Chapter 282: Major Disturbance at the Jiang Family 5

"You just watch from the side, I’ll handle things here." Ling Chen patted her hand and turned to walk towards Jiang Hanlin.

Watching his retreating figure, Nanrong Wanqing gave her own right hand an odd glance. When Ling Chen was holding her hand earlier, she felt as if she had touched something hard.

Ling Chen strode to the center of the area, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Jiang Hanlin, standing tall and straight like a spear, his pupils as dark as ink showing not the slightest fear.

As their eyes met, Ling Chen slightly raised the corners of his mouth, turned his head to Jiang Kun, and asked, "So if I win, I can take someone with me and leave?"

Jiang Kun, as if he had just heard some funny joke, relaxed his eyebrows slightly, his lips curling up in a scornful smile, nodded, and said, "Fine, I promise you, as long as you win, I will not trouble the two of you."

Qiu Wen and Qiu Wu standing behind him silently shook their heads, not the least bit optimistic about Ling Chen’s chances. Indeed, they had both lost to Ling Chen previously. But this time, Ling Chen’s opponent was Jiang Hanlin. Having spent so many years at the Jiang Family, they knew all too well how formidable and terrifying Jiang Hanlin was. Years ago, the two brothers were consistently used as sparring partners for Jiang Hanlin. It was not until three years ago that they were able to shed this role, not because Jiang Hanlin no longer needed practice, but because they were no longer qualified to be his sparring partners.

Jiang Hanlin was, undoubtedly, an expert.

In their opinion, Jiang Hanlin’s strength was enough to rank in the top three of the Tiger List. Yet, his name was not found on the Tiger List, not because he lacked the qualification, but because he disdained it. Furthermore, he seldom appeared in public to showcase his strength, spending his time in seclusion within the family, practicing – even the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was unaware that such a top-tier expert was hidden here.

At this moment, Ling Chen paid no attention to the expressions of the Qiu brothers; all his energy was focused on Jiang Hanlin.

Taking a deep breath, Ling Chen brought his hands together in salute, standing tall and announcing earnestly, "Please advise!"

Without uttering a word, the cold light in Jiang Hanlin’s eyes grew colder, as if it could pierce through one’s body and freeze one’s soul. A shiver ran through Ling Chen, who as a martial artist knew this to be the aura emanating from Jiang Hanlin.

First, intimidate the opponent with one’s presence, then strike with a fatal blow as swift as lightning.

This was the mark of a top-tier expert.

Facing this overwhelming pressure, Ling Chen drew a breath of energy from his Dantian, like a trickling stream, slowly flowing along his meridians, countering Jiang Hanlin’s imposing aura.

As Jiang Hanlin’s aura reached its peak, Ling Chen saw the figure in front of him flicker; Jiang Hanlin had made his move.

With a flip of his palm, concentrated with formidable Inner Strength, it blasted towards him, aiming straight for his face.

Jiang Hanlin was incredibly fast; his body approached Ling Chen in the blink of an eye.

Worried, Nanrong Wanqing shouted urgently, "Ling Chen, be careful!" But her warning came too late. As soon as she spoke out, Ling Chen had already reacted.

Ling Chen shifted slightly beneath his feet, dodging Jiang Hanlin’s palm wind, and with agility swift as the wind, he moved to Jiang Hanlin’s side. His fists clenched tightly, punch after punch resounded powerfully through the air, aiming for Jiang Hanlin’s right shoulder.

Jiang Hanlin didn’t seem to dodge; instead, he slightly bent his right arm, palm facing outward, and astonishingly used his palm to block Ling Chen’s punch firmly.

Failing to land the punch, Ling Chen’s pupils shrank. He quickly withdrew. However, whilst still in the stance with their fist and palm touching, Jiang Hanlin suddenly changed his move. His palm transformed into a grip, clasping firmly onto Ling Chen’s fist, preventing him from pulling away.

Instantly, Ling Chen felt a powerful force flowing through the opponent’s fingers, binding his fist tightly like an iron hoop, immobilizing it.

