Defeat Zhang Chong Within Five Moves

Two days later, Zuichun Pavilion.

In the largest private room.

Chen Mo arrived with Yin Tianqing, Yin Shanshan, and Wu Zhiai. By the time they arrived, the place was already packed, so the three of them found seats near the door.

The Xie Family, the Qi Family, Black Tiger Hall, the Zhao Family, the Iron Palm Gang, and others—the Dark Jin experts of Anyang County were all gathered here.

County Magistrate Lin sat in the center, his gaze sweeping across the room with a commanding presence that made everyone feel a slight pressure.

He spoke then, his voice like a booming bell, "I thank you all for giving me the honor of your presence."

After a slight bow, he continued, "I won't waste any time. The purpose of today's martial arts gathering is to exchange pointers and foster friendship between our factions."

"There are no set rules for these bouts. As long as you invite someone to spar and they agree to give you the honor, you may begin immediately."

The crowd frowned slightly.

Even if you didn't want to give the other party face, you dared not refuse the County Magistrate.

Therefore, the implication of this rule was: you could challenge whoever you wanted.

Chen Mo remained calm, his peripheral vision scanning the room.

Just then, Zhang Chong's gaze shifted over, and their eyes met in mid-air.

After nearly a month of recuperation and the constant supply of medicinal supplements from the Zhao Family, his body had fully recovered.

Furthermore, after Zhao Huayuan personally fed him moves several times, his practical combat experience had improved significantly.

He believed that if he fought Chen Mo today, he would surely humiliate him in front of everyone.

A moment later.

As soon as County Magistrate Lin finished speaking, Chang Hao of the Iron Palm Gang stood up with a swoosh. His electric gaze swept the room before landing on the deputy hall master of Black Tiger Hall.

"Hall Master Zheng, please."

Zheng Yao was slightly startled, but he wasn't intimidated and immediately stood up to accept the challenge.

Zheng Yao's strength was at the peak of Dark Jin, placing him in the top ten among all martial artists in Anyang County.

Although Chang Hao had one foot in the peak of Dark Jin, that "half" step revealed the gap between them.

"This Chang Hao truly has the air of a king; he will surely succeed the Iron Palm Gang leader one day," someone nearby praised.

The bout began immediately. Chen Mo watched intently, gaining insights through his Mountain and Water Cultivation.

Chang Hao's Thunderbolt Palm was immensely powerful, showing improvement since the Martial Examination, while Zheng Yao practiced leg techniques that combined agility with lethality.

The two darted and shifted, their palm and leg forces colliding and interweaving. For a time, energy surged and flew, whistling through the air.

The surrounding tables and chairs trembled frequently, and the crowd quickly cleared a larger space.

While observing the battle, Chen Mo studied their footwork and movement techniques, gaining a slight improvement in his own.

In the twenty-sixth exchange, Zheng Yao used a sharp leg technique to knock Chang Hao out of the arena, drawing a round of applause from the onlookers.

As the fight concluded, Zhang Chong stood up, glanced at Chen Mo, and said, "Chen Mo, I was defeated by you at the Martial Examination. A rematch today should put an end to the rumors."

Yin Tianqing, sitting beside Chen Mo, looked grim, while the surrounding crowd was full of anticipation.

The hottest topic of this year's Martial Examination was the battle between Chen Mo and Zhang Chong.

A green youngster had beaten the senior apprentice who had betrayed his sect to a pulp.

And today.

The senior apprentice had returned—could the former junior apprentice defeat him once again?

Amidst the various gazes of the crowd, Chen Mo slowly stood up. Without a word, he began to walk.

The two walked to the center of the room, facing each other with cold, sharp eyes.

Zhang Chong assumed the starting stance of Baguazhang, his footwork precisely hitting the Bagua Formation Position, his palms spread left and right.

Chen Mo slowly raised his hands into the Dragon-Capturing Jin posture, simultaneously brewing his Tiemang Technique, his arms instantly becoming as hard as iron.

The head of the Qi Family sipped his tea and said, "Zhang Chong's Baguazhang is balanced in both offense and defense, and every step is perfectly placed. I am curious to see how Chen Mo will respond."

Qi Sheng, standing beside him, added, "Zhang Chong seeks stability, while Chen Mo relies on the unexpected. Both have their strengths; it depends on who has a bit more luck."

In an instant.

Zhang Chong had already stepped through a dozen Bagua Formation Positions. Seeing Chen Mo reveal a momentary opening, he suddenly leaped into the air like a crane crying in the heavens, bringing his palm down with a fierce, aggressive force.

