The leader, Zhang Guofeng, gave a signal to the two men beside him, indicating for them to pin down Liu Tiezhu's hands.
The two men nodded and quietly moved closer.
Just as they were about to make their move, Liu Tiezhu struck first, kicking toward the most threatening Zhang Guofeng's chin.
The kick was swift and fierce, using all his strength.
With a crack, Zhang Guofeng's entire body flew backward and slammed heavily onto the ground.
His chin was completely dislocated, leaving him incapacitated.
The remaining Zhang Haiyu and Zhang Mingshan's faces changed drastically.
Without a word, they switched to fists, aiming at Liu Tiezhu's face.
Both were trained fighters, knowing the most vulnerable spots on the human body.
If they struck Liu Tiezhu's nose bridge, they could temporarily disable him.
But Liu Tiezhu wasn't a pushover; he had already anticipated their moves.
As their fists came flying, he swiftly sidestepped, causing their punches to land on the wooden bed frame.
The bed frame's planks, a full five centimeters thick, were made of solid wood.
The impact of their fists hitting the wood sent a rebound force that jarred them.
Wincing in pain, they quickly withdrew their fists, readying for a second assault.
But Liu Tiezhu's reaction far surpassed theirs.
The moment they pulled back their fists, he grabbed one of their arms, yanked it toward the round wooden post on the left side of the bed, and then twisted it violently.
Crack!!
The sound of bone breaking echoed as Zhang Haiyu's face contorted, letting out a piercing scream.
Everyone in the house was jolted awake, staring at the gruesome scene, gasping in shock.
Zhang Haiyu's right hand was completely ruined, white bone piercing through flesh, with bright red blood pooling on the floor.
Liu Tiezhu didn't let him off there; he followed up with a kick to his knee.
Another crack, and Zhang Haiyu's left leg bent, his entire body collapsing straight to the ground.
The onlookers' eyelids twitched wildly, their eyes fixed on Liu Tiezhu, filled with terror.
Too brutal—he had crippled a man over six feet tall in just two moves.
Especially that kick from Liu Tiezhu, which shattered their courage.
What kind of strength did it take to shatter a kneecap with one kick?
This man was absolutely not to be messed with.
Everyone broke out in cold sweat, the same thought crossing their minds.
The remaining Zhang Mingshan's hair stood on end, and without a second thought, he turned and ran.
Liu Tiezhu's skills were nothing like what the files described.
This guy was a living demon.
If he didn't run, he'd end up just like his companions.
"Do you think you can escape?"
Liu Tiezhu snorted, his body springing forward like a cheetah, veins bulging on his right arm as his fist slammed toward Zhang Mingshan's temple.
A dull thud rang out, and the fleeing Zhang Mingshan froze in place, blood streaming from his nose and eyes.
He turned his head, staring at Liu Tiezhu with an incredulous expression.
"You... how could you..."
Thud...
Before Zhang Mingshan could finish, his body hit the ground, convulsing for a moment before going still.
Dead?
Everyone's eyes widened in unison, their souls trembling.
Killing a man with one punch—such combat prowess was likely beyond even the Ming family's blood combat team.
What was Liu Tiezhu's background, to be this ferocious?
In truth, Liu Tiezhu's ability to kill Zhang Mingshan with one punch wasn't due to sheer strength, but to a killing technique he'd learned as a mercenary in his past life.
That punch had struck Zhang Mingshan's acupoint, causing his cerebral blood vessels to burst.
Having dealt with Zhang Mingshan, Liu Tiezhu turned and walked toward the leader, Zhang Guofeng.
At this moment, Zhang Guofeng knew he'd bitten off more than he could chew, his eyes filled with terror.
"Don't kill me, we were just following orders."
Zhang Guofeng backed away, pleading.
"Who ordered you?" Liu Tiezhu asked coldly.
"He was..."
Bang...
Before Zhang Guofeng could finish, a bullet pierced his chest.
The shooter was today's examiner, Jiang Tianliang.
After taking out Zhang Guofeng, he aimed at Zhang Mingshan, who was writhing in pain on the ground.
"Brother Jiang, I didn't say anything, you..."
Bang...
Without hesitation, Jiang Tianliang fired another shot into Zhang Mingshan's head.
Everyone was stunned by Jiang Tianliang's ruthlessness.
Then Jiang Tianliang's gun turned toward Liu Tiezhu's forehead.
"Daring to brawl here, any last words?"
"Yes." Liu Tiezhu nodded, his mind already calculating the trajectory to snatch the gun.
Hearing this, Jiang Tianliang sneered.
"Let's hear your last words."
"If they're reasonable, I might grant your wish."
"My last words are to kill you."
As he spoke, Liu Tiezhu suddenly crouched and launched himself forward.
Jiang Tianliang's face changed, not expecting Liu Tiezhu's speed.
He fired into empty space, and by the time he adjusted his aim, Liu Tiezhu was already in front of him.
"Go to hell."
Liu Tiezhu cursed, his fist smashing into Jiang Tianliang's right hand.
Jiang Tianliang's entire right arm went numb, and the gun flew from his grip.
Liu Tiezhu seized the moment to kick the pistol away, then threw another punch at Jiang Tianliang's chest.
Having risen to the position of first-round examiner, Jiang Tianliang was no coward.
Seeing the incoming fist, he was both shocked and furious, crossing his arms in front of his chest to block the fierce blow.
The moment fist met arms, Jiang Tianliang's expression shifted.
He hadn't expected Liu Tiezhu's seemingly thin frame to pack such power.
The punch against his arms felt like being hit by a solid steel pipe.
After tens of seconds of struggle, Jiang Tianliang was forced back several steps.
The onlookers were secretly alarmed, realizing even the examiner was no match for Liu Tiezhu.
Liu Tiezhu didn't stop there.
Just moments ago, Jiang Tianliang had tried to take his life.
As a fair exchange, Jiang Tianliang had to give up his own.
Besides, Zhang Guofeng and his men were surely acting on Jiang Tianliang's orders.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so quick to silence them.
"Kid, I'm the Ming family's examiner. If you kill me, do you think you'll get away?"
Jiang Tianliang, now sensing Liu Tiezhu's murderous intent, quickly spoke up.
"Even if you were the emperor's father, I wouldn't care."
Liu Tiezhu roared, his right leg sweeping through the air with a sharp gust, aiming for Jiang Tianliang's waist.
Everyone's faces paled, their courage faltering.
A leg that could produce a gust of wind indicated real martial skill.
If that kick connected with Jiang Tianliang's waist, it would likely snap it, leaving no chance of survival.
Jiang Tianliang's heart leaped into his throat.
At such close range, he couldn't dodge.
In a panic, he extended his hands, forcibly trying to catch Liu Tiezhu's sweeping leg.
With a slap, Jiang Tianliang's arms went numb, his face turning red.
The immense force from Liu Tiezhu sent him flying backward, crashing heavily onto the bed frame.
"You bastard, you wanted my life, but you didn't check your own worth."
Liu Tiezhu walked up to Jiang Tianliang, veins bulging on his right arm, fist aimed at his head.
Bang, bang, bang...
Just as he was about to punch Jiang Tianliang's skull, a burst of gunfire made him stop.
Three men with pistols entered, aiming at Liu Tiezhu's forehead.
Lying on the bed, Jiang Tianliang's face twisted into a vicious grin.
"Hahaha, keep being cocky, you son of a bitch."
"Next, I'm going to make you taste what it's like to have your bones pulled and tendons ripped."