“Founding Sovereign Long Fist? You plan to use Founding Sovereign Long Fist to prove something for Madam Ma?”
Quan Guanqing sneered coldly, leisurely stroking his beard. Listening to Kang Min’s earlier praise, he had expected something impressive. A so-called inherited technique, yet the moment he made a move, it was Founding Sovereign Long Fist.
What a complete joke.
Although the Founding Sovereign Long Fist was created by the founding emperor of the Great Song Empire and carried great fame, it was nothing more than a basic external fist technique.
A favorite among novices who had just entered the martial world.
“Chen Yu, you’ve been in the sect for some time now. Aside from Founding Sovereign Long Fist, do you know any other martial arts?” Bai Shijing asked, his face stern, clearly displeased.
Chen Yu daring to challenge Quan Guanqing, a branch leader, was already an act of insubordination.
If he truly had ability, that would be one thing. After all, strength spoke louder than anything in this world.
But if he was just a hot-headed fool, acting recklessly out of gratitude toward Madam Ma, then even if Quan Guanqing didn’t kill him, Bai Shijing would personally punish him severely.
“If I were facing Vice Sect Master Ma, Elder Bai, or the four elders Song, Xi, Chen, and Wu, I would not dare begin with Founding Sovereign Long Fist. But against Branch Leader Quan, this technique is more than sufficient,” Chen Yu declared loudly.
At these words, Kang Min, standing beside Ma Dayuan, couldn’t hold back a laugh when she saw Quan Guanqing’s face turn the color of liver.
Ah… that felt good.
Being looked down upon like this by a mere one-bag disciple, if Quan Guanqing didn’t kill Chen Yu, he would have no face left in the sect.
“You brat, you’re courting death!”
Quan Guanqing gritted his teeth. All traces of the so-called “Scholar of Ten Directions” vanished. His right hand formed into a claw as powerful inner strength surged, tearing through the air as it aimed straight for Chen Yu’s crown.
“I’ll grant you this chance!”
Ma Dayuan’s expression changed. He could tell the power behind Quan Guanqing’s move.
No matter what, Quan Guanqing was an eight-bag branch leader with great renown. This opening strike was clearly meant to kill.
Kang Min’s gaze froze as well, her fingers tightening around her handkerchief.
She had only met Chen Yu today. Naturally, she wasn’t overly worried.
But no matter what, his earlier words had vented her anger.
If it came to victory or defeat, she was naturally on Chen Yu’s side.
However, events did not unfold as expected.
Although Chen Yu appeared to be in danger, Quan Guanqing’s claw never reached his crown. It was halted midair by a vast, overwhelming force of true qi.
No matter how Quan Guanqing strained, pouring all his strength into it, he couldn’t advance even a fraction.
He stared at Chen Yu, whose stance hadn’t even changed.
Cold sweat poured down his forehead, shock and fury filling his eyes.
What kind of background does this kid have?
Chen Yu looked at his flushed face, feeling completely at ease.
He had overestimated him.
If that attack had been Quan Guanqing’s full strength, then even ten of him wouldn’t break Chen Yu’s Nine Yang Manual.
This man’s martial arts were utterly mediocre. Compared to his ambition and scheming nature, they were nothing.
Though Chen Yu’s Nine Yang Manual was only at Minor Achievement, it was more than enough to deal with him.
With a slight surge of inner strength, Quan Guanqing was sent flying.
He crashed heavily, shattering a row of chairs.
Struggling to his feet, Quan Guanqing found his arm numb and unresponsive. He couldn’t even lift it.
“Branch Leader Quan!”
Ma Dayuan and Bai Shijing hurried forward to support him. When they looked back at Chen Yu, their eyes were filled with astonishment.
“Xiaomin… what you said is true! This young man is indeed extraordinary!” Ma Dayuan exclaimed.
As Vice Sect Master, he prided himself on caring for the sect’s disciples, yet he had no idea such a talent existed.
“At such a young age, how can his inner strength be so profound and forceful? Judging by this, even Chief Qiao at the same age might not match him,” Bai Shijing said, his usually stern expression finally changing.
With his experience, he couldn’t even tell what kind of inner cultivation Chen Yu was using.
Frowning, he added, “Branch Leader Quan, perhaps we should stop here.”
