Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Curtain Falls

The Demon-Slaying Tournament.

The highest level of combat featured disciples at the fifth stage of martial arts battling fierce beasts. Chen Fan’s senior brother, Fan Zhong, stood among them as a martial arts prodigy who had perfected bone-tempering at the fifth stage. His vitality was overwhelming, his blade technique domineering and refined to the point of mastery, making him the strongest disciple in this tournament.

As for why there were no sixth-stage fighters present, it was because among the new generation of martial artists in Yan Capital City, those who had reached the sixth stage were extremely few. Li Linliu had already left, and the few others had gone to study at the Martial Academy in the provincial capital, leaving none behind in Yan Capital.

This was rather an awkward situation. In truth, Yan Capital boasted more geniuses than outwardly shown, but many of them had joined the Martial Academy.

Thus, in this Demon-Slaying Tournament, no matter how outstanding the disciples’ performances were—even Fan Zhong, who could vanquish beasts of his level in barely ten moves—there was little that could truly catch the eye.

All of this was because of a single person: Chen Fan.

At only the third stage of martial arts, he had slain a tiger demon of higher rank with his bare fists—a feat so dazzling it eclipsed all others. In a single day, his name spread throughout Yan Capital.

It wasn’t until nightfall that the tournament finally concluded. Of the more than two hundred participating disciples, nearly a quarter lost their nerve at the last minute. Most of those who fought were injured; eleven died in combat against the beasts, and more than eighty suffered severe wounds.

Yet, there were also twenty or thirty who managed to break through to higher levels. Although third-stage martial artists were few, a significant number achieved breakthroughs.

Among them was Chai Yong from Feiling County. Inspired by Chen Fan’s performance, he fought fiercely against a beast of his own level, refusing to retreat even when gravely wounded, and finally broke through in agility at the brink of death.

...

After leaving the martial arena, Chen Fan regrouped with Bao Tianyou, Lin Shiyu, and the others.

“Junior brother, your strength is unparalleled! You are truly extraordinary!” Lin Shiyu and the others had initially befriended Chen Fan because of his talent, but now they were in awe of the strength he had revealed.

Lin Shiyu himself had only reached the fourth stage six months ago and was barely at the beginning of that level. He struggled even against third-stage beasts and would likely be killed instantly by a fourth-stage one.

They exchanged a few casual words. Then Bao Tianyou approached Chen Fan and whispered, “I just got word: Yu Xingzheng couldn’t be saved. His death is confirmed.”

Chen Fan nodded. He had known this since the first time he broke through with the Nine Suns Tiger Fist.

Bao Tianyou’s expression was grave. “Now that Yu Xingzheng is dead, this is no small matter. Junior brother, you should prepare yourself. The Four Symbols Sect won’t dare confront you openly, but they may try something underhanded.”

Chen Fan nodded slightly.

...

The Demon-Slaying Tournament ended that day, but the festivities among the martial artists from various counties continued for another day or two. Still, many left early.

Outside Yan Capital City, Zhao Hei helped his pale-faced junior, Chai Yong, onto a carriage, clicking his tongue in amazement. “I’d heard of Chen Fan, but never thought much of him. I figured he was still too weak and would need a few more years to catch up. Who’d have thought he’d turn out this fierce? I’m probably no match for him. But he does look familiar—like someone who once bought a manual from me…”

Chai Yong, pale but smiling, shook his head. “He’s a genius disciple of the White Cloud Hall. Why would he need to buy your manuals? But I must admit, with his talent, he’s guaranteed to pass the Martial Academy entrance exam, maybe even start in a higher ‘tower’.”

Zhao Hei chuckled and shook his head. “White Cloud Hall doesn’t have any direct recommendations to the Academy. He’ll have to find another way to get in.”

“That’s not our concern,” Chai Yong replied, a flush of excitement coloring his pale cheeks. “Your strength was impressive to begin with, and your vitality is strong. You have a good chance of passing the Academy exam. I had no confidence at all, but this life-and-death struggle with the beast forced out my potential, and I finally broke through in agility. Now I’m confident too!”

