Chapter 228: Famous Schemes in the Martial Arts World

Just as the crowd was showing continuous contempt, the situation in the arena suddenly changed.

After the exhilarating twenty-seventh sword strike, Jin Jinxian felt his sword technique had reached an unprecedented peak. A surge of heroism filled his heart as he unleashed the ultimate move of the “Chiyang Sword Technique”—the “Golden Crow Illumination”!

The long sword radiated intense heat like the sun, its crimson glow filling the eyes of onlookers. Countless sword qi erupted like rays of sunlight, concealing the “Golden Crow” and even the sword itself beneath their brilliance. The move’s destructive power was astonishing.

A senior martial artist from the Chiyang Martial Arts Academy was mesmerized, and a thought arose in his mind: “If the Thunder Saber Crazy Monk doesn’t use the Ananda Breaking Precept Blade Technique now, he’s surely going to lose…”

Having been in the Chiyang Martial Arts Academy for twenty years, this was the strongest “Golden Crow Illumination” he had ever seen. The transformation of the move reached perfection, the sword qi was wielded with divine skill, and the masculine vigor seemed to fill the air. In his view, only an external scene technique could resist it.

“Hmph, forced to use the Ananda Breaking Precept Blade Technique because of an old man…” Luo Youfeng inwardly sneered.

The majority of the martial arts world shared the same opinion. Jin the Academy Head’s sword strike was truly formidable!

Wang Ce noticed his cousin frowning from the corner of his eye and felt increasingly puzzled. At this level of “Golden Crow Illumination,” even in Jin’s prime, it might not have been possible to execute it. Yet now, in old age and physical decline, after launching twenty-seven consecutive attacks, how could he instead grow stronger?

Meng Qi “Light Words” slashed out, the blade glowing faintly. It seemed to arise from the depths of the heart, its transformations driven by thought, shifting freely and unpredictably.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The hilt, back, edge, and tip of the long blade each seemed to come alive, shifting at will and deflecting the incoming sword qi.

Ding!

At the moment the blade’s momentum reached its peak, it precisely struck the sword hidden within the qi, producing a crisp sound.

Ding! Ding! Clang! Clang! The blade and sword danced together, the sounds of their collisions unceasing.

In the midst of the battle, Jin Jinxian suddenly failed to catch his breath, and his sword slowed.

Having fought at a level surpassing his past peak, he was now beginning to feel physically drained.

As the whispering blade approached, Jin saw Meng Qi’s long sword deflect his own and head toward his chest.

Although he could endure the strike using his protective sword qi, regaining his breath to continue the fight, Jin knew his momentum had passed its peak, and his physical and mental strength were beginning to falter. Thus, he reversed his sword and laughed heartily: “This old man concedes defeat.”

Though he declared surrender, he laughed joyfully—this had been the most exhilarating sword fight of his life. A worthy opponent was rare indeed!

Victory or defeat, there was no regret!

Before Meng Qi’s blade struck Jin Jinxian’s chest, it suddenly halted without warning, as if it had always been aimed at that precise spot, causing Wang Zai to twitch his eyelid.

“Thank you for the instruction, Senior,” Meng Qi sheathed his blade and bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant.

Wang Ce stood by the window, quietly muttering, “He’s just taking advantage of Master Jin’s old age.”

Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Jin Jinxian’s loss was due to his aged body failing him after twenty-eight fierce sword strikes. It had nothing to do with the Thunder Saber Crazy Monk or his blade technique.

Thus, many martial artists, driven by indignation or jealousy, quietly condemned the Thunder Saber Crazy Monk for bullying an elderly luminary of Yedu. They muttered that when he reached that age, he too would be challenged by young upstarts seeking fame.

Wang Ce failed to notice that his family’s old servant, Wang Zai, and Shan Xiumei showed no sign of disdain. The former appeared deep in thought, while the latter two wore solemn expressions.

In a private room occupied by the Huang family, the elderly Huang shook his head: “He managed to enter the Human Roster purely by chance. Zi, this is your chance.”

Huang Zishi fanned himself with a folding fan, watching Meng Qi on the rockery, and nodded lightly: “His blade technique is indeed impressive, but it falls short of my expectations.”

“He dares to humiliate our Yedu elders!”

“Despicable and shameless, targeting venerable seniors!”

Taking advantage of the crowd, some martial arts hooligans shouted from the throng, eager to stir up trouble.

