Chapter 28: Incident IV

Buzz.

Seeing the winner decided, everyone in the viewing stands buzzed with excitement.

Everyone had seen people win, but no one had ever seen someone win like this before.

Lin Hui stood on the stage, watching the surrounding audience, whose commotion was clearly caused by his victory. Even the Ming Generation Masters and Daoist Baohe in the main area were discussing something with each other.

‘It seems I overdid it a little. But it doesn’t matter. Soon, everyone will see that I’m about as weak as the others. Everyone in the top ten is strong.’ He was calm in his heart, holding his sword and waiting for the next challenger.

“Ranked fourteenth, You Wushuang, please step up!” The Taoist child’s voice rang out.

You Wushuang was a black-haired woman wearing glasses. She carried a black sword onto the stage, her expression vigilant.

As the gong sounded, she swiftly lunged forward, unleashing the Nine-Section Quick Sword with manic ferocity toward Lin Hui. She clearly intended to give him no time to recover his physical energy.

But…

Ding ding ding ding!!

The dense sound of clashing metal erupted like rainfall. Snow flew as You Wushuang circled Lin Hui, frantically striking with her sword, but every strike seemed to land on a wall, only managing to excite a crisp clang.

No matter which direction she attacked from, the result was the same.

The opponent didn’t even turn his body, just standing there, casually striking with one hand in all directions, managing to precisely block all her moves.

Soon, fifty strikes passed.

Sixty strikes.

Eighty strikes.

One hundred strikes!

Clang!

You Wushuang‘s sword blade, due to her carelessness and exhaustion, was violently knocked out of her grip and flew away, clattering into a corner of the ring.

She stood there, stunned, her wrists red, her face mortified.

“You can pick it up and continue,” Lin Hui said softly across from her.

Pick it up!??

Are you kidding me!!?

You Wushuang‘s ears were ringing. She looked at the countless gazes directed at her, her face growing redder and her breathing becoming heavier.

Ah!!

Suddenly, she turned and leaped off the stage, sprinting away frantically, leaving her sword behind.

The viewing stands fell silent, stunned by the sudden turn of events.

In the main viewing area.

Daoist Baohe stroked his white beard, his face showing appreciation.

“This Nine-Section Quick Sword is nothing special, but the precision of his strikes is extremely high. It’s clear that the fundamental training from his Seven-Section Quick Sword was very solid.”

“His comprehension of the sword is also far superior to the others. We don’t need to look at anyone ranked below the top ten anymore,” Minchen nodded in agreement from the side. “Whose disciple is this? How come we never noticed him before?”

Clearly, he had once again forgotten Lin Hui, whom he had met twice before.

“He’s no one’s disciple. He’s the son of an old friend of mine,” Mingde chuckled from his seat. He hadn’t expected this grand competition, which was mostly the same as previous years, to give him such a pleasant surprise.

He hadn’t realized that young Lin Hui had such a solid foundation. Now, suddenly, he had displayed something impressive on the ring.

He had truly helped Mingde save face!

“With such insight, he should be marked for observation. Has he taken a master?” Minxiu held his wine cup, his words betraying a hint of interest.

He had always lacked a reliable, closed-door disciple.

“Even I didn’t realize his potential when I brought him in,” Mingde immediately interjected, sensing the intent.

“I haven’t even spoken yet, and you’re already jumping in…” Minxiu said, speechless.

“Heh heh. Well, I fell for that trap once before, didn’t I?” Mingde chuckled, glancing at Daoist Baohe.

He was still pained over the fact that Chen Sui, whom he had discovered, was snatched away by the Abbot before he could even open his mouth.

“Although he’s good, he only has potential. He’s still inferior to Huang Shan, Qiu Yiren, and Wu Cheng. After all, Seven-Section Quick Sword Body Tempering is still not as effective as the Clear Wind Sword Style. The earlier you start Body Tempering, the better the effect, and the wider the gap will become,” Daoist Baohe chuckled. “So, the rest of you don’t need to argue. Huang Shan and Qiu Yiren can each go to one of you. Don’t fight Mingde for this Lin Hui.”

He was famously good-tempered within the temple. As he mediated the situation, the three Ming Generation Masters reluctantly stopped arguing and focused on the matches.

At this time, another person had already taken the stage. While they were talking, Lin Hui had already instantly defeated one more opponent and was fighting the next one.

This opponent was much stronger than the previous ones. He had reached Third-Rank Body Tempering.

His Nine-Section Quick Sword was extremely proficient, and his comprehension was deep, lacking nothing in speed, ferocity, or precision.

Lin Hui no longer just defended but exchanged blows with the opponent.

About two minutes later, with a soft clang, the opponent’s long sword was knocked out of his hand. He stepped back, a small cut appearing on the side of his wrist.

“Thank you for showing mercy, Junior Brother Lin.”

“I concede.”

Lin Hui cupped his hands. His breathing was somewhat rapid now.

Fighting three opponents in a row was a considerable challenge to his physical energy. He had initially thought he could take on four, but now it seemed he was pushing it.

“Next contender, ranked tenth, Ouyang Zhong.” The Taoist child’s voice was already a bit hoarse.

With a sound of the gong.

Amidst a whistling rush, a figure leaped into the air, soaring over the railing and landing steadily on the ring.

This was clearly not the movement technique of the Clear Wind Taoist Temple, immediately causing discussion among the surrounding viewing stands.

“The Clear Wind Taoist Temple does not forbid learning external martial arts. This Ouyang Zhong practices family martial arts and came here to seek tutelage. Furthermore, several of the top ten disciples are like this. For example, Second Senior Brother Zhao Jiangan has integrated multiple martial arts, making him extremely strong, second only to Senior Brother Chen Sui,” Deputy Chief Yu Zhenhao whispered to Chief Ning Shaolang in the viewing stands.

