Chapter 76: Ablaze

Zheng Guofeng was surrounded by a group of spirit beasts and subjected to a relentless fifteen-minute foot massage. Every time he tried to utter the words “I surrender,” he was interrupted by a swift kick from Ma Lao Wu at his side. Mo Liza was even harsher, stuffing the “Mo Family Mixed Heaven Scarf” rolled into a ball into Zheng Guofeng’s mouth, leaving him unable to surrender even if he wanted to.

In the end, even the referee outside the ring couldn’t bear to watch any longer and called an end to the match, declaring Ye Yan the victor and bringing Zheng Guofeng’s ordeal to a close.

When two Taoists helped him up from the ground, Zheng Guofeng felt as if all his bones had turned to mush. His cheeks twitched as he walked, his legs splayed awkwardly, looking for all the world like a man who had just been castrated.

Truth be told, Zheng Guofeng’s defeat was truly pitiable. As the thirteenth-generation heir to the Zheng Family Lion’s Roar, he had been one of the most prominent figures in the Luo Tian Grand Tournament. The Lion’s Roar technique was formidable in its own right, and when amplified with a loudspeaker, its power multiplied exponentially. Its vast area of effect and frightening stunning ability could easily catch an opponent off guard. Unless one faced a celebrity contestant like Zhang Lingyu or Zhuge Qing, most could put up a decent fight.

Thus, in many people’s eyes, Zheng Guofeng was a dark horse, with high expectations riding on his shoulders. Yet, of all opponents, he had the misfortune to encounter Ye Yan, a man who was essentially fishing for easy wins, and so was easily upended.

To play at stunning and intimidating in front of a Night Watchman was like brandishing a broadsword before Guan Yu himself. And even without mentioning Ye Yan, just considering the flag spirit who could coordinate with him to use the Soul-Calming Drum—how susceptible to stun could such a being possibly be?

It was for this reason that Zheng Guofeng’s Lion’s Roar failed.

After sending Zheng Guofeng on his way, Ye Yan felt refreshed and invigorated. Indeed, the joys and sorrows of mankind are rarely shared, and happiness, more often than not, is built upon another’s suffering.

Retrieving his flag spirit into his sleeve, Ye Yan picked up his folding stool and half a bag of sugar mandarins, and strolled leisurely away from the arena, leaving behind a crowd of stunned spectators.

“Senior brother, that young man is Ye Yan, isn’t he? For one so young, his methods are quite impressive.”

“Young people are truly to be feared,” Tian Jinzhong, watching Ye Yan’s departing figure from the stands, couldn’t help but sigh.

“Indeed, young people are to be feared,” the Grandmaster echoed wistfully.

Yet, letting such an overpowered youngster participate in the Luo Tian Grand Tournament—was that really appropriate?

“Senior brother, didn’t you intend to use this tournament as an opportunity to bring Chu Lan back to the mountain? Doesn’t this young man pose a potential threat?” Tian Jinzhong, knowing the Grandmaster’s intentions, couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken with him. He’s a measured young man. His purpose in joining the tournament is to help Chu Lan. You needn’t worry about that.” The Grandmaster had spoken with Ye Yan when he ascended the mountain, so he was confident in his judgment.

Still, Tian Jinzhong remained uncertain. “Are you sure he can be trusted?”

“Rest easy,” the Grandmaster replied with a gentle smile. “Enough talk about this youngster. Chu Lan’s match is probably about to start. Let me wheel you over to watch.”

“Alright.”

...

After a crisp, overwhelming victory, Ye Yan’s reputation in the Luo Tian Grand Tournament underwent a complete reversal. Those who had doubted him now changed their tune, acknowledging his strength.

After all, in two consecutive matches, he had barely exerted himself—letting his spirits do all the work, utterly crushing his opponents. That, too, was a testament to his power.

If, in the first match, Ye Liangchen had won through clever use of firearms, the second round against Zheng Guofeng was a true slap in the face to his critics.

Some couldn’t contain their curiosity and even started threads analyzing Ye Liangchen’s identity on online forums. Since his debut, dressed in black robes and a mask, no one but his close associates knew where Ye Liangchen had come from. It was as if he had appeared out of thin air.

Such a mysterious background was bound to stir speculation. Combined with his reversal in reputation, and the fact that he had won two matches without ever lifting a hand himself, the story quickly went viral.

Mysterious and powerful—these became Ye Liangchen’s new labels, following on from the likes of Ye Bushu and Tangtang Zhengzheng.

“Brother Liangchen, look, you’re famous now! The whole community’s buzzing about you. People have even started analysis threads, and look at this—Zheng Guofeng’s meme video is everywhere. It’s oddly catchy.”

“It’s spreading fast,” Little Star, a bundle of energy who couldn’t sit still, rushed over to Ye Yan with her phone the moment she learned of his fame.

“These people really do have too much time on their hands,” Ye Yan muttered, glancing at an analysis thread with over a thousand replies.

Then he clicked on the meme video. Watching Zheng Guofeng being surrounded and repeatedly stomped, set to a brainwashing jingle, he found it all rather amusing.

“Brother Liangchen, you’re famous now, but you don’t seem too happy about it?” Feng Xingtong looked at Ye Yan, puzzled.

“It was inevitable,” Ye Yan replied coolly, lighting a cigarette. “Besides, is it really so strange that I’d become famous?”

“…Not really,” Feng Xingtong said after a moment’s thought.

Had anyone else said such a thing—even a young ace like Zhang Lingyu or Zhuge Qing—Feng Xingtong would have thought them arrogant. But coming from Ye Yan, it seemed perfectly reasonable, even logical.

Besides, in Ye Yan’s mind, Night Watchman Ye Yan and the mysterious Ye Liangchen who’d emerged from nowhere were two entirely different people, with no connection at all. So why should Ye Yan care if Ye Liangchen became famous?

With Feng Xingtong’s phone in hand, Ye Yan scrolled through the forum, browsing the analysis threads. Most were mere speculations, predictions, or idle gossip—nothing threatening.

But as he kept scrolling, a post with over six thousand likes and seven hundred comments caught his eye—a hardcore analysis that left Ye Yan stupefied, his jaw nearly dropping.

The title read:

[On the Unspoken Secrets Between Night Watchman Ye Yan and the Mysterious Dark Horse Ye Liangchen in the Luo Tian Grand Tournament]

[Hello everyone, I’m Holmes Old Y, a gossip blogger with fifteen years of detective experience and twelve years as a police officer.]

[Surely those following the recent Luo Tian Grand Tournament are aware of the sensation caused by the mysterious newcomer Ye Liangchen, who reversed public opinion in the second round.]

[Many have @’d me, asking for an analysis of this dark horse’s background and true identity, so here I am.]

[Let’s cut to the chase and get started.]