Chapter 79

Competition (3)

Whoosh!

The moment Jinbi's fist technique, Jingfa, shattered the sword energy with a step of the Huan Yibao, he realized he had returned to the basics.

He felt a sense of mastery as if the martial arts techniques were being engraved into his entire body's meridians.

Nangong Huashen's face came into view. Despite his clenched teeth, his pale complexion remained calm.

Perhaps because he was used to overwhelming his opponents with power even if he was outmatched in skill.

Zheng Lianxin paid no attention. He leaned his slightly tilted upper body forward.

He had just crushed the sword energy thrust by his opponent with his steps. His left palm and right sword now had room to maneuver.

'This is it.'

He had to decide the match here. His inner energy was running out. If he prolonged it, he would lose.

He decided to use it again.

At the moment he thrust the white-lighted Rihuang Sword in his right hand, he activated the Contrary Technique with his left hand. His mind felt refreshed.

The power began to unfold from the Neiguan point beneath his wrist.

He enveloped the blood circulation technique and the Qinggang Hand with the Contrary Palm Technique.

Whoosh!

He entrusted the incomplete fourth move of the Shihua Wujiguan to the flow.

At that moment, a white sword light filled his vision. Nangong Huashen, who had deflected a sword strike from the Guanghua Sword School, was launching a counterattack.

The sword energy of the Changgong Wuaijian surged like invisible arrows. The air split into several streams, emitting a short cry.

Zheng Lianxin paid no attention and spread his palm.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, Nangong Huashen's figure swirled like a snowstorm. He attacked with a gentle curve.

His footwork was exquisite, combining evasion and counterattack. It seemed he was trying to strike from the side.

'If it's Nangong Xiaoxia.'

He had expected this. Bai Qilin was a master who could react to even the slightest hint of a technique.

Zheng Lianxin guessed the psychology behind his defensive stance. It was a cautious movement, wary of the power of the fourth move.

He had used this move once in this competition. Nangong Huashen didn't know its flaw. For now, that was enough.

Whoosh!

He bent his hand backward, not aiming forward.

It was a form of emitting palm energy backward.

He filled the Shou Jueyin Xinbaojing meridian, running from his shoulder to the middle of his left arm, with overlapping inner energy.

Without hesitation, he unleashed the Contrary Palm Technique and the Qinggang Hand.

Boom!

It felt like a cannonball exploded in his arm. The palm energy distorted like a storm, sweeping across his vision. An immense load was placed on his left foot, which he used as an axis. He spun, supported by his inner power.

"......!"

Nangong Huashen's face appeared at the edge of his vision. His eyes were wide.

Having already changed direction once with his footwork, even Bai Qilin couldn't react in time.

The speed of the Wuai Qingliu's surge was truly fast.

He was already striking from Zheng Lianxin's side, having changed his position with a single palm technique.

Swoosh!

Zheng Lianxin felt a complete rotation of his body. It was truly like a gale.

It was a fleeting moment.

His innate senses shone. The whirlwind of inner energy seemed to guide his body on its own.

He tightened the flow of power from his ankle to his thigh and waist, then up to his right arm.

Zing!

A sword was sent flying. The sword blade, which had been spinning continuously, finally fell to the ground.

Rustle!

Zheng Lianxin's body, which had spun twice more with the Rihuang Sword, came to a stop.

The blue robe fluttered once and settled. He was holding his sword blade.

The sunlight reflected on the blade of the Rihuang Sword, extending long and shimmering.

The last move was a technique he had learned from Ma Guangyi.

Zhumojing. A unique martial technique he had learned from Qingming's swordsmanship. It was a culmination of all his martial arts.

'It hurts.'

His grip was tingling. A numbing vibration rose to his wrist.

"......"

A moment of silence fell. It was due to the scene that fully entered the eyes of the spectators.

Nangong Huashen had lost his sword.

A young talent who had mastered the long-standing skills of the Bagua had been defeated by a younger master.

It was a hard thing to say, and anyone who wasn't him felt the same.

Therefore, the person who broke the silence was the main competitor.

"It's not a real fight."

Nangong Huashen slowly parted his lips.

"Mixing more techniques with palm strikes is beneath me."

The most promising young master of Shunchen Yi, a handsome young expert, had a slight smile on his lips.

There was no hesitation in his gesture of raising his hand in a bow. Perhaps he didn't care about the result.

Despite his efforts to win, he smiled as if satisfied with the match.

"Zheng Xiaoxia, it was a good match. I admit defeat."

His demeanor was as upright as a righteous martial artist, making him seem very remarkable.

'Since the entrance exam... my sword flew away.'

A strange feeling arose. Was it a sense of the passage of time? He clearly remembered losing his sword blade when he couldn't withstand Nangong Huashen's sword power.

During the entrance exam, he had relied on Bai Qilin's generosity, but today had come.

It was a testament to his growth.

Zheng Lianxin straightened his posture, spreading his inner energy throughout his body's meridians. His body was stiff from the intense battle.

He had exerted more power than his usual skill level throughout the match.

