Chapter 181: 181. Is it hard to admit someone else is excellent?

“Songyong, stand down. Let me handle this.”

Pei Jun rose leisurely, strolling toward Quan Songyong. Though tall, he had a refined look, enhanced by a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.

“Get lost! I refuse to accept this! I’m going to smash this bastard’s shell!” Quan Songyong had clearly lost all reason. Without even turning his head, he roared, his bloodshot eyes still fixed on the unconcerned Master Song as he hammered away with his swollen fists.

“Heh, you’re tired. Go and rest. I can handle this old turtle.” Pei Jun’s expression shifted slightly as he reached out with a smile to grab Quan Songyong’s arm.

SLAP!

On the brink of a complete breakdown, Quan Songyong reacted instinctively, swinging a backhanded slap at him.

Hopelessly stupid… Hmph.

Pei Jun’s eyes turned cold. He deftly caught Quan Songyong’s thick arm. Then, with a clench of his five fingers, he triggered a hidden switch on the iron ring on his finger.

BZZZT!

A powerful high-voltage current surged through Quan Songyong’s body. The shock paralyzed his heart, and his body went rigid. Eyes wide, he collapsed to the ground.

Gasps of astonishment filled the hall at the sight. “HISS… So strong!”

“No wonder he’s the number one expert in the gym! The second-ranked Quan Songyong didn’t stand a chance against him!”

Even a displeased Kim Sooeun couldn’t help but cast an appreciative glance at Pei Jun. In contrast, Master Song and Master Jiang exchanged grave looks.

“This Pei Jun seems incredible… He knocked out Quan Songyong so casually?” Xia Bingbing murmured, her brow furrowed with a mix of confusion and nervousness. Beside her, Fatty Chu’s eyes were wide, his heart leaping into his throat.

“It might not be his skill. There’s something strange about that ring he’s wearing,” Lin Fan remarked, his brow creasing as he glanced at the large iron ring on Pei Jun’s hand. I can sense the Qi Force fluctuations of everyone here. But when Pei Jun made his move just now, there was nothing unusual. That can only mean one of two things. Either he’s an unbelievably powerful master who can completely conceal his abilities… or he’s using some kind of cheating device.

“Old turtle, dare to take a punch from me?” At that moment, Pei Jun tugged at the corner of his mouth as he watched the unconscious Quan Songyong being hurriedly carried away. Turning his head, he basked in the admiring stares from the crowd and casually beckoned to Master Song.

“Hmph, why wouldn’t I? I refuse to believe you can shatter my Golden Bell Shield, a technique I’ve perfected for forty years, with a single punch!” Master Song swallowed hard, but his face remained stern as he responded in a booming voice.

“Heh, you’ll regret your arrogance.” Pei Jun pushed his glasses up his nose, a sardonic smirk playing on his lips. Then, he deliberately sauntered up to Master Song and sent his right fist forward in a deceptively light-looking punch.

“Hahaha, you damn Goryeo punk, did you skip breakfast? You think that little bit of strength can break my Golden Bell… ARGHHH!!” Seeing the seemingly weak punch, Master Song had begun to relax, but his taunt was cut short, twisting into a scream worthy of a pig at slaughter.

Pei Jun’s light-looking fist was pressed against Master Song’s chest. The older master convulsed violently as if struck by lightning. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he began to foam at the mouth before collapsing backward.

“Electricity… high voltage… You… you cheated…!” Master Song mumbled incoherently.

THUD!

His head lolled to the side, and he passed out completely.

What in the world just happened? That was unbelievably brutal! Quan Songyong had attacked relentlessly for over five minutes with no effect, yet Pei Jun had shattered Master Song’s Golden Bell Shield with a single, casual-looking punch?

The bizarre scene plunged the hall into a dead silence, which was shattered an instant later by a deafening uproar!

“That was brilliant, Senior Pei!”

“Oh my god, Senior Pei is so handsome! Ahhh, I love him!”

“He truly is the student held in high regard by both Teacher Liew and Mr. Jiang! He’s the only one worthy of being our idol!”

