Chapter 34 Taking the Initiative to Enter the Ring

Words : 1941 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

```The Longxiang Cavalry is an army assigned to guard the various county cities of the Great Qin Dynasty. While not as prestigious as the Xuanwu Army, they are certainly not to be taken lightly. In those days, the name "Longxiang" itself referred to the former Longxiang Great General, who thirty years prior was lauded by the Shi Family for his unparalleled achievements: "He brought down two nations, seized one hundred and twenty-two counties, crowned two kings, appointed three chancellors, and promoted six generals"—a feat he forcibly wrested from the hands of the Supreme Former Emperor. Xu Ziyang held the position of Longxiang General in Wangxian County. His strength was not inferior to that of any so-called first-class expert in the county. Even if he had restrained his Inner Strength, there was still a chance he could underestimate his opponent out of carelessness... But no matter how many excuses the young onlookers tried to find for this forthright and unrestrained general, the scene unfolding before them was undeniably real, even more so than the very ground beneath their feet. A mere youth had forced a renowned expert of equal Cultivation to defend himself and even to rise up in defense out of necessity. Had it been thirty years ago, could this Shaolin's Wang Anfeng truly have defeated the then-youthful Longxiang General, or even... Defeated him in battle! Thirty years later, might this blue-garbed youth before them become a legend in the Jianghu, revered by all? As they found their thoughts uncontrollably sliding toward such a profound abyss, every member of the Noble Clan gazed at Wang Anfeng with a mix of solemnity and subtle flickers in their eyes. "Hahaha, excellent martial arts! Excellent martial arts! That was exhilarating!" Looking at the Mo Dragon Force entwined around his body, Xu Ziyang burst into laughter, his eyes sparkling as if he had discovered something utterly delightful. He patted Wang Anfeng on the shoulder and laughed loudly, "Your boxing technique is good. You attacked my hand, but what martial arts style was that?" At that moment, Wang Anfeng's body ached, and his footing faltered slightly, yet his expression remained unwavering as he replied, Sёarᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It's merely the skill of controlling needles to pierce acupoints used in medicine..." Xu Ziyang looked surprised, then chuckled, "Controlling needles? Where did you get needles, young man?" Wang Anfeng shook his head and said, "Indeed, I don't have needles, but just as chopping wood can be done with an axe or a fist, in the end, as long as the wood can be cut, the task is completed. Controlling needles is just a way to channel Inner Strength into acupoints, whether with a needle or a fist, what difference does it make?" The Longxiang General mulled over these words, his eyes sparkling slightly. He then burst into a long, delighted laughter as if he could not contain his joy and exclaimed, "Excellent, excellent, excellent!" "If you do not fall amid the strife of the Jianghu, in thirty years, I will be no match for you!" "Nephew, come and drink with us quickly... Otherwise, your little concubine here will be claimed by this old man. Tonight, we'll have an eighty-year-old playing the groom, with pear blossoms overwhelming the crabapples." Just then, from a distance, an aged voice resonated, soft yet resonant, its echoes lingering long in the air. It was unclear from where the voice came. Xu Ziyang's smile momentarily froze, and he rubbed his forehead with a pained grin, saying, "Little brother, the old master is calling again. His seniority is too great, so Old Xu must take his leave first... If fate allows, let us drink together another day!" With that, he casually stepped into the void. The Roaming Dragon around his body wreaked havoc, thickening the surrounding air like a divine dragon traversing the waves. In a flash, he was gone, leaving only his hearty and unrestrained laughter in the air: "Hahaha, old master, just a moment, it was agreed that Old Xu's beauty is off-limits to you!" His laughter faded into the distance. The middle-aged man who had been arbitrating, wearing a gloomy expression, glanced at the sky and muttered a curse under his breath before climbing into the ring, his naked, pale arm swinging. He looked down with a darkened face and asked, "Anyone else want to fight?" There was dead silence as his voice echoed. The rapid and captivating exchange that had just occurred was absolutely thrilling. Nine battles fought, nine victories won. Perhaps Wang Anfeng was now greatly diminished in strength, but those below were all youths. Youths, proud at heart. To take advantage of someone's distress to issue a challenge would make even a victory seem unworthy, turning one into a triumphantly preening clown, an object of scorn and contempt. Seeing the situation, Wang Anfeng finally felt some relief. Indeed, his body was exhausted, and he could probably defeat only a few more combatants at most. With a relaxed heart, he turned to look toward Xue Shisan and the others, only to see the dashing Xiahou Xuan and the drunken Huangfu Xiong, but not the familiar face he expected, which caused him to start slightly. "Anfeng, stop looking. That kid has left." Huangfu Xiong noticed his gaze, swallowed a mouthful of wine with a joyful face, and shouted, "This kid got caught by his own people and he doesn't even know it. He was just taken away, saying he'll be shut in solitary confinement for three years until he turns seventeen, then thrown out. Hahaha, how satisfying! How satisfying!" Wang Anfeng was taken aback. Although still on the platform, he couldn't help but cry out, "What?