Surprisingly, Nangong Huashen's body seemed to be in better condition, but fortunately, he could return the bow without showing it.

"I learned a lot. I am very grateful."

Ma Guangyi and Shunchen Yi's Bai Qilin raised their hands in a bow to each other.

It was a scene of the future of Rihuang City bowing. Only then did the audience react.

Some discussed the two's future, while others, young and talented martial artists, were excited by the various martial principles displayed. Some couldn't resist the urge to practice and picked up their swords...

Among them, admiration and cheers filled the central training ground.

"I didn't expect to say such a cliché. The future of our sect is bright."

"Bai Qilin would have shone even in the righteous martial world. His generous character is truly admirable."

"I'm curious about Shenyi's unique martial arts. I heard one martial technique was admitted to the martial arts library, but its system is very complex..."

"The elders couldn't even join. I wonder about the others. If he had created such powerful martial arts alone... he could have formed his own sect immediately."

"Perhaps, it might be better to do that rather than excel in the front lines. If he loses in a life-or-death battle with the Nangong family, wouldn't it be a waste of his remarkable skills? Qing Qilin, one of the Qingbai Twin Qilins, is a master who has practiced for several more years than Bai Qilin."

The man who mentioned defeat had to close his mouth immediately.

It was due to the former leader of the Divine Sword Squad, who was staring at him intently.

He exuded a deep and calm aura with just his gaze, making the rumors of his rapid decline after his prime seem baseless.

A small commotion arose.

However, it was separate from the central training ground.

Thud.

Mie Shen Daizhu approached Zheng Lianxin and Nangong Huashen.

His expression seemed indifferent to the commotion, and his thin body was still encased in a powerful aura like iron armor, which was quite impressive.

He was the one who had killed the head of the Huangbao family, who had hidden a secret technique. He seemed to have become even stronger since then.

"Shenyi, you have fought Nangong Shaojia."

He said.

"Bai Qilin, cut off the head of Changling Huazhu."

He was referring to Nangong Huashen's half-sister.

True to Mie Shen Daizhu's character. His expression was indifferent even as he mentioned a family conflict.

He had been a formidable expert who roamed the martial world for nearly twenty years as a black-robed expert of Rihuang City.

Zheng Lianxin had heard that his veins were filled with metal instead of blood.

"......"

Nangong Huashen took a bow with a stiff face.

What kind of story was behind this? He was a remarkably fair and upright person.

Zheng Lianxin rarely felt curious about others' affairs.

'Nangong Zhi Li is quite far away.'

They had agreed to talk about their pasts before the match. He could hear it on the way.

He had just shattered the sword energy thrust by his opponent with his steps. His left palm and right sword now had room to maneuver.

'This is it.'

He had to decide the match here. His inner energy was running out. If he prolonged it, he would lose.

He decided to use it again.

Whoosh!

He bent his hand backward, not aiming forward.

It was a form of emitting palm energy backward.

He filled the Shou Jueyin Xinbaojing meridian, running from his shoulder to the middle of his left arm, with overlapping inner energy.

Without hesitation, he unleashed the Contrary Palm Technique and the Qinggang Hand.

Boom!

It felt like a cannonball exploded in his arm. The palm energy distorted like a storm, sweeping across his vision. An immense load was placed on his left foot, which he used as an axis. He spun, supported by his inner power.

"......!"

Nangong Huashen's face appeared at the edge of his vision. His eyes were wide.

Having already changed direction once with his footwork, even Bai Qilin couldn't react in time.

The speed of the Wuai Qingliu's surge was truly fast.

He was already striking from Zheng Lianxin's side, having changed his position with a single palm technique.

Swoosh!

Zheng Lianxin felt a complete rotation of his body. It was truly like a gale.

It was a fleeting moment.

His innate senses shone. The whirlwind of inner energy seemed to guide his body on its own.

He tightened the flow of power from his ankle to his thigh and waist, then up to his right arm.

Zing!

A sword was sent flying. The sword blade, which had been spinning continuously, finally fell to the ground.

Rustle!

Zheng Lianxin's body, which had spun twice more with the Rihuang Sword, came to a stop.

The blue robe fluttered once and settled. He was holding his sword blade.

The sunlight reflected on the blade of the Rihuang Sword, extending long and shimmering.

The last move was a technique he had learned from Ma Guangyi.

Zhumojing. A unique martial technique he had learned from Qingming's swordsmanship. It was a culmination of all his martial arts.

'It hurts.'

His grip was tingling. A numbing vibration rose to his wrist.

"......"

A moment of silence fell. It was due to the scene that fully entered the eyes of the spectators.

Nangong Huashen had lost his sword.

A young talent who had mastered the long-standing skills of the Bagua had been defeated by a younger master.

It was a hard thing to say, and anyone who wasn't him felt the same.

Therefore, the person who broke the silence was the main competitor.

"It's not a real fight."

Nangong Huashen slowly parted his lips.

"Mixing more techniques with palm strikes is beneath me."

The most promising young master of Shunchen Yi, a handsome young expert, had a slight smile on his lips.

