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Chapter422
"What is this?" Han Xi asked angrily.
"It's the military's latest development. We've named it 'Explosive Ice Crystal.' It's generally used in cannons to deal with armored high-level mutated beasts. I hadn't expected Gu Zhuo to refine it into a concealed weapon."
"Tsk, misusing public resources for personal gain?"
"Not quite. The Gu family originally discovered this crystal mineral. The fact that he handed it over to the country shows immense patriotism. He was honored with a first-class merit and promoted three military ranks for it."
"Whose martial arts has he learned?"
"It's hard to say. As you know, many martial arts techniques today are either self-invented or modified from older forms. What he's learned seems eclectic; most likely, he discerned much of it himself. He truly is a genius."
"Hmph, who isn't a genius these days?"
Shao Qi chuckled softly in response, thinking that, indeed, anyone who achieved such accomplishments was a genius in their own right.
If you consider the top martial artists nationwide, those who truly attain the elite level are relatively young. This suggests that martial arts demand physical prowess—where the youth, with their vitality and quick thinking, should form the main force.
Zhang Huai Sen didn't bother tending to his minor injuries. He forcefully pushed off a wall, soaring into the air. Spinning at a rapid pace, his blade danced around him, leaving afterimages in his wake.
"What sword technique is this? Is it from the Tai Chi sword style?"
"No, it's the Clear Wind Sword Technique, but an advanced version of it. Many remember a move from the original technique where the sword spins horizontally. It's unexpected to see it evolve this way."
Gu Zhuo fell backward, sliding on his knees for a distance. Keeping his body close to the ground, he lashed his whip towards the afterimage.
With a sharp "snap," all saw the long steel whip severed in two. Zhang, the young sect leader, landed gracefully at the opposite end of the arena. His hairpin destroyed and hair flowing, he appeared all the more enigmatic.
Holding half of the severed whip between his fingers, he tossed it off the stage, causing the audience to scramble for it. This provoked an intense, murderous aura from Gu Zhuo.
"Let's see how much longer you can hold out."
Gu Zhuo shed his jacket, revealing his equipment, which elicited gasps from the crowd.
"Did he strap an entire arsenal to himself?"
"Shouldn't we be asking how heavy all that is? Carrying so much and still moving so swiftly, Gu Zhuo truly is formidable."
"I wonder, is he proficient in all eighteen traditional weapons?"
"People have always said Gu Zhuo is self-taught. Today, I truly believe it."
Zhang Huaisen was genuinely taken aback, watching as weapons bound to the opponent's body clattered to the ground. After stretching his muscles, the opponent moved faster than before.
"So powerful!" Han Xi remarked seriously.
Shao Qi wasn't too surprised; it wouldn't be Gu Zhe if he weren't this strong.
Seizing the right moment, Gu Zhe delivered a sweeping kick and fiercely swung his steel whip, relentlessly targeting Zhang Huaisen's injuries. Each blow was more potent than the last, forcing Zhang to continually retreat.
Zhang Huaisen had but a single sword, its edge already blunted. At this moment, Gu Zhe remotely controlled a dagger on the ground, sending it soaring towards Zhang.
"He's a psychic manipulator?" The crowd buzzed with surprise. Even Shao Qi was astounded, as this detail was missing from his intel. Gu Zhe had indeed hidden his abilities well.
"I heard Mr. Zhou can control hundreds of hidden weapons simultaneously. Gu Zhe is nowhere near his level."
"They're not comparable," Shao Qi said confidently.
As the fight continued, Zhang Huaisen's disadvantage became more apparent, and his injuries worsened. Yet, as long as neither side conceded, the duel would go on.
Some began urging Zhang Huaisen to admit defeat.
Gu Zhe smirked coldly, continuing his assault. Nearly an hour had passed; both fighters were nearing exhaustion.
Just when many thought Zhang would exit first, he dropped his damaged sword and initiated Tai Chi moves.
"He couldn’t win with a weapon; how would Tai Chi help?" many wondered.
Gu Zhe seemed unimpressed. He swung his steel whip at Zhang's fist, mocking, "Let's see which is harder: your fist or my whip."
As the whip neared, a protective sheath materialized around Zhang's fist and extended up his arm. He swiftly grabbed the whip and with a powerful tug, snapped it.
Before Gu Zhe could react, Zhang Huaisen lunged forward, engaging in hand-to-hand combat.
Most assumed he was employing Tai Chi, but it wasn't. The style was simple, with instructional videos available online, emphasizing power and aggression—a stark contrast to the Wudang style.
By this point, Gu Zhe's energy was significantly drained. Struggling against Zhang's fast and fierce onslaught, he was forced back.
"Is this a new technique he's learned?" Han Xi wondered aloud.
Shao Qi shook his head in uncertainty, musing that if Zhou You had taught this, he was genuinely impressive.
Zhang Huaisen seemed about to knock Gu Zhe off the platform when, suddenly, both fighters froze. Their gazes locked, giving no clue to their intentions.
But the moment was fleeting. Before the audience could discern what had transpired, Gu Zhe's foot landed squarely on Zhang's chest, sending him crashing into a wall.
"What just happened?"
"Something's off."
"He... he harbored a killing intent," Han Xi sensed the murderous rage in Gu Zhe, casting a worried glance at Zhang Huaisen.
No one could intervene in the arena unless a fighter admitted defeat. Breaking this rule meant more than just tarnishing one's reputation.