23
The next day, a crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the Lin Family Martial Arts Hall, their eyes fixed on the tightly closed gate.
The common people were waiting for the challenge.
Inside the courtyard, the apprentices stood in an orderly row, from shortest to tallest, each with a determined look on their faces.
Meanwhile, Leon Wei was leisurely enjoying his breakfast. Regardless of the challenge, breakfast had to be eaten, or else he'd be famished.
Quickly, he finished ten bowls of porridge, eight baked cakes, five fried dough sticks, and four eggs, leaving him just a bit satisfied.
Rising from his seat, he looked at the apprentices and nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good, the apprentices' aspirations are unified."
The main goal was for the hall's master to win.
"Let's go."
With a wave of his hand, Leon Wei led the apprentices out in a grand procession.
As the gate opened, the onlookers outside erupted into exclamations.
"He's coming out, he's coming out."
"Leon Wei is coming out."
The excitement of the crowd couldn't be contained. When they saw the gate of the martial arts hall open, they all became thrilled.
Standing at the entrance, Leon Wei addressed the crowd, "Have you placed your bets on me at the Loulan Pavilion?"
"Some of us have, definitely."
"Not me."
"I'm too poor to bet."
The varying responses were somewhat regrettable. The opportunity to make money was right in front of them, and he felt it was only right to look out for his neighbors.
"While you still have the chance, hurry and borrow money to bet. Don't say that your hall master doesn't take care of you. This time, the hall master will definitely win. This is a rare opportunity to make a fortune. If you miss it, there may not be another chance."
Leon Wei noticed that only a few people in the crowd wished for his victory. He felt that this wasn't enough; how could he become stronger if they didn't have faith in him?
Unfortunately, those who should bet did, and those who didn't want to, still didn't want to.
"Leon Wei will win. I've staked my house deed, betting everything on Leon Wei's victory," shouted a man named Dou Hua Lv from the crowd.
Not only did the common people look at Dou Hua Lv, but even Leon Wei turned to look at him.
"Is he really betting that big?"
"Haha..." Leon Wei laughed, pointing at Dou Hua Lv. "You deserve to make a fortune. Get ready to collect your winnings."
With that, he led the apprentices towards the Changyuan Martial Arts Hall.
When they arrived at the Changyuan Martial Arts Hall, it was also surrounded by curious onlookers. However, their wishes were all in favor of Yuan Feng winning. This made Leon Wei sigh inwardly. Why must one always choose the wrong answer at every turn?
The Loulan Pavilion only opened one betting line, and it had to be said, the Loulan Pavilion was quite cunning.
Entering the courtyard, the disciples of the Changyuan Martial Arts Hall stared at Leon Wei with fierce and angry gazes. They weren't going to give him a warm welcome as a challenger.
Yuan Feng, who was proficient in the Monkey Fist, sat calmly on a chair, waiting.
Looking around, there were quite a few people who had arrived early, including Bai Canghai and Pang Haichao.
For them, this battle was a must-see. They needed to understand their opponent in order to win consistently. Understanding Leon Wei's tactics was crucial to finding a way to counter them.
Han, the steward, and You, the steward, were invited as witnesses.
There was also a middle-aged man, who seemed to be a significant figure from the Panshi Martial Arts Hall. It was natural for them to be present when their affiliated martial arts hall was being challenged.
Leon Wei greeted Han and the others with a fist, then looked at Yuan Feng. "Yuan Master, I'm here."
Yuan Feng looked at Leon Wei and stood up slowly. "Leon Wei, today I will accept your challenge."
"Very well, no need for unnecessary words. Everyone is eager. We've signed the life-and-death agreement, and I've put up the Mingxiang Tea House and the martial arts hall as stakes. Are you ready, Yuan Master?" Leon Wei asked.
"I've been ready. Let's see if you can handle it," Yuan Feng said in a deep voice.
He had thoroughly enjoyed challenging Leon Wei before. He had known that the Lin Family Martial Arts Hall was an easy target, deceiving the common people, without any real skills. He had been waiting to fatten up his opponent and then reap the benefits. Who could have imagined that not long after, this guy would want to challenge back? It was beyond belief.
"I will definitely win. It's something I must obtain," Leon Wei said, unapologetically.
Yuan Feng's face darkened instantly. This guy was too arrogant.
At this moment, in the crowd.
"Leon Wei, go for it! My son said the hall master will win. I've bet five hundred taels."
"I've bet thirty taels."
"I... I've bet a thousand taels."
Leon Wei looked at the five hundred and a thousand tael bettors, who were the parents of his apprentices. It seemed they had full confidence in him, having sent their children to learn martial arts at his hall.
Leon Wei clasped his hands to them confidently. "Thank you for your trust. I will make sure you earn a lot."
Yuan Feng's face grew increasingly grim, and his mood worsened. He felt that Leon Wei was too arrogant. They hadn't even started, and yet he acted as if he already had the victory in his grasp.
"Leon Wei, enough with the talk," Yuan Feng said impatiently. Having rooted himself in Ankang County for many years, he was highly skilled and didn't believe he would lose.
Leon Wei smiled, walked to the center of the courtyard, and, as the tension reached its peak, Yuan Feng suddenly made his move. His arms, like long whips, swiftly struck at Leon Wei's shoulder, the air filled with a dull thudding sound.
Leon Wei met the attack head-on with his palm. His mastery of the Thunder Palm not only allowed him to control the secret technique, but also elevated the Thunder Palm to a new level.
In an instant, the residual images of their secret techniques whistled out.
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of moves.
It seemed as if they were evenly matched.
Yuan Feng's face, however, grew increasingly serious. He had realized that the opponent's internal energy and blood were even more profound than he had imagined. Even though his skin was tough, he still felt intense pain in his arms. If he were to roll up his sleeves, he would find his arms covered in bruises.
How was this possible?
Yuan Feng couldn't believe it. Roaring in anger, he attacked with his arms like whips, containing a continuous, unrelenting force.
The onlookers gasped in amazement, feeling as if they would be killed instantly if they were in the same situation.
Gradually, Leon Wei figured out Yuan Feng's tactics and began to counterattack. The Thunder Palm and the Fiery Leg Strikes put pressure on Yuan Feng.
As their fists and palms clashed, Leon Wei managed to push aside Yuan Feng's arms. Shocked, Yuan Feng's face turned pale. Just as he was preparing to defend, it was already too late. Unexpectedly, Leon Wei switched from palm to fist, and with a straight punch, he struck Yuan Feng's chest.
The Dragon Elephant Fist.
With a loud bang, Yuan Feng felt his blood boiling. He took about ten steps back before stabilizing himself. Then, with a splutter, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Even though he had reached the realm of toughened skin and flesh, he hadn't expected the opponent's internal energy to be so profound. The force had pierced through his skin and flesh, inflicting a serious injury.
"Yuan Master, I yield," Leon Wei said lightly.
"I haven't lost yet."
Yuan Feng roared in anger, enduring his injuries, and charged forward.
"Ah," Leon Wei sighed softly. With a twist of his ankle, he leaped up and unleashed a series of Fiery Leg Strikes. Each kick was more forceful than the last. The first two kicks broke through Yuan Feng's defenses, and the final kick sent him flying.
Yuan Feng was sent flying, his face contorted in pain. When he landed on his back, he once again spat out a stream of blood, even more than before.
He tried to get up but found it difficult.
"I yield," Leon Wei said, having held back. When Yuan Feng had challenged him, he hadn't retaliated with the same level of force.
The match wasn't a fight to the death but rather a test of skill.
The scene was quiet.
Everyone watched in astonishment.