I Haven't Lost Yet

On the open ground beside the herb garden bonfire.

The firelight danced over Lu Chen and Liu Heng, stretching their shadows long.

Everyone formed a circle, wine bowls in hand, their eyes fixed on the two men.

Liu Heng rolled his wrists, his five fingers curling slightly as his knuckles cracked softly.

"Lu Chen, we didn't settle things at the Yam Herb Shop last time."

He bared his teeth in a cold grin. "Tonight, let's have a proper fight."

Lu Chen clenched his hands into fists, the blood and qi in his chest circulating slowly.

After mastering the Coiling Dragon Stance Art, he stood there with his feet naturally rooted to the ground, his waist and back slightly lowered, as though his whole body had become one with the earth beneath him.

"Please instruct me."

The moment the words left his mouth, Liu Heng clawed at Lu Chen's throat.

Someone by the bonfire could not help crying out, "How vicious!"

This was supposed to be a spar, yet Liu Heng's move went straight for the throat. His five fingers were like iron hooks—if they seized their target, it would mean certain death.

Wang Zhong's gaze turned faintly cold. He set down his wine bowl, his body tensing slightly.

Yet Lu Chen did not retreat.

He sank his stance, turned his shoulder slightly, and thrust out his right arm like a dragon extending its claw. It was the Azure Dragon Claw from the Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist.

Bang!

Fist and claw collided.

A dull impact exploded beside the bonfire, and both men took a step back at the same time.

Liu Heng's expression shifted slightly as his palm went numb.

How had this kid's strength suddenly increased so much?

When they had fought at the Yam Herb Shop last time, Lu Chen's fist strength had not been weak, but it had not reached this level. Yet that claw strike had felt like he had hit a savage bull, leaving all five fingers numb from the shock.

Before he could think further, Lu Chen had already stepped forward half a pace.

Shoulder drove elbow, elbow drove wrist.

The force of the Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist traveled from his feet through his waist and back, then whipped out through his shoulder and arm. His fist form opened wide, incredibly fast, like an azure dragon thrusting out from the firelight.

Liu Heng only saw a blur of fists before Lu Chen's punch shot straight toward his chest.

He snorted coldly, crossing his hands as he unleashed the Iron Thread Grappling Hand. One hand wrapped around the wrist, the other chopped toward the elbow, seeking to cut off Lu Chen's punch.

But this time, the instant he latched onto Lu Chen's arm, he sensed something was wrong.

The muscles in Lu Chen's forearm were astonishingly firm, like ox sinews hammered again and again—slick, resilient, and heavy.

Liu Heng tightened his five fingers, yet failed to get a solid grip.

Lu Chen gently twisted his wrist, and his muscles rolled with the motion. Like a swimming dragon turning beneath the water, his arm slipped straight out of Liu Heng's palm.

"What?"

A flicker of shock flashed through Liu Heng's eyes.

Bang!

Lu Chen backhanded a sweeping punch that grazed past Liu Heng's shoulder.

The fist did not land solidly, but the force it stirred up rushed into Liu Heng's face, making his ears ring as he involuntarily retreated half a step.

The onlookers immediately erupted.

"Liu Heng was forced back?"

"Whoa, this kid looks even stronger than he did a few days ago!"

Wang Zhong sat by the fire, his tense body relaxing slightly, though his gaze grew even more serious.

"This newcomer isn't bad. Hidden Dragon Martial Hall has produced a fine prospect."

In the clearing, Liu Heng's expression grew uglier and uglier.

He launched several rapid attacks in succession, his fingers hooked like claws as they continually grabbed for Lu Chen's wrists, elbow joints, and shoulder tendons. Every move sought to seize a joint.

Yet Lu Chen seemed familiar with his techniques, evading every time in advance.

A few times, Liu Heng had luckily managed to catch Lu Chen's arm, but as Lu Chen sank the blood and qi within him and tensed his muscles, Liu Heng simply could not lock his grip in place.

The more Liu Heng fought, the more alarmed he became.

He suddenly realized that his Iron Thread Grappling Hand could not seize Lu Chen at all.

Only a few days had passed, yet Lu Chen had grown stronger, his fist technique more refined, and even his body more robust.

He was far stronger than before!

That rate of improvement was simply outrageous.

"This is impossible..."

Liu Heng clenched his jaw, finding it hard to believe.

The newcomer who had needed to circle around him with fist techniques last time now made him feel helpless even in a direct clash.

Lu Chen's gaze remained calm as the Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist grew stronger and stronger.

Azure Dragon Claw, Azure Dragon Coiling Body, Piercing Clouds, Entering the Sea...

Move after move, his fist wind whipped through the bonfire, scattering sparks in all directions.

