Xiang Yu certainly couldn't bother with such niceties. He stomped both feet before the building and bellowed, "Hurry out! I’ve come to kill you today, get out here now!"

Ye Xiu let out a deep sigh, deliberately maintaining a significant distance from Xiang Yu, making it look as if they were not even acquainted. "This is some serious mockery."

"What reckless brute dares cause trouble outside Magistrate Zhang's residence!" True to reputation, these were men of the martial world. Hearing a challenge, an equally tall fellow emerged from the building, trailed by a host of lackeys, all grinding their blades ominously.

Xiang Yu took a step forward, narrowing his eyes to assess the man before him dismissively. "Looking at you, you don't seem to carry much weight."

"Grandpa is more than enough to kill you." It seemed this 'Little Dog' was another fearless scoundrel of the Jianghu. "If you're looking for a fight, I'll oblige you, old man."

"Today, I'll take your dog life." Xiang Yu spat out the words, then suddenly seized Little Dog's arm, spinning around to attempt a shoulder throw. Who knew this Little Dog was no ordinary opponent? He immediately stomped his feet, bracing the other hand firmly against Xiang Yu's back. The result was that he remained completely immovable.

"Hah!" Naturally, Xiang Yu was momentarily stunned by his opponent's strength. He swiftly released Little Dog’s arm and leaped back a full meter.

Good heavens, he had finally met his match. Ye Xiu watched from a secluded corner, easily observing every move these men made, while simultaneously taking note of the entire layout of the World’s Pavilion (Tianxia Lou).

The World’s Pavilion was three stories high. The entire ground floor, by the main entrance, was guarded by low-level riffraff and thugs. However, standing beyond the railing on the second floor was a group clutching broadswords—likely soldiers.

The windows on the third floor were distinctly different from the two floors below, framed by ornate trim. This was likely where Magistrate Zhang indulged in pleasure and relaxation. This meant Magistrate Zhang and Wan Meng were almost certainly up there. But how was he supposed to get up there?

"Behold my twin staves!" Little Dog roared, finally producing and wildly brandishing two iron rods. "Die!"

Though Xiang Yu was indeed rash, he possessed a core of shrewdness. Without fully understanding the situation, he didn't charge in blindly, instead drawing his massive greatsword, which weighed eighty jin.

At this, Little Dog crossed his two iron rods and relentlessly swung them, pressing the attack against Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu assumed it was a typical maneuver, raising his greatsword horizontally across his chest, immediately blocking the heavy blow from Little Dog’s left hand.

But just as the left side was blocked, Little Dog exerted massive force with his right hand, intending to use the rod like a dagger to stab toward Xiang Yu’s abdomen. Xiang Yu had already sensed the danger of dual-wielding weapons: using feints to mask real intent. He instinctively lifted his foot and kicked in coordination, successfully striking the iron rod and sending it flying.

Although Little Dog was quite surprised by the strike, no panic crossed his face, because his two iron rods were connected by a chain. The moment the right rod was kicked away,

He launched himself into the air, spinning a full 360 degrees. Like a returning lance, the connected rod from behind was whipped around like a relay, smashing heavily onto Xiang Yu’s head.

With a CLANG, Xiang Yu was knocked flat onto the ground by the whip-like blow, his forehead immediately smeared crimson.

"Hahaha! Now you know how formidable I am!" Little Dog was immensely pleased, thinking this strike had virtually secured victory. He waved his hands, commanding his lackeys, "Charge! Beat him to death! Remember to toss the corpse out for the dogs afterward."

Ye Xiu ignored Xiang Yu for the moment. Although Xiang Yu was currently crouched, Ye Xiu noticed his expression held no panic; rather, a nascent killing intent had surfaced. At that precise moment, the small fries on the first floor had fully surrounded Xiang Yu.

Ye Xiu saw his opportunity. He vaulted over a broken wall on the opposite side, slipping silently into the first floor. He knew whose life mattered least; the crucial thing was confirming whether the Wan Meng people spoke of was his Wan'er.

"Go, my brothers!" Little Dog gave the order, and all the underlings lunged at Xiang Yu. Though they were unarmed, they were all large, burly thieves. In that moment, they swung heavy fists, intending to beat the bloodied man before them to death.

"A pack of trash," Xiang Yu roared as he stood up. Seeing a mass of bare-fisted men rushing him, he didn't even bother with his sword. He settled into a low horse stance, clenched his fists, and punched the first man coming at him straight in the face. That single punch sent several people flying.

"Oh?" Little Dog had initially thought the matter settled, but seeing this brute stand up again, radiating such killing intent, he felt a jolt. He slowly walked toward Xiang Yu.

"Huff... not enough? Come on, again and again!" Xiang Yu gasped for breath, glaring at those surrounding him, and slowly advanced toward Little Dog. This sheer aura intimidated the underlings, making them hesitant to meet his fists.

"What kind of weapon is that?" Xiang Yu seemed thoroughly unimpressed, feeling the weapon was too vicious. He wanted to know more. "Is it that Shuang Jie Gun that Ye Xiu kid mentioned?"

"Shuang Jie Gun!" Little Dog rested one rod on each shoulder, chuckling. "I don't know what complicated name you gave it, but Grandpa calls this the Twin Great Staves."

"Hmph..." Xiang Yu sneered, feeling that Ye Xiu had truly been fabricating things, showing him no respect at all.

Ye Xiu cautiously navigated the hallway on the first floor and ascended to the second. There, a swordsman/axeman with a sharp face and medium build was already waiting before a screen. Taking a few more steps into the hall, he realized more men were positioned behind him. He was now trapped like a turtle in a jar, completely surrounded by eight axemen.

"Magistrate Zhang sure knows how to spend money. How much do you guys demand per month?" Ye Xiu was always cautious, but when it came to fighting, he shared Xiang Yu's arrogance. "Even all eight of you together aren't my match."

"Hmph, kid, you think a broken wooden sword is enough to get past my brothers?" The burly, bearded leader spoke without much courtesy. "Today, you will die under our Eight-Measure Axe Formation. Brothers!"

"Eight-Measure Axe Formation." The thing Ye Xiu hated hearing most was talk of formations. When it came to setting formations, he was an expert. However, the Ghost Valley Formations relied on luring and pinning down enemies. Even the Ultimate Gate Deadly Array, though capable of slaughtering ten thousand, was fundamentally comprised of esoteric and poisonous arts. He had never dealt with such a straightforward martial arts formation before.

"Kid, since you dare not strike, just step aside. You don't look like a real villain," one of them observed Ye Xiu's hesitation and offered kindly. "We brothers are just carrying out a mission; we don't wish to harm the innocent."