The Fierce Battle with Zuo Feng

When I first heard that name, I was momentarily bewildered. But once I finally realized who this person was, a chill ran down my spine, and I couldn’t help but worry about Brother Guo’s situation!

Zuo Feng of Songshan was a descendant of the Zuo family from the Songshan specialization of the Five Mountains Academy. His ancestor was none other than Zuo Lengchan, the third dean of the Five Mountains Academy. According to the records in the Chronicles of the Jianghu, Dean Zuo not only ascended to the position of dean but also proposed a grand unification policy within the academy, calling for “school-wide education and integration of all factions.” He sought to enhance the academy’s strength, aiming for further progress and coveting the high position of Tianwu University’s principal.

Of course, Dean Zuo, who toiled and exhausted himself for this cause, was later backstabbed by his own subordinate, Yue Buqun, the department head of the Huashan specialization. This Master Yue, who had studied abroad in Thailand, submitted a report to the then principal: accusing Zuo of leading a degenerate lifestyle, frequently abusing female students and teachers, and most beastly of all, even harassing the Buddhist nuns from the Hengshan specialization. He also alleged serious political issues, such as forming factions within the academy and plotting evil deeds. The accusation was so vicious that the entire school was in an uproar. Master Yue Yue Buqun considered himself a meritorious official, and although he couldn’t overthrow Dean Zuo outright, the balance of power and reputation between the two within Tianwu University shifted dramatically. In the subsequent dean election, Comrade Zuo Lengchan lost by a huge margin to Master Yue, who had ridden this wave to success. Eventually, Zuo lost his position as dean, had his doctoral supervisor qualification revoked, and was forced to stay idle at home, cursing Yue Buqun daily, saying he had been blind not to see this ungrateful wolf.

That’s Zuo Lengchan from a political perspective. From a martial arts standpoint, Dean Zuo’s cultivation was said to be the fourth strongest in the Eastern District, ranking only behind the principal of Tianwu University and the directors of the two key laboratories of Shaolin and Wudang. Rumors even circulated that his skills had secretly surpassed those of Shaolin and Wudang, directly threatening the principal of Tianwu University.

With such a formidable ancestor, Zuo Feng was certainly no coward! It was said that during his sophomore year, he once ranked among the top ten experts of Tianwu University, placing tenth. Although in the following year’s ranking competition, due to the proliferation of martial arts families within the school and the emergence of many prodigies, he failed to defend his title as one of the “Top Ten of Tianwu”… but considering that this year’s competition included astonishing talents like Murong Fan and outstanding individuals from other academies, this result, though regrettable, was not disgraceful. Moreover, this “Iron Palm of Songyang” Zuo Feng was known outside as the “Eleventh Great Expert”! Although this title carried a hint of sour grapes, from another perspective, it highlighted his extraordinary strength—he was merely a hair’s breadth away from the level of the top ten experts!

Faced with such a former top ten expert, one could imagine Brother Guo’s perilous situation and immense pressure!

However, knowing that this battle was crucial for Xiao Qi’s survival, and having received personal guidance from Senior Xiao Ru after his previous defeat against Murong Fan, Guo Hao, despite being at a disadvantage, managed not to lose!

With a desperate determination, he unleashed his family’s martial art, the supremely forceful and fierce “Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms,” which roared like wind and thunder, matching Zuo Feng’s “Great Songyang Divine Palm” blow for blow, neither gaining the upper hand!

Although the Songshan specialization of the Five Mountains Academy was known for swordsmanship, unlike the other four mountains, their proficiency in fist and palm techniques was also remarkable. The “Great Songyang Divine Palm” was the pinnacle of these techniques. In the past, Dean Zuo, full of ambition and intent on seizing the position of Tianwu University’s principal, relied not only on his own outstanding martial arts but also on the twelve junior brothers known as the “Thirteen Guardians of Songshan.” Although the Chronicles of the Jianghu did not record all twelve professors and associate professors of the Songshan specialization, from the nicknames of the top five alone, one could see their formidable skills.

After exchanging dozens of moves, Zuo Feng suddenly spun around and retreated to a corner. His cold, sinister eyes stared unblinkingly at Guo Hao, who was still holding a palm stance. He asked coldly, “This is the ‘Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms’ from the Northern Beggar specialization of the Five Absolutes Academy. Are you a descendant of the Xiao family, the Hong family, the Guo family, the Wu family, or the Yelu family?”

Guo Hao grunted softly and replied solemnly, “My surname is Guo!”

Hearing this, Zuo Feng nodded slightly. A glimmer of surprise flickered in his eyes, but it also softened a bit. He then said slowly, “In that case, since the Five Absolutes Academy has already promised to help, even that…”

But before he could finish, Guo Hao’s expression changed inexplicably, looking extremely resentful.

“Enough nonsense! Take this palm!” With these shouts, he charged forward, his bare palms whistling with force as they struck toward Zuo Feng.