Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 525 Crush
Wang Jiantong broke out in a cold sweat. The secret techniques that the Beggars' Clan had protected for generations had been deciphered by the Murong family of Gusu. Didn't this mean that the Murong family of Gusu could easily deal with the Beggars' Clan in the future? At that time, the Beggars' Clan's century-old reputation would probably be completely ruined in front of the heroes of the world.

Wang Jiantong exclaimed in shock and anger, "If you don't explain the origin and style of your martial arts today, this matter won't be so easily resolved. I, Wang Jiantong, am inferior in skill. Even if I die by your hand today, I cannot tarnish the reputation of the unique skills created by the past leaders of our gang!"

After saying this, Wang Jiantong roared and unleashed a powerful and furious "Dragon Appears in the Field" strike, aiming straight for Xiao Feng's central palace, immediately employing a desperate fighting style.

Xiao Feng hadn't expected Wang Jiantong to be so fierce, resorting to such a desperate fighting style. He didn't want to kill Wang Jiantong, only offering parries and defenses, but Wang Jiantong seemed to be going mad. Left with no other choice, Xiao Feng shouted, "If Chief Wang continues like this, don't blame me for offending you!"

Having said that, Xiao Feng made a feint with his right claw, aiming for Wang Jiantong's Yuzhen acupoint at the back of his head. Wang Jiantong turned his head to dodge, unaware that Xiao Feng's move was a feint, intended to lure Wang Jiantong away. Instead, Xiao Feng's left hand grabbed Wang Jiantong's shoulder, and with a slight exertion, lifted Wang Jiantong off the ground. With a low shout, Xiao Feng sent Wang Jiantong flying in a sorry state.

When Wang Jiantong landed, he used the "Flying Swallow Returning to its Nest" movement technique to barely stand. He wanted to go forward and fight again, but Xuan Ci stopped him with his hand: "Brother Jianran, don't do this. When we are fighting and discussing martial arts, we shouldn't ruin our harmony."

Wang Jiantong angrily said, "This old man knows the key to my Beggars' Sect's Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. How can I let this go until I figure it out?"

Xuan Ci said, "Brother Jian Ran, don't be impulsive and delay the grand plan. This senior is being kind and accommodating. If you continue to make trouble, it will make us look inferior. If you still consider me the one in charge, please heed my advice and put this matter aside for now. We'll deal with it later."

Wang Jiantong glared hatefully at Xiao Feng, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a long sigh, raised his right palm, and slammed it down hard on the top of his head.

The sudden turn of events startled Xuan Ci, who could only cry out "Brother Sword Beard!" before he could intervene in time.

Just as Wang Jiantong was about to kill him on the spot with a single palm strike, a gust of wind suddenly grabbed Wang Jiantong's wrist, and then with a twist, Wang Jiantong's body was flipped over and he fell solidly to the ground.

Xuan Ci's expression froze, and he exclaimed in shock, "The Dragon-Capturing Technique? It's actually the legendary Dragon-Capturing Technique?"

It turned out that Xiao Feng, seeing the sudden change, had no time to think and used his Dragon-Capturing Skill to subdue Wang Jiantong in mid-air, and also threw Wang Jiantong to the ground, temporarily rendering him unable to move, so as to prevent him from doing anything irrational again.

Xiao Feng ignored Xuan Ci and looked at Wang Jiantong: "Chief Wang, in martial arts competitions, victory and defeat are common occurrences. Why should Chief Wang commit suicide because of a single defeat? Besides, the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms is a unique skill passed down through generations of Beggar Clan chiefs. Chief Wang is still in his prime, and I doubt he has chosen a successor to carry on this palm technique. If Chief Wang dies here today, wouldn't this unique skill be lost forever? Wouldn't Chief Wang become a sinner of the Beggar Clan for all time? As the leader of a clan, to act so impulsively and recklessly, like a mere two or three-bag Beggar Clan disciple, wouldn't that be unbecoming of Chief Wang?"

Wang Jiantong was thrown to the ground by Xiao Feng, leaving him dazed and seeing stars. It took him a while to get up with difficulty. Xiao Feng's interruption had gradually dampened the initial impulse he had felt. After being scolded by Xiao Feng, he felt even more ashamed. Xiao Feng's words were indeed very reasonable. If he were to commit suicide now, wouldn't he become a sinner for the Beggars' Sect for all eternity? Thinking of this, he felt both ashamed and guilty. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Feng and said, "Senior, I will remember your life-saving grace and your enlightenment. However, your knowledge of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms is of great importance. I will seek an opportunity to learn from you another day." Xiao Feng smiled and said, "It is good that Chief Wang has come to his senses. However, there is no need for me to learn from you. I will ask Chief Wang for guidance myself."

Xiao Feng's words were inexplicable, and Wang Jiantong was puzzled. He could only assume that the reclusive master was playing a joke on him. He sighed inwardly, thinking that there was always someone better. He was confident that his Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms was invincible, but it seemed that he had not practiced it well enough and had disgraced the palm technique.

Xiao Feng smiled at Xuan Ci and said, "Monk Xuan Ci, Chief Wang has already admitted defeat. Do you still wish to step forward and spar with this old man?"

Xuan Ci bowed and said, "Senior, your mastery of the legendary Dragon-Capturing Skill is truly miraculous. Even if I were to practice for another twenty years, I might not be able to reach your current level of skill. I will not humiliate myself further. This humble monk concedes defeat."

Xiao Feng was slightly disappointed upon hearing this. He had originally wanted to have a proper fight with Xuan Ci to see what kind of talent this legendary martial arts prodigy, who was in his early thirties and was considered one of the top martial arts geniuses in Shaolin for the past hundred years, really was. However, his opponent directly conceded defeat, which was a pity.

Xuan Ci felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Like someone drinking water, only he knew whether it was hot or cold; only he knew his own limitations. Although he was hailed as the greatest martial arts genius of Shaolin in nearly a century, he knew perfectly well how much of that was exaggerated. While his martial arts were indeed slightly stronger than Wang Jiantong's, the difference was limited. If Wang Jiantong had been defeated so decisively by this mysterious old man, how much better could he possibly be?
"What happened today must not be spread, otherwise the Shaolin Sect will truly be disgraced." Xuan Ci thought to himself. He didn't even realize that he had unknowingly harbored a murderous intent.

Xiao Feng said regretfully, "Since Master is unwilling to compete, does Master still agree to fulfill his promise regarding my previous suggestion?"

Xuan Ci sighed, “Of course, senior’s martial arts are superb, truly the best I have ever seen in my life. Moreover, you are of high moral character and prestige. I do not think you would intentionally deceive us. There must be another reason for this. Let us wait here until the truth comes out.”

As they spoke, the other dozen or so experts from the Central Plains also emerged from their hiding place. The fact that Wang Jiantong had been almost completely crushed by Xiao Feng in just a few moves had shocked everyone.

"Senior Brother Xuanci, what happened? Who is this old man?"

The leader was a monk in a blue robe, over thirty years old, with a fierce look in his eyes. He was none other than the monk Zhiguang who would play the same moral blackmail trick on Xiao Feng in the Apricot Grove thirty years later.

Xuan Ci said, "The plan has changed. Everyone stay put and do not act without authorization."