Military Affairs Department!
At this moment, Tai Rubai was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
Lin Chen hadn’t returned for two nights.
Yesterday, the county contest between Degao County and Yudong County had ended, and today it was supposed to be the turn of Poyang County and Yanshan County.
"Lord, how about applying to the Military Affairs Department to postpone for another day?" Zeng Qingyao suggested.
"No."
Su Lingchuan waved his hand. Postponing for a day had already caused quite a few objections from Degao County and Yudong County. Delaying further would only make all counties more dissatisfied with Poyang County.
Compared to the county contest, he was more concerned about Lin Chen’s whereabouts at the moment.
The only thing that reassured him was that Lin Chen’s safety should not be an issue, as Lin Chen had been invited by Jiang Qing. He was well aware of Jiang Qing’s background and knew that Lin Chen would not encounter trouble in Raozhou Prefecture.
"But without Lin Chen, our county might lose this contest."
"If we lose, so be it. Poyang County can afford to lose. Losing one match could even spark the students’ fighting spirit; it’s not necessarily a bad thing."
Su Lingchuan could only comfort everyone in this way. He harbored no resentment towards Lin Chen. From the words Tai Rubai conveyed to Lin Chen, he knew that if it weren’t for something truly unavoidable, Lin Chen wouldn’t miss the county contest.
Thinking about the Jiang Mansion and the background of that Lord Jiang, Su Lingchuan actually had a guess in his heart.
The only reasons that could keep Lin Chen occupied were either a breakthrough in realm or a breakthrough in cultivation technique at a critical moment, making it impossible to be distracted.
"Instruct the students to head to the Martial Arts Arena."
Su Lingchuan made the decision, and the hall masters had to gather their students. When Fu Jingya and others assembled and saw no sign of Lin Chen, they were all puzzled.
Why isn’t Senior Brother Lin here?
Everyone’s gaze turned to Gu Shan and Fu Ang. Gu Shan pursed his lips and remained silent, while Fu Ang had a wry smile on his face. He hadn’t expected that Senior Brother Lin would be absent for two nights.
Could it be that dry wood met a raging fire and became uncontrollable?
Senior Brother Lin shouldn’t be that kind of person, right?
"Let’s go."
Zeng Qingyao glanced at everyone, spoke faintly, and did not explain why Lin Chen was absent.
As for Su Lingchuan, being the Director of the Martial Affairs Office, he naturally wouldn’t enter the arena with the students.
Martial Arts Arena.
The Martial Arts Arena of the Martial Affairs Office was not only vast but also had high-platform seating on all four sides. It was originally used for the Prefecture Examination’s dueling matches, providing seating for the spectator martial artists.
At this moment, students from martial arts halls of all other counties were already there on the spectator platform.
The duel between Poyang County and Yanshan County wouldn’t normally attract this many students, but due to the delay, students from other counties came with dissatisfaction, interested in watching the show.
In addition to students from various counties, many martial artists from the Prefecture City also came to watch.
Only Viscera-Refining Martial Artists or higher could enter and watch at the Military Affairs Department; below this level were not qualified to enter unless it was the Prefecture Examination.
The students from Poyang County and Yanshan County entered almost simultaneously, glanced at each other, and returned to their respective areas.
"Strange, why don’t we see Lin Chen?"
"Could he be afraid of losing and doesn’t dare to fight?"
Zhu Tao had a grudge against Lin Chen, but as soon as he said those words, even those from the same county, the students of Yanshan County, looked at him as if he were a fool.
Afraid to lose and not dare to fight?
Is this nonsense?
Zhang Qi and Shen Ge exchanged glances, both with puzzled eyes. In the entire Poyang County, the only person they considered a worthy opponent was Lin Chen.
Without Lin Chen present, this county contest was extremely easy for them.
Outside the Military Affairs Department hall.
Jiang Qing looked at Su Lingchuan: "Lord Su, this is the situation. If possible, it’s best to delay the duel until Lin Chen returns."
"No need."
Su Lingchuan shook his head. Seeing Jiang Qing’s puzzled expression, he smiled and explained, "It’s just a county contest. I can afford to lose it. More importantly, the good news you’ve brought me is more satisfying than winning a county contest."
The fusion of two Grade-Entering Techniques!
Goodness, if these words hadn’t come from Jiang Qing’s mouth, and if Jiang Qing hadn’t mentioned that it was Senior Sister Li Wan from Three Ponds Mountain who made the judgment, he would have slapped the speaker, not believing it easily.
As a Grade-Entering powerhouse, Su Lingchuan knew personally what the fusion of two techniques implied. If successfully fused, it doesn’t create a new technique but elevates the technique’s tier.
The power of two lower-grade techniques fused together can closely match a middle-grade technique.
Even if Lin Chen failed this time, it would immensely benefit his understanding of martial arts techniques.
Now Su Lingchuan admired his teacher’s foresight even more, acknowledging that he was short-sighted initially. Fortunately, he reflected in time and treated Lin Chen sincerely rather than out of opportunism.
"If Miss Jiang wishes to watch, you may directly go to the Martial Arts Arena. I’ll head in first."
Watching Su Lingchuan enter the hall, Jiang Qing felt a bit helpless. She had already entered the Martial Arts Academy and couldn’t represent Jingshui Martial Arts Hall to compete; otherwise, it would break the balance.
A quarter of an hour later, led by Qiu Rufeng, a large group of martial arts powerhouses appeared in the Martial Arts Arena.
The Director of the Military Affairs Department’s personal presence made the students at the scene become excited, even though they had already seen this Lord of the Military Affairs Department and so many martial arts powerhouses yesterday.
"Who is Lin Chen?"
After seating, Qiu Rufeng glanced at the Poyang County student area and asked in a deep voice.
This question triggered a thought in the nearby Grade-Entering powerhouses’ minds: who is Lin Chen?
Even though the Military Affairs Department had released a public document, more of Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian’s deeds were promoted internally within martial arts halls. The present Grade-Entering powerhouses, having long left the martial arts halls and not serving as officials within the Military Affairs Department system, naturally weren’t aware of this.
"Director, Lin Chen didn’t come today," Su Lingchuan promptly replied from the side.
Qiu Rufeng glanced at his disciple but didn’t pursue further questions and merely said, "If that’s the case, let the duel begin."
On the contrary, on the other side, Zhang Wangshan and other directors of the Martial Affairs Office looked at Su Lingchuan with confusion. The duel between Poyang County and Yanshan County was postponed by a day because Lin Chen took the Acupoint Opening Pill, yet Lin Chen, the person concerned, did not participate in the county duel?
Not participating in the county duel, yet taking the Acupoint Opening Pill?
What is Su Lingchuan really up to?
On the Martial Arts Arena, as a Grade-Entering powerhouse from the Military Affairs Department announced the start, the atmosphere began to grow tense.
Everyone present witnessed the intensity of yesterday’s duel between Degao County and Yudong County. No participant was left unscathed.
"Today’s duel surely can’t compare to yesterday’s. After all, the overall strength of Poyang County and Yanshan County doesn’t match that of the two counties from yesterday."
"That’s not necessarily true. Zhang Qi and Shen Ge from Yanshan County aren’t weak. This duel could still be quite something to watch."
Amid the discussions of students from various counties, Zhang Qi didn’t hesitate and was the first to step into the middle of the Martial Arts Arena.
"Zhang Qi from Yanshan County, willing to exchange pointers with ten junior brothers from Poyang County!"
Wow!
As soon as Zhang Qi said this, the audience burst into an uproar, mainly from the students spectating from various counties.
They had anticipated a one vs. many scenario in this round of duels but did not expect Zhang Qi to be so audacious.
One against ten!
On Poyang County’s side, Fei Hong and others looked grim. Zhang Qi’s words were a slight against them.
"Young and arrogant, deserves a beating."
Zhang Wangshan pretended to reprimand, while Su Lingchuan just snorted coldly. When it comes to pretending, Senior Brother Zhang is indeed an expert.
He didn’t believe that Zhang Qi wanted to challenge ten people without the Martial Affairs Office director knowing?
The surrounding Grade-Entering powerhouses were also shrewd, merely smiling without making any remarks.
"Yanshan County produced such a talent in this session, wanting to go one against ten?"
"Ha ha, our Yanshan County produced more than one fine talent this time. Zhang Qi came in second in the March duel, and there’s the even stronger Shen Ge yet to make a move."
On the viewing platform, many Viscera-Refining martial artists came specifically to support the counties in dueling, having originated from various counties themselves.
It was a Viscera-Refining martial artist from Yanshan County who spoke, familiar with the county’s martial academy students this time.
"Just afraid you might bite your tongue talking big, and end up getting embarrassed." This was a Viscera-Refining martial artist from Poyang County retorting.
On the field, Zhang Qi quickly picked ten people.
Nine from Poyang County were left unchosen, Zhang Qi looked at the remaining Fei Hong and the others: "Not picking you guys, just leaving something for Senior Brother Shen, otherwise, if I defeat them all, Senior Brother Shen might find this duel too dull."
Zhang Qi’s arrogant words ignited collective anger from Poyang County’s side.
"So arrogant, beat us ten first before talking."
Chosen Jet Iron Blood Martial Arts Hall’s Zhang Qing snorted lightly and said to the nine next to him: "Since the opponent is so arrogant, we should show no mercy either!"
Action!
All ten of Zhang Qing’s group moved nearly simultaneously.
They understood that Zhang Qi had already opened sixteen acupoints, three acupoints higher in realm than them.
But even a fierce tiger can’t withstand a pack of wolves. They just couldn’t believe Zhang Qi could deal with so many of them at once.
"Soon you’ll know what despair is!"
A ferocious look appeared on Zhang Qi’s face, his entire momentum rising, like a wild beast, he leaped up, throwing a punch towards the nearby Zhang Qing.
Roar!
With the punch formed, it carried the roar of a tiger. Zhang Qing similarly unleashed an Iron Collapse Fist with a booming sound to clash against it.
Crack!
As the two punches collided, Zhang Qing’s expression changed instantly, and in the next moment, his body flew off like a kite with a broken string.
One move!
Defeated Zhang Qing!
Seeing this scene, Meng Yuan and others’ eyes widened in shock. Zhang Qi wore a cruel smile, and in a moment, he charged like a beast.
Punch after punch!
The charging tiger, unstoppable.
"Great Success Tiger Roar Fist!"
Some martial artists among the onlookers exclaimed.
"Domination with the Three Acupoint realm combined with the Great Success Tiger Roar Fist, Zhang Qi is unbeatable now."
Thirty breaths!
In just thirty breaths, only Zhang Qi was left standing in the Martial Arts Arena.
Though he had minor injuries, they were not serious.
Su Lingchuan’s face was ashen, as were the expressions of the hall masters of the Eight Great Martial Arts Halls of Poyang County. This battle was a devastating defeat for Poyang County.
"Not worth a fight."
Zhang Qi curled his lips, looking at Shen Ge: "Senior Brother Shen, the rest is up to you, lest you find it boring."
"This Zhang Qi is truly arrogant."
Some students from other counties couldn’t stand it, but as soon as he said this, he was rebuked by others around him.
"Only with strength can one be arrogant. In martial arts, strength speaks for itself. If Poyang County lacks the strength, they should admit defeat."
On the viewing platform, Jiang Qing watched Zhang Qi’s arrogant demeanor, feeling a chill in her bright eyes. Just as she was deciding whether to break this balance and represent Poyang County on stage, her peripheral vision caught a figure at the entrance of the Martial Arts Arena.
Seeing this figure appear, Jiang Qing smiled.
Junior Brother Lin, you made it after all.

Comments

Loading...