Xiang Lingfei Defeated!

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiang Lingfei stepped forward, his sleeves fluttering slightly and a perfectly measured smile on his face.

Then Xiang Lingfei stopped and assumed the opening stance of the River-Breaking Fist. His voice rang clear and confident. "I'm Xiang Lingfei, a disciple of the River-Breaking Fist Academy. I only broke through to First Blood Martial Artist a month ago. Please, give me your guidance."

In that moment, the sharp edge of a young martial artist showed itself in full, drawing startled whispers from those around him.

"The River-Breaking Fist Academy? That's a proper, prestigious school!"

"The important thing is that he became a First Blood Martial Artist in just one month. What incredible talent!"

"That young master Xiang has an unlimited future ahead of him!"

The crowd murmured among themselves, their eyes on Xiang Lingfei suddenly burning with admiration.

Feeling everyone's attention on him, Xiang Lingfei wore a faint smile.

Clearly, the crowd's discussion was exactly the result he had wanted.

Tang Jun regarded Xiang Lingfei without comment, narrowing his eyes slightly before gesturing to the brawny man behind him.

The man strode forward, his broad shoulders and powerful frame radiating menace.

Then the brawny man clasped his fists and said in a deep voice, "Guan Shan, disciple of Mountain-Opening Hall. Please, give me your guidance."

The moment disciples from two prestigious schools were set to face off, the onlookers' excitement exploded.

The crowd eagerly parted, making room for an impromptu fighting ring.

Everyone craned their necks, wishing they could press their eyes right up to the action.

After all, martial artists rarely sparred in public. Now that they had the chance, they naturally wanted to see everything.

"This is a real fight between martial arts school disciples!"

"If I get to see this once in my life, it'll be worth it!"

Then Tang Jun spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but every word reached the crowd. "This spar is only for the sake of exchange. Whoever hits the ground first loses. Zhuang Tao, what do you think?"

Everyone turned their eyes to Zhuang Tao.

Zhuang Tao didn't answer at once. Instead, he looked at Xiang Lingfei beside him.

Xiang Lingfei nodded lightly and answered crisply, "Of course."

With the rules settled, both men's auras sharpened at once.

At that moment, Zhuang Tao walked over to Chen Jing. Seeing how calm Chen Jing looked, he couldn't help smiling. "What? Are you angry because I didn't let you take the match?"

Chen Jing shook his head. "Not really. I'm just a little confused."

Zhuang Tao snorted and explained quietly, "Junior Brother Xiang volunteered to fight this time for two reasons. First, he wants to show off in front of Liu Chuzhou, so the Liu Family will increase their support for him."

"Second... he wants a share of funding from me."

"Since he's stepping up to deal with Tang Jun's provocation, if the Liu Family finds out later, he'll have a good excuse to explain himself."

"I see."

After hearing Zhuang Tao's explanation, Chen Jing finally understood. Xiang Lingfei had always been the sort to wait until the rabbit appeared before reaching for his bow, but today he'd acted completely out of character and volunteered to take on Tang Jun's challenge. Clearly, he had other plans.

"Forget it. Since Junior Brother Xiang wants funding so badly, it's not as if the Zhuang Family can't afford it. As long as he can deal with Guan Shan."

As they spoke, the two men in the ring had already exchanged blows.

The impact of fist against fist rang out, sharp yet muffled, like drumbeats pounding against the crowd's hearts.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Xiang Lingfei's River-Breaking Fist came fast and vicious, each punch carrying the force to split boulders.

Guan Shan's Mountain-Opening Fist Technique was as heavy as a thousand catties. He met every one of Xiang Lingfei's attacks head-on.

Their fists stirred up gusts of wind, and dust kept rising from the ground.

The onlookers watched in stunned silence.

"Th-this is a fight between First Blood Martial Artists?"

"Damn, it's even more brutal than I imagined!"

At first, Xiang Lingfei had looked relaxed, but after a few exchanges, his expression visibly grew serious.

Guan Shan wasn't just taking his attacks—he wasn't losing ground at all!

They clashed fists once more. Xiang Lingfei used the force to slide a step, turned sideways, and grabbed Guan Shan, hauling his head close. Then he gritted his teeth and hissed, "What's going on?! Weren't we supposed to trade a couple of moves and let me win? What are you doing now?!"

At Xiang Lingfei's accusation, Guan Shan's lips slowly curled upward. He replied in a whisper, "That was the plan before, but I've changed my mind!"

"Because I looked into you. You're a genius who broke through to First Blood Martial Artist in just one month!"

"If I beat you in front of everyone, wouldn't that mean I'm even better than you?"

"This is a chance to change my fate. Why would I pass it up?"

With that, Guan Shan swung a fierce punch at Xiang Lingfei.

"What?!"

Hearing Guan Shan's answer, Xiang Lingfei's eyes tightened and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

He'd meant to put on a show with Guan Shan, but he hadn't expected his opponent to change the script on him!

