Chapter 966 - 932: Dispirited Exit

The person most worried about Xu Chunliang was Xiahou Mulan. The appearance of Yuanrong started to make the situation uncontrollable, and even she, who was always calm, didn’t know how to end it.

Xu Chunliang, oh Xu Chunliang, you’re quite smart, but which nerve was off today, making you really believe yourself to be the Weary Sect Leader? The one who should return two punches to Yuanrong was Cao Xinwei, not you, Xu Chunliang. Yuanrong’s face was full of murderous intent, with no trace of a monk’s demeanor left. He’s looking for a chance to smash you to death. If you die, what am I supposed to do? I haven’t married you yet; there’s no concept of an unmarried widow.

Yuanrong said, "You promised me back then that no matter when, if I asked for your help, you would return my favor at any cost, and yet you have broken your word!"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Nagging like a woman. Hurry up, Old Wu is still waiting."

If Xu Chunliang hadn’t mentioned it, everyone would have overlooked the presence of Wu Yuanyi in the video. Wu Yuanyi was making a motion towards Black Swallow, meaning to adjust the angle, wanting to watch too. He was really afraid that Yuanrong, in a fit of rage, would kill Xiahou Zun. If he dies, the secrets I hold would be worthless. How would I threaten him then? It’s a mess, a complete mess; this bald monk is really good for nothing but ruining things.

Yuanrong was even more enraged by Xu Chunliang’s provocation.

Huang Wanglin reminded him, "Old Yan, are you lawless?"

Cha Youliang said, "Show some respect to the Sect Leader!"

Yuanrong gritted his teeth, "If I do not go to hell, who will?" He took a step forward, a punch like a racing thunderbolt aimed straight for Xu Chunliang’s chest.

As he punched, the wind stirred, and those around squinted simultaneously. The force of the punch was so fierce, a testament to its overwhelming power.

The onlookers had different feelings, but the only one truly concerned for Xu Chunliang was Xiahou Mulan. Her heart was in her throat, wishing she could rush forward to block the punch for Xu Chunliang. However, she also knew Xu Chunliang wasn’t one to act recklessly. If he didn’t have enough confidence, he wouldn’t stand there letting Yuanrong hit him twice.

When Yuanrong’s punch reached Xu Chunliang’s chest, although his body did not move, his chest retracted by half an inch backward. Don’t underestimate this half an inch; it was enough to weaken Yuanrong’s attack. For Yuanrong, it was as if the target moved half an inch backward just as he was about to hit it, inevitably giving him a sense of missing the mark.

This feeling prompted him to make an emergency adjustment. The action that seemed seamless actually had a subtle change. Yuanrong’s fist, as big as a vinegar bowl, kept advancing, immediately closing in on Xu Chunliang’s chest again. But Xu Chunliang, like a ball placed on the ground, was only pushed further by Yuanrong’s side-on attack, without suffering severe damage. Xu Chunliang staggered back several steps with the punch.

Everyone thought it was Yuanrong who sent Xu Chunliang staggering backward with one punch, but Yuanrong knew very well that his strength wasn’t even fully exerted. By the time the force was about to burst, Xu Chunliang’s chest had already separated from his fist.

On the surface, it seemed like Xu Chunliang stood still and took the punch, but in reality, Yuanrong was chasing a moving target with his punch. Everyone thought Xu Chunliang was obediently standing there as a target for him, but only Yuanrong knew he was hitting a moving target.

Amidst the exclamations, Xu Chunliang steadied his steps, clutching his chest and feigning excruciating pain, "One punch!"

Yuanrong was deeply frustrated; it had barely started, yet it was already counted as one punch.

Huang Wanglin said, "Old Yan, if anything happens to the Sect Leader, you will be the enemy of the entire Weary Sect."

Xiahou Mulan said, "Yuanrong, you won’t leave this courtyard today."

As the Law Enforcement Elder, Cha Youliang couldn’t just watch the Sect Leader getting punched in silence. He said coldly, "Punishable by death for insubordination!" His stance was clear: for the moment the Sect Leader ordered them not to act, they could only comply. But after Yuanrong finished these two punches, they’d definitely settle the score properly.

Zhai Pingqing said, "The Sect Leader has already returned your punch."

Seeing everyone speaking up, Meng Huaiyi felt that not speaking would make him seem suspicious, so he sighed and said, "Let it go where forgiveness is possible, Old Yan, do you really want things to become unmanageable?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You all don’t need to speak. I, Xiahou Zun, keep my promises. Yuanrong, you seem to have made no progress these years. It seems like your level is not even as good as Yan Hong."

Xu Chunliang deliberately mentioned Yan Hong to provoke Yuanrong. Yuanrong, deeply saddened, let out a furious roar, mustering all his lifelong skills to attack Xu Chunliang again. This time, he lunged forward with a bow step, both fists shooting out together. The bluestone beneath his feet cracked under the immense pressure, with web-like cracks spreading out from Yuanrong’s right foot.

The crowd silently exclaimed in alarm. Cha Youliang’s eyes shifted; this punch from Yuanrong was the Arhat Fist, evolved from the Sleeping Arhat Dharma Form movement. Both fists extended like a lazy stretch after waking, mobilizing the entire body’s strength, infinitely more powerful than a simple punch.

