Chapter 169 - 143: 3 Defeats of Huang Zifeng (Part 2)

Chapter 169: Chapter 143: 3 Defeats of Huang Zifeng (Part 2)

Cui Zhi stood to the side, his eyes wide as he tugged at his beard, a look of utter disbelief on his face.

Huang Zifeng was Senior Brother Lu’s prized student and had reached the Fourth Training. The Cultivation Techniques he practiced were all impressive, so how could he be completely outmatched in unarmed combat by the master of some obscure, small-town escort agency?

He looked at Xie Yuan with a peculiar expression.

’Could this Young Master Xie be a golden dragon hiding in a shallow pond?’

’His Cultivation Technique can’t possibly be better than Zifeng’s. His Inner Power is probably just some crude skill he picked up from who-knows-where. And while his Fist Skill has a grand aura, it isn’t necessarily more profound than Zifeng’s palm technique. So how did he achieve this result?’

’It must be his natural physique. I noticed earlier that his muscles and bones are strong, and his Qi and Blood are vigorous. Tsk, this Young Master Xie might just be a natural-born Martial Artist. His strength is astonishing, which is why his attacks are so powerful that even Zifeng can’t withstand them.’

Cui Zhi couldn’t discern the origins of Xie Yuan’s body-nourishing technique or his Eight Trigrams Mountain-Shaking Fist, so he could only attribute the outcome to something special about Xie Yuan himself—though he wasn’t exactly wrong.

Cui Zhi’s eyes flickered as a desire to recruit such a talent stirred within him. He quietly wondered if he should try again to bring Xie Yuan to their mountain sect.

Lin Cheng and Lin Zhen watched with their mouths slightly agape, their expressions dazed.

The siblings already bore a slight resemblance to each other, but now their identical expressions were rather comical.

’The outcome of these two spars isn’t quite what we imagined, is it?’

The two of them were naturally on Xie Yuan’s side, hoping with all their hearts that he would win. But logic told them that the gap between the master of the Longteng Escort Agency and a top disciple from the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect was as wide as the sky.

’But it seems that chasm was just flattened by a few of Xie Yuan’s Iron Fists, wasn’t it?’

Lin Cheng watched Xie Yuan with excitement. If he hadn’t remembered that he might one day have to call Huang Zifeng ’Senior Brother Huang,’ he probably would have cheered out loud. Even so, he couldn’t stop muttering under his breath:

"That’s Master Xie for you! That’s Master Xie for you!"

As for Lin Zhen, a brilliant light sparkled in her eyes, which were fixed solely on Xie Yuan. Her gaze was soft and deep, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

Whether it was the stunning sight of him at their first meeting in the mourning hall or his unexpected power now, these were things Miss Lin had never experienced before. The image of his back, then and now, merged into one and was etched even more deeply into her heart.

Huang Zifeng silently got to his feet and brushed the dust from his clothes.

Xie Yuan had held back ninety percent of the force in that punch. The remaining power didn’t even penetrate his body. It wasn’t so much as a scratch; Xie Yuan had clearly shown mercy.

He looked at the perfectly calm and composed Xie Yuan, his own expression grave. He cupped his fists and said:

"Master Xie, you are incredibly strong. In unarmed combat, I am no match for you."

Xie Yuan raised an eyebrow, seeing how readily he admitted defeat. However, he could also see from Huang Zifeng’s expression that he wasn’t truly convinced and had more to say. So, Xie Yuan just smiled faintly and waited.

Sure enough, Huang Zifeng continued:

"I, Huang Zifeng, lost this sparring match. A disciple of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect keeps their word. A loss is a loss. I hereby retract what I said to Master Xie earlier. You are no ordinary Martial Artist. At the very least, your skill in unarmed combat is outstanding among those at the same level."

"However, unarmed combat is not my forte. Though I lost this round, there is another area in which I would like to test my skills against yours."

"Master Xie, would you be willing to face me in another match? This time, let’s not hold back. Let’s use our ultimate techniques and go all out. What do you say?"

Huang Zifeng drew the sword from his back in a fluid motion. SHING! A cold light flashed across the room, and even the sound of the river waves outside seemed to pause for a moment.

Xie Yuan felt the temperature in the private room drop by several degrees in an instant, and his expression grew slightly more serious.

The sword of a Sword Sect disciple was incomparably sharp and cold. The Sword Edge was pointed vaguely in Xie Yuan’s direction, causing goosebumps to prickle on his exposed skin.

