Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Bloodstains on the Long Street
Kill a chicken to scare the monkeys?
Yang Jiaolong instantly stood up upon hearing these words, although he had such a suspicion earlier, but hearing Zhou Heng say it so bluntly to his face, he still felt uncontrollably angry.
He was a master who had entered the Eighth Rank for over twenty years, renowned for dozens of miles around, and the Black Dragon Fort that he had established with his own hands even made many young heroes who just entered the martial world tremble at the mention of it.
Now he was actually being treated as a “chicken” by a youngster who looked no more than seventeen or eighteen years old.
To be killed to scare the “monkeys” in Yuyang County City?
As for the row of armed sturdy men on either side, they were even more shocked, all wide-eyed, looking at Zhou Heng with disbelief, as if looking at a fool.
Crazy!
Where did this madman come from, to actually come here and say he wants to make an example out of Black Dragon Fort by killing a chicken to scare the monkeys?
Ridiculous.
Does he think he is a Seventh Rank expert who has made it onto the human list? Only the somewhat frail-looking scholar standing behind Yang Jiaolong had a grave expression. He frowned, pondered for a moment, then whispered a few words to Yang Jiaolong.
After hearing this, Yang Jiaolong’s expression also turned grave. He sized Zhou Heng up and down and said solemnly, “So you are the newly famous ‘Bone Breaker1 young hero who just made it onto the human list. It seems 1 have failed to recognize a true immortal.”
The corner of Zhou Heng’s mouth twitched slightly; he really wanted to remind him not to use the nickname Bone Breaker, but the timing was inappropriate, “It seems that being on the human list is not such a good thing after all, even what martial arts I am skilled in is known to others.” “I heard you have a pair of Silver Thread Gloves with boundless power, capable of breaking gold and jade. Aren11 you going to use them?” As Yang Jiaolong mentioned this, he picked up two heavy axes and shook them in his hands. Looking at Zhou Heng, he chuckled, “But I wonder if your slender arms and legs can withstand it.”
“To deal with you, a saber is enough.” Zhou Heng gripped the saber in his hand and assumed a stance, saying indifferently, “Come on.
If it were before, Zhou Heng certainly wouldn’t dare to be so bold as to use a saber technique, which he was not very skilled in, to battle against a powerful Eighth Rank like Yang Jiaolong.
But after drawing the complete Dugu Nine Swords technique, he had gained a clearer understanding of the “principles” behind various weapons, including
“axes.”
This falls within the scope of the Broken Whip Style.
Broken Whip Style is about countering various short weapons like steel whips, acupuncture probes, hooks, Emei spikes, daggers, axes, Iron Cards, Octagonal Hammers, Iron Cones, and so on.
Additionally, since the complete Dugu Nine Swords encompassed the principles of all kinds of weapons as well as unarmed techniques like punching and palm strikes, his comprehension of saber techniques and palm techniques also deepened.
Now he could use this Waist Knife to execute parts of the Six Routes Folding
Plum Hand technique.
The palm is an intangible saber.
The saber is a tangible palm.
Both are interchangeable.
However, to the bystanders, the gap between Zhou Heng and Yang Jiaolong was
enormous.
Yang Jiaolong’s figure was massive.
If Earth’s units of measurement were used, his height would have exceeded two meters and thirty, and he stood there like a great black bear, naturally exuding an overwhelming aura that intimidated onlookers.
Zhou Heng, however, was just a normally built teenager. Compared to a “huge creature” like Yang Jiaolong, he seemed like a bean sprout swaying in the wind.
The disparity was too conspicuous!
Therefore, the dozen or so armed robust men in the hall all looked at Zhou
Heng with disdain, thinking that he wouldn’t last three moves in front of their chief.
The physical disparity was just too great.
And at the Lower Third Rank stage, before achieving the Seventh Rank transformation, the influence of one’s physique on strength was extremely significant, even to the point of crossing grade levels.
Natural robustness and a large stature were undoubtedly advantages on the
Martial Path.
Of course, at the Middle Third Rank stage, where one could harness the forces of nature, it’s a whole different level, and physique is no longer important. Seeing Zhou Heng’s confidence, Yang Jiaolong immediately became incensed, as he was already jealous of talented youths. Seeing this development made his rage rise, and he bellowed, “Die!”
Hum!
A gust of wind rose suddenly, and a terrifying pressure came covering the sky. Wielding the two axes, Yang Jiaolong truly appeared like a raging Jiaolong (river dragon) bearing down, with teeth and claws bared, lunging towards Zhou Heng, aiming to tear him into shreds!
As his Inner Qi surged, explosive force shattered tables and chairs with the sound, and cracks appeared on the floor of the great hall as he moved, and the armed robust men lined up on both sides were also forced to retreat.
Too powerful!
This was the accumulated Inner Qi of an Eighth Rank over decades, combined with his large and robust physique, akin to Innate Divine Strength, giving Yang Jiaolong an overpowering advantage in strength and attack over an average Eighth Rank Martial Artist.
In everyone’s eyes, Zhou Heng at that moment was like a small boat swaying in a storm, about to be overturned by the waves, a tragic end seeming inevitable. Even if this “Bone Breaker” Zhou Heng was a renowned expert on the human list, what significance did it have? He was ultimately just at the Ninth Grade level after all, and moreover, he had arrogantly refrained from using his most proficient martial arts and weapons.
It was practically suicide!
Clang!
The sound of metal striking metal rang out, and the two door-like axes wielded by Yang Jiaolong chopped down towards Zhou Heng. However, the expected scene of blood and flesh flying did not occur.
