Chapter 113: The Superiority of Being a Dog

"Which dog is out here barking?"

Deng Jinkui recognized Wei Dagang, having visited the Phoenix Palace himself, but as an eighth-rank master, he held no regard for him. The only things Deng Jinkui feared were the Cheng family, the Grandmaster Cheng Kuo, and the "Black Widow" Cheng Wanqing—certainly not Wei Dagang.

"Deng Jinkui? Why are you here?" Wei Dagang was stunned to see him.

"Is this your house? No wonder that little bastard surnamed Lin dared to run wild at my Phoenix Palace and beat me up; he was relying on you to back him. I'm afraid he overestimated you—you aren't strong enough to hold him up!"

Ordinarily, Wei Dagang would never dream of offending an eighth-rank expert like Deng Jinkui. But now that his own manhood had been destroyed, the hatred was so immense that he would challenge even a martial arts grandmaster, let alone an eighth-ranker.

"What the hell are you talking about? I have no such virtue or capability to back Mr. Lin. I am merely acting as a doorman for him," Deng Jinkui replied with a sneer.

"You're acting as a doorman for that little bastard? Deng Jinkui, you're an eighth-rank master, a man of status in Luocheng. To think you've lowered yourself to being a guard dog for a nobody—I feel ashamed for you," Wei Dagang mocked.

Deng Jinkui let out a cold laugh. "I act as a dog for Mr. Lin, and you act as a dog for the Cheng family. Where do you get this sense of superiority? I could crush you with a single slap. Who do you think you are?"

Wei Dagang retorted, "I certainly have the right to be superior. The Cheng family is a clan of grandmasters. What is that nobody surnamed Lin? As the saying goes, to judge a dog, you must look at its master. Can your master even compare to mine?"

At that moment, a man emerged from the car behind them: Zhao Weiming, the third disciple of Cheng Kuo. All of Cheng Kuo’s direct disciples were required to adopt the character "Wei" into their names upon entering the sect as a sign of respect. As an eighth-rank expert himself, Zhao Weiming had crossed paths with Deng Jinkui before, and by utilizing the Cheng family's Bagua Palm, he had come out on top.

"He’s right," Zhao Weiming said, stepping out of the car with his head held high. "If we are both dogs, being a dog for the Cheng sect is far more prestigious than being a dog for a nobody."

"Deng Jinkui, you are a dignified eighth-rank master, yet you have fallen to this point. Not only are you not ashamed, but you are actually proud? It is utterly ridiculous!"

Deng Jinkui’s expression shifted slightly as he saw Zhao Weiming.

"I’m happy to do it; is that any of your business? Besides, how do you know Mr. Lin isn't the equal of your Cheng family?"

Although Deng Jinkui didn't truly believe Lin Yang could compare to the Cheng family, he had to put on a brave front. Even if he couldn't win the fight, he couldn't afford to lose the war of words.

Zhao Weiming and Wei Dagang burst into laughter, as if they had heard the greatest joke in the world. "A mere nobody, daring to be compared to the Cheng family? Has your brain been kicked by a donkey, Deng Jinkui?" Zhao Weiming jeered.

Deng Jinkui wanted to keep arguing to buy time for Lin Yang, as he did not want to offend the Cheng family unless absolutely necessary. However, Zhao Weiming waved his hand, cutting him off.

"Enough, I don't want to waste any more breath on you. I am here to kill that boy today. I don't care what your relationship is—you had best stay out of it."

Deng Jinkui realized he could no longer stall; he had to make a choice. "I gave Mr. Lin my word that I would guard his gate. Without his permission, no one enters."

Deng Jinkui hesitated for a moment before deciding to stand with Lin Yang. He was going to gamble. He trusted the judgment of the Murong family, as well as the assessments of Cao Keming and Qi Yixin. If he won the bet, the rewards would be immense. Even if he lost, Zhao Weiming might beat him, but he couldn't kill him—at worst, he would just move his family out of Luocheng.

"Deng Jinkui, you know full well you are no match for me. If you refuse to be sensible, don't blame me for being heartless. You alone cannot stop me. Do you know the consequences of offending the Cheng family? There will be no place left for you in all of Luocheng."

Although Zhao Weiming held the upper hand, he knew he couldn't take down Deng Jinkui quickly. He hoped to win without a fight, scaring Deng away to save time and effort.

Deng Jinkui remained silent for a moment, then took a step forward. "I still want to take the gamble."

"Gambling on what?"

"Gambling that Mr. Lin will eventually surpass the Cheng family and become the King of Luocheng."

This statement drew further mockery from Zhao Weiming and Wei Dagang. "I am now certain that your brain has been damaged. You believe a wet-behind-the-ears kid will become the King of Luocheng? Fine. Today, I will kill this 'future king' and shatter your illusions."

Zhao Weiming closed the distance. Deng Jinkui tensed his muscles, veins bulging, preparing for the clash.

"You lost to me before, and that was only because I showed mercy during our spar. Today, you will die under my palms. From this day forward, Luocheng will have one less eighth-rank master." Zhao Weiming took his stance, assuming the opening posture of the Cheng family's Bagua Palm, and launched his attack.

"Master Wei, should I take my men in?" Sun Bao asked, watching the fierce battle, fearing it would not end quickly.

"Not yet! If you rush in, aren't you just looking for death? Can you beat that kid?" Wei Dagang waved him off.

"Uh... I'm just worried that the brat might slip away," Sun Bao muttered.

"The monk can run, but he can't move the temple. Once Third Master Zhao kills Deng Jinkui, that kid won't have wings to fly," Wei Dagang replied.

As the two eighth-rank masters fought, the onlookers watched with bated breath.

"If I’d known Deng Jinkui was here, I should have asked Miss Wanqing to send Second Master Shi," Wei Dagang remarked. The "Second Master Shi" he referred to was Shi Weijun, the second disciple of Cheng Kuo—a genuine ninth-rank master.

"Still, Third Master Zhao already has the upper hand. Deng Jinkui’s defeat is only a matter of time."

While both were eighth-rank, Zhao Weiming practiced the Bagua Palm, a superior internal martial art, whereas Deng Jinkui’s external boxing was significantly inferior. At the same rank, the quality of one's martial arts determines the outcome. The fluid, intricate nature of the Bagua Palm meant Deng Jinkui was destined to lose.

Deng Jinkui felt the pressure mounting. He gritted his teeth, launching a desperate assault, but Zhao Weiming neutralized the blow with a graceful maneuver, shifted his footwork, and struck with a "Charging Ape's Seal," blasting Deng Jinkui flying through the air.

The battle was over.