Xiang Lingfei Defeated!

Under the gaze of the crowd, Xiang Lingfei stepped forward, his sleeves fluttering slightly, a perfectly measured smile gracing his face.

Xiang Lingfei then paused, assuming the starting stance of the River-Breaking Fist Academy, and said in a clear, confident voice, "I am Xiang Lingfei, a disciple of the River-Breaking Fist Academy. I only just broke through to become a First Blood Martial Artist a month ago. I ask for your guidance."

At this moment, the sharp edge of a young martial artist was fully revealed, immediately drawing low gasps of amazement from those around him.

"River-Breaking Fist Academy? That is a truly prestigious school!"

"The point is that he became a First Blood Martial Artist in just one month; his talent is truly exceptional!"

"This Young Master Xiang has a limitless future!"

The crowd whispered among themselves, their gazes turning incredibly fervent as they looked at Xiang Lingfei.

Feeling the eyes of the crowd upon him, a faint, subtle smile appeared on Xiang Lingfei's face.

Clearly, the discussion of the crowd was exactly the result Xiang Lingfei had wanted.

Tang Jun looked at Xiang Lingfei, noncommittal, merely narrowing his eyes slightly before waving a hand at the burly man behind him.

The burly man stepped forward, his broad-shouldered, thick-waisted frame exuding a sense of oppression.

The burly man then cupped his fists and said in a deep voice, "Guan Shan, disciple of the Mountain-Opening Hall. I ask for your guidance."

With disciples from two prestigious schools facing off, the enthusiasm of the onlookers exploded instantly.

The crowd excitedly parted to the sides, instantly clearing a temporary arena for the duel.

People all around stretched their necks, wishing they could press their eyes right up to the action.

After all, sparring between martial artists was not a common sight; now that they finally had the chance, they naturally wanted to witness it properly.

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

"To see this once in a lifetime is worth it!"

Tang Jun spoke then, his voice not loud, but every word landing in the ears of the crowd: "This spar is for exchange only. Whoever touches the ground first loses. Zhuang Tao, what do you think?"

The crowd's gaze shifted in unison to look at Zhuang Tao.

Zhuang Tao did not rush to respond, instead looking at Xiang Lingfei to the side.

Xiang Lingfei nodded lightly and said crisply, "Naturally."

With the rules established, the aura of the two men suddenly turned sharp.

At this time, Zhuang Tao walked over to Chen Jing, and seeing Chen Jing's perpetually calm expression, he couldn't help but laugh: "What? Are you angry that I didn't let you go up?"

Chen Jing shook his head and said, "It's not that; I'm just a bit puzzled."

Zhuang Tao snorted and explained in a low voice: "Junior Brother Xiang volunteered for this duel because, first, he wants to show off in front of Liu Chuzhou so that the Liu Family will increase their support for him."

"And second... he wants to secure a subsidy from me."

"Since he took the initiative to accept Tang Jun's provocation for me, he'll have a reason to explain it if the Liu Family finds out later."

"So that's how it is."

Following Zhuang Tao's explanation, Chen Jing finally understood. Xiang Lingfei had always been one to never act without a clear benefit, yet today he had acted contrary to his nature by volunteering to handle Tang Jun's provocation for Zhuang Tao; clearly, he had other ideas in mind.

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

As they spoke, the two men in the arena had already begun to trade blows.

The sound of fist striking fist was crisp yet dull, like drumbeats striking the hearts of the onlookers.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Xiang Lingfei's Mountain-Opening Fist Technique was ruthless and precise, each punch carrying the force to split mountain rock.

Guan Shan's Mountain-Opening Fist Technique was even heavier, weighing a thousand catties, as he took the full force of Xiang Lingfei's onslaught head-on.

The wind from their fists surged, and dust from the ground was constantly shaken into the air.

The onlookers were left dumbfounded.

"Is... is this what a battle between First Blood Martial Artists looks like?"

"Damn, it's even fiercer than I imagined!"

Xiang Lingfei had maintained a relaxed expression at first, but after a few exchanges, his expression became visibly grave.

Guan Shan was not only blocking his attacks but was not losing ground at all!

During another clash of fists, Xiang Lingfei used the momentum to slide, grabbed out sideways, and forced Guan Shan's head toward him. Gritting his teeth, he whispered fiercely, "What is going on?! Wasn't it agreed that you would let me win after a few moves? What is the meaning of this?!"

Hearing Xiang Lingfei's questioning, the corners of Guan Shan's mouth slowly curled upward as he quietly replied, "That was the plan before, but I've changed my mind!"

"Because I looked into your background—you're a genius who broke through to become a First Blood Martial Artist in just one month!"

"If I defeat you in front of this crowd, doesn't that mean I'm even better than you?"

"This is a chance to change my fate; why would I let it go?"

With that, Guan Shan threw a fierce punch toward Xiang Lingfei.

"What!"

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

He had intended to put on a show with Guan Shan, but he never expected his opponent to suddenly change the script!

