Chapter 114: Even a Grandmaster Is No More Than a Defeated Foe!

The Old Ape’s Hanging Seal is one of the ultimate techniques of the Bagua Palm, renowned for its devastating power. Deng Jinkui was struck by this move and was sent flying backward. Blood surged up his throat, but he forced it down with sheer will.

Deng Jinkui flipped over like a carp and sprang to his feet. Zhao Weiming’s strike landed squarely, but he did not stop; instead, he pressed forward with renewed aggression.

Caught off guard as he rose, Deng Jinkui could only raise his arms across his chest to block. Once again, Zhao Weiming’s Bagua Palm sent him flying, slamming him against the stone pillar by the doorway.

Crack!

A few bones in Deng Jinkui’s body snapped. Unable to hold back any longer, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, nearly losing all fighting strength.

“Though we are both eighth grade, you are no match for me. This is the difference between internal and external martial arts—that is the power of the Cheng family’s Bagua Palm.”

Seeing Deng Jinkui grievously wounded, Zhao Weiming ceased his attack. After all, Deng Jinkui’s fate was now in his hands.

In victory and defeat, since he had lost, Deng Jinkui made no stubborn protest. Indeed, the truth was that he had not lost due to realm disparity but had been outmatched in martial technique.

“Cheng family’s Bagua Palm, the reputation is well-deserved. I admit defeat once again, sincerely and without reservation.”

Deng Jinkui wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and slowly rose.

“Don’t you accept? You come from some wild background—how can you compare with the disciples of a prestigious sect?” Zhao Weiming sneered, brimming with superiority.

“It’s not easy to reach eighth grade. I’ll give you a chance to live,” Zhao Weiming said.

“What chance?” Deng Jinkui asked.

Zhao Weiming produced a black iron talisman, shaped like a Bagua mirror.

“This is a token of the Cheng family. Accept it, serve the Cheng family as a loyal dog from now on, obeying all commands, and you will be spared. The late Qing would be pleased to have an eighth grade ‘dog’ under her control.”

Zhao Weiming tossed the black Bagua mirror to Deng Jinkui, but he did not reach out to take it.

“Hm? You dare refuse?”

Zhao Weiming frowned.

“I, Deng Jinkui, am a man of dignity. There is no way I’ll become a dog for you.”

Despite his grave injuries, Deng Jinkui straightened his spine and refused with resolute clarity.

“I think you want to die! You’d rather be a watchdog for some nobody than serve the Cheng family? What’s in your head, dung?”

Zhao Weiming couldn’t fathom what was going on in Deng Jinkui’s mind.

“I stopped you here today because I promised beforehand. Unless the Grandmaster himself arrives, I will not yield. It’s not about serving anyone; it’s about keeping my word, even with my life.”

Deng Jinkui declared.

“Enough, enough! I’m tired of your nonsense. Since you refuse the token, death is your only path.”

Zhao Weiming said, raising his palm. With a swift movement, he attacked Deng Jinkui.

Gravely wounded, Deng Jinkui was no match for Zhao Weiming’s assault. Even if he managed to endure a few moves, death was inevitable.

Just then, Lin Yang arrived.

He leapt down from above, his finger like a sword, stabbing into the center of Zhao Weiming’s palm.

Instantly, Zhao Weiming’s palm burned with pain, as if pierced by a sharp blade. His arm went numb, and he staggered back.

“What’s so great about the Cheng family? How dare you show off superiority here!”

Lin Yang stood with his hands behind his back.

“Who are you?”

Zhao Weiming shook his numb right hand, clenching his fist to ease the pain.

“Third Master, this is Lin Yang!”

Enemies meeting, hatred flared!

Wei Dagang’s eyes bloodshot at the sight of Lin Yang, filled with deep resentment and fury, itching to tear him limb from limb.

“Wei Dagang, your injury healed so quickly? Coming here to die?”

Lin Yang glanced at him.

“Damn you, bastard! With Third Master Zhao here, you’ll find no place to be buried!”

Wei Dagang snarled with rage.

“Is that so?” Lin Yang shifted his gaze to Zhao Weiming.

“You’re Lin Yang? You think I, personally, can’t kill you?”

Zhao Weiming said.

“You’re not enough. If Grandmaster Cheng Kuo were here, maybe you’d have a chance.”

Lin Yang spoke straightforwardly.

Earlier, his energy was depleted; if Cheng Kuo had appeared then, he wouldn’t have stood a chance, not even to escape.

But now, even if Cheng Kuo himself came, he would still be the defeated!

Though Lin Yang’s grade was slightly below fifth grade Cheng Kuo’s, true combat power is not entirely determined by rank.

Lin Yang was confident—he could defeat a fifth-grade Grandmaster.

“Such arrogance! Who do you think you are? Want me to bring out my master personally? You’re not worthy of disturbing the old man.”

Zhao Weiming laughed mockingly again.

“I’m not finished! Even if Cheng Kuo came now, he would not be my match.”

Lin Yang spoke honestly.

Deng Jinkui behind him was astonished. He knew Lin Yang was a Grandmaster but guessed his grade might be at most second, or perhaps a newly minted first-grade pseudo-Grandmaster.

Yet Lin Yang claimed even Cheng Kuo was no match for him. Deng Jinkui did not think this was boastful; it sounded like the truth.

Because he knew Lin Yang had no reason to lie.

Of course, to Zhao Weiming and Wei Dagang’s ears, it was a different matter.

Zhao Weiming laughed scornfully, nearly doubling over with amusement, joined by Wei Dagang and his men.

“What a day! I’ve met two idiots with broken brains! I thought Deng Jinkui’s head was full of dung, but maybe he’s better than you. What you have inside is the real dung.”

“Do you even know what it means to be a Grandmaster?”

“Do you know what a Grandmaster represents?”

“You brat, wet behind the ears and clueless, spouting such ridiculous nonsense.”

Zhao Weiming found it entertaining and couldn’t help but mock.

“This little bastard’s lost his mind, spouting such big talk. If I hadn’t heard it myself, I wouldn’t believe anyone could say such things.”

Wei Dagang laughed uproariously. “Little bastard, you know you’re doomed, so you’re just venting your frustrations, right?”

Lin Yang shook his head slightly.

“Ignorance.”

With that, he dismissed further words. There was no point arguing with such fools.

Lin Yang moved so swiftly that Wei Dagang and Sun Bao barely saw how.

In the next instant, Lin Yang stood before Zhao Weiming.

Zhao Weiming, a skilled eighth-grade master, reacted quickly, adopting the Bagua Palm stance and unleashing the Wild Horse Charges Through the Gate technique, his palm surging forward like a wild stallion.

Lin Yang did not counter but allowed Zhao’s palm to strike his chest.

At first, Zhao Weiming’s face lit with joy, but it quickly turned pale.

He realized Lin Yang had not moved an inch—his strike had hit an invisible wall. Before Zhao could withdraw or change technique, a massive counterforce surged back, sending him flying.