Chapter Seventy-Six: Three Moves

Su Yi, Lie Feifei, and the others turned toward the source of the voice, only to see two middle-aged men who had appeared without anyone noticing. Of the two, the older one stood in front, while the man behind respectfully kept his distance.

Lie Feifei, upon seeing the elder, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Head of the Liu family?"

This was Liu Xuan’s father. Upon seeing him, Su Yi’s expression shifted subtly. After all, he had gravely injured Liu Xuan. The Liu family head was unlikely to let the matter rest, even if the Liu family was nowhere near as powerful as the Auburn family.

Still, rumor had it that the Liu family head was a level-fifteen Battle Master. If he truly wanted to make things difficult for Su Yi, it wouldn’t be hard. Today’s issue might not end smoothly.

The Liu family head first glanced at Lie Feifei and nodded, a stiff smile breaking through his usually cold expression. “So it’s Miss Lie Feifei. What a coincidence to meet you here. How has Chief Lie Chen been lately?”

Though the Liu family head was leader of his clan, compared to the Lie family, they were not on the same level. Even as a level-fifteen Battle Master, that counted for little in the eyes of the Lie family. Just one of their squad leaders, Lie Tie, was at level fourteen—hardly weaker than the Liu family head himself.

Now that the Liu family had become subservient to the Lie family, and with Lie Feifei being the Lie family’s cherished daughter, he naturally had to show respect.

“No need for concern, Head Liu. My father is well,” Lie Feifei replied, a touch of coldness in her voice.

The Liu family head coughed dryly, recognizing that now was not the time for small talk. He turned toward Su Yi, a cold smile on his lips. “Su Yi, I bet you didn’t expect to run into me here. We must settle the matter of my son!”

Su Yi frowned slightly but remained silent. Though the situation was troublesome, he didn't feel particularly pressured. After all, he’d recently confronted Auburn Shan. Compared to the power of the Auburn family, threats from the Liu family head carried little weight.

Was this what people meant when they said that too many debts no longer burden a man?

Su Yi appeared calm, but Lie Feifei beside him was visibly less composed. Her expression darkened. “Head Liu, what do you mean by this? What are you trying to do?”

“Miss Lie, this is a personal grievance between Su Yi and me. I hope you won’t interfere...” The Liu family head’s tone turned frosty. “Su Yi not only injured my son but did so with cruel, ruthless force, shattering his Battle Aura Core and leaving him unable to practice martial arts ever again! Such arrogant and savage acts cannot go unpunished—unless there’s proper compensation, the Liu family will never let this go!”

Hearing the venomous chill in his voice, Lie Feifei didn’t know what to say. Su Yi had indeed struck hard that day, but she hadn’t expected that single kick to destroy Liu Xuan completely.

To shatter the Battle Aura Core was to cripple a man—no different from killing him. In this light, it could even be said that Su Yi had incurred a blood feud with the Liu family.

Feeling uneasy, Lie Feifei glanced at Su Yi, discovering that he looked entirely calm, not the least bit flustered. Suddenly she remembered: Su Yi had slain someone as strong as Zhong Yuan, a level-thirteen Battle Master.

Though she didn’t fully understand, it was clear Su Yi was powerful. Even facing the Liu family head, he need not be overly cautious. Besides, Su Yi was now associated with the auction house; the Liu family would have to think twice before acting against him.

With that thought, Lie Feifei’s nerves gradually settled, and she said, “I was present that day. It’s true Su Yi... may have been heavy-handed, but the incident started with Liu Xuan’s provocation. He should bear some responsibility, shouldn’t he?”

“So, a little argument justifies a violent brawl?” The Liu family head snorted, turning to Su Yi. “You certainly have the bearing of a strongman, Su Yi. But do you have the strength to back it up?!”

In this world, strength was everything. With enough power, a man could do as he pleased. If Su Yi were even at the level of a Battle Dragon, the Liu family wouldn’t dare utter a word, even if he’d killed Liu Xuan outright.

Even if the Lie family wished to intervene, they’d have to weigh the consequences carefully.

But as far as the Liu family was concerned, Su Yi didn’t have that kind of strength. Though the incident with Liu Xuan was strange, it didn’t mean Su Yi could defy reason. A man with a shattered Battle Aura Core couldn’t suddenly become a profound-level cultivator, could he?

