by Fu Shou ;覆手
That was why many big families in the capital believed that the Duanmu family was falling. Though still treated as a super-rich and powerful family, it had fallen behind, compared with the five great families in the capital.
But today, as Duanmu Hongliu stood again on his feet, Elder Duanmu seemed to be rejuvenated.
He waved his big hand and wobbled his large pipe as if he was setting the world to rights. “Young man.” He said, “Do you look down upon me? What has been said by me, Duanmu Rentai, can never be changed.”
As they spoke, Master Duanmu walked forward with long strides.
They happened to see that two bodyguards were thrown to fly back into the moon-shaped gate, leading from the second courtyard to the first courtyard when the group of people walked in the second courtyard.
At the same time, Milord Chen, who was known as Short Spear Taisui, walked in with a long parcel on his back.
When Milord Chen stepped forward and greeted Duanmu Rentai, his pace suddenly stopped. The aged man in front of his eyes was obvious in his seventies or even eighties. However, he stood with a domineering look in his eyes and straightened up without a stooping gesture like a green centennial pine which could remain green in the cold wind while facing the bitter cold.
“Eh? Xiaochen, How dare you screw around in my family!”
Duanmu Long was walking behind Duanmu Rentai and also recognized Short Spear Taisui. He said in a serious tone, “I don’t care about what reason you have. You should be aware of what price you need to pay for provoking Duanmu Family.
Short Spear Taisui narrowed his eyes. After a deep breath, he said in a flat voice, “It seems that someone has set me up. But I should be to blame for not knowing this is Duanmu’s Family in advance. Now that I’ve come, there is no need to think about the consequences. I just want to say that I don’t mean to offend Duanmu Family. I came only for Liu Feng”.
As Short Spear Taisui spoke, he shrugged and pulled down the parcel on his back.
Crack!
A crisp metallic sound broke out as one end of the long parcel landed on the ground.
Short Spear Taisui didn’t stop his moves. He unzipped the zipper on the parcel, and three 60-centimeter-long iron bars fell out from the inside of the parcel.
Holding these three bars in his hand, Short Spear Taisui matched and connected them one by one. Soon the iron bars became a 180-centimeter-long spear. It hadn’t been finished yet. Short Spear Taisui then fished out a 30-centimeter-long silver head from behind.
Crack!
When the spearhead was connected, a big shiny spear appeared in the hand of Short Spear Taisui.
“This spear of mine is named the Dragon’s Tooth. It was forged by the best expert who was invited by my Master from abroad, co-operating with the most famed weapon master in the country. This spear is 2.1 meters long and weighs 55 jin.”
Short Spear Taisui’s eyes fell on the big spear in his hand, and a touch of warmth which was rarely seen appeared on his face. “My Dragon’s Tooth has never tasted defeat since I started my career. Liu Feng, do you dare to come out and fight with me?”
“How dare you!”
Duanmu Long was furious. He pointed at Short Spear Taisui and shouted, “Chen Tianxing, how dare you show off your weapon in my house! Are you bored of living?”
Duanmu Bao had a worse temper. He pulled out his pistol and pointed at Short Spear Taisui with the black and hollow muzzle. “Do you believe that I can shoot you to death and no one will be mourning for you.”
At this time, a depressive atmosphere pervaded everywhere in the second courtyards. Everyone’s eyes were focused on Chen Tianxing, the Short Spear Taisui.
Whoosh!
Chen Tianxing took a deep breath again and said, “I believe. However, now that I’m here, I shouldn’t withdraw. Liu Feng, he is a maniac to spread words in the martial arts world that he will break my spear. If I back off because Duanmu Family has got his back, my name will no longer deserve to be on the Heaven Ranking List.”
Um!
People from Duanmu’s Family turned their heads to look at Liu Feng again.
“Liu Feng, you are my Big Boss. You are so terrific to say that you want to break Chen Tianxing’s spear, the Dragon’s Tooth.” Duanmu Hongliu gave Liu Feng a thumb-up suddenly.