If the unarmed Huang Zifeng was merely an excellent Sect disciple, then with a sword in his hand, his presence was instantly magnificent. It swept away all his earlier dejection as he radiated a powerful aura.

The expressions of the Lin family siblings changed at once.

Since the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect was a Sword Sect, its disciples naturally excelled with the sword. Only with his sword drawn did Huang Zifeng possess his full strength.

’Although Xie Yuan has won two matches in a row, what are his chances against Huang Zifeng at his full strength?’

Lin Zhen couldn’t help but speak up, her soft, delicate voice ringing out:

"S-Senior Brother Huang, you just said that drawing your sword would mean you’d lost. How can you go back on your word?"

"Junior Sister Lin, as I just said, I have already conceded the sparring match to Master Xie. But as a Swordsman, I can never truly admit defeat. Therefore, I am issuing a new challenge, sword in hand. I hope Master Xie will bring his full strength and allow me to display the extent of my Swordsmanship."

Seeing that Lin Zhen was actually speaking to him, Huang Zifeng’s spirits lifted, and he held his head high as he explained.

Having just lost two matches, Huang Zifeng had felt frustrated, but now that his sword was drawn, his powerful self-confidence came flooding back.

He looked at Xie Yuan, resolving in his heart to wash away his previous disgrace in front of Junior Sister Lin and reaffirm his Sword Heart.

’I just hope you can last long enough for me to fully display my profound and mysterious Swordsmanship...’ Huang Zifeng’s eyes flickered with ulterior motives. He was once again seeing Xie Yuan as nothing more than a prop.

Lin Zhen bit her lip, her eyes filled with annoyance as she looked at the high-and-mighty Huang Zifeng. She then turned her head toward Xie Yuan, her expression instantly softening as her delicate, palm-sized face filled with worry.

Cui Zhi cleared his throat and said:

"Young Master Xie, blades have no eyes. You should think this through. If you don’t wish to fight, you can simply concede. This is just a friendly exchange, meant to stop before anyone gets hurt."

He felt a certain appreciation for Xie Yuan, but he was a deacon of the Sword Sect, after all. If word got out that one of the Sect’s top disciples had lost two matches in a row, it would sound terrible. Thus, he hoped Xie Yuan would just concede, allowing them to end things amicably in a draw. It was the perfect solution for everyone involved.

"I’d like to accept the challenge. Why wouldn’t I?"

However, Xie Yuan did not grant Cui Zhi his wish. He simply smiled and said:

"Getting a chance to witness the Swordsmanship of a top disciple of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect will make this trip worthwhile."

Cui Zhi opened his mouth, speechless. ’Why won’t this kid take the easy way out I’m offering him?’

’He’s insisting on this fight. Losing ungracefully will be a small matter, but Zifeng’s Swordsmanship is sharp. It would be a real shame if he got injured.’

However, seeing Xie Yuan’s eager expression, Cui Zhi could only shake his head and step to the side. He focused his mind, ready to intervene and block for Xie Yuan if Zifeng, in his youth, lost control of his attack.

When Huang Zifeng saw Xie Yuan agree, a hint of delight secretly crossed his face.

Even though he had just lost, he didn’t believe he was weaker than Xie Yuan. After all, unarmed combat was a minor skill for him; his true mastery lay in the sword he held.

With the meticulous guidance of his Grandmaster master and his own undefeated record against peers in sword duels, Huang Zifeng felt his confidence reborn the moment he grasped his sword.

Even though he had changed his opinion and now saw Xie Yuan as a decent Martial Artist, he still didn’t believe Xie Yuan could truly match him.

The two once again stood in the center of the private room, facing one another.

There were few spectators—only Cui Zhi and the two Lin family siblings—yet not a single one of them favored Xie Yuan to win.

The confidence of the two from the Sword Sect came from Huang Zifeng’s strength; the judgment of the Lin siblings came from the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s reputation.

’I don’t know what Xie Yuan’s skill with a weapon is like, but against Zifeng’s Swordsmanship, he probably won’t last more than ten moves.’

Cui Zhi thought to himself, making a conservative estimate due to his lack of knowledge about Xie Yuan.

He never considered that Huang Zifeng might lose. Based on what he knew of him, this was a perfectly reasonable assumption.

But, after all, he did not know Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan saw Huang Zifeng holding his Long Sword, his expression cold and proud, his aura extraordinary. He was indeed a genius Swordsman from a Major Sect.