Zhao Hei laughed again. “Let’s hope we both get in. And Yan, our junior in the provincial capital, has been improving fast—he’ll probably take this year’s exam as well. I just wonder… will we have the chance to meet Chen Fan at the Academy someday?”

As they joked, the carriage sped away, disappearing into the dusk.

During the tournament, bandits in the wilds around Yan Capital kept a low profile, not daring to act rashly with so many martial artists gathered. The fighters, more confident than ever, were not worried about running into beasts on their way back to Feiling County, which was not far from the city.

...

Chen Fan had long been famous in Feiling County, but only his fellow disciples in Yan Capital knew of him. After the tournament, however, he became a household name in the city. News of his exploits in Feiling County and at the main hall spread within days. Chen Fan was now spoken of as a peerless genius, on par with the likes of Li Linliu.

The return of Bao Tianyou and others only further disseminated tales of Chen Fan’s astounding strength in Feiling County.

Feng Yuancheng, lacking in strength, hadn’t even qualified for the tournament. He had been in seclusion, striving for a breakthrough, finally emerging only to discover that his junior had become the city’s brightest star, a peerless talent. Feeling his own progress insignificant in comparison, he promptly returned to his closed-door cultivation.

...

Feiling County, Four Symbols Sect.

A tall disciple knelt before an elderly man.

The disciple was Yu Xingzheng’s cousin, Yu Haitao.

“Granduncle, I failed to stop Xingzheng from accepting a death match with Chen Fan, and I failed to prevent Chen Fan from killing him. It’s my fault; I accept any punishment…”

The old man’s eyes were red as he shook his head. “It wasn’t you who doomed Xingzheng—it was me. Not long ago, he came to me in tears after being bullied. I pitied him and gave him a True Essence Pill, helping him break through to the third stage. That’s what led to all this trouble…”

This man was none other than Gao Yi, the sect master of the Four Symbols Sect and Yu Xingzheng’s granduncle.

He sighed. “Xingzheng’s father had him late in life and spoiled him terribly, which made him unruly. In this death match, I have no doubt Xingzheng was the one who started the trouble…”

Yu Haitao remained silent, tacitly agreeing.

Gao Yi, already seventy, forced a bitter smile. “Still, Xingzheng was family. I have no heirs of my own—I’ve always treated you all as my grandsons. Even if he was wrong, he didn’t deserve to die…”

Yu Haitao narrowed his eyes, sighed, and said solemnly, “Chen Fan broke through to the third stage before the age of fifteen, shone brilliantly at the Demon-Slaying Tournament, mastered agility, and slew a tiger beast above his level. He is also the direct disciple of the White Cloud Hall’s master…”

Over the past few days, he had thoroughly investigated Chen Fan’s background.

Gao Yi was silent for a long while before sighing again. “Are you advising me to give up seeking vengeance on Chen Fan?”

Yu Haitao shook his head. “I’m warning you, Granduncle, that we no longer have any legitimate way to avenge Xingzheng.”

By “legitimate,” he meant challenging Chen Fan to a life-and-death duel with a top talent of the same rank. But the fact was, there wasn’t anyone in all of Feiling County who could qualify—let alone in their own sect.

Gao Yi narrowed his eyes. “Then what do you propose?”

Yu Haitao’s face darkened. “These past days, I’ve been looking into Chen Fan’s background and have learned that he isn’t alone—he still has two family members. One is a sister-in-law by marriage, but more importantly, he has a young niece who also lives in Feiling County…”

Gao Yi’s expression twisted with anger and disgust. “What are you suggesting? That I go after his female relatives?”

Yu Haitao met the old man’s gaze. “We are weak. Either we give up vengeance and find a way to apologize to Chen Fan, or we cannot afford to show mercy.”

Gao Yi was silent for a long time before shaking his head. “I cannot accept that. Never mind… Send a gift to Chen Fan’s family in Feiling County, and send someone to Yan Capital. I still have three True Essence Pills—let them be our apology.”

Yu Haitao said nothing. He understood all too well.

The old man’s words sounded noble, but in truth, he simply feared the repercussions. Even Dong Guzhi alone could wipe out the Four Symbols Sect. With so much at stake, how could he risk it?

In the end, Yu Xingzheng was not truly Gao Yi’s own grandson.