Chapter 72: Descent of the Crow's Butt

Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn

"What?" Pu Dongheng, despite his fluency in Chinese, spoke with a thick accent, his anger evident. He'd been undefeated in Ning Hai for a month. Now, someone dared challenge the entire club?

His face purple with rage, he said, "Fine, but he must beat me first. Maybe then he'll change his tune. President Chen, please tell him this fight could result in injury; he shouldn't regret it afterward. We welcome challengers, but not every upstart can waltz in here. If he still wants to fight, let's get on with it." He sat down, meditating, ignoring Chen Weilin.

"What? The challenger wants to fight the entire club? Is this real?"

"Wow! Who is this guy? Even if he loses, I'm rooting for him!"

The news spread like wildfire, electrifying the crowd. They knew it was improbable, but hope—however faint—ignited their fervor. There was no containing it.

Ye Mo didn't wait long before Chen Weilin returned, accompanied by someone who had Ye Mo sign a waiver and leave a fingerprint.

After the person left, Chen Weilin said, "Han said you earn the right to challenge the club only after beating him. He's waiting for you on stage."

Ye Mo's entrance silenced the boisterous crowd. They'd expected a towering, imposing figure, but Ye Mo was quietly unassuming, clearly a student.

Many, unable to bear the sight, left. They felt it was unfair, even if they weren't a match for Pu Dongheng—who was nearly 1.9 meters tall—this Shi Ying (Ye Mo's apparent alias) wasn't just unimposing, he didn't even look like a martial arts master.

Pu Dongheng, too, was taken aback. He'd anticipated a formidable opponent, not this youth. Of all the challengers this month, Shi Ying was the most unremarkable.

"You're the one who dared challenge our entire club?" Pu Dongheng pointed, incredulous.

Ye Mo remained silent, replying coldly, "If you want to fight, hurry up. I have other things to do. I haven't got time for your games."

He assessed Pu Dongheng: slightly stronger than Wen Dong, perhaps even a match for her in a desperate fight, but far weaker than the "Brother Hu" he was meeting later. This man was no master.

"Games?" Pu Dongheng repeated, realizing the insult. "You'll regret this."

He launched a powerful combo kick, confident Ye Mo couldn't evade it. The plan was to knock him down and unleash a flurry of attacks.

The gymnasium fell silent. Most had seen Pu Dongheng fight; this was the first time he'd used his combo kick from the outset. The less courageous girls closed their eyes, unable to watch.

Ye Mo sneered. Pu Dongheng's rigid movements showed a lack of potential. Although unfamiliar with Chinese martial arts, Ye Mo knew a fighter who tried to kill with the first blow wasn't strong unless vastly superior. Pu Dongheng clearly overestimated himself.

Ye Mo stood motionless, watching the kick approach.

"Oh no!" A collective gasp arose. "He's not even dodging! This is insane! Chen Weilin must have lost his mind!"

Pu Dongheng's strategy might have worked against his previous opponents. Even if it failed, he had other moves.

But he met his match in Ye Mo.

Ye Mo's first move was to grab Pu Dongheng's ankle; the second, to sweep him into the air; then two swift kicks to his kneecaps. Before Pu Dongheng could scream, Ye Mo landed several more blows to his chest, culminating in a final kick to the nose.

Pu Dongheng's last thought, amidst agonizing pain, was, "I'll give you the Descent of the Crow's Butt move!" He felt as if he were crammed into a barrel, buried under refuse.

Seconds later, the gymnasium erupted. He'd defeated the undefeated Han with shocking ease. "How dare you act cocky in China? Taekwondo? It's a derivative of Tang Dynasty martial arts. Now you face the wrath of our ancestors!"

The gymnasium buzzed with excitement.

"He won! In one move! I've been watching for a month, and I missed this! I have to get there!" a young man, abandoning his fast food, rushed out.

"Hey! You haven't paid!" shouted the restaurant owner, but he was too late.