Martial Arts: The Secret Villain Starting from Huashan

However, at this critical moment, a gentle hand yet containing unquestionable strength quietly and silently placed on Zhong Ling's slender and slightly flustered arm.

This jade hand seemed to possess some kind of magic. With a gentle touch, it steadily pulled her back when she was about to lose control due to impulse and rush forward, and dissolved her impatience and anxiety like a spring breeze.

Mu Wanqing stood quietly beside Zhong Ling, her posture upright and elegant, her eyes flashing with complex and deep light, as if she could penetrate the surface of all things in the world and look directly into the deepest part of people's hearts.

Those subtle and indescribable emotional fluctuations, her slender hands that seemed soft and boneless, as white as jade, at this moment showed amazing strength and determination, they tightly clasped Zhong Ling's arms.

It was as firm as an iron clamp. No matter how Zhong Ling struggled, she couldn't break free at all. She said softly.

“Don’t go over there!!”

The thrilling scenes just now replayed in Mu Wanqing's mind like a movie.

Mu Wanqing witnessed with her own eyes how Xu Xingchen stepped forward without hesitation at such a dangerous moment, using his own body to protect Gongsun Lue'e, leaving you to bear the attack from Gongsun Zhi alone.

At that moment, his figure quietly grew taller in Mu Wanqing's heart. His desperate courage and determination subtly changed her view and impression of Xu Xingchen.

Therefore, when Mu Wanqing saw Zhong Ling trying to run over impulsively, she stopped her without hesitation, because she knew that the current situation was far more complicated than it seemed on the surface, and rash action would only bring more danger and unnecessary trouble.

Gongsun Zhi stood in the hall, his figure tall and majestic, his eagle-like eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. He stared closely at the uninvited guest Xu Xingchen in front of him and questioned in a cold voice.

"Boy! Who are you? Do you want to meddle in my Jueqing Valley's private affairs?!"

His voice was low and cold, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth. It carried unquestionable authority and anger, his tone was full of questioning and challenges, and his eyes were like two sharp swords, piercing straight at Xu Xingchen.

Xu Xingchen was originally on the sidelines, secretly wondering how the feud between Gongsun Zhi and Qiu Ganchi would evolve. His only concern was to ensure that this dispute would not affect the innocent Gongsun Lue'e.

In his opinion, no matter how fierce the fight between the two was, as long as Gongsun Lue'e's safety could be preserved, he would be willing to watch from the sidelines until absolutely necessary to intervene.

However, the scene before him pierced his composure like a sharp blade. Gongsun Zhi, the man who should have protected his daughter as a father, actually attacked Gongsun Lue'e and was ready to kick and beat his own daughter Gongsun Lue'e.

This scene made Xu Xingchen feel as if his heart was being cut by a knife. The anger surged in his chest like a volcano erupting. He could no longer hold it back and finally burst into cursing.

"Gongsun Zhi, if you truly love someone, you shouldn't kill her with your own hands, even if it means risking your own life."

"You keep saying you love her, but what have you done for her? You killed her with your own hands just to save your own life. Is this love?... It's clearly just a manifestation of your selfishness!"

Inside the hall, everyone was startled when they heard Xu Xingchen's powerful words, and nodded secretly in agreement that his words made sense, especially the servants in Jueqing Valley, who felt the same way.

However, as the lord of Jueqing Valley, Gongsun Zhi's governance and prestige over the years have long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Even though some of his behaviors and morals are lacking, the servants of Jueqing Valley dare not criticize him to his face.

The air around them seemed to freeze, with only the sound of whispers surging like an undercurrent, but quickly dissipating into thin air. Everyone's eyes revealed complex emotions.

There was awe, doubt, and even a bit of reluctance, but in this oppressive atmosphere, no one dared to be the first to break this delicate balance, simply because Gongsun Zhi was the lord of the valley after all, and had a high prestige here.

At this moment, Gongsun Zhi's voice pierced the silence like ice, with unquestionable majesty.

