**Chapter Translation:**
"Why has it come to this?" Cu Siau-thian's words were spoken as if addressing a stranger he had never met.
"We're settling a debt of gratitude," Tu Liong replied coldly. "This isn't the proper way to resolve an issue."
"In broad daylight like this, how can you torture someone until they confess?" It seemed Cu Siau-thian was beginning to show his stance.
"Don't come any closer," Tu Liong was blunt.
It wasn't that he didn't value gratitude, but rather that he could clearly distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil.
"Do I not have the right to mediate between you?" "No," Tu Liong immediately replied.
"If I'm not allowed, then I've wasted my efforts running here to Sie-san," from Cu Siau-thian's words, it was clear that his coming here was not just a coincidence.
He must have received news that Boh Tan-ping was brought here.
"Cu Taiya!" Wie Kie-hong didn't want Tu Liong to feel awkward, so he stepped forward to resolve the issue, "this matter has no resolution." "In this world, there's no problem without a solution. As long as you can distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad, that is enough." "Unfortunately, besides issues of good and bad, right and wrong, there are also matters of profit and loss. When decisions are based on profit and loss, they are often unreliable, untrustworthy," Tu Liong was shocked to hear Wie Kie-hong's statement.
He didn't expect this young man to say something so firm.
Cu Siau-thian's expression slightly changed. He spoke in a low tone, "Do you think I have a relationship of profit and loss with him?" "Perhaps." "You use the word 'perhaps,' which shows that you're unsure." "I use the word 'perhaps' so that Cu Taiya stays put.. Please don't come closer, Cu Taiya!" "Alright! I won't mediate the issue anymore." In the end, Cu Siau-thian seemed to relent, "then I'll just be a third party watching, is that okay?" Wie Kie-hong looked at Tu Liong as if he wanted Tu Liong's approval of this suggestion, but Tu Liong showed no reaction.
It seemed he believed Wie Kie-hong was capable of making decisions in any situation, especially since he had already entrusted Boh Tan-ping to Wie Kie-hong.
Cu Siau-thian spoke again: "This is a public place that anyone can visit; on your side, you can do whatever you wish, and there's no restriction for anyone else to do what they want. Can't I also watch as I wish?" Initially, Wie Kie-hong lacked courage, but now he was enveloped in spirit.
He ignored Cu Siau-thian, turning to face Boh Tan-ping, and said coldly, "You've already heard what Tu toako said, so I don't need to repeat it... answer, where is my father?" Boh Tan-ping didn't answer. But his gaze shifted to Cu Siau-thian.
It was clear that this look was a plea for help.
Cu Siau-thian indeed responded to this look and said: "Wie Kie-hong! You're asking the wrong person. If you want to ask about your father's whereabouts, you should go and ask your adoptive father, Leng Souw-hiang." "Cu Taiya!" Wie Kie-hong said coldly, "I've already told you, your words won't gain my trust." "What if I personally take you to ask Leng Souw-hiang?" "No need." "If you want to waste time, feel free to keep asking." Cu Siau-thian seemed to soften a bit unwittingly, providing a clue to Boh Tan-ping.
"Kie-hong! You're asking me in vain. If you kill me, you'll gain nothing." Boh Tan-ping echoed what Cu Siau-thian had said.
"I have no idea about your father's whereabouts right now. If you want to ask, you should ask Leng Taiya." Without much consideration, Wie Kie-hong immediately raised his hand to thrust a knife toward Boh Tan-ping's chest.
His movement was quite fast, but Cu Siau-thian moved faster.
A "PLAAAKKK" sound was heard as Wie Kie-hong's wrist was firmly grasped. "It's still broad daylight today, how could you intend to do something barbaric?" Cu Siau-thian scolded him loudly. Wie Kie-hong tried to pull his hand away from Cu Siau-thian's grip, but after a while, he realized he couldn't.
Tu Liong immediately approached, speaking with great respect: "Cu Taiya! I owe you a great debt of gratitude for raising me to reach this point." After saying this, he suddenly knelt in front of Cu Siau-thian, then touched his forehead to the ground three times.
Cu Siau-thian was taken aback by his actions.
It seemed he didn't understand what Tu Liong was doing.
After expressing his gratitude, Tu Liong stood up.
Almost simultaneously, his right foot kicked toward Cu Siau-thian.
It turned out that first, Tu Liong thanked Cu Siau-thian for all the kindness he had shown, then he acted.
First, because this happened unexpectedly, and second, because his right hand was firmly holding Wie Kie-hong's hand, Cu Siau-thian's movements were very limited.
Tu Liong's kick landed squarely on his right shoulder.
Automatically, Cu Siau-thian's right hand grip loosened.
Wie Kie-hong immediately took the opportunity to free himself.
Cu Siau-thian chuckled coldly and said: "One cannot harm a tiger's heart, but a tiger always intends to harm people, I never expected this." Tu Liong still responded to Cu Siau-thian with full respect, "Cu Taiya! I dare not oppose you. But if the situation doesn't allow it, I have to act." "Do you think the two of you against me alone will win?" Wie Kie-hong said firmly: "Reality always triumphs over harsh warnings. Goodness always triumphs over evil. This is a rule that will never change."
