The moment Li Xing said that,
all six people backstage at the arena turned to look at Jackie Chun.
That was true.
If he didn't know Master Roshi, could he even be a martial artist?
A flicker of panic crossed Jackie Chun's eyes.
He knew he'd left himself open, and Li Xing had easily seized on it.
"Don't talk nonsense. I've always trained alone."
Jackie Chun was still trying to deny it when the announcer's voice came from outside.
Li Xing cut Master Roshi off.
"All right, we should go out and fight."
With that, Li Xing headed straight out, ignoring Jackie Chun completely.
"This kid has no respect for his elders at all."
Jackie Chun shook his head, but Sun Wukong gave him a serious warning.
"Sir, be careful. That person is very strong. Very strong."
Jackie Chun smiled with satisfaction.
At least the disciple he'd taught was kindhearted.
That alone was enough to make Master Roshi proud.
"Yes, I know. Thank you, young man."
Watching Jackie Chun leave, Krillin pondered for a moment.
"Goku."
"Huh, Krillin?"
"Don't you think that old man's back looks familiar?"
Sun Wukong was confused at first, then smiled.
"Oh, you mean that old man, Jackie Chun? He really does look a lot like Master Roshi.
Ha ha, ha ha!"
Krillin stared at Sun Wukong, who was grinning foolishly, and was dumbfounded.
Hadn't he been asking if they looked alike?
Knowing what Sun Wukong was like, Krillin sighed and said no more.
Yamcha scratched his head.
"Now that you mention it, that old man Jackie Chun's back really does look like Master Roshi's."
"Really, Yamcha? You think so too? I thought so as well. Even Goku thinks so."
Krillin cried out excitedly.
Yamcha nodded solemnly.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, he really does look like Master Roshi."
Yamcha finished speaking.
"Besides, we'll know soon enough.
If Jackie Chun is Master Roshi in disguise, he won't be able to show up outside the ring later."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"For now, let's just watch the match."
Everyone was wondering who Jackie Chun really was.
In the ring,
Li Xing smiled.
"Jackie Chun, did you hear that?"
"What?"
"Your disciples backstage are trying to figure out whether you're Master Roshi. How do you think you'll explain that?"
Jackie Chun laughed awkwardly.
"What do you mean, explain? I'm not Master Roshi, so what's there to explain?"
Li Xing made no comment.
"Is that so? If they don't see you around, don't you think they'll start looking for you everywhere?"
At that, Jackie Chun's pupils contracted.
Then he gave an awkward smile.
"Young man, that trick of yours to unsettle me is pretty clever.
But a martial arts match should be decided by real skill. You shouldn't fake it.
That's a bit underhanded."
Li Xing laughed.
"I was trying to help you, and you think I'm being a scoundrel.
Fine, then let me experience firsthand the fame that's spread across the land—"
Li Xing had only gotten halfway through his sentence when he appeared right in front of Master Roshi.
His fist shot forward like a meteor, smashing toward Master Roshi's face.
Thud!
One punch.
It landed squarely on Master Roshi's face.
Master Roshi's eyes spun in circles, and he fell unconscious.
"You brat! You caught me off guard. I wasn't ready."
After muttering that, Master Roshi collapsed to the ground with a loud thud.
"Jackie Chun!"
"Stop, you bastard!"
Sun Wukong bared his teeth.
He hadn't expected Li Xing to be as ruthless as ever.
He'd hit an old man that hard!
The spectators, Bulma, Launch, and the others were all stunned.
"Whoa!"
"That was brutal."
"But they're in the ring. Isn't going all out a sign of respect for your opponent?
Why are people criticizing Li Xing? He followed the rules, didn't he?"
"Young man, that's not how society works.
You're still young. You can't handle this.
Take it from someone older.
..."
The referee stammered too.
Fortunately, he was a professional.
Although he felt it was inappropriate, he didn't take sides.
He gave an impartial commentary and started the count.
After landing his punch on Jackie Chun, Li Xing leaped back and stood calmly, waiting for him to get up.
That punch had only carried about twenty percent of his strength—around sixty points of battle power.
If Master Roshi couldn't take that, he'd be a laughingstock.
So Li Xing wasn't worried in the slightest.
There was no way Jackie Chun was in any danger.
Sure enough, when the referee counted to eight, Jackie Chun sprang back to his feet.
He stretched his stiff limbs and made a comical face.
Li Xing remained calm, unmoved by all the noise and comments from the crowd.
He kept his eyes on Jackie Chun.
"You seem quite confident, old man. Aren't you afraid I'll give it my all?"
Jackie Chun loosened up his muscles, looking furious.
"Young man, you've got some nerve saying that! You suddenly attacked me and tried to take out an old fellow like me!"
Li Xing scoffed.
This Master Roshi—
"Then get ready. I'm coming."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xing appeared in front of Master Roshi like a ghost.
Another punch.
Thud!
This time, Master Roshi caught it with ease.
"Kid, wait a—"
Jackie Chun was still speaking when Li Xing's attacks came down like a storm.
"Wait, you—"
Li Xing attacked again.
This time, he wasn't going to hold back.
He brought out thirty percent of his strength.
With his Devouring Power added in, he was no weaker than Master Roshi.
Thud!
As soon as they clashed, Jackie Chun's playful expression turned serious.
"What is this—"
Thud!
Jackie Chun was forced backward, stumbling as he tried to redirect the force.
With each step, his feet cracked the tiles and sent stones flying.
"Kid—"
Li Xing didn't give Jackie Chun a chance to speak. He rushed in again with tremendous force and speed.
His fists and feet hammered toward Jackie Chun.
Li Xing could tell at a glance that Jackie Chun was under immense pressure.
That was exactly what he wanted. Only by forcing him to show his strength could he properly absorb it.
"Haah!"
With another strike, Jackie Chun unleashed his full power and managed to block Li Xing's powerful whip-like blow.
"Kid, wait a moment."
Li Xing's gaze turned cold.
His left hand curled from a fist into a claw, light blooming around it.
"How is that possible?"
Jackie Chun cried out in shock.
Li Xing's gaze was intent. He said nothing.
A dazzling beam of light shot toward Jackie Chun.
Jackie Chun could no longer keep up his disguise.
He gathered all his energy.
"No! You're really going for it?"
As he spoke, dazzling beams erupted from both his hands and blasted toward Li Xing.
A smile tugged at Li Xing's lips.
That was more like it.
What was the point of a martial arts tournament if you didn't give it your all?
You had to go all out.
That was the only way a fight felt right.
Whoosh.
Li Xing was only a dabbler, after all, and had no idea how to use energy attacks.
His attack was just a bluff; it was scattered in a couple of moves.
With a flash, Li Xing charged straight into Jackie Chun's attack.
Seeing Li Xing charge in so recklessly, Jackie Chun was horrified.
"Young man, don't do anything foolish!"
Before you continue