「Extreme Sea Villa.」
An old man with white eyebrows stood by the lake, contentedly admiring the flowers.
The others were either earnestly reading books or lying on wicker chairs, resting with their eyes closed.
Guo Xinli stood alone, tending a barbecue grill. Amidst the billowing smoke, he skillfully flipped several lake fish, his application of seasoning and mastery of the heat rivaling that of any professional barbecue vendor.
If this scene were to get out, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar. The dignified President of the Martial Association, a man powerful enough to be called a prince, was here grilling fish in a cloud of greasy smoke?
But for Guo Xinli, this was both normal and a source of pride. Barbecuing might be considered a humble craft, but it all depended on who you were grilling for.
A short while later, Guo Xinli plated the grilled fish, adding a small vegetable salad on the side.
Just then, the sound of urgent footsteps approached. One of Guo Xinli's confidants came over and was about to report in a low voice when the President cut him off. "What's with all the secrecy? Just say it."
"The people from Feiyang Martial Arts School stormed the Martial Association! They took Pang Qirong and the other senior executives away. They said… they said they wanted them to attend the school's opening ceremony for the ribbon-cutting."
Guo Xinli was left speechless.
The other old men were equally stunned.
The middle-aged subordinate wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his mouth suddenly dry. He continued, "His real intention was to find you, President. But since you weren't there, he 'invited' Pang Qirong and the others instead."
"He also said that they barely qualified."
The sudden silence made the atmosphere exceptionally oppressive.
"Since when has the Martial Association become a place that anyone can trample on and humiliate?" the white-browed elder asked idly, pinching a small flower.
THUMP.
Guo Xinli immediately dropped to his knees, trembling as he spoke. "My... my lord, I am sorry! It was my negligence. I will go and resolve this at once."
"It is about time you, the President, made an appearance," another elder chimed in. "Lest people think the Martial Association is just an empty shell."
"Yes!"
Guo Xinli kowtowed respectfully. He then stood up, placed the grilled fish on a nearby table, and said, "My lords, please enjoy. I shall return shortly."
Guo Xinli retreated three steps before turning and striding away with his confidant.
"What is this martial arts school? Not even worth mentioning. That fellow, however, seems like he'll be tough to chew."
The white-browed elder rubbed the small red flower between his thumb and forefinger, grinding it silently into dust. Gathering his robes, he was the first to sit at the table. He squinted and said, "This matter cannot be delayed. It must be dealt with swiftly."
The other elders nodded in agreement.
「In front of the Feiyang Martial Arts School.」
Su Ling had the Traveling Dragon Sword resting on his shoulder, his hands draped over either end. He slouched nonchalantly at the entrance, a wide sneer on his face as he stared down Sun Tianze.
"Isn't that Young Master Su Ling? What's he doing here? Could it be that he's the one backing the Feiyang Martial Arts School?"
"I doubt it. The Su Family is too small to provide this level of backing. There must be more to this story."
"Things seem to be getting more and more interesting. I wonder how this will all end?"
Su Ling had some renown in Cangyun City, so he was recognized by many in the crowd as soon as he appeared.
"Young Master Su Ling, as far as I know, my Martial Association and your Su Family have always minded our own business. Why are you involving yourself today?" Sun Tianze's expression shifted several times before he managed to ask the question in a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing.
Su Ling's appearance was completely unexpected, but it also brought him a measure of relief. A mere Su Ling was not enough to intimidate him.
"Who do you think you are?" Su Ling scoffed. He freed one hand and held up two fingers. "I, Su Ling, don't need to explain my actions to you. You have two choices: get lost, or fight me."
He was brimming with confidence, feeling as if he could take on the entire world.
"You..." Sun Tianze's face instantly darkened. "Su Ling, I advise you to know your place. Otherwise, not even your grandfather will be able to save you."
"So much nonsense!" Su Ling raised his sword. "If you won't get lost, then kneel for me!"
As he stepped forward, he lifted the Traveling Dragon Sword high and brought the flat of the blade crashing down toward Sun Tianze's head. A powerful gust of wind howled as a heavy pressure suddenly filled the air.
"Hmph!"
Since words were clearly failing, Sun Tianze didn't bother wasting any more breath. He leaped into the air, raising both hands to block.
BOOM!
The moment they made contact, Sun Tianze, who had been full of confidence just a second ago, felt his arms explode. Splinters of white bone burst through his skin amidst a spray of blood. His entire body plummeted like a kite with a severed string.
THUMP.
He landed hard on his knees, shattering the pavement beneath him as cracks spiderwebbed out in all directions.
It hurts so much!
Sun Tianze's face twisted in agony. He could feel that his knees were completely destroyed. From this day forward, he would likely spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
He glared at Su Ling with venom. "I am one of the Martial Association's Eight King Kong! You've crippled me today, so the Martial Association will certainly not let this go. You just wait!"
"The Martial Association's King Kong are precisely who I came here to beat!" Su Ling held the sword in one hand and gave it a flick, creating an elegant flourish. He grinned, baring his teeth. "As for your threats..."
WHOOSH.
Su Ling thrust his sword into Sun Tianze's shoulder blade. With a twist of his forearm, he hoisted the man into the air. "Instead of threatening me, you should worry about whether you'll even leave this place alive today."
Sun Tianze was at a loss for words.
The crowd fell into a stunned silence.
Since when did this Young Master Su Ling become so formidable?
Facing the shocked gazes from all around, Su Ling simply smiled, his heart swelling with pride.
When have I ever been so magnificent?
However, a series of hurried and disordered footsteps suddenly echoed from the edge of the crowd.
Hmm?
Everyone turned their heads. Upon seeing the newcomers, many frowned in confusion but dared not hesitate, quickly parting to form a wide path.
"Protector... Protector Pang, save me!" Sun Tianze's bloodshot eyes lit up the moment he recognized the man, and he screamed with all his might.
In his desperate plea for survival, he failed to notice that Pang Qirong, the man now approaching, was also covered in blood.
"It's the Martial Association's protector, and he brought so many people with him. A huge fight seems inevitable."
"Not necessarily. Something seems off about that protector... and the young man walking in front doesn't look like he's from the Martial Association!"
A buzz of discussion rose from the crowd.
Seeing that Pang Qirong hadn't even glanced at him, Sun Tianze cried out again, "Save... save me..."
"Shut up!" Pang Qirong snapped coldly.
I'm like a clay bodhisattva crossing a river—I can barely save myself, yet you expect me to save you? More importantly, what could I possibly save you with? Damn it all!
Finally, Pang Qirong and his group halted at the entrance to the Feiyang Martial Arts School.
Chen Yang stood to one side, slowly lighting a cigarette before speaking calmly, "Say a few words."
"I... I am Pang Qirong, one of the four protectors of the Martial Association. It is a great honor to be here for the opening ceremony of the Feiyang Martial Arts School today," Pang Qirong said hastily, not daring to delay.
An honor? Sun Tianze, who had been plotting his revenge, was completely dumbstruck.
The onlookers were equally baffled. What in the world was going on?!
"Congratulations to Feiyang Martial Arts School. I hope it grows bigger and stronger," Pang Qirong continued. "As for the offense caused by a member of our Martial Association earlier, I offer my deepest apologies."
Sun Tianze could only stare in disbelief.
The onlookers were speechless.
This... This man hadn't come here to cause trouble. He was here to apologize