Chapter 44: Acting Skills

Before the fist even arrived, that domineering gust of wind already pressed down, causing Lin Sheng's breathing to seize and his cheeks to ache.

"Young Master Mo..."

Lin Sheng was terrified to his core. Before he could even finish half a plea for mercy, he was swallowed by the gale.

How could he dare to hesitate for even a second? He hurriedly threw out moves to meet the enemy.

"Hah!"

With a strange cry, Lin Sheng's body jerked backward violently. Simultaneously, he crossed his arms in front of him like a sealed barrier, attempting to deflect the force as he retreated.

However, it was already too late; Mo Ziyu's fist had already charged in.

*BANG—!!!*

A dull, heart-stopping explosion erupted on the stage.

Lin Sheng's seemingly sturdy cross-block was as fragile as rotten wood in the face of Mo Ziyu's fist force.

At the moment of impact, an indescribable, massive force slammed into his arms.

*Crack! Crack!*

Two distinct, ear-piercing sounds of bone fracturing rang out almost simultaneously!

"Aaaargh—!"

Lin Sheng let out a shrill, agonizing scream.

The bones in both arms snapped upon impact, twisting at grotesque angles. His entire body was lifted off the ground, sent flying backward like a broken kite.

*Pfft!*

Mid-air, Lin Sheng could not suppress a large spray of blood.

*Boom!*

His body slammed heavily against the edge of the stage, tumbling twice before coming to a halt.

His arms hung limp and lifeless. The excruciating pain caused his entire body to convulse; his face turned as pale as gold leaf, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his clothes.

"Young Master Mo, it was truly a misunderstanding..."

Mo Ziyu ignored him and strode forward.

This time, his speed was even faster, reaching Lin Sheng in an instant.

Lin Sheng's pupils shrank. Ignoring the intense pain in his arms, he relied solely on his core strength to roll violently to the side.

At the same time, he poured his remaining strength into his intact right leg, kicking toward Mo Ziyu's groin like a scorpion's stinger!

The Scorpion's Sting!

This was his final, desperate counterattack.

"Hmph! Mere parlor tricks!"

A flash of disdain crossed Mo Ziyu's eyes. He shifted his footing slightly to evade the vicious groin kick, and his right hand's five fingers pressed together, his knuckles protruding like iron.

*Ssh!*

A faint but skin-crawling whistling sound cut through the air!

Mo Ziyu's hand was as fast as lightning, precisely thrusting toward the vulnerable indentation of Lin Sheng's waist exposed during his roll.

*Puchi!*

His fingertips, like red-hot branding irons, easily pierced through flesh and slammed into the waist.

Simultaneously, a malicious, hidden force seeped into the body like maggots on bone.

"Ugh...!"

Lin Sheng's body suddenly stiffened, like a snake whose spine had been removed; all his strength vanished instantly.

After a few violent convulsions, he went completely limp, leaving only faint, pained moans.

At the site of the waist wound, a shocking bloody hole gushed blood, rapidly staining a large area of the ground red.

The onlookers were all startled by Mo Ziyu's ruthlessness, while secretly shaking their heads. This Lin Sheng was truly ignorant and fearless—how could he be so arrogant without any actual strength?

"Useless! Truly useless!"

In the distance, Xu Xiuhua's face turned ashen upon seeing this scene.

Lin Sheng being beaten was a minor matter; the real issue was that he had caused the Huang family to lose face and soured the relationship with the Blood River Gang.

As the clerk announced the result, the Huang family hurriedly carried Lin Sheng off the stage.

In his current state, let alone passing the martial examinations, it would be a miracle if he remained intact.

Seeing this, a cold sneer appeared at the corner of Chen Qing's mouth.

He was naturally a cautious person; Lin Sheng's repeated questioning had long since triggered his alertness.

Soon, it was Chen Qing's turn to ascend the stage.

"Han Rou of the Han family!"

Opposite him stood a young woman. Her martial arts uniform was perfectly fitted, faintly revealing supple and elastic skin. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyebrows long and elegant, carrying a natural air of heroism, and her eyes were clear and bright.

"Chen Qing of the Tongbi Fist!"

Chen Qing responded with a cupped fist.

"Please!"

With a low shout, Chen Qing's right arm suddenly snapped out in a 'Mountain-Whipping Style' to take the initiative.

The wind from his punch exploded, his sleeves fluttering violently as a fierce gale pressed directly toward Han Rou's face.

Using the 'Body-Shifting Footwork,' Han Rou glided past the wind. Her left hand, in a 'Green Dragon Claw' strike, reached toward Chen Qing's right wrist, subtly releasing silk-reeling force.

Chen Qing's right arm shook and retracted, while his left arm rose diagonally like a venomous dragon, his five fingers like blades slicing toward Han Rou's ribs.

