3 Chapter 3: His Palm

Jang Li had spent the day alone, preparing pills and meditating. His meridians were struggling a bit with the output of his new power level, but he figured with time they would catch up. He did some exercises to alleviate some of the tension they had built up. This wasn't going to be his first battle with the Three Dragons, the one who injured him so badly the other day was one of the three founders, Meng Heng. With backup from Zou Yue there shouldn't be too many obstacles. He'd only seen her power once, but Zou Yue certainly isn't one to be trifled with. Jang Li went to bed for the night.

The next day he woke up in his room, alone. There was a small note on the table in his room. "Did she really come in here again? I'm gonna get this mission over with today so that maybe I can get a new partner. She very well may be the most annoying woman in Jing-Hei province." Jang Li grumbled aloud, hoping Zou Yue would hear him.

Picking up the note he was quite surprised. It was from the boss. There was a small letter and a small purple pill. 'Good luck on your mission today. Take this as an early gift -Boss' Jang Li inspected the pill closely and noticed it was a quite dense qi pill! He decided to quickly take it and meditate as it took effect.

For a few minutes everything was ok, then Jang Li noticed that he was sweating black. He was quite nervous at first, took a swipe of it with his finger and sniffed at it. He'd never seen something like this in his life, was this the result of taking such a powerful qi pill? His body began to feel lighter than usual after a few more moments, but his Dantian felt heavier. It was as if some of his excess energy had been moved there from around his body. Jang Li's qi has become unrecognizable from the qi within him only 2 days ago.

Li walked out to the main room and met with Zou Yue. "You snuck in my room again last night didn't you? I really wish you would stop, but tell the boss I said thanks for the gift. I'd really like to meet him soon." He bowed his head and clasped his hands together in a sign of peace towards Zou Yue.

"I didn't go into your room at all last night Li. But I'll let the boss know what you said" Zou Yue had a devious smile plastered onto her face. The kind of smile that Li hates most.

"Now I'm even more curious about your boss. I'll wait for my time now though. I have some pills, do you want any?" Li pulled out some pills and showed them to Yue.

"What's the dull green one?" Yue asked, ever inquisitive.

"It helps ease your qi into your muscles easier, relaxes them and helps entwine the two. It simply makes you much more physically strong than you normally would be. Do you want it?" He held out the pill for her to grab.

"Interesting. I think you're gonna be an incredibly useful partner Li." Li joined her on the couch as they sat in wait for the afternoon. Yue stayed quiet, which Li appreciated greatly.

Without any words Li stood up and started to head out of the door. "Oh, don't tell me you want to start taking charge now? You're not even fully initiated Li." Yue chuckled to herself loudly.

"Doesn't matter. I don't like taking orders from you." Li stepped out and started towards the yaoguai's store. Yue took the hint and followed him wordlessly. There's no reason to rile each other up before a mission.

Li opened the door to the shop and was greeted by some unfriendly looking men. They all had a tattoo of a dragon on their necks. "Nice to see you guys again." Jang Li smiled towards them and waved. Yue stood beside him and crossed her arms.

She suddenly slid forward quickly and darted out her finger quickly, and hit their third eye pressure point. The men not being prepared for this fell over without much of a fight. Li noticed the floor was wet between where she had moved. "You're quick Zou Yue, I think I'd like to fight you seriously someday." Zou Yue only smirked at him in reply.

"They didn't even stall you for a moment." A woman's voice came from upstairs. Li figured it to be Meng Heng and took his gloves off in preparation to fight, he wasn't going to take her lightly as he did last time. "Hmph, we had hoped to kill you the other night, but you really made a mess of my hideout. I'm here to repay you in full though." Meng Heng emerged from the stairs and Li recognized her Spiraling dragon tattoo from her cheek all the way into her blouse.

"Zou Yue, stay out of this for now, standby in case there are others. Her power is more dangerous if we fight as a pair anyways." Zou Yue just watched silently from across the room. Meng Heng raised her hand towards Li but he dashed towards her and closed the gap instantly. He let out a quick punch, she guarded but she was still pushed back a bit by it. Li's physical power had improved quite a bit. Suddenly Li's body began glowing slightly and Heng Meng became very defensive. Li took this chance to send out a giant manifestation of his palm using his qi.

Meng Heng suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her thigh, only to see Li's finger quickly exiting her thighs, as the giant palm hit her she was so off guard from the simultaneous attack she was forced back a few meters. "You rat bastard, I don't remember you being this quick." Heng Meng admitted. "You caught me with your stupid poison, but I think it's all a bluff so people will fear you." Li caught her off guard with a forward kick straight to her torso.

"You shouldn't waste time talking while we are fighting. That could be your last mistake in this realm, Heng Meng." Li said as he rushed her once more, this time sending out flurries of small manifestations of his fists. His body was still dully glowing, and the fists were so rapid, Heng Meng landed a punch on him through the flurry, but he didn't even flinch. Instead, he retorted with a grab to her wrist, he stuck his finger into her wrist as he grabbed her and then slammed her into the ground. He jumped back as soon as she landed. Suddenly flames erupted towards him and he quickly dodged.

"My flames missed? They won't miss you again you bastard" Heng Meng yelled out as she sent flames towards Li in all directions, using most of the remaining qi. The poison's effects make it very hard to gather and use your qi effectively when your body assimilates it inside.

Li stood still and focused, letting out a deep breath a giant manifestation of his palms cupped the front of him, creating a small shield from the fires. He knew this was Heng Meng's last resort. All he had to do was wait for this attack to end. She had been stabbed twice by his strong poison and used too much Qi after. There was coughing from the direction Heng Meng had been in. Li dropped his palm guard and approached a disheveled and dying Heng Meng.

"I'm sorry it had to end like this." He chopped her throat before she could speak up. With this he turned towards the yaoguai who was shocked by this turn of events and hiding behind the shop counter. "Where's the Three Dragon's main hideout? I think I'm gonna end this feud today." Jang Li smiled. Zou Yue approached him.

"Great job. Are you sure about that though? It's tough taking down a gang, but going on their turf is suicide isn't it?" Zou Yue had inquired.

"I feel great today. I know you're still doing well too, Yue. Let's go have some fun and end this, the boss would be happy to hear about it, wouldn't he?" Li took the address the yaoguai wrote down.

"Hmph. Your choice. I'm not saving you if you're in danger." Zou Yue sneered at him as they walked out and towards the Three Dragon Hideout.