CHAPTER 741: CHAPTER 746: THE FINAL SHOWDOWN (2)

Ling Chen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, gasping for air heavily, trying to alleviate the pain in his body.

When his breath became smooth, Ling Chen stared straight at Wang Hao in front of him, with a flicker in his eye, seemingly deep in thought. In fact, there was no need for him to suffer so much. As long as he agreed to Wang Hao’s terms and admitted defeat willingly, he could easily obtain the Nine Elements Pill and then rescue his father, Ling Kun, from Ji Gang’s grasp.

Before the start of the martial arts competition, Wang Hao had mentioned asking Ling Chen to deliver the Nine Elements Pill to Su He as a gift for becoming his disciple. Whether Su He would agree was another matter. By then, Ling Chen could completely take the Nine Elements Pill to save his father.

However, Ling Chen couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing, nor did he want to accept someone else’s kindness for nothing.

Su He allowing him to attend the grand event at Yangxin Pavilion and giving him the opportunity to compete for the Nine Elements Pill was already extremely challenging, and he didn’t want to trouble Su He further. Besides, there was another important reason; he did not wish to lose face for himself and Su He.

Even if he was to lose, he would do so with dignity. Furthermore, the contempt in Wang Hao’s tone and demeanor irked Ling Chen. From Wang Hao’s words and behavior, Ling Chen could feel that even though Wang Hao was polite, he didn’t take him seriously at all.

Of course, as a high-ranking fighter on the Earthly List, Wang Hao indeed had the right to look down on him.

But as a peer, Ling Chen could not stand being underestimated. Hence, even if he didn’t fight for Su He’s honor today, he would fight for his own.

"Still want to continue?" Wang Hao looked at Ling Chen, who remained silent, and shook his head: "Your strength is far inferior to mine, even if I fought you with one hand tied, you still couldn’t beat me. As you are now, you’re not qualified to be my opponent."

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen struggled to lift the corners of his mouth into a faint smile as he struggled to stand up from the ground, then patted the dust off his clothes with his hand.

Seeing the smile bloom on Ling Chen’s handsome face, everyone was stunned, their expressions filled with puzzlement.

Has the guy been knocked silly by Wang Hao? To still be able to smile at a time like this, could it be due to the verbal blows from Wang Hao that he laughed out of sheer rage?

While everyone was speculating, Wang Hao slightly furrowed his brows and directly asked: "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing much. Can’t one even smile? Regardless, it’s always better to smile than to cry, right?"

"You still refuse to admit defeat?"

"It’s too early to admit defeat now."

As he spoke, Ling Chen reached into his clothes and pulled out a small wine gourd.

Wine gourd?

The crowd scrutinized the wine gourd in Ling Chen’s hands, slightly taken aback. Then, as if someone had sparked a thought, their gazes shifted from Ling Chen to Du Kang in the stands.

Everyone knew that Du Kang was virtually never without his wine gourd; now that Ling Chen pulled out a wine gourd, it led everyone to subconsciously associate it with Du Kang. Could it be... Ling Chen still had a trick up his sleeve?

While they pondered, they saw Ling Chen on the stage uncork the wine gourd and drink directly from it, taking huge gulps.

It didn’t take long for all the wine in the gourd to be consumed.

Ling Chen tossed away the empty wine gourd, his pale face instantly flushing red, with steam rising from his head.

Uh!

Probably from drinking too much, Ling Chen let out a burp, his face flush with drunkenness, his feet seemingly losing strength, and his body swaying from side to side.

This is... Seeing the change in Ling Chen, the crowd seemed to have guessed something, their eyes filled with surprise.

Su Mei, Yang Zhe, Yang Tao, Du Kang, and the others looked at Ling Chen with his red face from drinking and their expressions changed slightly; they all stood up, a hint of concern in their brows.

"This kid...why did he drink it all at once?" Du Kang muttered to himself.

Before the competition began, Du Kang mentioned that this fight was very dangerous for Ling Chen. If he did not use some tricks, Ling Chen probably wouldn’t last long. Thus, he had Yang Tao give Ling Chen a gourd filled with specially made strong liquor to keep as a contingency.

However, the amount of strong liquor in that gourd was not small; it was enough for three uses, yet Ling Chen drank it all in one go.

This strong liquor was brewed by Du Kang himself, and he was very aware of its effects. Being drunk all at once by Ling Chen, it was uncertain whether his body could withstand it.

Alas! This kid... really is too impulsive.

At this moment, as the alcoholic strength surged, Ling Chen felt a rush of heat in his body, boiling hot as if there was a raging flame burning inside him, every part of his body ached unbearably.

Damn!

It seems he drank too much.

Ling Chen gave a self-mocking smile.

He thought that the gourd Yang Tao gave him was just one serving, but only after drinking did he realize it was definitely more than that. Now, the blazing fire was causing his internal organs immense pain, and he wished he could just find some water to drink to relieve the discomfort.

But there was no water to drink at this time, and with no other choice, Ling Chen could only rely on his willpower to endure it fiercely.

Although his body suffered unbearable pain from the burning, it was not without benefits. He had been injured consecutively by Wang Hao, and his whole body was in unbearable pain. But now, under the influence of the strong liquor, despite feeling uncomfortable, he no longer felt any pain, as if all the pain had been erased from his body.

Ling Chen was clear in his heart, the pain hadn’t disappeared; it was merely suppressed by the alcohol and he simply couldn’t feel it.

At this moment, everyone’s eyes were wide open, staring at Ling Chen on the stage with his face flushed red.

This is... This is Du Kang’s secret technique!

Anyone with a bit of insight recognized it immediately.

For a time, everyone’s gaze collectively turned to Du Kang. They all knew, Du Kang only had one official disciple, Yang Tao, and would never teach his skills to outsiders, let alone his secret techniques.

However, Ling Chen was not only Su He’s disciple, but he also enjoyed the special care of Du Kang, a kind of treatment not just anyone could have.

With the support of two Heavenly List masters behind him, Ling Chen’s fortune was indeed considerable.

Wang Hao stared at Ling Chen’s crimson face, his brows unconsciously furrowed, and his expression revealed a trace of cold severity.

He couldn’t understand, what virtues and abilities did this guy possess, that he could receive the favor of two Heavenly List masters. In terms of talent, aptitude, and strength, in what way was he inferior to Ling Chen. Not to mention Ling Chen, among the many disciples of Yangxin Pavilion, which one could compare to him.

But why, why couldn’t such an outstanding individual like him gain the favor of others.

Thinking of this, Wang Hao felt a surge of anger rising from the bottom of his heart.

Today, he would let everyone know that he, Wang Hao, was the most outstanding, the most formidable talent, and only he deserved the favor of the Heavenly List masters.

"Not good!"

Although far away, Du Kang’s eyes sharpened. From Wang Hao’s expression, he could tell the other had become angry.