Chapter 12
Big G's Fist
(1)
"Since you're all coming, we need to go get ready," Rhyme Fisher said.
Big G: "Hurry up, the faster the better."
Rhyme Fisher politely excused himself, he suddenly winked at Iconoclast, "Hand it over," he whispered.
Iconoclast glared at him, "Why are you so impatient, you already won," he groaned.
"What did you say?" This time it was Big G who couldn't hold back his question.
"He didn't say anything." Rhyme Fisher interjected.
He grabbed Iconoclast hoping to leave, but it appeared that Iconoclast was the more honest of the two, he seemed anxious, "I made a bet with him, and lost some money, so he is forcing me to pay up," he said blushing.
Big G: "How did you lose?"
Iconoclast: "I was worried that all of you wouldn't grace us with your presence, but he said..."
He glanced sideways at Big G, but suddenly shook his head, "I don't want to repeat what he said."
"Don't worry, there is no way anyone will blame you," Big G said.
Iconoclast rolled his eyes, "What if someone blames me?"
Big G: "Don't worry, I will protect you."
Iconoclast finally laughed, "He said, some people might be inclined to politely decline, but Boss G will definitely come; out of these four, Boss G has the thickest skin."
Before he finished speaking, he was already dragging Rhyme Fisher away, fleeing for safety. For a long while, you could still hear them giggling off in the distance.
Big G was slightly upset, but found it amusing, "That little kid isn't so honest after all, he sure knows how to set someone up for an insult," he mumbled.
Swally couldn't help but laugh at him, "Actually, that doesn't really count as an insult, it's merely the truth."
Dash: "Actually, it's not that he is thick skinned, a poor man just has limited options..."
"He was also born hungry," Swally added.
Big G wasn't upset, "Fine, I am poor, I am hungry, I have thick skin, you are all such gentleman," he casually replied.
He suddenly smiled grimly, "But if it wasn't for my thick skin, you hypocrites would have had to run to the pawnshop, and make a fool of yourselves."
Swally: "They are our guests, how is it that you are ok with mooching off them?"
"At least he is a person, that's at least better than eating what the cat sent; you aren't even grateful of the food that the cat sent, so how can you act so haughty?" Big G laughed coldly.
Dash: "Who is acting haughty? I merely wanted them to bring the food and drink right here."
(2)
There wasn't much to eat, but there was plenty to drink.
The dishes were exquisite, even though the portions were small. They were arranged nicely in small square boxes, even the colors were matching, just the presentation alone left people with a great impression.
Master He: "Although this food was prepared last night, I spend most of the year travelling, and understand a little something about preserving food, I promise the food has maintained its flavor. My only regret is that the ingredients were picked from nearby, which is hardly suitable for esteemed guests."
Big G suddenly laughed, "You prepared all of these dishes last night, so you were planning on having guests tonight?"
Rhyme Fisher was pouring them drinks, "Our master loves hosting, regardless of who he meets during his travels, he always insists on having a drink with them, so we always have plenty of food and drink ready," he quickly replied.
Big G gave him a wink, "It seems that I'm not the only one with thick skin," he whispered with a smile.
Master He: "What did brother Guo say?"
Big G: "I said that he..."
Rhyme Fisher suddenly coughed loudly.
Big G laughed, "He is pouring too slowly, I'm simply too impatient to wait any longer."
He was the first to raise his glass, smelling the contents, "Such fine alcohol, I would like to make a toast to the generosity of Master He."
He was just about to take a drink, when Master He grabbed his hand, "Please wait brother Guo, for the first toast, I would like to honor the four of you..."
All of a sudden, a black dog and a black cat, scurried in all at once, jumping onto the table; they knocked over a few of the glasses that had just been poured.
Master He's facial expression suddenly changed, he quickly reached out with his hands.
His hands were pale and delicate, as if he had never handled anything dirty in his life, even reaching for a toppled bottle seemed beneath him.
The cat and dog looked as if they had just returned from rolling around in the mud.
But as soon as he extended his hands, he grabbed both of their necks, one in each hand, he lifted them up, getting ready to throw them outside.
