Chapter 009: Such a Person Is Not to Be Offended

The crowd dispersed to the sides, the four men with broken legs were carried away, and the tables and chairs were moved aside. The entire No. 1 VIP Hall was left empty, with only Xiao Yang and Liu Manxiong remaining.

A duel between martial artists was a rare spectacle for ordinary people. Most of the staff of Spring Garden Restaurant had gathered outside the No. 1 VIP Hall, along with quite a few guests, all watching with excited anticipation.

Liu Manxiong took his stance and said, “Please.”

Xiao Yang responded, “Please.”

As soon as Xiao Yang finished speaking, Liu Manxiong shot forward like a leopard, launching his attack. Even though he didn’t consider Xiao Yang a worthy opponent, he fought with full force—just as a lion uses all its strength to catch a rabbit. He showed no contempt in his assault.

In half a second, he crossed the six or seven meters between them. His right hand became a blade, slamming fiercely toward Xiao Yang.

A howling wind whipped Xiao Yang’s clothes and hair backward, the force wild and intense. Liu Manxiong's palm not only combined strength and energy, but also employed the martial technique "Stone-Splitting Hand," releasing explosive power that was truly fearsome.

Liu Manxiong’s pure palm strength was about four hundred kilograms, but when combined with martial skills and focused energy, he could unleash over nine hundred kilograms of force—like a sledgehammer smashing down. Even a stone stele in front of him would be shattered by such a blow.

Phantom Step!

Xiao Yang’s figure flickered, a faint afterimage tracing his path as he evaded Liu Manxiong’s attack with ease. No matter how fast Liu Manxiong struck, he couldn't match Xiao Yang’s reaction speed.

With a sharp snap, Liu Manxiong’s palm struck empty air, creating a burst of sound that reverberated through the hall. Everyone who heard it felt a chill—such force would kill an ordinary person with a single blow.

As a seasoned first-rank martial artist, Liu Manxiong’s reflexes were equally sharp. The moment his first strike missed, he shifted and attacked again, his palm whistling toward Xiao Yang.

Relying on his agility with Phantom Step, Xiao Yang continued to dodge, searching for an opening to counterattack. The second strike missed again, then the third, the fourth…

Xiao Yang’s reactions were simply too quick. Every one of Liu Manxiong’s blows landed in vain, each one producing a sharp burst in the air. The repeated, rapid cracks of his attacks made his assault seem savage.

Yet Xiao Yang, constantly dodging, appeared weak and evasive. From an onlooker’s perspective, Liu Manxiong dominated, driving Xiao Yang to the defensive, leaving him with no chance to strike back.

Among the spectators, the most invested was Feng Jingming. The outcome of this fight would decide whether or not his own legs would be broken. Seeing Liu Manxiong pressing the attack, Feng Jingming’s eyes shone with excitement, his fists clenched in anticipation.

But Liu Manxiong, as a martial artist, saw things differently. Xiao Yang, though a newly initiated martial artist, demonstrated such swift reflexes that it defied reason—his attacks were repeatedly dodged. This filled Liu Manxiong with unease.

However, the No. 1 VIP Hall was limited in size. Faced with Liu Manxiong’s relentless assault, Xiao Yang could only retreat in one direction, his space shrinking. In the end, he would have to meet Liu Manxiong head-on.

Liu Manxiong’s reflexes were, if anything, superior to Xiao Yang’s. Dodging could buy Xiao Yang time, but reversing the momentum was impossible. Confident of victory, Liu Manxiong pressed his advantage, step by step, cornering Xiao Yang without exposing any flaw.

Xiao Yang did not wish to reveal too much of his martial prowess from the Transcendent World, but it was clear that mere Phantom Step would not suffice. He would need to use Phantom Palm as well.

With his range for movement dwindling, Xiao Yang unleashed Phantom Palm, utilizing only the technique of integrating strength and energy, without displaying multiple afterimages, and clashed directly with Liu Manxiong.

With a thunderous crack, their palms collided like stones shattering, the sound echoing through the hall.

Though Phantom Palm was subtle and Xiao Yang’s mastery had reached a proficient level, it was not a technique focused on raw power. Xiao Yang’s strength was already inferior to Liu Manxiong’s, and Phantom Palm did not amplify his force as much as Stone-Splitting Hand. In a direct contest of strength, Xiao Yang was at a disadvantage.

