The duel between Xiao Man and Xiang Jian was known to the high-ranking disciples of the Eight Directions Sword Sect, but it was not publicly announced. Therefore, on the day of the fight, besides the sect's top disciples, no one else came to watch.
Xiang Jian looked eager, "Xiao Qin, have you slept well these past few days?"
"I slept quite well, much better than sleeping in the wilderness," Xiao Man asked calmly, "May I ask how Master Xiang has slept these days?"
"I slept very well too. Just thinking about fighting you makes me incredibly excited." Xiang Jian's face was filled with a jubilant smile, even his eyes sparkled with pleasure. True masters are often lonely and yearn for someone who can understand them.
"Since that's the case, let's begin." Xiao Man gripped her dagger and assumed a stance. Xiang Jian shot towards Xiao Man like an arrow released from a bow, his sword seemingly imbued with immense force, intent on piercing Xiao Man.
Xiao Man fearlessly met the charge. The dagger and the long sword clashed, producing a piercing clang. Xiao Man's dagger struck Xiang Jian's sword repeatedly, and the long sword let out a mournful cry under the heavy blows.
Xiang Jian's smile widened. He liked Xiao Man's dagger. It looked unremarkable, but it was undoubtedly a divine weapon. His precious sword was crying out under its assault. He had to win, he had to obtain this dagger!
Since she couldn't use poison, Xiao Man dared not be careless. After all, she was unaware of the fighting styles of these people, especially when facing Xiang Jian. Xiang Jian emanated a powerful aura, intending to overwhelm her. But who was she? The Jade Faced Asura, a killer who never blinked. How could she be intimidated by someone's aura? After dozens of exchanges, she subtly began to gain the upper hand over Xiang Jian.
Xiang Jian took a palm strike and retreated about ten feet, a trace of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth. He became even more excited. Just as he was about to charge again, his long sword shattered into pieces scattered across the ground in an instant.
The observing disciples gasped. Xiang Jian's treasured sword was ranked among the top three in this land of no law, yet it was reduced to fragments by a mere dagger!
"Vice Master, will our Master lose?" a disciple whispered as he moved closer to Zhou Yan, lowering his voice. Although their Master was fighting more bravely with each setback, the opponent was clearly a formidable foe, and so far, he hadn't gained any advantage whatsoever!
Zhou Yan's expression remained unchanged, but his heart pounded. However, he couldn't let his worry show: "Our Master will surely win!"
"Yes, Master will win!" The disciples immediately rallied behind Xiang Jian.
Seeing his weapon destroyed, Xiang Jian threw away the hilt of his sword and charged forward unarmed. Xiao Man retracted her dagger, showing no intention of taking advantage, and engaged Xiang Jian in bare-handed combat!
Zhou Yan watched them fight. Xiang Jian seemed to be gaining a slight advantage, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. Bare-handed combat was a test of true strength. Xiao Qin, on the other hand, looked like a weakling. The only reason she could destroy the Master's beloved sword was by relying on her divine weapon. In a test of pure fist and foot, she was no match for Xiang Jian!
After taking another punch, Xiang Jian immediately retreated three zhang, finding himself at the edge of the arena. The smile vanished from his face, replaced by caution. He tried to move his left leg, but it was numb and he couldn't exert any force. Moreover, his Qi circulation was hindered, and his old internal injuries began to ache subtly, as if all the old wounds had erupted at once. Even the severed tendons in his wrist from years ago started to throb.
"Xiao Qin, I said no poison in this fight." Xiang Jian frowned, suspecting Xiao Man had used poison.
"I also said I would never use poison. If I had, you would have been lying down already, not standing here talking to me," Xiao Man said, kneading her fists. "In close combat, I have never conceded. Anyone who fights me up close ultimately surrenders. Xiang Jian, do you want to surrender?"
Xiang Jian attempted to circulate his Qi, but his meridians were blocked, preventing normal flow. Instead, it forced him to cough up a mouthful of blood. Xiao Man charged again. Xiang Jian felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. The situation had turned against him so quickly. Just days ago, he had dismissed the idea of someone being too bold, but now it seemed he was the one whose pride would be humbled! Xiang Jian thought to himself that he must not engage her head-on until the pain subsided.
Xiang Jian dragged one leg as he fled across the arena. Those watching below exchanged bewildered glances. Hadn't their Master been gaining the advantage? Why was he now fleeing and spitting blood?
Sweat beaded on Zhou Yan's palms. To force their Master to flee so disgracefully, to make a martial arts fanatic shy away from direct confrontation, who exactly was this Xiao Qin?
Zhou Yan reached for the Qiankun pouch at his waist, contemplating whether to make a sneak attack on Xiao Man. At that moment, Xiao Man's gaze suddenly fell upon Zhou Yan. The casual glance made Zhou Yan feel as if he were facing a formidable enemy, leaving him stiff and immobile like a wooden statue.
Xiao Man withdrew her gaze and looked at the fleeing Xiang Jian, with a hint of helplessness. "Master Xiang, do you wish to surrender?"
"No!" Xiang Jian shouted. "You cheated! You didn't use poison, but you used some unorthodox method."
"Since you refuse to surrender, I can only beat you down." Xiao Man's lips curved upwards, a hunter's gleeful smile appearing on her face as she spotted her prey. Her form flickered, and she instantly appeared before Xiang Jian, leaving only an afterimage. By the time Xiang Jian realized Xiao Man was beside him, her fist had already landed, striking him forcefully in the face.
"Don't hit the face!" Xiang Jian cried out as he was sent flying. After all, he was the Master of the Eight Directions Sword Sect; how could he face people if his face was bruised and swollen?
"No way!" Xiao Man was instantly back beside Xiang Jian, and with a knee strike, she sent him flying again. Then, with a right hook, she leaped into the air. From below, the crowd could only see Xiao Man's afterimages and Xiang Jian's screams. A moment later, Xiao Man landed on the arena. Xiang Jian lay on the ground, unmoving.
"Master!" Zhou Yan roared with heart-wrenching agony and rushed onto the arena. Looking at Xiang Jian's pummeled face, he couldn't bear to look. "Young Master Xiao, you've been a bit too heavy-handed!"
"Vice Master, I asked him if he wanted to surrender, and he refused. So I had no choice but to beat him until he couldn't get up."
Zhou Yan opened his mouth, unable to utter a single retort. Just because their Master didn't surrender, you beat him until he couldn't get up? Even if you had to beat him, why target his face specifically?
"Our Master's bare-handed combat skills are excellent! You tricked him!"
"Being outsmarted only shows you are less skilled," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "Besides, I knocked him out with my bare fists fair and square. If you're not satisfied, you can step up."
Zhou Yan already suspected Xiao Man had played a trick, but he had no idea how she had done it. Perhaps if he stepped into the arena himself, he could discover the reason.