He kept the momentum going, hammering down on Mil Do Nim with relentless force. His strikes didn't stop—not even for a breath—leaving Mil Do Nim with no chance to gather himself or launch a counterattack.
In a battle, experience matters just as much as strength or knowledge. Mil Do Nim has countless ways to retaliate, but none of them are being executed. Despite being stronger than Min Ho, he is being completely overwhelmed — Yang Zhai observed, his thoughts sharpening.
"Brother Jin Su, don't you think we should stop the fight now? If Elder Yu Hao finds out that we were fighting among ourselves, I'm sure we will all face punishment. It's already clear that Min Ho is winning, so let's end it here," Yang Zhai said, turning to Jin Su with a composed look.
"Brother Yang, you're right. Mil Do Nim was still recovering from his last fight with Brother Zuh. If this keeps going, he might lose consciousness again." Jin Su agreed and, without hesitation, leapt forward, grabbing Min Ho's arm mid-attack.
"Jin Su, what are you doing?" Min Ho snapped, glaring at Jin Su with furrowed brows.
"Min Ho, enough. You've already won this fight. There's no need to continue it any longer. And do you really want Elder Yu Hao to catch wind of this? Look around—we've gathered a pretty big crowd already. Can't have this crowd expanding further, now can we?" As he said this, both Jin Su and Min Ho glanced at the growing number of onlookers.
"Fine, I'll stop," Min Ho said after a moment, recognizing the situation.
"Did I ask you to interfere?" Mil Do Nim growled, slowly rising. "I could've handled the situation myself. I'm not done yet. Let's continue."
Min Ho's eyes narrowed as he saw Mil Do Nim get back up, unwilling to accept the result.
Yang Zhai, watching this unfold, allowed a slight smile to curl at the edge of his lips. He turned his head toward Zuh Qil, who nodded and stepped forward.
Zuh Qil walked ahead and grasped Mil Do Nim's right wrist firmly.
Mil Do Nim looked at him in shock and tried to pull his arm free, but to no avail. "Just how strong is this guy? I'm a body cultivator too, yet I can't even break free, darn it!" he thought in frustration.
Yang Zhai stepped up and spoke, "What Master Zuh means is that you should calm down. You already know who the winner is. He doesn't want you dragging this out any longer and putting the rest of us in trouble too."
After hearing that, Zuh Qil let go of Mil Do Nim's hand and turned away, walking off without another word. Yang Zhai followed behind him.
Min Ho and Jin Su also began to leave. Mil Do Nim stood silently, watching Zuh Qil and Yang Zhai with a strange expression on his face.
As they walked away, Yang Zhai glanced back over his shoulder toward Mil Do Nim.
Mil Do Nim's eyes narrowed.
Why did he just look back at me? Was that a casual glance? No… it felt intentional. Why do I feel like that look had a purpose? I am sure it wasn't just a random glance.
Mil Do Nim clenched his fists, standing up stiffly before walking away as well, clearly unwilling to accept the outcome.
Inside the Iron Clad Residence—
"Mil Do Nim, from now on, you'll serve under me. That was the deal we made before the battle," Min Ho said firmly.
"That's not going to happen," Mil Do Nim responded coldly.
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you backing out on your word?" Min Ho's voice lowered, his expression turning dark.
"I didn't lose," Mil Do Nim said bluntly. "I could've continued the fight, but you all stopped me. And besides, how did the tide turn so suddenly? I clearly had the advantage. Something's off—I believe you cheated."
Min Ho stayed silent for a few seconds, then finally replied, "Don't make excuses. If you lost, just admit it. And unless you have evidence, don't throw baseless accusations."
He thought to himself, Even if someone did help me, there's no way Mil Do Nim can prove it. Better to act innocent. Sometimes, cheating is necessary. Besides, I still need to find the one who helped me.
Mil Do Nim clenched his fists tightly, grinding his teeth but holding back his words. Not any evidence meant he had to accept the conditions.
Just then, Yang Zhai stepped forward. "Min Ho, I was watching as well. I noticed something strange. Right before Mil Do Nim landed, a pothole appeared under his feet. You hesitated too—there was no sign of you using any technique at that moment. Care to explain?"
Min Ho's eyes narrowed.
"What are you implying?" he said, trying to sound confident while internally spiraling. How did he know that? Wait… now that I think about it, didn't he use a similar method when fighting Feng Rui? Unless... he's the one who caused that pothole, he couldn't know that method wasn't mine in that situation? But why would he help me during the fight? Could it be that he helped me just to trap me later?
His thoughts raced. Maybe he didn't sense the technique—maybe he just knew it wasn't mine. He might've realized it during the confusion when no one else noticed. If he really was the one… what does he want now? And why go against me now?
"Simple," Yang Zhai continued. "I believe someone else interfered in the fight. Because the exact moment that pothole appeared… was when the outcome was decided. If you could do it, you would have done so already and not waited for that moment."
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone went quiet. Mil Do Nim's eyes sharpened. Jin Su blinked in surprise.
Could Min Ho really have cheated? Jin Su wondered, staring at Min Ho suspiciously.
"Yang Zhai, be careful what you say," Min Ho warned, his tone heavy.
"I know what I'm saying," Yang Zhai replied without flinching.
"Do you have any proof?"
"There's no need for evidence."
"What do you mean?" Jin Su asked, confused.
"It's simple," Yang Zhai said. "If Min Ho really did use that method, then let him show it again—right here, right now. Everything will be clear. If he can do that, I'll accept whatever punishment I'm given for accusing him. And yes, he must make sure that we can't sense that method just like during the battle."
He looked hesitant as he said this, as if unsure himself.
Mil Do Nim caught that look and thought, He's hesitating… so he's not completely sure himself. But why is he helping me?
Yang Zhai, you bastard! Are you trying to ruin me on purpose?! Was it you who helped me in that fight and now you're using it to turn everyone against me?! What did I ever do to you?! We just met. Damn it!!! But I can't admit it either — if I do, I'll become a laughingstock to the entire batch of new disciples. What do I do now? I can't confess, but I can't deny it either!!
Min Ho's heart pounded. Sweat formed on his forehead as his thoughts spiraled.
But before he could say anything—
Zuh Qil suddenly stepped forward and kicked Yang Zhai in the abdomen.
The impact was brutal. Yang Zhai vomited blood as his body flew through the air, slamming into the garden wall. He crumpled to his knees, blood pouring from his nose, mouth, and ears.
As he looked up, bleeding, Zuh Qil walked over and delivered another kick—this one to his face.
Min Ho's eyes widened in shock with ecstasy. He saw a glimmer of hope.
!|!*****!*****!|!