Free Web NovelChapter 21: Chapter 21: Martial Contest
During their training at the martial arts hall, Chen Zhengtong had always wanted to find an opportunity to teach Chen Shouheng a lesson.
But because those in the Force Cultivation stage were considered apprentices and weren’t allowed to spar freely with others—only those at the Marrow Refining level were—he had to put the thought aside for the time being.
Looking at him today, his Tiger Subduing Fist was only at Minor Achievement, and his Powerful Qi had only reached the level of Dark Force. The gap between them was simply too vast.
So vast, in fact, that he couldn’t even be bothered to cause trouble for him anymore.
If it hadn’t been for his father’s request to humiliate Chen Li’s family in front of the villagers today, he wouldn’t have even bothered to fight him.
At this moment, he couldn’t even be bothered to use the Tingtiao Swordsmanship from the Tingtiao Martial Arts Hall.
He casually raised his left hand, fingers spread, preparing to swat Chen Shouheng’s fist away like a fly. "Decent strength, but your form is too direct, lacking any variation..."
However, just as the last word left his lips, the situation changed dramatically!
The instant Chen Shouheng’s fist was about to touch Chen Zhengtong’s palm, the Powerful Qi he had been deliberately suppressing erupted from within him like a dormant volcano.
His seemingly straightforward punch suddenly dropped, his wrist twisting unnaturally as his fist morphed into a claw.
His five fingers, now like hooks, let out a sharp whistle as they tore through the air, their speed suddenly increasing several times over.
His target was no longer Chen Zhengtong’s chest, but the arm he had so carelessly extended.
The change was as fast as lightning, completely exceeding Chen Zhengtong’s expectations.
The smile on his face froze instantly, his pupils shrinking.
A profound sense of danger made the hairs on his body stand on end.
He wanted to change his move and block, but his underestimation of his opponent had made him half a beat too slow. In his haste, he could only manage to tense the muscles in his arm, attempting to take the blow head-on.
RRRIP!
A tearing sound rang out!
Chen Shouheng struck with his full power, all his Powerful Qi surging into his right hand, which clamped down on Chen Zhengtong’s arm like the sharp claws of a real tiger.
Chen Zhengtong’s brand-new silk sleeve was instantly ripped open, and five bloody gashes, so deep the bone was visible, were left on his arm. The skin was split, the flesh torn, and blood gushed out immediately.
"AHH!"
The intense pain caused Chen Zhengtong to let out a piercing scream. As if struck by a heavy blow, he staggered back several steps, his face instantly turning deathly pale as cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
He clutched his bleeding arm, staring at Chen Shouheng in disbelief, his eyes filled with terror and rage.
’Marrow Refining!’
The power and speed contained in that last claw attack—how could that be Dark Force?
It was definitely the Marrow Refining Realm!
And that explosive power was even a sliver stronger than his own.
There was no way his opponent had only just broken through to the Marrow Refining realm.
The courtyard fell into a deathly silence.
The guests, who had been clapping and cheering just moments before, were now completely silent.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden reversal.
Having succeeded with his first strike, Chen Shouheng did not press his advantage.
He slowly retracted his stance and stood firm. The hint of "nervousness" on his face was long gone, replaced by a calm and sharp demeanor.
He cupped his fist to the grimacing Chen Zhengtong. His voice, calm yet clear, reached everyone’s ears. "Uncle Tong, thank you for letting me win. My master’s Tiger Subduing Fist is all about catching one by surprise and attacking when they are unprepared."
The smug look on Chen Yongquan’s face had vanished, replaced by a livid, thunderous expression!
He rushed forward to support his son. Seeing the wound that was deep enough to show bone, he trembled with heartache and pointed an angry finger at Chen Shouheng, roaring, "How dare you strike such a heavy blow!"
Chen Li also stood up at this moment, a perfectly measured expression of surprise and apology on his face. He quickly walked over. "Uncle Quan, please calm down. Shouheng is still young and doesn’t know how to control his strength. I was against him sparring with Zhengtong from the very beginning."
As he spoke, he turned to Chen Shouheng. "Hurry up and apologize to your Uncle Tong." freёwebnovel.com
Chen Shouheng immediately bowed, his attitude sincere. "Uncle Tong, I’m sorry. I couldn’t pull back my hand in time. Please forgive me!"