The impact shook Xiao Yang, forcing him to retreat over three meters, his feet dragging along the floor.

“Bravo!” someone shouted—it was Feng Jingming, applauding.

Previously, Xiao Yang had only appeared disadvantaged by constantly dodging, never showing his true strength. Now, in a direct clash, Liu Manxiong had knocked him back over three meters. It was clear Xiao Yang was far weaker.

The outcome seemed certain. Feng Jingming’s face lit up with joy. With Liu Manxiong victorious, his legs would be spared.

Money was plentiful for the Feng Group, but Feng Jingming only had one pair of legs. Even if they could be healed, he did not want to suffer that pain and humiliation. He was overwhelmed with relief and excitement.

Following the chairman's cue, the staff of Spring Garden cheered as well.

After sending Xiao Yang flying with a palm, Liu Manxiong held back, saying, “Brother Xiao, shall we end it here?”

To end it now would mean Xiao Yang had lost. In Liu Manxiong's eyes, this allowed Xiao Yang to save face, sparing him further embarrassment.

But Xiao Yang looked at Liu Manxiong and shook his head. “I haven’t used my full strength yet. Let’s continue.”

Though Feng Jingming had not personally acted, he was the true culprit behind Chen Wanglong’s broken leg. Xiao Yang intended to make him pay—not just in money, but physically.

Since only giving his all would offer a chance at victory, Xiao Yang resolved to fight at full strength.

Liu Manxiong raised an eyebrow slightly, thinking to himself that Xiao Yang was refusing to accept kindness. Must he be beaten until he’s bloodied and humiliated before the crowd to be satisfied? Wouldn’t such a scene ruin his own reputation?

Of course, since Xiao Yang refused to concede, Liu Manxiong could only continue, determined to defeat Xiao Yang “for real.”

“Since you insist, Brother Xiao, I’ll accompany you to the end. Watch my palm!”

With that, Liu Manxiong executed Stone-Splitting Hand, charging at Xiao Yang like a leopard, palm striking out.

Phantom Palm!

Xiao Yang unleashed the full power of his Phantom Palm, now at a proficient level.

In an instant, a cascade of palm shadows struck out; it seemed as if more than twenty palms attacked simultaneously, dazzling the eyes of all who watched. At the same time, Xiao Yang’s feet moved with Phantom Step. The two techniques, designed to complement each other, now worked in perfect harmony.

Not only the spectators, but even Liu Manxiong was stunned.

What kind of martial skill was this?

His palm was already in motion and could not be withdrawn. Gritting his teeth, Liu Manxiong focused on Xiao Yang’s body, determined to shatter any trick with sheer force. No matter how exquisite Xiao Yang’s technique, if his palm landed, victory would be his.

When Liu Manxiong’s palm struck the mass of shadows, he found them all illusory—none hindered him in the least.

In the next instant, his palm hit Xiao Yang’s body—also an illusion.

With Phantom Palm and Phantom Step combined, Xiao Yang was simply too fast. Liu Manxiong had only struck an afterimage.

As his attack missed, Liu Manxiong’s hair stood on end—a sense of danger flashed through him. He tried to retreat, but it was already too late. Almost simultaneously, a palm landed squarely on his chest.

Even though Phantom Palm was not focused on power, it still enhanced the strength of the strike—Xiao Yang’s blow reached nearly six hundred kilograms.

A sharp crack rang out as Liu Manxiong was sent flying over three meters, stumbling several steps before regaining his balance.

The force penetrated his body, shaking his internal organs. His energy was dispersed, and a sweet taste rose in his throat—a mouthful of blood threatened to spill.

As a martial artist, Liu Manxiong refused to show weakness before ordinary people. He held his breath, forced his energy down, and swallowed the blood back. Had he spat it out, it would not have been serious, but by forcing it back, he suffered internal injury—truly sacrificing his health for the sake of face.

Xiao Yang knew that the victory was now clear; the fight was over, and he did not strike again.

It took several seconds before Liu Manxiong suppressed the turbulent energy within. His face pale, he cupped his hands and said, “Brother Xiao, at such a young age you possess such skill. I concede, wholeheartedly.”

Feng Jingming, who had moments ago been flushed with excitement, was now ashen-faced, gripped by terror. He had never expected that Liu Manxiong, a seasoned first-rank martial artist with over ten years of experience, would lose to the newly advanced Xiao Yang.

The thought of having his legs broken filled Feng Jingming with dread.

