Chapter 153 - 109: One Move (2)
"Can you back down?"
"I cannot."
"The opponent’s martial arts are very high?"
"..."
"If you can’t handle it, our Iron Blood Hall can step in. Who dares to compete with us for a son-in-law!?"
"..."
Veins almost popped on Chu Qing’s forehead:
"Please understand, Vice Hall Master Cheng, it’s not that the engagement cannot be withdrawn, but that I am unwilling to withdraw.
"The young lady of Iron Blood Hall is of such high status, I dare not have such presumptuous thoughts. Please forgive me, Vice Hall Master Cheng."
Cheng Tieshan, hearing his firm words, eventually sighed and his friendly expression disappeared instantly:
"Forget it, forget it, a forced melon is not sweet.
"Since you have no interest, I won’t play the villain.
"But with this choice, today’s three moves, I cannot let you pass easily.
"Boy, watch out!"
Just as the words "watch out" were spoken, Cheng Tieshan suddenly stepped forward.
Describing his walking with the grandeur of a dragon and tiger is far from enough; however, Cheng Tieshan’s current step cannot be encapsulated by such words.
If I must say, it was as if a mountain was coming at him.
The imposing momentum was grand and magnificent, the aura around him unified, and with a movement, it resonated with the sound of thunder, accompanied by the roar of a tiger and dragon.
Before the palm struck, the momentum already overwhelmed.
As soon as the palm rose, the winds surged and clouds billowed.
Chu Qing only felt that this man’s palm momentum, following the righteous path, was open and aboveboard.
Yet with this palm falling, nowhere in the world could be hidden from it.
If a mountain toppled, how to dodge it?
If the sky fell, where would one hide?
With nowhere to escape, no place to hide, there was but one thought: to strike!!
The fist treads thin frost, cold air spills everywhere!
As Chu Qing’s inner breath circulated, everyone around felt the chilling fall day become even colder, as if winter had already arrived early.
Some even dazedly looked up, wondering if they were confused; could it already be the New Year?
Otherwise, why was it so cold?
But before they could see clearly, they heard a muffled sound!!
Two terrifying forces roared violently in all directions.
The energy howled like a rampaging dragon, the gale raced like lightning.
The surrounding disciples of Iron Blood Hall were all blown away by this force, though some instinctively acted to shield the ordinary spectators behind them.
Both the swordsman and saber-wielding man’s expressions changed slightly.
They realized that Chu Qing had reserved his strength earlier.
Only now did he reveal his true talents.
Sword Qi and Saber Qi dispersed simultaneously to resist the gale; even so, their hair and clothing rustled loudly.
The swordsman’s eyes no longer had a trace of despair, his gaze like lightning, incredulously watching as a strand of his hair slowly froze...
Who exactly is he?
What is this fist technique?
Even leaving aside those unfamiliar with Chu Qing, those like Bian City who thought they understood him well were left gaping in shock at the scene.
Pushed by the force, they nearly retreated back into the inn, and the onlookers following behind were tripped by the threshold, falling into the inn’s main hall.
Bian City was in a daze. He wasn’t surprised Chu Qing could withstand that palm.
After all, Chu Qing could face the Myriad Destruction Yin Thunder Technique and handle it with ease, taking Pei Wuji’s life with a mere Flying Saber.
How high Chu Qing’s martial arts truly were, Bian City dared not say... but he believed, this guy surely had the most hidden cards among all those he had seen.
But even with many hidden cards, there must be a limit, right?
Yet now it seemed this kid had no limits; he had even concealed such a terrifying fist technique!
Such momentum in this fist, could his current Taiyi Divine Fist from the Human Scroll resist it?
Thinking this, he suddenly lost confidence...
Saber Technique, Sword Technique, Fist Technique... the Palm Technique didn’t seem too special, wait, no!
Wasn’t Jiang Divine Saber shattered into pieces by his palm? Left defenseless for slaughter?
In this world, was there any martial arts he didn’t know!?
A gentle voice suddenly sounded in his ear:
"Indeed... the taste of frost and snow."
"What taste of frost and snow..."
Hua Jinnian stared intently at the scene before him:
"Who’s the winner, do you think?"
Reminded by him, everyone looked up to see the chaos around the two in the arena.
The solid ground was carved into furrows by the gale, extending everywhere.