Han Rou's waist bent with extreme flexibility to narrowly avoid the strike. Her palms traced a circle, pushing out with 'Moon-Watching through the Window.' The soft force surged like a tide, forcing Chen Qing back.

A look of feigned 'impatience' flashed in Chen Qing's eyes. With a low roar, he swung both arms simultaneously.

This move was the 'Double Whips Shaking the Mountain.' His two arms whistled toward Han Rou like steel whips, appearing incredibly aggressive.

"This boy is still too young!"

Han Rou's heart stirred: "The opportunity is here!"

She stepped rapidly, executing the Nine Palaces Footwork to its limit, moving like a fish weaving through the violent whip shadows. She continuously deflected and guided his force, deliberately closing in on Chen Qing's centerline.

Just as Han Rou spun to attempt another entry, she spread her arms, leaving the gates under her armpits wide open.

Just as Chen Qing was about to change his move, an extremely intense odor—a mix of sweat acidity and an indescribable musk—hit him like a physical wall, rushing straight into his nostrils.

"Ugh!"

Chen Qing's movement suddenly faltered.

Han Rou did not notice anything unusual about Chen Qing; she simply thought her exquisite footwork had found an opening.

Seizing this 'flaw,' she lowered her lithe body and pressed forward like a nimble cat. Her right hand formed a sword finger, her 'Swimming Dragon Finger' carrying a soft yet sharp wind, pointing directly at Chen Qing's chest.

For this strike, she still only used seventy percent of her strength, intending only to repel him.

"Now is the time!"

Chen Qing thought to himself. He slightly retracted his chest to avoid the vital point, and his right arm appeared to make a hurried block against Han Rou's finger, but his movements were stiff and his strength was hollow.

Seeing Chen Qing block, Han Rou instinctively transitioned from a strike to a sweep, sending a wave of soft force toward Chen Qing's wrist.

For this sweep, she used only thirty percent of her strength, as light as willow catkins.

However, at the very instant their arms were about to touch—

*Pa!*

A collision sound, so light it was almost lost to the wind, rang out.

Chen Qing seemed to be struck by an invisible, irresistible, and massive force.

A pained grunt escaped his lips: "Aaaargh—!"

His face instantly turned as white as paper. He looked as if he had been hit by a battering ram, stumbling backward in a frantic retreat.

After stabilizing himself, he clutched his 'unharmed' right arm tightly. His body trembled violently, and large beads of sweat instantly covered his forehead.

"This...?"

Han Rou was completely stunned.

Her sweep wouldn't even blow a leaf off a tree! Chen Qing's reaction... was too fake.

It was so exaggerated that it felt absurd. Suddenly, she thought of something. Her gaze inadvertently swept toward her own armpits, and her nostrils twitched subconsciously.

Han Rou felt as if struck by lightning. A wave of scorching shame rushed from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

She understood!

She understood completely!

He wasn't pushed back by her force!

He was... he couldn't stand the smell from her armpits!

Chen Qing 'struggled' to steady himself, his voice trembling as if he were still in shock. "Miss Han has excellent skills. I have learned my lesson and admit defeat!"

Clutching his 'injured' arm, he 'staggered' quickly off the stage.

His primary goal was to escape that 'kill zone' as fast as possible.

The winner was decided!

The clerk announced the result: Chen Qing had ultimately received a grade of 'B-plus.'

The crowd below erupted into an immediate uproar, followed by heated discussion!

"What incredible soft force from the Bagua Palm! A seemingly light sweep possessed such power?!"

"Indeed! Look at Chen Qing's reaction! His face is white, he's sweating like rain, and his arm is shaking like that... that is definitely the sign of hidden force entering the body and damaging the meridians!"

"Softness penetrating the bone! That is the essence of the Bagua Palm! This Han Rou has been hiding her true strength!"

"Chen Qing was too careless! Once Han Rou got close, that soft palm force was the perfect counter to the aggressive style of the Tongbi Fist. It's impossible to defend against!"

"The Han family's Bagua Palm truly lives up to its reputation!"

The waves of discussion surged in.

Everyone believed that Han Rou, through her exquisite footwork and her soft yet domineering Bagua Palm, had dealt a thunderous blow to Chen Qing the moment she closed the distance.

Only Han Rou herself felt as if she were being roasted over a fire.

Her cheeks were so hot they felt like they were about to burn.

Standing there, Han Rou bit her lower lip so hard she nearly drew blood.

Listening to the praise filling the arena and watching Chen Qing's 'frantic escape'—which was actually a masterclass in acting—an indescribable surge of anger and grievance churned in her chest.

She had won, but it was an undignified victory.

(End of Chapter)