Free Web NovelChapter 174: Chapter 122: Crushing!
Daqian, Year Seven of the Mingjing Era. The ninth day of the third month. Auspicious for breaking ground, inauspicious for burials.
On this day, the front of the Jingwu Bureau Office was buzzing with activity. Before noon, the surrounding streets were already packed to the brim with Martial Artists from all walks of life, blocking all passage.
The nearby restaurants and teahouses were packed to capacity, filled with a clamor of voices as everyone fervently discussed the impending battle.
After a month of brewing, this duel had long since become the center of attention throughout Ning’an Prefecture.
This battle was not just about the victory or defeat of two Chaoyuan realm Martial Masters; it also involved the pride of two major powers. On one side was the Iron Sword Sect, which had shown signs of decline in recent years but still possessed a deep foundation. On the other was the Jingwu Bureau, whose authority grew daily, hanging over the Jianghu like a sharp sword.
If this battle could be used to blunt the Jingwu Bureau’s edge, many Jianghu influences would be delighted to see it happen. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
The murmurs of discussion from the crowd were endless and varied: some speculated on how many opponents Xiong Lie could defeat in a row, while others wondered if the Jingwu Bureau would pull a surprising move, perhaps even calling in an expert from an Outer Mansion.
Even more people had their heads together, comparing the betting odds for the day and whispering about who they had placed their wagers on.
Before the battle had even begun, the atmosphere was already at a boiling point.
Li Xuanche had long since chosen a prime viewing spot. Fanning himself with a folding fan and sipping Spirit Tea, he quietly awaited the start of the great battle.
He was certain that the one fighting for the Jingwu Bureau today would be Chen Sheng. After all, this whole affair had started because of him. If not for Chen Sheng, the Iron Sword Sect would never have sent Xiong Lie to issue a challenge.
Thinking of the humiliation the Han Family had suffered, a glint of coldness flashed in Li Xuanche’s eyes. He only hoped to personally witness Chen Sheng being utterly crushed by Xiong Lie, which would finally vent the frustration in his chest.
He was eager to see if Chen Sheng, once defeated, would still be as overbearing as he had been that day.
Wang Zilan, the legitimate daughter of the Wang Family, also appeared in a private room on the other side. She stood quietly by the railing, her gaze cool and detached.
In addition, sects like Qingfeng Temple, the Danxia Sect, and Golden Spring Temple had all sent disciples to observe the battle.
This time, however, they were not only focused on the outcome of the fight but also wished to use this opportunity to gauge Xiong Lie’s true strength. According to the judgment of the various powers, once this man succeeded in Condensing Evil, he would surely challenge for a position among the "Ning’an Ten Heroes."
And there were only ten spots in total for the "Ning’an Ten Heroes." Excluding one member from the Jingwu Bureau and one Loose Cultivator, only eight remained.
Each of the six major powers occupied one of these eight positions.
Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple, however, each held an additional spot thanks to their profound foundations and constant stream of brilliant talent.
If the Iron Sword Sect also wanted to occupy two seats, they would inevitably have to push someone else out. For this reason, the various powers had already begun to make their covert preparations.
...
As for the Jingwu Bureau, they had also dispatched all their elites today.
Aside from those away on missions, nearly every Peacekeeper Envoy stationed in the prefecture was present, and several experts from outlying towns had even been specially recalled.
Dozens of Peacekeeper Envoys in black official robes stood solemnly, the atmosphere heavy.
This battle concerned the honor of the Government Office; failure was not an option.
If their champion was defeated, they were ready to take his place.
Inside the Jingwu Bureau, Zhao Changqiu and Lu Cheng stood shoulder to shoulder, their expressions solemn.
Xu Shenzhi, Li Huai Sheng, and the others clenched their fists, silently praying for Chen Sheng. This battle was not just about the pride of the Jingwu Bureau; it was also about the future of followers like themselves.
By high noon, the entire long street was packed so tightly that not even a gust of wind could pass.
Just as the crowd was waiting with bated breath, a streak of earthy-yellow light tore through the air.
Xiong Lie, wearing the robe of a True Inheritor of the Iron Sword Sect, had a figure as imposing as a mountain. After a few bounds, he landed steadily before the main gates of the Jingwu Bureau.
His long hair was tied up high, and the two sections of the Iron Long Spear on his back glinted with a cold light. He made no effort to conceal his ferocious aura as his gaze, sharp as lightning, swept across the entire area.
Although he had appeared calm and nonchalant in front of Li Xuanche, Xiong Lie was actually taking this battle extremely seriously.
After all, the Jingwu Bureau was full of hidden masters, and no one knew if they had an ace up their sleeve.
Moreover, this battle was not just about personal victory or defeat; it was tied to the reputation of his sect.
"Xiong Lie of the Iron Sword Sect is here to pay my respects! I invite my peers from the Jingwu Bureau to come forth and offer their guidance!"
Xiong Lie’s voice was like a great bell, rolling outwards infused with powerful True Qi and causing the wind chimes on the eaves to jingle.
The moment his voice fell, a sharp, imposing aura surged skyward from within the Jingwu Bureau.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a tall figure in a sixth-rank Embroidered Official Robe stepped out onto the air, his clothes snapping in the wind. With a long saber at his waist and a gaze as sharp as a blade, it was none other than Chen Sheng.
Xiong Lie’s pupils shrank slightly. Sensing the condensed, sharp edge of his opponent’s aura, he immediately recognized the man’s identity—though they had never met, he had seen a portrait of Chen Sheng before.
But upon confirming that his opponent was indeed Chen Sheng, a trace of disappointment actually flickered through Xiong Lie’s heart.
’As far as I know, this man only entered the Innate realm a few months ago. Even if he refined an Earth Core Lotus Seed, how much progress could he have possibly made?’
"You are Chen Sheng?"
Xiong Lie spoke in a deep voice, his tone laced with a hint of admonishment. "Step down. Have someone else come. You are not yet worthy of fighting me."
Chen Sheng’s expression did not change at his words. He simply looked down upon Xiong Lie from his high vantage point, his voice carrying clearly across the entire area:
"Enough with the nonsense. Get up here and die!"
"Arrogant!"
Such a merciless response instantly sent Xiong Lie into a rage.
He had harbored some appreciation for the man’s talent, but it seemed his opponent didn’t know what was good for him.
The next moment, Xiong Lie’s figure erupted.
Like a cannonball, he shot toward the sky, closing in on Chen Sheng in an instant. His right fist, brimming with ferocious True Qi, blasted straight toward his opponent’s face with no fancy moves.
This punch looked simple, but it contained the essence of the Iron Sword Sect’s "Mountain-Breaking Fist." As the fist flew, the very air shrieked and boomed as if being torn apart.
Facing this ferocious strike, Chen Sheng neither dodged nor retreated. With a mere thought, the phantom image of a ten-foot-tall Golden Bell materialized in an instant, encasing him completely.
