Chapter 126: A Coward’s Eye!

Chapter 126: A Coward's Eye! 

The moment he removed his mask, everyone familiar with the boy from two years ago was stunned into silence.

Shangguan Qianzhi froze in disbelief.

Zhao Heng was struck dumb.

And in the crowd, Shangguan Xiong and many others stood utterly petrified.

Two years ago, he was a Ling Bone talent, crippled by shattered meridians and branded as useless.

Today, he returned as a Ling Bone talent, a genius rune master, rising triumphantly from the ashes!

"Mu Feng!"

"Mu Feng!"

"It's Mu Feng!"

"Mu Feng, he's Mu Feng! Feng Ye is Mu Feng!"

The exclamations swept through the crowd like wildfire, leaving everyone staring in awe at the silver-haired youth.

The face was the same but more mature and resolute.

The person was the same but no longer bore the shame of being labeled a failure.

Stunned Reactions

"How... how is this possible? Mu Feng? Wasn't he supposed to be dead?"

Zhao Heng's expression twisted in shock and discomfort.

"Mu Feng... Mu Feng, what is going on here?"

Shangguan Xiong turned toward Mu Chen, whose face was painted with a smug smile.

"It's Feng-ge! Feng-ge isn't dead!"

Among the Mu family's youth, cries of joy erupted as they realized who stood before them.

"Mu Feng! Mu Feng! What's happening?!"

In a nearby pavilion, Nan Hao, the Prince of the North, clenched the railing, his sharp gaze locked onto the figure.

"Your Highness, I... I don't know!" stammered Duan Qianmou, visibly shaken. "Wasn't Mu Feng killed by Zhang Ju?"

Shangguan Qianzhi, meanwhile, staggered back a step, staring at the white-haired, crimson-eyed figure with a mixture of fear and disbelief.

"Y-you're Mu Feng? Are you human... or ghost?"

"Surprised to see me?"

Mu Feng's voice was calm, almost casual, but his gaze soon locked onto Zhao Heng.

His tone turned icy as he raised a finger, pointing directly at the elder.

"Old man, do you remember me? It's been two years, but I, Mu Feng, have returned!"

A Challenge Fulfilled

The words "I have returned!" echoed through the massive plaza, silencing the crowd.

Zhao Heng's face turned ashen as he stepped forward.

"I never imagined... you'd still be alive," he muttered bitterly.

"How could I die before taking your eye?" Mu Feng retorted, his voice sharp as a blade.

"Two years ago, you humiliated and rejected me, calling me a failure. You even made a bet—if I could defeat Shangguan Qianzhi in two years, you'd pluck out your own eye and apologize. Do you remember that promise?"

Mu Feng turned toward the crowd, his voice carrying across the plaza:

"Everyone here must have heard it back then. Zhao Heng and I made an agreement. Today, I've returned to honor it!"

Finally, his gaze fell on Shangguan Qianzhi, and his voice boomed with authority:

"Shangguan Qianzhi, face me in battle!"

A Roar of Support

"Feng-ge, we remember! We all remember! Feng-ge, you're alive, and we support you!"

The Mu family's youths erupted in a chorus of cheers.

"Shangguan Qianzhi, fight him!"

Mu Kuang roared, his voice echoing across the plaza.

"Shangguan Qianzhi, fight him!"

Bai Ziyue joined in, his cold voice cutting through the air.

"Shangguan Qianzhi, fight him!"

Dozens of Mu family members shouted in unison, their voices a battle cry that shook the heavens.

Shangguan Qianzhi's face paled, his body trembling as he found himself the focus of the crowd's fiery gaze.

"You don't believe his meridians are healed? Then fight him!" Zhao Heng sneered, trying to mask his unease.

"I..."

Shangguan Qianzhi felt his knees weaken but knew he had no way out.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, glaring at Mu Feng with forced bravado.

"Mu Feng, I don't believe you've made such a miraculous recovery. I've been at the Royal Academy for two years and reached the Purple Palace Realm, Level 6. Even if your meridians are restored, there's no way you're stronger than me!"

Mu Feng's smile was as sharp as a blade.

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself? Two years ago, I crushed you. Today, I'll do it again."

A Crushing Blow

"Stop underestimating me! Golden Shadow Fist!"

Shangguan Qianzhi roared, his body surging with energy as he launched himself at Mu Feng.

His fist gleamed with golden light, slicing through the air with a ferocious force that sent ripples across the plaza.

Mu Feng remained calm, his lips curling into a disdainful smirk.

"You call this power? Against you, a simple Tong Mai-level punch will suffice."

With a single step forward, he launched his own punch.

His body surged with the energy of eight cyclones, pouring into his fist like a torrent.

Twelve audible cracks rang out from his arm as his energy ignited into a radiant white glow.

Boom!

The two fists collided, unleashing a shockwave that rippled across the platform.

"Ahhh!"

A scream tore from Shangguan Qianzhi's lips as his fist shattered under the force of Mu Feng's blow.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Twelve sickening pops echoed as his arm exploded into a mist of blood and bone.

His mangled body flew backward, landing over ten meters away, writhing on the ground in agony.

Silence and Awe

The crowd was deathly silent, their collective breath caught in their throats.

"Purple Palace Realm, Level 8!" someone finally shouted, breaking the silence.

"One punch... defeated him with one punch!"

"He's reached Purple Palace Level 8!"

"Shangguan Qianzhi wasn't even a match for him!"

The spectators erupted into chaos, their disbelief and awe palpable.

Among them, Zhao Heng's face twisted with shock and fear.

"Feng-ge! Feng-ge!"

The Mu family's youths chanted his name, their voices filled with fervent admiration.

A Call for Justice

Mu Feng turned to Zhao Heng, his gaze icy.

"Zhao Heng, honor your promise. Pluck out your eye and apologize."

Behind him, the Mu family elders, led by Mu Chen, stepped forward, their presence reinforcing Mu Feng's demand.

"Zhao Heng, honor your promise! Pluck out your eye and apologize!"

Mu Kuang, Bai Ziyue, and the other Mu family members echoed the call, their voices thundering across the plaza.

Zhao Heng's face turned ashen as he trembled under the weight of their collective gaze.

"Boy, don't push your luck," Zhao Heng growled, his voice laced with anger. "I admit I underestimated you, but don't think you can bully me!"

Mu Feng stepped forward, his voice unwavering.

"What if I am? Today, you either honor your word or don't leave this place alive!"

Behind him, Mu Chen and the other Mu family elders stood tall, their combined might making it clear: they would not back down.