stjorthotic Chapter 48 Using Underhanded Tactics
Chapter 48 Using Underhanded Tactics
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The ground was paved with dark gray granite, which was exceptionally hard and difficult to damage with ordinary swords and knives. A standard square training ground was marked out in the center.
The venue was surrounded by specially set-up stands, where many people were seated, including members of the Pang family and other invited guests, creating a lively atmosphere.
Pang Zhan led Jiang to a row of seats near the edge of the field.
Han Long was already sitting there, but his face was a little pale, and he kept anxiously looking towards the entrance.
"Brother Han," Jiang Qi greeted him as he sat down.
Han Long forced a smile: "Brother Jiang has arrived."
He was absent-minded, his gaze frequently drifting towards the entrance.
Pang Zhan said a few words and then left in a hurry.
Jiang Qi looked around the entire venue and saw Seventh Master Pang Wei and Fifth Master Pang Yun on the main stand, along with several other distinguished elders who should be senior members of the Pang family.
In the preparation area, three people were stretching their muscles. One of them was Xuan Le from Zhenyue Martial Arts School, who had followed Pang Yun yesterday and was hostile to Qin Lin and Han Long.
The other two men, a tall, thin man wielding a staff and a burly man with two swords, were likely sponsors from other branches of the Pang family.
However, the preparation area belonging to Pang Wei's side was completely empty.
Qin Lin hasn't arrived yet?
Jiang Qi glanced at Han Long, who looked anxious, and Pang Zhan, who was leaving in a hurry, and had a vague guess in his heart.
Half an hour later, most of the invited guests had arrived, and several elderly men on the main stage began to talk in hushed tones.
The atmosphere around the training ground gradually became heavy, but Qin Lin's figure still hadn't appeared.
At this moment, Pang Zhan hurriedly returned to the main stands and leaned down to whisper a few words in Pang Wei's ear.
Pang Wei's smile vanished instantly, and his expression darkened.
After exchanging a few quick, whispered words with Pang Zhan, they got up and walked together toward the seats where Jiang Qi and Han Long were.
"Seventh Master, Master Pang, Brother Qin, he..." Han Long couldn't help but stand up and ask.
Pang Zhan shook his head, his face grim: "We've searched his residence, his martial arts school... everywhere we can think of, but there's no one there. Several acquaintances also said they haven't seen him today."
Pang Wei looked at Han Long and said in a deep voice, "I'm afraid we'll need you to step up for today's competition."
Han Long's body trembled slightly. After a moment of silence, a look of struggle and shame flashed across his face. He whispered:
"Seventh Master, it's not that Han Long is making excuses. That Xuan Le... is very strong, and his Mountain-Opening Fist is unparalleled in its power. I'm afraid I'm no match for him, and I'm afraid... I'll let Seventh Master down."
Upon hearing this, Pang Wei and Pang Zhan's expressions became even more solemn.
Xuan Le's fifth stream of qi and blood was already as thick as chopsticks, while Han Long's was less than half of that, so his strength was indeed inferior.
But with Qin Lin missing, Han Long is the only one who can step in.
"Just do your best." Pang Wei patted Han Long on the shoulder, his tone calm and gentle. "It's okay to lose, just don't get hurt."
Remembering how well Seventh Master had treated him, Han Long gritted his teeth and said, "Han Long will do his best."
Pang Wei then looked at Jiang Qi, but only nodded without saying anything, and returned to the main seat with Pang Zhan.
The unexpected turn of events clearly put both of them in a bad mood.
Before long, a clear and melodious gong sounded throughout the venue.
A steward from the Pang family walked to the sidelines and announced loudly, "The time has come! The Litong Money Shop's competition is officially beginning! The first round, the bidding, please invite the participants from the four branches to enter!"
At the top of a tall pole directly above the training ground, a specially made copper coin gleamed in the sunlight.
The competition consists of two rounds. The first round is the "coin-grabbing" game, where everyone enters the arena together to compete for the copper coins.
The second match is a head-to-head contest, with each pair facing off.
Han Long took a deep breath and leaped into the arena.
At the same time, Xuan Le from Fifth Master Pang Yun's side, the tall, thin man from Fourth Master's side, and the strong, muscular man from Sixth Master's side also entered the scene.
