35: Chapter 35 A Difficult Situation

Lin Tian stood in the courtyard, eyes closed, sensing the newfound lightness and agility flowing within his body.

Five days of frantic cultivation and the exhaustion of his qi-blood powder had earned him more than just the cold text on his proficiency panel reading "Wind-Chasing Footwork (Minor Achievement)"; they had brought him a tangible, acute control that permeated his very limbs and bones.

With a slight shift of his mind, it was as if wind had sprouted beneath his feet; his figure dragged a faint afterimage across the narrow courtyard, suddenly appearing by the wall three zhang away, then just as suddenly returning to his original spot. The entire process was silent, leaving only the faint sound of his sleeves cutting through the air.

"My speed is nearly double what it was at the Introductory level," Lin Tian calculated internally. "An ordinary Late Stage Martial Artist, without specialized footwork, might not be weak in a straight-line sprint, but when it comes to maneuvering, dodging, changing direction, and stopping abruptly in such a confined space, they are definitely no match for me."

This meant that even if his opponent was stronger than him, as long as they had not reached the Second Realm and did not possess an absolute advantage in Realm or mastery over special trapping techniques, he could rely on this Minor Achievement level "Wind-Chasing Footwork" to retreat unscathed if he could not win.

According to Liu Yunfeng, the strength of the Ding Family was only on par with the Liu Family; they might be able to exhaust their Family fortune to hire a powerful Late Stage Martial Artist,

but there was absolutely no possibility of reaching the Second Realm level—such figures were not ones that families of their stature could easily command.

"This battle... is winnable." Lin Tian opened his eyes, his gaze calm and waveless. The risk remained, but it was no longer a desperate gamble with no chance of success.

After a simple breakfast, Lin Tian set off for the Liu Family estate.

In front of the Liu Family estate's main gate, Liu Yunfeng was already pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, craning his neck to look around from time to time.

The atmosphere inside the estate was heavy; several clan elders and stewards were gathered in the main hall, all looking grim.

When he saw Lin Tian's young, almost callow face appear at the street corner, Liu Yunfeng's eyes lit up, and he practically lunged forward: "Junior Brother Lin! You've finally arrived! How did it go?"

Lin Tian nodded slightly at him, his tone steady: "It should be no problem."

"That's great!" Liu Yunfeng let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had grasped a lifeline.

However, when Lin Tian was led into the main hall and the eyes of everyone inside fell upon him, that spark of hope that had just risen was instantly suppressed by deeper anxiety.

Too young!

His figure was not imposing, and his expression was calm, even somewhat indifferent. Standing there, he lacked any striking sharpness or the fierce courage of one long accustomed to fighting.

Was this the "Genius" his son spoke of, capable of risking his life for the Family?

What the Liu Family and the Ding Family were fighting over was the ownership of thirty percent of the mining rights to the newly discovered fine iron vein in the east of the city!

It involved an annual income of at least a thousand taels of silver, concerning the rise and fall of the Family for years to come! To place such a heavy bet on this youth, who looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen?

The few clan elders looked at each other, their eyes filled with suspicion and unease; some even sighed in low voices, shaking their heads without speaking.

Patriarch Liu, the Clan Chief of the Liu Family, stood at the head of the hall, looking at Lin Tian, his heart also filled with trepidation.

He understood the cruelty of the fist fight better than his clansmen, and he understood the weight of this industry even more.

But things had reached this point; he was riding a tiger and could not get off. The Liu Family had no one else to hire and no time to search for anyone else. He could only choose to believe in his son and believe that there might truly be something extraordinary about this young man before him.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind, stepped forward, and solemnly cupped his hands to Lin Tian: "Young Hero Lin, this matter is entirely entrusted to you! Regardless of victory or defeat, my Liu Family will remember this favor!"

Lin Tian returned the salute: "It is my duty; there is no need for such courtesy, Patriarch Liu." His attitude remained indifferent, as if he were about to step onto an ordinary Training Ground rather than a Life-and-Death Ring.

To the members of the Liu Family, this calmness only made him seem even more unreliable. Only Liu Yunfeng, recalling the ghostly footwork on the wooden stakes, felt slightly more at ease.

