Three Palms Settle Old Grudges

Tang Yuan cautiously said, "Senior, we caused much offense tonight. It was truly a helpless act born of urgency."

As he spoke, Tang Yuan bowed slightly to express his apology. Yan Manor and Tang Manor had originally enjoyed a good relationship; he could not allow a rift to arise between the two manors because of him.

When it came to Qiao Xue'er's safety, even if it cost Tang Yuan his life, he would spare nothing. Though his apology was sincere, he had never regretted what he had done.

Still, although Tang Yuan and the others had not committed some grave mistake, they had caused Yan Manor no small amount of trouble.

How could Old Master Yan possibly have a good attitude? His dark face fixed tightly on Tang Yuan.

"You wished to open the coffin, showing disrespect first;

"You abducted Jingjing, behaving rudely afterward;

"And with nothing more than a simple apology, you think Yan Manor should forgive you?"

Old Master Yan practically pointed at Tang Yuan's nose as he reprimanded him. After catching his breath, he continued, "Even if you wish to apologize, you are not qualified enough. Have Tang Xuan come personally—then perhaps."

Though Tang Yuan had always been hot-tempered, he restrained himself greatly at this moment. He did not want to alarm his father over matters of romantic attachment.

"Then what must I do, Senior, before you are willing to forgive us and help this junior clear Xue Er of the charge of murder?"

Back in the inner hall, Yan Jingjing had already explained that she had told Tang Yuan and the others how Yan He had died. Since it could no longer be concealed, Old Master Yan could only change his original intention.

Old Master Yan had originally intended to make the woman Yan He loved most accompany him into the grave, even if that woman was innocent.

This was what it meant to dote on Yan He to the extreme. It had already become morbid.

After considering it, Old Master Yan said, "Clearing Qiao Xue'er of her crime is possible! But who will bear responsibility for Yan He's death?"

"I will take responsibility for finding Yan He's true murderer!"

Tang Yuan's voice was firm. As long as Qiao Xue'er was safe, he was willing to do anything.

Although Tang Yuan's attitude was very sincere, Old Master Yan still seemed somewhat dissatisfied. The blaze in his heart had yet to be extinguished.

"When you find the true culprit, I will send someone to Prison Manor to clear her name. For now, let her remain locked up there. For her, the prison cells are safer instead."

Old Master Yan spoke. So-called great love was selfless, yet the death of the grandson he had cherished most had driven him somewhat to extremes, as though a blade in his heart had been stabbing him without cease.

Tang Yuan felt helpless, but seeing Old Master Yan's resolute manner, he did not dare say more. Judging from the old man's words, perhaps Qiao Xue'er truly would be safer in prison.

"Next, we should settle the matter of you breaking into Yan Manor tonight. If we simply let you leave like this, Yan Manor's reputation will surely suffer once word gets out."

Old Master Yan's tone changed from its earlier calmness, becoming stern and cold as he rebuked them. "You are no longer children. You must take responsibility for your own actions and bear the mistakes you have caused yourselves."

Lu Feng, Tang Yuan, and Jiang Ruoyun all shuddered, bitterness appearing on their faces.

Causing a disturbance in Yan Manor and setting the Side Courtyard ablaze—how could they possibly bear such crimes lightly? If they were reported to Prison Manor, they would face at least a caning punishment.

Old Master Yan beckoned to a young man at his side. "Mingchi, go teach this group of young people who do not know the height of heaven or the depth of earth a lesson. Do not let others think that Yan Manor's younger generation has no one capable."

At his words, a young man around Lu Feng and Tang Yuan's age stepped out from the crowd. His joints faintly cracked, and an astonishing aura radiated from him.

He was actually a Martial Master who had reached the Spirit Gathering Third Realm.

Seeing Yan Mingchi step forward, Yan Jingjing said, "Brother Mingchi reached the Three Soul Spirit Gathering Realm a few days ago. If you let him teach Lu Feng and the others a lesson, wouldn't that seem like bullying?"

Old Master Yan nodded slightly and gave Yan Jingjing a meaningful look, thinking, Since when had this granddaughter of mine begun helping outsiders?

Though Yan Jingjing's words sounded as if they were for Yan Manor's reputation, was she not also helping Lu Feng and the others?

After giving it some thought, Old Master Yan said, "For Jingjing's sake, then... this old man will not make things too difficult for you."

"Each of you will take one palm from Mingchi. Then tonight's matter will be considered settled!"

Yan Jingjing had just wanted to speak again when she saw Old Master Yan glaring at her. The words at her lips could only retreat helplessly, and she blinked her bright eyes in resignation.

"May I take all three palms alone?" Tang Yuan volunteered.

He and Yan Mingchi were both at the Spirit Gathering Third Realm. Though he was injured and thus somewhat weaker, their strength was not too far apart. Taking three palms should not be a problem.

Old Master Yan smiled and actually gave him a kind reminder. "The martial skill Mingchi cultivates is somewhat special. It is called Stacked Palm. If you take all three consecutive stacked palms yourself, I fear you may never stand again."

Stacked Palm, as its name implied, layered the force of several palms together. Its formidable aspect was that the palms did not simply stack one atop another like one plus one. Instead, they layered in geometric multiples through wave-like vibrations, making each palm more powerful. Combined together, they could unleash strength far beyond one's own realm.

However, this martial skill also had a major flaw. If only one palm was struck, then Stacked Palm could not be used.

And in a normal battle, how difficult was it to layer several palms together? Thus, although Stacked Palm was immensely powerful, it was not truly a practical combat skill. It was, however, quite suitable for intimidating people.

