Chapter 268 - 121: Invitations from All Sides, Personally Delivering the Prizes

"I never imagined... Junior Brother Yang has actually broken through to the Huajin realm."

Xu Hong lamented in a low voice, his tone full of melancholy.

He had practiced martial arts for over a decade just to reach the Peak of Dark Energy. After failing to break through three times, the path to the Huajin realm was forever closed to him.

Yet Yang Jing, who had joined less than two years ago, had already reached a height Xu Hong could never hope to attain.

Qi Yun nodded, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. She sighed. "I’m afraid you won’t find another person in all of Yuhe County with his level of talent."

Zhao Wenzheng remained silent, but his fists had unconsciously clenched tight.

At first, he had been happy that the Martial Arts Hall had won the match. But as he walked, a sudden chill shot up from the soles of his feet, causing his entire body to seize up.

He recalled how he had secretly instigated conflict between Lin Yue and Yang Jing, hoping to use Lin Yue to cause some trouble for him.

When Lin Yue was later crippled, he hadn’t thought much of it. Now, however, the memory filled him with belated fear.

’I actually schemed against a Huajin Powerhouse!’

At this thought, the color drained from Zhao Wenzheng’s face.

The authority of a Huajin Powerhouse was not something a Dark Energy Martial Artist could dare to provoke.

If Yang Jing ever found out, even if he only held a slight grudge, it wouldn’t just be him—Zhao Wenzheng—who would suffer. The entire Zhao Family would face dire consequences.

Zhao Wenzheng secretly glanced at Yang Jing’s back, feeling that the figure now seemed even more imposing and fearsome than it had on the fighting stage earlier.

He swallowed hard, his heart pounding. He prayed Yang Jing would never find out, that this secret would remain buried in the dust of time forever.

But simply hoping time would erase his transgression left him feeling deeply uneasy. Zhao Wenzheng clenched his fists, forcing himself to calm down.

’Waiting passively for disaster isn’t an option. I have to do something proactive to set my mind at ease.’

He took a deep breath, pushing down the fear in his heart.

’Jealousy?’

In the face of a Huajin Powerhouse, that pitiful scrap of jealousy had long since vanished into thin air, replaced by nothing but awe and a desperate desire to get on his good side.

’The most urgent task now is to find a way to get closer to Yang Jing and change his impression of me.’

’But Yang Jing is a Huajin Powerhouse now, a man of respected status. Ordinary treasures probably won’t even catch his eye.’

’The Zhao Family has some wealth, but not enough to produce a treasure that could truly tempt a Huajin Powerhouse.’

Zhao Wenzheng racked his brain, his brow deeply furrowed. Finally, his gaze fell upon the backs of Yang Jing and their master up ahead.

’The only thing I can rely on, perhaps, is our bond as fellow disciples.’

"Junior Brother Zhao, why do you look so pale?" Qi Yun noticed his strange demeanor and asked, "Were you injured during the match earlier?"

Zhao Wenzheng snapped back to his senses and forced a stiff smile. "N-No, I’m fine. I was probably just too nervous watching the match."

He subconsciously avoided Qi Yun’s gaze, not daring to even meet her eyes.

It wasn’t that he was afraid of Qi Yun, but that he feared being noticed by Yang Jing up ahead.

Although he knew Yang Jing wasn’t interested in romance and likely had no special feelings for Qi Yun, he felt so guilty right now that he was afraid the slightest disturbance would arouse Yang Jing’s displeasure.

He steadied himself, and as if a thought suddenly struck him, he raised his voice just enough for Xu Hong and Qi Yun beside him to hear, and for it to faintly reach Yang Jing and their master up ahead. "Senior Brother Xu, Senior Sister Qi, I was just thinking. Our Martial Arts Hall didn’t just defeat the Li Family—Junior Brother Yang also broke through to the Huajin realm. It’s a double blessing! Shouldn’t we throw a grand banquet to celebrate? I’ll cover all the expenses!"

Qi Yun froze for a moment at his words, her astonished gaze landing on Zhao Wenzheng’s face.

’In her memory, Zhao Wenzheng had always been somewhat prejudiced against Yang Jing, even secretly competing with him. Why the sudden enthusiasm? Why would he offer to pay for Yang Jing’s celebration banquet out of his own pocket?’

’The change was just too sudden.’

’Is it really true that once you become powerful, everyone around you suddenly becomes a well-wisher?’

Feeling uncomfortable under Qi Yun’s scrutiny, Zhao Wenzheng could only give a dry laugh and explain, "I’m just so happy, you know? The Martial Arts Hall has finally had its moment of glory, and Junior Brother Yang made such a huge breakthrough. It’s truly worth celebrating."

Xu Hong, on the other hand, thought it was an excellent idea. He nodded and said, "That’s how it should be. It’s been a long time since our Martial Arts Hall had this much excitement. We definitely need to celebrate properly. But how can we let you cover all the expenses? I have some savings; we can all chip in and make it a grander affair."

"No, no!" Zhao Wenzheng waved his hands hastily, his tone tinged with urgency. "I can afford it. Just consider it my personal congratulations to Junior Brother Yang. Senior Brother Xu, please don’t argue with me on this."

His intentions were crystal clear to himself.

’This banquet is the perfect opportunity to close the distance between us. I have to be the one to host it so I can make a strong impression on Yang Jing.’

’As long as I can change Yang Jing’s opinion of me, what does this little bit of money matter?’

Up ahead, Yang Jing seemed to hear the discussion behind him. His pace faltered for a moment, but he didn’t turn around, simply continuing his conversation with Sun Yong.

Sun Yong, however, did glance back.

Zhao Wenzheng’s heart leaped into his throat. He stared intently at Yang Jing’s back, only breathing a secret sigh of relief when he was sure Yang Jing wasn’t going to object.

’It seems I made the right move.’

...

「Elsewhere.」

The members of the Li Family walked in silence on their way back to their estate. Along the streets, commoners watched from a distance, whispering amongst themselves.

The Li Family disciples were all crestfallen, their earlier high spirits completely vanished. The atmosphere in their ranks was so oppressive it felt suffocating.

"It’s all that Yang Jing’s fault. He’s so treacherous!" a young disciple couldn’t help but mutter resentfully. "He had clearly already broken through to the Huajin realm, but he deliberately kept it a secret to lure us into a trap. Such dishonorable tactics!"