Zhu Feng launched more than ten consecutive attacks, yet all came to nothing. Greatly astonished, he thought to himself, "Where on earth did this old man come from? His skills are downright uncanny!"Still, the fury in his chest refused to subside. Overcome with rage, he roared,"Zhou Jie! Come help me deal with this old man!"
Situ Kong, wearing the look of a mischievous child, burst into loud laughter."Isn't this fun? Come on! Three people fighting is much more entertaining!"
At the edge of the field, Liu Yun watched Situ Kong teasing the Twin Freaks of Jiangnan and could not help but find it both comical and absurd. She pressed her lips together in a smile. She knew Situ Kong was eccentric and irreverent despite his age—but never malicious. At this moment, he was clearly toying with the Twin Freaks on purpose.
The onlookers, however, were greatly alarmed. Each of them thought, This old man's martial arts are extraordinary—he must possess peerless skills—but to challenge the Twin Freaks alone is sheer arrogance!
Zhou Jie stamped the ground and leapt fiercely, wind whistling beneath his feet. After several bounds, he thrust out a palm strike toward Situ Kong. With a powerful sweep of his arm, a blast of fierce palm wind howled forth, striking straight toward Situ Kong's face.
Situ Kong lifted his arm and deflected the strike, slipping aside. Zhu Feng's right palm attacked immediately after; Situ Kong bent low and evaded. Zhu Feng practiced a hard, masculine style, while Zhou Jie cultivated a soft, yin-based path. Three men, six palms—attacking and countering—whump, whump! Palm strikes rang out as multiple currents of force surged chaotically across the courtyard.
In an instant, they exchanged more than ten moves. The Twin Freaks struck with ruthless ferocity, yet although Situ Kong was already over seventy, his agility rivaled that of a youth, and his techniques were even steadier than theirs.
Suddenly, Situ Kong leapt several zhang backward and laughed loudly."That was merely loosening my muscles and circulating my qi!"
Zhu Feng and Zhou Jie were both masters of top-tier martial arts. Seeing Situ Kong laugh so freely, they refused to be outdone and laughed as well.Zhu Feng said, "Old man, don't get cocky. We were just loosening our muscles too!"Zhou Jie added coldly, "Dodging nonstop—where's the skill in that?"
Situ Kong's laughter abruptly ceased."If this old man takes even three more steps back, I'll count it as my loss. I only fear you two don't have the ability. Come on!"
The two exchanged stunned glances, shock written plainly on their faces. The disciples of both factions gasped inwardly as well. They had just witnessed how ferocious the Twin Freaks' attacks were—unstoppable and overwhelming. The old man's martial arts were indeed profound, but even if he could win, how could he possibly fight without retreating more than three steps?
Though the disciples each supported their own side, every one of them felt that the old man's words were excessively arrogant.
Zhu Feng shouted angrily,"You said it yourself!"
Situ Kong stepped forward leisurely, his demeanor proud and disdainful."That's right."
Zhou Jie seethed inwardly. What an outrageously arrogant old man!
Situ Kong glanced at them and said,"You two aren't young either—you're old men yourselves. This old, old man is right here. If I retreat even three steps, I lose. I only fear you lack the skill. Come!"
The Twin Freaks were both past fifty. Zhu Feng bellowed,"Shameless bragging!"
His left hand feinted forward while his right palm surged with force, striking straight at Situ Kong's centerline. Situ Kong placed his left hand behind his waist, receiving the attack with his right. As Zhu Feng's right palm reached his chest, Situ Kong moved with lightning speed—seizing the elbow and pressing it downward.
Zhu Feng's left palm shot out instantly. Situ Kong's right hand withdrew and defended faster than thunder, deflecting the strike and flowing seamlessly into a counterpalm.
Bang!
Zhu Feng was struck in the right chest. Blood spurted from his mouth as he staggered, lost his footing, and collapsed to the ground.
Zhou Jie shouted furiously,"You're courting death!"
His twin palms spun like a whirlwind as he attacked Situ Kong. Situ Kong did not move his feet at all. This time, his right hand rested behind his waist while his left received the attack. Suddenly, he flipped his wrist and sank his palm.
Smack! Smack!Bang!
Zhou Jie was struck in the left chest. Blood poured from his mouth as he stumbled and fell heavily to the ground as well.
These exchanges were so swift that aside from Wu Tong and his wife, and Gang Leader Xu Li, no one—including Ye Wen and Meng Cheng—could clearly see how Situ Kong had struck.
Situ Kong clapped his hands together, nodded in satisfaction, and laughed."You two old fellows—how disappointing! I didn't even take a single step back!"
Liu Yun laughed lightly and walked briskly into the courtyard."Well? This old, old man's martial arts are peerless. Today he merely showed a little of his skill. If he truly meant to strike, one palm would have killed you Twin Freaks of Jiangnan on the spot!"
Zhu Feng clutched his right chest, enduring the pain."Who… who exactly is he?"
Zhou Jie clutched his left chest as well."State your name!"
Liu Yun replied with a smile,"What? Still thinking of revenge?"
Wu Tong stepped forward slowly, smiling bitterly as he shook his head. With a sigh, he said,"Twin Freaks of Jiangnan—this senior is none other than 'Western Pinnacle' Situ Kong."
Upon hearing this, all thoughts of revenge vanished instantly. Though the Twin Freaks had roamed the jianghu for years with fiery tempers, today they were utterly subdued. How could they not know the name Western Pinnacle Situ Kong? They had heard of him countless times, yet never seen his face. Who would have thought they would fall into his hands today?
The two rose and walked away dejectedly toward Meng Cheng. Liu Yun laughed and called out,"If you want revenge, we'll be waiting anytime!"
Meng Cheng knew they had encountered a true master today. Coming to provoke trouble only to suffer defeat left him unwilling to accept the outcome. Filled with resentment, he said,"Gang Leader Xu, the old grudges between the Dockside Gang and the Xu Zhou Gang remain unresolved—and today new hatred is added. We shall meet again at the Heroes' Assembly!"
With that, he shouted to the Dockside Gang members,"Leave!"
Just as the saying goes:
They come to one's door arrogant and proud,Defeat in hand, yet refuse to admit loss.Trading fists and palms in martial contest,Still they claim the name of 'great men'.
Wu Tong, though loyal and righteous, despised evil deeply. He said,"These two are petty thieves and scoundrels, long infamous for their misdeeds in the jianghu. Today they colluded with the Dockside Gang to provoke trouble. Senior Situ's lesson was truly satisfying!"
Gang Leader Xu Li clasped his hands respectfully toward Western Pinnacle Situ Kong."Thank you, Senior Situ, for your righteous assistance. I am deeply grateful."
Seeing Xu Li's courtesy, Situ Kong returned the gesture and laughed."A small effort—hardly worth mentioning. Just loosening my muscles and circulating my qi, that's all!"