As he shouted, the other tea drinkers also started to shout.
"Yes, young hero, quickly leave!"
"That old scoundrel is formidable, running away isn’t shameful if you can’t win."
Hearing everyone calling him an old scoundrel, Yuan Chenfeng was furious inside and sneered: "Trying to run? It’s not that easy."
As he spoke, he suddenly flipped his wrist, both palms striking fiercely towards Shen Dao’s temples.
This strike was incredibly fast, and at this moment, Shen Dao was already cornered; there was no room left to retreat.
Having no other choice, Shen Dao had to muster all his strength, protecting his head with both fists, attempting to withstand the blow.
Seeing this, Yuan Chenfeng was inwardly pleased.
This palm strike was full force, not just against a person, but even a large elephant would be crushed to death.
But just then, Yuan Chenfeng suddenly heard a sharp sound of something tearing through the air from behind, indicating someone was attacking him by surprise.
Even though he only needed one more second to kill Shen Dao, for his safety, Yuan Chenfeng was forced to give up this tempting opportunity, dodging from harm at the last possible moment.
With a loud thud, a crossbow arrow swiftly grazed past the spot where Yuan Chenfeng had just been standing, embedding deeply into the wall, its feathered end still quivering.
Before Yuan Chenfeng could catch his breath, a ghost-like figure dashed towards him, raising a fist for a strike.
Even at a fleeting glance, Yuan Chenfeng recognized the attacker and coldly sneered.
"Zhao Ya, you finally couldn’t hold back and decided to make your move?"
With that, he gathered all his strength and delivered a palm strike, clashing solidly with Zhao Ya.
He initially thought that this attack would certainly send Zhao Ya flying, just like Shen Dao earlier.
Then he could follow up and finish Zhao Ya off.
After all, compared to Shen Dao, the one Yuan Chenfeng wanted to kill the most was Zhao Ya.
But the result was far beyond Yuan Chenfeng’s expectations.
After exchanging punches and palms, not only was Zhao Ya not sent flying, his shoulder didn’t even budge.
Instead, Yuan Chenfeng was forced to stagger back several steps by a tremendous force.
This caused Yuan Chenfeng’s expression to drastically change, "How is this possible? How can you possess such strength?"
"Why not? Wake up and take a good look, Yuan. See what level of power I have!" Zhao Ya coldly smiled, then unleashed his full power and lunged again with a punch.
Feeling Zhao Ya’s aura, Yuan Chenfeng’s pupils shrunk to the size of needlepoints, exclaiming in disbelief: "Half-step Fifth Realm?"
The words had barely left his mouth when another loud crash rang out.
Zhao Ya and Yuan Chenfeng exchanged another move.
Due to being caught off guard, Yuan Chenfeng was sent flying far away, and when he landed, he still looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
He couldn’t comprehend how Zhao Ya could train so rapidly.
Didn’t he only recently advance to the Fourth Realm? How did he suddenly leap two stages to reach the same height as a half-step Fifth Realm like himself?
Could it be that he truly was an extraordinary prodigy, rare in the world?
Those present also stirred when they heard Yuan Chenfeng’s exclamation earlier.
Even Shen Dao found it hard to believe as he looked at Zhao Ya.
He knew that Zhao Ya had shut himself away for a period of intense training, but was its effect this pronounced?
He himself had been in the Fourth Realm for several years and hadn’t even reached its peak, yet Zhao Ya had already faced two great challenges and only had the final one at the bone marrow left.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ya lightly smiled.
"Although you are morally lacking, you do have a good eye. Yes, I’m currently at half-step Fifth Realm, what do you think?"
By now, Yuan Chenfeng’s hands were trembling slightly.
Partly from shock and fear, partly from the impacts just endured.
Yet Zhao Ya, with a calm and composed demeanor, clearly hadn’t used his full power in that punch.
Realizing this, Yuan Chenfeng began to have thoughts of retreat.
He couldn’t win.
If he stayed any longer, he might also meet his end here.
Thus, he decided he must quickly leave this place.
Having made up his mind, Yuan Chenfeng shed his previous arrogance, instead forcing a smile: "Truly, heroes emerge from the young. I, Yuan, am impressed. Let today’s matter end here. I bid farewell."
