Chapter 50 - One Punch To Win
“Is there anyone else brave enough to step forward for a battle?” Qin Rong exclaimed loudly, scanning the surroundings.
The martial artists present were all full of embarrassment and frustration, some even feeling resigned and despondent, with no one daring to shout ‘I’ll do it’.
Two young men seemed ready to step forward, but they were both restrained by the elders of their respective sects.
“Master, why are you still hesitating to act!?”
“Don’t be hasty, let others go. Among these people from the Yan Empire, the strongest is the young man with the giant sword. Don’t waste your energy at this moment.”
A few conversations were drowned out by the murmurs of the crowd.
Qin Rong on the platform sneered inwardly.
These people were just too hesitant, which led to their repeated defeats.
He turned his head to look at the team from Yan Empire, locking eyes with his senior brother, Shi Tianyi.
“I…I’ll go.”
A trembling voice sounded, attracting Qin Rong’s gaze.
But upon seeing the delicate face of Liang Xin, he just smiled, “Young Master’s courage is commendable. I will go easy, no need to worry about getting hurt.”
Even with Liang Xin stepping forward, the martial artists below sighed silently, knowing that defeat was inevitable.
“It seems there’s no one left.”
Shi Tianyi sat back against his giant sword, shaking his head in resignation, no longer interested in watching the platform.
He was well aware that the martial artists below were just a corner of the Jianghu in the Liang Empire, not all the heroes were here. But the gap between the two sides was too great.
Although there were many talents among them, they were still not quite ready to challenge him.
What really interested him were those people–
Shi Tianyi narrowed his eyes, subtly looking towards the direction of the second floor.
“Cloud Ascension Sect, one of the Nine Sects of the world. Everyone below is suffering this humiliation. You true talents, why don’t you take action?”
He clenched the hilt of his sword, his heart already filled with the desire for battle, eager to try.
Before embarking on this journey, he had heard of the reputation of the Cloud Ascension Sect, which had stood in the Liang Empire for more than a hundred years. The disciples were even more formidable, each one a top talent who had not yet emerged into the world, capable of competing with other countries.
He had no interest in the open and hidden battles between Yan and Liang, nor did he care about the internal struggles of the royal family in the Liang Empire.
He just wanted to know if his inheritance of the martial arts of Iron Cong Mountain could shake the invincible posture of the Cloud Ascension Sect that had lasted for hundreds of years!
“To the members of Cloud Ascension Sect!”
Ignoring the confrontation on the platform, Shi Tianyi suddenly stood up, shouting loudly, “I wonder if there’s a chance to challenge the Nine Sects–”
Clang!
A finely crafted iron longsword whirled and embedded itself in the platform, sending a spray of gravel.
Liang Xin was startled and instinctively took two steps back.
Qin Rong looked over sharply, his face showing astonishment. The people below the platform were equally shocked, their previously averted gazes now replaced with astonishment.
Immediately, a figure leaped onto the platform, his footsteps silencing the surrounding atmosphere.
“Brother Liang, let me handle this.”
“…”
The people of Jianghu widened their eyes in surprise.
The group from the Yan Empire frowned slightly. This was a perfect opportunity for the senior brother to challenge the Cloud Ascension Sect, but it was ruined by this person.
But after seeing who it was, they all showed a hint of surprise.
“What a handsome young man.”
“Which sect of the Liang Empire is he from?”
The people from the Yan Empire speculated to themselves, while the martial artists around them wore expressions of confusion, unable to help but whisper to each other to inquire about the newcomer’s identity.
The disciples of the Shujian Sect peered out and looked shocked, “Young Master Yang?”
“How…why did you get here?!” Liang Xin was puzzled and uncertain, “Didn’t you say there were other experts?”
“Yeah, the expert is me.” Yang Shifei smiled lightly at her. “Surprised?”
Liang Xin opened her mouth, a hint of strangeness in her eyes.
“Cough, better not look at me with that kind of expression.”
Yang Shifei quickly showed an embarrassed smile. “This is my first time performing in front of everyone like this. Seeing others do it is one thing, but doing it myself now feels like ants are crawling all over me.”
Liang Xin tilted her head.
Although she didn’t quite understand, the gist seemed to be that he wasn’t used to taking the spotlight?
She felt a little amused for a moment, but also much more relieved.
“This is a platform for martial artists from both countries to clash, not a place for idle chatter,” Qin Rong steadied himself, speaking in a deep voice. “Which of you two wants to face me?”
Liang Xin hesitated for a moment, then quickly turned and ran off the platform, shouting back to Yang Shifei, “Show them what you’re made of!”
“Young heroes from the Yan Empire, I would like to ask for some advice,” Yang Shifei said, adjusting his mood and bowing. “I hope I didn’t spoil your mood.”
At the same time, he focused his mind, silently feeling the cold energy filling his body, his state of mind becoming serene.
Qin Rong frowned slightly, “Are you a swordsman, brother?”
“Not at the moment.”
“I don’t need it for now,” Yang Shifei tapped the handle of his blade and smiled faintly. “Just fists and feet will do.”
