Heartfast

Ancient Chu Kingdom, Willow Town.

Yang Family Martial Hall.

"Bang!"

A figure flew backward, rolling several times like a kicked ball before hitting the ground and struggling a few times. Then he threw his head back and spat out a great mouthful of blood.

"The challenger was a master, yet he couldn't even take ten moves!"

"Senior Brother Chen's boxing... has reached the pinnacle."

"Besides Master Yang, there's no one in Willow Town's martial arts circles who can stand against Senior Brother Chen."

"..."

The surrounding martial hall disciples stared at the scene, dumbstruck, before erupting into heated discussion.

The defeated challenger.

His name was Pei Qing. He was the resident master of another martial hall in Willow Town, a renowned figure and one of the top martial artists firmly seated among Willow Town's five best!

But today, he had encountered—

Every martial hall disciple turned their admiring eyes toward the other tall, upright young man in the center of the courtyard.

Chen Xuan!

Three years ago, Chen Xuan had come alone to Willow Town and, on a snowy, wind-lashed night, entered the Yang Family Martial Hall.

No one had expected that the very next day, after learning a basic boxing style for only half a day, he would defeat an official martial hall disciple head-on during a sparring match...

Master Yang, who taught him the art, had been astonished and wildly excited, declaring with absolute certainty:

This was a genius with utmost devotion to martial arts!

"Master Pei, you let me win."

In the center of the courtyard, the young man with strikingly heroic features withdrew his naturally flawless stance and gently exhaled. Then he smiled and stepped forward, helping Pei Qing, who had fallen and could not get up, to his feet.

"Chen Xuan, I've lost..."

Pei Qing's body was still trembling. He stared at the young man before him with a complicated expression before suddenly shouting, half laughing and half crying:

"From now on in Willow Town, the fledgling phoenix will outshine the old phoenix's cry. No martial artist will be able to get around you!!!"

After his mournful words fell, the old martial artist, who had practiced for many years, summoned the last bit of strength in his body and flung away Chen Xuan's hand. He turned and staggered out the door, leaving with the support of his disciples, his back utterly desolate.

"..."

Chen Xuan watched the old martial artist leave, tilting his head slightly with an expression of helplessness.

Out of respect for the martial path, he had given the match his all... only holding back three-tenths of his strength on the final, deciding punch.

Yet it seemed he had still struck several seeds of despair into Pei Qing's heart.

"Senior Brother Chen, when will we be as formidable as you?"

The young disciples of the martial hall asked with faces full of longing. Among them, a pretty junior sister of fourteen or fifteen had eyes that shone with unconcealed admiration.

Chen Xuan thought for a moment, then smiled.

"Practice the basic boxing style one hundred thousand times first. Then we'll talk."

"Hiss..."

Everyone sucked in a cold breath. They scratched their heads, their faces full of difficulty.

"Forget it."

One hundred thousand times...

Yet among the older disciples with resolute temperaments, a lofty ambition rose in their hearts.

Because they had personally witnessed what had happened over these three years.

Through the spring winds and summer heat, through autumn and winter, Senior Brother Chen had practiced his boxing without pause. He had truly practiced that one boxing style no fewer than one hundred thousand times!

The utmost devotion to martial arts.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Chen Xuan watched the senior and junior disciples practicing with high spirits, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

But then.

His relaxed mood vanished without a trace.

"But even if I practice boxing one hundred thousand times, no matter how high my skill becomes, it'll ultimately still be useless."

"Martial artists are mortals. Qi Refiners are immortals."

"In this world... immortals truly exist."

Chen Xuan raised his head and looked toward the vault of the heavens.

In his lifted eyes, an image of supreme majesty and transcendence was reflected.

Lightning slurry roiled within the dark clouds. Countless chains cast from bronze stretched across the sky. Ancient beings reached out hands as huge as mountains from the clouds, dragging the scarlet-gold sun, which resembled a vertical pupil, from every direction. The chains squeezed out golden blood heated to ten thousand degrees...

It was as though he could hear the mournful roar of a Primordial Beast... ancient and compassionate.