The four people stood in four different directions, sizing each other up, the atmosphere tense.
"start!"
The moment the order was given, the four men acted almost simultaneously!
Xuan Le was the most valiant. With a roar, he charged straight down the high pole, clearly intending to use brute force to overcome skill and seize the chip first.
The tall, thin man was agile and faster.
The strong man was a little slower, but he also rushed down in an instant and pulled Xuan Le and the tall, thin man down.
In the blink of an eye, their energy surged, and the four of them clashed, eliciting gasps from the audience.
The copper coin swayed slightly at the top of the tall pole, but no one could ever touch it.
The struggle has reached a stalemate.
As time passed, a fierce glint flashed in Xuan Le's eyes. Seeing Han Long approaching the high pole from the flank, he pretended to pounce on the copper coin, but suddenly twisted his body halfway, his shoulders and elbows carrying a fierce surge of blood and energy, and rammed into Han Long like a bull!
"Watch out!" someone on the sidelines exclaimed.
Han Long's attention was mostly on the copper coin and the other two people. Caught off guard, he only had time to turn to the side to deflect the force.
Bang!
With a muffled thud, Han Long was struck squarely in the side, sending him flying sideways and crashing heavily onto the bluestone ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop.
He felt a surge of blood rise to his throat, and struggled to get up, but was unable to do so for a while.
In that split second, the strong man saw an opening, leaped up, and snatched the copper coin!
"First match, Sixth Master's room wins!" the steward announced loudly.
Xuan Le seemed completely unconcerned. She glanced mockingly at Han Long on the ground, then clasped her hands in a triumphant gesture towards Fourth Master Pang Yun, who was seated in the main seat.
Fourth Master Pang Yun smiled and nodded slightly.
Pang Zhan and Pang Wei's faces turned ashen.
Xuan Le's attack was clearly intentional, aimed at hurting someone!
Fifth Master Pang Yun's slightly smug voice came from the main stands: "Seventh Brother, I'm really sorry, Xuan Le didn't know his own strength when he attacked."
"Young man Han Long, can you hold on? The match is about to begin. If you really can't manage, just give up."
The gloating in his words was almost undisguised.
Han Long was helped to sit down, his face pale and his forehead covered in cold sweat, but he gritted his teeth and said, "Seventh Master, I... I can still..."
Seeing his pained expression, Pang Wei said in a deep voice, "Don't push yourself! With this injury, going back on the field might leave you with a chronic condition."
But with Han Long not playing, it was just Jiang Qi.
Jiang Qi only possessed four strands of Qi and Blood, while Xuan Le and the others all had five. Going on stage would only bring them further humiliation.
If he doesn't go on stage, then Pang Wei will lose too badly in this small competition.
"Can you still fight?" Pang Zhan asked, staring at Han Long.
"I can..." Although he was badly injured, Han Long was still unwilling to give up.
"Sigh..." Pang Wei sighed softly, "Never mind..."
Before he could finish speaking...
"Seventh Master," Jiang Qi suddenly spoke, "could we change the participants midway through this competition?"
Upon hearing this, Pang Wei, Pang Zhan, and Han Long all looked at him.
"Young Brother Jiang is very kind. However... according to the rules, participants must register in advance. And all of these participants in the competition are at the fifth level of Qi and Blood cultivation..."
"I have already achieved five levels of Qi and Blood," Jiang Qi said calmly.
"Hmm?" Pang Wei and Pang Zhan were both moved and looked at Jiang Qi carefully.
Seeing that Jiang Qi's gaze was calm and his aura was deep and composed, it was indeed more powerful than yesterday.
"Really?" Pang Wei asked, confirming.
Jiang Qi nodded.
A glint flashed in Pang Wei's eyes as he instantly weighed the pros and cons.
Han Long is seriously injured, and his chances of winning are slim.
Although Jiang Qi has only recently entered the Five Paths, even if he is no match for them, he will at least not lose so badly.
"Alright!" Pang Wei decided immediately. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Jiang! Do your best, safety first!"
"Brother Jiang, Xuan Le excels at close-quarters combat, his punches are fierce, and he often uses words to provoke his opponents, looking for an opening to launch a fierce attack. You must not be provoked by his words and fight him head-on," Han Long hurriedly reminded him in a low voice.