Suddenly, Cu Siau-thian laughed heartily.
In the midst of his laughter, he suddenly drew a sword and immediately slashed it toward the rope binding Boh Tan-ping's hands.
The sword he used was a very sharp short sword.
However, this sword strike was highly precise.
Cu Siau-thian didn't even cut a single hair on Boh Tan-ping's hand.
Such swordsmanship skill would amaze anyone who saw it.
Now the situation had changed again.
Now it was one-on-one.
Judging from the martial arts skills of Cu Siau-thian and Boh Tan-ping, it was clear that Tu Liong and Wie Kie-hong would surely lose.
But after freeing Boh Tan-ping, Cu Siau-thian seemed to reveal his true nature.
If Tu Liong and Wie Kie-hong couldn't leave this forest alive, what was the point of Cu Siau-thian acting like this for them?
"Tan-ping!" From Cu Siau-thian's call to Boh Tan-ping, their relationship was evident.
"Yes!" Boh Tan-ping answered with great respect.
"I remember back in the martial world, your short sword skills were so proficient that no one could match you." Cu Siau-thian's words were spoken lightly.
He sounded as if he were having a casual chat with him.
"Indeed, that's true."
"Today we have the chance to see your true skills. Show me." Cu Siau-thian then tossed the sword in his hand to Boh Tan-ping.
Cu Siau-thian then stepped aside.
He seemed to think that Boh Tan-ping alone was enough to defeat the two young men.
He himself didn't need to intervene in the fight.
He had confidence, and from how Boh Tan-ping caught the thrown sword, it was clear he shared the same confidence.
Tu Liong and Wie Kie-hong also believed that Cu Siau-thian wasn't exaggerating.
Because of this, Wie Kie-hong used this opportunity to act first, before Boh Tan-ping could launch his attack.
Wie Kie-hong dashed like an arrow released from a bow.
He immediately directed the small knife he held at Cu Siau-thian's neck.
Cu Siau-thian didn't expect this, nor did Tu Liong himself.
Cu Siau-thian wasn't holding a weapon.
He didn't have time to use his bare hands to counter the attack.
He could only step aside to dodge.
Wie Kie-hong's agile movements with his sharp knife continued to chase Cu Siau-thian.
Boh Tan-ping was forced to help Cu Siau-thian escape the danger.
But just as he was about to move, Tu Liong was already blocking his path.
In the end, everyone was still engaged in one-on-one combat.
What was different was that initially, Tu Liong and Wie Kie-hong were at a disadvantage.
But because Wie Kie-hong was the first to attack, the situation had now reversed.
The two young men had a great opportunity to win.
In this situation, a stronger offensive tactic proved to be very effective.
Under normal conditions, Cu Siau-thian could dodge attacks nimbly.
His movements were as fast as a lightning strike.
But now, being in the dense forest, when retreating to avoid attacks, he had difficulty seeing if there was a tree trunk blocking his path.
At any moment, the sharp knife could pierce his neck.
Wie Kie-hong continued to chase Cu Siau-thian.
Tu Liong and Boh Tan-ping stood facing each other.
The great fight he had experienced in the narrow alley replayed in his mind.
"We fight again," Tu Liong said slowly.
"MMmm...." Boh Tan-ping continued to stare intently at Tu Liong.
The two men stood facing each other.
Their weapons were both drawn at their sides.
The forest wind gently blew, rustling the leaves.
Tu Liong raised his right hand, intending to challenge Boh Tan-ping to attack him first.
Boh Tan-ping seemed a bit emotional.
"HIAAAATT!!" Boh Tan-ping's shout marked the beginning of this fight.
He immediately ran toward Tu Liong.
Both his hands held the sword tightly.
Once close enough, Boh Tan-ping immediately swung his sword at Tu Liong's head.
Tu Liong quickly ducked to avoid the attack.
Simultaneously, he lunged forward toward Boh Tan-ping and slashed his sword vertically from bottom to top.
Boh Tan-ping quickly spun his body, narrowly avoiding Tu Liong's sword slash.
Tu Liong, now very close to Boh Tan-ping, could even feel the warm breath brushing his cheek.
However, he didn't only feel the breath.
Boh Tan-ping had already extended his hand and immediately gripped the clothes Tu Liong was wearing.
Tu Liong again displayed his skill with his strikes.
He immediately stomped his right foot hard, and his right palm struck Boh Tan-ping's chest equally hard.
Boh Tan-ping staggered backward.
Tu Liong immediately pursued him again.
He quickly slashed his sword toward Boh Tan-ping's head.
Boh Tan-ping immediately ducked to avoid Tu Liong's attack, which only managed to slash a tree trunk, not Boh Tan-ping's neck.
**
Glossary:**
- **Cu Taiya**: A respectful way to address an elder or superior, often used for someone with authority or high status.
- **Tu toako**: "Toako" is an affectionate term for an older brother or a close male friend, used here to denote camaraderie and respect.
- **Leng Taiya**: Similar to "Cu Taiya," a respectful term used for someone with authority or high status.
- **HIAAAATT**: A battle cry typically used in martial arts to express determination and power during an attack.