Cracks

At the same time, Long Teng, seated on the grandstand, let out a long breath of relief when he saw Qian Bao win.

When Long Qian had lost, he had placed all his hopes on Qian Bao.

Especially when Qian Bao had been unable to defeat his opponent for so long, his heart had practically risen into his throat.

Now that he was considerably more relaxed, he glanced at Song Changsheng and said with a trace of smugness,

"Brother Song, that boy from the Qian Household truly gave me a pleasant surprise. I just wonder how your Song He is doing.

His opponent defeated Qian'er, and after several months, his strength has surely improved again.

And Song He is roughly equal in strength to my son. Hehe..."

Long Teng did not finish his sentence, but how could Song Changsheng fail to understand what he meant?

It was that Song He would certainly lose to Zhou Muyun.

"Shut up."

Song Changsheng's face darkened. The younger generation of the Four Great Families was actually this useless.

They did not even have a single descendant who could stand shoulder to shoulder with someone like Zhang Chong. Had their lives truly become too comfortable?

So comfortable that every one of them aimed high while their actual strength could not withstand a single blow.

"Forget it. Let us simply consider this a calamity fated for the Four Great Families."

Song Changsheng sighed inwardly. If their strength was lacking, they had no one to blame.

Long Teng did not continue arguing. He merely sneered, then cheerfully turned back to watch the arena.

"It is my turn. Song He is of Long Qian's ilk, so I should not need to use my full strength."

Only the final match remained, and only he and Song He were left. Their opponents were naturally obvious at a glance.

"I should try not to let him lose too badly."

The Leng Household had shown him the kindness of financial support, and the four families were now bound together as one.

Out of consideration for the Leng Household's dignity, Zhou Muyun intended to go easy on him.

"Junior Brother Zhou, could I have a word with you in private?"

Leng Ni's voice sounded beside his ear, interrupting Zhou Muyun's thoughts.

Zhou Muyun turned around and discovered that Leng Ni had come up behind him, her expression somewhat unnatural.

He did not think much of it, assuming only that Leng Ni was unhappy after losing today's match.

"Of course. But the match is about to begin, so if you have something to say, Senior Sister, please be quick."

"O-okay, Junior Brother."

The two came to an empty corner of the stands. Leng Ni wound her fingers together, hesitating to speak, yet after a long while, she still could not get the words out.

"Senior Sister, please speak freely."

Zhou Muyun saw that Leng Ni seemed to have something difficult to say and offered her reassurance.

Upon hearing his comfort, Leng Ni seemed to make up her mind, though her tone still carried a touch of unease.

"Senior Sister has an unreasonable request. Could you lose to Song He in the next match?

The Song Household promised three thousand taels. So long as you agree, you know how the Leng Household is right now..."

"There is no need to say more." Zhou Muyun interrupted, faint anger rising within him.

"Victory and defeat should be decided by skill. A match should be open and aboveboard.

Please tell Song He that if he is a man, he should defeat me fair and square."

With that, Zhou Muyun turned and left, giving Leng Ni no opportunity to explain further.

The reason for his anger was not that he was taking it out on Leng Ni.

Rather, he felt disgusted by such conduct from the bottom of his heart.

He felt disgusted by Song He.

Those who practiced martial arts should press forward without hesitation. Instead of improving his strength, Song He resorted to crooked tricks and evil paths.

How laughable! If all disciples of the Four Great Families were like this, then they deserved to be swallowed up by the Merchant Guild.

The final match arrived shortly afterward.

Zhou Muyun stepped onto the arena and immediately saw Song He standing opposite him.

He wore a green training uniform, with two cloud patterns on his chest. His build was well-proportioned, though his legs were somewhat thick—the result of practicing Cloud-Climbing Leg.

The three disciples from Soaring Cloud Martial Hall who had advanced were Zhang Chong, Long Qian, and Song He.

At this moment, Song He's expression was far from pleasant, even somewhat gloomy.

"Brother Zhou, are you truly unwilling to consider the conditions offered by my Song Household?"

"No need."

Hearing the rejection once more, Song He's expression twisted somewhat.

"Zhou Muyun! Do not forget, the Leng Household is still supporting you. Do you believe that I..."

"So what?"

Zhou Muyun interrupted him with a calm face and an icy tone.

"I hope you do not lose too badly."

He had changed his mind. He would not spare Song He even a shred of dignity.

As soon as the words fell, Zhou Muyun burst into motion. Like a ghost, he appeared at Song He's left side.

His fists swung, fist shadows rising in all directions. They appeared orderly, yet were in truth a blend of feints and substance. It was none other than Chaotic Floss Obscures the Sky.

Song He had at least passed through two rounds, so he would naturally not be defeated so easily.

His knees bent slightly before he fiercely kicked off the ground, leaping into the air and evading the fist shadows.

