I Grind to Martial Saint

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Dark Horse

"This Han Yuan certainly has a few tricks up his sleeve."

"Brother Hong will need to be careful later."

He Rongsheng said with a chuckle.

The bracket had been arranged entirely by the County Magistrate, Hong Ming’an.

He and Hong Mingchang were biological brothers, so naturally, he had arranged the best matchups.

According to the schedule, Han Yuan’s next opponent was Hong Mingchang. freewebnovёl.ƈom

Meanwhile, He Rongsheng’s opponent was the Leg Skill expert from the Li Family.

Thus, He Rongsheng was actually happy to see Han Yuan cause a little trouble for Hong Mingchang.

Hong Mingchang was an extremely well-preserved old man, with a slender build and arms that were slightly longer than average.

Hearing He Rongsheng’s words, he smiled faintly. "In the end, he’s just a Gathering Power Martial Artist."

"On the other hand, Brother Li’s Leg Skill is quite lethal. Patriarch He should be careful, or it’ll be troublesome if he gets his organs kicked in."

He Rongsheng didn’t get angry, just laughed heartily. "If that happens, it just means my skills are inferior."

With that, he walked into the limestone circle, long blade in hand.

The Li Family’s Leg Skill expert also leaped lightly, landing opposite He Rongsheng like a soaring crane.

"Finally, a fight between Body Tempering Martial Artists!"

"These two are both seniors. They can’t possibly forfeit again, right?"

The watching crowd stared at the stage without blinking.

Zheng Heda, however, narrowed his eyes.

He was also curious if these two would actually fight.

"Brother Li."

"I always keep my word."

"You’ll get everything I promised you."

He Rongsheng said with a smile.

"Mm."

"Then I forfeit."

The Li Family’s Leg Skill expert didn’t dally. With a single leap, he left the dueling grounds.

He knew his own strength was no match for He Rongsheng; he couldn’t beat him.

He had only come to participate in this martial tournament for some benefits.

Now that his goal was achieved, he couldn’t be bothered with any more nonsense.

As for so-called face, he was an old man now. What was there to care about?

This, naturally, provoked even louder boos from the crowd.

"That old fool."

Even Hong Ming’an cursed under his breath.

He too had secretly given the Li Family some benefits, hoping the Leg Skill expert wouldn’t throw the match.

He never expected the man to play him like this.

"It seems the He Family was more willing to pay up."

Zheng Heda added with a sarcastic smile.

"What’s the use of these crooked tricks?"

"If you want to be Chief Constable, it ultimately comes down to strength."

Hong Ming’an snorted coldly.

This time, it was Zheng Heda’s turn to smile without saying a word.

.....

With He Rongsheng advancing to the finals, it was now time for Han Yuan and Hong Mingchang’s match.

The crowd seemed completely uninterested in this match.

No one thought Han Yuan stood a chance against Hong Mingchang.

One was in the Body Tempering Realm, the other in the Gathering Power Realm.

It was like heaven and earth—there was no contest!

The two entered the limestone circle one after the other, standing several meters apart.

"I remember, you’re Han Yuan, correct?"

"If you forfeit now, after I, Hong Mingchang, become Chief Constable, I will not treat you poorly."

Hong Mingchang didn’t see Han Yuan as a threat at all; he just didn’t want to waste too much of his Qi and blood on him.

At his age, recovering Qi Power was far slower than in his youth.

He still had to face He Rongsheng later, so naturally, he wanted to be in peak condition.

"Then why don’t you forfeit, Elder Hong?"

"After I become Chief Constable, I won’t treat your Hong Family poorly either."

Han Yuan said, his expression calm.

Hong Mingchang’s face immediately darkened.

"So young, yet you don’t know your place."

"It seems I’ll have to break a few of your ribs before you learn to cry out in pain."

Hong Mingchang put on a pair of dark metal gauntlets and sneered.

"My bones are pretty tough. You might not even be able to break them."

Han Yuan grinned.

The next moment, a Government Official announced the start of the match.

Hong Mingchang showed none of the grace expected of an elder. He had already been gathering his power in secret, and upon hearing the word "Begin," his figure flashed, his right fist striking toward Han Yuan’s head like lightning.