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!" Xiahou Xuan gently waved his folding fan, his face also showing a hint of schadenfreude as he said, "He was afraid it would affect your fight, after all, that punishment is not light." Wang Anfeng opened his mouth, slightly annoyed, but unsure of what to say. At that moment, a young man suddenly leapt onto the stage below. He had a handsome face and lively eyes—it was Wang Bai, whom he had seen before. The Noble Clan youths below looked taken aback, and the first one who had stepped up to challenge Wang Anfeng suddenly became enraged and yelled, "Wang Bai you scoundrel, get the hell down!" ``` "Taking advantage of someone's peril, what kind of thing do you consider yourself!" Bursts of curses louder than those just levied against Wang Anfeng erupted in anger, yet the barbs were directed toward Wang Bai, a fellow noble clan descendant. Wang Bai pursed his lips, abruptly drew a longsword from his waist, and gently let go. Astonishingly, the sword, still sheathed, pierced directly into the bluestone floor, leaving only the hilt exposed. Cracks appeared on the surface of the bluestone, clearly indicating the fierce metallic aura could not be completely concealed even by the sword scabbard. The sight of such a sharp weapon caused the cursing below to falter for a moment. Wang Bai's mouth curled slightly at the corners as he looked at Wang Anfeng and, clasping his fist, said: "I'm well aware I'm no match for you, but my family's qinggong is well respected, and I can spar a move or two with Brother Wang." "If I lose, this Roaming Dragon and Gaze Moon Sword will be handed over to Brother Wang." "And if I happen to win a move or half, let's just call it making a friend." Wang Anfeng's eyes were slightly closed as he said: "Just now, you heard, right..." Wang Bai's eyes flashed with pleasure as he thought, even if I can't beat you, I can up the stakes. His mouth turned up slightly, pretending ignorance: "What did Brother Wang say?" "My friend wishes to leave, and I want to accompany him." Wang Bai smiled, unfolded his arms in a gesture, and, from his earlier observations of Wang Anfeng, considered him to be a gentleman—a gentleman can be deceived by honorable means—hence his demeanor and even the expression were quite polite. He said with a smile: "That's why I'm here to make a friend with Brother Wang too, it's all the same." "I seek your guidance!" Wang Anfeng looked up at him, his facial expression returned to its previous calm, but his lips lightly pursed as he said softly: "What kind of thing do you think you are to deserve being my friend?" Whoosh! He swished his robe, the calm and composed young man showing no lingering attachment to victory or defeat as he strode past the stiff-faced Wang Bai, stepping down from the arena. Xiahou Xuan's expression changed slightly, and he said to him: "This way, you want to incur the punishment, moreover, Xue Shisan was taken away during your second fight, that old man's qinggong is terribly strong, you simply can't catch up now." "How fast he is, that's his business, but whether or not to chase is my business." Wang Anfeng let out a breath and, clasping his fist, asked: "May I inquire in which direction they went?" Xiahou Xuan's face showed some hesitation, but Huangfu Xiong had already interjected: "Head to the north of County City, by the ferry crossing, you should be able to find them." "Thanks to Brother Huangfu." Wang Anfeng bowed in thanks, then strode away decisively, the crowd intimidated by his authority, making way for him. Xiahou Xuan said with a complex expression: "Why did you tell him that?" "Because I admire him, he's worth befriending." "But with that old man there, he may not be able to catch up, and even if he does catch up... I'm afraid it's not going to be anything good." Huangfu Xiong's expression changed slightly, then he shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Well, that's not something we need to worry about anymore." Ending his sentence, he casually waved his right hand, sending the empty wine jug flying through the air, knocking the hand that Wang Bai was reaching to pull out his longsword away. Then, with one leap, he took several steps in mid-air and landed on the arena platform, his boot firmly pressing on the hilt of the longsword. Wang Bai's expression shifted slightly, and he said: "What are you doing? I'm not competing anymore..." Huangfu Xiong laughed and said: "Who says you're not competing? You just said you wanted to make a friend with Wang Anfeng, he's my friend, and I've always believed that a friend of my friend is also my friend. For you to aspire to be my friend, aren't you insulting both me and my friend? If I don't stand up for my friend and my friend's friend, I really won't feel right inside." Wang Bai was left somewhat dizzy by his barrage of words and exclaimed: "That's downright sophistry!" Huangfu Xiong's expression stiffened slightly, as he sighed in a slightly defeated manner: "I'm really not suited for debate..." Wang Bai felt a faint sense of relief within but then saw the young man in front of him pick up his own fists and sigh: "That's why I've always thought it's better to settle things with fists than with words." Roars like those of dragons and tigers suddenly filled the air.

Chapter 34 Taking the Initiative to Enter the Ring

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