Seeing this bad turn of events, without a moment’s hesitation, Ling Chen’s right leg shot up, launching a powerful kick towards Jiang Hanlin’s neck.

However, as Ling Chen’s right leg hung mid-air, yet to hit the target, Jiang Hanlin seemed to have already anticipated his move. As Ling Chen began kicking, Jiang Hanlin’s right leg lifted in sync, sweeping towards his planted left leg.

Power surged forth, and as Ling Chen’s left leg tilted, his body immediately lost its balance, hanging suspended in mid-air. Seizing this opportunity, Jiang Hanlin pushed out a palm and viciously struck his chest.

Puh!

A mouthful of fresh blood spewed out, and under the impact of that force, Ling Chen’s body was thrown straight out, slamming into the wall of the Siheyuan, crashing down heavily.

"Ling Chen!"

Nanrong Wanqing’s voice carried a hint of sobbing, as she hurried to his side, helping him up from the ground with a face full of concern, asking, "Are you alright?"

"Hm?" Seeing Nanrong Wanqing move lightly on her feet, Jiang Kun’s eyes suddenly narrowed, filled with a trace of puzzlement. Not just him, both Jiang Ying and Jiang Han were extraordinarily surprised.

Wasn’t Nanrong Wanqing’s legs disabled? Why could she suddenly walk?

At this moment, Ling Chen stood up from the ground, spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva, his complexion slightly pale but his sharp gaze fixed directly on Jiang Hanlin.

Very strong!

That was his only assessment of Jiang Hanlin.

Through the recent exchange, he had profoundly experienced Jiang Hanlin’s strength. He had almost exhausted all of his might, yet Jiang Hanlin had used, at most, sixty percent of his power. What was more important was that the silver whip, constantly wrapped around Jiang Hanlin’s waist, hadn’t been employed at all.

That was Jiang Hanlin’s strongest killing move!

"Hanlin, no need to waste time with him, finish it quickly," Jiang Kun said, urging him. More than disciplining Ling Chen, he was now more eager to know why Nanrong Wanqing’s legs had recovered.

As soon as his words fell, the still-standing Jiang Hanlin tapped lightly with the tip of his foot, his body like a gust of wind, rushing swiftly towards Ling Chen. His palms lifted up before his chest, switching non-stop between feints and strikes, dazzling to the eyes and making it impossible to discern where his attack would truly come from.

Ling Chen pushed Nanrong Wanqing aside and, rather than retreating, advanced to meet Jiang Hanlin’s offensive, pressing forward with both fists. Just as they were about to clash, he suddenly let out a fierce shout, his fist power bursting forth, with great momentum and force, aiming a blow at Jiang Hanlin’s left chest.

He knew he couldn’t discern Jiang Hanlin’s feints from his real moves. Rather than take the risk, he would be better off engaging in a mutually destructive style of fighting, where neither side would lose out.

Jiang Hanlin’s eyes cooled slightly, Ling Chen’s actions somewhat beyond his expectations. Immediately, the forward rush of his body paused slightly as he changed tactics mid-approach, switching from palms to grabs, with his right hand striking like lightning, seizing Ling Chen’s right fist at the wrist, twisting along the arm, trying to disarm Ling Chen’s right arm.

Not good!

Ling Chen was greatly alarmed, his body instinctively reacting as he immediately sprung up, somersaulting in mid-air to dissipate Jiang Hanlin’s power.

However, just as he was about to land, a piercing surge of power suddenly closed in on him, and next, all he saw was Jiang Hanlin’s knee rising sharply, hitting his shoulder.

Crack!

The sound was crisp, and Ling Chen’s expression became instantly ghastly. He knew that was the sound of a dislocated arm.

Before he could react, Jiang Hanlin’s attacks continued relentlessly, not giving him a moment to breathe. Hanlin’s single palm struck out repeatedly, hitting his chest, his Inner Strength bursting forth, once again sending him flying.

"You are not worthy to be my opponent."