Chapter 24: Hehehe, That Strike Was Perfect!

Rage! Humiliation! Gu Shaoqing’s teeth ground with a menacing clatter, his eyes already ablaze with fury.

“Swish, swish, swish—”

With a flourish of his spear, golden serpents seemed to dance in the air. Gu Shaoqing lunged back into the fray, moving so swiftly that only blurred afterimages remained in his wake.

Yet Xiang Nan stood unmoved, hands clasped behind his back, waiting until the last possible moment before his opponent reached him. Then, with a few nimble steps, he slipped past each attack with flawless precision.

Once again, Gu Shaoqing’s strike found only empty air. He twisted the spearhead, unleashing a relentless flurry of attacks, as fierce as a tempest. But no matter how desperately he tried, exhausting every technique he knew, Xiang Nan’s movements were always half a beat ahead, as if he had already foreseen each move.

Still, Gu Shaoqing held the advantage of reach with his spear, while Xiang Nan remained barehanded, at a disadvantage in offense. Gu Shaoqing’s spear technique was formidable; after hundreds of exchanges, each thrust bristled with lethal intent. As a Tier Two, Six-Star expert, his defenses were airtight, making it difficult for Xiang Nan to close the distance.

The match was deadlocked, neither side able to gain the upper hand. Around the ring, the crowd held their breath, fists clenched, not daring even to blink, fearing they’d miss a moment of this dazzling duel.

The sun climbed higher, the temperature steadily rising. Xiang Nan began to feel the heat and irritation, while Gu Shaoqing, fighting with everything he had, was already drenched in sweat. This stalemate could drag on forever; it was better to end things swiftly.

Suddenly, Xiang Nan darted like an arrow toward the weapons rack at the side of the ring. Against a spear, a staff would do!

With the staff in hand, he felt his blood surge with excitement. The techniques of the Five Elders’ Bagua Staff seemed etched into his very veins, flowing naturally from his fingertips.

Sweep, strike, charge, lift...

The clash of metal and wood echoed across the arena. With the staff, Xiang Nan’s advantage became clear. Each successful blow added ten skill points to his Bagua Staff technique.

On the platform, no matter how exquisite Gu Shaoqing’s spearwork, every move was countered by Xiang Nan’s staff. The staff moved like a venomous serpent with eyes, striking Gu Shaoqing with uncanny precision.

Dozens more rounds passed. Gu Shaoqing’s armor was battered to pieces. The crowd gasped in awe.

“Brother Nan’s only just getting started, huh? So he was just toying with Gu Shao earlier?”

“Holy hell! What kind of staff technique is this? It’s freakishly powerful!”

“It feels like the Monkey King’s golden staff has possessed him—what a display!”

“Gu Shao is done for! And he’s done for good!”

“Is Brother Nan really just Tier One? I can hardly believe it.”

“Waaah, when can I be as strong as Brother Nan?”

In no time at all, Gu Shaoqing had been beaten until he couldn’t fight back at all. His spear never even made it out—Xiang Nan had it completely under control, leaving no opening for an attack.

And in Xiang Nan’s hands, the staff seemed to have countless shadows, as if it multiplied itself.

“Ugh!”

“Aaah!”

“Crack!”

The arena was filled with Gu Shaoqing’s pitiful cries. It was brutal.

For some unfathomable reason, Xiang Nan seemed to delight in striking Gu Shaoqing’s face again and again. His already swollen, pig-like face was now battered beyond recognition. Blood and teeth flew from his mouth as he spat them out with each blow.

Only when Gu Shaoqing’s mouth was entirely toothless did Xiang Nan finally stop.

He drew back the staff, standing tall and imposing.

“So? Gu Shaoqing, do you still wish to continue?”

The faint smile on his lips was enough to make anyone bristle with anger.

Gu Shaoqing’s lips were numb and swollen, blood oozing from the corner of his eye, yet he still looked defiant. But defiance was useless—he simply couldn’t win!

Meanwhile, chaos reigned below the stands.

“Xiang Nan! Don’t you know the rules? You don’t hit someone in the face!”

“Doesn’t Gu Shao care about his pride? What about the Gu family’s reputation?”

“In the ring, you hit where you can! Who cares about all these petty rules?”

“Was it Xiang Nan’s fault for hitting his face? Didn’t you see Gu Shaoqing stick his head in the way himself?”

“Is Gu Shaoqing really Tier Two, Six-Star? Why is he so weak?”

“Easy for you to say—if you think Gu Shao is weak, get up there and take on Xiang Nan yourself!”

“Me duel Brother Nan? I’m his biggest fan, you know!”

Up in the private box, Gu Yun’s face was darker than the bottom of a pot. Looking at Gu Shaoqing’s sorry, pig-headed state, he wished he could storm down and beat his son himself—to teach him what true fatherly love meant!

Beside him, Xu Qingshan was the picture of satisfaction, lounging comfortably in his high-backed chair, his face creased with laughter.

“Ah, ah, this Xiang Nan, he’s a bit heavy-handed!”

“Why keep aiming for the face? Shouldn’t he spare Young Master Gu’s looks?”

“Young people are just too hot-blooded. I’ll have a word with him later. Heh, that was a fine blow!”

With every word Xu Qingshan spoke, Gu Yun’s face grew a shade darker.

Meanwhile, Xie Zhan watched the spectacle with serene detachment. Thankfully, his own son hadn’t rushed out—otherwise, he’d be the one with a pig’s head now.

Only Su Mingzhe maintained his inscrutable smile, his eyes glinting with the cunning of a fox.

Go ahead and gloat for now! Soon, everyone will have to look up to the Su family.

Back in the ring, victory was in Xiang Nan’s grasp. Gu Shaoqing, bloodied and utterly disheveled, could hardly be called human. Xiang Nan hesitated to strike again—there was simply no uninjured spot left on Gu Shaoqing’s face. One more blow, and he’d be permanently disfigured.

“Gu Shaoqing, do you admit defeat?”

Xiang Nan’s voice was deep and commanding, brooking no argument.

But Gu Shaoqing could no longer speak; his battered head bobbed twice, a silent admission of defeat.

Xiang Nan smiled, withdrew his staff, and turned away, walking slowly toward the center of the ring.

Suddenly, the air behind him stirred.

“Swish, swish, swish…”

A volley of golden needles shot through the air.

“Brother Xiang Nan, look out!” Xu Jiya cried out.

The golden needles formed a deadly web, flying at him from behind—so close, so fast, there was nowhere to hide.

Xu Jiya’s teeth gnashed in fury.

If Gu Shaoqing had used a hidden weapon before conceding, it would have been within the rules, as the match allowed for such tactics. But to launch a lethal attack after admitting defeat, when the opponent’s guard was down—this was no longer a contest, but outright murder!

Xu Jiya, an expert in hidden weapons, instantly recognized the needles as laced with deadly poison.

To use such poison at will was a flagrant violation of the Alliance’s rules—Gu Shaoqing was prepared to throw everything away, to fight to the bitter end.

If even one needle so much as scratched Xiang Nan, the venom would end his life in an instant.

In the private box, the faces of the elders all changed. At their level, it was impossible not to sense the malice in those golden needles. For a disciple to use such treacherous means during a match—it was unheard of!

Gu Yun sprang to his feet.

His worthless son’s defeat was humiliating enough, but to resort to such underhanded tricks—how could the Gu family ever hold their heads high in the Eagle Alliance again?