Free Web NovelChapter 157: Chapter 156: At Daggers Drawn
The two clashed. In an instant, Guo Tianyou’s Flying Sword was shattered by Hua Jingcheng’s Shayu Sword Heart. Struck back by hand-blades that resembled a thousand falling feathers, he was sent flying backward toward Luo Shizun.
The exchange was so swift and fierce, and the profound mysteries within their shifting techniques so esoteric, that for a moment, no one even reacted.
Just as Guo Tianyou was about to crash into Luo Shizun, a figure flashed forward.
THAP!
A palm landed on Guo Tianyou’s back, and the man’s muscles rippled like waves on water.
Guo Tianyou felt as if he had crashed into a wad of cotton or a wall of water. The impact from his backward momentum was almost perfectly neutralized.
Only then did the crowd see clearly that the person who had flashed out in that instant was Zhao Xuanqi.
The crisis was averted.
If Guo Tianyou had crashed into him, given Luo Shizun’s current physical condition, he would have likely lost half his life from the impact.
However, even though Zhao Xuanqi had caught him, the sight of Guo Tianyou’s injuries made everyone present gasp. freewebnøvel.coɱ
Over a dozen ghastly, crisscrossing wounds covered his arms, shoulders, face, and flanks. Flesh was peeled back, dripping with blood that instantly soaked his navy-blue robes. The sight was horrific; it looked as if he had been sliced by actual blades.
One had to remember that Guo Tianyou was a master who had been famous for years, a Five Qi Tongxuan expert at the Three Qi Realm. He was a prominent figure even in Jinmen’s premier Martial Arts Arena. Yet now, he had been defeated so easily, and so miserably at that?!
In attendance were not only the various directors and bosses but also the Martial Arts Experts who had accompanied them. Even these experts had no idea what had just happened.
’This Neon person... he actually possesses such strength?’
Meanwhile, Wei Zonglong and the other six directors couldn’t help but show a hint of delight upon seeing this. They were all in the same boat now; the stronger Hua Jingcheng was, the more it benefited them.
’Guo Tianyou, a Three Qi expert, was defeated in an instant. Even if it were that Zhao Xuanqi up there, dealing with him would probably be child’s play for Hua Jingcheng.’
"It seems you’re not qualified to show me the door."
Hua Jingcheng spoke calmly to Guo Tianyou, then turned to glance at Zhao Xuanqi before his eyes settled on Luo Shizun behind him. "I’ve heard that the Divine Land is a land of etiquette. I am here at Mr. Wei’s invitation to vie for the position of Chief of your esteemed chamber’s Martial Arts Department. Ultimately, I am here to risk my life for the Chamber of Commerce. Is this your way of treating a guest? It has certainly been an eye-opening experience."
Standing beside Luo Shizun, Yan Shuntao addressed Hua Jingcheng in a grave voice, "The Jinmen Martial Arts Arena has never allowed people of the Six Nations on its stage. How can you possibly become the Martial Arts Department Chief?"
"We are in an era of great change. The tides of history are turning. Those who flow with it will prosper; those who resist will perish. If the Jinmen Martial Arts Arena clings to its old ways, it courts its own destruction, and the same goes for the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce," Hua Jingcheng said lightly.
As soon as he spoke, the hearts of everyone present sank. How could they fail to understand the meaning behind his words? It seemed this upheaval was not limited to the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce, but involved all of Jinmen—and perhaps even the entire Divine Land!
With war breaking out in the Northern Territory, all sorts of terrifying changes followed in its wake. The great tide was rolling in, and beneath its wave, they were no more than ants.
In that moment, a sense of peril washed over everyone.
"Chairman Luo, the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce has always advocated for collective wisdom and effort. The capable rise, the incapable fall. I, Wei Zonglong, am the Vice-Chairman, and I have the support of over a third of the directors. Yet you want to overrule us all with a single word? Are you trying to turn this into a one-man show? Do we have no say in the future of the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce, in the path it will take?"
Emboldened by Hua Jingcheng’s performance, Wei Zonglong stepped forward, pressing his advantage and applying pressure with his words.
"That’s right. We are also thinking of the chamber’s future."
"Yes, as directors, surely we can offer suggestions for the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce’s development?"
"..."
The other directors chimed in, echoing his sentiments.
For a moment, Luo Shizun was unable to refute them, and his expression turned ugly.
The Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce was, after all, a coalition of interests; he couldn’t decide everything on his own. Moreover, with Guo Tianyou’s instant defeat, Hua Jingcheng’s peerless might, and Wei Zonglong’s backing from multiple directors, it was even more difficult for him to take a hard line.
He was about to speak again, but Zhao Xuanqi unexpectedly raised a hand to stop him.
In that moment, all eyes fell on Zhao Xuanqi.
"If you’re here to vie for the position of Martial Arts Department Chief, then naturally, the strongest should have it," Zhao Xuanqi said calmly to Hua Jingcheng. "Enough with the pointless chatter. Let’s settle this on the arena. If you can still walk off it when we’re done, then we can discuss other matters."
Hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s words, Hua Jingcheng narrowed his eyes.
’He had just defeated Guo Tianyou in an instant. According to the Intelligence Department’s analysis, Zhao Xuanqi was only marginally stronger than Guo Tianyou. For him to take the initiative and issue a challenge now... was it overconfidence, or was he simply ignorant of his own limitations?’
A flicker of emotion crossed his stoic face, and the corner of his mouth hooked into a smile that was part amusement, part contempt. "Confidence is a good thing. Since you insist, I am always happy to oblige. Let’s settle this on the arena."
With that, he turned and walked toward the arena that had been set up in the center of the ballroom.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
With each step, his figure seemed to employ the Shrinking Inches technique. His body was so light it appeared weightless, and in just a few steps, he was standing on the arena. This ghostly Body Technique left everyone present stunned, and looks of shock appeared on the faces of all the Martial Arts Experts.
Even Zhao Xuanqi narrowed his eyes at the sight.
"Mr. Zhao, will you be alright?"
Yan Shuntao walked over, his face etched with worry. Guo Tianyou’s defeat had simply been too quick and too wretched, casting a shadow in his heart and making him feel as though Hua Jingcheng were invincible.
"Don’t worry," Zhao Xuanqi said. "I don’t take gambles I can’t win."
"This man practices the Sword Way. His Intent is highly unusual. When scattered, it’s like falling feathers and exceedingly difficult to attack; when gathered, it becomes a Divine Blade of incredible sharpness. What’s more, there’s something abnormal about his body. His speed, reflexes, and Gang Qi control are all extraordinary. Not even a Light Body Technique could grant him such abilities. You must be extremely careful."
Guo Tianyou, his face pale, spoke from the side. Although the wounds covering his body were horrific, he had already used his physical control to stop the bleeding; continuing to fight was out of the question.
"Neon Martial Dao is very unique," Ning Dao’an added from the side as a reminder. "Many of their powerful Warriors integrate the power of Western Secret Medicine into their Martial Dao. In terms of individual strength, the upstart Neon Nation ranks in the top three among the Six Nations."
’Combining Secret Medicine with Martial Dao?’
Zhao Xuanqi narrowed his eyes and gave a slight nod. He turned and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, walked onto the arena to calmly meet Hua Jingcheng’s gaze.
"I must say, your courage is commendable. You have earned the right to know my name. I am of the Feather-Intent school of the Neon Sword Dao—" Hua Jingcheng began to say lightly, but before he could finish, Zhao Xuanqi cut him off.
"I have no interest in the names of the defeated. If you can beat me, you can state your name then."
"Right now, you are not qualified."
Zhao Xuanqi stated, his expression calm.