His mind thrown into disarray, his movements faltered. At first, he'd been pressing Guan Shan hard. Now Guan Shan was the one overpowering him.

Beside them, Chen Jing watched the match, silently analyzing their techniques, their openings, and the shifts in their rhythm.

Then a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

If this were a fight to the death...

I could kill them both in ten moves!

Just as Chen Jing pondered this, the tide of the fight abruptly turned.

Guan Shan let out a low growl, and his fist came crashing down like a mountain collapsing and rocks splitting apart.

Bang!!

Xiang Lingfei had no time to react. The punch slammed squarely into his chest, sending him flying like a kite with its strings cut. He crashed to the ground and skidded half a zhang.

The scene fell deathly silent. Then a wave of heated discussion erupted.

"Ow!"

"He lost?! Xiang Lingfei got sent flying with one punch?!"

"So much for being a genius. He's nothing special after all..."

The crowd watching exploded into a frenzy. "A disciple of the River-Breaking Fist Academy actually... actually got beaten without a chance to fight back?"

"Guan Shan is way too fierce!"

Tang Jun folded his arms across his chest, then slowly turned to look at Zhuang Tao, the corner of his mouth lifting in a glaringly smug smile. "Zhuang Tao, is this the level of your family's retainers?"

"Some useless loser like that, and you dare claim he can guarantee your honored guests' safety?"

"Take down your signboard."

Tang Jun's words came down like a blade, merciless and cutting.

Hearing how utterly unforgiving Tang Jun was, Zhuang Tao's face darkened, fury filling his eyes.

He'd thought that since Xiang Lingfei had volunteered and was being carefully taught by his master, he must have some real ability.

Who could've guessed he'd be so utterly helpless?

He'd been knocked flying in fewer than ten moves. Not only had he disgraced himself, but the reputation of Zhuangyu Restaurant had also been trampled into the dirt.

Zhuang Tao clenched his jaw and glared at Xiang Lingfei. If not for the crowd around them, he would have already cursed him out loud.

Xiang Lingfei also climbed to his feet, clutching his chest. Humiliation, fury, and disbelief all piled onto his face.

"You...!"

Once upright, Xiang Lingfei stared at Guan Shan, his eyes nearly popping from their sockets.

This fight was supposed to be his chance to show off in front of Liu Chuzhou.

Now he'd not only lost, but lost in the most humiliating way possible!

Seeing Xiang Lingfei glare at him, Guan Shan only flashed a dazzling, almost provocative smile. "What? You're outmatched, and you still want to get beaten again?"

That remark was like twisting the knife in public. The crowd immediately broke into an uproar.

Tang Jun added fuel to the fire. "Oh? You're losing your temper already?"

"Weren't you the genius of the River-Breaking Fist? How'd one punch send you flying?"

His voice was dripping with sarcasm and mockery.

Xiang Lingfei gritted his teeth until they creaked. "I... I was just careless..."

But before he could finish, Zhuang Tao cut him off sharply. "Enough!"

Zhuang Tao drew a deep breath, his chest rising and falling noticeably.

A loss was a loss. Making excuses would only make people think the Zhuang Family couldn't accept defeat.

Then Zhuang Tao looked around at all the people waiting to see them make a fool of themselves. His throat tightened as he said in a low voice, "This signboard... I..."

The words reached his lips, but he struggled to force them out.

After all, the moment he agreed to take down the signboard, it would be like pronouncing a death sentence on Zhuangyu Restaurant.

Just then, Chen Jing spoke up beside Zhuang Tao. "Senior Brother Zhuang, Junior Brother Xiang was only testing Guan Shan's strength. I'm the one who serves as Zhuangyu Restaurant's martial arts instructor. It's my turn to step in now, isn't it?"

Chen Jing didn't raise his voice, but everyone heard him clearly.

Zhuang Tao froze and instinctively turned around. "Junior Brother Chen?"

Then Zhuang Tao gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and sighed. "Junior Brother Chen, Guan Shan broke through to First Blood quite some time ago. His blood and qi are so abundant... he's probably already touched the threshold of Second Blood."

Everyone around them who heard this drew a sharp breath.

No wonder he was so strong.

No wonder Xiang Lingfei had been sent flying with one punch.

It wasn't that Xiang Lingfei was too weak. Guan Shan was simply too strong!

At this, Xiang Lingfei hurriedly called out, "Exactly! I couldn't beat him. What makes you think you can, Junior Brother Chen?!"

His words were meant to save his own face while putting Chen Jing down.

But Chen Jing ignored him completely. He simply looked at Zhuang Tao calmly and continued, "They're already about to take down the signboard."

"Let me try."

"Winning would be best."

"Even if I lose... things can't get any worse than they are now."

Those words suddenly made Zhuang Tao see reason.

That was right. Xiang Lingfei had already lost. Even if Chen Jing lost too, it wouldn't matter.

Thinking this, Zhuang Tao took a deep breath and said softly, "...All right."

"Then give it a try!"