As soon as he threw them out, two pairs of hands swiftly reached out, catching them nimbly.
Big G caught the black cat, and Swally caught the black dog.
Big G stroked the cat's neck, "What are you doing? Are you trying to oust Master He from playing the host?" he smiled.
Swally patted the dog's head, "What are you doing? Are you as impatient as Mr. Guo, anxious to have a drink?"
Master He frowned slightly, "Such dirty animals, why would you want to carry them?" he forced himself to smile.
Big G: "I like cats, especially generous cats."
Swally smiled, "I like dogs, especially dogs that know how to drink."
When the cups had tipped over on the table, the dog had stuck out his tongue to have a lick.
"Too bad this wasn't the Golden Poodle," Dash suddenly said.
Forest picked up a piece of soy sauce chicken, and then put it back down, "Too bad this isn't roast duck."
Master He kept a straight face, "Why am I having trouble understanding the four of you?" he smiled.
"Perhaps we are all drunk," Big G smiled.
The dog suddenly yelped in pain, he jumped away from Swally, falling on the table with a thud. It was as if someone had abruptly slit his throat, before he could even start barking.
The excitable dog was suddenly dead.
Swally looked at the dead dog, and then raised his head looking at Big G, "Did you see that, did you see what happens when you are impatient."
Big G was also looking at the dead dog, he raised his head to look at Master He, "None of us are from the Canton region, and we don't eat dogs."
Dash glanced at Master He, his face was expressionless, "I heard that the meat of black dogs is the most nutritious," he said casually.
Forest laughed coldly, "Perhaps it isn't a black dog, but merely wearing black clothes."
Master He surprisingly stayed calm, he slowly stood up, patting the crumbs off of his clothes, "Please take a seat everybody, I am going to go change my clothes, I will be right back."
Big G was looking at Dash, "He said he will be right back."
Dash: "I heard."
Big G: "Do you trust him?"
Dash: "Yes."
Big G: "Why?"
Dash: "Because he isn't going anywhere, he can change behind the screen here."
Master He was watching them silently, he didn't say another word. After a long pause, he slowly turned around, picking up the chest on the chair behind him, he walked behind the screen.
The screen was made from decorative cloth, hanging in the middle of the small living room.
Everyone was watching the curtain, but Big G was looking at Rhyme Fisher.
His little face had turned pale.
Big G suddenly winked at him, "Why aren't you going to change?"
"I... I didn't bring any clothes," he stuttered.
"Since you don't have any clothes here, shouldn't you go home and change," Big G smiled.
Rhyme Fisher instantly perked up, he grabbed Iconoclast's hand and took off.
Swally chuckled, "Although he has thick skin, he is not a bad kid."
When he looked at Big G, his gaze was brimming with a gentle appreciation. But when Big G turned around, Swally's gaze suddenly became cold as ice, his face void of expression.
Master He walked out from behind the curtain.
He had actually changed his clothes.
A complete set of black clothes.
× × ×
Black clothes, black boots, with a face covered in black cloth. There was even a sword hanging from his back, a dark black scabbard. A four foot seven inch long sword.
Forest's face changed color: "It's you, you didn't die."
"Only because you don't understand the art of killing, you're not capable of murder," he laughed coldly.
Forest's face appeared to be changing colors.
He certainly did not understand the art of killing, he was overcome with anxiety just thinking that he had killed someone, he didn't even check to see if the person was actually dead.
"If you were an experienced killer, even if I was actually dead, you should stab the body a few more times," said the person dressed in black.
"I know now," Forest replied, biting his teeth.
"You don't know, some people will never be killers. Killing people takes a special kind of talent," said the person dressed in black.
"Sounds like you must be a natural born killer," Swally suddenly said.
"Natural enough," replied the person dressed in black.
Swally was smiling, "If you were a natural born killer, we would already be dead by now," he said casually.
The person in black though about for a moment, "You are all still alive, you should really thank that dog."
"I realized something all the same," Swally said while looking at Big G.
Big G: "What's that?"
Swally: "At the very least he is a natural born dog killer."
Big G blinked a few times, "I realized something as well."
