Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Double Leaderboards

At the beginning of their fight, Chu Lingguang was being steadily pushed back, completely unable to retaliate. It looked as if he was about to be sent flying out of the sandy ring by one of Yan Chengdu’s strikes, defeated.

But unexpectedly, at the last moment, he halted his retreat and swiftly counter-attacked. His recent Five Blades Continuous Slash had instead nearly sent Yan Chengdu flying out of the sandy ring.

The two went back and forth.

Their Saber Technique was a clash of grand, sweeping movements.

Sparks flew as their long sabers clashed. The crowd had rarely witnessed a battle so fierce yet so evenly matched. When the two combatants stopped moving, a hush fell over the onlookers.

Chu Lingguang used his Breathing Technique to replenish his Qi Blood. The weakness in his arms filled him with a sense of foreboding.

Yan Chengdu gripped his long saber tightly and slowly straightened. Blood streamed from the hilt, and his arm was sore and numb. He stared at Chu Lingguang, his face a mask of shock.

A moment ago, if his long saber hadn’t stopped his momentum, he would have collapsed, even if he hadn’t smashed into the guardrail.

’But Chu Lingguang didn’t press his advantage. If he had struck at that critical moment, I probably couldn’t have blocked it. Now he’s raising his saber at me, looking like he’s waiting for me to recover so we can fight for another few hundred rounds.’

But that overwhelmingly powerful fifth slash had already made Yan Chengdu want to retreat.

But as a member of the Yan Family, and here at the Martial Arts Examination, Yan Chengdu could not possibly admit defeat. Even if it meant taking another blow, he had to settle the score with Chu Lingguang.

So, Yan Chengdu pulled his long saber from the ground, took a deep breath, and advanced on Chu Lingguang.

“Stop!”

But just then, a Military Officer stood up and stopped them, saying, “The Saber Technique contest of the Martial Arts Examination is for you to determine a winner, not fight to the death. The duel is over. Both of you, step down and rest!”

Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu were both stunned.

Neither had expected an examiner to step in.

The two were wary of each other.

Both were afraid of the other’s next attack.

Upon hearing the command, they quickly cupped their fists in salute, then exited the sandy ring. Feeling the solid earth under their feet, both inwardly sighed in relief.

Chu Lingguang was worried that in his current state, he couldn’t take many more of Yan Chengdu’s attacks.

Yan Chengdu was worried he would be unable to block Chu Lingguang’s Continuous Slash Saber Technique again.

Lost in their own thoughts, both men now acknowledged the other’s strength.

“Master.”

Chu Lingguang returned to Guo Wei’s side.

“Are you all right?”

Guo Wei squeezed Chu Lingguang’s arm. Chu Lingguang had stopped right after unleashing his Continuous Slash Saber Technique. As his master, Guo Wei could tell he had been completely exhausted and unable to press his advantage. Otherwise, one more strike would have been enough to defeat Yan Chengdu.

Still, Guo Wei was already extremely satisfied with Chu Lingguang’s performance. Even if the examiners were to declare Yan Chengdu the more skilled fighter, he would have no regrets.

“I’m fine.”

Chu Lingguang shook his head.

“To think you’ve actually grasped the essence of the Continuous Slash Saber Technique. Truly unexpected.”

Leader Ma exclaimed in amazement.

He was the one who taught Chu Lingguang the Continuous Slash Saber Technique.

He knew full well how powerful Chu Lingguang’s fifth slash was. That Yan Chengdu had managed to endure it was a testament to his strength. Had it been Da Wang, Xiao Wang, or even Da Wu or Xiao Wu, they likely would have been unable to take that hit.

“This Saber Technique is too hard to practice. I don’t know how I suddenly found that feeling.”

Chu Lingguang explained.

His words left Da Wang, Xiao Wang, Da Wu, Xiao Wu, and Hei Hu with a sour taste in their mouths. ’What does he mean, he “suddenly found that feeling”? He’s clearly just humblebragging.’ They were filled with envy, jealousy, and hate.

「An hour later.」

After careful deliberation, the examiners announced the results of the second stage: the saber contest.

Everyone looked at the name at the top of the list.

When they saw what was written, everyone—Chu Lingguang, Guo Wei, and all the others—was astonished.

The top spot for the second stage was actually a tie between two people.

Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu both received first place.

The crowd started debating whether the result was fair. After seeing it, Chu Lingguang felt rather fortunate. ’I feel like I got the better end of the deal. Tying for first with Yan Chengdu? I can totally accept that.’

