Asking Blades of Divine Weapon Hall, Discussing Fists with Black Tiger

The spear extending from behind Liu Heshang's belly grew longer and longer.

The exposed shaft had been completely dyed red. Blood dripped from the spear shaft and tip, pattering down to form a winding little stream.

Liu Heshang followed the spear shaft forward, holding his blade high as he strode ahead in great steps. He seemed unable to feel any pain, as though the spear had not pierced his own belly, as though it was not his own blood that flowed.

On and off the stage, inside and outside the grounds, everyone was stunned by Liu Heshang's blood-soaked courage. Wang Black Tiger's heart lurched, and he was all the more thankful that he had not acted foolishly.

Fang Wei's brow twitched as he tried with all his strength to shake the spear. Yet Liu Heshang's entire body hung from it. Though pain showed faintly on his face, Fang Wei could not lift the spear at all!

If Liu Heshang had been even slightly less resolute—if he had merely clamped the spear beneath his armpit and charged forward—Fang Wei would have had a hundred ways to free his weapon and severely wound his opponent in the process.

Yet Liu Heshang had let the spear pass through his intestines, using his entire body to pin and jam the great spear as he charged ahead. Fang Wei had never encountered such a move in his life, much less considered how to break it!

Seeing Liu Heshang rush close, blade raised high, eyes bulging, blood spilling from his lips, his face a mask of ferocity, Fang Wei, who had fought all his life, suddenly felt a flicker of fear.

Instinctively, he kicked the spear, sending it shooting forward. It passed completely through Liu Heshang's belly, punching out a huge hole. But as Fang Wei retreated with the motion, he lost his balance. His feet tangled, and he fell to the ground. Before he could get back up, he sat on the stage and scrambled backward with alternating hands.

As Liu Heshang clutched his belly and rushed toward him, the icy edge of his blade plain to see, Fang Wei was just beginning to think all was lost when Liu Heshang staggered as well and finally collapsed weakly forward. His blade came slashing down, landing squarely between Fang Wei's legs.

Fang Wei's legs flew apart in fright. Seeing the blade land barely three inches from between them, he let out a huge breath.

Fortunately, he was old and frail now, no longer as vigorous as in his youth. Otherwise, that strike would have chopped off his little head.

He struggled to his feet and saw the densely packed crowd below staring at him. Thinking of how everyone in Coiling Dragon Town had witnessed his disgrace, how his prestige of decades had been swept away in an instant, he felt both ashamed and furious, blood rushing to his face.

Fang Wei looked at Liu Heshang lying on the ground and gritted his teeth. "Good. Very good, Liu Heshang!"

Liu Heshang lay prone on the ground. He forced his head up and revealed a bloodied smile. "What a pity... just one step short..."

No one knew what agony he had endured while charging along that spear shaft. But judging from the blood that had nearly spread across half the platform, anyone else would have collapsed long ago.

But this way, even if the Iron Clothes Gate's signboard was taken down, the people of Coiling Dragon Town would remember that there had once been a martial hall that practiced Iron Cloth, and its hall master had been quite the fierce one.

And after witnessing that scene, they would no longer think Fang Wei—who had been chased into rolling and scrambling away—was quite so invincible with his spear.

Fang Wei had lorded over Coiling Dragon Town for decades. To suffer such a humiliation in his old age made his beard tremble with rage.

He looked at the gasping Liu Heshang, a vicious glint flashing through his eyes. Suddenly, he raised his leg and stomped hard toward Liu Heshang's head!

"Master!"

"How dare you, Old Thief!"

"The match is already over!"

Cries of alarm rang out below the stage. The Iron Clothes Gate disciples wanted to rush up and save him, but how could they possibly make it in time?

Just as Fang Wei's blood-rushed foot was about to come down, he faintly heard a strange whistling sound.

The vigilance honed through decades of martial practice surged within him. Instinctively, he stood on one leg like a golden rooster and sharply withdrew his foot.

An axe with a jade-like gleaming bone handle spun in an arc, nearly grazing the sole of his foot as it flew onto the stage. With a bang, it embedded itself in the floorboards and smashed out a large crater.