A little disagreement, and now fists are flying?

Perhaps a year of pent-up frustration was finally being released... Su Yi sighed inwardly, then lifted his head to look at the Liu family head. At last, he spoke: “So, what do you want?”

“Hmph. This is Qin San. His strength is already at level eleven Battle Master.” The Liu family head gestured at the man beside him, a sinister smile curling his lips. “If you can withstand three of his attacks, we’ll let this go. How about it?”

His words caused a stir among everyone present—even Old Zhang, who had been avoiding involvement by hiding in the marketplace, couldn’t help but exclaim in shock. He had vaguely heard that Su Yi had crippled Liu Xuan, but hadn’t given it much thought.

But now, hearing Su Yi was going to face a Battle Master, he was too stunned for words!

Ken Mu, after his initial surprise, was secretly delighted. He had no idea how Su Yi had managed to injure Liu Xuan, but that would be useless against a Battle Master.

Heh, Su Yi—even back when you were a level-ten fighter, you were no match for a Battle Master. How could you possibly be now?

Among the crowd, Lie Feifei was perhaps the calmest. She knew that the gap between level ten and level eleven was much more than a single step, but Su Yi had slain a level-thirteen Battle Master before!

Although Qin San was a Battle Master, he was only at level eleven. If Su Yi only needed to withstand three attacks, it shouldn’t be much of a problem... So she thought, and besides—given her current ambiguous relationship with Su Yi, it wasn’t her place to try and persuade him otherwise.

Of course, Su Yi was unaware of Lie Feifei’s peculiar feelings and deep confidence in him. His own expression had grown a bit grim. He had killed a level-thirteen Battle Master before, but only by relying on the strange sharpness and surprise of his Black Dragon Tendon.

In a contest of pure strength, he was completely suppressed. The power of a Battle Master was truly formidable.

Now, with his Battle Aura gone and the Black Dragon Tendon unusable, even facing a level-eleven Battle Master, his chances were slim...

“But this is a good opportunity,” Su Yi thought to himself. He did want to know just how strong his current physical power really was, and a level-eleven Battle Master was the perfect test.

Three attacks—unlikely to be fatal. The only thing that truly worried him was the evil soul lurking within.

The negative emotions Ken Mu had triggered earlier had already faded, and Su Yi felt in control of himself again. Relieved, he looked at the Liu family head and said coolly, “It’s a deal.”

To be honest, Su Yi didn’t trust the other’s promise, but since both sides had their own agendas, he might as well play along.

With those words, Su Yi had agreed to the three-strike challenge. A flicker of surprise crossed the Liu family head’s eyes, but he quickly waved his hand with a cold inward smile: if you’re so eager to die, don’t blame me.

In duels, casualties were common, and even the auction house would have no grounds to blame him.

As the Liu family head gave the signal, Qin San, who had stood silently by his side until now, finally stepped forward. He stopped a short distance from Su Yi, a mocking smile on his face. “Heh, Su Yi, you’ve got guts. Not a trace of battle aura in you, yet you dare accept my challenge! You should know—even the old you, at level ten, was no match for me.”

Only Lie Feifei’s expression shifted at Qin San’s words. She wondered, Didn’t Su Yi say he was already a level-one fighter? Why do they say he has no battle aura at all? Come to think of it, I haven’t sensed anything, either...

“Oh? Back then I was level ten; were you already level eleven at that time?” Su Yi retorted with a sneer.

Qin San’s expression grew cold at the veiled taunt. “Sharp-tongued, aren’t you? Let’s see if you can still talk after I’m done!”

Shrugging, Su Yi set down the bundle he was carrying, standing poised for battle. His right fist slowly clenched, veins bulging as surges of strength gathered in his arm. Though he had little regard for Qin San’s manners, he harbored no illusions about his strength—he’d never reached this level before, even in his prime.

Seeing Su Yi truly taking up a fighting stance, Qin San sneered inwardly. In the next instant, he darted forward and—

Unleashed a ferocious punch!

“The first strike!”

Martial Peak, Chapter 76: Three Moves—End of Update.