Chapter 267 - 121: Invitations from All Sides, Personally Delivering the Prize

What could ordinary martial artists at the Hidden Strength realm like them possibly do up there?

The two exchanged a look, each seeing the hesitation and terror in the other’s eyes.

Yang Jing had clearly held back just now. Otherwise, with the sheer power of that punch, Li Chong would have been too grievously injured to even move.

They plotted silently. ’If it comes down to it, when it’s my turn on stage, I have to be like Li Chong. I’ll act humble and be as polite as possible, just begging Yang Jing to show mercy and not ruin my martial foundation.’

...

The square had long since erupted in thunderous cheers.

"He’s incredible!"

"Young Hero Yang is amazing!"

"That was a perfect punch!"

"He sent a guy flying with one punch! Is he even human? Why is the gap between us so huge? Am I the one who’s not human?"

The common people didn’t practice the Martial Dao; they didn’t understand the difference between realms like Huajin and Hidden Strength. All they saw was Yang Jing casually sending a Li Family expert flying with a single punch.

What was even more admirable was that Yang Jing, despite having the power to grievously wound his opponent, had shown mercy. He had achieved victory yet held back, creating the perfect image of a Heroic Knight and fulfilling their every fantasy about the Jianghu Knights of legend.

In the crowd, Yang An’s face was flushed red with excitement. He shouted along with everyone else until his throat was raw.

Some of his neighbors from Tongyi Square high-fived one another, their faces beaming with vicarious pride. They pointed at Yang Jing on the stage, boasting, "That’s my neighbor! We say hello to each other all the time!"

...

In the first row of the spectator stands.

Li Haitao watched his family’s disciples cowering, afraid to step forward. His expression darkened instantly, a wave of frustration threatening to shatter his composure.

They had lost.

Utterly and completely lost.

Sending more of them onto the stage now would only invite further ridicule and make the Li Family a complete laughingstock.

Li Haitao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his bitterness and frustration, and slowly rose to his feet.

He first offered a fist-and-palm salute to County Magistrate Zhou Wenbin, then turned to Sun Yong beside him. With a faint, almost imperceptible tremor in his voice, he said gravely, "Lord County Magistrate, Hall Master Sun, this contest... the Li Family... concedes."

The moment he spoke, the spectator stands fell silent for a beat before erupting into a low murmur of discussion.

All eyes snapped to Li Haitao. The ever-proud and dignified Clan Leader Li had, in the end, been forced to bow his head.

The smile on Sun Yong’s face deepened. He looked at Li Haitao and spoke slowly, his voice quiet yet brimming with confidence. "How very decisive of you, Clan Leader Li. Since you’ve conceded, then as for the wager we agreed upon..."

Li Haitao’s face alternated between pale and ashen. The thought of the treasures he had wagered made his heart ache as if it were bleeding. He could only grit his teeth and say, "I will have them sent to Sun’s Martial Arts Hall shortly."

With that said, he wasted no more time. He turned to the rest of the Li Family and said curtly, "We’re leaving!"

Before the words had even fully left his mouth, he was leading the Li Family disciples away from Celestial Blessing Square under the watchful gaze of the entire crowd.

Their retreating figures held none of the arrogance and high spirits they had arrived with.

The disciples of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall erupted into a deafening cheer, swarming around Yang Jing and excitedly escorting him down from the fighting stage.

Sun Yong watched the crowd surround Yang Jing, then glanced in the direction the Li Family had departed. He picked up his teacup, drained it in a single gulp, and thought that today’s tea tasted exceptionally sweet.

After the Li Family departed, the atmosphere in Celestial Blessing Square became even more electric.

Prominent figures—the leaders of other great clans, the Huajin-level masters of large martial arts halls—all flocked over to Sun Yong, offering their congratulations with fist-and-palm salutes.

"Hall Master Sun, congratulations, congratulations! Sun’s Martial Arts Hall has caused a sensation throughout the entire city!"

"For Young Hero Yang to reach the Huajin realm at such a tender age... Hall Master Sun, you are truly fortunate to have such a worthy successor!"

"From this day forward, I fear Sun’s Martial Arts Hall will be considered the foremost among all the martial arts halls in Yuhe County!"

These men, normally so distinguished and reserved, now wore faces full of sincere smiles, their words laced with flattery.

Sun Yong was grinning from ear to ear, returning the salutes. "You’re all too kind. It’s all thanks to my disciples’ hard work and their will to succeed."

Just then, Yang Jing approached, escorted by Jiang Haoyang and a crowd of other disciples from Sun’s Martial Arts Hall.

Sun Yong quickly pulled him forward and began the introductions with a proud smile. "Jing’Er, this is Clan Leader Wang of the Wang Family, this is Clan Leader Ye of the Ye Family, and this is Hall Master Liu of the Iron Saber Martial Arts Hall. His Iron Saber Skill is said to be truly transcendent..."

Yang Jing offered a fist-and-palm salute to the group, his expression modest. "Greetings to all you Seniors."

How could these great personages dare to put on airs before him now?

One after another, they returned his salute with utmost courtesy.

"Young Hero Yang, you are too courteous!"

"So young and so accomplished! Truly, so young and accomplished!"

"The future of Young Hero Yang is truly without limit!"

In Yuhe County, a Huajin Powerhouse stood at the very pinnacle of society. And Yang Jing was so young, his future boundless.

’If not now, when would be a better time to build a good relationship with him?’

After a few moments of pleasantries, Sun Yong led his disciples to take their leave from County Magistrate Zhou Wenbin with another salute.

Zhou Wenbin smiled and nodded. "Take care, Hall Master Sun. I shall pay a visit to offer my official congratulations another day."

The whole group left the square in a tight, celebratory cluster and headed for Sun’s Martial Arts Hall.

The disciples chattered excitedly the entire way, dissecting the match. Their gazes toward Yang Jing were filled with undisguised worship.

"Senior Brother Yang, that punch was so awesome! You sent that Li Chong flying!"

"I knew we’d win as long as you were here, Senior Brother!"

"Man, Senior Brother Yang actually broke through to the Huajin realm. I still feel like I’m dreaming."

"Our Martial Arts Hall will have two Huajin Powerhouses from now on!"

"Now let’s see who dares to look down on Sun’s Martial Arts Hall!"

Xu Hong, Qi Yun, and Zhao Wenzheng trailed behind the main group. They watched Yang Jing walk shoulder-to-shoulder with their Master, chatting together. Their own expressions were complex, their minds still reeling in absolute shock.