He then twisted his waist, raised his left leg, and chopped it down like a battle axe straight toward Zhou Muyun's face. It was Cloud Dragon's Claw.

Zhou Muyun did not dodge. The Seven-Colored Glazed Body circulated, and an immense force instantly flooded his body.

He clenched his right fist and pulled his right arm back, drawing it taut like a bow before driving out a punch.

He actually intended to meet that kick head-on.

Seeing this, Song He was delighted inwardly.

So overconfident. It seems this man is nothing but a hollow reputation. I can save my silver!

The next moment, fist and foot collided.

Bang!

A muffled boom erupted, and disbelief appeared in Song He's eyes.

"What kind of monster are you?!"

One had to know that Cloud Dragon's Claw was his most powerful move. When he executed it, its force likely exceeded a thousand pounds.

Yet such a move had been blocked by the man before him with a single punch.

The force exploded, and Song He felt his entire leg go numb as he was sent flying backward.

He twisted his waist once again and used the force of his rotation to land on the ground, stopping his retreat.

But at that moment, several streams of fist wind arrived like rain, making the air rumble with dull explosions.

"Impossible!" Song He was horrified and hurriedly tried to evade.

How could Zhou Muyun have received his kick, then launched another attack as though nothing had happened?

In the instant his attention faltered, a heavy punch slammed hard into his abdomen, sending him directly flying off the arena.

Song He crashed heavily onto the ground. After taking only one look at Zhou Muyun withdrawing his fist, he fainted.

Zhou Muyun gave Song He an indifferent glance before leaving the arena with easy grace.

He had not used inner force in that punch. Song He had merely been knocked unconscious by the tremendous force.

In the end, he had still held back, but the victory was his.

It was simply that the crack between himself and the Leng Household would likely be unavoidable now.

The third round ended. The six qualifiers were Zhang Chong, Shui Yunyue, Bai Yu, Yang Qi, Qian Bao, and Zhou Muyun.

Crack.

A crisp sound of splintering wood rang out from the stands. Song Changsheng abruptly rose to his feet, unable to conceal the anger and disappointment in his eyes.

Song He had lost. West Market was gone.

"Hahahaha!"

An untimely burst of laughter rang out. It was Long Teng.

"Brother Long, my apologies. It seems the Merchant Guild still came out slightly ahead!"

"You..."

Looking at Long Teng's smug expression, Song Changsheng grew even angrier.

In the past, Long Teng would have had to stand in line just to see him. How would he dare treat him like this?

"Long Teng, do you want a fight?!"

"Hehehe, then let us fight! I won West Market, and I am in a splendid mood!"

The aura of the Blood Exchange Realm suddenly erupted across the stands as the two were about to come to blows.

Just then, Feng Tengyun spoke.

"Gentlemen, this is the tournament grounds, and so many disciples are watching. Do not lose your dignity.

Give Feng this much face. Whatever grievances you have, settle them privately after you return."

As soon as he spoke, the other martial hall masters also stepped in to play peacemakers.

"Gentlemen, calm down."

"That is right. It is inappropriate, very inappropriate."

Seeing Feng Tengyun speak, the two ultimately did not continue fighting.

They had originally intended to win him over, so naturally they did not wish to offend him.

"I lost my composure for a moment. I offer everyone my apologies." Song Changsheng's expression was somewhat stiff as he spoke.

"I have made a spectacle for everyone. My apologies for the discourtesy!" Long Teng said immediately after.

Feng Tengyun nodded slightly, indicating his understanding.

Afterward, Song Changsheng hurriedly left first, while the others gradually departed as well.

The remaining matches would take place the next day.

That night, Zhou Muyun was practicing at home when someone knocked on his door.

"Is Master Zhou in? I have a letter and some things from Miss."

He opened the door and saw the servant who often came to deliver support money and medicine standing outside, holding a letter.

"Is it from Senior Sister Leng?"

"That is correct. It is from Miss."

The servant respectfully handed over the letter and a bundle, then turned and ran off.

After closing the door, Zhou Muyun opened the letter. Delicate handwriting covered its surface:

"The matter at the tournament was not Junior Brother's fault, but Song He has exaggerated matters and turned right into wrong, making the situation irretrievable.

Furthermore, with the loss of West Market, the four families harbor resentment. Thus, the support promised to Junior Brother will likely have to end here.

The bundle contains my private savings from these past years. I hope it may be of use to Junior Brother."

Zhou Muyun opened the bundle and found three hundred taels arranged neatly inside.

Moonlight flowed over the silver, making it gleam.

After a long while, Zhou Muyun let out a deep sigh and put away the silver.

Perhaps this was for the best. It would save him from being drawn into the whirlpool.

As for Senior Sister Leng's kindness, he could never forget it.