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......
The afternoon sun shone brightly over the martial arts arena.
A loud voice rang out from the referee's stand:
"Next match .... Zhang Xiaofan of Dazhu Peak versus Peng Chang of Fenghui Peak!"
Zhang Xiaofan stepped forward toward the ring. On the platform ahead, Peng Chang was already waiting, smiling warmly at him.
Before Zhang Xiaofan could get too close, Zeng Shushu hurried over and whispered,
"Junior Brother Zhang, the guy on the stage is my junior brother. We're good friends…"
Zhang Xiaofan gave him a puzzled look.
And what exactly are you trying to say?"
Zeng Shushu chuckled.
"I saw you this morning ..... you beat Chu Yuhong in one move and even seriously injured him. So, maybe… take it easy this time, alright?"
Zhang Xiaofan smiled knowingly, patted Zeng Shushu's shoulder, and gave him a wink.
"I understand."
You really understand?" Zeng Shushu pressed, grinning nervously.
Zhang Xiaofan nodded.
Satisfied, Zeng Shushu quickly pulled a few silver ingots from his pocket and slipped them into Zhang Xiaofan's hand.
Zhang Xiaofan's grin widened. He tucked the silver safely into his robes.
"Don't worry — your junior brother will leave here without a scratch."
With a light leap, Zhang Xiaofan landed on the ring and bowed politely.
Junior Brother Zhang Xiaofan greets Senior Brother Peng."
Peng Chang quickly returned the bow almost too respectfully and spoke in a low voice:
"Please, let's fight a little longer so I don't lose face. If you beat me in one strike, I'll be embarrassed for life. Also… please be gentle. I'm not a fan of pain."
Zhang Xiaofan patted the spot where he'd stashed the silver.
"No problem. I like working with people who understand each other."
Peng Chang felt relieved. He turned to the audience and called out loudly,
Junior Brother Zhang, watch yourself!"
At once, he raised his sword. Flames erupted from the blade as he slashed toward Zhang Xiaofan.
Zhang Xiaofan remembered his promise but also wanted to make it look convincing.
He drew his own sword and cut through the flames with a burst of sword energy… which then shot straight toward Peng Chang!
Peng Chang's eyes went wide. Wait, wasn't this supposed to be gentle?!
Seeing the attack coming too fast to dodge, he panicked and shouted:
"More money! More money!"
Instantly, the sword energy dissolved in midair, vanishing as if it had never existed.
Zhang Xiaofan wiped his forehead dramatically.
"Senior Brother Peng, your swordplay is truly fierce.. I almost couldn't stop myself."
From the stands, Tian Ling'er stared silently. Lu Xueqi just blinked in confusion. Dozens of disciples whispered among themselves.
The fight continued. Peng Chang charged forward with all the power he could muster. Zhang Xiaofan blocked with apparent difficulty, occasionally catching Peng Chang's arm to steady him .. though the gesture somehow looked suspiciously like… collecting payment.
Peng Chang muttered between attacks,
"Didn't we agree to go easy? If you hadn't stopped that sword just now, I'd be lying flat already."
Zhang Xiaofan smiled sheepishly.
"That was less than ten percent of my strength. Maybe… you're just too weak?"
Peng Chang: "…"
Still, he played along, roaring:
"Your swordsmanship is amazing, Junior Brother Zhang! Come again!"
From the viewing platform, Master Cangsong scowled.
Junior Brother Tian, your Zhang Xiaofan could've ended this instantly, but he's dragging it out for money! This is disgraceful."
Tian Buyi sipped his tea calmly.
"Peng Chang paid for it. If your disciples want the same treatment, they can pay too."
Pay… for mercy?!" Cangsong's voice trembled with fury.
"Of course," Tian Buyi added casually. "But if they don't pay enough, they'll still lose in one strike."
Half an hour later, Peng Chang was drenched in sweat, hands shaking as he struggled to lift his sword.
His spiritual energy was nearly gone, while Zhang Xiaofan still looked fresh.
Finally, Peng Chang collapsed to one knee. Zhang Xiaofan leaned close and whispered,
"You know, you could pay more. I could keep this going for hours ...even all night."
Peng Chang groaned,
"No thanks. My arms and legs are numb already. Half an hour is plenty."
Zhang Xiaofan sighed and sheathed his sword. Without its support, Peng Chang fell flat to the ground, trembling.
The crowd stared at Zhang Xiaofan's honest-looking face and thought, Let's hope our senior brothers never have to fight him… expensive and exhausting!
The next day
The referee's voice echoed again:
"Dazhu Peak's Zhang Xiaofan versus Xiaozhu Peak's Lu Xueqi!"
Both stepped onto the ring.
Lu Xueqi bowed gracefully.
"Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak. Please guide me, Junior Brother Zhang."
Zhang Xiaofan looked at her with a grin.
"We're old acquaintances. No need for formalities."
Lu Xueqi nodded politely.
Zhang Xiaofan smirked.
"And stop calling me 'Junior Brother Zhang.' Call me Xiaofan… or better yet, Grandma... er, Xueqi!"
"Huh?!" Lu Xueqi's eyes widened. She quickly glanced at her master, Shuiyue Zhenren, who was glaring daggers at Zhang Xiaofan from the platform.
Zhang Xiaofan waved cheerfully.
"Master Shuiyue! How have you been lately?"
Master Shuiyue's face turned dark with anger
. She had just watched Zhang Xiaofan tease her beloved disciple and then greet her so casually,
as if nothing had happened. If she were any less disciplined, she might have spat blood from sheer fury.
However, she reminded herself that she was an elder of the Qingyun Sect.
To lose her temper at a mere teenager in public would be beneath her dignity. Instead, she turned sharply toward Tian Buyi....Zhang Xiaofan's master.....her eyes cold.
"Junior Brother Tian," she said icily, "you've trained quite the disciple… but apparently you don't bother to manage him."
Tian Buyi, calm as ever, sipped his tea leisurely before replying.
"Why should I? My disciple Zhang Xiaofan is doing just fine. Besides… think about it...your junior sister married me.
If my disciple were to marry your disciple Lu Xueqi, wouldn't that make our families even closer?"
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