Yan Chengdu also felt fortunate after seeing the result. ’Tying for first with Chu Lingguang in the second stage… I feel like I’m the one who lucked out.’

Guo Wei had originally been prepared for Chu Lingguang to get second place. Seeing the two tie for first, he was both shocked and delighted.

Leader Ma and the others were all congratulating Chu Lingguang.

First in Qiao Pass and first in the saber contest. This double first-place ranking temporarily put Chu Lingguang at the top of the overall leaderboard.

Tomorrow would be the Spear Technique competition.

The Spear Technique competition had three rounds.

The first round was Basic Spear Skill.

The second round was a Lance competition.

The third round was Spear Fighting.

Just like with the Saber Technique, one needed a certain score to participate in the third round.

He had expended too much Qi Power today, and Chu Lingguang needed to rest. After the saber contest results were announced, he and Guo Wei left the venue and returned to the alley in the Central Courtyard.

Master Yan had already had his servants prepare a grand feast of food and wine to replenish Qi Blood. Chu Lingguang’s victory brought him honor as a “master-uncle,” and he enthusiastically piled all sorts of precious ingredients onto Chu Lingguang’s plate.

After eating and drinking his fill, Chu Lingguang used his Breathing Technique to digest the food and replenish his Qi Power.

He was recalling Yan Chengdu’s Saber Technique.

’A single Heaven-Swallowing Technique managed to block the Five Blades Continuous Slash. Noble Martial Arts really can’t be underestimated.’

Immortal Peak Tower.

“Young Master, this is the superior Golden Wound Medicine the master prepared for you. Your hand injury will heal by morning,” a steward said after bandaging Yan Chengdu’s wound.

“Mm, is the medicinal bath ready?”

Yan Chengdu said.

“It’s ready, just waiting for the Young Master to enjoy.”

the steward said.

“Good.”

Yan Chengdu soaked in the wooden tub, absorbing the medicinal properties of the bath. He, too, was replaying Chu Lingguang’s Continuous Slash Saber Technique in his mind. ’I never expected that in a place like South City, a Lower-class Youth could master a Power Transfer Method. And the power it unleashed in the end was even stronger than my Overlapping Wave Power Method.’

’Today was a close call.’

Yan Chengdu still harbored a lingering fear of that fifth slash.

“The examiners are incompetent! Didn’t they see Yan Chengdu get sent flying by Chu Lingguang’s final strike?”

“If I were Chu Lingguang, I would have rushed up and put my saber to Yan Chengdu’s throat.”

“That guy Yan’s hands were bleeding profusely, but Chu Lingguang was untouched. It’s obvious who’s stronger.”

“The Yan Family has a terrifying background. How would the examiners dare to offend them? I’m afraid the winner of this South City Martial Arts Examination has already been decided from the start.”

The clamor from downstairs drifted up.

Yan Chengdu heard many of these grating comments.

His face flushed red, and he gripped the sides of the wooden tub so hard he wished he could crush it.

Ever since the examiners announced the results, all sorts of rumors had been spreading about him tying for first place with Chu Lingguang.

In the eyes of the spectators, Yan Chengdu had been sent flying by Chu Lingguang’s attack.

They believed Chu Lingguang hadn’t pressed his advantage because he refused to take advantage of a vulnerable opponent, giving Yan Chengdu a chance to recover. It was fine for the examiner to call a stop to the match, but first place should have gone to Chu Lingguang alone.

Making them tie for first was obviously the Yan Family’s influence manipulating things from behind the scenes.

The gossiping crowd, never one to shy away from drama, let all sorts of conspiracy theories fly.

Already believing that Noble Family Disciples held every possible advantage, they were all slandering Yan Chengdu and crying foul on Chu Lingguang’s behalf.

Every Martial Arts Examination draws countless spectators.

The South City Martial Arts Examination wasn’t prominent in the Great Yuan Dynasty, but there were still a few individuals paying attention to the news from here.

For example, the noble dignitaries of the Governor’s Mansion.

As well as Yang Shaorong, who worked at the Governor’s Mansion.

After the results for Qiao Pass and the saber contest were announced, a carrier pigeon flew toward the Governor’s Mansion. The next morning, the pigeon arrived at the General’s Mansion. Wang Chao retrieved the message scroll, and his face filled with astonishment as he read it. He immediately ran toward the rear courtyard.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep