Chapter 113: Confrontation with Temujin

In the vast martial arts arena of Yongle City, two youths clad in black stood facing one another. A cool breeze swept across the field, fluttering the edges of their sleeves, yet neither stirred.

The spectators below, however, were far from still. Their gazes were fixed entirely upon the two figures standing on the bluestone stage. A discerning observer might have noticed a hint of pity in the eyes of those looking at the youth with the refined, delicate features.

Sensing the peculiar looks directed his way, Ye Cheng rubbed his nose with a wry smile. He cast another glance at his cold, aloof opponent, a touch of gravity settling on his face. It seemed Tie Muqing’s reputation was well-earned; he would be a troublesome adversary.

As Ye Cheng assessed him, Tie Muqing eyed him with disdain. Seeing the youth standing there with such indifference, he frowned and spoke first: "Draw your weapon. Perhaps then, you might last a little longer."

Tie Muqing’s tone was brimming with confidence, bordering on arrogance. Yet, to the crowd below, his words seemed entirely reasonable. In their eyes, Tie Muqing had every right to be so bold; his innate talent and strength were indisputable facts.

"You are quite confident," Ye Cheng said, looking at the expressionless Tie Muqing. He sensed an aura of ferocity about the other youth—a chilling presence forged in the fires of battle and bathed in the blood of enemies. An ordinary person would have struggled to meet his gaze, but Ye Cheng was no ordinary man. He had spent months living as a wild man in the Demon Forest, where daily slaughter was the norm. While he might not yet match his opponent’s intensity, he was not intimidated by Tie Muqing’s aura.

"A duel should be fair. Since you have not drawn a weapon, how could I break that rule?" Ye Cheng replied calmly. His opponent was formidable, but he possessed his own confidence.

A martial artist must follow their true nature, acting in accordance with their heart to keep their mind clear and their martial resolve untarnished.

"Draw your weapon at once!"

"Ha! Kid, my young master is kind enough to give you a chance to arm yourself; don't be ungrateful. You actually dare to think you can compete with him?"

"This boy is full of himself, daring to challenge Tie Muqing."

To the onlookers, Ye Cheng’s words were merely the posturing of a man trying to save face. What kind of strength could a traveler from out of town possibly possess?

"If you want me to draw my weapon, you must first prove you are worthy of it," Tie Muqing retorted, clearly displeased with Ye Cheng’s attitude. Below the peak of the Blood Qi Realm, he believed he had no rival.

"If that is the case, I shall say no more. You know my fighting style: I never stop until my opponent is left without the strength to stand. Do not expect mercy from me—you had better pray for your own safety."

As the words left his lips, Tie Muqing moved. He left several afterimages in his wake, appearing ghost-like at Ye Cheng's side in an instant. He unleashed a kick that tore through the air with such terrifying force that even the atmosphere seemed to ripple.

"Is such a probe really necessary?"

Ye Cheng sneered at the attack. He slammed his right foot out, widening his stance into a solid horse stance. He threw a punch, unleashing a force of ten thousand pounds. It struck the air where the other had been, forcing the figure back.

The man truly looked down on him; this attack was nothing more than a casual probe. Still, Ye Cheng had to admire his opponent’s wealth of combat experience. He had channeled his entire blood aura into his body’s defense, and upon contact, Ye Cheng could feel the terrifying resilience that had nullified his strike.

*Thud, thud.* Ye Cheng’s punch had sent Tie Muqing’s blood surging, yet the latter suffered no actual damage, skillfully dispersing the force into the ground.

A bloodthirsty grin spread across Tie Muqing’s lips. He lunged into the air, his blood aura erupting, appearing almost tangible as it surged downward like a tidal wave. At their level, they could control their blood aura with ease, preventing the unsightly blood-red veins from surfacing on their skin.

With eyes as cold as a serpent’s, Tie Muqing locked onto Ye Cheng. "Not bad strength. You are stronger than Nangong Xue. But the more so, the more excited I become."

"Blood Torrent!"

As he descended, his velocity increased sharply. Watching the terrifying power contained in the blood aura, Ye Cheng’s brow furrowed. The momentum of the fall had amplified the strike significantly, and the technique being employed was clearly of a high order. A single lapse in judgment could lead to serious injury.

*I must find a flaw,* Ye Cheng thought, his eyes tracking every movement as he felt himself completely targeted.

"Congratulations, Sect Leader Tie Mu. Your grandson’s mastery of the 'Blood Torrent' is truly flawless. To say his talent surpasses the geniuses of Yongle City over the past century would be no exaggeration," the master of the True Martial Sect said with a sycophantic smile toward Tie Muqiu.

"Hardly. Qing’er has talent, but his strength has yet to reach the level that satisfies this old man," Tie Muqiu replied, stroking his beard, though he could not hide his pride.

On the side of the Nangong family, however, many wore heavy expressions.

"I fear the youth Xue’er invited is no match for Tie Muqing. A month ago, he condensed a blood crystal within his body. Such talent is exceptional, rivaling even that of our Family Head in his youth," a deacon in green robes remarked from the front row.

Nangong Hao, sitting in the center, shook his head. "It is too early to say. This youth has a composed, steady aura. He reminds me of a dragon hiding in the abyss—perhaps one day he will soar to the highest heavens." He lowered his voice as he spoke, leaving the nearby deacons stunned that he would hold such a high opinion of the boy.

...

"What is that kid doing? Is he scared stiff by that attack?"

"I think so."

"What do you know? Tie Muqing is using one of the Blood Fiend Gang’s top-tier techniques. It locks onto every movement; there is nowhere to hide. The boy’s calm expression is likely just him searching for a way to evade. But his thinking is too naive. How could a boy not yet seventeen..."

*BOOM!* Tie Muqing descended with his terrifying wave of blood. Yet, at the critical moment, a light flickered in Ye Cheng’s eyes. He had found the opening. With a series of rapid steps, he sidestepped, slipping just outside the range of the blood-drenched onslaught.