I, the military god of the Tang Dynasty, have risen since I destroyed the Turks

Chapter 781 The Heart-wrenching Spell
"Watch out!" Li Kan roared, his voice booming like thunder, causing the banners around the arena to flutter wildly. His arms were bulging with muscles and veins, his fists like two heavy hammers cleaving through the air, aimed directly at Yang Guo's vital Tanzhong acupoint. This move, "Double Dragons Emerging from the Sea," was a deadly strike from the Shaolin Subduing Demon Fist; the whistling wind of his fists even carried a faint sound of thunder and lightning, demonstrating the depth of his internal strength.

Yang Guo's green robes fluttered, his figure as elusive as willow catkins in the wind. He drew a circle with his left palm, using the "Soft Clouds Supporting the Moon" technique from the Ancient Tomb Sect's "Heavenly Net" stance to neutralize the powerful punch. His right sleeve moved without wind, flicking towards Li Kan's eyes like a snake's tongue. Under his exquisite control of internal energy, that empty sleeve was more difficult to defend against than ordinary weapons, repeatedly interfering with Li Kan's vision at crucial moments.

"What exquisite footwork!" exclaimed an elderly man with white hair in the audience. "This young man has managed to turn his disability into an advantage; he's truly remarkable!"

Guo Jing stared intently at the two on the stage, his heart filled with both surprise and worry. He could see that Yang Guo's martial arts skills at this moment far surpassed those of his younger days. His seemingly casual moves actually contained the supreme martial arts principle of "overcoming strength with softness" from the Nine Yin Manual. What surprised him even more was that Yang Guo's every move bore some resemblance to Ouyang Feng's "Snake Fist" from back then, yet he had integrated it and created his own unique style.

After fifty moves, fine beads of sweat appeared on Li Kan's forehead, and his breathing became heavy. He felt as if he were hitting a ball of cotton, each punch like a clay ox sinking into the sea, his strength nowhere to be used. Yang Guo's counterattacks, however, were like a persistent ailment, striking whenever Li Kan's old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet arisen, leaving him exhausted and unable to cope.

"What kind of martial arts is Yang Guo using? It's so strange!" a young swordsman in the audience exclaimed, his longsword unconsciously mimicking Yang Guo's movements.

A look of realization flashed across Guo Jing's eyes, and he muttered to himself, "This is... the martial arts of the Ancient Tomb Sect?" He recalled that sixteen years ago on Zhongnan Mountain, Xiaolongnu had used similar techniques to fight against Jinlun Fawang. But the skill Yang Guo displayed at this moment had clearly surpassed his teacher, pushing the martial arts of the Ancient Tomb Sect to a new level.

Just as everyone was marveling at the scene, the situation on the field suddenly changed. Li Kan abruptly withdrew his fist and changed to palms, his entire aura shifting dramatically. His palms moved like butterflies flitting among flowers, their winds soft and unpredictable, a stark contrast to his previous fierce style. The palm technique appeared light and effortless, yet it contained a hidden, insidious internal force—the long-lost "Frosty Cotton Palm" of the martial arts world.

Caught off guard, Yang Guo was grazed in the chest by a palm strike, instantly feeling a chilling internal force penetrate his body. He staggered back seven steps before regaining his footing. To his surprise, Li Kan's palm technique at this moment was seven parts similar to "Fair Hands Tear Red Robes" from the Ancient Tomb Sect's "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra," yet it also incorporated some of the ruthlessness of Western Region martial arts.

"Where did you learn this palm technique?" Yang Guo asked in a deep voice, a serious look appearing in his eyes for the first time. His mind was filled with doubt: This palm technique was clearly a closely guarded secret of the Ancient Tomb Sect, how could Li Kan know it? Did he have some connection with the Ancient Tomb Sect? Or had he had contact with Long'er?
Li Kan sneered without answering, a complex look flashing in his eyes. His attacks became even more ferocious, his palms flying back and forth, sometimes as gentle as a spring rain, soft and tender; sometimes as powerful as a thunderbolt, fierce and unparalleled. This combination of softness and strength made it difficult for Yang Guo to adapt, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.

