Chapter 217: Different Treatment

Cheng Xiaoleng rolled her eyes. "That goes without saying. Who enters the sect's grand competition aiming to lose?"

Yan Yuqing also smiled wryly. "Uncle-master, what kind of question is that? How could I not want to win? It's just that the gap in strength is evident; winning would be very difficult for me."

Jiang Fan then asked, "Would you be able to accept winning in a less-than-honorable way?"

Doubt appeared in Yan Yuqing's eyes. How could one play tricks in the face of absolute power?

Jiang Fan stared at Feng Haoyuan, his gaze insightful. "If you want to defeat him fairly and squarely based on pure strength, it would indeed be very difficult. However, if you don't mind using a clever trick, I can show you a way."

A clever trick? Cheng Xiaoleng and Chai Yingrong exchanged dubious looks. Everyone had witnessed Feng Haoyuan's strength; what kind of trick could possibly work against him?

Yan Yuqing wasn't entirely convinced either, but said, "Please speak freely, Uncle-master. As long as it doesn't violate sect rules, there's no problem."

Jiang Fan nodded slowly. "While observing Feng Haoyuan in his previous fight, I noticed his right leg was somewhat clumsier than his left. It's likely due to an injury in his right leg, which hinders his ability to exert full power. If you attack his right leg, it should have a surprisingly effective result."

Cheng Xiaoleng paused, then asked, "How did I not notice that?"

Chai Yingrong also shook her head blankly. "I observed Feng Haoyuan carefully just now, and there was no obvious difference between his legs."

Even Yan Yuqing was skeptical. But with a 'what-if-it-works' attitude, she cupped her hands and said, "Thank you for the advice, Uncle-master." She then immediately jumped onto the arena to fight Feng Haoyuan.

Hua Xiangchen watched leisurely, asking, "Junior Sister Li, Senior Brother Wang, what are your thoughts on Junior Sister Yuqing's match?"

Li Shiqian said indifferently, "What is there to think? How could she, a sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, possibly defeat a leg technique master like Feng Haoyuan?"

Wang Yunguo slowly sipped a cup of wine, stating with indifference, "A loss is inevitable. If she apologizes to me properly later, and I'm in a good mood, I might not mind giving her some pointers on her weaknesses."

Hua Xiangchen chuckled. "Then I'll thank Junior Brother Wang on behalf of Junior Sister Yuqing beforehand."

However, after they had exchanged blows for a while in the arena, Hua Xiangchen slightly furrowed his brow.

Wang Yunguo also put down his wine cup. "Twenty moves, and it's still going? Yan Yuqing's strength seems a bit greater than I anticipated."

With sharp eyes, Li Shiqian noticed the problem. "Did you two notice? She's been continuously attacking Feng Haoyuan's right leg."

Prompted by her, the two observed carefully and then realized. As Li Shiqian had said, Yan Yuqing focused her attacks on his right leg, and Feng Haoyuan seemed to hold back, retracting several powerful attacks because of it. Only then did they see the anomaly.

A hint of surprise appeared on Li Shiqian's face. "Feng Haoyuan's right leg seems a bit stiff. Could it be injured?"

Wang Yunguo's eyes flashed with surprise. "Senior Brother Hua, this Junior Sister Yan isn't as lacking in martial talent as you made her out to be. At the very least, neither of us noticed the issue with Feng Haoyuan's right leg. Yet, Junior Sister Yan acutely perceived it. I'm quite interested in her now."

It wasn't just them who were surprised. All the elders and disciples present also showed expressions of astonishment. No one had discovered Feng Haoyuan's leg injury, yet Yan Yuqing had managed to notice it!

What should have been a crushing victory for Feng Haoyuan over Yan Yuqing, under Yan Yuqing's strategy of focusing on his right leg, turned into a protracted battle. Eventually, as Feng Haoyuan continued to execute his moves, his leg injury worsened. Yan Yuqing found an opening and sent him flying off the arena with a single palm strike.

Feng Haoyuan's eyes were filled with reluctance, which eventually turned into a hint of admiration. He cupped his hands and said, "Junior Sister Yan, what keen eyesight! My leg injury was almost fully recovered, and there were virtually no signs of abnormality. I didn't expect Junior Sister Yan to discover it anyway."

Yan Yuqing was breathless and somewhat ashamed, saying, "It was an unfair victory."

Feng Haoyuan waved his hand. "Perception is also part of a martial artist's strength. I concede defeat wholeheartedly."

Amidst the astonished gazes of the entire audience, the referee announced Yan Yuqing's overwhelming victory. Yan Yuqing walked back, feeling light as a feather. Every step felt like she was treading on clouds; it seemed unreal. She had actually defeated Feng Haoyuan, a master of leg techniques, despite being a level lower than him. Under the countless gazes, she could barely contain the joy in her heart.

When she saw Jiang Fan sitting in his seat, the respect in her eyes deepened further. If not for her uncle-master's guidance, she wouldn't have had a single chance to win. So, lifting her goose-yellow long skirt, she ran towards him with a smile.

She happened to pass by Hua Xiangchen and the others' seats. Hua Xiangchen smiled. "Junior Sister Yuqing, congratulations! Your performance just now was highly praised by both Junior Sister Li and Junior Brother Wang. Quickly go prepare a pot of spirit wine and offer a toast to them both. If they're in a good mood, they might even give you some pointers, which would be more beneficial than months, or even a year, of your own arduous training."

Yan Yuqing had no time to pay attention to them. She gave a hurried smile and said, "Excuse me, Senior Brothers and Senior Sister, I need to go join my uncle-master. Perhaps another time!"

She joyfully returned to Jiang Fan's side, exclaiming excitedly, "Uncle-master, I really won by following your method!"

Jiang Fan let out a dry laugh. "After all, this method isn't entirely honorable. Using it too much in sparring among fellow disciples can easily cause ill will. Against outsiders, there are no limits. But among fellow disciples, it's better to use fewer such tactics." As the one who pointed out this path, Jiang Fan also felt a bit embarrassed.

Yan Yuqing showed a hint of shame. It was indeed an uneasy victory. However, that didn't stop her from expressing gratitude to Jiang Fan. She took out a pot of spirit wine and poured two cups. She handed one cup to Jiang Fan, and then tipped her head back, downing the other. She said, "Uncle-master, this cup is my thanks to you."

This startled Cheng Xiaoleng. She whispered, "Yuqing, what are you doing? Isn't this offending Senior Sister Li and Senior Brother Wang?" Just now, when asked to toast them, she said 'another time'. Yet she turned around and toasted Jiang Fan instead.

Yan Yuqing didn't look at the expressions of Hua Xiangchen and the other two. A trace of relief appeared on her delicate face. "Let them be. What's wrong with me showing respect to my own uncle-master?"

After the incident with Jiang Qin, she gradually saw things clearly. She had been bullied by Jiang Qin not just for a day or two. All the connections she had worked so hard to build—had any of them stood up for her? They merely regarded her as a pretty accessory, summoned when needed, ignored when not. In contrast, her uncle-master, whom she had just met, stood up for her and guided her in the competition. Was there any need to say which was more important?

This scene completely made Li Shiqian and Wang Yunguo lose face. "This is outrageous! Who does she think I, Li Shiqian, am? How dare she embarrass me like this?"

Wang Yunguo's face darkened; he was clearly angry too. "We gave her face by asking her to toast us, and she refused. Yet she respectfully toasted some uncle-master! Fine! So she values this uncle-master so much, does she? During the friendly match later, I'll see what abilities this uncle-master of hers truly possesses!"