On this day, the Feiyang Martial Arts School was established. It was founded in the presence of countless witnesses, with the support of the Martial Association's high-ranking members, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by Association President Guo Xinli. In the end, Guo Xinli was obliterated into a bloody mist by a single palm strike from the Zhennan Prince.
When this news spread and hit the headlines of major media outlets, the entire imperial city of Cangyun was thrown into an uproar.
Who could have expected that not only was the Feiyang Martial Arts School established in Cangyun City, but that it was done in such an astonishingly brazen manner.
"Domineering! As expected of the Zhennan Prince. I'm impressed!"
"The Martial Association has completely lost face, and its image has taken a massive hit. I doubt they'll let this go, right?"
"I've heard the fees at the Feiyang Martial Arts School are less than a tenth of the Martial Association's. A lot of people have already signed up. For commoners like us, at least, the school's existence is a good thing."
All sorts of discussions erupted, igniting the atmosphere throughout Cangyun City.
「At the same time, in the Extreme Sea Villa.」
BANG!
A stone table, meticulously carved from a single piece of marble, exploded under the white-browed elder's palm, turning into a fine powder that dissipated into the air.
"Arrogant!" The white-browed elder, Zhou Yanqing, fumed. With his hands clasped behind his back, he paced back and forth, his face ashen. An icy glint flashed in his deep eyes. "You all heard him, didn't you? He said he's giving us a hundred days to fully prepare for his arrival."
"Forget that he's just a commoner now. Even when he was the Nine Gates Admiral, what did he amount to in our presence? He's courting death!"
Zhou Yanqing's mouth twitched as he made his final decision. "He must be dealt with swiftly. We can't let him live."
"Someone has already been dispatched to handle it," an elder in a black robe with a robust build, named Ji Wenping, said with a wave of his hand. "Now that Guo Xinli is dead, we must quell this situation quickly, or the consequences will be far-reaching."
"Use the old methods. Delete the posts, block the news, and let the public attention die down. Then, we'll appoint a new Association President to come forward and clarify that Guo Xinli was no longer our president. He was just a fraud using our name to swindle people."
An elder holding a book and wearing reading glasses, who looked scholarly and amicable, casually waved his hand and then pointed to a middle-aged guard nearby. "What do you think of him?"
Zhou Yanqing and Ji Wenping both turned to look at the middle-aged man.
"Not bad," Zhou Yanqing was the first to nod. "Your name is Shang Bai?"
"Yes, my lord!" The middle-aged man, Shang Bai, immediately dropped to his knees, his voice trembling. "I have been responsible for the safety of you lords here at the Extreme Sea Villa for eight years now."
"We know his background, and he looks stronger than Guo Xinli at a glance," Zhou Yanqing stated decisively. "I agree."
"Then it's him," Ji Wenping also nodded. He then addressed Shang Bai, "From today on, the Martial Association is yours to command."
"Thank you, my lords, for this opportunity! I, Shang Bai, will do my utmost!"
Zhou Yanqing waved a hand. "You are dismissed. Go and do what you must."
"Yes, my lord!"
As Shang Bai departed, Zhou Yanqing changed the subject. "Regarding the selection for the War God of the State, I propose Xue Dingshan. What are your thoughts?"
"Although Li Jiankun is more suitable, that man is too unyielding. He might be difficult to control in the future, so let's go with Xue Dingshan," said Ji Wenping.
"Agreed," the book-reading elder nodded slightly.
"With our machinations this time, those old fossils in the Elders' Court shouldn't be able to cause much of a stir, right?"
"Haha!"
"It's a done deal."
「Approaching noon.」
Just as everyone was still discussing the Martial Association President being slapped to death, a video statement from the association suddenly appeared on the front pages of major websites. Simultaneously, all news regarding the scandal was swiftly deleted.
The person in the video was Shang Bai, who had been chosen with startling casualness by the old men at the Extreme Sea Villa. In fact, Guo Xinli had been appointed in the exact same way.
"Guo Xinli resigned from his position as Association President a month ago. Since then, he has been fraudulently using the Martial Association's name!
"Thanks to the Feiyang Martial Arts School for eliminating this black sheep on our behalf.
"And I, Shang Bai, am the true Association President!"
This succinct yet dignified statement immediately began to sway public opinion about the Martial Association. Although many suspected it was just an excuse, there was no denying that Guo Xinli's death had failed to deal the association a severe blow.
With a new president, it continued to operate as usual. This fact left many people sighing with emotion, especially those who had hoped for the Martial Association's downfall. They could only shake their heads and sigh in resignation.
They knew that as long as the powerful figures behind the scenes remained, it wouldn't matter. Even if the entire Martial Association was eradicated, it wouldn't be long before a "Fist Association" or some other power was established to take its place. The crux of the problem was always the people pulling the strings.
"Damn it!" As lunchtime approached, Su Ling, who was about to sit down for a meal, swore loudly after seeing the Martial Association's statement. "They thank us? I'll thank their whole family! I bet that Shang Bai fellow is dreaming of the day he can destroy us, isn't he?"
Chen Yang, however, appeared unconcerned. This was more or less the outcome he had expected. He waved his hand dismissively. "The Feiyang Martial Arts School will be fine for now. If they decide to act, they'll come for me. So, none of you need to worry."
In a way, Chen Yang's relationship to the school was similar to that of the patrons behind the Martial Association. As long as he was around, what was the point of destroying the Feiyang Martial Arts School?
After explaining, Chen Yang waved his hand again. "I'll skip the meal. My wife is waiting for me at home."
Su Ling and Li Zhendong glanced at each other, bewildered. This guy is such a homebody?
When Chen Yang arrived home, Qin Qiu had already finished cooking. Just like any other day, she was sitting on a small stool by the front door, chin in hand, waiting expectantly for him.
"Honey, I'm back!" Chen Yang called out with a smile as he walked in.
Qin Qiu went to meet him, her face brimming with a smile. "I just finished cooking! I tried a new recipe with the bamboo shoots today. Come and have a taste, see if they're better than last time."
"You got it!"
Although their home was spacious and sometimes felt empty, it had been filled with joyous laughter for the past two weeks.
「More than half a month of peace went by.」
One day, Chen Yang, who was just returning from buying groceries, froze as he glanced at a news alert on his phone.
Xue Dalong, the top-tier expert of his generation who had occupied the top spot on the Dragon Brilliance List for twenty years, had passed away at his home last night.
He recalled that day on Chilian Peak when Xue Dalong himself said his time was short. He'd rather fight for his family's future than wait to die at home. Chen Yang hadn't expected him to pass away a mere half-month later.
Did he pass peacefully? Chen Yang was filled with a complex mix of emotions. He turned to Qin Qiu, who was walking toward him, and said, "An old senior has passed away. I need to go pay my respects."
"Let me change my clothes, and I'll go with you."
"Okay!"
What Chen Yang didn't know was that some people who held grudges against Xue Dalong were also rushing to the Xue Family home upon hearing the news. For some, even death could not make old feuds dissipate like smoke in the wind.