Chapter 102: The Appearance

At the same time, at the Jinyu Mantang Building of the Martial Arts Association.

Early in the morning, many masters of the martial arts halls arrived in the hall to wait, yet the news they received was completely unexpected.

"What? The government did not ban that outsider from setting up a ring, but instead sent letters inviting the three major Concessions to participate?"

"And the Governor even demanded that we cooperate and not stand in their way?"

"This, this..."

Looking at Ouyang Heng, who was reporting the news to everyone, the crowd in the hall was in an uproar; they had not expected such a change in the situation.

Huang Shihu's expression was grim:

"This is preposterous! What is that Governor doing? No matter how much we squabble behind closed doors, it is our own business. By bringing those foreign devils here, is he not afraid that the outsider will be defeated in the ring and lose face for all of Jinjin!"

Zheng Shan'ao, holding his pipe, laughed heartily with a look of anticipation instead:

"Master Huang, have you forgotten that the young man's Godly Strength is something even we cannot handle? A mere group of foreign devils, practicing nothing but a hodgepodge of messy things—could they possibly be more formidable than us? To me, the Governor's arrangement is a stroke of genius; it is the perfect opportunity to crush the arrogance of those foreigners and win back some dignity for the country, and even for all the Han people under Heaven!"

"That makes sense."

The white-haired Ouyang Heng pondered:

"The cultivation paths of the Shenluo, Sha'e, and even Rizhao are modeled after our own. As long as they are below the Seventh Realm, I fear they cannot withstand three punches from that young outsider. I just don't know if there are any top-tier experts of the Seventh Realm among their garrison. If they are shameless enough to send such figures, then it will be troublesome..."

"So what if they send a top-tier Seventh Realm expert?"

Zheng Shan'ao chuckled:

"Not to mention whether they have the face to let such an existence step onto the ring to take a punch, that young man is only in his early twenties. Even if they do take it, there is no glory in it for them. We can instead say they are bullying the young and are devoid of shame; we won't necessarily be at a disadvantage!"

Hearing this, the eyes of the people below brightened, and they nodded one after another.

The beauty of the ring Lu Yuan set up lies in the fact that he is too young, and it is a matter of taking three punches rather than a formal duel.

This maximizes the advantage of his peerless Godly Strength. As long as the three major powers come to participate, they will likely suffer a great loss while being caught unaware.

The iron hooves of the powers have trampled and carved up the Concessions; there is no martial artist with hot blood who does not take this as a shame. Although the Martial Arts Association's failures over the past two days were frustrating, the thought of those foreign devils also stumbling at Lu Yuan's hands caused the attitude of these Martial Masters to shift, and they began to look forward to it instead.

"Alright!"

Saying this, Zheng Shan'ao stood up abruptly and said with a smile, raising his voice:

"Everyone, today's excitement is no small matter. If you go late, let alone the edge of the ring, I fear you won't even be able to squeeze into Haihe Square. I shall take my leave first!"

With that, he walked straight off the stage and out of the hall.

"Old Zheng is right; there will likely be several times more people coming to watch the excitement today than yesterday!"

"Hurry, hurry! If we go late, there won't be any good spots left!"

"I, for one, want to see if those foreign devils actually dare to come!"

Behind him, a crowd of martial arts hall masters and their disciples rose one after another to respond, following Zheng Shan'ao out of the Jinyu Mantang Building and heading toward Haihe Square.

Even Huang Shihu, who had been brooding over his own defeat, sighed and followed the other elders out.

At the same time.

Above Haihe Square.

Although it was still an hour or two until noon, a large number of curious onlookers had already arrived at the square, hoping to secure a good spot in advance.

There were at least two or three thousand people who had arrived early, and the area around the ring was already packed so tightly that not even water could trickle through. Regardless of gender or age, everyone was full of excitement and anticipation, discussing it heatedly:

"This is the third day that outsider has set up the ring. I wonder if anyone will make a move today?"

"I doubt it. Several Martial Arts Masters have gone up over the last two days, but that outsider hasn't even thrown his third punch yet. What other expert could possibly go up there and humiliate themselves?"

"But, isn't there still a Martial Arts Master among the Martial Arts Association?"

"Are you joking? What kind of person is the Martial Arts Master? Besides, he is nearly seventy years old; what would it look like for him to run onto the ring to take three punches from a junior? Even if he took them all, others would only think it was expected, and he might even be criticized for it."

"That's true... In that case, there's nothing to see today?"

"That's not necessarily true. Have you heard? It is said that the government sent letters to the three major Concessions early this morning, inviting the experts among those foreign devils to watch and participate in the ring!"

"Hiss... Good idea! These foreign devils usually act high and mighty in Jinjin, being incredibly arrogant and constantly calling us the 'Sick Men of the Jin Dynasty'. If they come to the ring, it would be the perfect chance to let them see the prowess of our Han sons!"

