**Chapter Translation:**
They, too, were a pair.
Tu Liong took a deep breath.
If he had to fight against four people at once, it was uncertain whether he could win the battle.
The two people inside quickly followed them out.
First, the young man holding a copper ruler opened the conversation, "Tu Liong! Do you think we will definitely listen to your words?" "You come from elsewhere. A strong dragon will lose to a local snake. Of course, you will listen to everything I will say."
"Except for the master's orders, we won't listen to anyone else's words. Now our master has given the order, you must come with us, no ifs or buts. If you refuse, we will surely drag you."
"Are you going to gang up on me?"
"To deal with evil people like you, we are forced to use this method. You are very renowned; we are nothing more than nameless soldiers!"
"If you really want to try, please! I fear the ones who will leave this place being carried away will not be me, but you."
The young man with the copper ruler quickly signaled with his eyes.
The two young men waiting in the courtyard immediately rushed forward, each using their bare fists. Together, they attacked Tu Liong.
Tu Liong quickly demonstrated his martial arts skills. He used minimal force against their powerful attacks... borrowing their strength to counter them.
One of the young men's fists was already flying toward his chest. Tu Liong's body swiftly moved to the side, his fingers darting forward like lightning, firmly grasping the young man's wrist.
The second young man's fist followed quickly. Tu Liong evaded the attack again, using his free hand to grab this young man's arm.
The two young men kept pressing. Tu Liong promptly pulled both his hands down, causing the two young men's bodies to be dragged downward. Due to their running speed, they both spun and were thrown hard to the ground.
This was a grappling technique that was one of Tu Liong's specialties.
The two young men lay on his left and right, struggling to catch their breath.
From this, it was evident that even if these four young men attacked together with their bare hands, they would not win against Tu Liong.
They quickly thought of another way to fight Tu Liong, being forced to use weapons.
Sure enough, they each drew a short sword. Compared to bare fists, four short swords certainly had a better chance against Tu Liong.
They seemed to know their positions well. They slowly stepped to encircle Tu Long.
Tu Liong felt as if he were a goat trapped in the middle of the sea, surrounded by hungry sharks ready to devour him.
The gazes of the four were sharp. Tu Liong could feel their fighting intent; he could even faintly hear the heavy sounds of their breathing.
The glinting of four sword blades was visible, moving around.
Tu Liong could only brace himself and prepare for the incoming attack.
Finally, the opening maneuver of circling around was completed. The four of them took their respective positions, each occupying a corner of the compass. Tu Liong stood in the center.
Once the time was right.
"ATTACK!!!" commanded the young man who had held the iron ruler. Of course, his iron ruler had now been replaced with an iron sword.
Despite being the leader of the attack group, he also joined in the assault.
As Tu Liong had suspected, the four attacked simultaneously.
If Tu Liong remained in the center to receive the four assaults, he would be like a mouse resigned to being besieged by four cats.
Especially since Tu Liong was unarmed, facing four swords with bare hands.
How could Tu Liong possibly win this battle?
But Tu Liong was clever; he immediately moved to the left, moving in sync with the four young men.
It seemed the four did not anticipate this. The one attacking from the left looked surprised, his fierce expression suddenly turning to bewilderment. His eyes widened as Tu Liong leapt toward him.
Tu Liong pounced on him like a lion attacking its prey. The sword extended straight before him was quickly pulled back. He intended to prepare himself to slash at Tu Liong, who was now airborne.
Unfortunately, his movement was too slow. With just one lunge, Tu Liong had already sent him flying backward.
This was the famous sumo wrestler's charge.
Tu Liong only used a strong foot push and shoulder to bump the young man away. He did not use his fists at all.
The unfortunate young man fell and rolled over.
Tu Liong knew it would take some time for his opponent to get back on his feet. Therefore, he immediately turned to face the next two attacks.
Although these young men were large and muscular, they lacked much combat experience.
As Tu Liong turned, the two were already very close to him.
Both were still rushing toward him, making the same mistake. They swung their swords down from either side toward Tu Liong simultaneously.
Tu Liong easily evaded this simultaneous attack.
He ducked while preparing himself once more. He launched his charge again.
His left foot, positioned in front, stomped hard on the floor.
"HIAAAHHH!!!!" Tu Liong shouted with all his might.
His palm, ready at his waist, swiftly shot out to hit the chests of the two young men.
Usually, a wrestler would be fat with layers of fat, but Tu Liong's body was muscular and toned, highlighting the difference.
And with their running momentum, the impact of the palm strike felt even more powerful.
The thrusting palm that landed hard on their chests sent both young men flying backward, each crying out in pain.
The last young man left was the leader of the group.
Although the two young men had fallen to his left and right, he remained unshaken.
The remaining young man continued to charge at Tu Liong, his sword raised high above his head.
Tu Liong waited for the leader's attack, but he remained alert to his surroundings.
He realized the young man who had fallen behind him was sneaking up to try to stab him from behind.
Therefore, when the leader's sword swung toward him, Tu Liong quickly grabbed his wrist and dodged to the right.
Cleverly, Tu Liong used the leader's sword to deflect the attack from the young man attempting to ambush him from behind.
Tu Liong placed his right foot behind the leader's left foot, then dropped his weight onto the leader's leg.
He did this to make the leader kneel on one knee.
Tu Liong had used the leader as his shield.
The young man attacking stealthily was now hesitant.
He feared that if he attacked, he would injure his leader.
At this moment, the two other young men, who had been sent flying by Tu Liong's attack, were already running back and swinging their swords again.
Tu Liong once again dodged beautifully between the two attacks.
But the situation was getting tighter.
Now he was close to the four young men, and they could slash at him at any moment.
He was forced to try to distance himself.
The four young men managed to get back on their feet.
After all the young men were ready again, they stood side by side, forming a phalanx.
Their gazes returned to being fierce.
The gleam of their swords shone once more.
Tu Liong knew that this time they were more prepared for battle.
This fight would not be as easy as before.
Tu Liong resumed his stance.
Suddenly, from afar, the sound of someone whistling was heard.
It might have been just a passerby on the main road, but to the ears of the four young men, the sound was different.
After the whistling sound faded, they all retreated in an orderly manner.
They each sheathed their short swords again.
Tu Liong realized that someone else had been secretly watching this battle.
Who was it? Was it Thiat-yan himself? Or was there someone else orchestrating these four young men?
He then looked up and surveyed his surroundings.
Behind the residence of the fortune teller, there was a multi-story building.
On the upper floor, there was a window tightly shut.
Was Thiat-yan watching all the events that had just taken place?
The young man with the copper ruler said, "Alright! This afternoon at precisely four o'clock, at the Tong-ceng tea house, our master will surely arrive on time!"
Now Tu Liong became more wary of all the actions taken by Thiat-yan.
After this incident, it was evident that he could even control his subordinates from afar.
It proved that on ordinary days, his subordinates were well-trained.
Thiat-yan had even prepared an unexpected backup plan.
With just a whistle, they could all change and adapt their strategy quickly.
An enemy ready to attack could not be taken lightly.
0-0-0
Tu Liong returned home, just wanting to rest and recover his stamina.
**
Glossary:**
- **Mistar Tembaga**: Copper ruler
- **Thiat-yan**: Likely a title or name of a character in the story
- **Kedai Teh Tong-ceng**: Tong-ceng tea house
- **Kuda-kuda**: Martial arts stance or guard
- **Jurus Bantingan**: Grappling technique
- **Tubrukan gaya pegulat sumo**: Sumo wrestler's charge