He slowly drew his own long saber, his gaze fixed on Huang Zifeng as his own aura began to climb.

Although Huang Zifeng was full of confidence, he no longer looked down on Xie Yuan.

Seeing his opponent slowly raise his saber, he performed a sword flourish, let out a great shout, and thrust his Long Sword forward. It was like a hidden dragon bursting from the abyss, accompanied by a sword hum that sounded like a dragon’s roar!

A glint flashed in Xie Yuan’s eyes. His long saber shot up to its highest point before he brought it down in a ferocious slash!

Wolf King Howling at the Moon!

It was as if a silver wolf, silhouetted against a full moon on a mountain peak, was pouncing down to tear the very earth asunder.

This strike represented the pinnacle of Xie Yuan’s Rushing Wolf Saber Skill, which he had now brought to perfection.

The descending wolf and the emerging dragon howled as they crashed into one another. Saber met sword.

The Lin family siblings held their breath. Even Cui Zhi’s eyes were wide, unblinking.

CLANG—

CLATTER.

The high-pitched ring of their weapons clashing was followed by the sound of one falling to the ground.

It was the last thing they expected.

Huang Zifeng’s Long Sword had been cleanly and decisively knocked to the floor.

The private room fell completely silent.

Aside from the sound of breathing, there was only the endless lapping of waves against the railing outside.

Xie Yuan flicked his long saber to point it at the empty-handed Huang Zifeng, then sheathed it.

Cui Zhi shot to his feet, his eyes as wide as saucers, his face a mask of shock so profound he had lost all composure.

The Lin family siblings stared at the scene, their mouths forming identical circles, utterly dumbfounded.

Huang Zifeng stared blankly at his own hands, then at the sword lying on the floor.

’As a Swordsman, how could I let my Long Sword be knocked from my grasp?’

’I couldn’t withstand the power of that move at all! The only reason I wasn’t cut in two was that Xie Yuan showed mercy.’

’I had my sword... and I was defeated in a single move?’

Huang Zifeng stood stunned for a long moment, then suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

’This... How is this possible?’

’Three matches in a row. All of them losses.’

’At first, we could trade blows. Then, I was knocked down in three punches. And finally, after drawing my sword, I lost in a single move.’

’My weapon knocked from my hand in a single move.’

’The more of my true strength I revealed, the faster I was defeated!’

’Just what level is my opponent’s strength?’

Huang Zifeng was utterly crestfallen, his face ashen. One moment, he couldn’t believe Xie Yuan’s strength; the next, he was wondering if he was even cut out to be a swordsman.

In contrast to Huang Zifeng’s ashen complexion, Cui Zhi looked like he had seen a ghost, his eyes sweeping up and down over Xie Yuan.

His own insight was naturally far greater than Huang Zifeng’s.

’That strike... he’s clearly comprehended the very essence of the saber’s path. That’s a level one can only reach when a saber technique has been brought to utter perfection!’

’How old is he? How long has he been practicing the saber? To think he’s already reached a realm others can only dream of achieving!’

Cui Zhi’s expression was complicated. He looked at Xie Yuan, who was holding his long saber as if nothing had happened, as if he were looking at some kind of monster.

’He won?’

The two Lin siblings finally reacted. ’Master Xie... won again?’

’Master Xie’s strength... it’s enough to defeat a top disciple of the Sword Sect even when he’s armed!’

The two of them could hardly believe it, but their faces were flushed with excitement.

Lin Cheng even began to wonder if it would be better to ask Master Xie to be his master. As for Lin Zhen, her cheeks were crimson and her eyes shimmered with emotion. She gazed at the back of the man who had already left such a deep impression on her, an impression that had now deepened into something akin to worship.

Xie Yuan, meanwhile, was thinking about Huang Zifeng’s sword strike that had been like a divine dragon emerging from the sea, and he nodded to himself in appreciation.

’That sword strike was quite impressive. It’s the most powerful move I’ve ever seen from an opponent at my level.’

’Faced with that level of Swordsmanship, I didn’t dare hold back either, which is why I knocked the sword from his hand.’

’With my Rushing Wolf Saber Skill at perfection, combined with my current cultivation level, the power of that strike was second only to my Three Axe Swings.’

’My opponent was pretty good. It’s a shame it was over so quickly. I didn’t get to enjoy the fight to its fullest. It would have been good practice.’

Just as he was thinking this, Cui Zhi suddenly walked over and leaned in close, his eyes shining brightly:

"Master Xie, do you have any interest in Swordsmanship?"