The moment Xing Honglang spoke, the Gaojia Village villagers cheered. Two duels in one day! The earlier one had been a new refugee challenging Instructor He—utterly predictable from the start that Instructor He would win.

The outcome was no surprise either; the refugee fell in one move. It hadn’t been satisfying to watch at all.

But now, hearing the brave woman challenge Gao Chuwu, everyone instantly roared with excitement.

The young men of the militia led the jeering: “Brother Gao Chuwu, go for it! Any man who chickens out ain’t worth the name!”

Villagers gathered near the salt smugglers, counting their freshly earned coins, chimed in: “Gao Chuwu, step up! A man who can’t beat his wife ain’t worth a damn, hahaha!”

Happy laughter echoed everywhere.

Xing Honglang shot a furious glare at the taunting villagers. “Who’s whose wife? Watch your words!”

The villagers clamped their hands over their mouths instantly. This brave woman meant business.

Amid the clamor, the mischief-maker Gao Yiye raced over with light footsteps. Spotting the Saint Lady joining the excitement, the villagers parted like a swift current, clearing a path for her to stride right into the center.

One glance at Gao Yiye’s prime spot told Xing Honglang all she needed: this woman was the village leader. Fascinating. For a woman to lead salt smugglers already bordered on astounding—now this village actually put a delicate-looking girl in charge? What was going on?

She scrutinized Gao Yiye with a puzzled expression.

But Gao Yiye’s attention stayed locked on Gao Chuwu, laughing brightly. “Brother Gao Chuwu, why the hesitation? Too cowardly to fight? The Deity himself is watching us from the heavens.”

Gao Chuwu scratched the back of his head, earnest as ever. “I never hit women.”

His words only stoked Xing Honglang’s fury. “Still underestimating me, huh? I’m no ordinary woman.”

Gao Chuwu nodded, wide-eyed with sincerity. “Absolutely! You’re unique—the most beautiful woman under heaven! Nobody compares.”

The villagers stood silent as statues.

“Ptui!” Li Daoxuan spat out a shred of sea cucumber, nearly spraying it into the box before frantically cupping his mouth to catch it. If that fell inside—utter disaster!

Xing Honglang fumed at his compliment. “Thought you were just a clueless idiot! Turns out you’re a silver-tongued creep, pretending to be harmless while playing dirty? Fine! I’m settling this with you today.”

She unsheathed the knife at her waist, tossed it to a subordinate behind her, then cracked her knuckles, sharp pops punctuating every word. “You. Get over here and take your beating.”

Gao Chuwu waved his hands in flustered refusal. “I really don’t hit women!”

Li Daoxuan seethed with impatience. Dammit, Gao Chuwu! The plot’s turning sluggish! Dragging out this petty subplot for ages without hitting the climax. Writing romance like this? How should readers stick around? Drat!

He snapped his order aloud: “Yiye! Tell Gao Chuwu: ‘gender equality’ means ‘I don’t hit women’ is just sexist condescension! Me? I stand firmly with Xing Honglang—and every single woman in this world. We despise him!’”

Hearing the Decree of the Deity, Gao Yiye instantly obeyed, thrusting both arms high to shout: “The Deity commands… despise Gao Chuwu!”

The villagers instantly followed suit, roaring as one: “We despise you!”

Xing Honglang froze, wide-eyed: “???”

At last, Gao Chuwu gave in. Even the Deity himself had spoken: now he had to fight.

He stepped forward, coming to a halt roughly one zhang away from Xing Honglang.

Spectators eagerly shuffled back, forming a roaring human circle. On one side stood the thirty-four salt smugglers, cheering their leader on: “Boss! Smash the arrogant punk! He deserves it for insulting the name of Yongji Xing Honglang!”

The Gaojia Village villagers rallied behind Gao Chuwu: “Gao Chuwu! Smack your wife around! Beating is the only way to obedience!”

Before either combatant threw a punch, the cheer-squads had fired the crowd to fever pitch.

Gao Chuwu remained rooted, slack-jawed and still refusing to strike first.

Xing Honglang let out a sharp exhale, took a large stride forward, and threw a straight punch at Gao Chuwu’s chest.

Her fist was incredibly swift and fierce, too fast for the eyes to follow. Watching beside them, Cheng Xu felt a surge of alarm in his heart: So fast! I might not be able to block that either. Gao Chuwu won’t be able to dodge.

Sure enough, Gao Chuwu showed no reaction at all as Xing Honglang’s fist landed squarely on his chest. A dull thump sounded—Gao Chuwu was hit.

Xing Honglang gave a dismissive “Hmph,” withdrew her fist, and decided she had won. There was no need to continue. An ordinary person hit by her fist wouldn’t be able to get up for quite a while.

However, she immediately sensed something was wrong. Gao Chuwu merely cried out “Aiyo!” as he stumbled back five steps in succession, then planted his feet firmly and held his ground.

He even grinned foolishly: “The lady is not only pretty but really strong.”

Xing Honglang: “What?”

Gao Chuwu: “It’s my turn now, lady. Be careful.”

He lunged forward with a large step, his fist whipping through the air with a sharp hiss, accompanied by a powerful pressure as if pushed before him.

Xing Honglang was startled internally. Not daring to block it head-on, she sidestepped swiftly, used her left hand to deflect Gao Chuwu’s fist, and simultaneously drove her right fist into Gao Chuwu’s ribs.

This area was incredibly vulnerable; a single blow there would guarantee anyone crumpling doubled over like a shrimp.

Unexpectedly, Gao Chuwu just exclaimed “Aiyo!” again, stumbled back several steps, yet managed to plant his feet and hold his ground. “Wow, lady, you’re really strong!”

Xing Honglang: “!!!”

What kind of monster is this?

Little did she know that ever since the Deity arrived, this fellow Gao Chuwu had eaten himself full at every single meal—rice, meat, salt, and sugary treats—and worked tirelessly, strengthening his body until his muscles had grown like a set of armor.

To knock him down with just punches was truly difficult.

Xing Honglang gave a sharp chuckle: “Fine! This lady truly shouldn’t underestimate you. Then I’ll bring out some real skill. Try my set of Jin Hong Fist!”

She sprang forward in a flash, both hands beginning to strike in a rapid series, the Jin Hong Fist style roaring through the air forcefully.

Gao Chuwu instantly found the flurry blinding and impossible to track; in the time it took to blink thirteen times, he had been struck over ten times in quick succession.

The watching crowd heard only a series of thump-thump-thump sounds, fists pounding against flesh. As the two figures separated again, they saw Gao Chuwu’s tower-like frame begin to fall slowly.

A thud crashed as he hit the ground, sending up a cloud of dust.

Gao Chuwu had lost!

Xing Honglang clapped her hands dismissively: “Settle that chocolate debt.”

Her subordinate salt smugglers laughed loudly: “Yes, ma’am!”

Zheng Daniu walked over to Gao Chuwu, picked up a twig, and gently poked him a few times: “Brother, you dead?”

Gao Chuwu mumbled faintly: “Lost… couldn’t hit her… not even once…”

Zheng Daniu: “Not dead yet? Then it’s fine.”

The watching villagers: “Hahaha! Gao Chuwu’s proposal attempt fails for the second time!”

Li Daoxuan was also watching with great amusement: Excellent, excellent. Chapter Two of Gao Chuwu’s love story is very entertaining. I should reward him with something: “Yiye…”

Gao Yiye announced in a loud voice: “The Deity orders! Gao Chuwu fought brilliantly, though defeated, he fought with glory. Cancel his fool title! Bestow upon him the title ‘Tough Guy’!”

The villagers burst into laughter once more.