With considerable martial arts attainment, Cha Youliang’s Baji Fist was particularly formidable. Seeing Yuanrong’s punch, he secretly wondered, even he might not be able to withstand it. How would the Sect Leader respond?

Xu Chunliang did not choose to retreat and avoid the brunt this time. He stood his ground and Yuanrong’s fists landed squarely on his chest. From the force of the punch, everyone judged that this blow would at least break a few of Xu Chunliang’s ribs, perhaps even take his life.

But when Yuanrong hit the target, he was indescribably shocked. Xu Chunliang’s chest bones were not as hard as he imagined, instead they were as flexible as the willow trees in spring, deforming under Yuanrong’s heavy punches. Is this guy a man or a woman? Yuanrong had a peculiar thought, but the idea quickly vanished.

Although Yuanrong hadn’t encountered many women in his life, the feeling was entirely different. His fists felt like they were striking water, no, it should be thick mud, with the force disappearing instantly like a stone sinking into the sea.

Yuanrong’s face suddenly changed; was his strength absorbed by the opponent? He lifted his head in astonishment and looked at Xu Chunliang, only to feel his opponent’s chest suddenly sink, becoming incredibly slippery. Yuanrong’s fists slid uncontrollably as if falling on a mudfish smeared with butter, which instantly dislocated the joints of his hands.

The pain in Yuanrong’s wrists was intense as Xu Chunliang pushed out his chest. Yuanrong’s punch force rebounded entirely back to him; this is the power of the Innate Realm, using the opponent’s strength against them. The stronger Yuanrong’s force, the stronger the rebound he received, and Xu Chunliang was displeased with his vicious attempt, giving him some extra payback.

Crack! The sound of bones breaking came, and Yuanrong’s body flew out like a kite with a broken string, hitting the sculpture in the center of the fish pond. With a crash, the sculpture crumbled, and Yuanrong fell into the pond, scaring the koi fish into frenzy, making the pond water boil-like.

Luckily, the pond wasn’t deep. Yuanrong climbed out of it, soaking wet. With both his hands broken, even such simple movements became extremely difficult.

The crowd didn’t understand what happened but saw Yuanrong flying out, with Xu Chunliang never having made a move. Looking at Xu Chunliang again, he stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as he looked at the drenched Yuanrong, sighing.

"I didn’t want to argue with you, but you relentlessly push, intent on killing me. If I continue to indulge you, how will I command respect in the future? Yan Hong’s death was his own doing. You’ve been meritorious to the Weary Sect, but it cannot offset his faults. What I owe you, I have repaid, but the crime of your insubordination cannot be let off so easily. Elder Meng, go and cripple his martial arts."

This time it was Meng Huaiyi’s turn to be dumbfounded. I am an elder but not the Law Enforcement Elder, Cha Youliang is here, why don’t you send him to do it?

Xu Chunliang observed upon arrival that Meng Huaiyi was the best martial artist among the four elders. In fact, he had already crippled Yuanrong’s martial arts; having Meng Huaiyi step forward was just to put the blame on him, so Yuanrong’s grudge over losing his martial arts would be directed at him.

Meng Huaiyi glanced at Cha Youliang, signaling him to step up.

Xu Chunliang again said, "Old Meng, do you also intend to disobey orders?"

Without choice, Meng Huaiyi walked towards Yuanrong, who stared at him. Meng Huaiyi loudly said, "Yuanrong, you’ve been insubordinate, disrespectful to the Sect Leader, normally deserving of death, but today the Sect Leader shows mercy, sparing your life."

Everyone understood that Meng Huaiyi was blocking the Sect Leader’s mouth to prevent him from changing his mind and killing Yuanrong.

After speaking, Meng Huaiyi punched Yuanrong’s Dantian. Though he used only half his strength, Yuanrong, powerless to resist now, was hit, his Dantian writhing in pain like being stirred by a knife, his throat warmed, and poof! He spat out a mouthful of blood.

Meng Huaiyi didn’t expect his punch to make Yuanrong vomit blood. His intent was merely to feign action, but upon reflection, he understood that Xiahou Zun cunningly had already severely injured Yuanrong. Whether he acted or not, Yuanrong’s martial arts were already finished, and he was brought forward to make sure the blame was pinned on him.

Meng Huaiyi felt both resentment and frustration, knowing everyone would believe he was the one who crippled Yuanrong’s martial arts.

Xu Chunliang said, "Yuanrong, since you’ve chosen the monastic path, you should sever worldly ties. Today I give you a small lesson; if you dare again to act against the Weary Sect, you will be killed without mercy!"

Yuanrong hung his limp hands silently, fully understanding Xiahou Zun’s strength. Though undisturbed himself, he ended up with broken hands and internal injuries; if Xiahou Zun had acted, he wouldn’t have survived.

Xu Chunliang told Cha Youliang, "Elder Cha, help me see them off."

This was Cha Youliang’s duty; actually, it should have been him to clean house, but Meng Huaiyi did it today.

Seeing the earlier scene, everyone held greater reverence for the Sect Leader.

Black Swallow signaled, his six men aiming crossbow arrows at Xu Chunliang.

From the phone came Wu Yuanyi’s sinister laughter. He was itching to act. Originally, the plan was set for Yuanrong to pave the way while he took the stage, but things changed after it started. That bald Yuanrong hogged the spotlight, stealing Wu Yuanyi’s planned performance, but Yuanrong quickly exited in disgrace.