Chapter 25: The Strong

Jiang Xiaotian could feel the oppressive force radiating from that martial artist—this was no gentle touch like Ye Wan’er’s; the man struck with utter ruthlessness, holding nothing back! If he failed to withstand it, he might well end up seriously injured, or even lose his life!

He had no experience in real combat, so his first instinct was to dodge. But Ling’er was right behind him—how could he retreat? Without hesitation, Jiang Xiaotian threw his own punch!

The two fists collided with a thunderous crash, and both men staggered back several steps. Jiang Xiaotian shook his hand in pain, but the martial artist was left utterly shocked.

“Impossible! This kid’s been pretending to be weak! There’s no way he should have been able to take that punch!”

The crowd was equally stunned and suspicious.

The assailant was Zhang Li, a martial artist retained by the Jiang family of Linhai. It was said that if he gave his all, he could shatter great stones unscathed!

Yet now, despite Jiang Xiaotian’s poor reaction, he had indeed blocked the attack!

Fang Ye, after a moment’s surprise, smirked with amusement. “No wonder—so you’ve got some tricks up your sleeve.”

But Zhang Li’s expression was far uglier. He had underestimated his opponent, and with his attack neutralized, he’d lost all face!

Without a word, he steadied his stance, powered his waist, and punched again.

This time, Jiang Xiaotian didn’t think of dodging. He advanced to meet the blow.

Gradually regaining his composure, he recalled the dragon form fist he had practiced so diligently. Every day he trained, and all for this moment—to protect himself, to shield Ling’er.

So just as Zhang Li was about to send him flying, Jiang Xiaotian spun aside in a fluid, seamless movement, evading the punch. While Zhang Li was still caught off guard, Jiang Xiaotian struck low.

To put it bluntly, he kicked him right where it hurt most.

Zhang Li, sunk deep in his stance, never expected such a dirty move! He had no time to dodge; with a cry of pain, both hands covered his groin, and he crumpled to the ground, curled up like a shrimp.

Unrefined, perhaps, but undeniably effective.

Everyone looked down on Jiang Xiaotian’s underhanded tactic, but Fang Ye and another martial artist were both a little surprised.

It was so fast—at the very instant he dodged Zhang Li’s attack, it was clear no ordinary man could have reacted. But it was precisely this extremity that opened the door for a counterattack.

“Pah! And you call yourself a martial artist, fighting so dirty when you can’t win head-on?”

“No wonder you’re Lin Zhi’s apprentice—like master, like disciple!”

There was no shortage of reproach, but not a soul dared step forward. After all, they were ordinary folk, and Jiang Xiaotian was a genuine martial artist who had just defeated Zhang Li. None of them wanted to risk their own future generations.

Especially the Jiang family members, who hurriedly helped Zhang Li away, casting Jiang Xiaotian looks of utter hatred.

Fang Ye had no intention of intervening; before true power, such petty tricks were meaningless.

He scrutinized Jiang Xiaotian repeatedly, seeing flaws all over him—if he were to strike, the boy would not last a single exchange.

But Fang Ye’s true aim was not Jiang Xiaotian. He had only come to seek Lin Zhi’s martial arts. Now, if he could obtain Ling’er as well, and combine her with Lin Zhi’s skills… The thought left him almost giddy with excitement.

He glanced at the other martial artist; their eyes met, and the latter nodded. In a flash, that man appeared before Jiang Xiaotian.

He was short but incredibly fast, like a specter, able to kill in a heartbeat.

Yet Jiang Xiaotian was not at all afraid—in fact, he grew excited. He realized that putting his dragon form fist to use in real combat was far more exhilarating than the daily monotony of practice.

He was just about to strike when sudden footsteps sounded behind him!

“Hm?” The wiry man before him glanced over Jiang Xiaotian’s shoulder, frowned slightly, and swiftly withdrew.

A figure swept past Jiang Xiaotian, not pausing, but attacking the martial artist directly!

When Jiang Xiaotian saw who it was, his eyes widened in disbelief.

