Chapter Twenty-Three: Ogawa's Tactics

Just as he was about to turn and check behind him, Qin Xiaochuan felt the sound of a fist slicing through the air above his head. Instinctively, he pressed his hand to the ground and pushed himself backward, barely dodging the powerful blow that came crashing down at him. The force was so immense that the fist shattered the wooden floor beneath, leaving a gaping hole.

Dodging the heavy punch, Qin Xiaochuan lunged forward, sweeping his hand out. The edge of his palm struck Wu Li’s body, sending him flying sideways. Hearing the sound of Wu Li being thrown, Qin Xiaochuan pushed off with his foot, chasing after him in the direction he fell. “I heard it! Right over there!” With Wu Li hitting the ground, Qin Xiaochuan caught up and landed a punch on Wu Li’s face. In retaliation, Wu Li kicked at Qin Xiaochuan’s abdomen, and both men were knocked backward by the force of their blows.

Halting his momentum, Qin Xiaochuan clutched his stomach, trembling as he struggled to stand. Clearly, Wu Li’s kick had been ferocious, and Qin Xiaochuan’s waist throbbed painfully under the blow.

“You seem to sense my location through sound, don’t you?” Wu Li’s voice came from the darkness. This fellow enjoyed lecturing, perhaps to increase psychological pressure on his opponents—it was evidently one of his methods. Hearing no response from Qin Xiaochuan, Wu Li continued, “But just relying on sound, you can’t pinpoint my exact position. Without that, you can’t deal a decisive blow. But I’m different.” Wu Li raised his right arm, and after gathering strength, it swelled to an enormous size. “I can sense your location clearly and deliver a fatal strike. Prepare to die—Bull Rush!”

As Qin Xiaochuan was rubbing his injured waist, a massive aura surged toward him. Years of fighting had honed his instincts—there was grave danger ahead. He instinctively darted to the side as Wu Li charged, his gigantic right arm crashing forward. The tremendous impact sent Qin Xiaochuan sprawling in another direction, and he rolled along the ground several times before steadying himself.

“Incredible! Your reflexes and agility far exceed my expectations. Just now, you dodged the vital parts at the last moment. But I can feel your fighting spirit has weakened considerably. It seems my last attack injured you badly.”

‘This boy is no ordinary fighter,’ Master Jinghai thought as he watched Qin Xiaochuan in the arena. ‘The more desperate his situation, the more his spiritual energy flourishes. He may be a worthy successor to my Spirit Wave Fist.’

‘Damn it, I can’t sense this guy’s position at all.’ Wiping the blood from his lips, Qin Xiaochuan struggled to his feet, his legs trembling. Wu Li’s Bull Rush had left him badly hurt—blood trickled from his mouth, suggesting internal injuries. ‘When that guy charges, even if I see him, I can’t dodge. How can I spot him? Ah, right...’ He glanced at his right hand—only one Spirit Pellet remained. He had to find Wu Li’s exact location to use it.

As Qin Xiaochuan pondered tactics, Wu Li suddenly closed in, swinging a punch. Hearing the rush of wind by his ear, Qin Xiaochuan tilted his head to dodge, grabbed Wu Li’s solid arm, and attempted an over-the-shoulder throw. “Got you! Let’s see if you can escape this time! Hah! Watch me break your arm!”

“Hmph! Kid, I’m not only trained to the human limit, but my close combat skills are second to none. You want to throw me? Here you go—Whirlwind Over-the-Shoulder Throw!”

With a loud smack, Qin Xiaochuan was no match for Wu Li’s strength. Wu Li grabbed the pocket of his trousers at the waist, spun around, and hurled Qin Xiaochuan through the air from his shoulder.

“If he can’t get some distance, he won’t see his opponent,” Zhang Yang watched the fierce struggle between Qin Xiaochuan and Wu Li, mouth agape and worried for his friend. Though he often shouted and argued with Qin Xiaochuan, at this crucial moment he was genuinely anxious, fearing a careless loss. “At close range, Wu Li has those grappling skills. Qin Xiaochuan, get up! If you lose, I’ll never respect you!”

“Just watch quietly and stop nagging!” Hearing Zhang Yang’s voice, Qin Xiaochuan climbed to his feet with a confident smile.

