C22 The King of Fighting Wang Yue the First Stage of His Return!

Sunn Cheng let out a sneer, shaking his head as he spoke, "Second Young Master Wang, I'll extend you the courtesy of a warning: take your men and leave, lest any unfortunate incidents occur!"

Wang Yue returned the sneer, confidently asserting, "Your cultivation appears to be at the second level of Qi Drawing, whereas I have reached the third level, just a hair's breadth away from the fourth level—the Sea of Consciousness realm! The Qian Yuan Blade in my grasp was an expensive purchase from Ping Mountain City, forged by the masterful hands of the Hundred Forging Hand from the Artifact Refining Hall. It ranks among the finest of the lower-grade magical weapons! The Wang family stands as the preeminent clan in Azure Sun, with a rich legacy of martial arts. I am curious, what makes you think you can best me?"

Sunn Cheng glanced at the gleaming curved blade in Wang Yue's hand, then down at his own less impressive, shiny meat knife. By looks alone, it certainly seemed outclassed.

With a contemplative smack of his lips, Sunn Cheng remarked, "Blackbeard thought much like you when we first clashed, and yet the outcome... was utterly different."

Wang Yue cast a contemptuous look at the lifeless body of Blackbeard and snorted, "He was nothing more than a hill bandit, a nobody. Such riffraff are beneath the Wang family's notice."

After a brief pause, Wang Yue's gaze shifted past Sunn Cheng, settling on Xiaonuo nestled beside Old Madam Luo, his eyes burning with desire.

Licking his lips, Wang Yue's voice dropped to a threatening growl, "This is your final opportunity. Step aside and deliver Sun Xiaonuo into my hands! If not, once I've dealt with you, I'll take her back to the county myself! By then, she won't even qualify for a concubine's status. Once I've had my fill, I'll cast her out of the county to fend for herself!"

Clad in his bridal finery, Wang Yue's face was a sickly white, his eyes radiating a cruel and brutal energy, his words laced with venom.

This was the true nature of the Wang family's Second Young Master, whose infamy among the common folk of Azure Sun County surpassed even that of Blackbeard.

The villagers of Mouth Connecting Town were trembling with rage. Xiaonuo clung to Old Madam Luo, terrified. To any girl, Wang Yue was the embodiment of a true demon!

Sunn Cheng chuckled and shook his head. "Young Master Wang, has anyone ever told you that your talent for boasting might just surpass all your other skills combined? I've always prided myself on being the unrivaled braggart of Mouth Connecting Town, but next to you, I'm afraid I'd have to concede defeat!"

His words caused Aunt Li, who was not one to mince words, to burst into laughter. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she quickly stifled herself.

Wang Yue's face turned icy as he sneered, "Oh? You're courting death? Then I'll indulge you! Neither you nor your sister, nor that decrepit old woman, will escape! I'll show you what true suffering is like in the Wang family's dungeons!"

The audacity of Wang Yue to insult Old Madam Luo set off a chilling fury in Sunn Cheng. His grandmother was his most revered elder, Xiaonuo the dearest to his heart, and to hear them maligned by such a contemptible scoundrel was more than he could bear.

"What's wrong? Angry? Want to kill me? Go ahead! I won't let you die easily. You'll watch your sister become my woman, see her lose all dignity just to survive... Hahaha!" Wang Yue's face twisted into a grotesque sneer, his neck veins bulging as he taunted Sunn Cheng.

Sunn Cheng rolled up his sleeves and wiped the meat knife's blade, drawing in a deep breath. "You've reminded me that to the people of Azure Sun County, you're a curse worse than any demon. So, the Army Destroying Mad Blade's debut in Great Qin will be a crusade for justice on behalf of Azure Sun's people!"

With a sudden lift of his head and a firm set to his jaw, Sunn Cheng readied himself for battle, determined to give Wang Yue a lesson in retribution like no other.

"What 'Army Destroying Mad Blade'? It's just..."

"Silence! You're not worthy of uttering those words!"

Wang Yue, who had been laughing derisively, was about to continue his taunts when Sunn Cheng's sudden fury took him by surprise. With a resounding crash, the stone tiles beneath Sunn Cheng shattered. His eyes blazing red with anger, he bellowed and, with a single hand, gripped the meat knife and furiously swung it at Wang Yue!

Caught off guard by Sunn Cheng's aggressive move, Wang Yue was momentarily startled but quickly regained his composure, sneering as he drew his Qian Yuan Blade to meet Sunn Cheng in battle. The Qian Yuan Blade was indeed special; its clear blade resonated with a series of tones, casting a delicate glow. With Wang Yue channeling his third-level Qi Drawing cultivation, the slight infusion of Spiritual Force into the blade was amplified several-fold. The vibrating blade unleashed waves of qi strength, hurtling directly towards Sunn Cheng!

