Chapter 55: Fists Clashing

The next day, Cheng Ming hurried with unceasing steps to the Jinghong Martial Arts Hall to find Jiang Yang.

Jiang Yang paused his movements. Seeing Cheng Ming's solemn expression, he asked, "Brother Ming, you're in such a rush. Is something wrong?"

Cheng Ming got straight to the point, his tone heavy. "It's about the Niangniang Temple Pier. The Wu family... they are forcing us into a 'duel of fists' to decide our fate!"

"A duel of fists?!"

Jiang Yang's eyelid twitched violently, and his face instantly filled with hesitation. "Brother Ming, you know well that the injuries from my last attempt to break through my cultivation haven't fully healed."

He let out a heavy sigh, appearing utterly heartbroken. "Even if I risked my life to force myself onto the stage, facing someone like Tian Yaozong... I fear my chances of survival are slim."

Jiang Yang had long known of the feud between the Wu and Cheng families, and he was even more aware of Tian Yaozong's strength. This excuse for evasion had been prepared long in advance.

Cheng Ming's heart sank instantly. Looking at Jiang Yang's evasive expression, a chill mixed with disappointment surged through him. The precious medicinal spirit fish the Cheng family had spared no expense to nurture—even if it couldn't restore Jiang Yang to his peak, it certainly shouldn't have resulted in such a dismissive attitude. He never imagined that the Cheng family's full-scale support would be met with such cold indifference.

Cheng Ming returned to the River Bureau in a daze, his face etched with despondency and anxiety.

"Boss."

Chen Qing, who had just finished his shift coming from the Zhou Courtyard, immediately noticed something was wrong with Cheng Ming. "What happened?"

Cheng Ming looked up at Chen Qing, gave a bitter smile, and recounted the Wu family's ultimatum and Jiang Yang's refusal in full detail. He added with deep apology, "A-Qing, I'm afraid I'll have to reduce your support in the future as well..."

If the Cheng family's foundation were seized, maintaining support would naturally become impossible.

Hearing this, Chen Qing fell silent for a moment. He mentally calculated: with his current strength, combined with the significant boost from his refined Fishing Toad Strength, his chances of victory against an ordinary Great Success Dark Strength expert should be above ninety-eight percent.

Cheng Ming patted his shoulder and turned to leave, his silhouette looking desolate.

"Boss," Chen Qing spoke up. "I'll fight this one."

Cheng Ming spun around abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief. "You... are you truly willing?"

The corners of Chen Qing's mouth curled slightly as he nodded. "I've received support from the Cheng family for so long; it's only right that I contribute. I can't just take and take for nothing, right?"

Ever since he reached the Bright Strength stage, Cheng Ming had provided him with unconditional support, giving him meat and Qi-Replenishing Powder every month, and doubling it once he reached Dark Strength.

"A-Qing..."

Cheng Ming's heart warmed, and his eyes grew slightly moist. The Cheng family was, after all, in a weakened position, and the resources given to Chen Qing were not considered lavish. The initial support was more about recognizing his diligent and steady character; they had never expected him to become the Martial Scholar he was today. Ordinarily, with such meager support, most people would simply maintain social appearances and stay out of matters like a duel of fists.

"Good! Good!"

Cheng Ming nodded heavily, suppressing the excitement in his heart. "I will tell you everything I know about Tian Yaozong. We must know our enemy!"

Chen Qing nodded.

"Tian Yaozong primarily practices the Seventeen Paths of Mountain-Breaking Hand. It is rumored he has reached the Great Success stage of Dark Strength..."

Cheng Ming recounted all the intelligence he possessed. According to him, Tian Yaozong had tempered his Dark Strength throughout his entire body, with only the most difficult two points—the Baihui and Yongquan—remaining unpenetrated. Once successful, he would reach Perfect Dark Strength, leaving him only a single step away from the Transformation Strength realm, where "not a single feather could be added, nor a fly land."

Of course, in a true life-and-death struggle, beyond the degree of strength tempering, it also concerned the understanding of fist techniques, movement experience, adaptability in combat, and knowledge of the opponent.

After listening, Chen Qing frowned slightly. "Boss, can you get a combat manual for the Mountain-Breaking Hand? I don't need the fundamental diagrams, just the combat patterns." This was the fastest way to understand an opponent's moves and routines.

"No problem!" Cheng Ming agreed immediately. "I'll go find it right now!"

Soon, Cheng Ming handed a combat manual recording the basic moves of the Mountain-Breaking Hand to Chen Qing. Chen Qing immediately immersed himself in it, studying intently.

Tongbei Boxing emphasized ferocity, dominance, and fluid versatility, whereas the Mountain-Breaking Hand was entirely different. It sought to highly condense the entire body's integrated strength into a single point, forming an extremely penetrative "line" or "dot," striving to break through defenses with a single strike rather than overwhelming with area.