The "Life-and-Death Ring" arena was bustling with noise.

The people from the Ding Family had arrived early and occupied the best seats on the east side of the ring.

Master Ding Kui sat in a grand chair, chatting and laughing with several friendly faction leaders beside him, feeling smug and satisfied.

Master Wu Zhe of the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall stood to the side with his arms crossed, eyes closed to rest his mind, turning a deaf ear to the surrounding clamor. Only the dark red color of his palms seemed somewhat glaring under the sunlight.

The spectators gathered in increasing numbers, discussing the event.

"Where are the people from the Liu Family? Why haven't they arrived yet?"

"Could it be that they're scared? I heard they hired some greenhorn."

"Heh heh, if you ask me, that kid must have fled the scene! A fist fight is no joke; once you step onto the stage, your life is no longer your own!"

"Sigh, it looks like the Liu Family has conceded defeat this time; it's a pity about that mining vein..."

"The Ding Family hired Master Wu Zhe from the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall; his 'Fire Sand Palm' is ruthless. Whoever the Liu Family hires, it's all in vain!"

Du Fei, leading a few follower Disciples, squeezed into a spot near the front of the crowd. Listening to the surrounding discussion, a sneer hung undisguised on the corner of his mouth: "That bumpkin knows his place, knowing when to fear death. Saves me from dirtying my eyes."

Just as he finished speaking, a commotion suddenly erupted on the outskirts of the crowd, and someone shouted: "They're here! The people from the Liu Family have arrived!"

The crowded throng subconsciously parted to create a passage.

Patriarch Liu appeared with a solemn expression, leading several core members of the Liu Family as they walked to the front. Liu Yunfeng followed closely behind, and beside Liu Yunfeng was none other than Lin Tian, dressed in a gray martial outfit with a calm expression.

"He actually dared to come?" The sneer on Du Fei's face instantly froze, turning into astonishment, then his eyes turned cold, "Seeking death!"

Master Ding Kui also saw Lin Tian in the Liu Family's group. He was stunned at first, then laughed heartily, saying to those around him: "Look! That's the 'expert' the Liu Family hired! He's learning to step onto the Life-and-Death Ring too? That old dog Liu really is getting more senile as he ages!"

The members of the Ding Family behind him also burst into laughter, looking at Lin Tian as if they were looking at a dead man.

Master Wu Zhe also opened his eyes at this moment, cast a glance at Lin Tian, then closed them again immediately. He gave an almost imperceptible snort through his nose, not even bothering to offer an evaluation.

On the viewing platform directly north of the ring sat three people.

In the center was a middle-aged man with a solemn face, wearing the standard green robes of the City Lord's Mansion. His temples were bulging high, and his aura was deep and steady. On his left and right were two white-haired elders with sharp eyes.

These three were the referees and witnesses for today's fist fight, all from the City Lord's Mansion, representing official authority and absolute impartiality.

Seeing that both sides had arrived, the middle-aged man in green robes stood up slowly. He did not intentionally raise his voice, yet his deep voice clearly overpowered the clamor of the entire venue, reaching everyone's ears:

"The time has come, and all parties are present. Liu Family, Ding Family, your two clans' dispute will be adjudicated today according to the rules via a 'fist fight'."

His gaze swept over Patriarch Liu and Master Ding Kui below the stage: "On the ring, only life and death matter; no means are off-limits. The fist fight shall only end when one side admits defeat or dies on the spot."

"Once victory or defeat is determined, all previous grievances are wiped clean. The winner shall obtain thirty percent of the mining rights to the fine iron vein you are disputing. Does anyone have objections to this agreement?"

"No objections," Patriarch Liu said in a deep voice.

"No objections," Master Ding Kui responded loudly, determined to win.

The two stepped forward and, on the heavy "Life-and-Death Contract" presented by the official from the City Lord's Mansion, pressed their bright red handprints and signed their names.

The middle-aged man in green robes collected the contract and handed it to the elder beside him for safekeeping. He scanned the entire crowd once more, his voice ringing out like clashing metal:

"Since the contract has been established, there is no going back and no regrets. Now—"

"The fist fight begins! Both Martial Artists, ascend the stage!"