Kim Sooeun and the hall manager exchanged satisfied smiles. The Taekwondo Gym students were ecstatic, shouting and cheering wildly. Many female students were jumping on their tiptoes, screaming until their voices were hoarse and their faces flushed with excitement.

“This… this… sigh…” The Xia Country students standing in the corner could only look at each other and lament in silence. They had thought Lin Fan’s utter dominance had brought great honor to the Daxia people and that Master Yang and Master Song would be even more impressive. Who would have thought they were just trash who couldn’t even withstand a single blow?

Suddenly, those who had considered quitting Taekwondo began to hesitate again. Should they really give up such a powerful martial art to learn the traditional Xia martial arts that crumbled at the slightest touch?

“Too easy. It leaves one wanting more.” Standing proudly in the center of the room, Pei Jun shook his head with disdain. He took off his glasses and began to wipe them absently. “You, and you,” he said without looking up. “Come at me together.”

“Damn it! What the hell are you so arrogant for? We haven’t lost yet!” The blatant arrogance made Fatty Chu jump up and curse, his face twisted in fury. Xia Bingbing’s expression soured as she gritted her teeth in frustration.

“Master Jiang, it’s all up to you now! Go up there and beat the crap out of that glasses-wearing Goryeo bastard!” Fatty Chu yelled fiercely, pointing at Pei Jun as he watched Master Jiang silently drag the unconscious Master Song over to Master Yang.

“…Young Master Chu, perhaps… perhaps we should just concede. Pei Jun broke Old Song’s Golden Bell Shield so effortlessly. He has few rivals in the entire Imperial Capital!” Master Jiang’s large frame trembled. After a moment’s silence, he shook his head in resignation. “Even my Dragon Claw Hand couldn’t break Old Song’s Golden Bell Shield that easily. To preserve my strength… I won’t go up there and make a fool of myself. I’ll take my leave!”

After his dejected speech, he gave Pei Jun one last, deep look, then prepared to carry Master Yang and Master Song away.

“What are you talking about? A minute ago, the three of you were fighting over who got to go next and telling Lin Fan to stay back! Now you don’t even have the guts to face him?” Fatty Chu stared, stunned. He then started cursing angrily, his expression turning foul. Xia Bingbing was so exasperated she almost laughed, rolling her eyes at the cowardly Master Jiang.

“You little brat, what do you know! I… I’m just being prudent! A wise man knows when to pick his battles!” Master Jiang’s face flushed red with shame as he turned his head away with a huff. But anyone could see the guilt and embarrassment in his eyes.

“I already told you the three of you weren’t up to it,” Lin Fan said, shaking his head, his gaze turning icy. “Except they’re even more shameless. How dare they cheat so openly?”

Even after years away from the Hulin Guard on the northern frontier, his soldier’s spirit remained. On the battlefield, it was a clash of real steel. There was no room for such despicable tricks. And what was worse? Pei Jun was parading his victory from cheating, acting so smug and arrogant.

Fine. I’ll let you Goryeo bastards who thrive on cheating see for yourselves. All your fancy little tricks are nothing but a huge joke in the face of absolute power!

“Lin Fan! Have you no shame? We lost, and that’s that. There’s no shame in being outmatched. What right do you have to accuse them of cheating?” At that moment, Master Yang, being carried on Master Jiang’s back, shot back with an annoyed expression. Although he desperately wanted Lin Fan’s medical treatment, the boy’s behavior was too much. To deliberately slander an opponent just to make himself look good… It’s truly disgraceful!

“Exactly! Is it so hard to admit someone else is better?” Master Jiang added with a cold look, his voice stern. “Are you just saying they cheated because you think our loss was too pathetic? If you’re so capable, go fight him yourself instead of just running your mouth!”

“Lin Fan, can you just shut up? What’s the point of saying all this now?” Fatty Chu cried out, looking desperate. “A loss is a loss! A man has to have some dignity! So you’re allowed to send someone flying with a slap, but Pei Jun isn’t allowed to break Master Song’s Golden Bell Shield with a punch?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep