Chapter 493: Formal Challenge
The Feral Rout
The boy rushed into the crowd, truly unstoppable, like a mighty general.
Three strong men rushed at him together, trying to pin him to the ground, but he leaped easily, flying into the air, landing his right foot on one man's shoulder, and turning to pounce on the person next to him.
Snap!
Accompanied by a scream of pain, another person fell to the ground.
Jiu thumped his chest, roaring with excitement, his eyes fierce and savage, like a man-eating beast. A brutal aura emanated from him, making people tremble with fear.
Over twenty strong men were surrounding one boy, yet in barely a minute, seven or eight of them were already incapacitated.
Seeing their companions on the ground clutching their calves and screaming miserably, the rest of the men's eyes flickered, and they began to feel like retreating.
Jiu had no interest in anyone's feelings. After letting off steam, he continued to charge into the crowd. He was like a savage wolf hunting one prey after another.
The so-called sect disciples were like lambs before him—he merely disabled them, not killed them. Their leg bones were shattered, some even piercing through the flesh and exposed to the sunlight.
Faced with such a ruthless opponent, even core disciples like Zuo Qiu were scared pale, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
Someone finally broke. He turned and ran. The others, seeing the situation was dire, quickly followed suit.
The group had arrived menacingly, but they fled faster than rabbits.
Jiu wanted to chase but was called back by Luke.
"How was that? Satisfied?"
The boy showed his simple-minded expression.
"They were too weak."
"Then let's find stronger ones. We're going to the Five Sacred Peaks Sect's main headquarters and tear down their name plaque to burn as firewood."
The Challenge at Mount Hua
Evening.
Covered in dust and shame, Zuo Qiu and his men rushed back to the villa. Seeing their Master, they dropped to their knees immediately.
"Disciples are incompetent. We have failed your teachings, Master."
They waited for a few seconds, but instead of the familiar thunderous rage, there was a deathly silence.
Zuo Qiu couldn't help but look up, his eyes showing confusion. What was wrong with Master? Was he beyond anger?
A junior disciple walked over and whispered,
"This afternoon, Master received a text message. Luke Shaw and the others will arrive at Mount Hua tomorrow."
Mount Hua (Huashan) was the ancestral home and foundation of the Five Sacred Peaks Sect.
Realization dawned...
The expressions of the disciples immediately changed. That damned Luke Shaw! He was far too arrogant!
"Zuo Qiu!"
A deep voice rang out. Zuo Qiu quickly stood up.
"Disciple is here."
"Pack up. We leave for Mount Hua tonight. I want to see just how arrogant they can be."
Yue Buqun flicked his sleeve and walked out.
The disciples looked at each other, all sensing impending disaster.
The next day, around noon, a luxury car stopped at the foot of Mount Hua.
Luke looked up at the high mountain shrouded in mist, then said to the boy,
"Do you know who your father is?"
Father?
The term was foreign to Jiu. He asked, confused,
"Do I have a father?"
"Of course you do. Everyone has a father, and you're no exception. Remember this: your surname is Zhang, and your name is Zhang Jiu. Your father is called Zhang Hanqing, the former Sect Leader of the Spirit Void Sect. If anyone asks you, that's what you tell them."
Zhang Hanqing!
The boy scratched his hair, feeling like he'd heard the name somewhere before.
Luke stared at him. "Repeat it for me. What is your name?"
"My name is Zhang Jiu, and my father is called Zhang Hanqing, the former Sect Leader of the Spirit Void Sect."
"Very good!"
Luke patted his shoulder. "Let's go. We're going up the mountain."
Mount Hua was very tall. The towering peaks, shrouded in clouds, looked like fingers thrust into the sky from a distance.
The headquarters of the Five Sacred Peaks Sect was located on the mountainside, in a flat area.
The three ascended the steps. When they reached the entrance, the area was already packed with a large group of aggressive Five Sacred Peaks Sect disciples.
Luke didn't even look at them. He walked along the stone path until he reached the main entrance. He looked up at the name plaque on the stone gate and said to the boy beside him,
"Take it down."
Jiu leaped up, grabbed the plaque with both hands, and ripped it off forcefully.
Snap!
It came down, nails and all.
This act enraged everyone. The entire plaza erupted. The disciples were filled with righteous indignation, wanting to tear the three to pieces.
Luke narrowed his eyes, and a terrifying pressure swept outward. In an instant, all noise vanished.
"Let's go. We're going to see the legendary Sect Leader Yue."
Luke and Linda walked in front, with Jiu following, carrying the plaque. They passed through the pale-faced crowd and arrived at the main hall of the Five Sacred Peaks Sect. Yue Buqun, dressed in white robes, sat in the main seat, flanked by sect elders and other high-ranking members. His gaze was fierce and fixed on the young man walking toward him.
"Luke Shaw, Young Master Shaw!"
His voice was hoarse and low, carrying boundless rage.
"You're too kind. I'm not worthy of being your Young Master. Mr. Shaw will do fine."
Luke raised his hand in a gesture. Jiu stepped forward and tossed the plaque, engraved with the words "Five Sacred Peaks Sect," onto the ground.
Zuo Qiu roared in fury. "Luke Shaw, you are too insolent! What do you think this place is?"
Luke ignored him, his eyes fixed on the old man in the main seat. His lips slightly parted, and his flippant tone was filled with provocation.
"I recall there's a rule in the Chinese ancient martial arts world about formal challenges to an ancestral hall. I wonder if Jiu's action is correct."
Everyone was stunned for a moment. They glanced at the plaque on the ground and seemed to understand. Someone couldn't help but ask,
"Are you challenging the Five Sacred Peaks Sect?"
"Of course not."
Luke chuckled. "I am not one of your people, and I know nothing about ancient boxing. I am not qualified to challenge you. The one who challenges you is my brother here."
"Jiu, tell them who you are."
The boy stepped forward and said blankly,
"My name is Zhang Jiu. My father is Zhang Hanqing, the former Sect Leader of the Spirit Void Sect."
Zhang Hanqing!
The eyes of several old men flickered, recalling past events.
Luke continued, "My brother here grew up in the ruins of the Spirit Void Sect. He is the last disciple of the Spirit Void Sect. His head was injured when he was a child. He's forgotten everything else, but he only remembers his revenge. That's why I brought him here."
"Gentlemen, according to the rules of the ancient martial arts world, if you refuse the challenge, the Five Sacred Peaks Sect must be removed from the martial world forever!"
The air suddenly grew heavy. Luke's words fell like a sharp sword.
This rule genuinely existed in the ancient martial arts world, though it hadn't been used for decades. In China, where peace and prosperity were paramount, issuing a formal challenge was glorious but also meant cutting off one's own retreat.
Unless there was a deep, irreconcilable hatred, no one would use such an extreme method.
The elders exchanged glances, unsure how to respond.
Seeing no one speak, Luke couldn't help but smile.
"Let's go, Jiu. These are just a bunch of cowards. They're not worth your time."
The boy nodded, picked up the plaque, and turned to leave.
"Wait a minute!"
Yue Buqun stood up and said word by word, "How do you intend to compete?"
"Naturally, according to the rules: One against five. Complete victory in all five rounds. If we win, we take the plaque, and the Five Sacred Peaks Sect must disband all its disciples and be removed from the martial world forever. If we lose..." Luke smiled gently.
"I'll give you the Tiger Fiend Scripture."
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
On Patreon, you can explore Extra Chapters in advance!