Chapter 65: Coveting His Strong Physique

“Well then, let’s have a contest to see whose men truly have the stronger skills!” Lin Ruhai’s eyes, deep and blue like gemstones, brimmed with contempt and mockery. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, confident of victory.

Whether it was clearing out bandits or clashes between sects, before both sides tore off all pretense, there was always an unwritten rule: each side would send someone to duel, and only when conflict could not be resolved would the bloodshed begin in earnest.

“Chief, let me go first!”

Peng Qinghua spat into his palm, rubbed his hands together eagerly, his whole demeanor itching for action. He hadn’t fought anyone in a long while, and now that a chance had presented itself, he could barely wait.

Lin Ruhai saw his sworn brother so excited, and his heart softened, letting go of much of his hostility.

His gaze, tender and affectionate, locked onto Peng Qinghua. “Go ahead, but be careful not to hurt yourself.”

Peng Qinghua, never the brightest, had no idea his elder brother had long coveted his robust physique. He laughed, “Don’t worry! These small fry can’t lay a finger on me!”

Between Luo Changning’s group and the bandits lay a stretch of sand and stone, a mere dozen paces separating them, so they caught every bit of Lin Ruhai's doting gaze.

Disgusted, they thought, “Ugh, how revolting. So those rumors about Lin Ruhai’s fondness for men are true…”

Luo Changning couldn’t help but rub his forehead, goosebumps rising. It was his first time encountering such a sight in reality, and he never wanted to see anything so ruinous again!

With his elder brother’s permission, Peng Qinghua leaped onto the sandy ground, landing with a fierce presence.

“So who are you sending? Hurry up, I can barely wait!”

Xiang Ao didn’t know Peng Qinghua’s background, so to be safe, he sent his top disciple, Liang Zhenyun, to face him.

“Zhenyun, you go first.”

“Yes, Master!”

Receiving his orders, Liang Zhenyun also leapt to the center of the sandy ground.

Standing before the towering Peng Qinghua, Liang Zhenyun seemed easy to underestimate, as if his defeat was certain. Yet his upright posture radiated a presence that overshadowed Peng Qinghua’s burly build.

Reserved and steady, with no sharpness exposed, it was clear he would achieve much in the future.

Neither man used weapons; they simply fought hand-to-hand at the foot of the mountain.

Peng Qinghua’s punches were fast, fierce, and relentless, carrying the momentum of a bamboo splitting. It was impossible to evade, forcing his opponent into a defensive stance.

Watching from the sidelines, Xiang Ao had not expected Peng Qinghua, who seemed unreliable, to be so earnest in battle, never once underestimating his opponent.

This was one of Peng Qinghua’s few virtues: as a true martial fanatic, he treated every opponent seriously, no matter the difference in their abilities.

He had become a bandit because of his obsession with dueling, unable to control his strength, until one day he crippled the beloved son of a powerful merchant.

With no backing and only his martial prowess, Peng Qinghua was rescued by Lin Ruhai and brought to Tianmen Stronghold. His blood brother, Peng Qingcheng, was also brought along, and the three swore brotherhood.

Lin Ruhai was the chief of Tianmen, so naturally Peng Qingcheng and Peng Qinghua became the second and third chiefs.

After dozens of rounds, Liang Zhenyun began to fall behind, showing signs of defeat.

As the two fought fiercely, Ma Xue’e arrived alone at Tianmen Stronghold.

Back at the inn, Luo Changning and Ma Qingyun had concealed their true destination, using Su Meng’s need for care as an excuse to divert her. But Ma Xue’e, playful and fickle, soon grew bored after spending a short while with Su Meng. When she went to look for the others, she found all the disciples of Luoyang Martial Hall gone, leaving only Mo Feng, who claimed to have a stomachache.

Though simple, Ma Xue’e was no fool; a little thought revealed Luo Changning’s real intention, and she hurried to Tianmen Stronghold, using her lightness skill.

On arrival, she saw Senior Brother Liang locked in battle with a burly man, and was clearly at a disadvantage.

Watching the scene on the sandy ground, Ma Xue’e grew anxious, her face scrunched in worry. Unable to hold back, she drew her flexible silver whip from her waist, twisted her body, and flew onto the field.

With a flick of her wrist, the whip wrapped around Peng Qinghua’s neck.

Ma Xue’e pulled hard, channeling her internal energy into her arm, and flung Peng Qinghua into the distant woods with a loud crash.

The spectators hadn’t yet processed what had happened; Peng Qinghua’s figure had vanished from the sandy ground.

Only Liang Zhenyun remained, bewildered, alongside a beautiful young woman.

(Please continue to support with recommendations and favorites. Another update coming tonight.)