The girl moved with astonishing speed. Before the gathered crowd, she seized her opponent’s shoulder with one hand.

“You—ah!” The man hadn’t finished speaking when she spun, landing a roundhouse kick that sent him flying.

Her feet landed firmly, while her adversary was already incapacitated on the ground.

Yet another master!

The onlookers drew sharp breaths of astonishment.

Footsteps sounded again at the door, accompanied by laughter.

An elderly man strolled in, surveying the room. “I wonder, who is bullying my junior nephew?”

At the sight of him, everyone was dumbfounded—even Fang Ye’s smile faded, for the newcomer struck him as exceedingly dangerous.

“Chen Yu! It’s really you! You dare come back?” someone shouted in rage once they recovered.

Chen Yu only laughed heartily. “Of course, I dare. Do you dare to make a move? I hear the Sun family has brought in a young genius, twenty years old and already at the mid-stage of external strength. But why not ask him if he dares face me, instead of all this bluster?”

The man fell silent, seething but unable to retort.

For Chen Yu was already at the pinnacle of external strength, only a step away from attaining inner strength. When that day came, there would be few in all Linhai who could threaten his life.

Fang Ye, genius though he was, was no match for him now.

As his challengers fell quiet, Chen Yu shook his head. “My senior brother died alone and unavenged, and now, his only disciple returns to pay respects and is bullied by you. Do you think my sect is defenseless?”

Silence. No one dared provoke a true powerhouse.

Though he practiced forbidden arts, none had ever dared seek retribution from Chen Yu—they simply couldn’t win.

In the end, the leader of the Sun family bowed and took his leave.

Fang Ye cast Ling’er a look full of longing and regret, but he was in no hurry. Ling’er would be his—of that, he was certain.

With the Sun family, the strongest present, gone, the others soon found their excuse to depart as well.

In just a few minutes, only a handful remained.

Brother Long, who had been observing from the sidelines, was now beside himself with delight—Jiang Xiaotian’s martial uncle was this formidable! With a single word, he’d sent Linhai’s martial artists packing! Still, he dared not approach recklessly, and lingered nearby, waiting for his chance.

Jiang Xiaotian gazed at Chen Yu, his own heart racing. So that guy hadn’t tricked him—help had truly arrived! Yet he never imagined it would be Ye Wan’er!

She shot him a fierce glare, but then seemed to recall something, turning her face away.

“Oh? So you two know each other?” Chen Yu, every inch the master, was exactly the kind of martial artist Jiang Xiaotian had always admired—white beard, elderly, an air of immortal grace and poise.

Jiang Xiaotian couldn’t help but feel a bit of awe.

“He’s really annoying,” Ye Wan’er snorted coldly.

Chen Yu smiled, but his attention shifted to Ling’er. A flash of astonishment crossed his eyes, but in an instant, all emotion was suppressed.

Yet he didn’t realize that Ling’er had been watching him closely all along, catching his every move.

“Truly worthy of my sect—she’s quite beautiful,” he mused, but said nothing aloud. No need to lay all cards on the table, especially with Ye Wan’er still in the dark.

Jiang Xiaotian, for his part, was oblivious and thought nothing of it.

Ye Wan’er, too, noticed Ling’er, and was taken aback—this girl’s beauty was almost unreal!

Of course, Ling’er was staring right back at her.

So she’s the source of that feminine scent on Jiang Xiaotian!

Ling’er gave a dissatisfied huff, then grew even more annoyed—why should she care?

“All right, whatever needs to be said, let’s talk slowly. Come with me. You’re Jiang Xiaotian, aren’t you?” Chen Yu asked with a warm smile.

When Jiang Xiaotian nodded, he led Ye Wan’er out, clearly unwilling to linger in Lin Zhi’s home.

Jiang Xiaotian was about to follow when Ling’er grabbed his arm. “What, entranced by a woman already?”

“Huh? That’s my martial uncle! Isn’t he amazing? Now that’s a true martial artist!”

But Ling’er’s next words instantly chilled his heart. “He is that girl’s master. Your friend—she will ultimately be destroyed by him.”