Chapter 146: Do You Want to Die?
"Hmph, young man. You can eat the wrong food, but you can’t say the wrong things."
A member of the Yan Family spoke up, clearly displeased with Lin Mu’s earlier comment.
On the arena stage, Liang Sheng was continuously retreating under Tan Feng’s assault, seemingly without the slightest power to fight back. To any outsider, it naturally looked like he couldn’t hold on for much longer. This sight only convinced more people that Lin Mu was a clueless loudmouth.
Faced with the multitude of jeers, Lin Mu’s expression remained calm, but Guan Jiaojiao’s face was flushed with indignation. She wanted to say something, but everyone present was an influential figure from some faction or another. As a junior, she didn’t feel it was her place to speak, so she could only puff out her cheeks and sulk.
BOOM!
On the arena, Tan Feng’s legs moved like shadows, swift as lightning, relentlessly forcing Liang Sheng backward. In just a few steps, he had pushed him to the very edge of the stage. One more strike from Tan Feng, and Liang Sheng would surely be knocked off, ending the match.
Seeing this, the Liang Family’s people were all tense with worry. In contrast, the faces of the Yan Family’s people were lit up with delighted surprise and immense pride.
On the stage, a cold smirk touched the corner of Tan Feng’s mouth. His legs suddenly exploded with force as he leaped into the air, aiming a kick straight at Liang Sheng’s chest. If that kick landed, Liang Sheng’s defeat was certain. And Tan Feng’s speed was incredible; The Twelve-Route Tan Leg Technique was renowned for both its speed and power, making it exceedingly difficult to dodge.
It’s over.
Down below the stage, this single thought surfaced in the minds of the audience. At the same time, Guan Jiaojiao heard Lin Mu, who was sitting beside her, utter the exact same words.
"Die!" Tan Feng roared, his legs snapping straight as he kicked out.
However, just as the sole of Tan Feng’s foot was about to connect with Liang Sheng, the latter suddenly threw his arms open, as if he had given up defending himself.
Given up? Tan Feng smirked coldly, thinking Liang Sheng finally knew his place. Seizing the opportunity created by Liang Sheng’s wide-open guard, Tan Feng launched another kick in quick succession.
At this moment, some of the more faint-hearted spectators instinctively covered their eyes, unable to bear watching. But many others stared with wide eyes, eager to witness Liang Sheng’s humiliating defeat. Among them were the people from the Yan Family and Zhang Yan.
But in that very instant, a shocking twist occurred.
Liang Sheng’s outstretched hands suddenly shot forward, his fingers splayed like talons as he grabbed viciously.
RIP!
The ear-piercing sound of tearing fabric echoed, followed by a pained scream from the stage.
The next moment, the crowd saw something that stunned them. Liang Sheng had clamped both hands onto Tan Feng’s ankle. Then, he clawed down hard. Suspended in mid-air, Tan Feng had no leverage. He stumbled, and Liang Sheng violently flung him off the stage.
BANG!
Tan Feng’s body hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
PFFT!
Tan Feng spat out a mouthful of blood and lifted his head to look at Liang Sheng on the stage, a sharp fierceness flashing in his eyes.
I actually lost? Me, a descendant of the Seventy-Two Stances of Tan’s Leg Techniques, actually lost to an ant from a minor family? The thought made Tan Feng feel utterly disgraced.
"You’re courting death!" Tan Feng roared furiously. He scrambled to his feet and charged back toward the stage. He was going to kill Liang Sheng.
"Stop!" the referee shouted, suddenly stepping in front of Tan Feng. With a grave expression, he declared, "The match is over. You have lost."
Tan Feng hesitated, a flicker of venomous resentment in his eyes.
"We don’t care how you all choose to fight outside of here, but since you’ve come to participate in the River City martial arts competition, you must abide by the rules!"
A powerful aura suddenly erupted from the old referee, its pressure so intense that Tan Feng’s expression changed.
A late-stage Inner Strength martial artist!
That level of strength might be nothing in the Tan Family, but this is Wufeng Town, not my family’s territory. Thinking this, Tan Feng let out a cold snort. He shot a hateful glare at Liang Sheng on the stage, then turned and walked away.
The people from the Yan Family, of course, had no face left to stay. With Tan Feng’s defeat, they had lost all their opportunities. As for the resources they had wagered, there was no getting them back now. At this thought, Elder Yan gave the silent Lin Mu a deep look, a sharp glint flashing in his cloudy eyes.
Some of the others who had heard Lin Mu’s earlier prediction also glanced at him with curiosity. It was clear that Liang Sheng was no match for Tan Feng in any respect, so why had Lin Mu been so certain that Tan Feng would lose? Recalling Lin Mu’s earlier demeanor, they felt they were beginning to understand something.
However, the martial artist named Zhang Yan stood up, straightening his clothes. He glanced at Lin Mu and scoffed, "Just lucky. If Tan Feng hadn’t been so careless, how could he possibly have lost?"
"Indeed," someone quickly chimed in. "In terms of both strength and martial skill, Tan Feng is far beyond ordinary. This loss was definitely due to carelessness."
Naturally, there were those who would agree with Zhang Yan. After all, he had a significant background, and a little flattery might earn them some goodwill.
But someone else was not having it.
"A loss is a loss! Stop making so many excuses, how shameless!"
An awkward silence fell over the crowd.
The speaker, of course, was Guan Jiaojiao. She had been annoyed with Zhang Yan for a while now, and in her eyes, those who fawned over him were all cut from the same cloth.
"Little girl, watch your mouth. Be careful, or you might not be able to leave Wufeng Town!" Zhang Yan shot a menacing glare at Guan Jiaojiao before his eyes drifted to Song Wenrou, who was seated next to Lin Mu. A woman of such ethereal beauty naturally drew attention, and Zhang Yan himself had a particular fondness for women with such a temperament.
"Is that so? Such big words. Be careful you don’t bite your tongue," Lin Mu said flatly, his gaze shifting to Zhang Yan.
"You’ll find out in a moment." A cold arc formed on Zhang Yan’s lips. His body suddenly sprang up, and he landed on the arena stage. He didn’t spare Lin Mu a glance, instead looking directly at Liang Sheng. "Continue, or should I fight someone else?"
Liang Sheng was incredibly hesitant. If he fought, he was definitely no match for Zhang Yan. But if he stepped down now, the Liang Family’s share would be far too small.
"Liang Sheng, give up," the Liang Family Head called out from below the stage, his tone filled with helplessness.
Liang Sheng was just about to nod in agreement when a figure suddenly appeared before him, a furious fist punching downward.
"Look out!"
"Despicable!"
The crowd below erupted in curses. Zhang Yan hadn’t even waited for Liang Sheng to concede before launching a sneak attack. It was utterly shameless.
But Zhang Yan was too fast; Liang Sheng had no time to react. The moment he lifted his head, Zhang Yan’s fist was already filling his vision.
THUMP!
The punch struck him square in the chest, sending Liang Sheng flying backward while spitting blood. He was hurtling directly toward where Lin Mu was sitting.
"Not good!" Guan Feifei’s expression changed. Liang Sheng was flying too fast. If he was allowed to crash into the seats, he would certainly injure their grandfather or his little sister.
Guan Feifei had just caught Liang Sheng when a tremendous force surged through him. His face paled as he was forced back, stumbling and about to fall over with him. Just then, a hand slowly reached out, lightly bracing Guan Feifei’s back, while another hand gripped Liang Sheng. With those two simple movements, he steadied them both and helped them down.
Lin Mu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked toward the arena.
"Do you want to die?"