"However... I heard that the foreign garrisons in the Concessions are all elites, and there is no lack of top-tier experts. Can that outsider handle them all? If he loses in the ring, wouldn't that be even more damaging to our dignity?"

"That shouldn't happen, right? After all, that outsider has already repelled so many Martial Arts Masters. Those foreign experts can't possibly be more formidable than them..."

The crowd grew larger and larger, and all sorts of discussions were rampant, all talking about the government's invitation and whether the experts from the three major Concessions of Shenluo, Sha'e, and Rizhao would arrive.

Meanwhile, in a teahouse at the edge of the square.

The third floor had been booked out, and sturdy-looking leaders with bulging waistlines blocked the stairs.

By the window, Deng Xiaolin, the Deputy Leader of the Cao Gang, had his upper body wrapped in bandages and was draped in a heavy cloak. He looked at the leader in front of him with a pale and gloomy expression:

"What? Government officials will be there today? And they invited foreign experts from the three major Concessions?"

"Where did this news come from?"

The two leaders in front of him said quickly:

"Yes, Leader Deng, this news is absolutely true. It was Commandant Fan who personally sent someone to pass the word, demanding that our Cao Gang make no unusual moves, and certainly not to do anything detrimental to that outsider, otherwise we will be held accountable."

"He said it was a decision made by the Governor, Qi Yuanjiang, who sent letters to the three major Concessions early this morning. The Shenluo people have explicitly stated they will come to participate at noon, and the Prefectural Assistant, Liu Guobai, as well as he himself, will personally be there to supervise."

"What do you think we should do in a moment?"

Hearing this, anger burned in Deng Xiaolin's eyes, and his expression was extremely ugly:

"Bastards..."

He had already prepared gunmen and scapegoats, just waiting for Lu Yuan to step onto the ring again today to send the other party on their way and wash away yesterday's shame.

However, this sudden change in the situation completely disrupted his plans, making him feel wary and afraid to act.

After all.

It was now clear that the government wanted to use Lu Yuan's ring to make a statement and regain face from the powers. If he dared to fire a black shot at this time, he would inevitably offend the government to death, and the massive Cao Gang might not even be able to protect him!

Thinking of this, Deng Xiaolin had no choice but to give up for the time being, gritting his teeth as he said:

"Tell the people below to hold their positions for now. Spare that little beast's life for now, and we'll talk after today!"

"Yes!"

The two leaders also breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly acknowledged the order, and then went downstairs to convey it.

But before they could recall all the gunmen hidden among the crowd.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

A burst of dense footsteps and clamor suddenly erupted in the square.

Then, at the entrance of the square, a solid mass of a thousand soldiers carrying Firearm arrived, and subsequently, under the shouting of their leaders, they forcibly cleared a path through the main road and even the flow of people in the square, leading directly to the location of the central stage.

Even the curious onlookers who had occupied spots in advance and gathered around the stage were driven away by this large group of soldiers, clearing a large open space.

Afterward, clerks carried tables, chairs, and benches through the path cleared by the soldiers, setting up an Eight Immortals table and over a dozen seats directly facing the stage, with even teapots and teacups fully provided.

Subsequently, Liu Guobai, dressed in dark red official robes, also entered the field surrounded by a group of staff officers and translators like stars around the moon, taking his seat in advance to wait.

Seeing this formation, the surrounding commoners who had been separated became even more excited and expectant:

"Isn't this Prefectural Assistant Liu Guobai, the right-hand man of the Governor? Even he has come; it seems the news is correct!"

"Could the seats next to him be prepared for those foreign devils?"

"That goes without saying! There will be a great show to watch soon; I hope that outsider doesn't lose face for us in Jinjin!"

As the soldiers arrived, the atmosphere clearly heated up; at the same time, as the time drew near, a large number of commoners and curious onlookers continued to arrive from various streets in high spirits.

From all directions, a large number of commoners gathered, first forming a sea of people in the square, and then quickly spreading and covering it, blocking the streets large and small around Haihe Square.

Although it was not yet noon, Haihe Square and the surrounding area for nearly a mile were already shoulder-to-shoulder and overcrowded; the number of people there had already reached fifty or sixty thousand and was still rising!

If not for the thousand soldiers with loaded weapons maintaining order on the scene, a chaotic incident might have already occurred.

It was in such a scene.

Many experts from the Martial Arts Association, the Golden Blade Group, and even various large and small factions also arrived near the stage before the crowd reached its peak, and were amazed by it.

At the front of the crowd, Zheng Shan'ao scanned the area and sighed:

"In all my years in Jinjin, I have never seen such a grand occasion. If that young man can successfully defeat the challengers from the foreign powers today, he might just leave his name in history!"

Beside him, Huang Shihu was still very unconvinced and snorted coldly:

"Even if he defeats a few foreign experts, it counts for nothing. How could he leave his name in history?"

Knowing he was still resentful, Zheng Shan'ao smiled without a word, clearly having great confidence in Lu Yuan.

Including on the other side.

