Returning to the Mysterious Era-Chapter 236 - The Eastern Three Stars

A car stopped in front of the entrance to the Red Falcon Fist gym at 3:30 p.m. The car’s rear passenger door opened, and a young girl with tea-green hair stepped out, dressed in a simple all-white outfit. Honed through years of physical training, her figure was strikingly elegant. She had a noticeably pinched waist, and a proud, upright posture. Her delicate, fair features carried an inexplicable air of gentleness.

This was Feng Liusi's granddaughter, Neve.

The door on the driver's side also opened, revealing a man in his forties who bore a slight resemblance to Neve. His robust physique and commanding presence were accentuated by the brown stubble covering his face. To further emphasize his identity as a martial artist, he wore a tight-fitting martial artist's uniform. This was Luen, Neve's father and the current sect master of Red Falcon Fist.

The two made their way into the gym, where the disciples greeted them weakly, reflecting the somewhat despondent atmosphere. As they walked further into the gym, they were approached by a man who seemed to be older than Luen. His eyes revealed his fatigue, and he had a wry smile on his face.

"Sect master, they came again. This time, it was the second core disciple of Evil Eye Fist. Three of our disciples went up and all three lost, including the second core disciple, Chris," said Carlo, the second elder responsible for managing the Red Falcon Fist headquarters.

Luen sighed deeply. Evil Eye Fist and other powerful forces had almost entirely stopped hiding their intentions in the last half month. They had been sending core disciples one after another to challenge Red Falcon Fist. As the largest Covert Martial Arts sect in Wenxia County, Evil Eye Fist enjoyed a significant advantage in terms of resources and fresh blood over the Red Falcon Fist, making it difficult for them to withstand the onslaught.

What was more despicable was that after the Evil Eye Fist core disciples injured Red Falcon Fist’s core disciples during these "friendly" matches, they offered compensation on the surface while secretly encouraging other Covert Martial Arts sects to challenge Red Falcon Fist. Even sects who were usually inferior to Red Falcon Fist would take advantage of the injuries sustained by Red Falcon Fist’s core disciples and challenge them. They were clearly trying to exert pressure on Red Falcon Fist to force them into joining the so-called Eastern Alliance.

More than a decade ago, the Eastern Nine Sects had become increasingly active as their ties grew tighter. Cloud Dog Fist in East Sea County took the lead and held the first Eastern Covert Martial Arts Exchange Tournament, which led to the collective known as the Eastern Nine Sects. This group primarily consisted of the top sects from the six counties in the East. They monopolized the discourse and even consolidated resource allocation among the sects.

These sects were at least second-rate, with great influence and a strong younger generation that excelled in combat. The Eastern Nine Sects then began considering the consolidation of the entire Eastern Covert Martial Arts community. Each member sect was responsible for managing the various Covert Martial Arts sects in their respective county. Thus, Evil Eye Fist was responsible for Wenxia County.

Since the Eastern Nine Sects wanted to maintain their reputation despite their overwhelming might, they did not opt for open conflict or direct confrontations involving combat artists. Instead, they used subtle means, such as financial pressure, resource manipulation, medicinal herbs, and secret techniques to entice or oppress the smaller sects. They also sent their younger generation to challenge these sects’ disciples, which only applied further pressure.

They would only consider deploying combat artists when absolutely necessary. The consolidation of the Eastern Nine Sects had not seen any large-scale bloodshed or the involvement of top executives. However, if needed, the Eastern Nine Sects could lend experts to each other, and the most outstanding members of the younger generation would travel across counties. These were often the first core disciples of the top-ranking sects, known for their exceptional talent and formidable combat prowess.

These future leaders naturally seized the opportunity to build their reputations in this era of consolidation, where the Eastern Nine Sects sought to carve out their territories. Moreover, their achievements could potentially impact the rankings within the Eastern Nine Sects. So far, three individuals from the Eastern Covert Martial Arts community had recently risen to prominence, collectively known as the Eastern Three Stars.

These three were top-tier geniuses and first core disciples of their respective sects. They had all reached the Major Culmination stage of pugilists at minimum, and armed with a wealth of Secret Techniques, their combat strength surpassed that of some sect masters. The closest of the three to Wenxia County was Soul-Breaking Sword Lance, who had come into prominence for his feats in the neighboring Kaijong County. He had challenged a third of the Covert Martial Arts sect masters in the county and had gone undefeated. Two-thirds of the matches had resulted in victories while the rest had been draws.

