Three Punches

"Haha, what a big boast!" Just then, a hearty, angry laugh echoed from behind the crowd.

A man in his sixties, with hair like a halberd and a powerful build, walked over with a grim expression.

Each step he took landed with a muffled thunderous sound, causing the ground to shake slightly and leaving behind a deep footprint.

A flicker of fear flashed in Shi Yingdeng's eyes, and he instinctively moved closer to the brocade-clad man.

The brocade-clad man's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"So it's Pavilion Master Liang. What brings you to the pleasure district at your age, looking for entertainment?" the brocade-clad man asked with a fake smile.

"The rules in Li City have been set by the Xu Family for years, and the Xu Family diligently upholds them. Our Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School has always respected the Xu Family.

However, Xu Shisen, as a member of the Xu Family, instead of enjoying the music, is here bullying my disciples and openly disregarding the rules set by your family. I must ask, where do you place the Xu Family's rules?" Liang Jingtang stamped his foot and questioned coldly.

A powerful aura erupted from his imposing body, exuding an intense pressure.

"A clever move, using the enemy's spear against their shield. As expected, the older the ginger, the spicier it is!" Xia Daoming, seeing Liang Jingtang arrive, didn't erupt in anger or back down with apologies. Instead, he calmly questioned, secretly cheering and admiring him.

The brocade-clad man, Xu Shisen, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, was momentarily speechless, a hint of unease and regret stirring within him.

The Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School was too close to the Ding Family.

Three months ago, he and the Shi Family had joined forces to cripple Gu Ren. This was done with higher-ups' approval, intending to suppress the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School and prevent its growth, as well as to make an example of them.

But killing someone should be done with a simple nod, not an outright assault.

Otherwise, it would be counterproductive.

Logically, Liang Jingtang should have swallowed his pride and conceded, and the matter would have been over.

This time, Shi Yingdeng and Xu Shisen came to the Jade Flower Pavilion for entertainment without any instruction from above; it was purely a spur-of-the-moment decision as they were passing by.

After having a few drinks at the Jade Flower Pavilion, they saw Wan Qing was attractive and talented, so they developed lustful intentions and wanted her to accompany them.

But Wan Qing sold her art, not her body, so Liu Xiaoqiang had to step in.

As it turned out, Liu Xiaoqiang's intervention was even worse. When she appeared, Xu Shisen, that lecherous scoundrel, saw that she still possessed a mature charm and a more alluring, charming and seductive appeal than Wan Qing. On impulse, he demanded that she personally accompany him.

Liu Xiaoqiang naturally refused.

However, both of them were young, hot-headed, and arrogant. The last time they saw Liang Jingtang concede and dare not speak up, they naturally looked down on and despised the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School a bit, thinking that sleeping with Liu Xiaoqiang was no big deal and that the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School would definitely not dare to intervene.

To their surprise, not only did Yuchi Xiao and others arrive, but Liang Jingtang also showed up, and he even brought up the rules set by the Xu Family.

This put Xu Shisen in a difficult position.

If he conceded, Xu Shisen, as a member of the Xu Family, would lose face.

If he didn't concede, and the situation escalated, not only would he be in the wrong logically and damage the Xu Family's reputation, but Liang Jingtang was a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master with powerful strength and had been teaching martial arts in Li City for many years, holding some influence. He, as a collateral descendant of the Xu Family, might not be able to handle the situation.

"What a joke, who says coming to a pleasure house is just for listening to music? Since you're selling yourself, why pretend to be refined and chaste?" Shi Yingdeng, seeing Xu Shisen cornered, spoke up with forced bravado.

"So, you can insult my disciple and her people? I'm telling you, even your father, Shi Fengyuan, wouldn't dare to be so arrogant and unrestrained in front of me!

Hmph, today I will teach you a good lesson on behalf of Shi Fengyuan, to curb your arrogance and ignorance of the heavens and earth!" Liang Jingtang, seeing Shi Yingdeng speak, immediately showed killing intent. He took a step forward, his hand forming a snake fist, and struck towards Shi Yingdeng's chest.

Shi Yingdeng was startled by Liang Jingtang's audacity to attack him in front of Xu Shisen and quickly dodged behind Xu Shisen.

"Liang Jingtang, what are you doing? Are you trying to make an enemy of my Xu Family?" Xu Shisen, seeing this, could no longer afford to care about anything else. He blocked in front of Shi Yingdeng and roared, simultaneously forming a tiger palm and striking towards Liang Jingtang's incoming snake fist.

"Bang! Bang!"

Fist and palm collided.

Liang Jingtang's upper body only swayed slightly, while Xu Shisen retreated several steps, a look of surprise in his eyes.

Over the years, he had consumed many high-quality tonics and meats, his blood and strength were robust, and he had reached the peak of a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master, only half a step away from the Sixth-Rank realm.

Liang Jingtang, on the other hand, was in his sixties, and his blood and strength were on the decline.

Xu Shisen had expected that in a head-on collision, even if he was slightly inferior, it would only be by half a step.

To his surprise, Liang Jingtang's Hidden Strength from the Hidden Dragon Art was extremely powerful and vigorous, growing stronger with age. After just a few exchanges, he was completely outmatched, his palms numb. The opponent's Hidden Strength surged into his body, causing his blood and strength to churn and his meridians to ache.

"Xu Shisen, I've said it before, I always respect the Xu Family. Today, for the sake of the Xu Family, I won't pursue this matter with you. However, the Shi Family doesn't have that much face. You can leave, but Shi Yingdeng must stay and give me an explanation." Liang Jingtang said sternly, his aura imposing.

"Shi Yingdeng and I have been friends since childhood. If you want to keep Shi Yingdeng, you are making an enemy of me and the Xu Family!" Xu Shisen said with a grim expression.

