The Challenge
Hearing this, the practitioners from all four clubs were thrilled. They all stood around the ring, waiting for the signal.
Li Canghai and the other instructors all approached the ring, among them were two strangers. One was wearing a sword and armor and had faint smile on his face. The other was an attractive woman in her thirties. Though she was beautiful, she gave off a cold aura. Both were invited by the four clubs to judge the matches. The man was the field officer of Feng City’s military, while the woman was not only an Houtian Warrior, but also the leader of a powerful underground party.
After a moment, Leng Fengchan stood in the ring and began to announce the rules of the match.
“The rules are the same as they were last time. We’ll decide the winning club in three rounds. In each round, each club can have one of their candidates issue a challenge to another club, which must provide a candidate to take the challenge. Candidates who have lost previously cannot enter the next round, while the winners can participate in the next round. After three rounds, whichever club has the most remaining candidates will win the match.”
As soon as he finished explaining the rules, Leng Fengchan jumped down from the ring, and the military officer walked up in an unhurried manner. He only gave the crowd a greeting of clasped fists, then stood there without saying anything.
Li Yunfeng mouth twitched a little upon hearing the rules.
“Brother Li, do you have any opinions concerning the rules?” Seeing Li’s reaction Shi Mu asked out of curiosity.
“Brother Shi, it’s the first time you’ve taken part in the match, so it’s natural that you don’t know the problem: this framework of three-round competition is most beneficial to the club which has most powerful candidates. In last match, Tian Wanghao took the challenge on behalf of Jin Gang club, and won all the three rounds by himself because none of the other candidates could resist his attack.” Li Yunfeng answered with a forced smile.
“I had been wondering why the rules were so simple. Thank you for enlightening me.” After a moment’s thought, Shi Mu also perceived the true meaning of the rules, giving Li Yunfeng a knowing smile.
Just then, someone had already jumped into the ring, announcing his challenge in a loud voice,
“I am Wu Ming from Tian Lu club, I’d like to see the techniques of senior brothers’ from Liu Feng club.”
“Yun Feng, you go and accept his challenge. This fellow lost to you last year, so it shouldn’t be a problem for you.” Seeing this the large red-faced fellow gave the order, not turning his head.
“Instructor Li, please rest assured, I’ll will beat this guy.” Li Yunfeng stopped talking with Shi Mu and answered his instructor, standing straight in a stance full of self-confidence. Then he suddenly put his hands behind his waist, and when he took them out again, both his hands were in blue gloves, which, when shaken even slightly, made a crisp ‘tingling’ sound, like a little bell. There were bronze pieces, each the size of a thumb, inlaid on the surface of the gloves.
Upon jumping into the ring, Li Yunfeng let out a fierce roar, drew two gleaming daggers, and rushed straight at his opponent.
The two met at the center of the ring. Li Yunfeng moved like a snake, as his fists attacked his opponent from all different angles, while the youth named Wu Ming wielded his two delicate daggers and jabbed continuously toward his opponent, making himself very hard to approach. From time to time their fists scraped into each other, producing sparks. The first round was a decidedly good one.
“No! Wu Ming’s Air-Piercing Dagger had been polished to such a great extent, I’m afraid Yun Feng may be put at a disadvantage.” After watching them for a while, the red-faced man made an prediction, his face slightly changed.
“Indeed, last year Wu Ming’s technique was only at the initial stage, it’s hard to imagine he’d reach such a high level in a single year. On the contrary, Yun Feng’s Python-Bones Fist is still short of perfection, it’s really hard to say if he can win. “ Li Canghai also remarked on the uncertainty of winning.
As if to verify the remark, with a sudden low shout came from the ring, the figures of the two in the ring suddenly separated. Wu Ming stumbled backward for several steps, one of his hands pressed hard on his chest, his face dreadfully pale.
However, at the opposite side, two glaring daggers were inserted halfway into Li Yunfeng’s shoulders. He was obviously unable to fight anymore.
“Winner of the first round, Tian Lu club! “ At the ring, the military officer stepped forward to pronounce the result. Li Yunfeng left the ring reluctantly, after throwing a fierce glance at Wu Ming.
The red-faced man approached Li Yunfend and examined the daggers in each of his shoulders. He then grasped them and gave a quick yank, which pulled the two daggers out in an instant. Two sprays of blood rushed up into the air as high as a chi before the bleeding stopped abruptly.
“Apply some medicine there as soon as possible, bind up the wounds, and you’ll be all right after a few days.” The red-faced man said with a sombre face.
Li Yunfeng could only nodded his thanks in great pain, sweating profusely.
By then the ring was taken by a spear wielding youth of the Jin Gang club, asking to challenge Tian Lu club. The latter offered a candidate, knife in hand; the two then fought when the sounds of metal resounded all over the competition hall.
After some fighting back and forth for a while, the challenger from Jin Gang club lost his weapon as his opponent hit his knife and sent it darting away. The challenger could only admit his defeat and retire. The successive two winnings were a boost to the Tian Lu club’s morale, even Leng Fengchan was radiant with content, stroking his mustache.
There were increasing small talks beneath the ring after two fights.
“What more is there to say? I’ve heard that there is a guy here with the Body of Thick Earth. Could you please stop hiding and come out face me?” Just then a figure leaped up from the crowd, his spear pointing behind him, and stood onto the ring steadily, looking into the direction of the Fei Hong club.
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