“Alright, we should make this the last move.”
The great elder could see that it was getting late. Wun Ching Yeung was also showing signs of fatigue, though it seemed like he had gained some new understanding of his sword techniques. It would probably be prudent to finish this fight soon so he could digest the knowledge as soon as possible.
“Indeed.”
Wun Ching Yeung agreed, but it was obvious that he wanted the fight to keep going. He was looking at the great elder’s sword rather longingly. However, he did not prolong the battle. He knew this was about enough for today’s match. More fighting wouldn’t help him learn anymore. He knew this was what the great elder meant.
“I would like for the great elder to take on my strongest attack.”
Having said that, Wun Ching Yeung focused his mind on his sword. He calmed his heart, and an endless stream of soul energy flowed from his body onto his sword. Wun Ching Yeung turned his sword intent into a towering bridge seeking to pierce the heavens.
“Lethality: Radiant Skypiercing Sword.”
The longsword in Wun Ching Yeung’s hand turned into a giant bridge that pierced the skies, determined to let light shine down upon the earth!
“Haha, very good.”
The great elder laughed and clapped his hands, dispelling the energy sword he was holding. He declared confidently, “Lethality: Earthvein’s Greatsword.”
A colossal sword rose from the ground. The body of the sword was transparent blue and carved with ancient runes. Several orbs of light flowed within the sword as it stood before the great elder. This was the strength of this technique, a tremendous defence that would completely stop Wun Ching Yeung in his tracks.
“Break!” Wun Ching Yeung roared and poured all his spirit and his focus onto the sword. He was determined to break through the great elder’s defence. Yet, surprisingly, when the two swords collided, they did not make a single sound. Wun Ching Yeung could feel the sensation coming from his sword. It was as if he had slashed at mud. The sword was stuck; he could neither push forward nor pull back. The dull black sword was simply stuck in the giant sword, unable to move a single inch. Wun Ching Yeung poured all his soul energy into his arm and pulled with all he had, but it was useless.
He could only shake his head and smile bitterly. He let go of the sword and shrugged. “It is my loss.”
The crowd cheered and immediately got up on their feet to applause. The sound of their clapping reverberated throughout the sparring grounds. Everyone was exhilarated. This battle showed the younger generation the wonders of being a martial artist and revealed to the older generation the long path ahead that awaits them.
Wun Fan stood on the platform, unable to dispel his feverish emotions. He seemed to have gained a certain insight or learned something from watching the battle between the clan master and the great elder. He seemed to have vaguely peered into the essence of their fight, but he could not point out what it was.
Wun Fan thought silently to himself, Is this what people mean when they talk about enlightenment?
Wun Siu Lan was enamoured at the sight of Wun Fan lost in thought. She remembered a line from a romance novel she bought from the market; something about how serious men were the most attractive. Wun Siu Lan had dismissed it as nonsense, but now, upon reflection, it seemed like that was no lie at all.
Back on the stage, the great elder seemed pleased with Wun Ching Yeung. He had surrendered decisively and showed neither dejection nor arrogance at his result. Truly a talented warrior. The great elder couldn’t look more pleased. He stroked his beard while smiling kindly, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
However, Wun Ching Yeung had only said that it was “his” loss, not “theirs”. Not everyone was as chivalrous as he was. The second elder appeared from nowhere and attacked the great elder with a martial technique.
“Take this! Lethality: Shadowstalking Serpent’s Slaying Sword.”
The second elder stabbed between the great elder’s ribs. A hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes. The ribs were a critical spot to be defended in combat as injuries between the ribs were hard to heal and were easily lethal. The viciousness of the second elder’s attack revealed his own vicious nature.
One should always pull their punches when sparring with a friend. Yet, the second elder went straight for a lethal killing move! What was even more infuriating was the fact that he felt no shame at all for his actions!
The second elder was even cursing the great elder in his mind. I might have been beaten back earlier, but I’ve never admitted defeat. The clan master alone conceded the match!
The sword howled as it sliced through the wind. The great elder was incredibly experienced. He showed no signs of panic when he sensed the second elder’s attacks. He simply adjusted his position slightly as he unleashed his soul energy into the air, “Lethality: Thousand Sword Locks.”