Duanmu Long followed him to say, “Liu Feng, little brother, what has he done before to piss you off so much? Why do you say such tough words? You should know that in the martial arts world of Celestial Empire saying that you are going to break one’s weapon is equal to a written challenge to war.”
“Feng, is there any misunderstanding?”
“Chen Tianxing is a very famous young martial artist in the capital and even the whole martial art world of Celestial Empire. You, Liu Feng, are also a very bright young man. I think if there’s any misunderstanding, you can try to sit down and talk about it to resolve the misunderstanding.”
Everyone talked back and forth. Though Duanmu’s Family was strong, they wouldn’t oppress a bright young man to give in to them in the face of a member of the top ten people on the Heaven Ranking List. Besides, people who had a good eye would realize that there must be some reason that shouldn’t be told.
Liu Feng shrugged and said, smiling. “Even if everyone believes me, would he, Chen Tianxing, believe me when I say that it is just a misunderstanding?”
“I don’t.” Chen Tianxing shook his long spear in his hand. Weighing 55 jin, this spear vibrated with a hum, and the head of the spear broke out a string of blurry shadows in the shape of a flower. “I not only don’t believe it, but also despise some cowards who dare to say but dare not to admit so much.”
“Good!”
At this time, Duanmu Rentai suddenly opened his mouth and said, “I’m not sure if Liu Feng is one of the cowards you mentioned. But in my eyes, he is very excellent. Chen Tianxing, you are an excellent young man as well, but you came to my house aggressively and compellingly, which really makes me angry.”
As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved it swiftly.
Two middle-aged men, who were standing half a meter behind the Elder, stepped out at the same time.
Almost all the people of Duanmu Family gasped at the sight of the two men walking out.
“Chun Ming and Chun Yang, they have long missed the battlefield.”
“As the Elder’s former guards, they are well-known for their terrifying strength.”
“The young experts on the Heaven Ranking List are powerful but naive. Compared with masters like Chun Yang and Chun Ming, he is doomed to be the lack of deposits. It seems that the Elder wants to teach him, Chen Tianxing a lesson.”
The other people from Duanmu’s Family were whispering at this time.
Facing Chun Ming and Chun Yang, Chen Tianxing lifted his spear with one hand and stood up so straight. He was very fearless, and his aggressiveness was dancing in his veins and eyes. He was imposing like a long spear which aimed to pierce the sky.
Duanmu Rentai said again, “Chen, you came to my Duanmu’s Family to make troubles for Liu Feng. As an Elder, I shouldn’t stand aside. So, fight with these two fellows on my side. If you win, I will no longer step in this argument or seek responsibilities for your trespass to Duanmu’s Family. But if you lose…”
“If I lose, I will be at your disposal.” Chen Tianxing replied.
Duanmu Rentai nodded and waved his hand again. “Go on. Don’t disable him. The whole Celestial Empire is the lack of young people with such courage and uprightness nowadays.”
Judging from his tone, Duanmu Rentai appreciated his personality very much.
And then, Chun Ming on his left side went for Chen Tianxing along with Chun Yang on his right at the same time.
It was awesome!
Liu Feng’s eyes brightened up as they moved. Judging from their sudden startup speed, the two people were at least among the top experts at the level of the force dispersing.
But when it came to “awesome”, it was more
suitable for Chen Tianxing.
He moved slightly backward and put the spear in front of him smoothly. With a flick of the wrist, the large spear swung as smoothly as if it were given life.
Bang, bang!
Launching a converging attack on Chen Tianxing, Chun Yang and Chun Ming’s fists all struck on the body of the spear at the same time. The spear gave out a buzzing because of their pneuma, and the two men were knocked back by the strong force of the spear at the same time.
“This is the first gesture of the secret art of spears in our sect, the dragon spear coming out of the deep water. Now, let me perform the second gesture.”
Chen Tianxing took the chance to step forward. He suddenly moved his spear crosswise and shouted, “The flower spear stirring up the sea.”
Buzzing!