“Well? Ready to forfeit?” Sensing Qin Xiaochuan stand again, Wu Li seemed bored with the fight, perhaps wanting to pressure his opponent further. Facing Qin Xiaochuan’s direction, Wu Li said, “Just standing up is a struggle now; your stamina must be at its limit. You can’t sense my position. Even with your fierce punches, you can’t hit me. Let’s not waste any more time—concede.”

“Stop making me laugh... Next time I attack, it’ll be your death!”

“Don’t push yourself. You should be satisfied with how far our battle has gone.”

“What, are you scared? Let me attack, then—”

“Damn brat!” Hearing Qin Xiaochuan’s words, Wu Li gritted his teeth, raised his right arm, and built up power. “I was going to spare you, but since you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige—” Silently, Wu Li circled to Qin Xiaochuan’s left, raised his right arm, and charged ferociously. He was clearly aiming to finish Qin Xiaochuan with another Bull Rush.

“Qin Xiaochuan!”

Watching Wu Li charge, Zhang Yang and Xia Dan shouted in alarm, as if they could already see Qin Xiaochuan being knocked aside.

“I knew you’d come from this side!” Qin Xiaochuan glanced left with his left eye, raised his left hand, and revealed his prepared right hand. The Spirit Pellet was ready. A flash of light shot from his right index finger, channeling all his spirit energy into the Spirit Light Bullet, which struck Wu Li’s charging forehead dead center, sending Wu Li flying backward.

“How...?” Wu Li, struck in the head by Qin Xiaochuan’s Spirit Pellet, couldn’t believe he’d been hit squarely by someone he looked down upon. “How did you know my exact position? Why?”

Hearing Wu Li’s indignant question, Qin Xiaochuan pointed at Wu Li’s waist. “Before you go down, look at your stomach.”

“What? Is this... a lit cigarette?” Seeing the cigarette tucked into his waist, Wu Li cried out in disbelief, unable to comprehend when Qin Xiaochuan had slipped it there.

“Surprised, aren’t you? Heh. The instant you threw me over your shoulder, I tucked the cigarette into your waist. Your thick coat and closed eyes were the keys to your defeat.”

“Impossible, you—” After Qin Xiaochuan’s explanation, Wu Li finally couldn’t hold on any longer and passed out on the floor.

“Heh heh…”

“You’re full of tricks, aren’t you!” As Qin Xiaochuan emerged from the darkness, Zhang Yang’s heart finally relaxed. But seeing Qin Xiaochuan’s smug expression, he couldn’t help but tease him—the two were truly rivals.

“Hehe, how about that? My secret technique of lighting a cigarette in an instant and fingers nimble enough to rival a pickpocket are my keys to victory. Impressive, right? Ow, Xia Dan, you hit me again?” Just as Qin Xiaochuan was about to pull out another cigarette and brag, Xia Dan slapped him hard from behind. “Hmph, nothing to be proud of. Hand over the cigarettes—”

“No way—”

As Qin Xiaochuan and Xia Dan bickered, Master Jinghai walked over. “Now I announce, the semifinals will begin immediately. The first match is Qin Xiaochuan versus Kong Ming.”

Hearing Master Jinghai announce the next match so quickly, Qin Xiaochuan stopped his scuffle and blurted out in disbelief, “What? I just finished fighting!” He had expected at least a short rest, but the next round was starting right away.

“Well, let’s get started. I’ve been waiting long enough,” Kong Ming, who had rested for a good while, stood up and walked toward Qin Xiaochuan at the announcement.

“Wait, Grandma—”

“Call me Master!”

“Master Grandma, I just finished fighting and haven’t fully recovered. Isn’t this a bit unfair?”

“…Fine. The remaining contestants, please follow me. We’ll switch to a different arena.” Seeing Qin Xiaochuan covered in injuries, Master Jinghai hesitated, then opened the closed door.

Following her lead, the four remaining contestants and Xia Dan made their way along a small path in the dense forest beside the Jinghai Pavilion.

“Damn,” Qin Xiaochuan grumbled softly, staring at the old woman’s back, “covered in injuries, Spirit Light Bullet spent, and now I have to compete in the worst condition. This old lady is so stubborn, won’t even allow a break… Right, besides me and Zhang Yang, the demon child must be one of the other two…” Eyeing Kong Ming and the Shaolin monk, Qin Xiaochuan remembered he still hadn’t identified the toughest opponent. If his next adversary, Kong Ming, was the demon child, that would be trouble.

“Alright, this is the place.” After leading everyone through the forest, Master Jinghai stopped at an open clearing.