Several dozen energy swords instantly appeared around the second elder. They interlocked with each other and completely restrained him.
The second elder summoned his soul energy and struggled with all he had, but the energy swords were more resilient than he expected. He couldn’t even move his body, let alone break through the swords.
Killing intent flickered under the great elder’s eyes. He had tolerated the second elder’s behaviour again and again, yet this time, he tried a sneak attack against him. Moreover, he had only attacked after the clan master had admitted defeat. Such an act was practically ruining the clan master’s honour! The great elder held the Wun Clan’s dignity above all else. He could not let this slide without proper punishment. He thought for a bit and quickly came to a decision.
“Ching Muk.” The third elder knew it would end poorly the moment the second elder moved, and he knew it even more certainly when he saw the great elder use the full extent of his power. He could only shout out anxiously as he sprinted to the second elder’s side to beg for mercy.
However, the great elder had no intention to let him say anything. He immediately appeared before the second elder and put one hand on his chest.
“Please hold back, great elder!” Wun Ching Yeung ran forward as well. He was the most powerful of them all, which also meant that he had the sharpest senses as well. He could sense the great elder’s killing intent. The soul energy gathering in his hand was immense. If the second elder was hit by this palm, he would be gravely injured, if not dead.
“Mercy, great elder!” The second elder could sense that the great elder was not playing around anymore. As the victim-to-be, he knew that he would be badly wounded if the great elder hit him with this palm.
“Lethality: Seeded Swords.”
A surge of pure soul energy rushed from the great elder’s hand into the second elder’s body. The soul energy avoided the vital pressure points and circulated throughout his body. However, the great elder did not do anything else after this move. He simply waved his hand and dispelled the energy swords.
Without the swords holding him back, the second elder fell to the ground with a loud thud. He kneeled on the ground limply as he watched the great elder’s figure disappear in the distance, confused. The great elder did not turn back. His kindly voice floated across the arena, “I planted sword energy in your body. If you show any hostility to me again, that energy will give you a big surprise.”
The second elder knew that he had been thoroughly submitted by the great elder when he heard this. He understood that a single thought would be all that the great elder needed to kill him now. His face turned pale and sorrow hung on his face. He replied in a trembling voice, “My gratitude, great elder.”
Both Wun Ching Yeung and the third elder let out a breath of relief at the same time. The knot between their eyes loosened. They looked at the servants and signalled for them to bring the second elder back to his room. The festive mood of the banquet was gone now. Wun Ching Yeung sighed and hastily concluded the banquet. To think it would end with that horrible mess of a show.
While many of the disciples were clan members, not all of them lived in the Wun Mansion. As such, they would have to leave for home, even though it was already late.
The clan master and the elders would not lower themselves to send off the disciples, while the lineage disciple Wun Ping was still unconscious. Thus, the responsibility of sending off the guests fell on Wun Fan and Wun Siu Lan’s shoulders.
It was late in the night now and the cold winds were even colder. The wind rustled as it blew against the ends of Wun Siu Lan’s skirt, exposing her pretty little feet. What was pretty looked even more beautiful in the faint moonlight and the air was filled with romantic tension. It was a pity that a certain boy was too dense to understand the feelings of the girl.
The servants were busy with their own work and could not be bothered by the two children. After sending the guests away, Wun Fan was prepared to say goodbye to Wun Siu Lan and return to his room. However, he saw tears welling up in her eyes hidden under the mask. Her eyes seemed to convey grief, resentment and pain and Wun Fan couldn’t help but feel guilty as she continued to stare at him. Wun Fan didn’t understand and he didn’t dare ask what was wrong, but Wun Siu Lan was the first to speak.
“Why…”
“Tss.”
Wun Fan felt a stinging pain in his ribs and winced. He looked down to see Wun Siu Lan pinching him in the soft meat on his waist. She wasn’t holding back at all. Wun Fan looked back innocently. But why? He didn’t offend her in any way at all, did he?563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBBOh17pNR