Liang Jingtang's expression shifted as he saw Xu Shisen refuse to back down.

Although Xu Shisen was a collateral descendant of the Xu Family, he was already showing promise of becoming a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master at a young age, holding some weight among the many disciples of the Xu Family.

The current situation in Li City was delicate.

If he truly fought Xu Shisen, the Xu Family might very well kill him to establish their authority, just as they had dealt with the Wu Family Fortress.

"Master, let's forget it. It's not worth it for your disciple's grievance," Liu Xiaoqiang stepped forward and advised softly.

The pleasure district was the most complex place, and also the most well-informed.

Liu Xiaoqiang, as the owner of the Jade Flower Pavilion, had some understanding of the delicate situation in Li City.

"It's fine if Shi Yingdeng goes with you, but he must take three of my punches!" Liang Jingtang said, his face ashen, after taking a deep breath.

First, Gu Ren, whom he regarded as his own son, was crippled, and today his disciple was nearly violated.

If not for the overwhelming power of the Xu Family, and the fact that he was not alone, with many concerns and fears, Liang Jingtang would have already unleashed his killing moves on the two before him.

Even so, as the master of the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School and a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master, Liang Jingtang would never tolerate such an insult and let two juniors leave so brazenly.

Xu Shisen, with a dark expression, turned to look at Shi Yingdeng.

"Haha, old man, it's just three punches. I'll take them," Shi Yingdeng suddenly roared with laughter and stepped forward.

Liang Jingtang said nothing, merely calmly waving his hand at the crowd behind him.

The crowd silently retreated.

Liu Xiaoqiang's eyes were red with unshed tears.

"Just come at me with all you've got!" Liang Jingtang said in a deep voice, his surging vital energy and strength surging within him like a stampede of ten thousand horses, emitting an oppressive aura.

Sensing Liang Jingtang's powerful presence, Shi Yingdeng's expression turned extremely grave. He slowly shifted his stance, then suddenly stomped his feet, unleashing his full vital energy and strength. He charged at Liang Jingtang like a hungry wolf, swinging his fist.

"Kill!"

Liang Jingtang roared, his arm muscles coiling together like pythons. His massive iron fist swung out with a "whoosh."

"Bang!"

The fists met.

Shi Yingdeng's face changed drastically. He quickly retracted his fist and slid backward.

"Again!"

Liang Jingtang roared again, stepping forward with a wide stride and throwing another punch. It carried a chilling fist wind that, as it grazed his cheek, made his skin ache.

Seeing the iron fist strike towards his chest, Shi Yingdeng had no choice but to meet it with his own fist.

"Bang!"

Sweat beaded on Shi Yingdeng's forehead. He slid back to the corridor, using it to steady himself.

His hands hung limply at his sides, his fists swollen and trembling slightly.

"Again!"

Liang Jingtang strode forward again, his momentum reaching its peak at this moment. His hair and beard bristled, making him look incredibly imposing.

Shi Yingdeng trembled inwardly, finally understanding that reputation was not without basis.

Liang Jingtang's fame for single-handedly wiping out a gang in his prime wasn't just talk.

Shi Yingdeng dared not take a third punch, but with his back against the corridor, he had nowhere left to retreat.

Helplessly, Shi Yingdeng crossed his arms to block.

"Bang!"

Shi Yingdeng's arms took the immense impact, sending him crashing hard against the corridor's railing, breaking the wooden barrier.

A domineering force surged into his body, wreaking havoc and colliding everywhere.

Shi Yingdeng's face flickered between pale and red, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

After a long while, he finally managed to suppress the external force that had entered his body.

His arms hung uselessly, his legs felt weak, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"I'm getting old!" Liang Jingtang said inwardly with a sigh as he looked at Shi Yingdeng, who was forcing himself to stand.

The Dragon Serpent Art's cultivation, while the first four levels focused on agility and cunning, began to shift towards power and dominance from the fifth level, the Hidden Flood Dragon stage. The Hidden Strength developed was more formidable and robust than that of Great Martial Masters at the same level.

If it were his prime, these three direct confrontations would have at least injured Shi Yingdeng's meridians and hindered his cultivation progress, if not crippled him outright.

Now, however, Liang Jingtang was past sixty, his vital energy and strength had declined. After these three punches, although Shi Yingdeng's meridians were indeed injured, he should still be able to recover with suitable medicinal pills and some rest.

"Hall Master Liang is truly magnificent! And you all are quite impressive as well!" Xu Shisen's gaze slowly swept over everyone, then he waved his hand grandly, "Let's go!"

Liang Jingtang watched the two of them leave with their four house guards, his expression grim and displeased.

"Master, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault for dragging you into this..." Liu Xiaoqiang said, full of self-blame.

"What do you have to apologize for? It's my fault for being incompetent, watching you all get bullied and being powerless to do anything!" Liang Jingtang waved his hand and sighed. His imposing figure from moments ago seemed to have hunched over again, though no one knew when it happened.

"It's my fault for being useless, forcing Master to endure this at his age..." Yuchi Xiao and the others quickly knelt on one knee upon hearing this.

Xia Daoming followed suit and knelt on one knee, his emotions surging.

He came from a different civilized world, and his upbringing was entirely different. He viewed his sect and fellow disciples with more rationality, rather than adhering to the rigid beliefs held by many in this world, such as "once a master, always a father" and "fellow disciples are like brothers."

However, after today's events, his views and feelings towards his sect and fellow disciples had subtly changed. It was difficult for him to view them purely through a rational lens anymore.

Liang Jingtang was a good master.

Yuchi Xiao and the others were good senior brothers and sisters!

PS: If you have time, please leave a chapter review and a like to help increase popularity. Thank you.

Today's update is complete. Thank you for your support.