The large iron spear, which weighed 55 jin, was alive in Chen Tianxing’s hands. The spearhead swung horizontally to Chun Ming on his left and tried to horizontally smash Chun Yang on his right.
“Ouch! That’s a creepy one.”
Liu Feng’s eyes were shining when seeing this. It was clear that as the large spear in Chen Tianxing’s hands was swayed horizontally, the head and the bottom of the spear produced a shape of shaking the head under his strong force like a twitching whip.
If this spear landed on somebody, even if he was hit only by the iron pole on the bottom, it would break his body into two parts directly.
Chun Ming and Chun Yang also saw the extraordinary feature of this spear.
The two men did dare to have a hard shoulder and were wise enough to withdraw at the same time.
Nobody could have known that when the spear was horizontal, Chen Tianxing twisted his body and sent out the spear forward with his right hand. “The third gesture, the dragon spear fighting on the battlefields.”
The spear, with the strength of Chen Tianxing’s pushing, was like an arrow that just left the bow. After a crisp sound, it came to Chun Ming’s chest.
Ah!
At some point, Chun Ming realized that there was no way to avoid the spear. He still exclaimed in fear, even though he had been through all the things.
However, just when the head of the spear was about to poke into his chest, Chen Tianxing grabbed the spear suddenly with his right hand, and the 55-jin-weight spear stopped with a humming.
At this moment, the second courtyard was in complete silence. The falling of a needle could be even heard.
“You lose. Look at your clothes on your chest.” Chen Tianxing broke the silence. Then he turned and shook the spearhead. An iron flower made up of eighteen blurry shadows of the spearhead thrust towards Chun Yang.
Ha!
Chun Yang reacted quickly. He jumped up as high as three meters and dodged the attack of the powerful spear. After this, his body was twisted in the air, and he performed a beautiful flying kick, aiming right at Chen Tianxing’s face with his feet .
Chen Tianxing stayed very calm. He didn’t try to dodge the kick but grasped his spear and suddenly stirred it upward with his hands. “The fourth gesture of the flower spear, the dragon flying in the sky.”
Woo…
At the moment when the spear was stirred up, the barrel of this iron spear with a weight of 55 jin was bent in an arc.
Bang!
Before Chun Yang’s feet could hit Chen Tianxing, he was knocked on the buttocks by the stirring spear.
And with one flip, Chun Yang felt that his buttocks had cracked into eighteen pieces. Then his body was lifted like a rocket and headed towards the sky.
“Another one bites the dust.”
Chen Tianxing put his spear aside and straightened up. He showed his ability to the full extent at this time. Although he was alone in the face of a group of people, his imposing manner didn’t fall behind.
Chapter 280 - I'll Defeat You Right Now
“That is such a quick spear with steady techniques. I will certainly bleed if it takes one step further.” The expression on Chun Ming’s face was uncertain with fear after the event at this moment.
Chun Yang, who was also sent into the air by his spear, was falling at the moment. For experts with such a high level of force dispersing, a tumble wouldn’t be lethal, but the harm would still exist.
However, at this moment, Liu Feng appeared in the whereabouts of Chun Yang’s position. He stretched out his hands and held his falling body.
“Ah, you… Liu Feng, thank you!”
Chun Yang’s physical status was identical to his mental status at this time, and they were both big rises and falls. He was also a little embarrassed. “I’m sorry. We failed to get rid of Chen Tianxing for you.”
“It’s alright. You’ve done your best. And as I have always said, he is after me. I should be the one to take care of him. You can stand by and watch.” Liu Feng appeared to take it easy. Lending support to Chun Yang, he returned to the side of Duanmu Rentai.
Duanmu Rentai’s eyes had been focused on Liu Feng for a long time. “Lad, you have a tough rival. But if you want, I am willing to detain Chen Tianxing here completely for you. There will be no need for you to fight with him. Although I hate to see that such a young expert disappears in the martial arts world of Celestial Empire, if you ask, everything can be possible.
Liu Feng shook his head and said, “That won’t be necessary. Leave it to me.”