He cried out, “Uncle Liu, you can’t concede! You mustn’t! You have to save me, beat him, beat him!”

Liu Manxiong’s expression turned cold. “Even if your father were here, he couldn’t order me around. Feng Jingming, you brought this on yourself. I’ve done my best, but I cannot save you. We martial artists keep our word. Brother Xiao has won—make whatever compensation he demands.”

Seeing Liu Manxiong’s anger, Feng Jingming’s heart chilled. He realized that his fate was now in Xiao Yang’s hands, not Liu Manxiong’s.

He turned to Xiao Yang, begging, “Don’t break my legs, I’ll pay four times the compensation—no, five times!”

Xiao Yang ignored him and walked straight over.

Realizing there was no escape, Feng Jingming tried to flee the No. 1 VIP Hall. He did not want his legs broken.

But his speed was nothing compared to Xiao Yang’s. With a few steps, Xiao Yang caught up, struck him down with a palm, then brought his foot down cleanly, twice.

Two miserable screams echoed as Xiao Yang crushed both of Feng Jingming’s knees to powder. Overwhelmed by pain, Feng Jingming fainted on the spot.

The staff of Spring Garden watched in horror as their chairman had his legs broken before their eyes. Many felt a chill in their own knees, and their bodies went weak.

Liu Manxiong approached. “Brother Xiao, the punishment’s been dealt. May we treat him now?”

Xiao Yang nodded. “Of course. But what about the ten million compensation—when will it arrive?”

“Tonight, without fail,” Liu Manxiong replied.

“Good. I’ll wait at the hospital.”

Xiao Yang left. He had broken five men’s legs in front of everyone—would there be consequences?

Certainly.

But as a martial artist, he had privileges, and the five he punished were all ordinary men.

It was Feng Jingming and his group who broke Chen Wanglong’s leg first. Xiao Yang was seeking justice for his friend. Such matters were trivial for martial artists; even if reported to the police, Xiao Yang would not be punished. They would simply have to accept their misfortune.

Moreover, the Feng Group would never dare report this—there was nothing to gain, only the risk of offending Xiao Yang.

After Xiao Yang left, Liu Manxiong shouted, “What are you all standing around for? Prepare a car, get a stretcher, take him to the hospital!”

The general manager, Feng Yunxing, quickly arranged everything, then asked about the other four with broken legs. “Brother Xiong, what about these four?”

Liu Manxiong glanced at them. “Send them to the hospital too. The boss can decide what happens next.”

With that, Liu Manxiong stepped aside and dialed a number—it was Feng Jianggong, chairman of Feng Group.

“Boss,” Liu Manxiong greeted.

“Brother Xiong, what is it?” Feng Jianggong asked.

“Jingming offended a martial artist and had his legs broken.”

“What? Which martial artist? He didn’t even respect your authority?”

“I was present. He’s a young martial arts prodigy. His future will surely be extraordinary. If he’s from Yuezhou, he will inevitably become a leading figure here. Though newly advanced, his strength is formidable. I fought him and lost, so I could only let him break Jingming’s legs.”

“There’s such a figure in Yuezhou? Has he calmed down, or does he still hold a grudge against the Feng Group?”

“He should be appeased. We settled things in the manner of martial artists—he won, and all compensation is at his discretion. Breaking Jingming’s legs satisfied him; he has no reason to bear a grudge.”

“That’s good… that’s good. That wastrel is always causing trouble. Maybe a lesson will do him good. How is he now?”

“We’re about to take him to the hospital.”

“Good—get him to the best hospital. I’ll come too, and we’ll hire the best specialists for his surgery.”

“Boss, Xiao Yang broke Jingming’s legs because Jingming had someone break Xiao Yang’s friend’s leg. His friend is at First Hospital. Xiao Yang is demanding ten million in compensation—I promised to deliver it tonight.”

“I’ll handle it personally. If Xiao Yang truly is as you say—a man who will one day dominate Yuezhou with a flick of his finger—then not only must we pay, we must apologize and make amends to him and his friend.”

“I agree. Such a man cannot be offended.”

***

At First Hospital, Chen Wanglong had already regained consciousness. Learning that Xiao Yang had become a martial artist filled him with joy—especially hearing that Xiao Yang had avenged him by breaking Feng Jingming’s legs. He was both grateful and elated, momentarily forgetting his own injury.

Xiao Yang remained at the hospital, waiting for the Feng Group’s compensation.

