Chapter Thirty-Six: Everyone, Come Forward Together! (Fourth Update)

"I'm not insane!"

Jiang Yu's gaze was indifferent, an expression that seemed to look down upon all living beings, devoid of joy or sorrow, free from anger or grief. It was much like a human standing upright, observing the busy ant colony below—a perspective incomprehensible to the ants themselves.

Jiang Ziyue, her face drained of color, met Jiang Yu's eyes and was struck by their eternal coldness, utterly devoid of emotion. She recalled following the old master to the temple as a child, offering incense and prayers; the Buddha statue in the Grand Hall had those same eyes, indifferent to the masses.

A hush fell over the scene.

To call a punch "mere fancy work" was not only an insult to Liu Xu, but to dozens in the boxing club, and to countless practitioners of Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Sanda, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Jeet Kune Do, and more.

"Kid, do you even know what you’re saying?"

Standing atop the ring, Liu Xu's eyes flashed with cold light, anger rising in his chest.

It was a slight against every genius who had built their skill with sweat, perseverance, and talent.

With a single sentence, Jiang Yu had become the target of all.

Zheng Xuan opened her beautiful eyes wide, shocked by Jiang Yu's ignorant arrogance. Time and again, he boasted without restraint—at the Jiang family, at Xia Ning’s birthday banquet, and now, even here. It was as though no one in the world was worthy in his eyes.

Liu Xu's gaze was like a blade as he gestured: "Jiang Yu, this mere fancy work of mine—let me see your skill."

Jiang Ziyue stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Everyone knew Jiang Yu had thoroughly offended everyone present. These were not fools, nor spoiled rich boys weakened by indulgence.

One who dared speak such words was either a genius or a fool!

The only one who could save Jiang Yu now was Xia Qinghan.

With that thought, Jiang Ziyue turned and rushed into a nearby room.

Jiang Yu leisurely removed his jacket, his thin figure appearing frail among the many strong, athletic youths—almost girlish.

"Kid, you insult my judo!"

Liu Xu gave Jiang Yu no time to react, skipping any formalities; the fury in his heart was all contained in his tightly clenched fists.

Martial artists, when able, prefer action over words; nine out of ten have explosive tempers.

"Liu Xu, mind your conduct," Mo Tian called out sternly from below, displeased.

Even Zhou Yongji narrowed his eyes. Though Jiang Yu was reckless, insulting everyone by calling their skills mere fancy work, a lesson would suffice. Yet Liu Xu's posture clearly meant serious injury.

Liu Xu's movements were wide and bold, exuding dominance and the demeanor of a master.

In Sanda, Liu Xu was considered a prodigy—years of sweat and hard practice had honed his basic fighting stances to perfection.

A punch like this could shatter the bones of an ordinary person's face.

Jiang Yu stood with hands behind his back, his expression serene.

Liu Xu was certainly brilliant, but through Jiang Yu's eyes, his techniques were riddled with flaws. Should he exploit a single opening, using the Ancient Flower Sect's Reverse Flower Hand to accelerate his attack, Liu Xu would suffer countless fatal injuries in an instant.

The battles of cultivators are not mere brawls, nor stubborn contests of endurance; a single flaw can mean defeat, injury, or even death.

When autumn comes on the eighth day of the ninth month, after my flowers bloom, all other flowers wither.

The Reverse Flower Hand was like a shower of petals—formless, invisible, dazzling in its beauty, yet hiding a storm of lethal intent.

For a moment, Jiang Yu's thoughts were scattered; an image of celestial beauty flashed in his mind, her affectionate smile vividly alive.

The master of the Ancient Flower Sect, peerless beauty of the ages, daughter of the King of Qishan, also known as the Lady of Qishan.

The mountains may crumble, the river may dry. Thunder in winter, snow in summer, heaven and earth united—only then dare I part from you!

"We promised eternal love, promised to withstand the end of the sea and earth, but sadly, you left before I did..."

Jiang Yu's gaze dimmed, pain stirring in his heart.

After the Lady of Qishan, Jiang Yu severed all desire, and never again grew close to any woman.

This lingering emotion had tormented Jiang Yu for nearly three thousand years.

He gathered his thoughts, sidestepped, and avoided Liu Xu's attack.

Liu Xu's pupils contracted in shock; his supposed lethal strike was effortlessly deflected by the young man before him. It seemed Jiang Yu had even been distracted for a moment.

Even so, he had dodged Liu Xu's most powerful move!

Liu Xu steeled himself, leaping up to sweep Jiang Yu’s face with his leg.

If this connected, Jiang Yu would likely suffer a severe concussion.

"You still deny your moves are mere fancy work? Though your techniques are flashy and impressive, in real life-and-death combat, these extravagant moves would see you killed a thousand times over."

Jiang Yu spoke lightly as their paths crossed, their gazes locking.

Suddenly, Liu Xu felt uneasy.

"Watch closely!"

Jiang Yu spoke again, then, to everyone's astonishment, brought his fingers together like a blade and struck downward.

