Chapter 77

Competition

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the secret letter given to him by his mother.

It's too far. In his heart, it felt as if it was approaching the hundredth day. It was hard to calm his mind.

What does this small piece mean?

If it were the relationship between Zheng Yanxin and the Lord of Rihuang City, the fruit of the Heavenly Mulberry Tree should have appeared naturally.

However, it was hard to believe, and it repeatedly disappointed his expectations. He had done it himself.

His life had been a sprint toward the fruit. He was afraid of being hurt if he embraced hope too hastily.

"If this were compensation, it must be enormous."

Bai Miliu said with a somewhat disgusted look. The sunlight settled in her slightly upward-turned eyes.

It seemed she was reflecting on the events at the Blood Flame Sect's headquarters.

"You're right. It was a feat that even a decent expert would find hard to achieve in one go."

Qing Ming nodded and spoke.

"It was something that far exceeded your own martial prowess. It's not strange that the Lord of the City would call you. Even if there is a compatibility in martial arts, there are hardly any martial artists who have properly exploited it to such an extreme."

"That's why I'm a bit worried. You'll have to confront experts who have cultivated inner strength without any counteracting elements. There are far more opponents who haven't practiced demonic or blood arts. Don't be complacent in this competition."

Bai Miliu placed her hand on Zheng Yanxin's shoulder and said.

He slowly nodded.

"I understand my own abilities. I have to if I don't want to die in the Jianghu."

He knew it wasn't just Bai Miliu's concern.

He hadn't hidden many stories from his seniors, Ma Guangyi.

There's a saying that one should conceal one's full strength in the Jianghu, but he couldn't explain this mission without mentioning the Qinggang Hand of Demon Slaying and the sword techniques.

The senior experts who valued him had given him a few words of advice.

One memorable piece of advice was "Qinglüe Qianmou" (輕慮淺謀) — be wary of hasty and shallow thoughts.

It felt like a profound statement drawn from long experience in the Jianghu.

Zheng Yanxin, the young martial artist.

He had achieved great feats at a young age.

These were feats obtained through the creation of unique martial arts, but it was easy for a young man intoxicated by fame to mistake them for overall martial prowess.

"Judgment is for the enemy to make. Complacency is always the opponent's share."

Zheng Yanxin thought.

The words of his seniors, including Bai Miliu, were not out of place. However, they were unfounded.

More than anyone, he had poured his heart into his lifespan, and introspecting his martial arts level was a basic discipline.

First, he sought Qing Ming and Bai Miliu's understanding and then set off. His steps were toward the General Office.

There was no reason to worry. He intended to apply for the Nan Gong family's mission as soon as possible.

"I'll go see the General Office too."

Xian Yuan Chang smiled and followed. Zheng Yanxin walked alongside him, lost in thought.

"I am a blue expert that the Jianghu can be proud of. That's what I am now."

The Qinggang Hand of Demon Slaying was effective against the Sima sect and swordsmen with shallow inner strength. It only exerted its formidable power against these two types.

The higher the rank, the wider the gap in martial prowess.

A newly turned blue expert and a blue expert just before the black rank were different. There was a significant gap, like that between a junior and a senior.

A significant difference. He had heard that a single blue expert could handle three blue experts.

"What if the competition is divided by age, the opponents for Nan Gong's young master and his sister would likely be limited to those under thirty. Zheng Xiaoye, you have few equals. The Rihuang City's young master, who has seen you in action, thinks so."

Xian Yuan Chang's speech was smooth.

It seemed he had gained a peculiar confidence after causing a strange incident at the Rihuang City. It didn't look bad.

"Ah, Zheng Xiaoye."

While chatting, they had already arrived at the General Office. The clerk managing the entry log greeted Zheng Yanxin.

"You must have come to apply for the Nan Gong family's competition?"

"That's right."

"I'll record it. Although the notice has been up for a short time, many martial artists have already signed up. The Nan Gong family's reputation is indeed extraordinary. The task force's unusual restructuring also indicates this."

The clerk sighed, a hint of weariness in his exhalation.

"Are there that many applicants?"

Xian Yuan Chang poked his head in and asked. The clerk immediately nodded.

"This is the first time the task allocation has been so competitive. Originally, it should have been decided by the heads of the New Sword Corps and the General Office, but this time, they're accepting applicants regardless of affiliation... I can't quite understand the higher-ups' intentions. With so many applicants, Zheng Xiaoye, you should consider the competition."

The clerk's words were quite friendly, and he even provided information.

His face, looking at Zheng Yanxin, showed a faint goodwill. It seemed to be due to the greeting Zheng Yanxin had given last time.