"Humph! I, Gongsun Zhi, have my own reasons and considerations for doing things. When is it your turn as a youngster to point fingers? If you know what's good for you, leave immediately, or you will suffer."

"Otherwise, don't blame me for being merciless!"

After he finished speaking, Gongsun Zhi moved slightly, and an indescribable aura suddenly burst out from his body, like a mountain torrent, unstoppable. This powerful internal force wave swept across the entire hall in an instant.

The tables and chairs trembled slightly, the candlelight flickered, and even the air seemed to be filled with a heart-pounding sense of power.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became extremely solemn. Qiu Ganchi's face turned pale as paper in an instant. Her eyes were full of disbelief and horror, as if she had seen something incredible.

Gongsun Lue'e was stunned. She bit her lower lip tightly and her eyes moved back and forth between her father Gongsun Zhi and Xu Xingchen. She felt mixed emotions. Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling also looked at each other.

Because they can also feel the tension and oppression in the air around them at this moment.

The servants in Jueqing Valley had different reactions. Some were stunned and their eyes widened, as if they wanted to engrave this scene in their hearts forever; others were secretly amazed at the unimaginable martial arts skills of their own valley lord, Gongsun Zhi.

They knew very well what such a high level of cultivation strength meant, and they couldn't help but feel awe in their hearts. Some of them even felt fear and unconsciously took a few steps back, fearing that they would be caught in the coming storm if they were not careful.

The whole scene became tense because of Gongsun Zhi's action, and the air seemed to freeze.

Everyone's breathing became heavy and rapid, as if even time had slowed down at this moment. A possible storm was quietly brewing in this seemingly calm hall and could erupt at any time.

Xu Xingchen stood aside with a frown on his face. His eyes were deep and sharp. He knew clearly that the Gongsun Zhi in front of him was no longer the valley master with mediocre martial arts skills in the original novel of The Return of the Condor Heroes.

At this moment, he exuded a heart-pounding aura from head to toe, and his martial arts skills were even much stronger than in the original book, which forced Xu Xingchen to re-examine the opponent in front of him.

At this time, the aura emanating from Gongsun Zhi's body was as surging as a violent storm, and every breath contained a heart-pounding power. Her eyes were as sharp as an eagle.

As if she could see through the essence of all things in the world, her originally ferocious face now revealed an expression of incredible shock. Her eyes were wide open, as if she had seen something incredible.

"You! You actually practiced the Iron Palm Technique!"

Qiu Ganchi was shocked.

His voice was filled with shock and trembling that was difficult to conceal. Every word seemed to be torn apart by the sudden cold wind, with a sense of unbelievable brokenness. His eyes became complex and deep in an instant.

All the secrets about the "Iron Palm Kung Fu" flooded into her mind like a tide at this moment. The inseparable connection between her and this martial art was that it was her second brother, the leader of the Iron Palm Gang [Iron Palm Floating on Water] Qiu Ganren, who taught her the "Iron Palm Kung Fu".

Back then, Qiu Ganchi married into the Jueqing Valley and brought the "Iron Palm Skill" with her. She wanted to leave it as a legacy, but she never thought that it would be obtained by Gongsun Zhi, and she didn't expect that he would practice it so boldly.

At this moment, Qiu Ganchi knew very well that Gongsun Zhi's current cultivation strength was no longer what it used to be. He was no longer the man who could be easily played around by her more than ten years ago.

At this moment, Qiu Ganchi's heart was filled with complex emotions: surprise and fear at Gongsun Zhi's sudden increase in cultivation strength; as well as regret and self-blame for her past actions.

Seeing this scene, Xu Xingchen's mouth corners couldn't help but rise slightly, outlining an imperceptible but meaningful smile, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

There was anticipation for what was about to happen, but also a hint of imperceptible coldness, which made Xu Xingchen's sneer even more mysterious and unpredictable, making it impossible to figure out.

"Haha, things are becoming more and more unexpected and interesting."

Xu Xingchen sneered in a low voice.