—Candle Dragon's Eye.

According to legend, the ancient sages of the immortal path had leveled mountains and seas before finally gouging out the eye of that supreme mountain god and binding it high in the heavens. From then on, day and night, the four seasons, and the passage of time became distinct...

"So it isn't a legend..."

Chen Xuan murmured to himself. Every time he had witnessed this utterly mad scene over the past three years, he still could not help feeling a faint tremor in his heart.

But ultimately.

This scene was something only he could see.

It was the special ability he had obtained when he crossed into this world—Heartfast.

One of his eyes could spy on strange things invisible to everyone else. It was extraordinarily wondrous.

But it was of no use.

Chen Xuan had received no help from it. Perhaps that was because he had yet to encounter any other strange phenomena.

But he knew that opportunity would arrive soon.

In the afternoon.

Master Yang Qingshan, the number-one expert of Willow Town, returned to the martial hall, travel-worn.

"That old fraud Pei Qing took advantage of my absence to stir up trouble. Luckily, I left you here to hold down the fort."

Yang Qingshan sneered, then stood to the side and watched Chen Xuan practice with complete concentration. Every punch and movement was so precise that it was pleasing to the eye, faintly carrying the meaning of returning to simplicity. He could not stop nodding in approval.

"Master Yang, you've kept Pei Qing suppressed in Willow Town for decades."

Chen Xuan laughed and lowered his stance. Then he asked expectantly, "Has the Great Figure from Green Deer Mountain still not passed through Willow Town today?"

Green Deer Mountain.

It was an ancient sect in the Ancient Chu Kingdom. It had martial artists, demons, and immortals...

Every twenty years.

A Great Figure from Green Deer Mountain would pass through Willow Town once on the way to the Southern Wilderness Mountains.

"I left Wang Chan and the others waiting outside town."

Yang Qingshan nodded and continued, "Among the martial hall disciples, your talent is the best. Those senior and junior disciples, Wang Chan included, are all inferior to you... As long as Green Deer Mountain is willing to take disciples in Willow Town, that person will certainly be you."

Yang Qingshan cherished talent.

In his youth, he too had been an unmatched martial arts genius in Willow Town. But Green Deer Mountain had not chosen him then, and he had always regarded it as the greatest regret of his life.

Now that an outstanding disciple in his martial hall had a chance, he would do everything possible to fight for it.

"Thank you for looking after me, Master Yang. If I can join Green Deer Mountain and become a Qi Refiner, I'll repay you handsomely in the future."

Chen Xuan's gaze was sincere, and his tone solemn as he made his promise.

Three years ago, he had crossed hundreds of miles of mountains and marshes alone to come to Willow Town and study martial arts precisely because he had been waiting for this opportunity.

"There's no need for such words between us... My little girl is very fond of you. If this doesn't work out, you'll have to become my live-in son-in-law."

Yang Qingshan's face was full of satisfaction. Then he pointed toward the courtyard, where the pretty Maiden was practicing absentmindedly, her eyes repeatedly sneaking glances over.

"..."

Chen Xuan glanced at the junior sister who had blossomed in the distance into a graceful young woman.

His heart remained unmoved.

Afterward, the two exchanged some insights into martial arts.

"The waves behind drive on those before. Practice your boxing for another three years, and even I will have to bow in defeat."

Yang Qingshan sighed repeatedly. Chen Xuan's match that morning had somehow advanced his martial arts another step. Such extraordinary talent left even him unable to conceal a trace of amazement.

Just then.

A martial artist suddenly rushed into the martial hall, shouting as he ran:

"Master Yang, Senior Brother Chen, this is bad! Something terrible has happened!"

"What are you panicking for? Keep your pride and impatience in check!"

Yang Qingshan roared angrily. He grabbed the man by the arm with both hands and lifted him like a chick.

"Have the Qi Refiners from Green Deer Mountain arrived?"

Chen Xuan also focused his eyes on him, a faint anticipation showing in his gaze.

"Those Great Figures have indeed arrived."