Chen Wanglong looked at Xiao Yang sitting by his bed and said, “You failed the exam, yet you’re the first to become a martial artist, surpassing all your peers in Yuezhou. I wonder if Xu Chaoren will be jealous when he hears. Xu Ruqing, for sure, will be thrilled.”

Lin Meifang, in a better mood, added, “I think they’ll be shocked first.”

Xiao Yang chuckled. “Keep it a secret for now. In a few days, I’ll be admitted to Jiangnan Martial University as a special recruit—then I’ll give them both a surprise.”

Chen Wanglong and Lin Meifang exchanged glances. Xiao Yang had not only become a martial artist but would enter Jiangnan Martial University as a special recruit—a leap to greatness, a new star rising. His future was limitless.

They were both happy for him, though they couldn’t help feeling a little bittersweet in comparison.

They chatted as evening fell.

Around seven o’clock, Feng Jianggong arrived at Chen Wanglong’s room.

“Mr. Chen, Mrs. Chen, Chen, I am Feng Jianggong, chairman of Feng Group. I have come to apologize for my son Feng Jingming’s actions.”

Upon entering, Feng Jianggong bowed deeply to Chen’s father, mother, and son. Then he offered Xiao Yang a slight bow as well. “My son was in the wrong. Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for your lesson. I will see to his education from now on so he becomes a better person and never repeats such misdeeds.”

Chen’s parents hated Feng Group for what had been done, but seeing such a powerful businessman bow so humbly, they could not stay angry. Moreover, Feng Jingming had been punished by Xiao Yang, so they said nothing more and looked to Xiao Yang.

They knew their family alone could never command such humility from a tycoon like Feng Jianggong. This was all because of Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang studied Feng Jianggong and nodded to himself. No wonder this ordinary man could control assets worth billions—his sense of timing and propriety was exceptional. Even though the mistake was his son’s, he immediately bowed for the sake of the Feng Group. He was a man who knew when to advance and when to retreat.

This was a martial artist’s world; most wealth was controlled by martial artists. Few ordinary men could amass fortunes like Feng Jianggong, which spoke to his talent. Without martial artists as rivals, he would be a first-rate tycoon even on Earth.

Xiao Yang and Liu Manxiong had agreed to put this matter to rest, and Feng Jianggong’s willingness to apologize showed he truly wished to resolve the feud.

No one strikes a smiling man—since Feng Jianggong was so sensible, Xiao Yang saw no reason to make things difficult.

“This matter is settled. Feng Jingming has learned his lesson. As long as the compensation is paid, it’s over. In fact, I once worked at Feng Group for a while. I bear no grudge, and you shouldn’t either. From now on, let’s keep our distance.”

Feng Jianggong was momentarily surprised—Xiao Yang once worked at Feng Group?

When had his company ever had such a formidable figure? He had no idea.

Pressed for time, Feng Jianggong had yet to investigate Xiao Yang’s background, but he was surprised nonetheless.

After a moment, he regained his composure. “Mr. Xiao, you are generous. Thank you. Here is a card with ten million inside, the compensation for Chen. I have arranged for the best doctors—tomorrow, we’ll operate on Chen first, then my son.”

He handed the card to Chen’s father, who accepted it without protest.

“Chen, I’ll let you rest now. Mr. Xiao, goodbye.”

Feng Jianggong nodded to Chen and Xiao Yang and left the room.

Chen’s father stared at the card, the password written on its back. Though they were comfortably off, they had little savings. Ten million was an enormous sum.

He said, “Xiao Yang, Wanglong’s treatment won’t cost this much. The Feng family paid because of you. Once Wanglong is healed, whatever’s left is yours.”

Chen’s mother hesitated, but said nothing—her husband was right, it was all thanks to Xiao Yang.

Xiao Yang shook his head. “Will I lack money in the future? This is compensation for Wanglong’s injury, not for me. When you and Meifang get married, raise children, you’ll have plenty to spend. Use the rest as you see fit.”

Chen Wanglong and Lin Meifang blushed. They had only been together a month, not yet talking marriage. But after this ordeal, with Lin Meifang always by his side, their feelings had deepened—marriage was all but certain.

“I’ve been out since early morning and haven’t been home. Wanglong, I’ll leave you to rest. Uncle, Aunt, I’m heading out.”

With a pat on Chen Wanglong’s shoulder and farewells to his parents, Xiao Yang left.