Ye Qiu understood Xiao Jiu’s intentions: Xiao Jiu wanted to balance loyalty and filial piety, seeking death in the process.
To honour this, Ye Qiu could only comply.
“Boom!”
The two clashed again.
Their fists collided once more.
As their fists met swiftly, Ye Qiu felt a ferocious force surge towards him, overpowering his own strength.
Step, step, step!
Ye Qiu retreated five steps.
Seeing Ye Qiu repelled by Xiao Jiu’s punch, the prominent figures in the crowd cheered and clapped.
“Well fought!”
“Worthy of the Champion Marquis!”
“Champion Marquis, kill him quickly!”
Earlier, Ye Qiu had killed several people in front of them, sparking their resentment. But, intimidated by his killing intent, they had dared not speak out.
Now, seeing Xiao Jiu push Ye Qiu back, they eagerly wished for Ye Qiu’s immediate death.
On the other side.
Ye Wudi asked Ye Wuwei: “Second Brother, who do you think will win?”
“I’m no expert in martial arts, so it’s hard to say,” Ye Wuwei replied, then added, “But I have faith in Ye Qiu.”
“I have faith in Ye Qiu too,” Ye Wudi said with a smile.
“Don’t be too optimistic,” Dragon Lady said. “Xiao Jiu is the top-ranked master on the Dragon List. It won’t be easy for Ye Qiu to defeat him.”
“What do you see, my dear?” Ye Wudi asked.
Dragon Lady said: “When I saw Xiao Jiu in the Northern Border last time, his skills and cultivation were far less impressive than now. Moreover, with his resolve to die, his combat strength is even greater than before.”
“Even a master with six strands of true qi might not be his match.”
Ye Wudi was unperturbed: “No matter how strong Xiao Jiu is, can he surpass Miyamoto Musashi? Can he surpass the Witch God?”
“Ye Qiu defeated both Miyamoto Musashi and the Witch God. Xiao Jiu won’t be an exception.”
“But it’s a pity for the Champion Marquis to meet such an end.”
Ye Wuwei also sighed: “The Champion Marquis, a true man!”
At the centre of the plaza.
“Ye Qiu, I know your strength. Don’t hold back, or you’ll really die. I won’t hold anything back in this fight,” Xiao Jiu warned.
“Fine, let me experience the might of the Dragon List’s top master!” Ye Qiu’s body radiated a surging battle intent.
Roar!
A resounding dragon’s cry echoed.
Three strands of innate true qi appeared above Ye Qiu’s head, golden dragon shadows dancing, making him look like a true dragon emperor, sacred and inviolable.
Instantly, the crowd was stunned.
“What’s happening?”
“Why are there dragon shadows above that kid’s head?”
“That must be the legendary innate true qi!”
At the entrance of the hall.
Long Yi stared at the three strands of innate true qi above Ye Qiu’s head, envy in his eyes.
“Innate true qi, rare and elusive. I didn’t expect this kid to have cultivated three strands.”
Then, Long Yi’s gaze turned icy.
“This boy must die, or he’ll become a major threat to us sooner or later.”
Long Er shared the same feeling. If Ye Qiu were allowed to fully mature, the Forbidden City would face catastrophic ruin.
“No need to worry, Big Brother. That kid is doomed tonight,” Long Er said.
Long Yi nodded.
“Ha!”
Ye Qiu and Xiao Jiu shouted simultaneously, charging at each other from opposite directions.
Like two wild horses breaking free, they collided in an instant.
“Boom!”
A loud explosion.
Both their bodies trembled slightly.
At that moment, the three strands of innate true qi descended from Ye Qiu’s head, enveloping his arms. Infused with true qi, his fist unleashed a terrifying force.
Bang!
Xiao Jiu’s body flew back like a ball, crashing to the ground ten metres away.
Upon landing.
Xiao Jiu’s back slid along the ground for a distance before he steadied himself with one hand.
Pfft!
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
The crowd was shaken.
Especially those who had earlier clamoured for Xiao Jiu to kill Ye Qiu, their eyes widened, faces filled with disbelief.
The Champion Marquis was injured so quickly?
He was the War God of the Northern Border!
Xiao Jiu wiped the blood from his mouth, looked up at Ye Qiu, and grinned: “Not bad.”
Ye Qiu responded: “Just not bad?”
“You’re strong, worthy of being my opponent,” Xiao Jiu said, standing up.
“Draw your blade, or you won’t last a few moves against me!” Ye Qiu said.
Xiao Jiu laughed heartily: “Ye Qiu, you’re too arrogant. I can beat you down without drawing my blade.”
Ha!
Xiao Jiu shouted, five strands of true qi wrapping around his arms. With both fists clenched, he charged at Ye Qiu.
Even the onlookers could clearly sense that Xiao Jiu had grown stronger, as if he’d become a different person.
His body exuded boundless dominance.
And an unmatched valour!
Ye Qiu’s eyes lit up. He knew Xiao Jiu had unleashed his full power.
“Well done.”
Ye Qiu sank into a horse stance, then slowly raised his hands.
Tai Chi Thirteen Forms—
Opening stance!
As Xiao Jiu’s fists came crashing in, Ye Qiu’s hands swiftly met them, gently pushing to the side to deflect the force. Then, he pulled Xiao Jiu’s arms inward, quickly sidestepping, and drove his elbow fiercely into Xiao Jiu’s ribs.
The movements were fluid, executed in one seamless motion.
“Bang!”
Xiao Jiu flew back, his body crashing into several prominent figures nearby.
Instantly, screams, cries of pain, and the sound of breaking bones filled the air.
Several prominent figures were knocked down by Xiao Jiu’s body. One elderly man, over seventy, was closest and took the brunt of the impact, flying back with countless broken bones, fainting on the spot.
Clang!
Xiao Jiu’s back hit the ground, a dull thud echoing.
A wave of intense pain coursed through his body.
Xiao Jiu felt his organs trembling, his bones as if they’d fallen apart.
But this didn’t cause him serious injury.
Supporting himself with both hands, Xiao Jiu prepared to stand when a sweet, metallic taste rose in his throat.
Blood!
Xiao Jiu tried to swallow it back, but before he could, the blood sprayed from his mouth.
“Pfft!”
The blood stained the floor.
A shocking sight.
This time, the prominent figures didn’t react with shock but with questioning voices.
“The Champion Marquis is injured again?”
“Isn’t he the top master on the Dragon List? How is he so weak?”
“Could he be doing this on purpose?”
Some even angrily rebuked Xiao Jiu: “Xiao Jiu, this boy killed the Liang family father and son, the Tong family head, and the Zhou family head. He deserves death. Why are you deliberately losing?”
Even Xiao Qingdi, the fool, thought Xiao Jiu was holding back, shouting: “Brother, don’t hold back. Kill Ye Qiu quickly.”
Long Yi’s face darkened.
No matter what, Xiao Jiu was his disciple. Being beaten to the point of spitting blood by Ye Qiu in public was a loss of face.
He roared:
“Xiao Jiu, draw your blade!”