In a normal fight between Tang Yuan and Yan Mingchi, Yan Mingchi might not necessarily be Tang Yuan's match.

But if Tang Yuan acted as a living target and forcibly endured Yan Mingchi's three consecutive stacked palms, it would still be extremely difficult.

Lu Feng and the other two instinctively drew closer together. Tang Yuan said quietly, "I'll take the lead later and wear down some of his strength first, easing the pressure on you two. With so many people watching, Yan Manor probably will not kill us. They are most likely just putting on a show."

Lu Feng looked up. Tang Yuan did not appear overly nervous. A single palm did not pose much of a threat to him.

Then Lu Feng's gaze shifted to Jiang Ruoyun. She was the one he cared about most right now.

Jiang Ruoyun was only at the Three Soul Realm. It would be difficult for her to withstand even one palm from Yan Mingchi.

Jiang Ruoyun met Lu Feng's gaze and gave a bitter smile. Indeed, she had yet to figure out how to deal with it.

If she took it head-on, then even if her strength far surpassed that of ordinary people, she likely would have difficulty resisting Yan Mingchi's palm.

Even without using the stacking technique, it was still a palm strike from someone in the Spirit Gathering Realm.

Jiang Ruoyun gritted her teeth and stubbornly made a decision in her heart. Even if my arm is shattered by the shock, I must take this palm.

Seeing the desolate look on Jiang Ruoyun's face, Lu Feng made a decision in his heart as well.

The sky had begun to brighten faintly, and in the hazy light, objects dozens of steps away could already be seen.

The group arrived at a relatively spacious clearing.

"Who will go first?" Yan Mingchi shouted. He had practiced this Stacked Palm for some time, and recently he had just become proficient enough to use four consecutive palms. Though he could only strike trees with it, its power had left him extremely satisfied.

Tang Yuan slowly stepped forward, facing Yan Mingchi directly. Cupping his fists, he said, "Please instruct me."

Lu Feng stared intently at Yan Mingchi's every movement, unwilling to miss even the slightest detail. He threw himself into it wholeheartedly, utterly focused.

"What a pity I cannot use Stacked Palm," Yan Mingchi sighed. What a rare opportunity this living target was. He had never used this stacking technique on a human before.

Tang Yuan stood in place and waited for Yan Mingchi's attack.

Faced with an "enemy" who would not dodge, Yan Mingchi did not employ much fighting technique. With a simple palm strike, he chopped into Tang Yuan's chest.

Tang Yuan's chest had already suffered a serious injury from fighting spirit beasts, and before it had healed, he took Yan Mingchi's solid palm strike.

This palm contained nearly eighty percent of Yan Mingchi's strength. The instant it landed, Tang Yuan almost lost the ability to breathe.

Fortunately, Yan Mingchi could not use the stacking technique with this palm. It was merely an ordinary strike.

Tang Yuan had prepared a response before taking the palm. The results of his years of body tempering finally erupted to their utmost at this moment.

Just as Yan Mingchi was about to withdraw his Palm Strength, Tang Yuan's chest suddenly thrust outward. Black patterns faintly emerged where he had been struck, and before Yan Mingchi could fully retract his Palm Strength, he was violently shaken backward.

Both men groaned at the same time. Pain appeared on their faces as their mouths moved, forcing down the surging blood and qi.

"Have you seen the move that kid Tang Yuan used?" Old Master Yan's eyes gleamed, carrying a trace of appreciation as he asked Yan Zhengchi beside him.

"It seems to be a profound body-tempering art. I never expected Tang Manor to possess such an exquisite cultivation method..." Yan Zhengchi replied.

Lu Feng's eyes lit up as well, and he fell into thought.

After recovering somewhat, Tang Yuan discovered that Yan Mingchi's Palm Strength was far more terrifying than he had anticipated. Without his body-tempering art, he would certainly have been seriously injured this time.

Turning to look at Lu Feng and Jiang Ruoyun, he could not help but worry. Neither of them could possibly endure such a solid palm strike, and Yan Mingchi clearly had no intention of merely going through the motions.

Lu Feng still stood rooted in place, as if he had not yet awakened from the brief exchange between the two. His right palm slowly gestured through the air, its movements extremely similar to the subtle motions Yan Mingchi had made before striking.

Once a person formed a habit, it was difficult to correct. Habits influenced everything subtly and imperceptibly.

Yan Mingchi was precisely like this. Having practiced Stacked Palm for so long, even when making a simple palm strike, he subconsciously followed the trajectory of Stacked Palm. Lu Feng was experiencing Sudden Enlightenment through those minute changes in its path.

"Why don't I do it instead?" Seeing Lu Feng's absent-minded appearance, Tang Yuan assumed he had been frightened. Though Yan Mingchi's terrifying Palm Strength made him wary, he should still be able to hold on if he took two more palms.

"If you wish to take them, then the palm just now will not count. After all, once there is more than one palm, Mingchi can use Stacked Palm." Old Master Yan's words were like a basin of cold water poured over him, stopping Tang Yuan's action.

Lu Feng emerged from his daze, having already gained some understanding. He smiled lightly and said with confidence, "I'll take the remaining two palms."

"What?!"

Everyone present was stunned by Lu Feng's brief words.

What did he mean, he would take them?

Tang Yuan, with Spirit Gathering Realm strength, had nearly failed to withstand even one palm!

What ability did a person at the Two Soul Realm have to make such boastful claims?

And he actually wanted to take two palms?

Was he courting death?

There was mockery, disdain, and contempt among the onlookers...