His punch was a surprise attack, meant to take Han Yuan down in a single blow.

But he had sorely underestimated Han Yuan.

Han Yuan drew his blade with his right hand, ignoring the fist aimed at his face, and thrust the Cold Blade straight out.

SWOOSH!

It was like a falcon streaking across the sky, letting out a sharp whistle.

Feeling the chilling aura emanating from the Cold Blade, Hong Mingchang frowned internally.

He had no desire to trade his life for Han Yuan’s, so he could only retract his fist and dodge to the side.

His first strike having missed, Han Yuan’s arms bulged as he unleashed continuous bursts of Power. The Cold Blade transformed into a shroud of silver light, enveloping Hong Mingchang.

CLANG CLANG CLANG~

Caught at a disadvantage, Hong Mingchang could only punch repeatedly to defend himself.

For a moment, it was Han Yuan pressing the attack, keeping Hong Mingchang on the defensive!

"Huh... This Han Yuan is pretty interesting!" fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

"Hong Mingchang underestimated him and isn’t willing to erupt with his full Qi Power."

"Even if he wins now, he’s probably lost all face."

The crowd finally began to watch the match in earnest.

Hong Mingchang would not allow Han Yuan to be so arrogant. He suddenly erupted with the Qi and blood in his body, punching the flat of the Cold Blade and knocking it aside.

Instantly, Han Yuan’s center was wide open.

BOOM!

Hong Mingchang’s figure flashed. In a strike meant to pierce the enemy’s heart, he punched violently toward Han Yuan’s chest.

This punch was clearly aimed to kill.

But Han Yuan, as if he had anticipated it, blocked his chest with his left arm.

"Such quick reactions!"

"I’ll cripple your arm first!"

Hong Mingchang’s eyes were cold and sinister.

BANG!

But when his gauntlet-clad left fist struck Han Yuan’s arm, the crisp sound of shattering bone he had imagined never came.

Instead, there was a dull thud, as if he had struck a block of solid ironwood.

Han Yuan was still affected by the impact, taking a step back.

"You’re a Body Tempering Martial Artist?!"

Hong Mingchang had finally realized Han Yuan’s realm.

A Gathering Power Martial Artist could never possess such tough skin and flesh.

"You realized it too late!"

Han Yuan sneered.

"Hmph, so what if you’re a Body Tempering Martial Artist?!"

"Tendon Shredder, Bone Breaker!"

Like an enraged old lion, his beard and hair standing on end, Hong Mingchang brought his right arm crashing down on Han Yuan’s shoulder.

But Han Yuan had already regulated his breathing, and he swung the Cold Blade in an upward arc from below.

Another life-for-a-life exchange!

Seeing this, Hong Mingchang was overcome with rage, but he had no other choice. His only option was to slam his right arm into the Cold Blade.

But in the next instant, his expression changed dramatically. The Cold Blade suddenly traced a bizarre arc, slashing horizontally across his waist.

A sudden stop and a sudden lunge, yet the entire movement appeared fluid and natural.

SQUELCH!

A huge gash was torn open in Hong Mingchang’s abdomen.

The old man’s flesh was not as tough as Gao Yuan’s; it couldn’t block the Cold Blade’s edge.

A large amount of blood gushed out.

"Damn you!!" Hong Mingchang’s face twisted in pain. He charged recklessly at Han Yuan and threw a furious punch.

Han Yuan let out a low roar as well. Qi Power flooded his body as he unleashed a vicious slash of his blade.

SCREECH!

The slash was too fast.

The crowd only saw a flash of silver light streak past Hong Mingchang’s neck.

SQUELCH!

THUD!

Han Yuan was struck in the chest, staggering back more than ten steps as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

But a savage grin spread across his face.

Hong Mingchang stood frozen in place, his expression one of shock and ferocity... mixed with a trace of disbelief.

The next moment, his head fell from his shoulders. His corpse collapsed at the same time.

The entire training ground... fell deathly silent.

No one had expected it.

Hong Mingchang was dead!

And at the hands of a mere constable.