With that, he leapt away, attempting to leave.
Zhao Ya stepped forward, blocking his path, and casually said, "Oh? Leaving so soon?"
"What more do you want?" Yuan Chenfeng squinted his eyes, speaking in a cold tone.
Zhao Ya pointed towards Lin Shiguo, who was not far away, "If you leave, what about him?"
Lin Shiguo exploded with anger.
Never before had he been so belittled, so he opened his mouth to curse.
As if predicting this, just as he opened his mouth, Zhao Ya slightly bent his finger and flicked.
An iron bullet struck directly on Lin Shiguo’s mouth, shattering all his teeth, causing blood to flow freely.
"Mmph mmph!" Lin Shiguo whimpered, unable to speak, gesturing wildly to his men, clearly signaling them to attack Zhao Ya.
But no one dared to move.
What a joke.
Yuan Chenfeng himself had just personally verified Zhao Ya’s strength and called out his Realm.
Half-step Fifth Realm.
He was a top martial artist in the Great Yan Capital City.
Although these cavalrymen were arrogant, they weren’t stupid.
They knew that if they rushed in now, they would surely die.
Hence, no one dared to make a move.
Yuan Chenfeng’s expression changed slightly.
He had gone through great efforts to connect with Lin Shiguo, and abandoning him would indeed be painful.
But reluctantly, the circumstances outweighed his personal feelings. If he stayed longer, disaster would be inevitable.
Compared to his own life, nothing else mattered.
So, forcing a wry smile, he said, "I am not really familiar with this Deputy General. It’s just a chance encounter today. Do as you will; it has nothing to do with me."
Upon hearing this, Lin Shiguo widened his eyes, filled with anger and fear.
He too realized the shift in situation.
With the arrival of Zhao Ya, the balance of power immediately flipped.
Without reinforcements, he too would likely meet his end here.
Helplessly, he kept looking towards the window, hoping for news to spread quickly and other cavalrymen to arrive for support.
Noticing his gaze, Zhao Ya smiled and said.
"No need to look. The nearby streets are controlled by me and the Martial Arts Halls of Guangrui and Ren Yong. Not even a bird can fly out, so the reinforcements you hope for will not appear."
Lin Shiguo’s face turned ashen immediately.
Yuan Chenfeng’s expression also changed drastically, listening carefully, and indeed, he found the streets outside eerily quiet, devoid even of pedestrian footsteps.
This made his hope for escape increasingly faint.
At this point, Zhao Ya finally turned to him.
"Hall Master Yuan, I actually admire you. Your ability to change your tune swiftly and perceive the situation with precision is truly rare. But you shouldn’t have lost the basic conscience of a Martial Artist."
Yuan Chenfeng’s face turned grim, stepping back half a step, lifting his palms slowly.
"Zhao Ya, must you push me to a dead end? You should know that at the half-step Fifth Realm, should we fight to the death, the impact would be terrifying. Are you not concerned about innocent casualties?"
"Of course I know, so why do you think I’m not fighting you but standing here talking nonsense?" Zhao Ya smiled.
"You..." Yuan Chenfeng suddenly sensed something was amiss.
The Qi and blood flowing through his body became erratic, though very slight, but for someone at the half-step Fifth Realm, this was unprecedented.
Yuan Chenfeng’s expression turned wild, "Did you poison me?"
Zhao Ya nodded with a smile, "Thanks to the medicine you used on my master; I’ve returned the favor entirely to you. How do you feel?"
Yuan Chenfeng almost spat blood in anger, "You... despicable!"
"Thank you for the compliment, but I’m still far behind you!" Zhao Ya casually replied.
Feeling his internal condition worsening, aware that he was deeply poisoned, Yuan Chenfeng, in despair, gritted his teeth and dashed into the crowd.
His plan was simple: Zhao Ya and Shen Dao considered themselves righteous and would surely not harm the innocent.
If he could just take a few hostages, there might still be a slim chance of survival.
Yet as soon as he moved, Zhao Ya moved too.
He stepped forward, his punch directed straight at Yuan Chenfeng’s face.