"The third match, Luo Mingxuan of Dongchuan versus Han Qiluo of Xichuan."
As the second match concluded, Lei Shen stood up and announced the start of the third.
Following Lei Shen's words, a man and a woman quickly ascended the stage.
Luo Mingxuan stood at 1.8 meters tall, possessing a handsome and delicate face that could be mistaken for a pretty boy. Han Qiluo, at 1.75 meters, was not bad-looking, but she wore a stern expression, as if everyone owed her ten million yuan and hadn't repaid it, finding fault with everyone.
"Brother Shen, these two are old rivals. It was them last year, and they've met again this year."
Watching Luo Mingxuan and Han Qiluo on the stage, Qin Long said with a playful smile.
"Are they enemies?"
Hearing Qin Long's words, Shen Lang asked curiously.
"Not enemies, but lovers."
Qin Long chuckled and said, "Luo Mingxuan and Han Qiluo were classmates in college and a couple. After four years of inseparable love, they reached the age for marriage discussions. However, Luo Mingxuan refused to marry Han Qiluo, no matter what. This led to Han Qiluo angrily breaking up with Luo Mingxuan, and they became adversaries in their careers.
"Whether by coincidence or design, they've been pitted against each other for three consecutive years. Each time, Han Qiluo goes all out, while Luo Mingxuan holds back, eventually exposing a flaw to let Han Qiluo defeat him."
"Is that so?"
Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this. "It seems Luo Mingxuan still likes Han Qiluo. Otherwise, he wouldn't go to such lengths."
Martial artists possess a competitive spirit. Without it, their martial cultivation would hardly improve.
But Luo Mingxuan consistently letting Han Qiluo defeat him truly indicated his affection for her.
"Perhaps. But there are too many people in this world who love each other but cannot be together."
Qin Long sighed softly, it was unclear if he was lamenting Luo Mingxuan and Han Qiluo's situation or self-deprecating.
"Qiluo, we meet again."
On the stage, Luo Mingxuan looked at Han Qiluo opposite him, his expression unnatural. After a long pause, he said awkwardly.
"Luo Mingxuan, you bastard. Do you think I want to see you? No, I want to destroy you."
Han Qiluo stared coldly at Luo Mingxuan and said, "Today, I will make you crawl off this stage."
"Qiluo, why must it be like this? Our issues were resolved two or three years ago. Why are you still holding onto it?"
Luo Mingxuan sighed, looking at the woman he once loved. "In this world, there are meetings and partings. It's best to part amicably. Clinging to the past brings only pain; it's a form of self-punishment."
"Stop the nonsense. Luo Mingxuan, if you are a man, then fight me and defeat me. As long as you can defeat me, I will no longer hate you. From then on, we will go our separate ways and live in peace."
Han Qiluo looked at Luo Mingxuan, a barely perceptible pain hidden in her eyes, and said coldly.
"I forfeit."
As soon as Han Qiluo finished speaking, Luo Mingxuan immediately raised both hands and declared to Lei Shen on the stage, "Lord Lei Shen, I forfeit this match."
"You little bastard, what trick are you playing now?"
Hearing Luo Mingxuan's words, Zhao Shentong, the director of the Dongchuan Martial Guard Department, was furious. "I've tolerated you letting Han Qiluo win for three consecutive years, but you forfeit directly this year. What about my reputation? What about the reputation of the Dongchuan Martial Guard Department?"
"You little bastard, I order you to defeat Han Qiluo at all costs, or I will disown you as my nephew."
As these words were spoken, Luo Mingxuan's face turned grim. He glanced back at Han Qiluo and found that she had already leaped up, delivering a spinning kick directly towards his neck.
"Luo Mingxuan, you spineless man, today I will show you what a man's responsibility truly is."
Han Qiluo's martial cultivation was not low, and after entering a berserk state, she became extremely formidable. Luo Mingxuan knew that during normal training, Han Qiluo could snap a tree the size of a bowl with a single kick. If this kick connected with his neck, his neck would likely snap on the spot.
Thinking of this, Luo Mingxuan's expression turned extremely ugly. He quickly ducked, narrowly avoiding the fierce kick at an incredibly fast speed.
However, although Luo Mingxuan dodged Han Qiluo's powerful kick, she followed up with a sideward roll and unleashed seven consecutive kicks at him.
Luo Mingxuan's evasive speed was astonishing, but Han Qiluo's legs were like a barrage of blooming flowers. After barely dodging two kicks, the remaining attacks landed squarely on Luo Mingxuan's shoulders, chest, and even his face, instantly turning his complexion ashen.
"Heh..."
Luo Mingxuan wiped the shoe print from his face and smiled at Han Qiluo. "Qiluo, your legwork has become even more impressive. I'm truly in awe."
"Luo Mingxuan, if you're a man, don't go easy on me. Fight me with all your might."
Han Qiluo knew that Luo Mingxuan was holding back and unwilling to attack her, but this only fueled her anger.
Han Qiluo truly couldn't understand why Luo Mingxuan, this scoundrel, kept his distance from her despite having her in his heart.
"Qiluo, you know me. I slacked off on training during college, while you trained for eight hours every day. How could my martial cultivation compare to yours?"
Luo Mingxuan forced an awkward smile. "See, you've kicked me a few times, and you should have vented your anger. I'll forfeit now, alright?"
"Damn it, Luo Mingxuan, you dare to forfeit?"
As Luo Mingxuan finished speaking, Han Qiluo sharply exclaimed, "If you dare to forfeit, I'll find ten men to sleep with today, give you ten cuckold hats, and make you the biggest joke in the Jiang Province Martial Guard Department!"
"Good heavens..."
At Han Qiluo's outburst, everyone present widened their eyes. How could this girl be so ferocious?
Shen Lang, who hadn't particularly liked Han Qiluo's scowl that suggested the whole world owed her a million yuan, now found her fierce demeanor surprisingly agreeable. He felt he was looking at her with much more favor.
"Brother Shen, you are a wise man. Why do you think Luo Mingxuan is so afraid of Han Qiluo?"
Qin Long asked curiously, still in shock.
"He's not afraid of Han Qiluo; he's afraid of himself. Luo Mingxuan has a strange illness that began about three or four years ago. Although he appears energetic now, he is actually terminally ill and will die soon."
Shen Lang smiled. "Because of this, Luo Mingxuan was afraid that Han Qiluo would be heartbroken after his death, so he proactively broke up with her."
"Strange illness?"
Qin Long asked, "What kind of strange illness?"
"It's a very complex and strange illness. During the day, he's no different from a normal person, but at night, he rapidly ages. Luo Mingxuan has been ill for a long time, and his body is already extremely weak. He might die on any given night."