In the crowd, Lin Xingchao, who had arrived early, looked at this situation and said helplessly:

"Old Gu, isn't the scene you and A Yuan created a bit too big? Are you sure there won't be any problems?"

Beside him, Gu Kanshan laughed:

"Rest assured. You haven't fought that kid Lu Yuan; his strength is not much inferior even when facing a top Seventh Realm Grandmaster. No matter what experts those foreigners send, they will meet the same fate. Believe me, today he will surely raise the prestige of our nation and people!"

"Sigh."

Lin Xingchao remained worried:

"The foreigners are all ambitious; even if A Yuan defeats all the challengers today, it might instead invite jealousy and retaliation, putting himself in danger. That is what I am worried about."

Gu Kanshan shook his head and said: "Xingchao, how can one accomplish great things by being timid? With Lu Yuan's ability, as long as he is not on the battlefield, who can do anything to him?"

"That is true..."

Things had reached this point and there was no other way; although Lin Xingchao was still worried, he could only wait silently.

Afterward, not long after.

The hour of noon officially arrived.

Suddenly, a clear sound of a gong resonated throughout the square. As tens of thousands of people waited in anticipation, some saw several figures appear at the end of the path isolated from the sea of people by the soldiers.

At the head was none other than Lu Yuan, along with Jinjin Commander Fan Zhenxiong.

Tap, tap, tap.

With the crowd roaring and countless gazes converging, under the personal guidance of Fan Zhenxiong and his personal guards, Lu Yuan had a calm expression and steady gait, walking through the path under the spotlight and boiling clamor to arrive before the central stage.

The reason he appeared with Fan Zhenxiong was also very simple.

Fan Zhenxiong was ostensibly the Jinjin Commander, the main general in charge of the local military, but his actual identity was that of Gu Kanshan's True Disciple, and also a remnant of the Shengping Heavenly Kingdom!

It was precisely this person who, as an inside agent, advised Qi Yuanjiang, allowing the plan concocted by Gu Kanshan and Lu Yuan to be successfully realized.

Arriving at the central stage.

"Truly a hero among the youth!"

Amidst the thousands of people, from the seats below the stage, Liu Guobai, who was seeing Lu Yuan for the first time, stood up abruptly to welcome him, his expression slightly surprised:

"I am Liu Guobai, Prefectural Assistant of Jinjin. I didn't expect Little Brother Lu to be so young. Do you have confidence in today's match?"

Lu Yuan just smiled: "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be here. I wonder where the people from the three Concessions are?"

Liu Guobai continued to look him up and down:

"Foreigners are all barbarians who do not know etiquette; being late is common. I have already received news that they set off from the Consulate in the Concession a while ago, and they should arrive here soon. However, it is not yet clear exactly who will participate in the match, so you must be careful."

Fan Zhenxiong also had a complex look in his eyes and said full of expectation: "Lu Yuan, I leave it to you now."

"Good."

Saying this, Lu Yuan nodded, then stepped onto the stage unhurriedly.

Liu Guobai wanted to say something but stopped, instead sitting back in his seat.

Excitement, anticipation, admiration, envy...

Thousands of gazes converged; the crowd below the stage was indignant, and some hot-blooded people could not help but shout loudly, cheering for Lu Yuan in advance:

"Lu Yuan, if the foreign devils from the Concession dare to come, beat them down and carry them away, don't show any mercy!"

"That's right, we have already been defeated miserably and shamefully on the battlefield; we must not lose on the stage!"

"The foreign devils are running rampant in Jinjin; you must vent our anger and wash away our shame!"

"If you can do it, I will let my sister marry you!"

The waves of shouting rolled and shook Heaven, while Lu Yuan merely responded with a smile on the stage.

This time, there was no need to use the couplet "God Fist Invincible, Jinmen Number One" to draw hatred, nor was there a need to use fifty thousand Silver Yuan in prize money as a gimmick; he just stood silently on the stage, feeling the unprecedentedly massive Qi Luck brewing and emerging in the dark.

This gathering and change in Qi Luck was far greater than the previous two days; clearly, because this move of inviting the Great Powers to challenge him had struck the pain points and expectations in the hearts of the thousands of Jinjin commoners, today, as long as he could crush and repel all the challengers from the Great Powers, he would inevitably become famous throughout the world and reap an unprecedented harvest of Qi Luck!

Just like that, amidst his silent waiting and the boiling discussions of the surging crowd below the stage.

Not long after, the sound of whistles came from the end of the square's passage, and one could see teams of steam-powered cars emitting black smoke, with different flags tied to their hoods, pulling to a stop.

"The Shenluo Consulate, the Sha'e Consulate, and the Rizhao Consulate have arrived—!"

Amidst the chanting of the bailiffs, groups of Shenluo People, Sha'e People, and Sunlight People, all with different appearances, temperaments, and attire, but wearing the same expressions of contempt or disdain, got out of their cars, stepped onto the passage, and walked toward the central arena.

(End of this chapter)