However, the onlookers around at this moment looked at Qin Fang with different eyes, as if observing a miracle.

If before, Qin Fang challenging two Master Level experts, Fu Junhao and Cui Mingjun, only showed that Qin Fang was qualified to sit on the judging panel.

Now it's a completely different situation. Among so many judges, Shi Yuan is almost universally acknowledged as the number one expert. But just now, after exchanging ten to twenty moves with Qin Fang, he not only failed to gain any advantage, but his disciple was even killed outright...

This is certainly due to Qin Fang's impressive speed and movement technique, but it's also because Qin Fang's cultivation is exceedingly powerful. At the very least, Qin Fang is not weaker than Shi Yuan in terms of cultivation.

There might be a slight gap, but it's definitely not as huge as imagined... perhaps just an extremely subtle difference.

"Younger Brother Qin, you... are truly amazing!"

As soon as Qin Fang sat down, the old man Fang Zonglin couldn't help but praise him, while the younger Chen Liang and Ling Fei looked at Qin Fang with eyes full of admiration.

Only now did Fang Zonglin truly appreciate Qin Fang's cultivation. Even among these Master Level Peak experts, Shi Yuan's strength is ranked at the forefront.

Amongst so many people, apart from Steward Fu, perhaps no one else could suppress Shi Yuan... Yet, Qin Fang, so young, fought Shi Yuan head-on for more than ten moves without losing, which is sufficient to demonstrate how formidable Qin Fang truly is in combat.

The eyes of Chen Liang and his fellow disciples turned green, remembering how they tried to fight Qin Fang yesterday. If Qin Fang hadn't chosen not to trouble them, they probably would already be lying in a hospital.

Even their master, Fang Zonglin, considered himself not Shi Yuan's match. Although only a dozen moves were exchanged, it was enough to reveal how strong Qin Fang is.

Liu Xianhe seemed more composed, mainly because his own strength was too weak, though he knew Shi Yuan, as one of the eight judges, must be extremely powerful.

However, ever since Qin Fang dealt with Jin Zhengming, whom Liu Xianhe thought was almost impossible to handle, his nerves had become thicker. After this fight with Shi Yuan, he remained very calm, almost as if he already anticipated Qin Fang would not lose.

Facing Fang Zonglin's praise, Qin Fang just smiled calmly and didn't take it to heart. Shi Yuan's strength was indeed impressive, but not at the Grandmaster Level and posed no significant threat to him.

"Younger Brother Qin, Shi Yuan is not a simple person, and he bears grudges easily. I fear he might not let this go easily..."

However, Fang Zonglin was still very conscientious, quickly calming down and reminding Qin Fang with concern.

Having had dealings with Shi Yuan, he knew what kind of person Shi Yuan was, certainly not a magnanimous individual. To put it bluntly, he was rather petty.

Moreover, Qin Fang had killed his disciple Inoue... although not by Qin Fang's own hands, it was because Qin Fang used Inoue as a buffer that it happened.

"It's no big deal..."

Qin Fang just smiled, dismissively waved his hand, and continued to eat and drink.

Although he appeared relaxed and seemingly unconcerned about Shi Yuan, his eyes were subtly scanning the surroundings.

"As expected, he's not here..."

Only after a while did Qin Fang murmur to himself.

He had observed briefly that after Shi Yuan left, the place calmed down. Although many people were whispering about Qin Fang, most wouldn't dare to provoke him anymore.

However, Qin Fang noticed that Cui Zhimin, who was supposed to stay and drink with them, had completely disappeared...

And Qin Fang didn't find this strange at all, as if he had already predicted Cui Zhimin's departure.

Fang Zonglin noticed that Qin Fang didn't seem to care and wanted to say something but ultimately couldn't.

The meal that followed was rather dull, with few people saying much.

At noon, several judges took a break and watched another martial arts duel in the afternoon, just as boring as the morning. The contestants were evenly matched, fighting each other for half the afternoon. Ultimately, the Cui Family's contestant narrowly defeated the Fu Family's contestant, winning the second duel.

This made the Fu and Cui Families each win one match, currently drawing at one to one.

However, Qin Fang wasn't very interested in the outcome, nor were any of the judges. Winning or losing meant nothing to them.

Nevertheless, observant onlookers noticed something special: one of the eight judges' seats seemed empty.

Upon closer inspection, they found that Shi Yuan Yilang seemed to be absent. His seat was too conspicuous to ignore.

Though they were curious, this swordsmanship competition was jointly organized by the Fu and Cui Families, the real hosts. As mere spectators, they dared not question the authorities despite their curiosity.

As for Shi Yuan's absence, the Fu and Cui Families knew well. After losing a fight with Qin Fang and having his disciple killed, Shi Yuan, unable to avenge him, was pressured by Steward Fu, leaving him feeling disgruntled.

Shi Yuan's frustration was evident as he decided not to appear, leaving his seat empty without any consequence to himself.

Fortunately, the judges' role in this martial arts duel wasn't significant, so missing one didn't matter much.

Moreover, Shi Yuan was invited by the Fu Family. If a judge were truly needed to decide the victory, the Cui Family would naturally be more anxious than the Fu Family over the missing judge.

Thus, the Fu Family didn't mind and pretended nothing happened, maintaining the status quo.

...

The day's martial arts duels ended entirely, and Qin Fang returned to his small courtyard. After a simple inspection of the old house, finding no secret tampering, he felt much more at ease, no longer as tense as before.

"Tonight won't be so peaceful..."

Looking at the weather outside, a dark and windy night seemed a perfect time for murder?

While the outside appeared quiet, Qin Fang could clearly feel a strong killing intent approaching fast...

"They should almost be here now!"

Qin Fang was not worried at all, standing quietly at the entrance, wrapped only in a thin coat, silently waiting there.

He seemed to know who was coming, his eyes lifted slightly, looking in the direction they seemed to be coming from.

Rustling~~

Almost immediately after Qin Fang spoke those words, the desolate courtyard suddenly caught a gust of wind, and the killing intent grew stronger, even confirming Qin Fang's words.

Come out, stop hiding...

Such a strong killing intent was indeed very noticeable, and soon Qin Fang's surroundings were becoming more familiar, his gaze slightly sharper.

"If you're already here, come out quickly... don't waste time!"

Qin Fang seemed aware of the arrival of the others, his gaze calm, but his words were unkind to those hiding. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your votes and support us. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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