When Zheng Yanxin slightly bowed his head, a clear voice came from behind.

"The Nan Gong family's top experts are that formidable. The notice from the General Office mentioned a complete victory. To achieve this, the task force should consist of selected personnel from each martial prowess level."

"You're right, young master."

Short agreement and breathy laughter followed.

The moment the first words were heard, Zheng Yanxin, who had already turned around, widened his eyes slightly.

A man in a blue robe was walking over, his attire fluttering magnificently.

His jawline was handsome, and his pitch-black eyes, which often flashed, exuded the aura of an expert.

His fair skin, like white porcelain, combined with a straight nose, created a striking presence.

He was a peerless young expert.

His presence was still strong. The women around him didn't even flinch.

"Nan Gong Xiaoye."

Zheng Yanxin's salute was met with an immediate bow from Nan Gong Huashen.

"Zheng Xiaoye. It's been a long time. Xian Yuan Xiaoye, it's the same for you. It feels like just yesterday we fought together in Rihuang City."

"Your skills seem even more refined."

Xian Yuan Chang saluted and narrowed his eyes slightly. Following his gaze, Zheng Yanxin also turned his eyes.

There were women surrounding Nan Gong Huashen.

All four were armed with weapons and exuded a polished aura. They seemed to be experts from the Shun Tian Yi.

"His network is impressive."

Zheng Yanxin thought.

There was no other way to interpret it. He could tell from the looks of those observing Nan Gong Huashen.

The warm light in the eyes of the Shun Tian Yi seniors and juniors was unmistakable.

"Is this Nan Gong's young master, Zheng Xiaoye?"

A white expert from the Shun Tian Yi, standing beside Nan Gong Huashen, asked. He had a silver ornament in his braided hair.

His slightly upturned eyes focused on Zheng Yanxin, but his attention was drawn to the ornament in his hair.

"Does a white expert spend time on his appearance?"

He wondered, saluting.

"Ma Guangyi, Zheng Xiaoye, that's correct."

"Shen Binbin. I know you owe a debt to Er Bin. He's my younger brother."

Zheng Yanxin had heard about his junior, Shen Xiaobin. Now that he listened, they did look similar.

"I also owe a debt."

He responded and exchanged greetings. Short compliments and pleasantries were exchanged.

Shen Binbin, who had been watching Zheng Yanxin, turned to Nan Gong Huashen and smiled.

"Nan Gong senior's path is quite lonely. It seems there are people who could be good companions, but I'm not sure."

The martial competition.

It had been three days. Twelve days remained until the full moon.

The General Office of Rihuang City announced the competition.

They said they would proceed with the competition as stated in the notice due to the large number of applicants.

"Zheng Xiaoye's internal injuries haven't healed yet."

"But it's not a situation where we can show mercy in our techniques, is it?"

"Who else but our youngest blue expert can cut down Nan Gong's young master?"

The Ma Guangyi experts were concerned.

Regardless, things were moving quickly. The General Office's handling of the event was like a sword thrust by an expert.

The match schedule was even released. It felt like a martial arts competition where bets were placed on the best in the vicinity.

People who saw the match schedule for the juniors said:

"They're divided into two groups."

"The General Office can't ignore Zheng Xiaoye and Bai Qilin."

The matches proceeded in order. Twice a day, they decided the outcomes under the observation of experts from other martial prowess levels.

The winners continued to demonstrate their martial arts.

Bai Qilin and Nan Gong Huashen advanced with overwhelming momentum.

There were no opponents of their age group, and they quickly reached the end of the schedule.

The experts who observed them had the same impression.

"Very solid. There are no weaknesses in his martial arts. He has built his qi cultivation properly."

"Does the Nan Gong family pour such elixirs even into their illegitimate children? His power is immense."

Zheng Yanxin's evaluation was a bit different. He had shown a stronger demeanor as the days went by.

It meant he was healing his internal injuries while competing.

All the experts agreed that his qi manipulation was exquisitely delicate.

"Bai Qilin is here again. He seems to have watched every match."

"Zheng Xiaoye is known for his unique techniques. It's a way to understand a strong opponent's martial arts."

"Ultimately, only two are left. The winner will face Nan Gong's young master, and the loser will face his sister. The difference in merit makes it a fierce competition."

"Zheng Xiaoye has been secluded except for the matches. It seems his internal injuries have healed, but he has another disadvantage."

Their words were correct.

Nan Gong Huashen appeared every time Zheng Yanxin competed.

He observed the matches, taking in Zheng Yanxin's unique techniques.