Encouraged by their cries, many righteous individuals became indignant, while the rest of the onlookers scorned and denounced Meng Qi.

Luo Youfeng sneered coldly. The Thunder Saber Crazy Monk was indeed unworthy of his reputation. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He glanced at Meng Qi still standing on the rockery and listened to the surrounding contempt and abuse. He had a plan.

Normally, he could barely force Jin Jinxian into a desperate situation by relying on his ability to project true energy outward, barely winning. The Thunder Saber Crazy Monk had also defeated Jin through a narrow margin, exploiting his age. His own performance wouldn’t be much different, and since Meng Qi had already fought an exhausting battle, his energy and stamina would be significantly depleted. Challenging him now would give him a chance to win, even if he had to face the Ananda Breaking Precept Blade Technique.

After all, losing to a Human Roster expert in a hard-fought battle was not shameful—it enhanced one’s reputation. If he could win, it would be even better. His fame would spread far and wide, and wherever he went, most martial artists would look up to him with awe and respect. Countless young talents would flock to his martial arts academy, and the Huang family of Yedu would value him even more, bestowing their secret techniques upon him!

Thump! Thump! Thump! His heart pounded violently.

Hearing the crowd’s voices, Jin Jinxian, who had been about to speak with Meng Qi, apologetically smiled at him, raised his hand to stop the commotion, and wanted to express that he had enjoyed the fight, affirming that the Thunder Saber Crazy Monk had not taken advantage of his age.

At that moment, a figure leaped from the second floor, gliding down like a giant bird.

Before he touched the ground, his voice boomed like a bell:

“How dare you insult Yedu’s martial world as having no one?”

“From the Breaking Star Martial Arts Academy, Luo Youfeng requests a duel!”

With a bang, the crowd erupted. Some raised their thumbs: “Master Luo, you’re amazing!”

“Teach this despicable fellow a lesson on behalf of Yedu’s martial artists!”

“He doesn’t live up to his reputation. Don’t be afraid. Just survive one strike of the Ananda Breaking Precept Blade, and you can defeat him!”

Others beat their chests in regret, wondering why they hadn’t thought to challenge him. After all, with an obscure reputation, there was no need to fear accusations of gang-fighting. As long as he won, he would gain both fame and fortune!

Wang Ce looked at Luo Youfeng with disdain. A cunning rogue! Even if the Thunder Saber Crazy Monk lacked the reputation he deserved, challenging him now was taking advantage of his weakened state. What kind of hero does that make you?

“Even if the Thunder Saber Crazy Monk isn’t up to his reputation, he can still easily defeat an ordinary Eight Orifice expert,” Wang Ce judged, turning to the beauty, “Xiumei, what do you think?”

Shan Xiumei replied with a slightly strange expression: “What Elder Wang said makes sense.”

“Within five moves,” Wang Zai suddenly said.

Wang Ce was stunned: “What?”

“Without using the Ananda Breaking Precept Blade Technique, defeat Luo Youfeng within five moves,” Wang Zai said solemnly.

“This… this can’t be possible, right?” Wang Ce exclaimed. After all, Luo Youfeng was at least comparable to Jin Jinxian. It had taken the Saber Crazy So Meng twenty-eight strikes to defeat Jin. How could he possibly win against Luo Youfeng in five moves without using an external scene technique?

“Three moves,” Wang Ce’s old servant whispered privately.

Wang Ce was shocked but always trusted his old servant’s martial arts judgment and quickly adjusted his opinion: “Impossible. In my opinion, at most three moves.”

He couldn’t expose his ignorance in front of Xiumei!

Huang Zishi continued fanning himself gracefully with the folding fan. He didn’t think Luo Youfeng could win, but he believed he could give Meng Qi some trouble.

Amid the noisy cheers, Jin Jinxian was about to explain to Luo Youfeng that he had lost happily and ask him not to gang up on Meng Qi, but he saw Meng Qi draw “Light Words” again and calmly say: “Master Luo, please.”

Well, if the person himself had no objection, what else could he say? Jin Jinxian stepped aside.

Luo Youfeng took a deep breath to calm himself, then raised his precious sword and shouted, slashing diagonally.

The blade force was fierce, broad and open, concealing transformations and lethal intent within. This was Luo Youfeng’s signature move, which he employed right from the start, determined to gain the upper hand and buy time to withstand the mental assaults of the Ananda Breaking Precept Blade Technique.