The martial artist was gasping for breath as he anxiously said, "They're drinking at a tavern in town right now... They've chosen Junior Brother Wang Chan. They said Junior Brother Wang Chan is an unparalleled genius the likes of which has never appeared before!"

Wang Chan?

Chen Xuan was startled. A martial hall disciple had actually been chosen?

"This is wonderful news. But what makes Wang Chan an unparalleled genius? Heh, even that dull-witted brat was chosen."

Joy rose between Yang Qingshan's brows. He turned toward Chen Xuan and said excitedly, "Your matter is as good as settled. Come, follow me to the tavern to meet the people from Green Deer Mountain."

"Good."

Chen Xuan gathered the faint excitement in his heart and was about to set off with him.

"No!"

The martial artist immediately looked extremely tense. He spread his arms to block the way.

"Senior Brother Chen can't go..."

Chen Xuan raised a brow.

"What's the reason?"

The disciple stammered, "It was Junior Brother Wang Chan. I don't know what he did... Green Deer Mountain flew into a rage. They said Senior Brother Chen had a despicable character. They said it would be fine if they didn't meet you, but if they did, they would uphold justice on Heaven's behalf and punch you to death..."

"Wang Chan? When did I offend him?"

Chen Xuan was stunned. His thoughts raced as he recalled his dealings with Wang Chan, growing even more puzzled.

"Three days ago, I even taught him two boxing styles."

The incident had come too suddenly and was too bizarre, leaving him utterly baffled.

"There must be something hidden behind this!"

Yang Qingshan's tiger eyes widened. He spoke to Chen Xuan with finality.

"I've dealt with Green Deer Mountain before, and we have some past ties. I'll go explain things for you. Wait here in the martial hall for news."

Chen Xuan could only clasp his fists and thank him.

"Sorry for the trouble, Master Yang."

At dusk, as twilight gathered from all sides.

The atmosphere in the martial hall was oppressive. The disciples were all indignant, secretly glancing toward the solitary figure standing beneath the eaves.

The fourteen- or fifteen-year-old junior sister was so furious that her tender cheeks puffed up, and she was nearly crying.

"Senior Brother Chen has a despicable character? He betrays his teacher and ancestors... Wang Chan really has no conscience! He smeared Senior Brother Chen and ruined his reputation. How hateful!"

Chen Xuan raised his head and gazed at the pitch-black sky, lost in thought as his mood grew heavier.

"Has Wang Chan gone mad..."

Just then, from far away, Yang Qingshan's thick reek of alcohol drifted into the martial hall.

"Master Yang, about this matter..."

Chen Xuan immediately stepped out from beneath the eaves and went to meet him.

Yang Qingshan stopped. He gave Chen Xuan a complicated look, then a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. He beckoned.

"Chen Xuan, come here. I have something to tell you..."

In the distance, the martial hall disciples saw only Senior Brother Chen walking quickly toward Master Yang, whose face was kind and amiable, completely off his guard.

Then, in the next instant, an unforeseen and utterly shocking scene unfolded.

The junior sister covered her small mouth in horror and cried out.

"Bang!"

Chen Xuan flew backward like a cannonball, spitting blood as he crashed through the wooden door several yards away and fell into the dark wooden hut.

Blood Qi spread through the air.

"Chen Xuan!"

Yang Qingshan's beard and hair bristled. He withdrew his foot, which had carried the force of a thousand jun, and roared like an enraged lion.

"You've betrayed your teacher and ancestors, you're arrogant and unruly, lawless and defiant! Today, I'll purge the sect and cripple you with my own hands!"

His furious roar rolled through everyone's hearts like muffled thunder.

Everyone was stunned, staring dumbfounded at the horrifying scene. It was obvious that the kick had been far too powerful—an ordinary person would have either died or been crippled by it.

The next moment.

"Crack!"

Inside the pitch-black room, a powerful five-fingered hand gripped the doorframe. Then Chen Xuan's face emerged from within. Beneath the dusk, only half of his sharply defined features could be seen.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes were ferocious as he slowly revealed a mouthful of bloody, sinister teeth.

"You old bastard—"

Killing intent.

Spread.