Chen Mo utilized the Luo Smoke Steps, retreating slightly to dodge half the force of the blow, then delivered an improved Sand-Raising Style, punching upward to meet the other half of the palm.

Bang!

Zhang Chong was forced back four or five steps, while Chen Mo only retreated half a step.

"Hm? That Chen Mo's strength is actually much greater than it was last time."

Qi Sheng suddenly frowned.

Zhang Chong closed in once more, the force of their palms and fists flying through the air.

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Chong landed and shifted his footwork, switching from a defensive stance to an offensive one, his hands striking out repeatedly.

Chen Mo alternated between Fuhu Fist and Dragon-Capturing Jin, supplemented by Luo Smoke Steps, his movements shifting between agile grace and peerless ferocity.

At one moment, a Tiger Roar Jin tore through the air, shattering Zhang Chong's Baguazhang guard and landing a punch squarely on his chest.

Chen Mo felt his fist sink between the man's bones, pressing right against his internal organs.

Had he used even a fraction more force, Zhang Chong's organs would likely have been destroyed along with his ribs.

"Pfft!"

Zhang Chong spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the finely crafted wooden floorboards red.

At this moment, the entire room was stunned.

In less than five moves, he had defeated Zhang Chong, who was at the late stage of Dark Jin. Looking at the situation, the latter would certainly need at least half a year to recover.

"In just over half a month, this boy has actually grown to such a degree..."

The members of the Qi and Xie families both sighed in amazement, while those from the Iron Palm Gang and Hefeng Pawnshop were secretly alarmed.

Chang Hao also frowned slightly. Even though he was straightforward and ruthless in his own attacks, he did not believe he was much stronger than Zhang Chong. If Zhang Chong couldn't last five moves against Chen Mo, then he, Chang Hao, would surely be unable to defeat him either.

He was just a green lad during the Martial Examination, so why now...

"Wh... why?! Why?!"

Lying on the ground, Zhang Chong roared madly, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth. "What kind of cultivation technique are you practicing?! I don't believe it! I don't believe I would lose to you!"

None of the onlookers stepped forward to help him up.

At this moment, he looked like an abandoned dog.

Seeing this scene, a look of relief appeared on Yin Shanshan's face. Her gaze then shifted slightly toward Chen Mo, her eyes harboring a hint of gratitude.

Just then, Zhao Huayuan stood up abruptly, his cold, sharp gaze fixed on Chen Mo.

At his signal, Luo Hou immediately went over to help Zhang Chong up, then rushed out the door to call for a physician.

Chen Mo walked toward Yin Tianqing, but halfway there, a figure suddenly blocked his path. The speed was so great that Chen Mo had no time to react.

"Boy of the Chen family."

Zhao Huayuan, having changed how he addressed him, said, "To improve your strength so rapidly within a month, I fear you must have taken some forbidden drug, haven't you?"

Seeing this, Yin Tianqing immediately stepped forward, but under the powerful force radiating from Zhao Huayuan, he could not get within an inch of him.

Chen Mo felt his body struggling to move, and the Jin within his body showed signs of being drawn out.

At this critical moment.

Wu Zhiai, standing not far away, shouted, "Patriarch Zhao, injuries are common in sparring. Are you really going to bully a junior?"

The others around them began to whisper among themselves.

Hearing this, Zhao Huayuan slightly reined in his released force, making Chen Mo feel much more at ease.

Zhao Huayuan let out a cold snort from his throat and then said, "This boy's speed of improvement defies logic. If you want me not to make things difficult for him, it is possible—he only needs to take three of my moves."

A single move from a Hua Jin expert was enough to be fatal.

Let alone three.

Xie Jinyou stepped out at this moment. "There are countless people in this world with fast cultivation speeds. Does Patriarch Zhao intend to question every single one of them? Just because you cannot do it does not mean others cannot."

Xie Jinyou's words drew a great deal of agreement from those around them.

"Then how about this?" Zhao Huayuan turned to look at Lin Chong, who was sitting in the seat of honor. "If County Magistrate Lin feels that I am qualified to spar with Chen Mo, then do not object. If County Magistrate Lin feels I should not spar, then I will drop the matter here."

Xie Jinyou and Yin Tianqing exchanged a glance. After a moment of thought, seeing no better option, they could only agree. "Fine, we will abide by County Magistrate Lin's decision."

Lin Chong scanned the room and said slowly, "Since I said beforehand that anyone could issue a challenge, Patriarch Zhao is naturally allowed to as well. However, the two of you are separated by a major realm. For the sake of fairness, Patriarch Zhao may only use two moves. Let us see if Chen Mo can withstand them. How about that?"