The axes stopped in mid-air, unable to continue their descent.
The crowd of Black Dragon Fort’s robust men at the scene was taken aback, but when they clearly saw the actual situation, they couldn’t help but draw in a breath of cold air.
Holy shit!
Is this real?
This, this is just too damn exaggerated!
Zhou Heng had actually blocked the two extremely heavy axes with just a Waist Knife!
And what’s more, with just one hand!!
What kind of strength is this?
How can a Ninth Rank Martial Artist possess such terrifying strength?! All the bystanders shivered, the horrific strength displayed by Zhou Heng made them fear that if they ended up in his hands, they might be literally torn apart.
Yes, literally torn asunder by hand!
Yang Jiaolong’s own feeling was even more profound. When he initially saw Zhou Heng wielding the saber in just one hand trying to block and parry, he thought the kid was out of his mind and seeking death.
But as soon as the weapons made contact, he felt an incomparable force rebounding at him, causing a painful sting in his palms, almost knocking the two huge axes out of his grip.
What kind of inhuman strength is this!?
Innate Divine Strength!?
Moreover, he made another terrifying discovery.
It was that his two huge axes seemed to have been notched by Zhou Heng’s waist knife during their brief clash!
Damn it!
Even though these two giant axes weren’t top-grade weapons, they were genuine hundred-times-refined weapons, fully material-filled. Given their weight and thickness, how could they be notched by a slender waist knife?
It’s beyond belief!
Incredible!
“Chief Yang, you are losing focus.”
Zhou Heng’s taunting voice suddenly sounded, and at the same time, he angled the blade in his hand, sliding it along the edges of Yang Jiaolong’s two gigantic axes towards his body, sparking a series of sparks.
Immense strength!
Agility!
Physique!
The bonus from basic attributes gave Zhou Heng a physical quality far surpassing that of any Ninth Rank Warrior.
This kind of physical superiority was much more powerful than natural size advantages!
In addition, with the “Sharpness” attribute, his hundred-times-refined waist knife had a more formidable “Sharpness” effect than ordinary sharp weapons. This led to a grave mistake in Yang Jiaolong’s assessment of Zhou Heng’s strength.
Moreover, Zhou Heng also had the Broken Whip Style at his disposal, Yang Jiaolong’s dual-axe attack was full of flaws in his eyes. And so, the moment Yang Jiaolong was distracted, it spelled utter doom!
Outside the inn, there was a restaurant.
On the third floor were numerous dining tables.
At one table near the railing sat four people, two men and two women, none of whom appeared old; they all looked to be in their early twenties. They had been watching the situation near the inn since Zhou Heng had walked in.
“Hey, what do you think, how long can that handsome young man last against Yang Jiaolong?”
“At most one move. Yang Jiaolong is known for his strength, and he’s quite swift in his movements. Fighting him means either you completely overpower him, or you get overpowered yourself; it’s rare for the fight to drag on.” “That guy looks a bit like the recently famous seventeen-year-old from the People’s List, ‘Bone Fracture’ Zhou Heng. I’ve seen his portrait, and in person, he’s much more handsome than in the drawing.
“Pfft, what use is being handsome? Even if he really is ‘Bone Fracture’, he’s only an Ninth Grade, just like us. When facing a master, won’t he still get chopped to death? Junior Sister, this martial world is vast; strength is what matters most; you can’t just look at faces.
The four babbled among themselves, and similar discussions could be heard from other tables as well.
After all Black Dragon Fort’s influence wasn’t small in Yuyang County City, and Yang Jiaolong’s own strength was formidable. Few dared to provoke him. Now that someone had suddenly popped up, it had piqued the interest of many. However, the prevailing view was still that Zhou Heng was no match for Yang Jiaolong.
The scenes of Yang Jiaolong personally taking action recently were still fresh in the memory of all the martial artists within Yuyang County City.
Violent!
Ferocious!
Just like a raging dragon emerging from the water, sweeping away everything! Most Eighth Rank Warriors were no match for him, let alone a Ninth Rank? A Ninth Rank Warrior, no matter how clever the techniques, how rich the experience, or how strong the power, ultimately has limits. “What are you saying? With Zhou Heng’s strength, instantly killing an Eighth Rank Warrior is a breeze,” a female voice said discontentedly at this moment, “That Yang Jiaolong, there’s no way he can be a match for Zhou Heng. The crowd looked over upon hearing this voice, initially ready to retort, but after seeing the person who spoke, they swallowed their words back. This was a young girl who looked to be around eighteen or nineteen, petite in stature, with striking features. She wore a green dress and had two small daggers by her side, glinting with cold light.
“Cold Moon Sword” Shen Jingjing!
One of the strongest among the Eighth Rank in Yuyang County City at that time. She had a record of killing a martial artist of the same grade within three moves!
Seemingly delicate and lovely,
her actual strength was terrifying!
Nobody dared to argue with her.
Though, even without disputes with Shen Jingjing, the majority still believed Zhou Heng was unlikely to be Yang Jiaolong’s opponent.
Crack!
Suddenly, the sound of a window being smashed came from the nearby inn. Then a blood-drenched head flew out from inside, falling onto the mam street outside.
Blood gushed and splattered, staining the ground red. Those who were originally spectating on the street, waiting to see Zhou Heng thrown out, all screamed in terror.
They scattered in all directions.
The people in the restaurant who had been skeptical of Shen Jingjing’s words were all stunned, staring at the bloody, black-faced head, thunderstruck, their mouths agape, speechless.
For a moment, the entire restaurant fell silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.