Chapter 159: International Martial Arts Tournament, World Number One!

Hm?

Before the words had even faded, Lu Yuan cast a cold glance, and Nayancheng's vision went black; he let out a muffled groan and collapsed into his chair, the world spinning around him.

"Governor Na!"

"Lu Yuan, what are you doing!"

Beside him, Qi Yuanjiang and the other negotiating officials were all struck with alarm and issued rebukes, while the surrounding guards drew their blades in shock and anger, though they hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Surrounded by blades, Lu Yuan sat unmoved and sneered:

"Nayancheng, do not play those ridiculous mind games in front of me. You still want to use the common people to hold me hostage? Do you think I fall for that?"

Nayancheng's head felt as if it were splitting, and it took a long while for him to recover. Although he felt humiliated, he had to quickly stop the surrounding guards from provoking Lu Yuan, and he gritted his teeth:

"My apologies, Master Lu, I have offended you."

Never having seen Nayancheng so humble, the surrounding negotiating officials could not help but look at one another in terror, not knowing what to say.

Qi Yuanjiang took a deep breath and said:

"Master Lu, you are now a Grandmaster renowned throughout the world, a legend revered by countless commoners. Yet now, the Great Powers view you as a thorn in their side and have put forward such conditions. The Imperial Court has just suffered the failure of the Jin-Sunlight Naval Battle and is truly in no position to easily start a war. In such a dilemma, how do you suggest we proceed?"

Lu Yuan looked down at them and smiled slightly:

"This is precisely why I have appeared to meet with you all. I have an idea that might resolve all your difficulties."

Nayancheng's heart stirred, and he hurriedly asked:

"What idea?"

Lu Yuan laughed aloud:

"The Shenluo and the Sha'e—one wants my hands, the other wants my life. Since that is the case, let them come and take them themselves."

"Nayancheng, tell Xici that I wish for her to help me find a place in Tianjing to host a World Martial Arts Tournament, and at the same time, notify the top experts of the Shenluo, Sha'e, and Rizhao powers, as well as those across the entire world, inviting them to participate."

"No matter which side an expert belongs to, as long as they can defeat me at the World Martial Arts Tournament, all the conditions and treaties they have proposed can be agreed to. At the same time, the victor will also receive the honor of being World Number One, with their name spread throughout the world."

A World Martial Arts Tournament, World Number One!?

Everyone present was shocked on the spot, and several negotiating officials could not help but blurt out:

"Are you joking? How could the Old Buddha agree to such an absurd request?"

"Matters of state involve the nation and the lives of the common people; how can they be treated as such child's play!?"

"The conditions set by the Great Powers are already excessive; if you were to lose, the consequences would be unthinkable. This matter is absolutely inappropriate!"

"And what is this about gaining the honor of World Number One if one defeats you? Do you think you are already the best in the world?"

Nayancheng also said in a deep voice:

"The three great powers are full of hidden talents, especially the Holy See, whose believers number in the hundreds of millions across the world. The top experts among them are in no way inferior to those of the Great Jin. According to intelligence gathered by the Niangan Office in recent years, it seems that legendary practitioners who have broken the limits of the Seventh Realm have appeared within the Holy See, and you..."

"Oh? There are existences in the Shenluo comparable to the Eighth Realm Heavenly Gang?"

Lu Yuan's gaze swept over them calmly, ignoring the other officials, and he chuckled softly:

"That makes it even more interesting; otherwise, this World Martial Arts Tournament would be far too dull. You need not say anything more; just tell Xici my words exactly as they are. I believe she will certainly agree."

"As for the Great Powers, they can sign treaties and reap benefits without shedding blood, while also obtaining the honor of being the best in the world. I believe they will be tempted."

Nayancheng was speechless and could only take a deep breath:

"Very well. In that case, I will inform the Old Buddha and ask her to make the decision."

Lu Yuan nodded:

"Do it quickly. Once there is news, you may send someone directly to the Guangwu Hall to notify me."

As the words fell, his figure vanished from the chair before everyone's eyes, as if he had never existed at all.

The officials and the surrounding guards all widened their eyes, revealing expressions of horror:

"Coming without a shadow and leaving without a trace..."

"Is this person human or a ghost!?"

Nayancheng, who had long since witnessed such methods from Lu Yuan, did not make a fuss; he simply pressed his lips together, his thoughts racing.

It had to be said that the idea Lu Yuan proposed was highly innovative and served as a way to solve the problem.

After all, the current Jin Dynasty had little room to refuse the demands of the Great Powers.

And since Lu Yuan already knew of their conversation, the possibility of the Imperial Court capturing or killing him had dropped to near zero; it would be better to let him fight the Great Powers himself.

With his unfathomable strength and methods, the experts of the Great Powers might not necessarily be able to do anything to him.

More importantly, the Old Buddha had always wanted him dead; by hosting this World Martial Arts Tournament in Tianjing, the Imperial Court would have more room to scheme and prepare!

