Chapter 72: Murong Lingfeng’s Defeat

Chapter Seventy-Two: Murong Lingfeng’s Defeat

Murong Lingfeng soared onto the stage, and cheers erupted from the crowd below.

“What a graceful landing!”

“Indeed, among the younger generation, his skills in lightness technique are unmatched.”

“As expected from the chief disciple of the Master of Green Mountain—he truly stands apart.”

Murong Lingfeng landed, his opponent Li Po Kong refusing to be outdone, hefted his twin hammers and leapt onto the stage with a mighty jump, causing a thundering sound and a cloud of dust to rise.

Murong Lingfeng cast a disdainful glance at Li Po Kong. “Fatty, I’d advise you to follow Shangguan Yunfei’s example and admit defeat now.”

“Why?” Li Po Kong asked with a naive look.

Murong Lingfeng smiled. “Because you can’t beat me. If you surrender now, you’ll avoid being beaten into a pig’s head later.”

Li Po Kong nodded. “That actually makes some sense.”

Murong Lingfeng was momentarily stunned, wondering if this fellow was truly simple-minded. But if he could persuade him to leave, that was all the better. So he pressed on:

“Well then, why aren’t you stepping down?”

“Oh.” Li Po Kong turned to leave.

The whole crowd was dumbfounded.

“What the hell is he doing?”

“Is he really going to admit defeat?”

“Is he genuinely slow-witted or just pretending?”

“Po Kong!” shouted Li Baxian from the western side of the city, “Are you stupid? He’s no match for you! You’re not allowed to step down—keep fighting!”

Li Po Kong paused, “Oh,” then lumbered back, hammers in hand, puffing and panting, “Sorry, my father won’t let me surrender, so I guess we have to fight.”

Murong Lingfeng shook his head with a bemused smile. “No matter, I’ll just beat you into a pig’s head.” With that, he suddenly burst forward like an arrow, appearing behind Li Po Kong and swinging a powerful arm chop.

This move was one Murong Lingfeng had mastered; anyone struck by it would usually lose consciousness. The audience gasped at his ghostly speed, convinced Li Po Kong could not evade and that victory was imminent.

But at that moment, Li Po Kong spun around even faster and raised a hammer toward Murong Lingfeng.

“Why didn’t you give any warning before attacking?” he asked.

Murong Lingfeng was startled; the iron hammer, weighing nearly a hundred pounds, barreled straight for his face. If it connected, he’d be knocked out or worse. Thankfully, his reflexes were quick, and he leaned back and jumped away just in time.

“If you’re so rude, then don’t blame me for being rough!” Li Po Kong said earnestly, swinging his hammers at Murong Lingfeng.

Despite his bulky frame and the weight of his weapons, Li Po Kong’s speed was almost on par with Murong Lingfeng’s. Murong Lingfeng, alarmed, realized he might actually lose if this continued. With a clang, he drew his sword from his back.

Sword against hammer—one powerful and heavy, the other agile and sharp. Li Po Kong’s tall frame and long arms made his hammer swings impenetrable. Murong Lingfeng darted around, seeking openings to thrust his sword.

Yet Li Po Kong proved formidable; even when exposed, he managed to block Murong Lingfeng’s attacks in time.

As the fight wore on, Murong Lingfeng realized he could not win head-on, so he changed tactics, using his lightness technique and swordplay to harass Li Po Kong. Li Po Kong’s every swing consumed tremendous energy, and though he was naturally strong, he couldn’t keep it up for long.

Murong Lingfeng’s plan was to wear Li Po Kong down and then decide the match.

Sure enough, after three minutes, Li Po Kong collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. “I can’t go on… I’m too tired.”

The audience erupted in cheers.

“Murong Lingfeng is impressive—brave and clever!”

“Exactly, against someone like Li Po Kong who relies on brute force, this is the right approach.”

The heads of the major families nodded, clearly admiring Murong Lingfeng’s tactics.

“Haha, looks like the outcome is decided,” Ye Ying’er applauded.

Murong Lingfeng smiled triumphantly, thinking, “Now’s my chance!” He suddenly raised his sword and lunged at Li Po Kong.

Li Po Kong, startled, swung his hammer in defense, only to see Murong Lingfeng mysteriously appear behind him.

“Ghost Shadow Flash!” someone exclaimed, “That’s the Green Mountain School’s secret technique!”

Ghost Shadow Flash allowed one to instantly move behind an enemy for an almost unavoidable attack. In this situation, Murong Lingfeng needed only a single sword thrust to claim Li Po Kong’s life.

But since it was only a competition, Murong Lingfeng couldn’t go that far. He switched from sword to fist, channeling all his strength into a punch at Li Po Kong’s back.

A loud thud echoed, like a boxer hitting a slab of meat, and Li Po Kong’s back rippled like waves.

It turned out his flesh was so thick the blow had little effect.

But Li Po Kong was enraged. He seized Murong Lingfeng and clamped him tightly in his arms.

Murong Lingfeng struggled desperately, but Li Po Kong’s arms were like iron chains; escape was impossible.

Li Po Kong frowned, “You’re really too mean—I can’t let you get away with this.”

He picked up Murong Lingfeng and slowly carried him to the edge of the stage.

Murong Lingfeng panicked, “What are you doing?”

Li Po Kong replied, “I’m going to throw you out!”

Suddenly, the crowd erupted—not for Murong Lingfeng, but for Li Po Kong.

Li Po Kong carried Murong Lingfeng to the edge and said, “Off you go.” With that, he tossed Murong Lingfeng into the air as one would throw a stone into a river.

But Murong Lingfeng’s lightness technique was superb. At the last moment, he grabbed Li Po Kong’s arm and soared upward once more.

Li Po Kong, however, was no pushover. As Murong Lingfeng rose, Li Po Kong leapt up and kicked him.

Like a hen struck in mid-flight, Murong Lingfeng, shocked, was booted off the stage, landing with a heavy thud.

For a moment, the crowd fell silent, then burst into raucous applause.

“Unbelievable! Li Po Kong actually defeated Murong Lingfeng!”

“The Li family has really come into their own these past few years!”

“I wonder what treasure they’ve acquired—even this foolish son is so strong now!”

Li Baxian lounged in his grand chair, laughing, “What fortune my son has is beyond the comprehension of you trash.”

Stone Bai faced Li Po Kong, who swung his hammers at Stone Bai’s head, the hammers piercing through.

Another swing twisted the hammer out of shape.

Li Po Kong was shocked, tried to seize Stone Bai and throw him down, but couldn’t budge him.

Stone Bai aimed at Li Po Kong’s forehead and flicked, sending Li Po Kong flying.

He lay there, seriously injured and unconscious.

Li Baxian was furious. How could his son’s head withstand such a blow? He flew at Stone Bai, roaring, “Give me back my son’s life!”

He attacked fiercely, and Ye Rulong, Ye Xingzu, and Li Jiankui also jumped in.

Hammers rained down like a storm upon Stone Bai.

Stone Bai stood his ground, fearless, unmoving.

Elders from the Beggars’ Sect joined the fray.

Civil war erupted within the ancient city.