There was no hesitation in his gesture of raising his hand in a bow. Perhaps he didn't care about the result.

Despite his efforts to win, he smiled as if satisfied with the match.

"Zheng Xiaoxia, it was a good match. I admit defeat."

His demeanor was as upright as a righteous martial artist, making him seem very remarkable.

Zheng Lianxin felt a rare curiosity about others' affairs.

'Nangong Zhi Li is quite far away.'

They had agreed to talk about their pasts before the match. He could hear it on the way.

They were martial artists. They felt it even without words. Their bond had grown closer through their sword exchanges.

"Shenyi."

Mie Shen Daizhu called him. His gaze was peculiar.

"I saw you refine your martial arts here. It's a pity to let such remarkable skills go to waste. If you ever create a secret manual, many people will shed blood to obtain it. When you step into the martial world."

It was a thought Zheng Lianxin hadn't considered. He remained silent.

"Take care to guard your martial arts."

The force in the hand that gripped the young man's shoulder slightly increased.

Mie Shen Daizhu, having glanced at the two promising young men, turned and walked away.

Nangong Huashen shrugged and approached.

"It seems to be a word worth heeding. Extraordinary martial arts often invite bloodshed. Haven't the graves of unknown demons been dug up many times?"

"I have heard that."

Zheng Lianxin nodded silently.

Nangong Huashen, with a face that seemed more relaxed, smiled and said,

"I have suffered consecutive defeats. By one Xiaoxia."

"Who knows if we meet again with our swords?"

"Perhaps not immediately. But you know, I have personally experienced your growth. From the entrance exam to now."

He smiled and said,

"In about a year, the opponent you will face will be different. Even among the Thirteen Thousand of the Four Evils and the Nine Sects and Eight Families. At least not someone of your age."

"......"

It was an awkward response, but not incorrect. To reach the rank of the Divine Sword Squad leader, he had to do this.

He would need to achieve a level of martial prowess that could suppress numerous renowned experts who were already famous in the world.

"However, now is now. If I may advise, Zheng Xiaoxia, it would be good to refine that peculiar palm technique and sword skill further. Also, try to increase your inner power as much as possible. Regardless of what elixir you use."

Nangong Huashen said seriously.

"My elder brother... is very strong. His martial arts are the same. I have never beaten him before leaving the main house. It's not a good idea to think you can win with inner power alone. If you consider the elixirs he has consumed as the eldest son of the Nangong family, he will be among the best of his age."

"I will keep it in mind."

Zheng Lianxin bowed slightly.

He had already found his path. What he needed was time.

"The sun has set."

Nangong Huashen muttered, returning the bow.

The sunset, signaling the end of the day, was still vivid.

People began to leave as the red shadows deepened without any sign of twilight.

Some remained in their seats.

"I knew it would end like this!"

Among them were Ma Guangyi's colleagues, including Xian Yuan Chang, and the experts of Shunchen Yi.

Shen Binbin, sitting on the opposite tier, had a complicated expression.

Zheng Lianxin looked at Shen Xiaobin, a junior of Ma Guangyi, sitting next to her. Her large, round eyes were still the same.

Binbin and Xiaobin. They seemed like sisters at first glance. He could guess what they had been talking about.

Shen Xiaobin's smile was quite amusing, looking quite pleased.

As the attendants cleared the seats, the Grand Steward of Rihuang City approached with a smile.

His gaze, alternating between Zheng Lianxin and Nangong Huashen, seemed pleased.

"It was an impressive match."

"Grand Steward."

"Meeting the Grand Steward."

Zheng Lianxin and Nangong Huashen's bows deepened his smile.

"It takes time to deliver the official notice. We need to declare war on the Nangong family first. However, we should receive the results within a week."

His praise was the last.

The competition, long and short, had come to an end.

It was a day when many names, including Ma Guangyi's Shenyi, were strongly etched into the vast Rihuang City.

* * *

Afterward.

Time passed in a blur.

Many people came to visit from the very next day. The aftermath was different from the ceremonial and blue-robed promotion ceremonies.

A considerable number of Rihuang City's experts took an interest in the figures who would face the Nangong family. They couldn't help it.

The First Family of the World.

While the Thirteen Thousand of the Four Evils might deny it, the righteous martial artists always mentioned the Nangong family when discussing the best of the secular world.

It was a family that spoke of the strongest righteous sect among the secular martial arts. A one-on-one match between Nangong and Rihuang would shake the entire martial world.

'Soon. There are only a few days left.'

Zheng Lianxin tried not to go out. He mostly stayed in his room, avoiding going out.

He repeatedly practiced breathing techniques, circulating his inner energy through his body's meridians and fine vessels several times.

He focused all his efforts on bringing his internal state to its best. He also worked hard to make the healing ointment for his external injuries dissolve quickly.

The sunset continued to fade. He waited for the half-moon to fill with its glow.

'Soon.'

Every time he completed the major circulation of the upper body's blood vessels, one person's face came to mind.

He was a formidable existence, both in status and martial prowess.

The full moon was approaching.