Since the situation in Kaijong County was largely settled, it was likely that Soul-Breaking Sword Lance would soon come to Wenxia County. Red Falcon Fist was the most prominent target in the county, so they would likely face his challenge. In such a scenario, it wouldn’t be the core disciples but Sect Master Luen himself who would have to step up. Victory would be favorable, a draw might be acceptable, but a loss would bring disgrace and severely impact the sect.

Most of the smaller sects in Wenxia County had been integrated into Evil Eye Fist, leaving only a few medium-sized sects. Luen had just met with them to discuss the situation, but the outcome wasn't promising, as some sects had already begun to waver.

The primary reason these sects had held out on joining the Eastern Alliance was that the Eastern Nine Sects had demanded that they share some of their Secret Techniques, share medicinal herb resources, and even allow for their disciples to be recruited. This would create a pyramid structure where the sects at the top could continuously drain resources from those below. However, if the situation became too untenable, these sects might just be forced to compromise and join the Eastern Alliance.

But Red Falcon Fist was in a particularly difficult position. Evil Eye Fist had demanded that Red Falcon Fist reveal its full Covert Martial Arts legacy and share all its Secret Techniques. It seemed that they still bore an old grievance involving Blood Fist Feng Liusi. Naturally, Red Falcon Fist couldn’t possibly agree to this, as doing so would render the sect almost obsolete. After all, if the core Covert Martial Arts techniques of a sect fell into the hands of their rivals, the sect’s fate would be up to them.

The atmosphere in the conference room was tense. Luen, along with several elders who had rushed over, were engaged in a heated discussion. But the Great Elder’s voice rang loudest.

"Why hasn't the former sect master come down from the mountain? Luen, you should understand the situation we're in now. If we keep dragging this out, we might be better off agreeing to Evil Eye Fist's demands!"

Luen frowned at the elder's harsh words.

"It's not that I don't want to inform my father, but the Loka Mountains are overrun with venomous snakes, insects, and fierce beasts from July to September. Even pugilists using special insect repellent powder are at great risk," Luen explained. "Who could have predicted that the situation would deteriorate this much in just two months?" He shook his head. "We just need to hold on for one more week, then it'll be manageable."

"One week, huh?" The Great Elder stroked his goatee as he sneered. "I'm afraid it might be too late by then. I just heard that Soul-Breaking Sword Lance, one of the Eastern Three Stars, has already set out for Wenxia County. When he arrives, you'll be the first one he challenges."

"I'll face him," Luen responded firmly.

"Let's hope you’re just as confident when he arrives. " The Great Elder retorted coldly before storming out.

The Great Elder was in charge of Red Falcon Fist's medicinal herb supply . He was not weak either, so his status was on par with Luen’s. After Feng Liusi had gone into seclusion, the Great Elder's seniority had given him even more authority. Thus, friction between him and Luen was not uncommon, and he was followed out of the conference room by several other elders.

Only a handful of sect elders remained in the conference room as Luen continued the discussion.

Outside in the corridor, four or five elders quietly chatted as they followed the Great Elder toward the exit.

"Everyone, do you think I was disrespectful to the Sect Master just now?" The Great Elder suddenly stopped and turned to glance around.

Some of the elders hesitated, but their expressions were an open book.

"Actually, I was already quite respectful to him," the Great Elder said in a deep voice. "He’s hoping for the former sect master to descend from the Loka Mountains and take charge of the situation. But I doubt we can withstand the increasing aggression from the Eastern Nine Sects. To put it bluntly, even if the former sect master returns, I’m afraid it will be too late to turn the tide.

"Let’s consider the strength of the Eastern Nine Sects. Evil Eye Fist has two combat artists, and public support from another combat artist in a different sect. If we go beyond Wenxia County, they are likely to have more experts borrowed from the Eastern Nine Sects...

The Great Elder lifted four fingers on his aged right hand. "Four combat artists! The former sect master is already nearing seventy, and his physique is inevitably declining. A few years ago, he even suffered from Qi deviation and lost his sanity. How much of the Blood Fist from fifteen years ago still exists? How could he possibly obtain any advantage against four combat artists? I’m not exaggerating when I say that we’d still be in a dire situation even if we were just up against Soul-Breaking Sword Lance. If the former sect master returns, it might make things worse. Four combat artists... Tsk, tsk. It’s not that I’m favoring the other side, but the reality of our situation is just that grim..."

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A somber expression clouded the Great Elder’s brow.

"Isn't this a dead end then?"

"Does this mean we have no choice but to join the Eastern Alliance? But their demands include Red Falcon Fist’s Covert Martial Arts legacy and our Secret Techniques."