Meng Qi swung his long sword, and it seemed as if a cold wind blew through the courtyard. The blade technique changed with the wind, coldly slashing toward Luo Youfeng’s sword.

Good! Luo Youfeng inwardly exclaimed. The seemingly exhausted long sword suddenly flicked upward, changing from a diagonal to an upward strike, unexpectedly dodging Meng Qi’s “Light Words” and aiming for his throat.

But at that moment, Meng Qi’s long sword suddenly accelerated mid-swing, faster than Luo Youfeng could imagine—like tonight’s moonlight, when you see it, its glow has already reached you!

With such speed, Luo Youfeng’s central and right-side openings became glaringly obvious, like the sun in the sky or the moon at night—visible to anyone with eyes.

Clang!

“Light Words” struck Luo Youfeng’s right hand back, causing his precious sword to fall limply to the ground.

Luo Youfeng stared at the fallen sword on the ground, unable to believe his eyes. How did it fall?

How did it fall? This was the common sentiment among most martial artists who witnessed it. How could Luo Youfeng be defeated in a single move?

Snap! Huang Zishi’s folding fan suddenly closed, his eyes fixed on Luo Youfeng’s hand back. There was no blade wound—only a red swelling from a strike. In other words, at some point, Su Meng’s long sword had switched from the edge to the back, attacking with the flat of the blade without anyone noticing!

Most importantly, the head of a martial arts academy, a renowned Orifice-opening expert from Yedu, had been defeated in a single move?

Was this really the same Thunder Saber Crazy Monk who had barely defeated Jin the Academy Head after a difficult battle?

Why did he suddenly seem like a completely different person?

This was the true power of a Human Roster expert… Similar thoughts arose simultaneously in everyone’s minds.

And the Thunder Saber Crazy Monk hadn’t even used the Ananda Breaking Precept Blade Technique yet!

The nearby Jin Jinxian was equally stunned, barely believing this was the same Saber Crazy he had just fought. He watched helplessly as he sheathed his sword and leaped down from the rockery.

“He actually won in just one move…” Wang’s old servant murmured softly. Wang Zai frowned deeply, and Shan Xiumei’s eyes slightly narrowed.

Wang Ce chuckled dryly: “Haha, I was right. At most three moves.” How was this possible!

At this moment, Wang Zai lightly inhaled and walked to the window, loudly declaring: “‘Saber Crazy’ Young Master Su’s move was truly extraordinary. He lured Master Luo into changing his technique himself, falling into a trap. Moreover, this move embodied the essence of the Saber Dao, fast as thunder.”

So that’s how it was! Hearing Wang Zai’s explanation, the martial artists and Luo Youfeng finally understood—this was the true display of the Thunder Saber Crazy Monk’s strength?

Wang Zai continued: “But in my opinion, this move was not as impressive as Su Young Master’s performance against Master Jin.”

“Eh?” Including Jin Jinxian, most martial artists were astonished.

“Twenty-eight sword strikes, each perfectly harmonizing with the Chiyang Sword Technique, step by step pushing Master Jin’s swordplay to its peak, and step by step exhausting his physical strength, causing Master Jin to ultimately not lose due to technique but due to his own stamina, while experiencing an exhilaration he had never known in his life.”

“Twenty-eight sword strikes, not attacking a single blow yet defeating the opponent—this swordplay truly deserves the title of master!”

“This was Su Young Master’s respect for the elderly!”

If he had defeated Jin Jinxian in just two or three strikes, how could the old man, who had been unexpectedly challenged, bear such humiliation? His lifelong reputation would be ruined.

Thus, Meng Qi fought defensively, sharing an unforgettable martial arts duel with him, preserving his reputation.

“Could it be done this way…”

“Truly unbelievable…”

After a brief moment of confusion, astonished exclamations erupted. The way they looked at Meng Qi had completely changed—it was now with reverence and awe for a true master of the blade, a genuine Human Roster expert!

What a day of enlightenment!

Meng Qi stood with his hands behind his back, enjoying the cheers and praises, secretly thinking:

At first glance, Wang Zai might appear irritating, but he was truly fair and impartial, deserving of admiration. Otherwise, his methods would have been wasted on the wrong person—like casting a flirtatious glance at a blind man!