The implication was clear. Quan Guanqing was no match.
“Move aside!”
Quan Guanqing’s face shifted between pale and green. Then he glanced at Kang Min, whose lips still held a mocking smile.
If he lost, his reputation would be completely ruined.
With a roar, he pushed the two aside, grabbed the sword he had brought, and charged forward again, inner strength surging as he thrust toward Chen Yu.
“Heh. What impressive methods, Branch Leader Quan,” Kang Min mocked openly, her gaze toward Chen Yu filled with interest.
Even though she didn’t understand martial arts, she could see Chen Yu was far superior. Her delight only grew.
If bare hands couldn’t break his defense, would a sword make a difference?
As expected, Quan Guanqing’s thrust was easily deflected by Chen Yu’s inner strength. Chen Yu still stood in the same Founding Sovereign Long Fist stance.
Exhaling lightly, Chen Yu seized the sword with his left hand. His right hand followed with a forward-driving punch from Founding Sovereign Long Fist, striking straight at Quan Guanqing’s face.
A scream rang out.
The intense pain forced Quan Guanqing’s eyes shut, tears and sweat mixing together.
Chen Yu followed with a sweeping kick. Off balance, Quan Guanqing lost his footing and fell heavily to the ground like a dog.
Chen Yu wasn’t done. He pressed Quan Guanqing’s head firmly to the ground and said loudly, “I have won. Branch Leader Quan, please apologize to Madam Ma!”
“Chen Yu, as the Enforcement Elder, I order you to release Branch Leader Quan immediately!” Bai Shijing’s expression darkened.
Quan Guanqing had lost too miserably, barely managing to fight back at all.
Being defeated like this by a one-bag disciple was disgraceful.
Yet even he couldn’t help but feel a trace of disdain toward Quan Guanqing.
At the same time, a thought crept into his mind… if he had been the one to fight Chen Yu, could he have won?
Now that he invoked his authority, if Chen Yu refused… would he really have to act?
“I had an agreement with Branch Leader Quan. If I won, he would withdraw his earlier words and apologize to Madam Ma,” Chen Yu said calmly, his hand unmoving.
Ma Dayuan stepped forward to mediate. “Brother Chen, we are all from the same sect. There is no need to press the matter so hard. I know you are grateful to Xiaomin, and I know you value loyalty, but this isn’t a big matter.”
He turned to his wife. “Xiaomin, persuade him as well.”
Kang Min had thought the fight would be difficult and that Chen Yu would likely lose.
She had never expected him to truly reclaim her dignity.
Now, seeing Quan Guanqing lying on the ground like a defeated dog, her heart was filled with delight.
She had always been vicious. Anyone who offended her would be remembered. But because Ma Dayuan was too kind to take revenge for her, and she herself lacked martial skill, she could only endure.
Never before had she vented her anger so quickly.
She felt utterly satisfied.
Yet since her husband had spoken, she could only pretend to persuade, “Chen Yu, release Branch Leader Quan. We are all brothers here. Don’t damage the harmony.”
But Chen Yu acted as if he hadn’t heard her.
He continued pressing Quan Guanqing down and said, “A man’s word is his bond. The Beggar Sect is the most trustworthy sect under heaven. Branch Leader Quan wouldn’t go back on his word, would he?”
He remained completely unmoved.
Release him?
Chen Yu sneered inwardly.
If he let him go, what about his intermediate reward?
No apology, no release.
“Brother Chen, Xiaomin already calls you her younger brother. That makes you my younger brother as well. Listen to your elder brother. Show mercy where you can,” Ma Dayuan urged.
Kang Min glanced at her husband with a hint of disgust, but when she looked at Chen Yu, her gaze grew increasingly appreciative.
More and more intense.
Talented, skilled, and loyal.
What a fine young man!
She stepped forward gracefully and took hold of Chen Yu’s arm, pretending to be both reproachful and affectionate. “Alright, listen to your elder sister, okay?”
This woman really knows how to push her advantage.
Chen Yu couldn’t help but think.
First “little brother,” then “younger brother,” and now she was calling herself his elder sister.
They had only met today. He couldn’t imagine what she would call him in a few days.
“Branch Leader Quan, perhaps you should lower your head,” Bai Shijing said helplessly.