Chen Qing repeatedly pondered the secrets of condensation and explosion within the technique.

Time passed in focused concentration, and in the blink of an eye, it was the morning of the second day.

A simple carriage stopped at the entrance of the Chen family's small courtyard. Seeing Chen Qing walk out, the Cheng family steward bowed respectfully. "Master Chen, please, get in the carriage."

"Thank you."

Chen Qing nodded slightly, boarded the carriage, and closed his eyes to focus his mind.

The carriage sped along without obstruction, and after about half an incense stick's time, it came to a steady halt at the Niangniang Temple Pier.

"Master Chen, we have arrived," the steward whispered.

Chen Qing lifted the curtain and stepped down.

A clearing had been made in the center of the pier, where a temporary fighting stage had been erected. Sunshades were set up on both sides, under which sat many merchants and shopkeepers dressed in silk. The outcome of the pier dispute between the Wu and Cheng families directly affected their future livelihoods; no one dared to treat it lightly.

"A-Qing!"

Cheng Ming hurried forward, his expression solemn. He lowered his voice and pointed toward the opposite pavilion. "The Wu family is over there. The woman is the Wu family's young lady, Wu Manqing, and the man beside her is Tian Yaozong! Be extremely careful during today's duel!"

Chen Qing's gaze was as sharp as lightning as he looked in that direction.

Under the opposite pavilion, the young woman in the pale yellow dress, Wu Manqing, had exquisite features but carried a hint of coldness. Beside her, Tian Yaozong stood like an iron tower, his muscles clearly defined beneath his short attire. He was also looking back coldly, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

At that moment, their eyes also fell upon Chen Qing's side.

Wu Manqing lifted her teacup and took a light sip. Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable pressure. "Master Tian, today is of great importance. Do not disappoint me."

A cold arc formed at the corner of Tian Yaozong's mouth, his gaze locked onto Chen Qing. "Rest assured, Madam Wu. He is merely a Grade C Martial Scholar... I know what to do. I will certainly satisfy you."

His words carried undisguised contempt.

Cheng Ming gave a few more low-voiced instructions before returning to sit under the Cheng family's pavilion with deep worry.

The life-and-death contract for the duel had been signed long before Chen Qing's arrival. Today, the winner would claim the pier exclusively; the loser would never touch it again.

*Dong!* A gong sounded.

Tian Yaozong was the first to rise, stepping toward the center of the stage with a powerful, tiger-like stride, his aura imposing.

Chen Qing remained calm, walking forward steadily to stand opposite Tian Yaozong.

"I heard the one sent by the Cheng family is Zhou Liang's disciple, a practitioner of Tongbei Boxing."

"Is the Cheng family out of people? Why send him? Tian Yaozong is a renowned expert!"

"Looks like they're just grasping at straws out of desperation..."

"Not necessarily. This kid is a Martial Scholar this year, after all. He must have some skill, right?"

A wave of low but excited murmurs erupted under the pavilion.

Cheng Huan sat in the main seat, his palms already soaked with sweat, unaware that his fingernails were digging deep into his palms. The survival of the Cheng family rested entirely on the shoulders of the young man on the stage.

Several young members of the Cheng family looked at Chen Qing's youthful face, their hearts filled with uncertainty and doubt. *Is he really Tian Yaozong's opponent?!*

Looking at Chen Qing just a few steps away, Tian Yaozong suddenly grinned, his voice booming. "Brother Chen, we are strangers with no grievances, yet today we must exchange blows on this stage. Truly, fate is fickle and the world is unpredictable."

Though his words sounded like a lament, his eyes held a certain gravity, devoid of any contempt. Everyone knew that fists have no eyes; when martial artists clash—especially in a "duel of fists" involving such massive interests—death or injury was commonplace. Martial arts were, by nature, killing techniques; in a moment of life and death, who could afford to hold back?

Chen Qing said indifferently, "The paths of the martial world are narrow; one is often driven by circumstances."

Hearing this, Tian Yaozong's eyes flickered, and that underlying gravity seemed to deepen. He subconsciously nodded slowly, the trace of a lamenting arc at the corner of his mouth vanishing completely, leaving only focus.

He understood those eight words—he understood them all too well. This was not a mere sentiment; it was a tacit declaration between them. Once they stepped onto this stage, only their fists would do the talking.

"The duel—begins!"

With a clear, sharp shout, the entire noisy pier instantly fell into a deathly silence. Only the river wind wailed as it swept across the empty water, swirling a few withered leaves, adding to the murderous atmosphere.

On the stage, the two men's gazes collided like lightning in the air, and the invisible aura suddenly tightened.

(End of Chapter)