"If we hand those over, won’t Red Falcon Fist be left in name only?"

The elders began voicing their concerns.

The Great Elder, standing in the center, shook his head as a sly look appeared on his face. "Our Red Falcon Fist won’t be left in name only. The Red Falcon Covert Martial Arts is the foundation of our sect, but the former sect master has another powerful set of Covert Martial Arts, doesn’t he?"

"You must have noticed that the former sect master’s strength doesn’t come from the Red Falcon Covert Martial Arts, but from an entirely different set of fist techniques. These fist techniques are extremely powerful, likely a second-rate or even first-rate Covert Martial Art. The former sect master’s sudden breakthrough twenty years ago, the formidable strength he displayed after that breakthrough, and the unstoppable progress he made in the following years are all likely related to this..."

The Great Elder’s eyes gleamed. "The former sect master secluded himself in the Loka Mountains, and for some reason, didn’t pass down this Covert Martial Art even to his own son. I can understand that; there may be some unknown drawbacks. But in our current situation, he won’t be able to hold the line alone even if he returns. So instead of waiting, why not take matters into our own hands and hand over the Red Falcon Covert Martial Arts to the Eastern Nine Sects? Then, we can all switch to practicing the former sect master’s Covert Martial Arts and develop in secret. It might only take a generation or two to grow strong enough to overthrow one of the weaker sects among the Eastern Nine Sects and join their ranks ourselves..."

"This..."

The other elders exchanged glances as they digested the Great Elder’s implication.

Bluntly put, the plan was to force the former sect master to pass down his powerful Covert Martial Arts by handing over the Red Falcon Covert Martial Arts to the Eastern Nine Sects. Although the former sect master’s techniques might have some drawbacks, they were certainly more effective than the third-rate Red Falcon Covert Martial Arts. The Red Falcon Fist had hundreds of members across its branches and could always recruit more disciples in the future. Eventually, a talent who could master these techniques would appear.

As long as they endured for a generation or two, the future would be bright.

The Great Elder’s proposal seemed both reasonable and feasible. The discussion that erupted between the four or five elders left some convinced, but others were still wavering. The Great Elder silently observed them, his expression revealing no hint of emotion.

Half an hour later, the Great Elder returned to his residence by car. As soon as he entered the hall, a voluptuous and flirtatious woman approached him.

She threw herself into the Great Elder’s arms with a coquettish cry, but the Great Elder held her off. "Pari, I don’t have time to play with you right now. We’ll talk tonight."

The Great Elder gently patted her soft curves before heading straight up the stairs to the third floor. He entered a study and sat behind a desk. He stared at the brass telephone on the desk for a moment before reaching out to dial a number.

***

Bang!

A red fist shadow flashed by. A tree that was as thick as two men was instantly uprooted. A silhouette moved at such incredible speed that it seemed like a shadow reflecting off the trees.

In a clearing near the river, a two-meter-tall wild boar king with bloodshot eyes charged forward. Its unusually massive body was covered in muscles and layers of fat, along with a tough armor of hardened mud and bristles. The two yellowing tusks protruding from its snout were as long as a person’s forearm. Its heavy breathing sounded like thunder.

This nearly two-ton wild boar king was desperately searching for the prey that had just vanished. As omnivores, boars also consumed meat when given the opportunity.

Swish!

Suddenly, there was a noise behind the boar. It reacted swiftly, spinning to launch a full-force charge. But a shadowy figure appeared like a ghost behind the boar.

Shrieeek!

A raptor’s cry drowned out the sound of a fist slamming into the boar.

The massive wild boar king rose into the air from the blow. It crashed through two large trees and slammed into a giant boulder on the riverbank.

The boar let out a horrifying squeal. Its short legs dug deep furrows into the dirt as it struggled violently to get back to its feet. But then, the imprint left behind by the fist began to crack, sending blood spurting out like a fountain. The fissures spread rapidly across the boar king’s body like a spider’s web, revealing bones beneath the bloodied flesh.

When the rain of blood ceased, all that remained on the ground was a giant skeleton, surrounded by rotting flesh and organs. Even the boulder that the wild boar king had collided with had crumbled into powder.

A gust of wind blew by as two figures appeared by the riverbank.

Cassius glanced at the gruesome scene five meters away, then at Feng Liusi, who seemed to be growing younger and stronger.

He couldn’t help but praise the latter, "One strike turns it to white bones. You’re getting closer to your former peak, Blood Fist!"