Liu Heng was forced back again and again, the venom in his eyes gradually replaced by shock and fury.

"You... how could you..."

Before he could finish, Lu Chen had already pressed forward in a step.

His right fist rose from below, its momentum abruptly soaring like a dragon raising its head.

Azure Dragon Emerges from the Abyss!

Liu Heng's pupils contracted. With no time to dodge, he could only cross his arms and block head-on.

Bang!

A muffled crash rang out.

Liu Heng felt his arms shake violently, blood and qi churning in his chest as the punch sent him staggering back three steps.

With a crack beneath his feet, he crushed a piece of charred wood and nearly crashed into the crowd behind him.

"Liu Heng is going to lose?"

"My god, Liu Heng actually can't beat this newcomer!"

Cries of alarm rang out continuously from the crowd.

"Dammit!"

Liu Heng's face flushed red with humiliation and rage.

His arms were still numb, and the blood and qi in his chest churned violently, but the gazes all around him hurt even more than Lu Chen's fists.

He had been the one to take out five taels of silver and declare that he would teach Lu Chen a lesson in public.

If he still could not defeat Lu Chen, he would truly make a fool of himself before everyone—not only losing face, but losing silver as well.

Losing both man and money.

Liu Heng raised both hands, assuming the stance of the Iron Thread Grappling Hand before charging forward again.

His left hand feinted toward Lu Chen's face, while his right shot out like a venomous snake leaving its hole, viciously darting toward Lu Chen's armpit.

But Lu Chen's eyes remained calm. He turned on his feet, shifted his body slightly sideways, and sank his shoulder and back with the motion.

Liu Heng's fingers brushed past his sleeve and missed again.

Before he could change moves, Lu Chen's Azure Dragon Claw had already swept across.

Bang!

Liu Heng hastily raised an arm to block, only for the impact to numb it and send his body staggering diagonally back half a step.

"Good!"

One of the guards watching could not help shouting.

Liu Heng's face darkened further.

As though that cheer had stabbed him, he roared in rage. Both hands struck out in rapid succession, unleashing every wrapping, locking, gripping, and seizing technique of the Iron Thread Grappling Hand in one breath.

But the more he fought, the more chaotic he became. He had already lost his composure.

His offensive looked ferocious, but it was riddled with openings.

Lu Chen remained composed and cool-headed, his Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist growing smoother and smoother.

Every punch landed precisely upon Liu Heng's openings.

The result was that Liu Heng was forced back step by step.

"How could this be..."

Cold sweat beaded on Liu Heng's forehead, and at last a trace of panic appeared in his eyes.

When they had fought last time, Lu Chen had clearly not been this powerful.

Only a few days had passed!

How had this kid become like a completely different person?

But Lu Chen gave him no chance to catch his breath.

He stamped his foot, making the dirt tremble slightly as he surged in close.

Azure Dragon Coiling Body!

Just as Liu Heng raised his hands to grapple, Lu Chen's arm coiled like a dragon's body and passed between his palms. Then his elbow and shoulder moved together, smashing open Liu Heng's stance.

Liu Heng's chest was left completely exposed.

"Not good!"

His heart lurched, but it was already too late.

Lu Chen seized the moment and drove his right fist solidly into Liu Heng's chest.

Liu Heng felt as though an iron hammer had struck his chest. He let out a muffled groan, his feet lifting half an inch from the ground before he crashed heavily onto the earth.

Dust flew up as he landed flat on his back, limbs in the air.

The people around them were stunned.

"Is this fucking newcomer?" one of the martial artists stationed in the herb garden exclaimed.

Liu Heng lay on the ground, his chest heaving violently, his face alternating between green and red.

He struggled up halfway, his face twisted as he roared, "I haven't lost yet!"

As he spoke, he actually tried to pounce again.

But in the next moment, a large, rough, powerful hand pressed down on his shoulder.

At some point, Wang Zhong had already come to stand beside him.

With only a light press, Liu Heng seemed pinned beneath a stone lock, unable to move.

"Enough."

Wang Zhong's voice was not loud, yet everyone around them fell silent.

Liu Heng gritted his teeth. "Leader Wang, I still..."

"That's enough!"

Wang Zhong cut him off, his tone brooking no argument as the aura of a Lesser Accomplishment martial artist suppressed the entire scene.

Liu Heng's expression stiffened. No matter how unwilling he was, he could only give up.

Lu Chen walked over to the bonfire, picked up the bag of money, weighed it in his hand, then clasped his fist toward Liu Heng. "You let me win."

After saying that, Lu Chen even gave Liu Heng a shy, harmless smile.

Liu Heng was so furious he nearly spat blood.

He had spent money hoping to beat Lu Chen up, but after spending the money, he was the one who got beaten.