Chapter 16: Chen Qing of the Chen Family. (New book, please recommend and add to your library!)
Mu Gu Tian mulled it over, but he still didn't know how to respond. Wang Mo saw his conflicted expression and knew exactly what he was thinking. So, Wang Mo wrote the character for "Chen" on the back of Mu Gu Tian's hand, followed by "Li," and then "die." Finally, he made a light slashing gesture across his own neck.
"You mean..." Mu Gu Tian was startled.
"Hey! Are you going to agree or not?" Wang Mo quickly interrupted, seeing that Mu Gu Tian was about to blurt it out.
Mu Gu Tian glanced at the other two men and saw that they were just looking down at the plaza below. He said, "Well... I'll have to go back and ask them. Even though they're my grandsons, I can't just arrange it privately without their input. Besides, your granddaughter hasn't said which one she likes."
Wang Mo chuckled. "That's easy. After the family competition today, I'll bring Yan'Er to your estate. We'll let the children meet, and we can arrange it with whoever she fancies."
"Alright, it's settled then. The family competition is about to start, so let's watch." Mu Gu Tian thought, 'Since he's already come to my door, wouldn't refusing be a slap in the face? This will also be a good time to discuss today's matter.'
Just then, three people walked in from outside the plaza. Mu Chen looked over and realized they were the same three he had run into two days ago after leaving the blacksmith shop. They were dressed the same, but the young man, Tang Hao, and the old man with them looked even more arrogant.
Fengze was already waiting at the plaza entrance to greet them. Seeing the three approach, Fengze quickly cupped his fist and said, "Welcome, you three."
The black-robed elder waved his hand dismissively without a word. The three of them walked on their own toward the three seats at the very top. Fengze didn't get angry at their attitude, acting as if it were completely normal. At this point, people in the crowd below started to whisper.
"Who are these three? So arrogant."
"Seriously. But that woman is gorgeous."
"I know, right? We don't have any woman that beautiful in Luofeng City."
"I heard the Imperial Academy was coming today. Judging by their demeanor, could they be the recruitment team from Xuanling Imperial Academy?"
…
Mu Chen nodded to himself. 'No wonder I saw the character for 'Xuan' on their sleeves,' he thought. 'So they really are the recruitment team from the Xuanling Imperial Academy.'
While the crowd was murmuring, the three quickly reached their seats. After the elder sat down, Yan Ruoshui and Tang Hao followed suit. The elder nodded at Fengze, who then announced, "We may begin."
As soon as he finished speaking, an old man in a white robe suddenly appeared in the center of the arena. He raised one hand, palm forward, and boomed, "Silence, please!"
The elder's voice was incredibly powerful, instantly echoing across the entire plaza. Upon hearing it, the clan members from the various families, who had been chatting around the plaza, all fell silent and turned their gazes toward the elder.
The elder swept his gaze across the entire area. Seeing that everyone had quieted down, he nodded in satisfaction and said nonchalantly, "I believe more than half of you here already know me. That's right, this year's family competition between the four great families of Luofeng City will once again be hosted by me, Yan."
Here, the elder who called himself Yan paused before continuing, "Although everyone knows the rules, we must go through the formalities. The competition between the four great families is a king-of-the-hill style tournament. One family will send out a defender to hold the stage, while the other families will send attackers. The attacker must be a disciple from one of the other families. If the defender succeeds, they will face the next attacker. Conversely, if the attacker succeeds, they will become the new defender, and the others, including those who previously failed to attack, will challenge them. The final victor is determined by the number of successful defenses. I'm sure you are all aware of the rewards that await the outstanding participants after this competition. Alright, the rules are very simple. Let's get straight to it. Which family will send out the first defender?"
"I'll go."
Elder Yan had barely finished speaking when a soft voice came from the Chen Family's rest area. A figure in black then leaped out, hopping onto the arena stage in just a few bounds. When the members of the other families saw who it was, they all gasped.
"Isn't that Chen Qing from the Chen Family? I heard he reached the Peak of Eight-Ring Martial Disciple half a year ago," a Li Family disciple said.
"With that kind of talent, and after half a year, Chen Qing must have reached Ninth-Ring Martial Disciple by now," another Li Family disciple added.
"Tch, what's so great about that? Just watch. Our Young Master will make sure he leaves the stage on his back," a Wang Family disciple retorted.
"Hmph, you're all talk." The Li Family disciple shot the speaker from the Wang Family a disdainful glance before turning his attention back to the arena.
…
Mu Chen glanced at the young man called Chen Qing. He estimated him to be around fifteen years old, with a slender build, standing nearly 1.7 meters tall. His expression was sharp, his eyes held a hint of cold light, and a confident smile played on his lips. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stared forward nonchalantly, exuding the aura of a superior.
"Alright, the defender is Chen Qing of the Chen Family. Attacker, please enter the arena," Elder Yan said with a slight smile, making a welcoming gesture.
"I'll go first." At that moment, an average-looking youth leaped out from the Wang Family's rest area. He gave a cupped-fist salute and said, "Wang Ran of the Wang Family."
Chen Qing returned the salute. "Chen Qing of the Chen Family."
According to the rules of the tournament, they first had to announce their family and name. Once that was done, both sides took their positions. Elder Yan glanced from one to the other and shouted, "Begin!"
BANG!
Elder Yan's voice had barely faded when, with a dull thud, the one named Wang Ran was sent flying backward like a cannonball, landing outside the arena.
The crowd hadn't even gotten excited yet. Some people hadn't even had a chance to shout their slogans before the match was over.
"That... that was too fast," everyone exclaimed in shock.
