Hours later, the Martial Arts Demonstration was packed tight with people.
The spacious first-floor hall was crammed with rows of ebony armchairs, not a single one of which was empty.
Those who had arrived early sat upright in their chairs, craning their necks in anticipation. The latecomers had no choice but to cram into the aisles or lean against the walls.
Some even stood on tiptoe, leaning on the windowsills outside to peer in, terrified of missing the incredible duel.
Aside from Lu Yun, the other three consultants for the Martial Arts Demonstration had all arrived.
Bai Longfei stood on the stage, his hands clasped behind his back. He wore a long, black robe embroidered with a pattern of white clouds.
The first row below the stage was filled with the highest echelons of Yun Port City society. The Commander-in-Chief and deputy chiefs of the City Affairs Bureau were dressed in sharp suits, and local socialites were huddled together, whispering amongst themselves.
The most conspicuous guests were the consuls from the various Western Countries. The consul from Great Britain wore an elegant tailcoat and sported a neatly trimmed mustache.
The consul from France held a long, slender cigar, leisurely blowing smoke rings.
Meanwhile, the consul from the Great United States had his legs crossed, a grin on his face as if he were watching a play. He would occasionally lean over to whisper something to his aide.
After all, everyone loves a good spectacle, especially a duel between Huajin Grandmasters. It was an exceptionally rare sight.
These Huajin experts, normally so aloof and elusive, were about to fight to the death on this small demonstration stage. The mere thought of it was enough to make one’s blood boil with excitement.
In a corner of the second row, Gong Yuanshan and his daughter, Gong Ning, sat together.
Gong Ning was dressed in a simple yet elegant black dress, her jet-black hair pulled back into a bun. She looked from the composed Bai Longfei on stage to his opponent, Watanabe Takeshi, who wore the military uniform of the Wa Country, and couldn’t help but whisper.
"Father, is that man from the Wa Country looking to die? Sect Master Bai is a Grandmaster at the Peak of Huajin. How can someone at Mid-stage Huajin possibly defeat him?"
Gong Yuanshan didn’t answer right away. A thoughtful glint appeared in his eyes as he stared at Watanabe Takeshi on the stage.
’Something this strange must be a trap. These damned people from the Wa Country are insidious, treacherous, and full of schemes.’
’They’ve run rampant in the Daxia New Country for so many years, relying on their talent for worming their way into power and their endless devious plots. Why would they make such a suicidal move today?’
Gong Ning wasn’t the only one who was confused; the entire hall was abuzz with discussion.
A portly, big-eared merchant in the front row slapped his thigh, his face dripping with disdain as he spat, "Son of a bitch! That little Wa Country runt is asking to die!"
"He didn’t even bother to find out who our Sect Master Bai of Yun Port City is? That man is at the Peak of Huajin!"
At his words, a tall, skinny man beside him nodded his head furiously, like a chicken pecking at grain. He quickly chimed in, "Exactly!"
"Sect Master Bai is the number two Martial Arts practitioner in all of Yun Port City! What makes that little Wa Country runt think he’s worthy of a challenge?"
"I hope Sect Master Bai beats those animals to death! Show them that Daxia’s territory isn’t some playground where Wa Country devils can run wild!"
"Yeah! Kill ’em! Kill those Eastern devils!"
As time went on, the indignant roar of the crowd grew louder and louder.
On the stage, Bai Longfei turned a deaf ear to the discussions, his gaze fixed on Watanabe Takeshi.
Watanabe Takeshi stared back at him. As their gazes met, neither man spoke a word.
A middle-aged man in a long robe then stepped onto the stage. He cleared his throat, his voice booming like a great bell. "Life and death are of no consequence in today’s battle! Each combatant will rely on his own skill, and each will accept his own fate!"
"Begin!"
In an instant, Bai Longfei moved. A gale raged around him as invisible Qi surged outward like a tidal wave!
The Qi whipped his black, cloud-embroidered robe, making it snap in the air. The hem fluttered wildly, his hair and beard flying, and his aura was terrifying to behold!
’When it came to these damn people from the Wa Country, even Bai Longfei—a man who had always been indifferent to fame and fortune, who sought to live apart from worldly strife—couldn’t suppress the urge to slaughter them!’
Floating Life Cyan Cloud Palm!
The palm shadows flickered, unpredictable and ever-changing. Like clouds drifting across the sky, they appeared without warning and vanished without a trace.
A moment later, streams of invisible palm force erupted from Bai Longfei’s hands, hurtling toward Watanabe Takeshi five meters away!
Seeing the overwhelming, airtight barrage of palm force, Watanabe Takeshi cursed as his hands began to move, blurring into motion too fast for the eye to follow!
"Baka!"
Divine Water-Snapping Soft Fist!
Streams of Fist Force erupted from his knuckles, flying to meet the overwhelming palm force!
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! A series of muffled impacts echoed from the center of the stage as invisible shockwaves rolled out one after another!
Luckily, the front row of the audience was far enough away, or they would have been caught in the blasts.
After a few breaths, the immensely powerful palm force had clearly gained the upper hand.
His Fist Force seemed as fragile as paper-maché, shattering one by one under the assault.
The remaining palm force didn’t pause for an instant, continuing its charge toward Watanabe Takeshi!
Watanabe Takeshi’s face fell. He scrambled to dodge, but he was too slow.
BAM! BAM! BAM! Several blasts of palm force slammed squarely into his chest!
Watanabe Takeshi let out a muffled grunt and coughed up a mouthful of blood. It traced an arc through the air before splattering onto the stage, and he was sent stumbling back several steps.
’So strong!’
’The Peak of Huajin truly lives up to its name. My pride and joy, the Divine Water-Snapping Soft Fist, is completely useless against him.’
Seeing Bai Longfei gain the upper hand, the crowd erupted into a thunderous, tsunami-like roar of cheers!

Comments

Loading...