A Record of A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 16: Little Schemes

Between two groups of people, two bare-handed young boys were sparring with fists and feet. One was stout but steady on his feet, his punches and kicks powerful and forceful—it was none other than Han Li’s old friend, Wang Dapeng. Despite his bulky frame, Wang Dapeng’s agility was impressive. With each punch he threw, there came a sharp whoosh of wind, commanding respect.

The other boy was short and nimble, moving like a quick mouse. Rather than directly blocking Wang Dapeng’s attacks, he kept dodging and weaving, seemingly aiming to wear down Wang Dapeng’s strength before launching a decisive counterattack.

Seeing his friend fighting on the field, Han Li naturally rooted for him.

After watching for a while and noticing Wang Dapeng still maintained his fierce momentum, Han Li, though lacking martial arts skills himself, knew his friend wouldn’t lose anytime soon, and he relaxed.

He glanced around, hoping to find someone to ask what was going on.

Not far from the tree where he sat, near a rock, a youth was watching the fight intently while gesturing with his hands and muttering to himself, “Hit his head, kick his waist, ah! So close! Yes, yes, kick his butt, harder…”

This youth watched excitedly and spoke as if he were on Wang Dapeng’s side.

Intrigued, Han Li slowly climbed down from the tree and approached him.

“Senior brother, do you know all the fighters here? Why are they fighting?” Han Li asked with an honest expression.

“Why would I not know? I’m Little Schemer, isn’t there anyone I don’t know? Of course, they’re fighting because… huh? Who are you? I’ve never seen you before. A new disciple? That can’t be—you have to be a new disciple for over half a year before entering. Who exactly are you?” The youth had been a bit confused but suddenly became alert upon realizing he didn’t recognize Han Li.

“My name is Han Li. I’m a close friend of the brave Wang Dapeng on the field,” Han Li answered seriously.

“Friend of Wang Dapeng? I know all his friends, but there’s no one like you!” The youth remained cautious.

“Oh, I’ve been secluded practicing in a place for several years and haven’t come out for a long time. It’s normal you wouldn’t know me,” Han Li said half-truthfully.

“Really? You entered four years ago? Didn’t expect there’s someone even I, the know-it-all, don’t know inside the mountain,” the youth said, glancing at Han Li’s clothes and believing his story.

They chatted a bit more, and the youth couldn’t help but reveal why this fight was happening.

“Junior brother, you don’t know—the trouble is all caused by a femme fatale. It all started from…” Little Schemer truly lived up to his nickname, telling Han Li all the details in a step-by-step manner.

It turned out the story began with two people: one named Wang Yang, Wang Dapeng’s cousin, and the other called Zhang Changgui, the son of a money house owner. Both were disciples of the seven mysteries sect, one an outer sect disciple, the other an inner sect disciple.

Although they lived in the same town, they ordinarily wouldn’t cross paths. All this was stirred up by a girl from another town, who had been promised to Wang Yang since childhood. But recently, while out, the girl caught the eye of Zhang Changgui. With his financial persuasion, the girl and her parents were swayed, and she was promised to Zhang Changgui instead. Wang Yang’s betrothal gifts were returned.

The girl’s family dined with the rich and abandoned the poor. This devastating news hit Wang Yang hard—he had long been infatuated with the girl. Upon hearing this, he fell into despair and finally, unable to bear it, jumped into the river to die.

This should have been a tragic story ending there.

But Wang Dapeng, who grew up close to his cousin, refused to let it go. He confronted Zhang Changgui, demanding a duel where the loser must serve tea, bow, and admit defeat.

Though Zhang Changgui was proud, he knew his martial arts were weaker than Wang Dapeng’s. So he asked to bring friends and have several matches to decide the overall winner. Wang Dapeng readily agreed.