Chapter 24: Paying to Get Beaten? Who’s the Fool Losing Out Here?
The next morning, after early lessons, instead of dispersing to train as usual, the Combat Sect disciples gathered around the task board, reading it with great curiosity.
“Unbelievable! You live long enough, and you really see all kinds of missions. Look at this one,”
Sparring Partner Wanted—
Requirents: Must be at least Innate Realm with proficient combat skills.
Reward: 1 virtue rit every 3 days or 1 White Bone Pill!
“Paying to get beaten up? Just how desperate is this guy?”
In the Combat Sect, training wasn’t just a routine, it was a way of life. Sparring happened constantly. Not once every three days or once a week, but five tis before noon and three full fights a day! Winning ant bragging all night. Losing ant either brooding in silence or yelling “I’ll get you next ti!” Any grudges? Settle them with a duel. But paying to get beaten up? None of them could understand the logic behind this.
“Who cares? If there’s a reward, I’m taking it!”
“Junior Brother, let go test the waters first. Let’s see who this poor fool is…”
Before anyone could react, soone let out a howl and the crowd sward toward the task official. But Master Xuan Yuan had already given prior instructions, so the official glanced through the crowd before settling on one person.
“Jing Yin, you can do it! Do well! Don’t embarrass the Combat Sect!”
The mont Jing Yin’s na was called, the entire crowd fell into complete silence.
“Jing Yin? He actually signed up?”
“It’s over… it’s all over. I was hoping to try this mission soday…But now that Jing Yin’s involved, it’s over for all of us!”
The Combat Sect disciples sighed in disappointnt, losing all interest in staying. A new recruit looked around, confused.
“Uh… what’s wrong with Senior Brother Jing Yin?”
“He’s not exactly ‘wrong’…It’s just that he has trouble holding back.”
“Trouble holding back?! That’s putting it way too lightly! Jing Yin’s real na was Jing Neng—do you know why he changed it to Jing Yin?”
The new recruit shook his head vigorously, full of curiosity.
“Why?”
“Because he practices the Thirty-Six Styles of Wind and Thunder Palm. Fast as wind, loud as thunder—his strikes are both swift and lethal. His opponents never even get the chance to surrender—they just drop imdiately. Over ti, ‘Jing Neng’ beca ‘Jing Yin’.”
The new recruit’s mouth dropped wide open.
“So…?”
“So, whoever issued that task… they’re dood. Even with healing elixirs, they’ll be stuck in bed for at least ten days.”
“Paying to get beaten up… I’ve never seen this before.”
“I wonder which poor fool is reckless enough to agree to spar with Jing Yin…”
At that exact mont, the “reckless fool” Xu Xuan was eting the legendary Jing Yin himself. Unlike most of the Combat Sect who worshipped hulking muscles, Jing Yin was tall but lean, almost scrawny. His wide robe hung loosely on his fra, fluttering as if a strong breeze could blow him away.
“Alchemy Sect disciple, Xu Xuan. A pleasure, Junior Brother Jing Yin! Our match today—no matter who wins or loses, I ask that you keep it confidential.”
The mont Jing Yin heard “Alchemy Sect,” he froze. The only people who could afford such high-paying sparring missions were usually Celestial Master Zhang’s direct descendants or a High Elder’s heir from Shangqing Palace. But an Alchemy Sect disciple…?
Among the four Sects of Mount Longhu, the Combat Sect was unquestionably the strongest followed by the Artifact and Talisman Sects—one specialized in weapons, the other in charms. Both were combat-focused. But the Alchemy Sect? Alchemy, dicine, pills—they were at the bottom of the whole lot.
Hearing Xu Xuan call him “Junior Brother” Jing Yin imdiately disliked him. But he figured—after the fight, this kid would learn respect. Then he heard Xu Xuan’s request for secrecy and nearly laughed out loud.
He must be scared of losing and embarrassing himself. How can soone this prideful ever beco a true master? Whatever—I’m just here to earn virtue rits!
Jing Yin straightened up and saluted.
“I’m a disciple of the Combat Sect, Jing Yin. Please instruct , Junior Brother Xu!”
Xu Xuan saluted back.
“Please—go ahead and attack first.”
Jing Yin almost burst out laughing. Letting him attack first? Did Xu Xuan want to die? The mont his Wind and Thunder Palm started, his opponent wouldn’t even have ti to defend! But there was no need to explain. Once Xu Xuan got beaten senseless, he’d figure it out himself.
“Be careful, Junior Brother!”
The instant his voice fell—
BOOM!
A thunderclap exploded in the air and Jing Yin had vanished. When he reappeared, his fist—wrapped in wind and lightning—was inches from Xu Xuan’s face. One punch beca two, two beca four…In the blink of an eye, the sky was filled with countless phantom fists, crashing down like a tidal wave.
Good!
Xu Xuan’s eyes lit up in excitent.
This is exactly what I needed!
Refining Qi took patience. But martial arts? You had to fight. No matter how talented you were, without real combat experience, all of it ant nothing. Jing Yin sighed.
This fool still hasn’t reacted? I’d better hold back a little. Otherwise, the elders will scold again.
But the very next second—
BOOM!
Xu Xuan threw a punch. The wall of fists instantly shattered. Jing Yin flew backwards like a rag doll, slamming into the far wall with a thunderous crash, then slowly slid down like a crumpled scroll. His head spun and his mind went blank.
Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?
“Junior Brother? Jing Yin? Are you alright?”
Xu Xuan rushed forward, checking his pulse and pupils. He had held back. His punch should’ve only caused minor internal shock. At worst, Jing Yin would need a few minutes of rest. But looking at him now…Why did he seem like he’d been knocked into another dinsion?
Xu Xuan even considered acupuncture or dicine—before Jing Yin finally snapped back to reality.
“You… you… how are you this strong?!”
If not for the burning pain in his chest, Jing Yin wouldn’t have believed he had lost. He had not just lost—he was utterly destroyed. He was one of the strongest in the Combat Sect. He stood a good chance even against Innate Fifth Realm opponents. Yet, here, with just one punch, he was sent flying— a punch from an Alchemy Sect disciple at that!
“Junior Brother, my apologies! I was born a bit too strong…And I haven’t fought many people before…So my control is still a little off…”
Jing Yin blinked rapidly, desperately fighting back tears. He had said the sa words before, to his own victims.
So this is karma. This is retribution.
Jing Yin held himself together until Xu Xuan spoke again.
“But don’t worry, Junior Brother—I think after two more rounds, I’ll have my strength fully adjusted!”
And just like that, Jing Yin broke down.
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