Chapter 10: The Reward Is Mine, Even Qiao Feng Cannot Stop Me

Chapter 10: The Reward Is Mine, and Even Qiao Feng Cannot Stop Me

Qiao Feng’s sudden appearance at the manor caught everyone completely off guard. The crowd of heroes had been acting like a mob of internet trolls, gathering to tear apart a prominent figure with their vitriol, only to find the very person they were slandering standing at the gate, ready to confront them head-on.

It was profoundly awkward.

For a moment, everyone fell into a collective state of guilt-ridden unease. Except for Zhang Fang and Qi Liu, who were locked in a fierce struggle in the center of the courtyard and had missed the silent exchange of information, everyone else instinctively huddled toward their closest associates, gazing toward the gate with extreme wariness.

Under the nervous, resentful, and hostile gazes of the crowd, a large man strode into the courtyard of the Juxian Manor. He was square-jawed and tall, with a broad chest and powerful shoulders, his brows naturally radiating an air of authority. It was none other than Qiao Feng, the former leader of the Beggar Sect. In his arms, he cradled a frail-looking young woman dressed in pale yellow, with high cheekbones—a rather plain appearance. This was A’Zhu in disguise.

Qiao Feng’s gaze swept across the courtyard. He did not linger on Zhang Fang and Qi Liu, who were sparring, but quickly took in the reactions of everyone present. Just as he turned his attention to the Divine Physician Xue in the center of the crowd and prepared to speak, he was interrupted by a low, distinct dragon’s roar.

*Awoo!*

Feeling somewhat offended, Qiao Feng followed the sound. He saw the two men in the center of the courtyard: one had pulled back and leveled his blade in a defensive stance, while the other held a round shield in front of him, his right hand poised to strike, palm aimed at his opponent. The dragon’s roar had been triggered by the internal energy contained within that palm.

Unlike the others, Qiao Feng’s familiarity with the "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms" was unmatched in the entire world of martial arts. He did not even need to look; by the sound alone, he knew this "Dragon Subduing Palm" was the mark of a novice performing "The Dragon Repents." He knew this because when he had first learned the technique, his own "Dragon Repents" had sounded exactly the same.

Having confirmed that Zhang Fang was indeed using the "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms," Qiao Feng’s attention was drawn to the duel. The scene in the courtyard became bizarre: the crowd was looking at Qiao Feng with vigilance, Qiao Feng was watching Zhang Fang and Qi Liu with interest, and Zhang Fang and Qi Liu remained oblivious to everything outside, their entire focus on one another.

Seeing that Qi Liu had already braced for defense, Zhang Fang, who had already channeled his palm power, suddenly dissipated it. He had not yet mastered the ability to project and retract energy at will; the force scattered into the air, kicking up only a cloud of dust that ruffled Qi Liu’s clothes and hair.

Zhang Fang chuckled, his expression maddeningly smug. "Nothing to worry about, Senior Qi Liu. Don't be nervous; I never intended to hit you with that palm. I was just playing around!"

Qi Liu was incensed and launched a fierce counter-attack. Zhang Fang continued to defend with his "turtle strategy," which he had refined over the past hour. Holding his shield with his left hand, his right hand kept drawing circles—each one mimicking the motion of "The Dragon Repents," yet each finished without a ripple of internal energy.

His shield was like a turtle shell, leaving Qi Liu’s formidable blade skills with no opening, while his right palm remained like a viper, fixed on its prey, ready to strike at any moment.

This strange style of combat made Qiao Feng frown in disgust, almost to the point of anger. The Beggar Sect’s "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms" was the most yang and vigorous technique in the world; in the hands of this youth, it had become a hybrid of a turtle and a snake. If word got out, it would bring nothing but disgrace to the technique.

Seeing Qiao Feng’s increasingly disdainful look, You Ji felt a pang of alarm. *This man is a Khitan!* If he viewed the performance of the You family’s descendant as a joke, it would become an international embarrassment. He lowered his voice and warned, "Qiao Feng is here!"

Hearing this, Zhang Fang and Qi Liu stopped their duel and turned to look. Indeed, Qiao Feng stood at the gate, A’Zhu in his arms. Qi Liu recognized him, and while Zhang Fang did not know him personally, the context of his appearance and A’Zhu’s presence made his identity clear. What puzzled them was why Qiao Feng had appeared at Juxian Manor at this specific moment.

Zhang Fang was particularly confused. According to the intelligence he had gathered, the Heroes’ Gathering was supposed to be three days away. Why had Qiao Feng arrived early? Looking around, he saw even more people in the courtyard—major figures in the martial arts world, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Divine Physician Xue and the You brothers.

*So, while I was busy fighting Qi Liu, everyone who was supposed to come has already arrived? More importantly, if Qiao Feng has already shown up, my plan to send men out for information is pointless. What about my quest reward?*

"Hum!"

Thinking of the reward, Zhang Fang didn't hesitate. He slammed his shield toward Qi Liu, who was preparing to cease the fight.

*Qiao Feng is here? I am determined to claim the final reward for this challenge, and even Qiao Feng cannot stop me. I said so!*

Qi Liu, expecting the fight to end with Qiao Feng’s arrival, was caught off guard by the sneak attack. He barely had time to block with his blade before Zhang Fang used his shield to pin the steel and shoved him back five steps with a brutal charge.

Glaring at Zhang Fang, Qi Liu was about to speak when he saw Zhang Fang’s right hand draw one final circle.

*Awoo!*

A perfectly executed "Dragon Repents" struck the inner side of Zhang Fang’s own shield. The powerful, surging palm energy transferred through the shield to the blade of Qi Liu’s sword, and then directly into Qi Liu himself.

The unfortunate Qi Liu was forced back three more steps by the "striking across the mountain" force, completely driven out of the combat zone. Before he could shout an inquiry, Zhang Fang cupped his hands and said, "Senior Qi Liu, I concede the honor!"

[You have defeated the final opponent in the hidden quest "Contest for the Quota." Reward: 200 points.]

*Ding!* The Reward Critical Hit system has activated. Your quest reward is increased by 100%!

[Reward: 400 points!]

[You have defeated all opponents in the hidden quest "Contest for the Quota." Final reward: 1,000 points.]

*Ding!* The Reward Critical Hit system has activated. Your quest reward is increased by 100%!

[Reward: 2,000 points!]

Hearing the sequence of system notifications, Zhang Fang felt a wave of absolute satisfaction.