Chapter 140 – Enemies Meet Like Fire and Water (Part One)

The fourth-floor corridor had surprisingly few guards, with only one person stationed there.

When Tiger-Masked Man saw this individual, he recognized him immediately—it was Ma Jiazhen, who had beaten him into a miserable retreat three months ago.

This encounter could truly be described as: when enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred!

Ma Jiazhen: “You little thief! Allowing you to escape last time has been the greatest shame of my life. Today, don’t think you’ll get away unscathed from my grasp again!”

“Escape?” Hearing this, Tiger-Masked Man no longer bothered concealing his identity. He abruptly removed his tiger-shaped mask, revealing a face contorted with rage.

It was indeed Ye Kuang!

“If I hadn’t been still mastering my divine technique back then, would I have feared a half-dead old fossil like you? If you have any skill, bring it on! Let’s see who emerges victorious today!” Ye Kuang declared.

Ma Jiazhen’s face turned ashen with fury upon hearing these words. Having lived to this age, no one had ever dared call him an “old fossil” to his face.

Now not only was this junior brazenly challenging him to a life-or-death struggle, but the provocateur was also someone he had previously defeated. Anyone in his position would feel deeply insulted.

“You impudent brat! In my decades roaming the martial world, I’ve never seen anyone as ignorant of their own limitations as you! If I cannot capture you alive today, I’ll bind my own hands and submit to your judgment!”

As he spoke, Ma Jiazhen suddenly clasped his fists and bowed toward the sky.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang realized the situation was different from before. He could tell the old man was stalling for time—a despicable tactic.

At this thought, a phantom-like shadow swept forth, stirring a murderous aura.

Ye Kuang took the initiative to attack, his feet moving like the wind, his leg strikes swift as shuttles, his entire body faster than lightning.

Witnessing this, Ma Jiazhen’s pupils dilated abruptly. A powerful surge of Vigorous Qi erupted from his chest.

The resulting gale whipped Ma Jiazhen’s hair back, making him resemble a wild beast poised to strike.

Ye Kuang’s momentum faltered slightly, his expression growing more solemn. Still, such petty tricks couldn’t deter his advance.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Bracing against the fierce winds, he charged forward. As True Qi circulated through his limbs and bones, his speed not only remained unaffected but became even more ferocious.

Ma Jiazhen: “Seeking death!”

While speaking, Ma Jiazhen extended his arms and launched an “Eagle Claw Strike.”

The movement appeared swift and powerful at first glance, easily controlled, but its true insidiousness lay in how it targeted openings while awaiting opportunities.

Instead of retreating, Ye Kuang advanced further, closing the distance between them.

He slightly lowered his head, choosing to evade the sharpest force, and countered with a devastating punch—the “Subduing Tiger Digs Ground.”

Unexpectedly, Ma Jiazhen showed no panic. Clenching his left fist, he met the strike head-on with a “Cannon Blast.”

Boom!

Their fists collided with a tremor like roaring tigers and dragons shattering the air.

The explosive power released from their clashing energies was no less than an “Earth-Shattering Shock,” achieving perfect internal-external synchronization.

In terms of speed and power, they were evenly matched. But regarding martial artistry…

At this realization, Ye Kuang abruptly retreated a step before sweeping out with a leg strike.

A cold glint flashed in Ma Jiazhen’s eyes. Raising a single knee, he similarly avoided the direct assault while his bear-like frame leaned forward. His right arm surged upward as he delivered a shattering fist straight toward the vital point.

If this strike landed true, regardless of who received it, their breastbone would undoubtedly be reduced to powder!Yet, Ye Kuang was so arrogant as to let the fist strike come at him, as if he had long regarded his own life and death as inconsequential.

Seeing this, Ma Jiazhen curled his lips into a cold sneer and mocked relentlessly, “Since you insist on seeking death, this old man will grant your wish!”

“Die!!!”

As soon as the words fell, the True Qi throughout Ma Jiazhen’s body surged, perfectly embodying the essence of “Force Concentrated in Fist.”

Thud!

But unexpectedly, Ma Jiazhen’s sneering expression abruptly froze. He frantically retreated dozens of steps backward, then roared like a dragon in fury.

“Ah… Damned bastard, how dare you be so shameless, disregarding martial ethics!”

His fist was drenched in blood, with countless bloody holes oozing endless crimson.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed heartily, reveling in his swift vengeance.

He then lifted a corner of his chest garment, revealing a piece of Soft Armor covered in fine needles.

“Old fool, I went to great lengths to deal with your Xingyi Fist. Damn it, today I want to see what other tricks your Xingyi Sect has to escape unscathed from me.”

With that, Ye Kuang stepped forward, unwilling to waste any more words on his opponent.

“Ah?” Ma Jiazhen couldn’t help but change his expression at this.

Clearly, the young man’s ruthlessness was like the tip of an iceberg he had just glimpsed.

Now, as Ye Kuang charged again, Ma Jiazhen secretly began to consider retreat.

Who knew what other vicious tricks the kid might have hidden?

Enraged by this thought, Ma Jiazhen also rushed forward.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang steadied the surging energy in his chest and abruptly halted his charge, adopting a defensive stance.

To him, this old man was unimaginably strong, truly worthy of the title “Innate.”

In a direct confrontation, Ye Kuang would likely lose. But when it came to cunning, even the combined wits of Southern Yuan and Northern Ma couldn’t match him.

Yet, just as the two were about to clash, Ma Jiazhen feinted and then fled, turning tail to escape.

“Damn it!” By the time Ye Kuang realized it, it was too late. Furious, he yelled, “You cowardly old bastard, don’t you dare run!”

Hearing this, Ma Jiazhen’s eyes flickered with uncertainty.

Remembering the bold claims he had made before his clan leader, he burned with rage, on the verge of tears.

“You little thief, if you have the guts, follow me! Let’s see how this old man captures you later.”

“You think I’m afraid? I’ve already said I came here unafraid to die. We’ll see who captures whom!”

“Damn it… Hiss…”

In the blink of an eye!

The two of them, one after the other, raced toward the fifth floor.

Notably, the one being chased was now Ma Jiazhen, while Ye Kuang was the pursuer.

Although his victory was dishonorable, the underhanded trick had proven effective indeed.

Truly, the tables had turned, and today fortune favored Ye Kuang.

Moreover, with all pretense of civility gone, notions of martial honor were mere illusions. Only the victor would be crowned, and the loser branded a bandit.

Though Ye Kuang hadn’t wanted to resort to such methods, circumstances left him no choice. Knowing he couldn’t win in a fair fight, stubbornly pressing on would be suicidal.

Thus, he had no option but to use deceit to bridge the gap in strength.