"Thunder Blade Technique! Skyward Slash!"

Wang Yue bellowed, his form moving with a speed surpassing that of Blackbeard. He expertly executed the Wang family's martial arts, his body's qi strength roiling tumultuously – truly formidable!

The Qian Yuan Blade struck the meat knife with great force, sending a crushing pressure through Sunn Cheng's arm and into his body. He collapsed onto one knee with a thud, sending a shower of stone fragments scattering.

Wang Yue sneered triumphantly, a fierce glint in his eyes. Seizing the advantage, he was relentless, intent on finishing Sunn Cheng once and for all.

"Perish!"

Wang Yue's momentum surged anew, his body's meridians whirring into action as the Spiritual Force, magnified by the Qian Yuan Blade, now rivaled the power of a Qi Drawing Level Four master.

Sunn Cheng grunted, a hint of defiance flickering in his throat. Though his internal organs had suffered from the shock, his eyes ignited with a fiery intensity. A sardonic grin spread across his face, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, giving him an eerily sinister appearance.

Like a Fierce Beast on the brink of madness, his pain only fueled his savagery, driving him to become even more ferocious.

Gritting his teeth with a fierce roar, Sunn Cheng summoned the full strength of his muscles and bones. His body was braced against the overwhelming power emanating from the Qian Yuan Blade!

"Out of my way!"

A screeching clash of metal ensued as the meat knife's edge scraped against the Qian Yuan Blade, sending sparks flying. Sunn Cheng, with great effort, forced Wang Yue back, his footsteps shifting rapidly. Gone was the earlier randomness; now he moved with a fluidity that was seamless!

This was a set of movements born from the Mad Blade Technique—the Blade Step. Now, with Sunn Cheng at the second level of Qi Drawing, his execution was even more swift and graceful!

Wang Yue, continuously exchanging blows with Sunn Cheng, was taken aback. Sunn Cheng's movements had suddenly become elusive. He was adept at such an extraordinary martial art!

Moreover, as the battle progressed, Wang Yue grew increasingly alarmed. His initial advantage seemed to have been fleeting, rapidly diminished by Sunn Cheng's varied tactics.

The Qian Yuan Blade, capable of enhancing Spiritual Force, was surprisingly held at bay by the unremarkable meat knife. Despite repeated impacts, it remained intact.

Wang Yue could sense that his Spiritual Force was indeed superior to Sunn Cheng's, and when amplified by the Qian Yuan Blade, it firmly overpowered him.

Yet, Sunn Cheng was able to withstand the advantage in Spiritual Force, enduring injury and still managing to muster the energy to strike back!

Wang Yue's confidence wavered. He had anticipated defeating the young man within twenty moves, but now, well beyond that count, he struggled to gain the upper hand.

"Opportunity!"

Sunn Cheng's lips tightened as he let out a soft cry. Wang Yue's lapse in concentration revealed a vulnerability, and Sunn Cheng swiftly seized upon it!

"Mad Blade—Dragon Emerge!"

The moment for action was fleeting. Sunn Cheng's right hand flipped at an astonishing angle, the meat knife deftly rotating in his palm, its edge glinting with concentrated Spiritual Force. His arm extended like the body of a dragon, the blade its claw, as he thrust directly forward!

The sharp aura sliced through the air, sending tremors that made it seem as if a faint dragon's roar could be heard by all!

Wang Yue's heart raced as the overwhelming blade force gave him a chilling sense of death's call. Instinctively, he positioned his Qian Yuan Blade horizontally, hoping to block the meat knife's lethal edge!

With a crisp snap, the immense power was perfectly channeled through the meat knife. Sunn Cheng's trusted companion didn't disappoint, its edge striking the Qian Yuan Blade and shattering the exceptional weapon among the lower-grade magical artifacts!

"Ah!"

Horrified, Wang Yue watched as the relentless blade force continued to slash across his abdomen, the delayed sensation of intense pain swiftly flooding his mind!

There was no time to ponder how an ordinary-looking meat knife could shatter his Qian Yuan Blade, a costly acquisition from Ping Mountain City. Wang Yue's hand shook as he touched his lower abdomen, the sight of blood on his hand turning his face deathly pale in an instant!