After these words, Liu Feng turned around and walked towards Chen Tianxing. Then he said with a smile, “Chen Tianxing, I don’t believe that you are that kind of fool who will come to provoke me for some hearsay you’ve heard. To be frank, either you took some privilege from someone, or you just want to compete with me. Now spare the rubbish talks! Let’s see who’s superior in the area of martial arts first.”
“The feeling is mutual. Then we shall compete with each other first.” A dangerously uncommon glow shone in Chen Tianxing’s eyes. He swung the spear and said, “According to the weapon list of Celestial Empire, spears are the king of long weapons, and knives are the king of short weapons. I have heard that you are very good at using knives. Let’s see if the knife in your hands is better than the spear in my hands.”
Swish!
Liu Feng’s right hand folded and opened again, and a nameless scimitar appeared in his hands as if doing magic.
This scimitar triggered a cry of surprise as soon as it showed up.
“That’s a magical scimitar. Look at its terrifying but beautiful curve! It’s the real mixture of violence and aesthetics.”
“Do you notice that Liu Feng’s scimitar is so thin? It feels like it’s translucent.”
“Somehow, I feel that this scimitar must be very sharp.”
More than half of the people of Duanmu’s Family in the crowd grew up, practicing martial arts. The reason why the top families like this were able to continue its brilliant career was that the holistic education for the descendants required them to be adept with both the pen and the sword.
For instance, though people like Lan Tingyu and Yan Mingyu were no match for Liu Feng, their skills were much better than those of the normal people in fact.
Therefore, this kind of person had good and even harsh eyes.
Liu Feng raised the scimitar in his hand and said calmly, “My sword, Nameless. It is specially forged for me by the deceased, a famous Germaan forging master, Mr. Sydinandes. Be careful! This knife is made up of superalloy, and it might cut off your spear.”
“My spear is made up of good materials.” Chen Tianxing shook his spear, making the big iron spear that weighed 55 jin tremble with a buzzing. He pointed right at Liu Feng with the head of the spear. Meanwhile, his aggressiveness had climbed to the top. “Liu Feng, come on. Show me your knife. Let us see which is stronger. Your knife or my spear?”
“Come on!”
Liu Feng didn’t hesitate at all. There seemed to be no movement of his feet, but he shook his body and rushed at Chen Tianxing like a bomb in a human shape. A light of the knife suddenly emerged in front of Chen Tianxing’s throat.
This attack was too quick and came all of a sudden. People of Duanmu’s Family, who was watching around, opened their mouths wide at the same time even as Liu Feng took out his knife.
Dong!
Chen Tianxing was also very fast. His spear was standing vertically in front of him. And when Liu Feng’s scimitar collided with his spear, a crisp sound burst out.
Swish!
At the same time, Liu Feng loosed his right hand, which held the scimitar. The scimitar was curved around the spear and began to rotate automatically. The light of the scimitar stabbed once again at his throat.
Gee!
Chen Tianxing let out a cry of surprise at this time. He didn’t expect that a scimitar could be used in this way. He had to take half of a step back to avoid the attack.
Then Liu Feng folded his right hand immediately after that. Holding the scimitar in his hand again, he moved it upward to cut along the spear.
What a cruel move it was! He was trying to cut off Chen Tianxing’s fingers which he used to grab the spear.
Chen Tianxing also had excellent skills in spears. He unfolded the five fingers on his right hand and made the blade go past his fingers. At the same time, he used his right foot to kick the end of his spear swiftly, making the spear which was standing bounce up and fly to Liu Feng’s right knee.
Liu Feng bent his right knee so that the end of his spear went through the bend of his leg.
Their first round was completed almost in two footsteps. The two men didn’t move around too much. The blade in Liu Feng’s hand kept shining and circling around the upper part of the body of his opponent.
The big spear in Chen Tianxing’s hands was not so flexible in limited space as Liu Feng’s scimitar. But he kept fighting back effectively with the top, barrel, and end of his spear by steady movements.
“So terrifying! Their kung fu and their controlling of every minor detail and facet joint of their body must have reached the summit.”