Indeed, it was far too fast. Chen Qing had already flashed from his original spot to where Wang Ran had been standing, his elbow still poised in a forward strike. Seeing that Wang Ran had landed, Chen Qing retracted his arm, cupped his fist, and said, "You let me win."
The Wang Family disciple, Wang Ran, staggered a few steps, clutched his chest, and spat out a mouthful of blood. He shot Chen Qing an unwilling glance before slowly walking back to the rest area.
"Chen Qing! Chen Qing! Chen Qing!..."
Across the way, the disciples of the Chen Family saw their own genius, Chen Qing, instantly defeat his opponent with lightning speed. They erupted in excitement, shouting his name at the top of their lungs.
Elder Yan also snapped out of his surprise and immediately announced the verdict: "The winner is Chen Qing of the Chen Family."
Sitting in the seats above, both Tang Hao and Yan Ruoshui nodded to themselves. The elder also commented lightly, "Peak of Ninth-Ring Martial Disciple, just a step away from becoming a Martial Artist. Fifteen years old, excellent talent. He's fast, precise, and ruthless in battle. This kid is not bad. Let's observe him a little longer."
Yan Ruoshui nodded, but Tang Hao seemed unimpressed.
…
"Hehe, that boy, Qing'Er, is still not low-key enough," Chen Wenfu said, standing next to Mu Gu Tian. Although his words sounded like a criticism of Chen Qing, his face was filled with a look of satisfaction.
Li Zongtang laughed. "You should be content. In any case, I am very satisfied with my future son-in-law."
…
The two of them completely ignored Mu Gu Tian and Wang Mo, talking amongst themselves.
The expressions of both Mu Gu Tian and Wang Mo grew grave. The moment Chen Qing had exploded into action, they had clearly identified his rank: Peak of Ninth-Ring Martial Disciple. In the Mu Family, the highest-ranking disciple was only Mu Xiaotian, who was currently a Ninth-Ring Martial Disciple. As for the Wang Family, Wang Xihai was also only a Ninth-Ring Martial Disciple.
Mu Gu Tian gave a bitter smile. He had originally thought they could gain some prestige this time, but who would have known the Chen Family would produce another genius like Chen Qing.
"Next." Chen Qing returned to his spot and once again stood with his hands behind his back.
"Wang Dong of the Wang Family. Please grant me your guidance."
After Wang Ran stepped down, the Wang Family sent up another ordinary-looking youth. He took his position, and Elder Yan said coolly, "The match begins."
This time, since everyone was prepared, they could all see Chen Qing's movements clearly. With a stomp of his foot, Chen Qing's figure twisted and appeared beside Wang Dong. He swung his right arm, smashing it quickly toward Wang Dong's left ribs.
The blow was both fast and vicious. Although Wang Dong was prepared to defend, he was still flustered when facing the attack head-on. Seeing Wang Dong prepare to dodge, Chen Qing's lips curled up. He instantly retracted his swinging right arm, sidestepped to land on Wang Dong's intended foothold, and threw a punch.
BANG!
CRACK!
It was the sound of a bone breaking. Wang Dong had no idea that Chen Qing would see through his movement and beat him to his landing spot. In his panic, Wang Dong completely failed to focus on defending against Chen Qing's attack. With his muscles relaxed, a punch that would have normally only caused a minor injury now shattered one of his bones.
"Aaaah!"
With a miserable cry, Wang Dong clutched his chest, his face pale as he collapsed weakly to the ground, breathing raggedly.
Elder Yan frowned and waved his hand. "Someone, take him down and give him a Bone Healing Pill."
Hearing the words "Bone Healing Pill," everyone couldn't help but marvel at the generosity of the Lord of Luofeng City. That was a Second Grade Elixir! When consumed, it could rapidly heal broken bones. It was one of the most cherished elixirs for anyone below the rank of Martial Master. Even Martial Masters treated it as a treasure, yet one was being casually handed out during this family competition. The crowd sighed in admiration.
"Tsk. To think they'd call a trashy little pill like that a treasure."
Mu Chen, who had been listening to the crowd's discussion, suddenly found the voice familiar. He whipped his head around and exclaimed, "Holy hell, how did you get out here?"
Mu Chen quickly glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, let out a sigh of relief. "Master," he whispered, "can you please stop giving me a heart attack? Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"
The Profound Old Ghost's thin lips curled. "Relax. This body is condensed from Primordial Qi. With the cultivation levels of the people here, there's no way they can see me. However, I can't maintain this state for too long."
Mu Chen threw up his hands. "Fine. Then what did you come out for?"
"To get some fresh air."
Mu Chen was speechless. At the same time, back on the arena stage, Chen Qing had already swiftly knocked out the third disciple from the Wang Family. The faces of everyone in the Wang Family were grim. After all, having three of their own defeated by a single person was a disgrace to any family.
"I'll go." The speaker was the young man in white from the Wang Family. He wasn't exceptionally handsome, but he possessed a scholarly and refined air. This was the Young Master of the Wang Family, Wang Xihai. Mu Chen's gaze fell upon him. Since the Mu Family and Wang Family were seated next to each other, and Mu Chen was on the edge closest to the Wangs, he could easily see Wang Xihai in their rest area. He recognized him. Two years ago, this very youth had saved him in the markets of Luofeng City.
"Brother, let me go first instead."
Mu Chen looked toward the source of the voice and saw the back of a figure in fiery red. It was a tall young woman. She was holding onto Wang Xihai's sleeve, her voice gentle.
Although the young woman had her back to him and he couldn't see her face, he could tell from her silhouette alone that she was by no means plain. For some reason, when Mu Chen looked at her, he sensed an aura of tranquility and quiet grace.
(From now on, the first update will be between 12:00-13:00, and the second update will be between 17:30-19:00. Shouting it again: New book, please recommend and add to your library!!!)