The movement was straightforward, the target clear—no embellishment, just a simple chop.

Liu Xu raised his arms to protect his head, cold sweat breaking out.

Bang!

Like Gonggong smashing into Buzhou Mountain in rage, Jiang Yu's hand struck between Liu Xu's crossed arms, unhindered.

Finally, Jiang Yu's palm landed on Liu Xu's shoulder, like Mount Tai collapsing.

"Ah!"

A scream echoed.

Unable to withstand the immense force, Liu Xu's legs buckled beneath him, and he knelt hard on the ring, pain from his shoulder sending cold sweat across his body.

Defeated?

The crowd stared in disbelief.

Liu Xu had been struck down and could not rise again.

The ache was sharp and bitter—who could understand such suffering?

Liu Xu knelt in a daze, tears at the corners of his eyes, purely from pain.

"How… how is this possible?"

His great strength and the judo talent praised by countless masters had always been Liu Xu's pride.

Yet today, his strongest asset was crushed by an unknown youth.

From start to finish, Jiang Yu kept one hand behind his back.

"Hmph, a mere cat’s paw in boxing and kicking dares challenge me?"

Jiang Yu snorted coldly; had he not held back, that palm would have shattered Liu Xu’s skull.

Below, Jiang Shaoqi stood like a statue.

What happened?

When did Jiang Yu become so formidable?

Were it not for the shocked expressions around him, Jiang Shaoqi would have thought his eyes deceived him.

"No, I know Jiang Yu, always have. He’s never fought—it's not that he lacks spirit, he simply doesn’t know how."

Jiang Shaoqi shook his head vigorously, feeling deeply unsettled.

Zheng Xuan had grown numb to Jiang Yu’s miracles.

Like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon, his transformation was becoming ever more evident.

Her beautiful eyes flickered with complex emotions; this man had once been her fiancé.

Thinking of certain possibilities, she bit her lip hard: "No, I never change my mind about such things. I said I wouldn't regret it, and so I never will. Even if Jiang Yu leaps ahead and becomes a young genius, I’ll never regret my choice."

"Shaoqi is the true dragon of the Jiang family!"

"Jiang Yu's achievements are nothing but hard-earned; even without great talent, enough perseverance and patience can bring anyone to this level."

"Shaoqi is not inferior—he only lacks strong determination..."

Zheng Xuan lifted her gaze to the proud Jiang Yu, the dim light in her eyes suddenly brightening: "Jiang Yu, your excellence will only spur Shaoqi, driving him on. You will always live in his shadow."

After a brief silence, the boxing club erupted in discussion.

The way they looked at Jiang Yu had changed.

"Liu Xu was actually defeated by Jiang Yu?"

Zhou Yongji was stunned, unable to react.

Mo Tian clenched his teeth: "If we let that kid walk off the ring unharmed today, it’ll be as if we admit we’re all just fancy performers!"

Zhou Yongji shook his head helplessly. "Fine, I’ll go up and temper his spirit."

With that, Zhou Yongji looked up at Jiang Yu: "Zhou Yongji would like to challenge you."

Another fight?

Many mouths hung open; now it was just about saving face. If this went on, tempers would flare and things would get out of hand.

Jiang Yu grinned: "So, you want to challenge me too?"

Zhou Yongji nodded: "You're afraid?"

Jiang Yu swept his gaze across the crowd—no one knew what he intended.

Then Jiang Yu spoke calmly: "Who else wants to challenge me?"

Mo Tian spoke at the right moment: "Liu Xu’s judo skills are impressive, but he lacks real combat experience. All his practice comes from controlled matches. If it were me, I could defeat him within three moves."

Jiang Yu's smile broadened: "If Zhou Yongji loses, I suppose you'll be the next to challenge me?"

Mo Tian nodded. "Exactly."

...

Inside the room, Jiang Ziyue pleaded desperately: "Qinghan, if you don’t go out now, things will spiral out of control."

Xia Qinghan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of red wine, gazing at the street below.

"If he dares to boast and insult them as mere fancy performers, he must pay the price. None of us are children anymore; mistakes deserve punishment. Just because he and I are close doesn’t mean I should defend him or make excuses."

"You saw his boldness at Xia Ning’s birthday banquet last time."

Jiang Ziyue bit her lip. "I suppose in the few minutes I've been inside, Jiang Yu has already suffered outside?"

Xia Qinghan turned calmly. "Alright, I’ll go out and take control."

Jiang Ziyue was delighted.

Only then did she notice the man standing beside Xia Qinghan—a handsome young man of about twenty-five or twenty-six, who had not spoken at all.

"Lin Dong, if it comes to it, you’ll have to step in to resolve things."

Lin Dong replied boldly, "Within three moves, I can defeat anyone outside."

Such was the confidence of a master of condensed force.

As they exited the room, Jiang Ziyue instinctively glanced toward the ring.

Then, a calm voice, not loud but clear to all, came from above: "Anyone who wishes to challenge me, come up together!"