“Vice Sect Master Ma and Madam have already acknowledged him. We are all one family. This matter won’t spread.”
Quan Guanqing was both furious and humiliated. But he was cunning enough to know he had lost today.
Revenge could wait.
Gritting his teeth, he spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito, “My apologies, Madam Ma. I was blind and spoke out of turn. I withdraw my earlier words.”
Only then did Chen Yu release him.
Quan Guanqing struggled to his feet, his face still flushed. The humiliation burned within him.
Chen Yu… and Kang Min…
One day, I’ll make you kneel beneath me and beg!
If I don’t take revenge, I am not human!
“Farewell!”
He stormed out.
Bai Shijing, impressed by Chen Yu’s strength, left after a few words, intending to investigate his background.
Soon, only Ma Dayuan, Kang Min, and Chen Yu remained.
“Haha! Excellent skills, Brother Chen! I’ve seen countless people in my life. At your age, only Chief Qiao might match your level. Ma Er truly failed to recognize a great talent. Fortunately, you spared his life!” Ma Dayuan laughed heartily, already forgetting the earlier conflict.
Kang Min stepped forward, her eyes shining. “Chen Yu, are you hurt?”
Her soft hands roamed over his body without restraint, her voice filled with concern. “You’re still so young. Why go so far for someone like me? If your parents knew, wouldn’t they resent me?”
“My parents are already dead,” Chen Yu said calmly.
That wasn’t entirely false. In his previous life, he had been abandoned at an orphanage due to illness. In this life, his parents had died at the hands of bandits.
He had always been alone.
Hearing this, Kang Min’s eyes reddened as tears welled up. “How pitiful… earlier you were covered in dirt like a little mud doll. You must have suffered so much, bullied and harmed in the sect…”
Then she turned to Ma Dayuan, her eyes shimmering. “Dayuan, he reminds me of my younger brother who died at four. Why don’t we keep him by my side as a guard?”
This had been her plan all along.
Ma Dayuan would soon lead the sect’s forces to suppress bandits outside the city, leaving the headquarters vulnerable.
Her trip to the northern temple had been to find a bodyguard.
Helping Chen Yu had not been kindness. She had seen his potential when he defeated Ma Er.
Who could have expected his strength to be this overwhelming, even defeating Quan Guanqing?
With such a young talent by her side, her plans would be far easier.
That was why she had been calling him “brother,” trying to get closer.
“This matter requires further consideration…” Ma Dayuan hesitated.
As Vice Sect Master, he could see Chen Yu’s potential.
To have such talent serve only as a bodyguard for his wife felt like a waste.
The empire was surrounded by enemies. Chief Qiao was stretched thin. They needed capable people.
If Chen Yu was truly exceptional, he should be reported to the Chief and cultivated properly.
“I am also willing to follow Madam,” Chen Yu said, cupping his fists.
He naturally wanted to stay close to Kang Min.
Her malicious thoughts were rich. Staying by her side would bring endless rewards.
In this martial world, becoming stronger was the only truth.
“Very well. For now, you may stay with my wife. I will inform the elders. If Chief Qiao were here, he would be delighted to meet a young hero like you…” Ma Dayuan agreed reluctantly.
Kang Min was overjoyed.
She arranged for Chen Yu to have a room closer to hers and reminded him to rest well before coming to see her the next day.
After everything, it was already night when Chen Yu returned to his room.
Lying on the bed, he eagerly opened his rewards.
[Target: Kang Min]
[Malicious Thought 2: I wish someone would fiercely refute that bastard Quan Guanqing… Completed.]
[Malicious Thought 3: Quan Guanqing, I want to see you beaten like a dog, crying as you apologize… Completed.]
[Initial reward issued: 200 taels of silver. Total: 300 taels. Available for withdrawal at any time.]
[Intermediate reward issued: Cold Ice True Qi Major Achievement Card. Upon use, the technique can be directly learned and cultivated to Major Achievement.]
[First intermediate reward achieved. Critical bonus triggered.]
[100 taels of silver. Total: 400 taels. Available for withdrawal at any time.]
[1 year of pure inner strength.]
[Martial Arts Realm Upgrade Card: Can upgrade a Minor Achievement technique to Major Achievement.]
Seeing this, Chen Yu’s eyes lit up.
The intermediate reward was truly generous.