Chapter 20: Alleyway Carnage!

Dalang Alley was shrouded in silence. The cheerful atmosphere from the previous dance had vanished, replaced by a palpable sense of deadly tension as Le Xiaotian confronted Hao One, Hao Two, and the rest of the eight brothers.

Low-level fighters usually began at a distance, employing methods like sniping or throwing knives—strategies that allowed them a greater chance to escape if things went awry. Intermediate warriors preferred mid-to-close range, where attack and defense were more balanced. Close-quarters combat, however, was the domain of true experts—a lethal dance where one either killed or was killed in the blink of an eye.

Without guns or heavy weaponry, the eight brothers' choice to engage in close combat demonstrated their confidence in their own abilities, bolstered by their numerical advantage; they were not seeking to further tip the scales. Le Xiaotian, on the other hand, chose this path purely to hone himself. After all, as the all-star enemy, he could drop at any moment.

Originally, he had planned to deliver a fierce blow to Lan Cang, then fight in the underground arena. But circumstances forced an earlier confrontation.

Gradually, the breathing of all nine men became steady and quiet. If not for the light and their shadows, no one would have known they were there.

Though he knew striking first could be a disadvantage in a battle between experts, Le Xiaotian understood his own shortcomings. His opponents were seasoned killers, while he had only recently begun his own slaughter; his actual combat experience was sorely lacking. The longer the standoff, the worse it would be for him.

Having made his decision, Le Xiaotian slammed his left foot into the ground and lunged forward, aiming for Hao One, the weakest link. As he reached Hao One, Le Xiaotian clenched his right fist and struck at his opponent’s right clavicle with lightning speed—the first move of Tiger Fist.

Throughout, the eight brothers remained motionless. Only when Le Xiaotian attacked did Hao One, his face contorted, stomp the ground.

In a delayed counter, Hao One met Le Xiaotian’s Tiger Fist head-on.

A muffled impact rang out. Both men instantly stepped back three paces.

As he withdrew his right hand, Le Xiaotian instinctively opened it, unable to suppress its trembling.

Damn it! Hao One’s physical strength was astonishing, even more painful than punching a steel plate during training. The so-called weakest among them was formidable indeed.

Taekwondo and karate were nothing but child’s play against these men. Flexing his right fist, Le Xiaotian’s expression grew increasingly grim.

Defeat Lan Cang, vanquish Zhang Hao, break out of Beihai, march into the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Nation, win the All-Star Extreme Challenge Championship, become a legendary hero, marry Su Yun, gather musicians to sing and dance, conquer goddesses, outshine celebrities, and reign over the musical world.

Well, perhaps he was thinking too far ahead—survival first.

Steeling himself, Le Xiaotian slowly drew his dagger. It seemed that without blades, he couldn’t win.

At that moment, Hao Two stepped forward to stand beside Hao One, forming an iron tower blockade. Hao Three and Hao Five, both boxing champions, advanced from the flanks, applying pressure. Hao Six and Hao Seven, skilled as venomous serpents, crept closer, waiting for a chance to strike fatally. Hao Four brandished a broadsword, covering the widest area of attack. Hao Eight, the strongest of all, drifted like a phantom, manipulating the battlefield.

As the eight brothers closed in, Le Xiaotian dared not even breathe loudly, desperately repeating to himself, “Calm down, breathe, calm, breathe, calm, breathe…”

With his breathing and heartbeat steady, and his senses locked onto his surroundings, Le Xiaotian finally felt the heavy pressure of death.

The scene appeared tranquil, but this was only a facade.

After regaining his composure, Le Xiaotian launched himself again, still targeting Hao One—the principle of attacking the weakest link. He dared not recklessly clash with Hao One, relying instead on his agility and height advantage.

His assault was as fierce and dominant as ever—the essence of Tyrant Fist. Even knowing Le Xiaotian wielded a dagger, Hao One fearlessly struck out with his right fist, showing no hesitation. His aura was formidable.

The two collided; Hao One’s punch grazed Le Xiaotian’s face like a blade. Le Xiaotian ducked and slid past, plunging his dagger into Hao One’s right shoulder.

A hit. He withdrew immediately, flipping the dagger in the air as he pulled it out.

Using his left foot as a pivot and right leg to steady himself, he caught the dagger and reversed his grip.

Three quick thrusts into Hao One’s right back.

As Hao One swung his right arm behind him, Le Xiaotian’s attention shifted to Hao Four, who now seemed to descend like a god. His anticipated attack was wide and powerful; the gleaming broadsword flashed like lightning, aiming straight for Le Xiaotian’s forehead.