Huan Yi Step, Shihua Wuji Fist, Guanghua Sword Flow... Each technique revealed, the Rihuang City experts' exclamations echoed, and all these techniques were etched into Bai Qilin Nan Gong Huashen's eyes.

"I understand the reason, but I still don't know."

Shen Binbin said, sitting in a corner of the training ground in the center of Rihuang City, her chin resting on her hand.

Nan Gong Huashen slowly stood up beside her.

Zheng Yanxin had just won. Only the final match remained. The match between Bai Qilin and Zheng Yanxin.

Shen Binbin had heard from the family's top experts.

To the high-minded martial artists, Zheng Yanxin was a promising talent who had cultivated a special qi technique.

In a paper game, he was a card to be played unexpectedly against the Sima sect or enemies overwhelming by numbers. For now, that was the case.

"I know Zheng Xiaoye's techniques are quite high-minded. But that's true for Nan Gong senior as well, and most importantly, the difference in power..."

"I'll be back."

Nan Gong Huashen said.

At the same time, his body soared high. The fluttering blue robe carried the sky. Wu'ai Qingliu Body, the body technique of the Nan Gong family.

Rustle—

Bai Qilin, who had crossed the sky like Ling Kong Xu Dao, landed in the center of the training ground.

He took the seat in front of Zheng Yanxin. The people watching gasped.

"Truly a graceful body technique."

"There's no flaw. It's perfect. There's nothing lacking."

Nan Gong Huashen seemed to ignore the comments around him. After silently observing Zheng Yanxin, his clear voice spoke.

"The competition ground we met in Rihuang City was simple, but this place is quite grand. There are many spectators."

"Hehe. I know there are deep reasons for your application. Please forgive me for not yielding."

"Haha. Don't you have your own reasons, young master?"

"I'll share my thoughts later. Would you like to go to Nan Zhi Li together?"

Nan Gong Huashen laughed again at Zheng Yanxin's response.

"Sharing stories on the way to slay your half-brother. It would have a certain charm. It would have been better if it were just the two of us."

Zheng Yanxin thought differently. The attention of Rihuang City's martial artists was intensely focused on this spot.

The clerks of the General Office were also there. It meant that the martial prowess displayed here could influence future appointments.

He needed to make an impressive showing.

He had felt Nan Gong Huashen's gaze throughout the matches. It was a matter he couldn't easily address.

He didn't know the story behind Nan Gong Huashen, who had applied to personally slay his half-brother.

'I know my techniques have been analyzed.'

An expert like Bai Qilin would have prepared a counter. It might not completely dismantle them, but it would be very threatening.

It's fine. A Jianghu person is always prepared. They stake their life, honor, and martial arts on anything.

Knowing the enemy and knowing oneself is the same. Nan Gong Huashen knew the enemy.

Zheng Yanxin had focused on knowing himself. It was to take another step forward.

'The martial art that can currently unleash the greatest power with a single strike is the Qinggang Hand of Demon Slaying.'

Even if the opponent had practiced orthodox techniques, it was the same.

However, the Qinggang Hand of Demon Slaying was a hand technique. It couldn't be used with a sword.

Even if he applied the formula to the maximum, the limit was a combination of fist and palm techniques.

He needed the Shihua Wuji Fist.

There were three techniques. Spiral, Shield, and Flower.

He created Spiral after seeing Qing Ming's previous techniques.

Shield originated from the fist techniques shown by the Rihuang Demon Sect's demon master.

Luo Ying Palm, practiced by Liu Xian, the chief disciple of the Huashan Sect, inspired Flower.

Spiral was rotational, Shield was powerful, and Flower was versatile.

"Begin."

The black expert in charge of the match said. It was the Demon Slaying Chief he hadn't seen in a long time.

Woo!

As Nan Gong Huashen drew his sword, a clear sword cry echoed, and Zheng Yanxin reflected on the past.

It felt like a long time ago.

All the martial arts Zheng Yanxin had created so far relied on inspiration.

The sword techniques and Guanghua Sword Flow, as well as the body technique, were no different. He had created his own after seeing others' results.

It didn't have to be that way for all techniques. He had accumulated much knowledge. The essence of creation was one.

'You create what you need.'

The moment Nan Gong Huashen's sword reached his chin, Zheng Yanxin did just that.

It was a palm technique. He had ample material.

A sinister aura and a clear blue light intertwined.

Simultaneously deploying different powers, he wove them into the essence of a spell formation. The noise was loud.

It sounded like the wind at a riverbank mixed with the whispers of demons. It meant they were not neutralized and were repelling each other.

Boom!

The moment he spread his palm, the fourth technique stirred.