Imperial Treasure
Chapter 106 - 84: Martial Contest_2

Chapter 106: Chapter 84: Martial Contest_2

Beyond him, nearby are people on both sides.

One side dressed in black, the other...

"Elder Shi, your disciple has failed," said the person speaking, her voice crisp but drawn out, habitually dragging the last syllable with a lazy sibilance, rising and falling in pitch, an intonation that brooked no refusal, evoking the image of a noble lady lounging lazily behind a curtain, or perhaps a dashing maiden galloping across the meadows.

The stark contrast in impressions underscored the contradiction of her persona, yet surprisingly charismatic.

One could hear her voice without yet seeing her face.

Elder Shi, imposing as ever, was not upset when he heard her words. Instead, he chuckled and shook his head with his hands behind his back, "Yes, he has lost, and lost splendidly."

The defeated man wore a face full of shame, but under everyone’s gaze, he clenched his fist and bowed to the much younger youth.

The vanquished, bowing in respect.

The tall youth was momentarily stunned, then turned his head to look.

Standing beside the woman, the masterly youth glanced at him and said indifferently, "You’ve won, accept it graciously. Why the rush?"

"Very well said... Now, for the next match, you go down."

The woman acted as if she were playing a game of chess, disinterestedly moving the pieces, any move she made was at her whim and mood.

At Elder Shi’s side, his gaze swept over several disciples who had started learning in recent years. Resolute they may be, but being older, they had taken up martial arts relatively late; their talents not as exceptional, and the essence of martial arts harder to grasp. Moreover, those who were older, despite adequate strength, seemed to be bullying the younger ones...

If he carelessly sent a weaker young disciple into the match and lost again, it would be demoralizing, creating obstacles in their martial arts journey.

A tough choice indeed, so...

Elder Shi’s gaze suddenly moved past an osmanthus tree and, upon seeing A appear from the entrance, he immediately smiled.

"A, come over..."

To be addressed by name by Elder Shi, particularly for a disciple who had joined the school merely days ago, meant the disciple must be exceptionally remarkable.

Fortunately, people in the martial school had learned on A’s first day that the kid was immensely talented, learning incredibly fast. It was no surprise that Elder Shi took a liking to him.

Envy was inevitable, but...

There was still him after all.

A was only eighteen or nineteen at most, barely twenty. Now stepping forward, his age was a definite advantage. As for his skill...

The tall, lean youth wasn’t surprised when he saw A, instead, he smirked, while A frowned upon seeing him.

Why him.

And this group is...

Glancing at the woman standing out prominently in front of the crowd, his frown deepened. Yet upon Elder Shi’s call, he took a few steps and cast a look back before jogging over.

"Heh, I remember your name, A,"

"Feng Sha..." A ventured to ask.

Feng Sha smiled, "Are you sure you want to fight me?"

With you saying that, there was no way I couldn’t fight now.

A raised an eyebrow and handed over his cellphone and other belongings to a fellow disciple, twisted his neck, and asked, "Do you wish to use a weapon?"

Just beside them, a row of weapon racks was brought out for display, indicating that the match had been prearranged.

It was agreed upon.

"No need... it’s not good to injure someone,"

"But I’d like to use one," A replied unapologetically. Indeed, having come from the commoners, he had climbed his way here through trials and tribulations, and to him, any gentlemanly demeanor was nonsensical; achieving the goal was what truly mattered.

Feng Sha looked at him and chose not to argue further, "You go first then."

You first, signifying that if I choose to use a weapon later, it’s acceptable too.

A chose a Tang Knife with a short handle, which suited his nature; he wasn’t one for the broad strokes of a Guan Sword, nor the virtuous flair of a sword. Therefore, he went for the crafty techniques of the Tang Knife.

These days, A had indeed been practicing the Zhenguan Sword Technique; the older brothers nodded slightly upon seeing his choice.

The kid was smart, not arrogant, knowing to capitalize on his strongest advantages, much better than those who were just vainly proud.

With the Tang Knife in hand, the previously easygoing aura became instantly sharp. A gripped the Tang Knife and walked a few steps; Feng Sha remained motionless, his clothes fluttering slightly—a sign of a martial artist’s inner strength stirring the wind.

A assumed the left front bow stance with his body slightly lowered and both hands on the knife placed horizontally before his abdomen. This posture made many disciples take the situation seriously, and Feng Sha narrowed his eyes, flicking the cigarette from his fingers.

The cigarette butt hit the ground, scattering a trace of ash and sparks.

In that instant, like the wind, Feng Sha’s shadow flickered, closing the distance to A in a flash, his body tilted, leg raised, power channeled, delivering a kick!

The leg technique of Dafeng!

When the great winds rise, clouds soar high!

Such was the momentum of Dafeng!

At that moment, the knife rose!

The great wind’s leg whip and Dao Feng immediately collided!

Would the leg be broken or the knife forced back?

Thud!

The dull and echoing sound just brushed past, the shadow of the leg became faster and fiercer, while the speed of the knife increased as well. The dominance and craftiness of the Tang Knife transformed continuously in that split second.

The wind grew fiercer, whistling louder!

The disciples dared not speak; behind the tree, by the gate, Sui Yi watched quietly, the aroma of the osmanthus increasingly intoxicating.

In front of the tree, to the front and slightly to the side.

"Zhenguan Sword Technique first move, Horse-Stance Sword Cut," the woman casually remarked, her slender fingers pinching a cluster of falling osmanthus flowers, rolling them at her fingertips, releasing a fragrance that drifted lazily from her hands as she smiled, "Elder Shi has good taste."

Elder Shi stroked his graying beard and nodded with a smile. For him, taking on this disciple was the greatest gain from returning to his old home.

Of course, such thoughts he would never share with his other disciples. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), with recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)