Ninety-Three: The Masters Gathered

Only Gu Qingyuan stood nearby, sighing and marveling in equal measure. He had entered the rank of grandmaster in martial arts more than ten years earlier, yet had made little progress and was still lingering at the level of an ordinary grandmaster. He had never expected to witness a clash between two peak masters today, and so he watched without blinking, hoping to gain some inspiration.

At the same time, word of the battle between Chen Fengyun and Yasui Kazuo spread through the surrounding martial circles, causing even greater shock and attracting far more attention.

"What? A young man of seventeen or eighteen held off Yasui Kazuo?"

"How is that possible? Master Gu Qingyuan just said that Yasui Kazuo may already have reached the level of a peak grandmaster. Could that young man be a peak grandmaster too?"

"Everyone calm down. I am Zhang Lianchun. I am on business in Jade City and will reach the place of their duel very soon."

"Wow, it's Master Zhang of Dragon-Tiger Mountain. With him going there, we can probably relax."

"This old man is Bai Longtu. I left Mount Emei for Jade City a quarter of an hour ago and will soon arrive at the scene."

"What? So it's Master Bai from Xian after all. If he is nearby, that is wonderful."

By now, the commotion unleashed by Chen Fengyun and Yasui Kazuo had already been heard across half of Jade City. The two had risen from the ground and fought into the open sky, and every palm strike and sword move released power that could easily destroy a building.

"Everyone back off, retreat farther, and do not let them notice us."

Qin Tianxiong shouted to his men at the top of his lungs. The martial artists also hurried to avoid the fight, for the force exploding from the two men was simply too terrifying. At the outset, the shock waves alone had already killed several of Qin Tianxiong's subordinates.

As for the Thai boxing champion, ignorant of the terror of a peak grandmaster, he had followed to the ground below their battle to watch. In the end, a flying streak of sword energy from Yasui Kazuo cut him cleanly in two, and he did not even manage to cry out.

Boom...

Boom...

The entire Twin Heroes Manor had descended into chaos. One destructive blast after another rolled outward, and building after building collapsed. The qi surging in all directions swept up debris, dirt, and gravel, scattering them everywhere.

Among all the martial artists, only Gu Qingyuan leaped onto the treetops and watched the battle from afar. Many of the movements were so fast that even he could not make them out clearly. He could not help but smile bitterly. If he faced Yasui Kazuo, he was afraid he would be defeated in a single move and in grave danger after three.

Yet he had not expected Chen Fengyun, despite his youth, to be so powerful. He was trading blows with Yasui Kazuo for dozens of rounds, and the two were evenly matched.

Whoosh...

At that moment, a figure in the distance sprinted across the treetops like lightning and quickly arrived at the battlefield. But when he saw the scene of the duel, he could not help drawing a sharp breath.

"Brother Zhang, you came too."

A cry of surprise came from nearby. It was Gu Qingyuan, who had flown over. The two knew each other.

"Brother Gu, so you really are here. Are they truly at the level of peak grandmasters?" Zhang Lianchun, with white hair and white brows, hurriedly asked after seeing Gu Qingyuan, for he had been traveling and was not yet clear on many things.

Gu Qingyuan immediately explained the whole sequence of events. As Zhang Lianchun listened, his expression changed again and again. Having cultivated for decades, he could not help being shocked by Yasui Kazuo's terrifying strength and by Chen Fengyun's sudden rise.

Boom...

By then, Chen Fengyun and Yasui Kazuo had already moved toward the rear mountains. Wherever they passed, houses, buildings, and trees were all overturned, leaving utter ruin in their wake. Without seeing it for oneself, it would be impossible to believe that such destruction came from human hands.

The many martial artists followed after them toward the direction of the fight, but Qin Tianxiong did not go along. Instead, he quickly ordered his subordinates to make certain preparations. Tonight's affair had grown far too large, and there were some matters he had to conceal.

At that moment, a group of police officers also arrived. They too had seen the battle between the two men high in the air from afar and were shocked by their power and devastation, but they had more important matters to handle.

"Mr. Qin, what exactly is going on? Director Han ordered me to come support you. How do you need us to cooperate?" The leader of the police was Gu Changlin, chief of the western district bureau of Jade City, and a trusted associate of Han Zhiwu, deputy director of the provincial department. He had always been familiar with Qin Tianxiong and had other dealings with him as well.

"The one causing trouble today is that young man. His name is Chen Fengyun, and I do not know where he comes from. But he knows some things about our manor and exposed them in public, so I want you to help us take him back, pin a charge on him, and make sure he does not speak recklessly.

"Also, I have already made preparations. In a little while, I will work with Yasui Kazuo to kill every martial artist who is here in the manor tonight, so that once they leave, they will not go around talking nonsense." Qin Tianxiong said viciously.

"All right, I will report to Director Han at once. But Mr. Qin, this young man is so formidable. Do you really think he will cooperate with us police?" Gu Changlin asked hesitantly.

"Hmph. What kind of age do you think this is? So what if he can fight? Could he really make himself an enemy of the state?" Qin Tianxiong said coldly. Over the years, he had worked with the police to eliminate many people who stood in his way, and now he intended to use the same old trick against Chen Fengyun.

"Very well. We will make the necessary arrangements. Once their fight ends, we will move in and arrest Chen Fengyun. I only fear he may not surrender quietly." Gu Changlin nodded, but still said with concern.

"What is there to fear? If he dares resist arrest, all the better. Shoot him on the spot. I do not believe that no matter how skilled he is, he can still block bullets?" Qin Tianxiong said with complete confidence.

Of course, Chen Fengyun did not know that Qin Tianxiong was preparing to join forces with the police against him. At this moment, he was in high spirits. Although Yasui Kazuo's strength was limited, he was still the strongest opponent he had encountered so far, barely enough to satisfy his desire for a proper fight.

And indeed, he had only used a small amount of spiritual energy, without yet employing the methods of a cultivator, and was already fighting Yasui Kazuo on equal terms, using him to temper his own combat skills.

Then, from the distance, another figure came swiftly flying in. Nearer at hand, he revealed himself as a middle-aged man in green robes, and upon seeing Zhang Lianchun and Gu Qingyuan, he immediately darted toward them.

"Brother Zhang, Brother Gu, you are both here," Bai Longtu said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"So it is Brother Bai," Zhang Lianchun said with a nod.

"Brother Bai, are you nearby as well?" Gu Qingyuan quickly returned the salute. Though he was somewhat older, his strength was inferior to the other man's, and it was best to remain modest.

"I was originally on Mount Emei. When I heard the news of Yasui Kazuo, I came immediately," Bai Longtu said. "Brother Gu, since you have been here all along, what sect is that young fellow from? To be able to stand evenly with Yasui Kazuo is truly remarkable."

He then turned his gaze toward the battlefield.