Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Redemption

“Time to eat.”

Guo Wei had clearly discovered something, but he didn’t explain. Hei Hu and Chu Lingguang both saw that something was up, and both tactfully refrained from asking.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Chu Lingguang started walking back toward Liu Family Gully.

He kept thinking about how Liu Quan had made the tiger’s head explode with a single spear thrust. ’With my current Qi Blood strength,’ he thought, ’even if I cultivated the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques to the Perfection realm, I still wouldn’t be able to do that.’

He thought about how he and Liu Quan would both be in the Martial Arts Examination. ’If we end up facing each other during the Daoist Examination and have to compete with our Spear Techniques, it would be an awkward situation. If I injure Liu Quan, not only would Guo Wei lose face, but I’d be left feeling wronged and frustrated.’

’Looks like I need to hurry up and ask Guo Wei why I’ve reached the Perfection realm in my Spear Technique but still haven’t manifested a Gun Form.’

CLOP!

Just then, as Chu Lingguang was walking on the path through the wheat fields, he heard the sound of iron hooves from behind. He turned to look and saw three figures on horseback charging toward him.

“Liu Quan.”

Chu Lingguang was astonished. The leader was none other than Liu Quan. He was carrying a Long Spear and had returned to Liu Family Gully with the same two senior martial brothers from before.

The fine steeds galloped past Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang noticed Liu Quan, and Liu Quan noticed him too. Seeing Chu Lingguang walking back to the village alone, the corner of Liu Quan’s mouth curved up in a disdainful smirk. With a sharp cry to his horse, he galloped off, kicking up a cloud of dust.

’I gave him pointers before, and he can’t even be bothered to say hello.’

Chu Lingguang was indignant. As the dust flew into his face, he could only hold his breath and step into the wheat field to avoid it. He waited for the dust ahead to settle before continuing toward the village.

When he got back home, the sounds of happy laughter from the Liu Family’s residence sounded extremely jarring throughout Liu Family Gully.

“Father, I will make you proud today.”

“Let’s go!”

“I will take you to Wine Street.”

Chu Lingguang had thought Liu Quan would stay the night in Liu Family Gully, but he hadn’t expected him to drag Liu Lishi off to Wine Street the moment he returned.

A short while later, a group of Liu Family clansmen also hurried after them toward Wine Street.

’Make him proud?’

’A single spear thrust that made a tiger’s head explode!’

’Could it be that Liu Quan came back this time to wipe away his previous shame?’

Chu Lingguang was puzzled, but after some thought, he finally realized what Liu Quan was going to do on Wine Street.

He was extremely curious how Liu Quan could have improved his strength so much in just over two months. Having already stripped naked to take a cold bath, he quickly put his clothes back on.

He followed behind the Liu Family clansmen to watch the excitement.

The shop owners on Wine Street paid a monthly stipend to the Big Saber Gang, and in return, the gang was responsible for maintaining order and safety. Under their control, incidents of brawling, drunken rampages, and dining and dashing on Wine Street had decreased significantly. Even petty thieves didn’t dare cause trouble here. As a result, Wine Street had been much livelier than before recently.

Liu Quan and his group entered on horseback, carrying Iron Spears, which quickly attracted the attention of the Big Saber Gang. However, as long as they didn’t stir up trouble on Wine Street, the gang wouldn’t question or stop people for bringing in iron weapons.

The three martial brothers went to the most luxurious tavern on Wine Street, Xiaoyue Building, and sat down at a table on the second floor with the best view.

“Sirs, you can’t sit here. This spot is reserved for Master Li of the Big Saber Gang,” the waiter hurriedly warned.

“Tonight, the three of us are drinking our fill right here,” Liu Quan said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“This…”

The waiter was at a loss for words.

“Bring us wine and food!”

Liu Quan slapped a few copper plates on the table.

No matter how dense the waiter was, he knew they were there to challenge the Big Saber Gang. He had no choice but to bring them all the wine and food they ordered, then go notify the gang.

“Who doesn’t know the rules around here?”

Before all the food and wine had even arrived, members of the Big Saber Gang showed up.

The leader was the very same man in black brocade who had caused Liu Quan to lose face before.

