Chapter 34

In the "Divine Martial Nine Provinces," private academies and martial arts schools are almost everywhere, not necessarily belonging to any particular sect, operating like regular shops, only doing business—charging money and teaching martial arts.

Mr. Zheng, a wealthy man, found a rather famous martial arts school for his son to learn. Two years later, which is today, after spending over 1,500 taels of silver, Zheng Biao finally advanced to the "Second Level of Body Tempering," becoming a martial artist and mastering a decent set of martial skills. He immediately returned home to seek revenge on his old nemesis.

With four servants in tow, Zheng Biao arrived at the entrance of Qingyun Temple. He looked up at the plaque hanging high on the lintel, "Qingyun Temple," and sneered. He hadn't seen Ma Dahu for two years, and now the man was sent by his father to become a Taoist priest here. He wondered if Ma Dahu's fighting skills had declined over the past two years. If he was too weak, he would go easy on him, just making him call him "Third Young Master" would be enough.

He shook his head proudly, tilting his neck and putting on a haughty air, a pose he had learned in the county city, which looked quite impressive back then. He wasn't sure if he had mastered it today. He shouted to the servants behind him, "Come on, show off the horses and carriages, and call out for Third Young Master—"

"Third Young Master, the master said not to be too showy..."

"Rubbish, that bastard has been beating me since I was little. If I don't teach him a lesson, I'll never be at ease. Shout, curse—"

"Alright, I'll do as Third Young Master says."

A sycophantic servant stepped forward, standing under the gate and shouting, "Listen up, all you who can breathe in Qingyun Temple—"

The two young Taoists on duty were stunned. What was this guy up to? They had never seen such a scene in the hundred years since Qingyun Temple was established. Before they could ask, the gray-clad servant continued, "The great hero Zheng San from Qingyang Town has come to visit Qingyun Temple, calling for Ma Zhiyong to come out and answer. Third Young Master Zheng has heard of the bravery of Daoist Ma and has come to seek guidance today!"

The jargon of the martial world was spoken half-heartedly, and there was a half-grown kid shaking his head and swaying behind him. The two young Taoists guarding the gate, seeing that someone had come to fight, were all excited and eager, not bothering to report to their seniors. One stayed at the front gate, while the other hurried back to the temple to find Ma Yunyong.

Learning scriptures and chanting in the temple was boring, nothing compared to a good fight, especially when someone came to challenge them.

The young Taoist who ran back to the temple excitedly spread the news, "Someone has come to challenge us!" Thus, all the young Taoists in the temple were thrilled and jubilant.

Just then, Ye Qingxuan, who was avoiding the "Qingyun Duo" and wandering around the temple, happened to witness this scene.

Zheng Biao didn't have to wait long, but his neck was already a bit sore, thinking that it wasn't easy to act like a young master in the city. While he was rubbing his neck and complaining, a dozen or so young Taoists suddenly burst out of the temple gate, like monkeys seeing bananas, shouting and waving brooms, mops, door latches, and rolling pins, surrounding Zheng Biao and his group without even a greeting.

Although Zheng Biao had become a martial artist and reached the "Second Level of Body Tempering," and his four servants were also street toughs under Mr. Zheng, these dozen or so young Taoists, though still minors, were not to be underestimated. They were all armed, and Zheng Biao swallowed hard, regretting his overconfidence. The situation seemed to be getting out of hand.

"Y-Young... Young Master, let's run... run!"

The servants, seeing the situation was not good, had the idea of making a quick escape, but they couldn't leave their master behind, or they would lose their jobs.

"Run? Run where? Third Young Master will fight to the death today, no retreat!"

He had finally gathered some courage, and if he ran now, he would never have the nerve to challenge Ma Dahu again. So what if he got beaten up and had to lie in bed for a few months? It wasn't a big deal!

Thinking this, Zheng Biao's courage grew, and his stubborn nature came to the fore.

After all, he was a bit of a tiger, probably because he had been beaten so much as a child.

