Chapter 12: Facing Guo Jing’s Dragon Subduing Palm Head-On

As Yun Zhonghe’s shout faded, a man in azure robes—Guo Jing—appeared from the distance, carrying the seven or eight-year-old Yang Guo in his arms. With a single leap, he landed before the assembled crowd, setting Yang Guo down as soon as he saw the many familiar faces. Guo Jing immediately greeted everyone warmly, exchanging pleasantries as was customary.

"Who would have thought the Palace of Eternal Yang would be so lively today, with even the renowned Guo Jing present?"
"Guo Jing’s chivalry is legendary throughout the martial world. Everyone respects him."
"With Guo Jing here, that lecher Yun Zhonghe won't leave Mount Zhongnan alive."
Whispers filled the air, and with Guo Jing’s arrival, all eyes turned to Yun Zhonghe, their gazes tinged with amusement.

"Why did you attack earlier?"
With a single step, the Maiden in White—Xiaolongnü—faced Guo Jing, her voice icy and sharp enough to pain the ears.

Guo Jing turned toward her, apologetic, "I only intended to kill Yun Zhonghe and rid the martial world of evil, but I nearly harmed you, miss. My deepest apologies."
He then glanced at Yun Zhonghe, standing behind Xiaolongnü. "Miss, Yun Zhonghe has ruined countless innocent women—his crimes are unforgivable! Please see him for who he truly is. If you continue to be entangled with him, you may end up grievously hurt."

Xiaolongnü was about to retort, but Yun Zhonghe gently pulled her back, whispering close to her ear, "Let men settle their own affairs."
She nodded obediently, stepping behind him. This scene drove the crowd nearly mad with jealousy—they wished Guo Jing would kill Yun Zhonghe on the spot.

Guo Jing eyed Yun Zhonghe approvingly. "At least you have some backbone, not hiding behind a woman."
"I’ve long heard of your reputation, Guo Jing, but seeing you today, you hardly live up to it," Yun Zhonghe replied, meeting Guo Jing’s gaze without a hint of fear.

The crowd stared in disbelief—was Yun Zhonghe out of his mind to speak so boldly to Guo Jing?

"To deal with a villain like you, there’s no need for martial etiquette. As long as I can rid the world of your evil and protect the people, I have no regrets!"
"Enough talk. Today will be the day you die, Yun Zhonghe."

With those words, Guo Jing gathered his inner force and struck toward Yun Zhonghe.

"Wait!"
Qiu Chuji suddenly stepped in front of Yun Zhonghe. Guo Jing quickly withdrew his power.

"Master Qiu, why do you stop me from ridding the world of evil?" Guo Jing was shocked.

In Guo Jing’s mind, Master Qiu had always been intolerant of wrongdoing, instilling fear in all the villains of the martial world.

As Guo Jing puzzled over this, Qiu Chuji began to explain the situation.

"Jing’er, you don’t know. The crimes attributed to Yun Zhonghe these years were not committed by him."
"If not for Yun Zhonghe’s timely help today, I would have died from poison, and the Quanzhen Sect would have fallen to thieves!"

"Enough! Don’t say another word!"
Guo Jing, anger rising, shouted as he saw Qiu Chuji defending Yun Zhonghe.

The crowd fell silent. No matter Guo Jing’s fame in the martial world, before Qiu Chuji, he was still a junior.

Qiu Chuji was shaken by Guo Jing’s rebuke, realizing that he had been publicly scolded by a younger man. As the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, his dignity was wounded, and his expression darkened.

Guo Jing, oblivious, turned to Yun Zhonghe, shouting, "The masters may be deceived by your lies, but I, Guo Jing, will not. Prepare to die!"

Yun Zhonghe raised his brows.
Well, Guo Jing’s words had managed to offend all five Quanzhen masters.

Sure enough, their faces darkened as if a volcano was about to erupt.

"Guo Jing, what do you mean by that?"
Qiu Chuji no longer called him Jing’er, but addressed him by name—his anger was clear.

Guo Jing was certain he was right—he was only trying to kill a man who deserved it, upholding justice. Those who stopped him were in the wrong.

"Villain, die!"

Guo Jing bellowed, gathering his mighty inner force. In mere moments, a massive golden dragon formed behind him, its breath billowing, its presence spreading an overwhelming aura.

Before the astonished eyes of all, Guo Jing unleashed his palm.

A roar!
The dragon howled, tearing the earth as it swept forward.

Yun Zhonghe stared at the charging dragon, sensing its power was enough to move mountains and seas.
An intense sense of oppression descended.
He felt the chill of death.

This feeling was far stronger than when he had first crossed paths with Zhao Zhijing.

Under this pressure, Yun Zhonghe slowly closed his eyes. The world grew quiet—the flow of inner force, the dragon’s roar, all sounds vanished.

Only his heart beat wildly like a drum.

His blood began to boil, fighting spirit rising in his eyes, inner force surging through his veins.

"Come, let me see just how strong Guo Jing truly is—the pinnacle of power in the world of the Condor Heroes!"

Qiu Chuji saw that Yun Zhonghe not only refused to dodge but stepped forward to meet the attack. He shouted, "No!"

"Lin Lang!"

Xiaolongnü, heartbroken, rushed forward with reddened eyes.

But before she could reach him, the fierce, domineering palm strike landed squarely on Yun Zhonghe’s chest.

Instantly, dust billowed, and a storm of unimaginable power swept across the square.

Xiaolongnü, caught in the shockwave, was sent flying and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Everyone held their breath—no one present could likely withstand such a blow.

They watched eagerly, expecting to see Yun Zhonghe’s miserable end, as the dust gradually cleared.

Where Yun Zhonghe had stood was now devastated, rubble scattered everywhere, and the crowd gasped in awe.

A massive crater lay at the center of the ruins. None could have imagined that Guo Jing’s palm could cause such destruction.

"Is Yun Zhonghe dead?"
Hao Datong stared in shock at the ruined square, exhaling only after a long pause.

Nearby, Qiu Chuji’s gaze was grim. He thought silently to himself—Guo Jing’s martial arts had advanced even further in just a few years. If they fought now, even at full strength, he doubted he could last fifty moves against Guo Jing.

Guo Jing scanned the debris, his eyes settling on the giant crater where a faint, weak presence lingered.

A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He’s still alive!

Guo Jing had not used his full strength, but even so, he had put seven-tenths of his power into that strike. Few in the entire martial world could withstand one of his palms.

Yet even if Yun Zhonghe survived, it was just a matter of time—he was barely clinging to life.

Amid the many watching eyes, footsteps sounded softly on the rubble within the smoke. Hearing this, the crowd’s expressions changed.

Guo Jing’s calm face darkened, his eyes fixed intently on the smoky ruins.

Then, suddenly, his pupils contracted!