Chapter 43: The Merciful Do Not Command Troops, The Kind Do Not Enforce Law

Deep within, a strange emotion churned–humanity’s most primal desire for knowledge. Confronted by five charging strong men, Xiao Yu was genuinely baffled.

The moment their fists flew toward him, Xiao Yu realized restraint was no longer an option. To continue sparing these vicious attackers would be foolish.

Indeed, Xiao Yu had restrained himself until now. Had he not, the first two men to fall wouldn’t be unconscious, they’d be dead.

What is the original purpose of fighting?

He recalled a line from a movie in his past life, where a villain proclaimed, “Kung Fu is a technique for killing!”

Xiao Yu’s demeanor turned icy, his gaze sharp as frost.

In an instant, Xiao Yu explosively retreated, dodging two punches and a kick. His feet momentarily braced against the ground before he surged forward.

A missed attack leaves an opponent vulnerable, their momentum spent, creating the perfect opening for a counterattack.

Xiao Yu’s speed was astonishing.

Bang.

As Xiao Yu surged forward, his elbow struck the neck of one of the strong men. It was ferocious, precise, and merciless.

The sound of the strong man’s throat bone cracking echoed, as he struggled to breathe before collapsing to the ground. Not lethal, if the fight ended quickly, there was still time for rescue.

One second…

In the blink of an eye, without any hesitation, Xiao Yu’s form catapulted into action. His hands seized the head of a strong man too slow to dodge.

Boom!

Like a battering ram, Xiao Yu’s knee shattered his opponent’s nose and facial bones in an instant. Apart from professional fighters, with equal training, the legs’ explosive force exceeded that of the fists.

The hands were merely gateways, the real damage was done with the legs. The moment he touched down, the strong man in front of him was sent flying backward.

Two seconds…

Snap, his arms intercepted another’s punch. Xiao Yu’s leg shot out, landing a kick between the assailant’s legs. He held back his full strength, otherwise, it could have been fatal. Even so…

“Ugh!”

The strong man clutched his groin, eyes rolling back as he collapsed.

Three seconds…

Maybe it was Xiao Yu’s ferocity and prowess that shocked the remaining two fitness buffs. Fear painted their faces, and they hesitated to engage any further.

Yet, Xiao Yu neither ceased his assault nor did he waste any moments. He was unsure if Guo Qiang could handle the fleeing strongman, especially since Guo Qiang, standing at 1.7 meters, faced a disadvantage against the muscle-bound giant over 1.8 meters tall. In a real fight, Guo Qiang stood little chance of winning. Should the adversary brutally target Guo Qiang, a life-threatening situation could very well unfold. A scenario Xiao Yu refused to witness.

Thus, with a swift motion, Xiao Yu’s leg lashed out, striking the fourth strong man squarely in the head.

Four seconds…

He advanced, charging forward just as the fifth strong man attempted to run.

Xiao Yu’s hand swiftly grasped the strong man’s neck and yanked him backward, causing the man’s head to reel back.

Bang!

His elbow, swinging down with force, connected with the strong man’s face.

Five seconds!

All five muscular men, just like their two initial companions, lay sprawled across the ground.

Aside from the strong man writhing on the ground clutching his groin in agony, the other six were all unconscious. Observing the fallen muscular men scattered around, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but smirk.

This experience brought a newfound appreciation for the powers bestowed by the system. With such formidable combat skills, Xiao Yu felt confident not just against seven ordinary people but even against seven professional fighters.

Nose of the King Butterfly, activated. Ears of the Wax Moth, activated.

Without delay, Xiao Yu tuned his ears to listen closely, his nose twitching slightly. He first memorized the scent of the seven strong men on the scene, then dashed off towards the distance without hesitation.

***

Bang!

Guo Qiang was floored by a punch, blood streaming from his nose and mouth. 

At 39, his endurance wasn’t what it used to be. The sprint had taken a toll on his stamina, which couldn’t compare to those who dedicated their days to fitness.

Dazed and disoriented from the blow, Guo Qiang struggled to regain his bearings. The strong man who knocked Guo Qiang down turned and attempted to run once more.

However, his thighs were firmly grasped.

Despite being downed, Guo Qiang mustered his remaining strength to prevent the assailant from escaping.

Why not draw a gun?

Because they had none.

As the initial group of muscular men had taunted, police officers were not permitted to carry firearms for regular duties, barring especially dangerous or special assignments.

This policy stemmed from the improving public safety, rendering weapons largely unnecessary.

A misstep with a firearm wouldn’t just spell trouble for the individual, it could implicate the entire investigative unit.

“Damn you, die!” the furious strong man yelled, lifting his other foot to kick down at Guo Qiang.

Enduring the pain, Guo Qiang gritted his teew, clinging to the man’s leg unwaveringly.

Thud!

A kick landed near Guo Qiang’s temple.

The severe impact left him unable to maintain his grip, sprawling dazed on the ground, staring up at the sky.

Age was indeed catching up with him, Guo Qiang mused bitterly as he regained his senses.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed overhead.

A familiar face appeared above.

“Are you alright?” Xiao Yu looked down at Guo Qiang lying on the ground.

“I won’t die.” Guo Qiang, wearing an apologetic look, said weakly, “He got away.”

“Don’t worry, he won’t get far,” Xiao Yu responded calmly. “Just lie still and wait for backup.”

With that said, Xiao Yu took off running, his movement reminiscent of a wild beast on a frenzied charge. His expression grew increasingly grim and ferocious.

Memories of a past life, filled with the loss of fellow officers, surged through his mind. It was a reminder of his own leniency.

In the midst of his sprint, Xiao Yu squinted, recalling his mentor’s admonition from his previous life, being a police officer meant harboring no softness in your heart.

“Compassion does not command an army, and kindness does not enforce the law,” his master had said. The benevolent could not be police officers.

To criminals, kindness was seen as laughable weakness.

A police officer must constantly strategize on how to apprehend these wrongdoers.

In the face of their ruthless cruelty, you had to be even more cold-blooded and merciless than they were. Only by adopting such a stance could you truly overcome them and bring them to justice.