Just as the Zheng family and their servants were feeling anxious, a loud voice came from the back of the crowd.

"Zheng San, you shameless scoundrel, how dare you call yourself 'Third Young Master' in front of your Third Young Master Ma? You, who lift girls' skirts and sneak into women's pants, how dare you call yourself 'Young Master'? Have you asked your Third Young Master Ma?"

The crowd parted, and a tall, bearded young man stepped forward.

It was Ma Yunyong.

Seeing Ma Yunyong finally appear, Zheng Biao's nervous heart settled.

He knew that this man, like himself, was a ruffian but cared about his reputation. Once the challenge was called, it would be a one-on-one fight, with no third party allowed to interfere.

Clearing his throat, Zheng Biao sneered at Ma Yunyong, "Big dummy, finally willing to come out and see me? Let me tell you, I'm back to take revenge. The weather is nice today, and the heavens are on my side... no more talk, let's settle our old and new grudges together..."

"Wow, two years later, your temper has grown, and your skin has toughened. Good—today, I'll loosen your bones for you."

As he finished speaking, Ma Yunyong charged at Zheng Biao with a fist.

A hint of disdain appeared on Zheng Biao's face. "Scatter—!" he shouted, not caring about the charging Yunyong. Zheng Biao's foot kicked the ground, and he leaped up like a quick rabbit, dodging Yunyong's punch and striking a palm at Yunyong's chest. Ma Yunyong quickly blocked with a fist, but Zheng Biao's move was not yet complete. He flipped his hand, like a swift swallow, bypassing Yunyong's blocking fist and changing his palm to a fist, striking Yunyong's chest with a loud thud.

Zheng Biao's punch was powerful, and Ma Yunyong felt a massive force hit him, sending his larger frame flying backward. He landed with a thud, lying on his back.

Zheng Biao retracted his fist and stood up, extremely pleased. He laughed, "How about that, big dummy? My punch has a good taste, doesn't it?"

"Hmph, I didn't expect you to learn such a skill in two years," Ma Yunyong spat, got up, and dusted off his clothes, smiling. "Your skills are good, but your strength is too weak, like a woman's..."

Zheng Biao's face darkened, and he said in a low voice, "Let me tell you, big dummy, Third Young Master is back to settle the score with you. Third Young Master is no longer like you. I have already sensed the qi, and I am now at the 'Second Level of Body Tempering,' a true martial artist."

Wow—

The crowd watching the fight was suddenly in an uproar.

An ordinary person and a martial artist were not on the same level. Even with strong physical strength, an ordinary person could not match a martial artist with internal energy. Zheng Biao's challenge was clearly unfair.

A few thoughtful young Taoists, seeing that Yunyong was at a disadvantage, turned and ran back to the temple to find the on-duty master.

Ma Yunyong rubbed his chest, which felt stuffy and uncomfortable, but he hadn't broken any bones. He could still endure it.

Thinking this, Ma Yunyong smiled lightly and mocked Zheng Biao, "Congratulations, Zheng San, advancing to a martial artist. Your old Zheng family must be very proud, but it's a pity..."

"What's a pity?"

"It's a pity that no matter how strong your martial arts are, your punches are still as weak as a woman's..."

Zheng Biao instantly flew into a rage.

"Disrespecting me, lie down—"

He charged at Yunyong again, and Yunyong, not wanting to back down, charged forward with a punch. Zheng Biao dodged to the side, and Yunyong followed with another punch. Zheng Biao leaped to Yunyong's side, and with a single palm, struck Yunyong's ear. This hit a vital point, and Yunyong was instantly lifted up and then fell to the ground, powerless.

At the moment of the palm strike, Ma Yunyong felt his head buzz, the light in front of his eyes dim, and the surroundings suddenly turned dark.

Not good, I'm about to faint. Ma Yunyong was greatly alarmed and, in a moment of desperation, bit his tongue hard. The sudden pain pulled him back from the brink of unconsciousness.

(End of the page)