With his mind in disarray, his movements lost their form, and he went from pressing the attack against Guan Shan to being beaten back by him.

Meanwhile, Chen Jing watched the sparring match from the sidelines, silently analyzing their fist techniques, flaws, and changes in rhythm.

A thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

If this were a life-or-death struggle...

He could take them both down within ten moves!

Just as Chen Jing was pondering, the situation on the field suddenly flipped.

Guan Shan let out a low roar, his fist descending with the force of a collapsing mountain and shattering stone.

BANG!!

Xiang Lingfei had no time to react; he was struck squarely in the chest by that punch. His entire body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, slamming into the ground and skidding half a zhang away.

For a moment, the scene was deathly silent, but then a wave of heated discussion erupted.

"Oh!"

"He lost?! Xiang Lingfei was actually sent flying by a single punch?!"

"So much for being a so-called genius..."

The surrounding crowd was in an uproar: "A disciple of the River-Breaking Fist Academy was... was actually beaten without any ability to fight back?"

"This Guan Shan is too fierce!"

Tang Jun crossed his arms over his chest, slowly turned his head to look at Zhuang Tao, and curled his lips into a stinging arc. "Zhuang Tao, is this the level of the people you hire?"

"With such trash, you dare claim you can guarantee the safety of distinguished guests?"

"You might as well take down your family's signboard."

Tang Jun's words fell like a sharp blade, merciless and cold.

Hearing Tang Jun's unforgiving words, Zhuang Tao's face turned gloomy, his eyes filled with rage.

He had assumed that since Xiang Lingfei dared to volunteer and had been carefully taught by his master, he would naturally possess some strength.

Who would have thought he would be so fragile!

To be sent flying in under ten moves not only lost him his own face, but even the reputation of Zhuangyu Restaurant was trampled into pieces.

Zhuang Tao gritted his teeth, staring daggers at Xiang Lingfei; if not for the crowd around them, he would have already erupted in a verbal lashing.

Xiang Lingfei climbed to his feet at this moment, clutching his chest, his face a mess of shame, anger, and disbelief.

"You bastard!"

After rising, Xiang Lingfei glared at Guan Shan, his eyes practically splitting.

Today's battle was supposed to be the stage for him to make a name for himself for Liu Chuzhou.

Now, not only had he lost, but he had lost in such an ugly fashion!

Seeing the glare, Guan Shan instead offered a bright, almost provocative smile. "What? Can't handle the skill gap, and you want to be beaten again?"

This remark was like whipping a corpse in public, and the crowd erupted into a commotion.

Tang Jun added fuel to the fire: "Oh, getting worked up so quickly?"

"Aren't you a genius of the River-Breaking Fist? How did you get sent flying in one punch?"

His tone was dripping with sarcasm and mockery.

Xiang Lingfei's teeth chattered with rage. "I... I was just careless earlier..."

Before he could finish, Zhuang Tao cut him off with a sharp shout: "Enough!"

Zhuang Tao took a deep breath, his chest heaving visibly.

A loss is a loss; making excuses would only make it seem like the Zhuang Family couldn't afford to lose.

Zhuang Tao scanned his surroundings, meeting the gazes of those waiting to see a joke. His throat tightened, and he said in a low voice, "This signboard... I..."

The words reached his lips, but he found them agonizingly difficult to speak.

After all, once the words to take down the signboard were spoken, it would be equivalent to declaring a death sentence for Zhuangyu Restaurant.

Just then, Chen Jing's voice sounded beside Zhuang Tao: "Senior Brother Zhuang, that was merely Junior Brother Xiang trying to test Guan Shan's strength. I am the fist master of Zhuangyu Restaurant; it is time for me to step in."

Chen Jing's voice was not loud, but it was clearly audible.

Zhuang Tao was stunned and turned his head instinctively. "Junior Brother Chen?"

Zhuang Tao then gave a bitter laugh and sighed, "Junior Brother Chen, this Guan Shan broke through to First Blood long ago. I can see his vital energy is flourishing... he has very likely already touched the threshold of Second Blood."

Everyone around who heard this gasped in shock.

No wonder he was so strong.

No wonder Xiang Lingfei was sent flying by a single punch.

It was not that Xiang Lingfei was too weak, but that Guan Shan was simply too strong!

At this moment, Xiang Lingfei, standing to the side, hurriedly chimed in: "Exactly! Even I couldn't beat him, so what makes you think you can, Junior Brother Chen?!"

Xiang Lingfei's words were intended both to save his own face and to belittle Chen Jing.

However, Chen Jing ignored him entirely, looking calmly at Zhuang Tao as he continued: "The signboard is about to be taken down now."

"Let me give it a try."

"If I win, that would be for the best."

"If I lose... things couldn't possibly get any worse than they already are."

This single sentence made Zhuang Tao snap back to reality.

That was true; since Xiang Lingfei had already lost, it wouldn't matter even if Chen Jing lost as well.

Thinking of this, Zhuang Tao took a deep breath and said softly: "...Fine."

"Then I'll let you try!"