The outcome was obvious—should he fail to evade, he would be cleaved in two.

A sharp whistle split the air as the blade slashed past; Le Xiaotian narrowly dodged.

With a wall behind him and no retreat, he had to move back or die.

Yet Le Xiaotian had miscalculated; Hao Four was not only powerful but fast.

The second slash tore open a gruesome gash on his right shoulder, his leather jacket sliced clean through.

Before he could react, Hao Two’s heavy fist crashed into his left cheek.

Blood and saliva sprayed instantly.

Fortunately, this let him dodge Hao Four’s third slash, which shredded the garbage bin behind him.

But the eight brothers’ teamwork was impeccable. Hao Five seized the moment, delivering a right kick squarely to Le Xiaotian’s chest.

He staggered back with tremendous speed, smashing into the wall and vomiting blood.

His ribs on both sides felt fractured—two birds with one stone. Damn, they were ruthless.

As Le Xiaotian cursed inwardly, Hao Three, having built momentum with a running start, hammered a right punch at his forehead.

Boom!

The brick wall cracked under the blow; Le Xiaotian’s left ear buzzed, nearly deafened.

He stayed alert. As Hao Three withdrew, Le Xiaotian slashed upward at his neck with lightning speed.

Blood spurted, but Le Xiaotian dared not linger. He darted toward the alley’s exit.

But just as he reached it, Hao Six and Hao Seven, snake-like, seized their chance and pounced.

Two stabbing sounds—daggers plunged into Le Xiaotian’s abdomen on both sides.

Perhaps due to repeated heavy blows, his body now entered a state of numbness.

Taking advantage, he slashed Hao Six’s face, then stabbed Hao Seven’s shoulder and face.

No sooner had he succeeded than Hao Four’s broadsword swept at him again.

At that moment, Le Xiaotian realized he could not retreat further—any more, and he would die.

He dropped his center of gravity, and as the daggers in his abdomen carved bloody grooves, Hao Six and Hao Seven collided with Hao Four’s broadsword. As Hao Four hastily drew back his blade, Le Xiaotian used the opportunity to slash his left calf.

Wounded, Hao Four reflexively crouched, giving Le Xiaotian the chance to deliver six quick dagger strikes.

No time to breathe—Hao Two’s flying kick smashed toward his head.

He raised both arms, and as the violent collision sent him flying, he managed to slash Hao Two’s right ankle twice.

Midair, Hao Five’s sweeping leg came as a lethal blow.

For a moment, Le Xiaotian felt as if he were being kicked like a ball; his spine threatened to snap, unsure if he would survive or be paralyzed.

He had no time to ponder, for Hao Eight, the strongest, finally appeared in his vision.

Hao Eight held a dagger in his right hand, and Le Xiaotian, a lamb to the slaughter, rushed forward heart-first.

He spread his left hand, letting his dagger fall to the ground, and met Hao Eight’s blade head-on.

His palm was instantly pierced, a stab of pain reaching his heart. Yet Le Xiaotian’s counterattack followed.

Suspended in midair, leveraging his hundred-plus pounds, he gripped the dagger with his left hand, dragging Hao Eight’s right arm down, and sliced his wrist with his right.

Even as an expert, Hao Eight lost his balance, tumbling with Le Xiaotian to the ground.

Without hesitation, Le Xiaotian frantically stabbed at Hao Eight’s body with his dagger.

Five minutes later, the alley fell completely silent. A faint breeze swept through, bringing the sharp scent of blood.

Gazing at the dim sky, the eight brothers lying on the ground smiled, “Xiaotian, will you really bring light back to the musical world?”

Le Xiaotian steadied his breathing and looked up at the stars. “Ordinary people only know our dreams shaped this world, but few understand that dreams must be carried by music and dance. Without mastery, it’s hard to persist, and I can’t guarantee I’ll succeed. But whether I can or not and whether I try are two different things. I will give it everything. The world of musical stars will see the dawn again.”

With a relieved smile, the eight brothers, gazing at the deep starry sky, felt she had regained her former beauty.

At that moment, Le Xiaotian drew a throwing knife and approached them. “I’m sorry—this is my first blood battle, and you’ve suffered so much. I promise, if there’s a next life and you have another chance to fight me, I’ll end it with a single blow.”

As he spoke, Le Xiaotian sent a throwing knife into each of their throats, granting them a more honorable death.

After escorting the eight brothers, he felt the world spin, his body wracked with pain.

With his last breath, he dialed Sun Yuzhen’s number and uttered eight words: “Dalang Alley, to your home.”

Then, with a crash, he collapsed and could not rise.