and travel the next day. People criticized me for a long time, saying I had become a bookworm.
Sitting in the waiting room, I didn't hear the boarding announcements, and by the time I realized it, the train was long gone.
There are many interesting anecdotes from the writing process that I will share with you gradually. In short, I hope for your continued support, more reviews. Your support is the driving force for me to keep writing.