Swally: "What's that?"
Big G: "He isn't Hideous Nangong."
Swally: "Why not?"
Big G: "Because he isn't very ugly."
"Just because they call him Hideous Nangong, doesn't mean he is ugly," Dash suddenly said.
Big G laughed, "Not bad, just like someone called dash definitely does not imply that he loves dashing around."
Dash: "Correct."
Big G: "But he doesn't even have a scar on his face."
People from the world of martial arts know that Hideous Nangong was lucky enough to escape from Crazy Cross with his life, but he has a cross shaped scar on his face, so he never reveals his true appearance.
Dash: "Who has seen the scar on his face?"
Big G: "I certainly haven't seen it."
Dash: "Since he never reveals his true appearance, then who could have seen his scar?"
Big G laughed, "That's right, perhaps the scar is on his butt."
The person dressed in black was staring at them callously the whole time, "You guys were only right about one thing," he suddenly said.
Big G: "What's that?"
"I only kill dogs, not people," the person in black replied.
Big G smiled, "So you're honest after all."
"I just killed one dog, and now you're the second."
× × ×
It was a quiet evening. The moon was dark, and the wind was blowing loudly, the perfect night for killing someone.
Besides the five of them, there weren't many living souls on the mountain—perhaps there would even be one less this evening.
Maybe four less.
There were trees in the courtyard, the wind was blowing and the trees swaying.
The man dressed in black stood motionless.
He was quietly standing there, he seemed to have merged into one with the murderous night.
Nobody could deny that he was definitely a killer.
His had a murderous aura surrounding him.
His sword was sheathed, but a feeling of death had been released.
Big G was still inside, slowly taking off his coat.
The person dressed in black was waiting for him outside, he wasn't the least bit nervous.
Big G suddenly laughed, "This guy sure is patient."
Dash: "Killing people takes patience."
Big G: "Patience can't kill you."
Dash: "You are intentionally trying to make him nervous, but he is remaining calm, if you lose your composure that will be his chance to kill you."
"So I am keeping my calm as well," Big G said, smiling.
Swally had been watching him the whole time, "There is no need to be nervous, and there also isn't any reason for you to go out alone," he suddenly said.
Big G: "Although I have thick skin, I'm no coward."
Swally: "When dealing with this kind of person, it's not necessary to adhere to the principles of integrity practiced in the world of martial arts."
Big G: "Are you thinking four on one?"
Swally: "Why not?"
Big G sighed, "A part of me wants to do it that way, but unfortunately I am a man."
Swally hung his head, "But you... are you confident you will be able to handle him?"
Big G: "Nope."
Swally: "Then, you..."
Big G interrupted him, "I'm going to go whether I am confident or not, it's just like needing a drink when you have money, even without money, you still have the urge to drink," he smiled.
Dash was smiling, "What a stupid analogy, but it does prove one thing."
Swally: "What's that?"
Dash: "Some things just have to be done."
"Fine, go, if he kills you, I will avenge you," Forest suddenly said.
Big G laughed, he patted Forest on the shoulder, "Even though you're a bit of a bastard, at least you are loyal," he said with a smile.
Swally grabbed his hand all of a sudden, "Don't stand too close, his sword isn't that long," he whispered.
"Don't worry, he won't fool me," Big G smiled.
He walked out.
Swally sighed, "I don't get it, why is it that some people just have to be the hero."
"Perhaps he has always been a hero—some people are born for greatness," Dash said casually.
Forest sighed, "That's right, even if he is an alcoholic, or a bit of a bastard, he is certainly a hero, there is no denying that."
Swally exhaled, "Too bad most heroes die young," he mumbled.
× × ×
Big G was standing in the courtyard, he surely was standing far away from the person dressed in black.
"Where is your sword?" asked the person dressed in black.
Big G chuckled, "My sword has already been pawned."
He laughed callously, "You have the nerve to come against me without a weapon? Are you in a hurry to die?"
Big G was still smiling, "Since I am going to die, might as well make it a quick death, then I don't have to go on suffering from poverty."
"Good, I will fulfill you wish."