Fang Wei's heart jolted. A chill of lingering fear ran through him. Had he not pulled his leg back in time, his entire calf would have been severed!

"What sneaky cur dares launch a surprise attack on this old man?!"

Fang Wei turned his head and shouted furiously.

A tall, slender figure leaped onto the platform.

The newcomer had a face like polished jade and a sharp, dashing bearing. His black fitted outfit made him look clean and capable. It was Xie Yuan.

He paid Fang Wei no attention. Lowering his head, he examined Liu Heshang, helped press down on his wound, then called for Huo Da, Lu Hong, and the others to hurry up and help stop the bleeding.

Liu Heshang's vision had already gone blurry. As his disciples frantically treated his wounds, he looked at Xie Yuan's indistinct silhouette and asked sluggishly, "Who are you?"

"Master Liu, I'm Xie Yuan."

Xie Yuan held Liu Heshang's hand, undisguised admiration in his eyes.

This was a true man.

"Xie Yuan... why are you here?"

Recognition appeared on Liu Heshang's face, followed by confusion.

Xie Yuan smiled. "Master Liu, you never told me to give up my status, did you? I'm still a Core Disciple of the Iron Clothes Gate. If something has happened to the martial hall, naturally I have to come back and take a look."

"Oh, good that you came back, good that you came back..."

Liu Heshang's consciousness had begun to blur. Yet a smile appeared on his face. "Look, our Iron Clothes Gate... we really can train outstanding disciples. They can even go to the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency..."

"Of course. Master Liu taught well. Your disciples can do more than go to the escort agency and seek a great future—they can also drive off these enemies for you."

Xie Yuan nodded.

Liu Heshang could no longer hear what he was saying, but Huo Da and the others were shocked. They blurted out instinctively, "Junior Brother Xie, don't act rashly!"

"It's all right, Senior Brother Huo. I've already completed the Second Level of Practice. Dealing with these two will not take much effort."

"What?"

"Second... Second Level?!"

Huo Da and the others' mouths fell wide open, their faces full of shock.

How long had Xie Yuan been at the escort agency? He had already reached the Second Level of Practice? How was that possible?

If this were not a time when boasting would be utterly inappropriate, they would have suspected Xie Yuan was acting out of hotheadedness.

Yet seeing Xie Yuan's calm, assured expression, Huo Da and the others exchanged glances, all of them uncertain and doubtful.

Could the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency truly be a dragon gate, where one could transform into a dragon after entering?

They carefully carried Liu Heshang down from the stage. Xie Yuan rose and met the gaze of Fang Wei, who had been waiting for a long time.

Fang Wei recognized Xie Yuan. He had been studying him from the side for quite some time, looking at Xie Yuan one moment and the axe at his feet the next.

Seeing Xie Yuan's solemn expression and recalling their exchange, Fang Wei snorted coldly. "Young man, your talent is exceptional. Do not ruin yourself. But...

"If you insist on fighting on Liu Heshang's behalf, that is fine. Let the secrets of your Axe Technique be the stake."

In his eyes, Xie Yuan was an immensely gifted young man—calling him a genius would not be an exaggeration.

His Axe Technique possessed a unique charm, and his cultivation advanced so quickly. His future was boundless; he was certainly no hidden dragon that a small place like Coiling Dragon Town could contain.

But no matter how quickly he cultivated, how long could it have been since he broke through to the Second Level of Practice? In so little time, even if he advanced a thousand miles in a single day, his progress could not compare to Fang Wei's accumulation over decades.

Both were Second Level practitioners, but how could one who had only just broken through compare with one who had been there for decades?

Fang Wei was already seething with rage. If he had not coveted Xie Yuan's Axe Technique somewhat, he would have knocked him off the stage long ago.

Xie Yuan glanced at him and shook his head. "My Axe Technique? You aren't worthy."

"What did you say?"

Fang Wei's expression changed drastically. But Xie Yuan pointed at him, then at the area below the stage, and called out loudly, "I am Xie Yuan, Core Disciple of the Iron Clothes Gate. Here today, I wish to ask Divine Weapon Hall about blades and discuss fists with Black Tiger Fist Hall. I ask Hall Master Fang and Hall Master Wang for your guidance!

"Please, both of you come at me together."