Above the furrows, layers of frost were spread, cold enough to chill anyone who saw it.
The grandmaster’s chair behind Cheng Tieshan was completely shattered at the start.
Now Cheng Tieshan stood proudly, and Chu Qing had not retreated an inch.
After the strike, both of them merely withdrew their hands.
"It seems... it’s a draw!?"
Bian City hesitated to speak.
Hua Jinnian grinned; how could it possibly be a draw?
Given Chu Qing’s age, to be able to match Cheng Tieshan’s palm strike without losing his ground... that’s a victory.
And a resounding victory!
As long as he lives, the future holds limitless possibilities.
Who could have thought that a mere chance encounter on a rainy night would allow us to meet such a person?
Could he one day rank among the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns?
Achieve a legendary status in the Martial World?
At this thought, Hua Jinnian suddenly felt a surge of excitement.
At this moment, Cheng Tieshan spoke slowly:
"A superb fist technique, what is the name of this fist?"
"Celestial Frost Fist."
Chu Qing spoke slowly:
"Vice Hall Master Cheng is indeed remarkable, I humbly ask Vice Hall Master Cheng to further bestow his teachings."
Cheng Tieshan’s expression remained unchanged, but he gave Chu Qing a deep look and slowly shook his head:
"Enough, throughout South Ridge, few can take such a strike from me.
"With such skill, coupled with your profound saber techniques... your path ahead will certainly be worry-free.
"The remaining two moves are unnecessary to show."
Having said this, he turned around and tucked his sleeves:
"Let’s go."
Chu Qing was taken aback, they’re leaving?
He had yet to use his full strength in that palm strike...
After all, Cheng Tieshan’s reputation preceded him; as the saying goes, a man’s reputation casts a long shadow, so Chu Qing dared not underestimate him.
He used seventy percent of his inner strength, which could kill Qi Guan with one palm.
But after executing it, he still felt it wasn’t enough.
He was planning to use eighty percent of his inner strength for the second strike and see if he could win?
But unexpectedly, as he strategized in his mind, the other party no longer wanted to engage.
He couldn’t help but speak up:
"Vice Hall Master Cheng, today’s sparring left things unfinished.
"If fate allows, I will certainly visit Iron Blood Hall and seek Vice Hall Master Cheng’s guidance on secret techniques."
Just then, Cheng Tieshan, having walked a few steps away, seemed to stiffen slightly before replying coldly:
"Very well, I’ll be waiting."
After saying this, he quickened his pace.
Chu Qing heard his agreement, and only then was he content, nodding his head in satisfaction.
Turning to look at the few people in front of the inn, he smiled slightly:
"This Vice Hall Master Cheng indeed lives up to the seniority in the Martial World, acting swiftly and decisively, yet he is true to his word, a real man."
Bian City and others nodded in agreement:
"Indeed, a real man."
Hua Jinnian sighed:
"With such people serving as Vice Hall Master, it’s no wonder that Iron Blood Hall has grown to its current scale."
Chu Qing then said:
"Earlier, Brother Bian mentioned sending a message to Luochun Manor, let’s forget about it.
"Iron Blood Hall has already entered the territory of Luochun Manor; now Luochun Manor might barely be able to manage themselves... Being that Gentle’s identity is significant, if too many people come, it’s easy to get distracted.
"If anyone within Luochun Manor harbors ill intentions, the already precarious situation could get worse."
Bian City nodded:
"Makes sense, I was indeed inconsiderate earlier."
As they spoke, they entered the inn to continue eating their unfinished breakfast.
Little did they know, Cheng Tieshan left with his men in a hurry, rushed out of the small town, and then picked up speed to walk another three to five miles.
By the time they reached a point where Cheng Tieshan turned to look back, he spoke:
"No one followed, right?"
"No one..."
The swordsman glanced at Cheng Tieshan;
"Vice Hall Master, why leave so suddenly?
"You’ve always kept your promises, never going easy on anyone."
"Go easy?"
Cheng Tieshan glanced at him;
"I’d like to, but I fear I won’t have the life to. Another two palms and Iron Blood Hall would have no Vice Hall Master."
As he spoke, he removed his hand that had been tucked inside his sleeve.
A fist imprint remained on his palm, filled with chilling cold, its touch piercing to the bone.