The shop owners on Wine Street already knew his name.

He’d started out as a horse groom.

He had been by Gao Qingxiong’s side for many years, was known to be clever and sensible, had trained in martial arts under several masters, and was a Hall Master in the Big Saber Gang named Li Yishan.

When he came up the stairs and saw Liu Quan and his two companions, he was momentarily taken aback, then smiled. “Well, well, if it isn’t Young Master Liu.”

“Master Li, you certainly got here fast,” Liu Quan said with a smile.

Li Yishan waved his hand, signaling for his men downstairs to stay put. Seeing that Liu Quan and his companions were all carrying iron weapons and had taken over his table, how could he not know their intentions? He smiled and said, “What can I do for you, Young Master Liu?”

Liu Quan stood up, cupped his fist, and said, “I’d like to exchange a few moves with Master Li.”

Hearing this, Li Yishan turned and walked downstairs.

Liu Quan and his companions followed him down with their spears, coming to a stop on the street in front of Xiaoyue Building.

Passersby saw someone confronting a member of the Big Saber Gang and all stopped, moving aside to give them space.

“Using a Spear Technique today?” Li Yishan asked as he saw Liu Quan remove the cover from his spear and point it at him.

An inch longer is an inch stronger.

However, the Spear Technique is harder to master than the Saber Technique, and in close-quarters combat, a Long Spear is not advantageous.

“Yes. I’ve just reached Minor Achievement,” Liu Quan nodded.

“In that case, today I’ll see for myself just how strong Tie Zhennan’s Fire God Spear really is.”

Li Yishan’s smile vanished.

As someone who had been navigating the streets for many years, how could he not see that Liu Quan’s challenge this time was at Tie Zhennan’s behest? A master’s greatest taboo is having a disciple lose a fight in public, thereby affecting his reputation.

Besides, just over two months ago, Liu Quan had initially tried to stand up for the shop owner, but not only did he suffer a setback, the spotlight was stolen by Guo Wei’s disciple. It was impossible for Tie Zhennan to act as if nothing had happened.

Therefore, Liu Quan’s strength must have changed dramatically compared to two months ago.

Recalling that Tie Zhennan’s famous ultimate technique was the Fire God Spear, and seeing Liu Quan now holding a Long Spear, Li Yishan’s expression gradually grew serious.

“Please!” Liu Quan said calmly, his expression unchanged.

Li Yishan drew his saber in an instant.

SHIIING!

He slashed out, and the piercing Sword Cry was especially sharp on the street.

This time, he used his full strength, his Saber Technique sticking close to Liu Quan as he delivered a series of slashes.

Chu Lingguang heard the commotion and squeezed through the crowd to the front. He saw Li Yishan moving with lightning speed, trying to disarm Liu Quan’s Long Spear and throw him into disarray with a flurry of close-range slashes.

But to his surprise, Liu Quan seemed to have anticipated this. With a flick of his Long Spear, he executed an exquisite Flower Dance Spear technique, successfully blocking Li Yishan.

Then, his Spear Technique changed. He thrust out, the spear moving like a Spiritual Snake emerging from its hole, aiming straight for Li Yishan’s face.

Li Yishan ducked to dodge and used the move Little Ghost Scout, trying to get in close and attack Liu Quan’s lower body to render his Long Spear useless.

Unexpectedly, Liu Quan’s thrusting spear swept downwards. The shaft spun so violently that it whirred like a pinwheel, leaving Li Yishan no room to dodge. He could only raise his saber to continue blocking.

BOOM!

Liu Quan seized the opportunity.

Before Li Yishan could close the distance, he brought his spear crashing down in a powerful cleaving strike, aimed straight at Li Yishan’s head.

Li Yishan was just about to duck and attack Liu Quan’s lower body. Caught off guard, he raised his saber with both hands to block.

BANG!

The long saber vibrated. Li Yishan managed to block it with his Qi Blood, but the rolling Skillful Force from the Long Spear’s strike made his hands go numb. Moreover, Liu Quan’s Spear Technique was fluid; after the downward cleave, he spun and delivered another thrust.

This time, Chu Lingguang saw Liu Quan’s Long Spear thrust forward, its tip spinning furiously!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep