Una sonrisa puede derribar una ciudad

Capítulo 8

"I will respond with a single finger, as a sign of my respect for the eldest son."

It seemed as if they heard it in a daze, yet every word was so clear that everyone in the garden stared wide-eyed at the smiling, charming man, as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard.

"You..." The anger flared up in an instant. Yuwen Feng trembled all over, his eyes were bloodshot, and he stared at Lan Qi with gritted teeth.

The jade fan slowly closed, revealing red lips and white teeth. She gently uttered, "Does the eldest young master still feel it's unfair?" Her slender index finger twitched slightly, and her emerald eyes narrowed slightly. Everyone saw only her captivating charm, but Yuwen Feng clearly saw the hint of wickedness and contempt in the corner of her eyes. "If I can't even use a finger, does the eldest young master only allow me to use my feet?" After speaking, her emerald eyes lowered slightly, and her peripheral vision glanced indifferently at her feet.

At that moment, Yuwen Feng felt that gaze was fixed on him, so disdainful, as if looking at the dust beneath his feet. With a roar, the blood in his very being boiled!

"No!" Yuwen Feng gritted his teeth until they bled. "Who in the world doesn't know that Seventh Young Master's martial arts are unparalleled? It is already a great honor for Yuwen Feng to have Seventh Young Master lift a finger. I am too grateful to even think about anything else."

"Oh, you're too kind, young master." Lan Qi opened her jade fan and smiled with great pleasure.

This is outrageous! Yuwen Feng clenched his fists so tightly that his bones cracked.

"Please enlighten me, Seventh Young Master!"

As soon as the word "了" was uttered, his right fist shot out like lightning, slamming hard into that hateful smiling face.

The person opposite him only took a slight step, and the powerful punch grazed his neck and missed.

"Young Master, your skills are indeed impressive." He said this casually, his finger casually pointing at the iron fist at his neck.

I clearly saw it, I clearly dodged quickly, I clearly dodged it, but... I looked down at my right hand, my hand was completely unharmed, I couldn't see any marks, but my whole palm was in excruciating pain!

Look up and look at your opponent.

He stood there, motionless, his jade fan swaying gently, his smile as always, utterly relaxed and carefree. But the arrogant Yuwen Feng knew perfectly well at that moment how terrifying the person opposite him was! Perhaps others only saw a simple, direct punch, but in reality, that punch was thrown with fury, with all his strength, at his fastest speed, because he was determined to smash that hateful face to pieces!

But the person opposite... that person's martial arts skills are as rare as those emerald eyes!

"Feng'er, there are always people more powerful than you, and the world of martial arts is vast and unpredictable, hiding countless masters. Remember, one must know one's own limitations, and never force things." His grandfather's earnest words suddenly echoed in his ears.

But... but I am Yuwen Feng! Yuwen Feng would never show weakness to the enemy!

"Seventh Young Master truly lives up to his reputation." Yuwen Feng calmed his mind and stared intently at Lan Qi, while slowly raising both palms.

"Oh no!" Yuwen Luo, who was watching from afar, couldn't help but worry when he saw Yuwen Feng's appearance.

Ning Lang, who was completely focused on the fight, immediately shifted his gaze from Lan Qi upon hearing his words and turned to look at him: "What's wrong?"

"Is my brother really going to perish here this time?" Yuwen Luo gripped the pen in his hand tightly.

Ning Lang was startled upon hearing his words and quickly turned to look at the two people confronting each other in the garden.

Yuwen Feng quietly looked at Lan Qi, his palms held horizontally in front of his chest. He remained calm and composed, displaying the demeanor of a master and the aura of an expert. What was even more alarming was the crimson stain on the palms of his hands.

"Red Heart Palm! Big Brother actually used this!" Yuwen Luo gasped upon seeing the crimson color in the palm.

Ning Lang's expression changed at this moment. Although he was new to the martial world and lacked worldly experience, he came from a prestigious family where his parents and masters were all grandmasters, and he had a deep understanding of martial arts. The Yuwen family was known for its Crimson Dragon Whip, but the Yuwen family's most powerful and secret technique, which they never used lightly or passed on to outsiders, was the "Crimson Heart Palm"!

Unwavering loyalty and integrity—this is how martial arts practitioners have described the Red Heart Palm technique for centuries!

A sincere palm strike, and there will be no turning back!

Each generation, the Yuwen family selects the most talented descendants to pass on their Crimson Heart Palm technique. However, over the past hundred years, only two have truly mastered it; the rest have at most achieved a partial mastery. Yet, even this partial mastery has allowed the Yuwen family to remain a dominant force in the martial world for centuries. And now, Yuwen Feng is using the Crimson Heart Palm, a technique he has never used since entering the martial world. Because so few have mastered it, no one in the martial world has ever witnessed it. Legend has it that when first practicing the Crimson Heart Palm, both palms turn crimson red. As one progresses, the redness diminishes, and at the peak of mastery, only a single crimson dot remains on the palm—hence the name "Crimson Heart Palm." At this moment, the crimson dot on Yuwen Feng's palm, about an inch in size, indicates he has already reached a partial mastery.

“No wonder the elders have high hopes for my eldest brother; he truly is the most outstanding member of the Yuwen family,” Yuwen Luo murmured.

"How will he handle this?" Ning Lang was worried about someone else.

Lan Qi, who had been smiling all along, now showed a hint of surprise in her eyes, and her gaze toward Yuwen Luo became less casual.

"The eldest son truly comes from a family with a rich scholarly tradition."

Before the word "ya" could be uttered, a flash of light appeared in his emerald eyes, and a purple shadow suddenly moved. Before the crowd could react, they saw a finger pierce through the clouds and strike Yuwen Feng.

That single finger of jade sword was sharp enough to cleave through the wind!

That single finger strike was as swift as lightning!

That finger also possesses a deadly, soul-snatching allure!

That single finger gesture also possesses a captivating charm that bewitches all spirits!

The people in the garden were filled with fear and confusion, yet their bodies retreated in a moment of panic, as if the finger was pointing at them!

At that moment, a cold glint flashed in Ming Er's misty eyes, and his hands, resting on the back of the chair, clenched into fists.

Yuwen Feng looked up and saw that terrifying finger. In that instant, his soul trembled, and his body reacted before his brain could. He clapped his hands out and moved his feet, but in that instant, he felt a pain in his neck and could no longer move.

The garden was completely silent.

Everyone stared in disbelief.

That finger, extremely long, extremely fair and beautiful, its tip pressed against Yuwen Feng's throat, like a sword pressing against his neck.

Yuwen Feng's palms had only clapped halfway through their strike.

The outcome was decided in an instant.

Yuwen Luo and Ning Lang stared at each other for a moment, then Yuwen Luo let out a difficult breath and asked, "Wouldn't that count as a sneak attack?"

This is also the question that all the heroes in the garden would ask.

That was too fast! Even a sneak attack wouldn't be this fast! To strike before you've even finished exchanging greetings is not the act of a hero!

“Of course not!” Ning Lang replied immediately.

The sound was quite loud in the quiet garden, drawing all eyes to this direction. Even Lan Qi glanced over, and when he saw it was Ning Lang, amusement returned to his eyes.

“Your elder brother clearly made the first move.” Ning Lang said this very softly, and even Yuwen Luo, who was sitting next to him, had to strain his ears to hear it.

"You flatter me." Lan Qiyu opened her fan and withdrew her fingers.

Yuwen Feng stared intently at Lan Qi, his eyes filled with anger, hatred, shame, annoyance, and a hint of shock. After a long while, he said expressionlessly, "Thank you for showing mercy, Seventh Young Master." Then he turned around, bowed to the small pavilion in front of him, and said, "This nephew has been defeated and will take his leave." Without waiting for Qiu Changtian and Nan Wofeng's response, he turned and left.

Qiu Changtian glanced at Qiu Zang, who understood and hurriedly chased after him.

Everyone in the garden had come to their senses by now. They watched Yuwen Feng's figure disappear quickly through the garden gate, and then looked back at the elegant and dashing Lan Qi Shao, who was gently waving his jade fan in the garden. They all fell into deep thought.

Yuwen Feng's martial arts skills were witnessed by everyone; he was an absolute top-notch master. Yet, such a person was defeated by Lan Qi in just one move, one finger, and one instant. This person's martial arts skills... were strangely high!

"Is there any hero willing to offer guidance?" Lan Qi slowly scanned the group with his gaze.

No one answered.

Lan Qi smiled with satisfaction, her gaze shifting to the pavilion before landing lightly on Ming Er: "Second Young Master, how about we have a little fun?"

Ming Er smiled and stood up, his hazy eyes meeting Lan Qi's gaze. His green robe fluttered as he arrived at the pavilion.

"Since Seventh Young Master has invited me, how could I dare refuse?"

"The Ming family's 'Invisible Finger' is unparalleled in the world. I have long admired it for a long time, and I must witness it today."

On this side, Lan Qi gently waved her jade fan, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on her lips.

"According to legend, Seventh Young Master never uses the Lan family's secret techniques, and his lineage remains a mystery. I am quite curious about it myself."

Over there, the two men, Ming and his companion, stood like lotus blossoms in the breeze, their smiles as gentle as a spring breeze caressing the water.

The two were locked in a fierce confrontation, while the people in the park were extremely excited.

The second young master of the Ming family, the seventh young master of the Lan family, and the third master of the Lie family are collectively known as the "Three Young Masters of the Martial World," the three most outstanding young talents of their time. The third master of the Lie family, Lie Chifeng, is obsessed with martial arts and swordsmanship. Whenever he hears of a master, he will go to test his skills. Many people in the martial world know him, and his martial arts and swordsmanship are well-known. However, the second young master of the Ming family and the seventh young master of the Lan family, who became famous at a young age and were exceptionally talented, captivated and envied many when they first appeared in the martial world. But they were like flashes in the pan, shining brightly for a time before disappearing into obscurity and rarely showing their faces. Although there are often stories about them, few people in the martial world know much about their personalities and martial arts. Only in the last two years have they become more active in the martial world. However, the two seem to dislike fighting, and very few people have been able to witness their martial arts firsthand. Those few who have been fortunate enough to witness them are amazed by their extraordinary abilities.

Therefore, the martial arts skills of these two individuals are listed as one of the ten most mysterious events in the martial arts world.

But here and now, these two are about to have a showdown, which is sure to pique people's curiosity and excitement.

For a moment, everyone was completely focused.

IV. Natural Rivals (Part 2)

In a duel between masters, some are as brave as tigers, their aura overwhelming, their battles so intense they can change the very color of heaven and earth; some employ hundreds or thousands of unpredictable moves, fighting for days and nights without a clear victor; some concentrate their minds, suppressing all distractions, remaining still day and night, all for the sake of a single, decisive blow… But no matter what kind of duel it is, in the end, it always inevitably involves a grand and thrilling spectacle, unlike what is happening now.

"How about we invite the Second Young Master to demonstrate the 'Intermittent Finger'? If I can witness this martial arts masterpiece firsthand, I will gladly admit defeat." Lan Qi raised his hand in a gesture of respect, displaying an elegant demeanor befitting his reputation as a demon.

"I've heard that Seventh Young Master is a genius, proficient in the strengths of various schools, but no one has ever seen his true martial arts. If Ming Er could see it, it would be an unparalleled honor." Ming Er returned the greeting with a fist salute, displaying the demeanor of an immortal.

"If I could receive some guidance from the Second Young Master, I would certainly benefit greatly."

"Seventh Young Master, you are mistaken. It should be Ming Er who seeks knowledge from Seventh Young Master."

"How can my inferior quality compare to that of the Second Young Master?"

“How can Ming Er’s ignorance compare to Qi Shao’s profound knowledge?”

...

The two men's polite exchanges only fueled the impatience of the others. Lan Qi, who had been so arrogant just moments before, was now so humble before the Second Young Master Ming. Did he truly know he was no match? But looking at his expression, where was the fear? Why was he still wasting time with this endless chatter? If they were going to fight, they should have done it already! And the Second Young Master Ming, with his air of otherworldly elegance, was being so indecisive!

"Um!"

"snort!"

"cough!"

Hearing the sounds of panting and sighing rising and falling in the garden, everyone was getting extremely impatient. Yuwen Luo's hand, which was holding a pen, was sweating. He stared intently at the two men, afraid that he might miss some extraordinary skill or technique and regret it for the rest of his life. But the two men were still being humble and courteous. He really wished he could give each of them a push.

Only the autumn sky and the south wind remained calm and serene throughout the entire garden.

"If they were to fight one move at a time, it might take several days to determine a winner."

"We're both tired, but others are also waiting."

“Miss Qiu is a beauty of our time, and I really cannot bear to destroy the garden she has created.”

"This garden is as elegant as a painting; to destroy it would be like burning a zither and boiling a crane."

"Second Young Master and I are truly on the same page. I wonder if you have a good plan to avoid this vulgar act?"

"Since you have such a suggestion, Seventh Young Master, you must already have a good plan. Why do you need to ask me?"

"So……"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"Hurry up and do it!" Everyone wanted to shout, but they dared not utter a sound because of the two men's formidable reputation.

"Neither of us will go beyond this two-zhang radius."

"Our moves are inseparable from each other."

Upon hearing these two light words, suddenly, everyone's vision blurred, purple shadows flashed, and green shadows moved swiftly. In an instant, it seemed as if a rainbow was piercing through the clouds, and a thin mist was spreading. The purple and green shadows were intertwined before their eyes, and they could no longer distinguish the figures.