Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Mockery and Sarcasm
Zhang Yaqing smiled. "City Governor Li, if the Luo Group and I were to engage in a battle of wits against other prepared companies, we would undoubtedly be at an absolute disadvantage. What do you think?"
Li Buyi looked somewhat troubled and turned his gaze to Leng Baiyu and Xing Zhanlong. "Chief Instructor Leng, Mr. Xing, what are your thoughts?"
Xing Zhanlong responded indifferently, "Today, I am merely a guest. I have no right to interfere with how these two spots are contested. However, since everyone seems so enthusiastic, a formal contest isnât a bad way to resolve this."
"Chief Instructor Leng, what do you think?"
Leng Baiyu replied dispassionately, "I have no objections; Iâm just a guest today. However, forcing an opponent to forfeit directly is a bit too unfair.
"After all, some are prepared, and some are not. The initial conditions arenât equal, so how can they compete? At the very least, they should be allowed to send someone up to contend for a spot."
Xing Zhanlong nodded slightly. "Chief Instructor Leng has made a fair point. Since all five companies have earned the right to compete, they should all be given a fair chance. As for what experts they can bring to the fight, that will depend on their own capabilities."
Luo Qingli pursed her red lips, but she felt powerless to protest. A proclamation from these high-level figures was as good as setting the rules.
She had no choice but to comply.
Joy lit up the faces of the Lin family members. They had the backing of the Capital Lu Family, and this time, Lu Rugao had come prepared with a martial arts expert.
They had a very good chance of winning.
Qin Cang was even more thrilled. After all, the combatant he had invited was none other than the branch helmsman of Hongmen, Qiao Xiong!
Snagging one of the spots was practically a done deal.
"Helmsman Qiao, itâs all on you now."
With a look of pure arrogance, Qiao Xiong said casually, "Rest assured, itâs as good as done."
As a top-tier expert among the Grandmasters of the Martial Arts World, he was absolutely confident he could overcome anyone, even Jiang Baifeng from the Jiang Family! He didnât give them a second thought. As for the Luo Group and Zongheng Chamber of Commerce? Rubbish. The only one who might pose a slight challenge was the expert Lu Rugao had brought! Securing one of the two spots was a sure thing!
Wei Ziheng smirked smugly. "Miss Zhang, who does the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce plan to send into battle?"
Zhang Yaqing could only respond helplessly, "I am asking Mr. Chen to fight for the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce!"
"Which Mr. Chen?" Wei Zihengâs lips curled into a sarcastic sneer. "Donât tell me... you mean Chen Xiao?"
"Thatâs right!" Zhang Yaqing nodded.
She could only choose Chen Xiao; she had no other choice!
"HAHAHAHAâ"
After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd erupted into a wave of derisive laughter.
Qin Cang said mockingly, "The one fighting for our side is Helmsman Qiao of Hongmen! Are you sending this brat out to polish Helmsman Qiaoâs shoes with his face?"
Qiao Xiong crossed his arms and snorted coldly. "This wet-behind-the-ears punk isnât even worthy of licking my shoes! Mr. Qin, please donât insult me by comparing me with him."
Qin Cang nodded repeatedly in firm agreement. "Exactly! Comparing trash like him to you, Helmsman Qiao, is a tremendous insult!"
Lu Rugaoâs beautiful eyes also turned towards Zhang Yaqing. "Miss Zhang, are you sure you want to resort to such desperate measures?"
Li Kani, standing next to Lu Wushuang, simply shook her head.
She had witnessed Chen Xiaoâs skills. They were decent, yes. But that was the extent of it. Compared to these true masters from the Martial Arts World, he wasnât even fit to carry their shoes! After all, coming from the Li Family, she had some understanding of the enormous gap between bodyguards with rudimentary skills and genuine martial arts experts. Zhang Yaqing was either giving up completely or she was just a love-struck fool, blindly confident in Chen Xiao!
"I believe in Mr. Chen!" Zhang Yaqing declared firmly.
Lu Rugao smiled faintly. "In that case, your action is tantamount to forfeiting."
Lin Qixian laughed with disdain. "Miss Zhang, pinning the future of the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce on a moocher... I must say, Iâm impressed!"
"Whatâs it to you?" Zhang Yaqing retorted flatly. "You talk as if the Lin Family has already won this."
Lin Qixian smiled smugly. "My apologies, but this time, the Lin Family has invited an expert from the Capital Lu Family! The renowned master known as Northern Fist, Old Master Lu Buqun!"
With that, he introduced the stern-faced old man who had been standing silently beside Lu Rugao.
Northern Fist, Lu Buqun!
Upon hearing this name, a ripple of shock went through the crowd. They hadnât expected the Lu Family to deploy this titan of the martial arts world! Thirty years ago, this expert, famous throughout the Divine Land for his fist techniques, was already a household name in the Martial Arts World!
Even Qiao Xiongâs expression turned grim.
Lin Qixian gloated, "Old Master Lu was famous across the world for his fist arts thirty years ago! At that time, this moocher probably wasnât even born yet, right?"
Lu Buqun slowly shot a sideways glance at Chen Xiao, dismissing him as a mere brat. He sneered, "Born? Hell, back then, his mother probably wasnât even pregnant with him!"
"HAHAHAHAâ" The crowd erupted into another round of roaring laughter. The disdain and humiliation in Lu Buqunâs words couldnât have been thicker.