Chapter 22: The Unexpected, Upright Youth

In the private viewing box above the arena, Xu Qingshan's expression darkened. He quickly picked up his insulated cup, filled with goji berries, and took a sip of his health-preserving brew to steady his nerves.

This Xiang Nan had originally been the dark horse he’d so carefully arranged! Why was he acting so recklessly? Was it simply youth and hot-headedness? The others, those with second-tier strength, hadn’t even started, and yet here he was, a mere first-tier, daring to take the stage already? Shouldn’t he be calmly observing, conserving his energy, and waiting to unleash everything at the critical moment? That’s how dark horses are supposed to break through! Had he slept poorly last night, was his mind clouded?

Where was his armor? His weapon? He’d brought nothing at all? Did he think this was child’s play, when it was a battle risking one’s life? If he lost too badly, the Xu family would lose face right alongside him!

The three other elders nearby were all suppressing their laughter. Everyone knew Xu Qingshan had recruited a prodigious youth with ancestral blood, and had boasted about him at length. He was supposed to be one of the favorites to win this competition. And yet, this was what he had to show?

“Old Xu, you’ve got quite the eye, picking out such a straightforward young man!” Elder Xie Zhan quipped, his words laced with irony.

“I heard he only awakened as a first-tier martial artist last week. At least he has courage! No wonder he’s your champion pick,” Elder Su Mingzhe chimed in, his tone equally mocking.

Gu Yun couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer. “So his name is Xiang Nan? Lately, he’s been peddling fake medicine at street stalls. Must be utterly desperate. Old Xu, you’re recruiting people like this? Is our Hawk Alliance really that short-staffed?”

“So he’s a street vendor selling snake oil. No wonder he can’t sit still,” another sneered.

“He’s just a clown. Still, he’ll liven up the opening. Let’s just hope he isn’t carried off too quickly.”

“Heh, with first-tier strength, how long do you think he’ll last?”

“Maybe he’ll be knocked out in a single round? That would be entertaining!”

Xu Qingshan, caught in the middle, could only grit his teeth in silence. He felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, a bone stuck in his throat, a thorn pricking his back! All he could do was hope Xiang Nan could hold out for a while; there had to be a limit to embarrassment. If he lost in the very first match, where would Xu Qingshan’s dignity go?

On the other side, Gu Shaoqing was nearly giddy with delight. He’d thought Xiang Nan was something incredible, but it turned out he was just a fool. The first batch to enter the ring were always cannon fodder, mere warm-up acts. Yet Xiang Nan had gone up bare-handed, in a white T-shirt and jeans, not a scrap of armor on him. Not even trying to fill out the numbers properly!

If he wanted to die, then he couldn’t blame others for being merciless.

At Gu Shaoqing’s signal, a tall, armored man with a menacing aura strode aggressively onto the stage. “Let me fight you!” he declared, brandishing two mighty axes, which danced through the air with a fierce wind. When he slammed one down, dirt and stones exploded from the arena floor.

But Xiang Nan stood calmly, hands behind his back, dodging with nimble grace. The tall man, sweating profusely, found himself unable to even graze the hem of Xiang Nan’s clothes. Within a few exchanges, he left his back unguarded. Xiang Nan seized the opportunity and delivered a single powerful punch.

With a sickening crack, the armored man’s spine shuddered, blood spraying from his mouth as he collapsed, unable to rise again.

This was a newly advanced second-tier martial artist, and Xiang Nan had dispatched him with ease.

The crowd was stunned.

“Holy crap! Did I see that right? Brother Nan finished it with a single punch!”

“Those two axes were just for show, huh? Useless!”

“Wow! Xiang Nan is so cool! Even the way he fights is incredibly stylish!”

“His looks are just my type!”

In the crowd, Xu Jiya cheered excitedly, her voice ringing out above the rest.

“Go, Brother Xiang Nan!”

“Brother Xiang Nan, you’re the best!”

Her enthusiastic shouts drew many glances.

Unnoticed, high in the branches of a sturdy ancient tree, a lithe figure paused in surprise. Su Yao had somehow leapt onto the tree and, the corner of her mouth curling, she murmured, “This one is rather interesting!”

Back in the viewing box, Xu Qingshan, who’d just moments before hung his head in embarrassment, now raised his eyebrows and straightened his spine. The three elders beside him all twitched at the corners of their mouths.

“It’s only the first match. He got lucky. The real competition starts now!” Gu Yun scoffed, his gaze dark, his tone still full of disdain.

At that moment, another warrior strode confidently onto the stage—a man with thick eyebrows and sharp eyes, a long sword strapped to his back. His light, steady steps hinted at a high level of skill. But those thick eyebrows… they made him look just like a cartoon character, and Xiang Nan almost burst out laughing at the sight.

Already, several young women in the audience were giggling and whispering, the mood in the previously solemn arena shifting in an instant.

“Look at those eyebrows! They’re hilarious!”

“Why did he even bother coming up here? I never thought he was ugly before, but compared to Xiang Nan, my eyes are burning!”

“Comparison really is the thief of joy. Xiang Nan’s looks win by a mile!”

“I don’t care—if he hurts our Xiao Nan, I won’t forgive him!”

“Hey, hey, hey, have a little shame! Since when is Xiao Nan ‘yours’?”

Though they whispered, the high-pitched voices of the girls carried easily, every word reaching the thick-browed man’s ears. He’d stepped onto the stage with confidence, but now sweat beaded on his forehead as his spirits plummeted. Was this… the power of ‘looks are justice’? He refused to accept it!

Transforming his anger into strength, the thick-browed man whirled around and drew his sword.

“Let me send you off this stage!” he roared, silver blade flashing like a snake.

The sword’s cold gleam swept toward Xiang Nan. Xiang Nan blocked with a backwards twist, leaped, spun, and landed behind his opponent in a blink. But the thick-browed man was also quick, instantly swinging around to defend.

Xiang Nan was unarmed, while his opponent wielded a sword. In close combat, length is strength. The sword’s light flashed like lightning, encircling Xiang Nan from all sides. Yet, for some reason, the blade never touched him.

Several rounds passed; Xiang Nan hadn’t found an opening to attack, but thick-brow had never landed a blow either.

Impressed by the man’s fierce swordsmanship, Xiang Nan’s excitement grew. With a sly grin, he gestured, “Come at me!”

The thick-browed man raised his sword and charged like a gale. Xiang Nan, instead of retreating, crouched low and slipped past him.

No one saw how it happened, but in the next moment, the thick-browed man’s sword was in Xiang Nan’s hand.

From below, Gu Shaoqing urgently tossed his own sword onto the stage. “Catch! Teach him a lesson!”

Thick-browed caught Gu Shaoqing’s sword and struck a dramatic pose. “Within ten moves, I’ll have you beaten!”

“You?” Xiang Nan’s expression darkened, lips curling in scorn. If that’s how you want to play, don’t blame me for being ruthless!

With a sharp whistle, Xiang Nan’s sword flashed like a dancing silver serpent, striking toward several of thick-brow’s vital points in a blur of lightning-fast moves.

A series of tearing sounds echoed across t