“Despite your youth, Benefactor Ye, your insight is remarkable,” Master Du’e remarked with a faint smile. “You are correct. The technique I employed was indeed the Lion’s Roar—one of the Seventy-Two Buddhist Supreme Techniques.”
The Lion’s Roar, a rare and formidable Buddhist skill, channels inner energy from the dantian to unleash devastating force. Ye Qiu had been moments from ending Bai Yujing’s life, yet Du’e’s roar had not only repelled him but split the skin at his *hukou* acupoint—despite the monk standing ten metres away.
Ye Qiu’s heart sank. *If a single shout holds such power, how can I withstand his full strength?*
“Your skill is commendable, Benefactor Ye,” Du’e said. “Given a decade, even I might struggle against you. Were it not for my debt to General Bai, I would avoid this confrontation.”
“Enough talk, Master!” Bai Yujing snapped. “Seize him!”
Ye Qiu shot Bai Yujing a cold glare before turning to Du’e. “Proceed, Master.”
Words were redundant now—only battle remained.
“Your courage honours you,” Du’e acknowledged. His palm flexed, gathering inner energy. A fallen leaf spiralled upward, caught between his fingers. With a flick, it shot through the air like a blade, whistling sharply.
*The Flower-Plucking Finger Technique!* Ye Qiu recognised the move. Infused with inner energy, the leaf became lethal.
*Clang!*
Ye Qiu’s fist met the leaf in a metallic crash, shattering it to dust. He stood firm.
Tang Fei grinned. “He blocked it!”
“Perhaps the monk isn’t unstoppable after all!” Long Ye cheered.
Longbrow Taoist’s grave expression dampened their optimism. “Fools. The boy’s already injured.”
As if on cue, Ye Qiu staggered back—ten frantic steps—before coughing blood.
“How…?” Long Ye paled.
The crowd erupted in awe:
“A leaf drew blood? Impossible!”
“That roar earlier—divine intervention!”
“I thought martial masters were myths!”
Bai Bing’s tears fell. *This is my fault.*
“Stay back,” Long Ye warned her. “You’ll distract him.”
She turned to Longbrow, desperation in her eyes. “He’ll be safe, won’t he?”
“While I breathe, no harm shall touch him,” the Taoist declared. Privately, Tang Fei and Long Ye scoffed. *Braggart.*
Du’e observed Ye Qiu approvingly. “To withstand my Flower-Plucking Finger at your age is remarkable.”
Ye Qiu swallowed blood, his chest burning.
“Yet youth remains your weakness,” Du’e sighed.
“Master, enough chatter!” Bai Yujing’s patience frayed. *Does the monk crave conversation after years of solitude?*
“As you wish.” Du’e turned to Ye Qiu. “You cannot prevail alone. Invite Longbrow Taoist to join you.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd:
“He’s challenging Longbrow? Madness!”
“Third versus fourth on the Dragon Ranking—suicide!”
Longbrow stormed forward, finger jabbing. “You senile relic! Challenge me? I’ll flatten you in thirty moves! A century couldn’t close the gap between us!”
Du’e’s smile remained unshaken. “So you accept?”
“I do! But being magnanimous, I’ll let the boy go first.” Longbrow shoved Ye Qiu forward. “Show the bald monk his place!”
