Chapter 2: Where Did My Big Huo Gua [Huo Yuhao] Go?
This wasn't the first time this had happened.
Ever since the old butler had asked him to deliver food to the Huo mother and daughter, vicious servants had frequently come looking for trouble.
It was obvious the Duchess was behind it.
A flicker of anger flashed across Qian Zhaoguang's brow as he spoke coldly.
"Get out of the way. This is already the third time this week. If you two continue to pester me, don't blame me for being impolite."
Although he currently looked like a mere six-year-old boy, beneath that childlike exterior resided the soul of a young man in his twenties.
Moreover, in his previous life, he was a hot-blooded martial artist who inherently detested bullies.
Having grown up alone, he was no pushover; he had learned martial arts precisely to avoid being bullied by others.
If not for the fear of causing trouble for the old butler, he really wanted to deal with this nuisance once and for all.
The old butler was the last steward of the White Tiger Duke.
Since his retirement due to illness over a decade ago, the Duchess had monopolized all power within the mansion.
Therefore, Qian Zhaoguang was unwilling to bring trouble upon himself and the old butler because of some insignificant people.
"Give us a chance? Did I hear that right?"
The thin servant on the right, with a sleazy face, let out a strange cackle.
"Little brat, I'd like to see just how impolite you can be to us! Don't even think about running this time!"
As he spoke, he bent down, reaching out to grab the lunchbox in Qian Zhaoguang's hand.
The fat servant on the left folded his arms, a mocking expression plastered on his face, shouting boastfully.
"I've disliked this kid for a long time, slippery as an eel. We must teach him a lesson this time!"
Facing the much taller servant and his outstretched hand, Qian Zhaoguang remained extremely calm.
He shifted slightly to the side, his right hand darting out like lightning to grasp the opponent's middle finger, forcefully bending it downwards in one smooth motion.
"AOW!"
A scream like a stuck pig, accompanied by the faint crack of a finger bone, erupted instantly.
Along with it, the thin servant involuntarily dropped to his knees from the sheer pain.
"Let go! Let go!"
He grit his teeth against the agony, struggling to break free from Qian Zhaoguang's grasp.
Seeing his companion thwarted, the tall, fat servant on the left paled, swinging his large hands as he bent down to grab Qian Zhaoguang.
"Hmph!"
Qian Zhaoguang snorted coldly. Executing a perfect "Iron Plate Bridge" stance, he dodged the incoming fist and swiftly placed the lunchbox steadily on the ground.
Simultaneously, using his left hand to push off the lunchbox handle and his right hand to press down hard on the thin servant's finger, he exerted force with both arms and his left leg. His entire body sprang up inverted like a spring at an unbelievable angle.
Twisting his body, his right foot accurately struck a spot near the opponent's ribs.
The Zhangmen acupoint, one of the thirty-six fatal points on the human body.
Striking it injures the liver and spleen, damages the diaphragm membrane, obstructs blood flow, and harms qi.
Concerned about becoming gossip fodder, Qian Zhaoguang held back.
He didn't kick with full force or directly hit the point, merely striking the side with seventy percent of his strength.
If struck with full force, the man wouldn't die, but he would undoubtedly require days of bed rest to recover.
"Hiss!"
The intense pain was almost unbearable even for a sturdy adult man like the fat servant. Clutching the ribs on his left side, he collapsed in agony.
He couldn't even cry out, only managing to suck in sharp breaths of cold air.
As Qian Zhaoguang released his grip, the thin servant on the right crumpled to the ground with a thud, having actually fainted from the pain.
Click.
Qian Zhaoguang bent down, pressed the man's dislocated finger bone back into place, then picked up the lunchbox and walked away coolly.
His control over the inflicted injuries was extremely precise, ensuring the Duchess would have no opportunity to use this incident against him.
Externally, at most, the fat servant would have a bruise, and the thin servant's middle finger might be slightly stiff; nothing else would be visible.
Although the old butler had been retired for a long time, he had watched the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, grow up.
The Duchess still had to give him that much face; she wouldn't tear relations apart over such a minor matter.
Besides, the old butler himself was a Soul Saint level expert.
Anyone wanting to make a move against him would have to seriously consider if they possessed the necessary strength.
Freed from the troublesome servants, Qian Zhaoguang easily reached the woodshed at the rear of the Duke's Mansion.
"Brother Zhaoguang, you're here!"
The dilapidated wooden door swung open forcefully, revealing a pretty little girl greeting him.
Her dark eyes were especially striking, seeming to sparkle with starlight.
"Yes, I came to bring you food. Is Auntie Huo back?"
"She's back, she's back! Mama is inside!"
The little girl seemed overjoyed to see him, excitedly pulling his hand as they walked into the room.
The woodshed was pitch black inside, unlike other rooms which were illuminated by various lamps.
Huo Yun'er leaned against the window, using the last rays of the evening glow to mend clothes.
Despite the lingering chill of early spring, she wore only thin garments.
Qian Zhaoguang was no longer surprised by this.
This situation had been practically the same every day for the past three years.
However, judging by the increased number of chilblains on her hands, it seemed the Duchess's oppression was intensifying.
Ignoring these extraneous details, Qian Zhaoguang took a candle from his pocket and lit it, illuminating the small cabin.
"Mama, Mama, Brother Zhaoguang is here!"
Hearing her daughter's call, the intensely focused Huo Yun'er finally realized someone had arrived and stood up awkwardly.
"Xiao... Xiao Guang, you're here."
"Hello, Auntie. Come and eat. Grandpa made some good dishes today; they're very good for your health."
Qian Zhaoguang gave a slight nod as a greeting and placed the food containers on a dilapidated wooden table.
"Wow, it smells so good!"
The little girl skipped over to the table, took a deep inhale, her expression one of pure delight.
"Eat while it's hot, otherwise it will get cold soon."
Qian Zhaoguang patted the little girl's head and picked up an identical, now empty, lunchbox from the foot of the bed, which contained the previously washed utensils.
"Auntie Huo, tomorrow is the Martial Soul Awakening day. Please don't forget to take Xiao Tong."
"I remember. Thank you, Xiao Guang."
"Then I won't disturb you any longer."
Inside the woodshed, the little girl waited eagerly for her mother's signal to start eating.
Huo Yun'er, however, gazed at the departing figure with complex emotions filling her eyes.
"You really are too mature for a child your age..."
"Mama, I'm so hungry! Can we eat now?"
"Go ahead and eat. Don't let Xiao Guang and Elder Zhu's kindness go to waste."
Back in his own room, Qian Zhaoguang assumed a peculiar posture, preparing to continue tempering his body.
However, unlike usual, his mind refused to quiet down today.
Qian Zhaoguang frowned.
Forcing cultivation could easily lead to problems; he had no desire to suffer from cultivation deviation.
Since he couldn't enter the right state, he simply turned off the soul tool lamp, lay down on his bed, and closed his eyes to rest his mind.
Perhaps...
Was it because of the upcoming Martial Soul Awakening?
Qian Zhaoguang didn't care what his Martial Soul was or how high his innate soul power might be.
But he cared very much about the little girl who had greeted him today.
She had a very pretty name.
Huo Yutong.
(Author's Note: Don't ask why she is surnamed Huo now. I detest the name Dai XX, so I made it a secondary setting/fanon.)
(End of Chapter)