The people present were startled, feeling even more bewildered.
Not far away, Elder Yan’s face was solemn as he secretly speculated about Princess Luo’s thoughts.
“Here he comes.”
On the third floor, Qiu Buhuan clenched her palm, still feeling a hint of warmth, curiosity swirling in her peach blossom eyes.
The elder of the Cloud Ascension Sect and Duke Dingjiang had different expressions. Was this the young hero that the Saint Envoy was so concerned about?
“—Young heroes from Yan Empire?” Yang Shifei smiled again, reminding, “Why suddenly silent?”
Upon this reminder, Qin Rong finally came to his senses, his face a bit grim. “Young master, you really don’t need the blade?”
“Just trying it out on the stage, no need to use it,” Yang Shifei said with clasped hands. “I wonder if you still have the strength, brother?”
“Just fighting ten people, no problem,” Qin Rong replied calmly, nodding slightly. “My name, you must have heard of it.”
“Qin Rong from the Iron Cong Mountain in Yan Empire. Remember it well.”
Yang Shifei raised his fists, smiling gently. “I am the chief disciple of the Fallen Moon Pavilion, please teach me.”
Qin Rong pondered inwardly, not daring to be careless.
“Let’s begin.”
“Alright.”
The two of them stepped forward in an instant.
Yang Sifei’s figure suddenly shifted, his palm meeting the heavy fist coming at him, and a palm strike swept out in an instant.
“…”
In a flash of exchange, the movements of the two on the platform stopped simultaneously, and the atmosphere below fell silent.
Qin Rong widened his eyes, staring blankly at the hand hovering near his neck, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He only now felt a bone-chilling coldness.
What speed was this?
Yang Shifei released the opponent’s fist, smiling calmly. “My strike caught you by surprise. Does it count as a win?”
Qin Rong stepped back two steps, his eyes suddenly hardened. “Again!”
He lunged forward again, palms spreading out like flowing shadows.
Yang Shifei remained calm, as if he had anticipated this, leaning back to evade, then blocking another palm with his knee, swiftly spinning to deliver a powerful kick.
“!”
A series of counterattacks flowed like water, faster than lightning.
Qin Rong’s pupils contracted, his whole body stiffened as he watched the tip of the shoe pause near his ear, unable to help but swallow a mouthful of saliva. He simply couldn’t react in time.
Yang Shifei retracted his right leg, smiling faintly. “Brother Qin, do you want to continue?”
Qin Rong’s face was complicated. After a moment of silence, he finally sighed. “Brother Yang, you’re formidable. I am ashamed in comparison.”
Seeing him admit defeat straightforwardly, Yang Shifei also smiled and clasped his fists. “You are too kind.”
It wasn’t until Qin Rong left the platform that the surrounding people, who had been silent, began to exclaim in surprise.
“Well done! Excellent!”
“Brother Yang is invincible!” Liang Xin’s cheers were particularly loud. “Brother Yang, beat them all!”
Yang Shifei turned back and chuckled dryly, please let me maintain my aloof demeanor for a moment.
Catching his eye, Liang Xin blushed and clapped her hands excitedly, “Brother Yang, you’re so cool!”
Yang Shifei: “..”
Wait a minute, the way those few people are looking at you is not right.
“I’ll go.”
As soon as the words fell, Shi Tianyi jumped into the ring with his black iron giant sword, his eyes full of fiery battle intent. “I didn’t expect there to be such a strong person in Liang. Let me learn from your skills!”
Yang Shifei turned his gaze back, calmly loosening his stance.
“You’re still not using a sword?”
“No need.”
“…Fine!”
Shi Tianyi chuckled lowly, taking bold steps forward, suddenly swinging his giant sword in a sweeping motion.
The sharp sword wind stirred up a piercing breeze in the courtyard, almost sweeping across half of the platform. Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat. In this martial arts competition, the giant sword was truly unstoppable. How would this Brother Yang—
As the thought arose, they saw Yang Sifei soaring into the air at an unbelievable speed, his foot landing precisely on the blade as it swept by, using the force to push off and then swiftly delivering a horizontal kick.
Shi Tianyi’s eyes narrowed slightly, changing the trajectory of his sword in an instant, and barely managing to block this kick with his sword, retreating several steps.
He was about to counterattack with his sword, but Yang Shifei’s figure came faster, launching a punch straight towards him.
“Trying close-range strikes to prevent me from using the sword?!”
Shi Tianyi’s heart was slightly ruthless, intending to use his long-honed fist skills to catch the opponent off guard.
But in the instant he used his sword to block the fist, a terrifying force suddenly emanated from the blade, causing his eyes to bulge.
Damn, what kind of force is this—!
Before he could even react to the tremendous shock, Shi Tianyi, along with his sword, was sent flying into the air with a single punch.
The pupils of the spectators from the Yan Empire contracted sharply. They only saw a black shadow flash, and their senior brother was sent flying tens of meters away, crashing through the dense crowd and smashing into the walls of the royal palace, scattering clouds of dust.
“..”