Chapter 36

Jiantao looked up at Mo Kuan and smiled coldly. Xia Shihan, upon seeing this, became very angry. As the class monitor, she naturally wouldn't allow anyone to disturb her classmates' studying. Just as she was about to stand up, Jiantao pulled her back down by her clothes.

Xia Shihan looked at Jiantao curiously. Jiantao smiled gently at her and then stood up, "Whatever it is, let's talk outside. If you disturb our classmates' studying, you'll all have to pay the price."

"You... Hmph! Aren't you so great? If you're a man, come and fight with someone else." Mo Kuan looked at Jiantao with a cold and cruel expression.

"Oh?" Jiantao was surprised. How could he not be able to fight and still find someone else to fight?

"Boss, they've set up a stage outside, and there are many reporters too," Guo Xiaodong looked back at the playground and said.

Jiantao glanced over and indeed saw a stage. On it, people dressed in martial arts uniforms were performing acrobatic flips. The stage prominently displayed: "Mo Family Martial Arts Renowned Worldwide."

In fact, Jiantao didn't know that the Mo Family had prepared this a few days ago. Mo Kuan was the head of the martial arts club at Jinghai High School and the overall representative of the Mo Family at the school. He was responsible for recruiting students for the Mo Family. Taking advantage of his position, Mo Kuan set up the stage. Since it was noon and the Mo Family had significant influence in Jinghai, the school turned a blind eye.

A few days ago, the city-wide mock exams took place, so they couldn't do it then. Therefore, they set up the stage today. They had two goals: first, to have Mo Kuan's father, Mo Long, defeat Jiantao with one palm, avenging Mo Kuan's defeat by Jiantao in three moves. Second, to perform and recruit new members for the Mo Family.

Jiantao thought for a moment. It seemed they were well-prepared, and he couldn't avoid it. So he nodded, "Alright, I'll go with you."

"Jiantao!" Xia Shihan suddenly called out to Jiantao.

Jiantao was taken aback, "What's wrong?"

"Don't go," Xia Shihan said softly, for some reason.

"Can I take that as you caring about me?" Jiantao smiled slightly.

"Ah... I just don't want our classmates to get hurt. What are you thinking?" Xia Shihan blushed and glared at Jiantao. With the stage set up outside, it was clear they were well-prepared. Xia Shihan also knew the Mo Family's dominant position in Jinghai's martial arts world. The person they found to fight Jiantao must be very strong.

"Hehe, don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Jiantao said with a smile and walked out.

"Everyone, let's go and cheer for the boss!" Guo Xiaodong, who had seen Jiantao's strength, was full of confidence and shouted loudly.

The whole class responded enthusiastically and followed him out.

"Shihan, let's go and see too," Zhang Jing said, holding Xia Shihan's arm.

"Um..." Xia Shihan nodded, but her heart was pounding for some reason.

Surrounded by the crowd, Jiantao arrived at the edge of the venue. The stage was already surrounded by people. High school life was extremely stressful, so such entertainment was highly sought after. Besides the seniors, the juniors and sophomores also came to watch. There were also several media outlets, which had a good relationship with the Mo Family. They were specially invited to report on the results and promote the Mo Family's might and influence. Of course, this was on the condition that Mo Long would defeat Jiantao with one palm.

Some reporters had already drafted their articles, ready to send them out as soon as the stage event was over.

"Hmph, go up," Mo Kuan said coldly, looking at Jiantao. He knew his father Mo Long's strength very well. Defeating Jiantao with one palm was a certainty.

Jiantao looked at the person on the stage, who seemed familiar, but he didn't know much about the Mo Family.

"Boss, isn't that Mo Kuan's father, Mo Long?" Guo Xiaodong, who knew Mo Long, said to Jiantao.

"His father?" Jiantao was also surprised. He didn't expect them to bring out his father.

"Boss, the Mo Family is really shameless. They can't beat you, so they're sending an older person. Boss, Mo Long is Mo Yu's most capable son and the strongest in martial arts. If you can't beat him, don't force it. Just don't get hurt," Guo Xiaodong warned Jiantao.

Can't beat him? Jiantao thought. In the past, he might not have been able to, but now he was at the Swift Step level of the风云诀 (Fengyun Jue), with a speed five to six times faster than a normal person. The saying goes, "In the world of martial arts, speed is invincible." As long as his speed was fast enough, Jiantao believed he could defeat anyone.

Jiantao walked up to the stage. Looking down, he saw a crowd, even some school leaders.

It seems the Mo Family is determined to avenge their humiliation from last time, Jiantao thought.

On the stage, a middle-aged man in martial arts clothing stood firmly, with the character "Mo" written on his chest.

Mo Long smiled kindly at Jiantao, "Hehe, young friend, you're the one who defeated my son in three moves last time, right?"

"Everyone on Earth knows. Why ask again?" Jiantao replied coldly.

Mo Long's face darkened for a moment but then smiled, "Hehe, since my son couldn't beat you, let me see your strength. How about we just touch and stop?"

"Sure," Jiantao replied simply.

Mo Long's heart hardened. If it weren't for the students and media, he would have seriously injured Jiantao.

"Hmph. Let's see you show off!" Mo Kuan laughed coldly from below. He knew that once Mo Long moved, Jiantao would fall.

Xia Shihan became even more worried. She didn't expect the opponent to be a middle-aged man who looked like he had practiced martial arts for many years. What if he hurt Jiantao?

"Ah... Shihan, you're hurting me," Zhang Jing frowned and said to Xia Shihan.

"Ah!" Xia Shihan was startled and looked down to see that she was holding Zhang Jing's hand. "I'm sorry, Zhang Jing, I..."

"Shihan, you really care about Jiantao, don't you? Could it be that you like him? Looks like you're trying to have it both ways!" Zhang Jing, seeing Xia Shihan's blushing face, asked.

"I, I can't possibly like him. It's not true. As the class monitor, isn't it right to care about my classmates?" Xia Shihan explained hurriedly.

"Um, that's true. Alright. But the Mo Family is really shameless, finding a middle-aged man to fight Jiantao. Jiantao definitely can't win. But don't worry, Shihan, with the media and us here, they won't dare to hurt Jiantao."

"Um." Xia Shihan nodded.

"Alright, it's time. Let's start," Mo Long said, looking at Jiantao.

"Alright," Jiantao replied coldly.

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Mo Long suddenly stepped forward, his arm quickly extending, and he struck a palm at Jiantao. He had been preparing for this, using his experience, speed, and palm strength to resolve the issue in one move. Only by defeating Jiantao with one palm could he show the gap in their strength and regain his lost face.

"Ah..." The crowd was shocked, even feeling the wind from Mo Long's palm.

Jiantao stood still, and as Mo Long's palm approached, he suddenly vanished just before it hit him.

"What!" Mo Long was stunned. He had been preparing for the satisfaction of hitting Jiantao, but when he looked again, Jiantao was gone.

At this moment, Mo Long was furious. His one move had failed. This meant he couldn't defeat Jiantao with one palm, and his previous goal was unmet. Even if he defeated Jiantao with a second move, it would be meaningless.

Mo Long quickly turned around, but he saw Jiantao behind him, making a face. Before he could fully steady himself, Jiantao kicked him in the chest with a "thud," sending Mo Long flying off the stage and landing on the ground.

Two moves! Mo Long was defeated!