Chen Zhengtong was in too much pain to speak, merely glaring at Chen Shouheng with venomous eyes.
Chen Yongquan was trembling with rage, but with everyone watching, his son had been the one to initiate the challenge, and the other party had apologized. If he made a scene now, he would just look petty.
He could only suppress his anger and say through gritted teeth, "Good! What a fine display of ’catching one by surprise.’ Chen Li, you’ve raised a fine son. Very impressive."
The atmosphere of the martial banquet, which was originally meant for showing off, had dropped to a freezing point.
The guests exchanged glances and whispered amongst themselves.
Chen Yongquan hastily pulled his son, Chen Zhengtong, away to find a physician.
Chen Li, pulling his two sons along, also made a hasty departure, using the excuse of "not wanting to disturb Zhengtong’s recovery."
After leaving Chen Yongquan’s home.
Walking on the road home, Chen Shouheng finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a "Pfft!" of laughter. He quickly covered his mouth, his shoulders shaking.
Chen Shouye also broke into a smile. "Big Brother, that move just now was amazing!"
Chen Shouheng lowered his voice, speaking excitedly, "Father, did you see? The looks on their faces, hahaha..."
Chen Li glanced at his excited eldest son. "It’s good that you won, but from now on, you must be even more wary of Chen Yongquan’s family."
"What’s there to be afraid of?" Chen Shouheng raised an eyebrow, a haughty look on his face.
"An open attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to defend against. You must not be careless," Chen Li admonished.
Seeing his father’s serious expression, Chen Shouheng’s smile faded, and he nodded earnestly. "Father, I’ll remember."
...
In contrast to the relaxed mood of Chen Li and his two sons, everyone in Chen Yongquan’s family wore a grim expression.
In a side room, an oil lamp flickered.
The physician had just finished cleaning and bandaging Chen Zhengtong’s wound. The five claw marks, deep enough to reveal bone, were a shocking sight. Although his meridians were not damaged, the pain and blood loss had left him pale, leaning weakly against a couch.
Chen Zhengtong’s voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with humiliation and hatred. "Father, that little bastard Chen Shouheng... he tricked me! He must have reached the Marrow Refining Realm a long time ago."
"I know." Chen Yongquan’s expression was so dark it looked as if water could drip from it.
He hadn’t organized the martial banquet for his son just to show off blindly.
At a rural banquet, the congratulatory gifts are few, but the guests arrive with their entire families in tow.
By the time a banquet is over, the host family often ends up losing silver.
Yet he was willing to spend whatever it took to host a grand one. The reason was that he had recently acquired a great deal of land at low prices, leading to widespread resentment among the villagers and a lot of nasty gossip about his family within the clan.
According to the old rules of the Chen Family, the clan head was chosen once every ten years.
Eight years had passed since the last election. In another two years, it would be time to elect a new clan head.
His father, Chen Xingjia, was already seventy-eight this year.
He wouldn’t be able to hold the position for another ten years, nor could he hold it securely.
When the time came, Chen Yongquan would definitely run for the position.
If he wanted to secure his position as clan head, he had to display some power to intimidate the clansmen.
Hosting the martial banquet for Chen Zhengtong was a clear message to the clansmen: ’My, Chen Yongquan’s, family is backed by a Martial Dao expert.’
’In the future, when Zhengtong passes the Martial Examination, it will benefit the entire village, including all you mud-legs.’
His reason for dragging Chen Li’s family into the banquet was also simple.
Firstly, it was to vent his frustrations.
Secondly, during the land acquisitions two years ago, Chen Li had also bought a lot of land. Although it was at a low price, his offers were much higher than their own. While some clansmen cursed him for it, a good number also praised him.
What’s more, someone from Chen Li’s family was also training at a martial arts hall. Chen Yongquan was very worried that in the election two years from now, the clansmen would support Chen Li.
Thus, he planned to have Chen Zhengtong defeat Chen Shouheng in front of everyone, putting Chen Li in his place and simultaneously showing the clansmen who they should choose.
But now, the situation had completely reversed.
Chen Zhengtong had actually lost to Chen Li’s eldest son, Chen Shouheng.
This made Chen Yongquan feel that his own position had suddenly become precarious.