As soon as he had said "good," he was already reaching back for his sword.
As soon as he touched the sword handle, Big G was charging forward.
Swally's heart practically jumped out of his chest.
Was Big G really looking to die in a hurry? He clearly knew that his opponent was using a short sword, so why was he running in.
The sword was unsheathed in a flash.
It was a long sword, not short.
The blade looked like a long rainbow flashing through the sky.
Big G was already in close, he couldn't see the sword, and he didn't see the flashing of the blade.
His eyes weren't distracted by the flare.
Although he didn't see the sword, he saw where his opponent's weakness was.
He saw it clearly.
"THUMP", his body was knocked into the air.
His body flew back, but his sword came flashing forward, he crashed into the back wall, his sword struck a tree.
He lay on the ground motionless.
× × ×
Big G was standing there, looking at his fist, he looked surprised, as if something strange had happened.
It was as if he never imaged that he could knock down his opponent with one punch.
Nobody else saw it coming either.
Swally was even more surprised, he stood there dazed, finally rushing over, happy and a little baffled, he still looked a little anxious, "I told you to stay far away, you just had to rush in didn't you," he said smiling.
"Perhaps that is because I am a fool," he said with a smile.
His smile truly did look a little silly.
But he was clearly no fool—when you think he is acting foolish, he just has to do something smart, not only smart, but exceedingly intelligent.
Swally laughed, "Who said you were a fool, it's just that, I just don't get it, how could you tell he wasn't using a short sword this time?"
"I couldn't tell, I just took a guess," he said smiling.
Swally was shocked, "What if you guessed wrong?"
Big G: "I wouldn't guess wrong."
Swally: "Why?"
"Because I am lucky," Big G gave a big grin.
Swally stood there thinking about it, laughing abruptly, "You might not be a fool, but you aren't well-behaved, definitely not well-behaved."
× × ×
Big G was certainly mischievous.
Because he knew how to play the fool.
He obviously had seen that the person dressed in black wasn't carrying a short sword this time.
The sheath was on his left shoulder this time, but he had used his right hand, his chest and abdomen shrank back when he reached for the handle, with all of his strength focused on the front.
So there was a weak spot between his chest and stomach.
Big G had noticed this weakness.
He struck the weak spot with his fist.
As long as he was precise, with correct judgment, one punch was enough, there wasn't any need for a second.
When experts are engaged in combat, the first strike is the most effective.
If you can't knock them down, you will probably be the one who takes the hit.
There is a thin line between victory and defeat—and the moment often passes in an instant.
"I still don't understand something." Swally suddenly said.
Big G: "Oh?"
Swally: "His arm is much shorter than his sword, how could he pull the sword out with one swing of his arm?"
Big G thought about it, "I'm not sure," he smiled.
Dash: "I know why."
He walked over, he was holding the black scabbard in his hand.
Swally reached for the scabbard, taking a look, "I understand now," he smiled.
Anyone who looked at the scabbard would have been able to figure it out.
There were two swords in the scabbard, one long, one short. Swally had already guessed that much.
What he didn't realize was that the scabbard wasn't really a scabbard, it was merely a clip.
The sword wasn't even unsheathed from the top, but swiped out from the side.
"It's like a chicken egg," Swally laughed.
Big G stared blankly, "Like a chicken egg?"
Swally: "Do you know how to make a chicken egg stand up straight on the table?"
Big G: "I don't know."
Swally smiled, "Stupid, all you have to do is break open the top of the bigger side, and then it can stay straight up."
Big G laughed, "Aren't you a genius, good thing you could come up with such a brilliant idea."
× × ×
Many things in this world really are similar to that of a chicken egg.
Something may seem incredibly complex, but in fact it is quite simple.
Some people are just like chicken eggs.
No matter how useless someone is, if you knock them on the head, they will stand up all by themselves.
(3)
There was a new grave in the courtyard.
A dog's grave.
Swally had placed the black dog's body into the coffin, "You came in the coffin, and now you're going back into the coffin, what was the point of it all," he sighed dejectedly.
Big G smile uncomfortably, "If he didn't come, then it would be us in the coffin."
