Xia Xueqin's assessment of Lin Zhiping was indeed accurate—narrow-minded.
Years had passed, yet Lin Zhiping had not emerged from the shadow Jiang Zhan had cast upon him. He had even passed on that resentment to Jiang Wuming.
Jiang Wuming injuring Wang Zhisheng and confronting Lin Zhiping directly ignited a combined fury of past grievances and present animosity, instantly driving Lin Zhiping into a rage. He attacked Jiang Wuming without hesitation!
As Lin Zhiping's words echoed in his ears and he felt the attack, Wang Zhisheng's ferocious expression vanished, replaced by excitement. He wished he could have been Lin Zhiping himself, beating Jiang Wuming.
At the same time, a mocking smile appeared on Ye Rui's lips.
He had never truly acknowledged his cousin.
Like everyone else, he had believed Jiang Wuming had died young.
Later, Jiang Wuming had appeared out of nowhere and come to their door. Ye Rui had formed a terrible impression of him, disliking him from the bottom of his heart, even wishing Jiang Wuming had no connection to him or the Ye family.
Today, Jiang Wuming had shown Ye Rui no face, paralyzing him with his imposing presence. This turned Ye Rui's dislike for Jiang Wuming into outright resentment!
That resentment made him eager to teach Jiang Wuming a lesson!
Although Ye Rui was unaware of the past feud between Lin Zhiping and Jiang Zhan, he could sense Lin Zhiping's hatred for Jiang Wuming.
This made him realize that Lin Zhiping would not hold back, and would surely cripple Jiang Wuming—Lin Zhiping was a realm higher in strength than Jiang Wuming!
Once Jiang Wuming was crippled, Ye Rui would use harsh reality to tell him that someone with only martial prowess, lacking background and backing, was not even fit to carry his shoes!
On the other hand, Su Qiang and Xia Dong looked worried.
No matter how confident Jiang Wuming had seemed before, the current situation was that Lin Zhiping's strength surpassed Jiang Wuming's, and he appeared vicious, clearly intending no mercy.
Beside them, Qin Xiaozhi watched with a playful expression, as if witnessing a clown's performance.
Whoosh!
As everyone entertained their own thoughts, Lin Zhiping moved like lightning, appearing before Jiang Wuming. He swung his right arm, transforming his hand into a palm, and struck towards Jiang Wuming's face.
Palm strike to the face!
This was an extremely insulting move.
In Lin Zhiping's mind, Jiang Wuming was a fish on a cutting board, at his mercy.
Jiang Wuming's earlier retort, "Are you worthy?", had deeply angered Lin Zhiping. He decided to first slap Jiang Wuming across the face, punishing him on behalf of Jiang Zhan, and then avenge his disciple Wang Zhisheng by crippling Jiang Wuming!
Jiang Wuming stood his ground like a spear, emanating the aura of an Eight-star martial artist. His blood churned, and his internal energy surged.
However, to avoid revealing his true strength, he controlled his internal energy, preventing it from flowing to his surface, and matching its intensity to that of an Eight-star martial artist's inner force.
This was sufficient to deal with Lin Zhiping!
Under the setting sun, facing Lin Zhiping's whistling palm, Jiang Wuming squinted. He neither dodged nor attacked blindly.
Seeing this, Lin Zhiping's face broke into a cruel smile.
His entire life, he had lived in Jiang Zhan's shadow, dreaming of defeating or even beating Jiang Zhan, but it had been hopeless.
Now, fate had sent Jiang Zhan's son before him, allowing him to discipline him as he pleased. This brought him immense satisfaction, and he felt more exhilarated than ever!
Swish!
Just as Lin Zhiping's palm was about to connect with Jiang Wuming's face, Jiang Wuming moved.
He suddenly raised his left arm, like a rampart, blocking to his side.
"Bang!"
A dull thud echoed. Lin Zhiping's palm struck Jiang Wuming's left arm. His inner force erupted, but it did not break Jiang Wuming's arm, nor could it push it aside.
On the contrary, Lin Zhiping's palm felt like it had struck a scorching hot brand. It recoiled instantly, his palm burning with pain, and his right arm went numb from the impact.
"How is this possible?"
Lin Zhiping's smile froze. His eyes widened in disbelief, his face filled with shock!
Although his obsession with Jiang Zhan prevented him from ever reaching the God of War realm, he had been a Grandmaster of martial arts for many years, an absolute overlord in that domain!
Even without using the martial arts secret technique "True Dragon Treasure Art," his full inner force was not something an Eight-star martial artist could withstand!
In fact, even an ordinary Nine-star martial artist could not have so easily blocked and neutralized it.
Could it be?
Whoosh!
Lin Zhiping's question was met with a whistling sound.
After blocking Lin Zhiping's palm with his left arm, Jiang Wuming swiftly struck out with his right hand, turning defense into offense.
"Give back what you received."
Jiang Wuming also slapped Lin Zhiping, but his speed was even faster than Lin Zhiping's. He moved like an illusion, a blur, giving Lin Zhiping no time to dodge!
Not good!
Lin Zhiping, still in shock, sensed Jiang Wuming's attack and suddenly snapped back to reality, but it was too late to dodge. He could only rely on his combat instincts, raising his hand to block, just as Jiang Wuming had done.
However—
His speed was ultimately too slow.
"Slap—"
The slap rang out loudly. Jiang Wuming fiercely struck Lin Zhiping across the face, leaving five bloody handprints.
Lin Zhiping's body staggered, his head tilted to the side. His left cheek swelled, his lip split, and blood trickled out. Half his teeth felt loose.
This was despite him activating his protective inner force!
Otherwise, even if Jiang Wuming had only used the strength of an Eight-star martial artist, that slap could have shattered Lin Zhiping's head!
This outcome sent tidal waves of shock through Lin Zhiping. He immediately retreated explosively!
Jiang Wuming did not press his advantage, remaining in his original position.
All of this, though seemingly complex, happened in the space of a breath. No one present could clearly see the exchange, only the aftermath when the two separated.
"Wh... What's happening?"
Under the setting sun, the mocking and cold smiles on Wang Zhisheng and Ye Rui's faces vanished instantly, replaced by shock!
Yes...
Shock!
Because in their imagination, with Lin Zhiping's strength, he would have effortlessly dominated Jiang Wuming!
Yet now, after their clash, Jiang Wuming was unharmed, while Lin Zhiping's face was red and swollen, his lips stained with blood, as if he had been slapped.
This outcome was the complete opposite of what they had envisioned, and it delivered an unparalleled shock!
Not just them, Song Chenglong and Liu Hu also stared with wide eyes, their faces filled with disbelief!
On the other side, the worry on Xia Dong and Su Qiang's faces was instantly replaced by shock!
Only Qin Xiaozhi maintained his spectator's expression.
Meanwhile, after retreating explosively, Lin Zhiping's heart raged, but he did not attack again. Instead, he stared at Jiang Wuming in disbelief, as if asking: "He's clearly just an Eight-star martial artist, why is his combat power so formidable?"
"Lin Zhiping, you piece of trash, what right do you have to compare yourself to my father? And what courage do you have to try and discipline me?!"
As if responding to everyone, Jiang Wuming slowly spoke, his voice like a muffled thunderclap, echoing across the heavens.
...
ps: Three chapters today, this is the first.