Sunn Cheng caught his breath; this was likely the most grueling fight he'd ever faced. Wang Yue, with his third-level Qi Drawing ability, was a formidable opponent, especially with the Qian Yuan Blade enhancing him to the strength of a fourth-level Qi Drawing fighter. Thankfully, his reliable meat knife was as formidable as ever, and after a night's practice, he had successfully executed the first move of the Mad Blade Technique, the Water Dragon.

Sunn Cheng frowned at Wang Yue, who was visibly shaken by the sight of his own blood. The guy was a complete coward, terrified by a non-fatal injury, a stark contrast to his earlier frenzy.

"Don't be a scaredy-cat; it's not like you're going to die!" Sunn Cheng muttered in annoyance. He gave Wang Yue a look and continued, "Relax, I'm not going to kill you. But I will give you a lesson you'll never forget for the rest of your life. Consider it a favor for the people of Azure Sun."

With a sinister smile, Sunn Cheng swiftly raised his foot and delivered a powerful kick straight to Wang Yue's lower abdomen, near a very delicate area!

The force of the kick sent Wang Yue rolling several times, his face contorted in agony. He pointed at Sunn Cheng in utter disbelief, yet found himself speechless.

For years, the people of Azure Sun have suffered at your hands. Now, you've got the nerve to target my Sunn family. You must have a death wish!" Sunn Cheng spat and crouched down, delivering several slaps to Wang Yue's face, leaving his cheeks swollen.

"You disrespectful little wretch, how dare you insult my grandmother and threaten my sister! Do you realize Xiaonuo is the apple of my eye? I've never been able to bring myself to speak harshly to her since she was little, and here you are, entertaining such twisted thoughts!"

Sunn Cheng's rage grew with every word. He mounted Wang Yue and pummeled him mercilessly, leaving him with a swollen face and several missing teeth.

"Pick up your Young Master Wang and take that Blackbeard with you. Get out of here, now! If you're too slow, you might as well stay behind!"

Sunn Cheng barked at the Wang family's servants, who were too petrified to move. He shooed them off like flies. Fearing for Wang Yue's life, they quickly carried him and the man with the black beard away, leaving behind a swath of red silk that set off a wave of cheers from the townspeople.

"My dear friends!" Sunn Cheng called out, turning to face the crowd. He bowed deeply, his eyes glistening with emotion. "The Sunn family must leave, and it may be very difficult for us to return. For fifteen years, you've looked after us. Mouth Connecting Town will always be my home, the eternal root of the Sunn family!"

Aunt Li burst into tears, clutching at Sunn Cheng and wailing, "You rascal, leaving just like that? Do you know I had decided to give Erya's hand in marriage to you? Where will you ever find a wife as good as Erya once you're gone?"

Her sobs drew laughter from the crowd, but it was laughter tinged with sadness. Everyone's eyes were red with emotion as they escorted Sunn Cheng's family carriage to the edge of town. They watched it disappear into the distance at the end of the mountain road before turning back with heavy hearts.

Inside the carriage, Xiaonuo and Muh Yi snuggled close to Old Madam Luo, while Sunn Cheng gazed absentmindedly at Mouth Connecting Town, which was slowly fading from view.

After a brief silence, Sunn Cheng shook off his reverie and chuckled, "Grandma, by killing Blackbeard and crippling Wang Yue, we've managed to make enemies of both the garrison and the Wang family! I'm not sure how we'll fare in Azure Sun County City now..."

Old Madam Luo Fu, with the two well-behaved girls in her arms, let out a dismissive snort and declared, "A mere jester poses no threat. This is merely the first step towards reaching Ping Mountain City, and eventually making our way back to Central Capital!"

Her grandson's laughter filled the carriage as he was tickled by her commanding presence. Sunn Cheng stretched out lazily, resting his arms behind his head, and said with a hint of fatigue, "Indeed, Grandma, you're incredibly shrewd... Oh no, I mean, you're profoundly strategic! It's been ages since we've seen Chen Ding, that crafty scholar. I bet you've already dispatched him to Ping Mountain City to lay the groundwork! Without someone to meet us, escaping the county could prove challenging."

A smile creased Old Madam Luo Fu's weathered face, but it was quickly followed by a somber sigh, "Crossing Azure Sun County City won't be an issue. Some youngsters from Central Capital, your contemporaries, have the clout to intimidate the whole county. The true challenge, however, will be when we set foot in Ping Mountain City."

Sunn Cheng flashed a weary grin and closed his eyes to focus on his breathing. The journey to Ping Mountain City was shaping up to be a formidable gauntlet. With his current level of cultivation being so low, he knew he needed to seize every moment to improve. Otherwise, facing the complexities that lay ahead would be an arduous task indeed.