Forest exhaled, "I even kicked him when he jumped out of the coffin, who would have thought that he would save our lives."
Dash: "Dogs aren't like people, they don't hold grudges, and they only remember the people who treat them kindly."
Big G: "That's right, if you ever give a dog a bone, he will definitely happily wag his tale the next time he sees you; not like some ungrateful people, no matter how well you treat them, in the end you will get burned, so..."
"So dogs are more loyal than people, at least more loyal than some," Forest finished the sentence for him.
Big G: "So we should leave him a tombstone."
Forest: "What should we write on it?"
Big G: "The grave of a loyal dog."
Swally shook his head: "Loyal is not enough, don't forget that this dog saved our lives."
Dash: "We can set up the tombstone later, but we should start by getting the epitaph right."
Big G: "Do you know how to write a epitaph?"
Dash nodded, he suddenly stood up, "Here lies a dog, a righteous and loyal friend, if he hadn't appeared, we would have disappeared, we will remember this auspicious day, alas, drinking and feasting in your honor," he recited loudly.
× × ×
Pigs shouldn't get too fat, people shouldn't be too smart.
Pigs go to the slaughter sooner or later, but it takes a certain amount of silly for people to live happily, a certain amount of foolish behavior.
That doesn't make them fools.
They obviously knew that cats didn't know how to cook, and that dogs were not capable of putting themselves in coffins.
The cat and the dog must have an owner. But who was it?
Swally: "When this person sent us the coffin, they must have known that Hideous Nangong hadn't died."
Big G: "Right, sending us the coffin was their way of telling us that Hideous Nangong was still alive."
Swally nodded, "They knew about Hideous Nangong's insidious plan."
Big G: "But why wouldn't they tell us plainly."
Swally: "Because they still don't want to be seen by us."
Forest: "Why? Since they don't have ill intentions, what is the point of sneaking around?"
Big G: "It sounds like this person is definitely a women."
Swally: "How so?"
Big G: "Only a women would go sneaking around like this, acting all mysterious."
"Even if it is a women acting this way, that's only because men are even harder to figure out," Swally said with a straight face.
Big G laughed, "Don't forget, you are also a man."
Swally: "Don't forget, your mother was a women."
Dash was looking at Swally, "Men naturally look down upon women, and it's natural for women to look down upon men, it's just the natural order of things, that is the way it has been for hundreds and thousands of years, and thousands of years from now, it will still be the same, so..." he suddenly said.
Swally: "So what?"
Dash: "So there is nothing to debate about, I don't know why you two are so fascinated by this topic."
He sighed, and kept talking, "We have enough problems, and now there is another one."
Big G: "What problem?"
Dash: "Hideous Nangong."
Hideous Nangong was still alive, because nobody wanted to kill him.
None of them wanted to kill him, especially someone who had already been knocked down. There was at least one thing that Hideous Nangong got right, "Some people will never be natural born killers."
Big G: "You're right, he is definitely a problem."
Forest: "Didn't we lock him up?"
Big: "Yeah."
Forest: "Are you worried that he will escape?"
Big G: "He can't."
If someone had already been tied up like a sticky rice dumpling, they could forget about escaping.
Forest: "Since he can't escape, then what is the problem?"
Big G: "That is the problem, since he can't escape, we have to watch him, isn't that right?"
Forest nodded.
"We can barely feed ourselves, how are we going to take care of someone else," Big G smiled wryly.
Forest finally understood, "We might as well let him go," he said frowning.
Big G: "We can't just let this kind of person go."
Forest: "Does that mean we have to look after him for the rest of his life?"
Big G: "So that is the problem."
"We can let him take care of himself," Swally suddenly said.
Big G's eyes instantly lit up, "That's right, he has way more money than us."
Swally: "At the very least, he has the heist from The Phoenix."
Big G stood up, "Let's go ask him, where he hid all of that treasure?"
Swally: "Do you think you will get an answer?"
Big G smiled, "I'm not The Rod, but I have my ways."
"Looks like you learned a little something from The Rod," Swally couldn't help but chuckle.