Another thirty moves passed, and Yang Guo was forced to the edge of the arena; one more step back and he would fall off. Li Kan seized the opportunity, letting out a long roar as he unleashed a powerful strike, "Pushing Mountains and Filling Seas," aimed directly at Yang Guo's vital point in the chest. This palm strike concentrated all his life's power; wherever the palm wind passed, the wooden planks of the arena silently turned to dust!

At the critical moment, a hint of sadness flashed in Yang Guo's eyes. He recalled the scene of parting with Xiaolongnu in the Valley of Heartbreak sixteen years ago, and the loneliness of wandering alone over the years. An overwhelming sorrow welled up in his heart. At this critical juncture, he slightly turned his body, his left hand lightly meeting Li Kan's palms. It seemed powerless, but it burst forth with astonishing power the instant it made contact.

"The Heart-Rending Palm!" Guo Jing exclaimed, his voice filled with undisguised shock. He recognized it as Yang Guo's unique martial art, requiring profound internal energy combined with an extremely sorrowful state of mind to unleash. A muffled thud echoed as the two powerful internal energies collided, creating a visible shockwave that spread outwards, causing the clothes of those below to flutter wildly. Li Kan was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the center of the arena, spitting out a mouthful of blood that stained his chest crimson. Yang Guo stood rooted to the spot, his face ashen, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, clearly also greatly exhausted.

The entire arena fell silent; everyone was speechless with shock at this incredible reversal. Who could have imagined that Yang Guo, who seemed destined to lose, would turn the tide and win at the last moment?
Li Kan struggled to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said with a bitter smile, "What a devastating palm strike! I lost." His voice was hoarse, but a barely perceptible sense of relief flashed in his eyes.

Yang Guo stepped forward slowly, but showed no intention of pressing his advantage. He stared into Li Kan's eyes and asked in a deep voice, "General Li's palm technique has quite a connection with the Ancient Tomb Sect. I wonder..." Before he could finish speaking, he saw Li Kan's expression suddenly change.

Li Kan glanced at Li Zheng on the high platform with a complicated expression, then suddenly knelt on one knee and said loudly, "Your Majesty, this humble general is incompetent and willing to accept punishment!" His voice was loud, but it trembled slightly.

Li Zheng's face was ashen as he slowly rose. He toyed with a dragon-shaped jade pendant in his hand, his eyes gleaming with an unfathomable light: "According to the agreement, Yang Guo won and should be granted an official position." He paused, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes, "However..."

Yang Guo suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, I am but a wandering swordsman, unaccustomed to the constraints of officialdom. Today's martial arts contest is merely for friendly sparring, and I dare not covet any rewards." His voice was clear and his gaze was frank, showing no fear of the emperor's majesty.

Li Zheng narrowed his eyes, carefully examining the one-armed youth. He noticed that although Yang Guo spoke respectfully, he possessed an unyielding pride that reminded him of an old friend. "Oh? So what do you want?" Li Zheng asked meaningfully.

Yang Guo glanced at Li Kan, whose expression was complex, then looked at Guo Jing, who was being held back by guards in the distance, and finally clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Zheng, saying, "I only beg Your Majesty to allow this humble subject to leave."

An uproar erupted on the training ground. Who could have imagined that Yang Guo would so readily refuse such a tempting offer of wealth and glory?
Li Zheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed loudly, "Good! What a fine Yang Guo! I grant permission!" His laughter contained both appreciation and a hint of coldness that was hard to detect.

Yang Guo bowed deeply, turned and leaped off the stage. His green robes fluttered as he gracefully swept past the crowd like a falling leaf, quickly disappearing into the distant streets. Guo Jing wanted to chase after him, but was firmly stopped by the guards. He could only watch helplessly as Yang Guo's figure receded into the distance, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

(End of this chapter)