“In that case, this Lin Hui is in danger. You said he only started learning martial arts halfway and has no family martial arts from his merchant family,” Chief Ning Shaolang said thoughtfully.

“That is true. External martial arts halls are very different from the Internal Martial Arts sects you came from. The more martial arts you practice externally, the stronger you become, whereas Internal Martial Arts emphasizes purity. The focuses are fundamentally different,” Deputy Chief Yu Zhenhao agreed.

It wasn’t just them discussing. Most of the audience in the viewing stands were drawn in by Lin Hui‘s consecutive victories.

Some were already starting to guess how many more matches he could win, and if he could achieve five consecutive wins.

Chen Zhishen sat in the distant viewing stands with Ahu beside him. Both watched the ring nervously.

“See that? Is your Uncle Lin strong or not?”

“Strong!”

“I’m telling you, even if he loses this match, your Uncle Lin will still be glorious in defeat. After all, how long has he been practicing martial arts? That Ouyang Zhong has been practicing since childhood, for over ten years now. They are not even in the same league,” Chen Zhishen whispered.

“Uncle, why are you more nervous than the people on the stage?” Ahu asked, puzzled.

“Because this match is crucial! If he wins, he enters the top ten. Your Uncle Lin will make it big this time!”

Chen Zhishen clenched his fists, feeling the sweat in his palms.

The top ten! The reputation of being in the top ten elites of the Clear Wind Taoist Temple was enough to make small gray organizations in the Outer City wary, and it would put him on the priority watch list of the security office.

Some wealthy families and large clans would also focus their attention on them, investing resources in advance to establish connections.

After all, the current top ten had the potential to become experts with the status of the Ming Generation Masters in the future.

In this chaotic Outer City, this level of martial power was not weak.

Aside from all this, the most important benefit was that the top ten could be placed in the security office, gain official status, and receive tax and labor service exemptions.

Chen Zhishen clearly understood that as a farm boy living at the bottom, he had long suspected that the lives of those at the bottom were worthless.

When exploring the mist, it was common for the government to randomly seize a few low-level people living near the mist’s edge to serve as pathfinders.

If they died, they died. A small compensation was paid, and that was the end of it.

Periodically, when the Yamen needed to repair something, they would forcibly conscript laborers from the bottom, who even had to bring their own dry rations. They would be gone for months, delaying the farming season, resulting in no harvest for the year. They would have to rely entirely on stored provisions.

Those without stored provisions would have to sell their children, and life would be miserable.

Despite this, ordinary citizens couldn’t flee because the mist completely blocked all escape routes. Without a large trade caravan leading the way, fleeing meant certain death.

Chen Zhishen retracted his thoughts, looked at the ring, and silently cheered for Lin Hui as he continuously exchanged blows.

---

On the ring.

Lin Hui blocked left and right. He and his opponent were evenly matched, both stepping back and panting heavily.

“The top ten, just one win away from five consecutive wins. Senior Brother, why not grant me this favor and concede this round?” Lin Hui said softly.

“Why exert yourself so much when you are already so tired, Junior Brother? It’s only a top ten ranking; is it worth fighting so hard?” Ouyang Zhong practiced family martial arts and had extremely strong physical energy. His leg techniques were superb, and combined with his sword style, he put great pressure on Lin Hui.

“Senior Brother’s family is wealthy and naturally does not value the top ten status, but the situation is different for me, your junior brother. The temptation of the top ten and five consecutive wins is too great to ignore…” Lin Hui said sincerely.

“Junior Brother, that is incorrect. The top ten is purely based on strength. If it relied on concessions, why hold a grand competition? Wouldn’t it be easier for everyone to discuss and negotiate the rankings privately below the stage?” Ouyang Zhong sighed.

“Senior Brother…” Lin Hui suddenly showed a look of difficulty. “Very well… For the sake of the top ten, I must reluctantly offend you.”

After understanding the significance of the top ten, and being so close, his inner moral line began to waver.

Just one time.

Just one use to secure the top fifteen ranking. That would be enough.

“Actually, Junior Brother is naturally able to unleash slightly more explosive power than an ordinary person.”

Lin Hui quickly decided in his heart. One use of Light Body, and that would be enough. As long as it wasn’t too exaggerated, he could still explain the sudden sword speed as a potential burst.

“Explosive power? Let me see how powerful the explosive power Junior Brother speaks of is?” As soon as Ouyang Zhong finished speaking, he lunged with his sword, striking at Lin Hui‘s waist with extreme speed.

The sword tip trembled, and the subsequent change in stance completely blocked Lin Hui‘s path of evasion.

This sword style was on a completely different level from the previous opponents and was indeed at a level comparable to Lin Hui‘s current strength.

Hark!!

Just then, Lin Hui violently let out a sharp roar.

His sword shadow rose. In an instant, his sword speed surged. His entire body’s strength seemed to be poured into the blade.

This upward strike, rising from below, brought a piercing sword wind even before it reached the opponent, causing Ouyang Zhong‘s abdomen to tingle.

Light Body special effect, activate!

Lin Hui‘s arm instantaneously became a blur. The speed of his previous swing doubled in that moment!

The terrifying sword speed left the opponent completely unable to react, unable to block, unable to evade!

Ouyang Zhong could only stand there, frozen dumbfounded, his body leaning backward, watching the silver sword shadow flash before his eyes.

Chii!!!

The sword shadow sliced past him, cutting a few strands of black hair, and shot into the sky with a sharp sound of the air being sliced. It missed splitting him in two by a mere fraction.

(End of Chapter)