On the viewing platform, Hao Tian Quan watched Kang Cheng Man’s retreating back and cursed, "Didn't this old fellow say he couldn't walk? I see he's full of vigor."
Tang Jun Sheng looked at Hao Tian Quan beside him and teased, "Brother Hao is still thinking about the heroic deeds of yesteryear."
Hao Tian Quan shot him an annoyed glance, "Don't bring up that embarrassing incident from back then."
Back then, eighteen-year-old Hao Tian Quan, fresh out of his apprenticeship, had inexplicably decided to challenge the already renowned Kang Cheng Man.
The result was predictable. Kang Cheng Man hung him from a tree and spanked his backside with willow branches over a hundred times.
Later, when Hao Tian Quan had gained strength, he returned to challenge Kang Cheng Man again, intending to redeem himself.
But Kang Cheng Man simply said he was too old to fight and surrendered directly.
This left Hao Tian Quan stunned, and he could only leave, cursing like a shrew.
This incident later became widely circulated among the martial arts community.
Walking out of the arena, Kang Cheng Man recalled the past and couldn't help but sigh.
In his youth, not only was his strength inferior to Tai Shan, but his looks were also no match for him. Now, even his disciple couldn't compare.
He would never be able to win against him in his lifetime.
Fen Yue, following beside Kang Cheng Man, asked in confusion, "Old Sect Master, why did you teach the Life Talisman technique to Zhou Fu? This is the foundation of our Talisman Sect!"
Kang Cheng Man glanced at the still indignant Fen Yue beside him, feeling a surge of anger.
If it weren't for you, you brat, being inferior in skill, would this have happened?
You've truly brought shame upon us.
If it weren't for Yin Guang Yao (the current Sect Master of the Talisman Sect) valuing you, you wouldn't even dream of becoming the future successor of the Talisman Sect.
Thinking of Yu Dao Hen and then comparing him to this good-for-nothing, Kang Cheng Man grew increasingly frustrated.
Why couldn't he find a disciple like Yu Dao Hen to be the successor of the Talisman Sect?
Kang Cheng Man asked, "Fen Yue, do you have Yin Guang Yao's phone number?"
Fen Yue nodded and was about to take out his phone to find a number, "Yes, Old Sect Master. What do you need to call the Sect Master for?"
Kang Cheng Man's voice held a hint of displeasure, "I want to ask him if he's blind!"
Fen Yue looked confused, seemingly not understanding Kang Cheng Man's meaning, and inquired about the match, "Old Sect Master, for the next match, I will continue."
Before Fen Yue could finish, Kang Cheng Man interrupted, "Enough. You can't beat anyone in the upcoming matches. Come back with me to cultivate."
Although Kang Cheng Man's tone was gentle, his heart was full of fire.
How dare he compete? To continue making a fool of himself in the next match?
You have no shame, but the Talisman Sect still has some.
Yu Dao Hen returned to the viewing platform and asked about Zhou Fu's condition, "Qiang Zi, how is Xiao Cai Xing's injury?"
Zhang Xiao Qiang replied, "It's nothing, just some superficial wounds. Apply some medicine, bandage it, and he'll be fine after a few days of rest."
Yu Dao Hen nodded, relieved that the kid was alright.
"But honestly, Brother Yu, those two moves you made just now were so satisfying. The damage was low, but the insult was extreme! Those two marks on that guy's face are a joy to behold."
Yu Dao Hen shot him a glance.
However, Zhang Xiao Qiang was not wrong. Those two moves didn't cause much damage, but they were incredibly humiliating.
To be whipped twice in the face with willow branches in front of disciples from all the martial arts sects – that was as embarrassing as it gets.
"By the way, Brother Yu, what were you muttering to that old senior Kang for so long?" Su Lai asked curiously from the side.
Yu Dao Hen briefly explained the situation.
After listening, Su Lai said, "I've heard from the older generation in our sect that Old Senior Kang was indeed good friends with Old Senior Tai in the past."
The arena, made uneven by the fight between Yu Dao Hen and Fen Yue, required about two hours for repairs.
As they were chatting, a young man in simple clothes, carrying a backpack taller than himself, walked towards them.
Seeing the young man approaching, Zhang Xiao Qiang gave Yu Dao Hen a signal.
Da Hu and Su Lai also noticed the person and became vigilant.
The newcomer was none other than Shi Bing Zhi, the Knife Seller who had made a name for himself at this大会.
Shi Bing Zhi approached Yu Dao Hen and cupped his fist, "I am Shi Bing Zhi, the Knife Seller."
Yu Dao Hen, unsure of the man's intentions, still politely clasped his fist, "I am Yu Dao Hen, owner of the Midnight Spirit Shop in Jiangdu."
Shi Bing Zhi nodded, wasted no time, and took out a cleaver from his backpack, "In six months, if your closed-door disciple dies, I will come to the shop to collect this cleaver."
Zhang Xiao Qiang and the other two were bewildered, but they quickly understood.
They had heard the rumors about the Knife Sellers: they would predict an event and give you a knife, and if their prediction came true, they would come to collect the knife and the payment.
Zhang Xiao Qiang found it amusing. He was certain that Brother Yu had not taken any closed-door disciples.
If there were no closed-door disciples, how could there be a dead closed-door disciple?
This was simply ridiculous.
"Brother Shi, Brother Yu hasn't taken any closed-door disciples yet. Did you make a mistake?" Zhang Xiao Qiang said.
Da Hu and Su Lai on the side also wondered if Shi Bing Zhi was a charlatan.