With this thought, he immediately shouted:

"Governor Qi, you stay in Jinjin to stabilize the situation. I will return to Tianjing now to report to the Old Buddha in person!"

Meanwhile.

The news that the Shenluo people's Iron-Clad Giant Ships had appeared along the coast to threaten them and had shelled the wasteland north of the city soon shook all of Jinjin.

Upon learning the news, the common people of the entire city were gripped by panic; chaos and fear appeared on every street and alley, and many merchants and gentry even packed their family wealth and fled, fearing they would be caught in the flames of war.

Many people rushed to the coast where the Dagu Fort was located to confirm the situation. Upon seeing the dozen or so large and small Iron-Clad Giant Ships spewing black smoke on the waves, they were filled with both worry and indignation, cursing repeatedly.

At this moment, the area around the Dagu Fort was packed with people; thousands had gathered there. Aside from ordinary commoners, most were people from various factions such as the Martial Arts Association and the Rowing Guild.

At the ruins of a fort, Wu Yixian and a group of elders and experts from the Martial Arts Association stared with extremely gloomy expressions at the massive warships in the distance:

"These foreign beasts, they are actually firing cannons directly at Jinjin!"

"What exactly do they want? Could they really be trying to start a war and attack Jinjin?!"

"The missionary riots were clearly the result of those Priests being wicked and bringing it upon themselves, yet they dare to mobilize a fleet to threaten and coerce us. It is the height of shamelessness!"

The martial artists were hot-blooded and cursed repeatedly, but Wu Yixian scanned the crowd and asked in a deep voice:

"Where is Master Lu of the Guangwu Hall? Have you seen him?"

At his question, his disciples and grand-disciples immediately began shouting and searching through the crowd.

In the blink of an eye.

Then Chen Zhantang and a group of disciples from the hall, along with Cao Futian and other members of the Golden Blade Group, were seen walking over quickly, arriving before Wu Yixian to bow respectfully:

"Greetings, Master Wu."

"Master Wu, are you looking for our Hall Master?"

Wu Yixian nodded in a deep voice:

"Indeed. Has he arrived? The Shenluo People have dispatched a fleet to threaten us by sea, and the current situation in Jinjin is on the verge of breaking out. All our civilian forces must unite and prepare early."

Chen Zhantang, who had also just arrived at the coast after hearing the sound of cannons, replied:

"The Hall Master learned that the government would be negotiating with the Shenluo People this morning, so he has already gone to the prefectural office to inquire for news. We sent people to find him before coming here, but we do not know if they have found him."

Nearby, Cao Futian, who had been hiding in Guangwu Hall for several days, said with a look of shame:

"Now that the Shenluo People's fleet is pressing on our borders and threatening Jinjin, it is all because of my, Cao Futian's, lack of consideration and impulsiveness. I truly feel ashamed before the elders of Jinjin."

Wu Yixian, however, shook his head and said:

"Leader Cao, why say such things? The foreigners bully the common people, and your standing up for the victims is an act of supreme righteousness. How could one blame you?"

Just as Cao Futian was about to say something more, a sudden gust of wind swept in, kicking up a cloud of flying sand and stones.

The people present were slightly startled and all turned their heads, then saw an ethereal figure appear atop the ruins of the battery beside them.

Naturally, it was Lu Yuan.

"Hall Master Lu, you have come!"

Without time to consider anything else, Wu Yixian led the crowd to step forward quickly and asked solemnly:

"I heard from your disciples that you went to the prefectural office this morning to inquire about the situation. Do you know the content of the negotiations between the two sides? What kind of conditions did the Shenluo People propose?"

Under the gaze of the concerned eyes around him, Lu Yuan did not hide anything and nodded:

"The Shenluo People proposed four conditions. First, to severely punish the culprits, execute all principal offenders and accomplices, and completely ban the Golden Blade Group;

Second, to announce to the world the restoration of the reputation of the Shenluo Holy See, rebuild three churches, and as compensation, the Jin Dynasty must also open the right to preach in all provinces and not secretly obstruct them;

Third, to pay an indemnity of thirty million Silver Yuan, and to lease Nine Dragon Island near An'nan County to the Shenluo People for one hundred years, and to station troops there."

As soon as the three conditions were spoken, the dozens or hundreds of hot-blooded men around were already filled with righteous indignation and uncontrollable rage:

"Bastards, the Shenluo People are daydreaming!"

"Those Priests all deserve to die; a thousand cuts would not be enough. They even want to invert black and white and restore their reputation?"

"The foreign devils' religion is best at bewitching people's hearts. Just preaching in a few coastal cities has already made everywhere foul and chaotic; if they open up all provinces, what will become of us!?"

"And leasing Nine Dragon Island for one hundred years—this is clearly ceding territory and humiliating the nation!"

Amidst the boiling public sentiment, although Wu Yixian's expression was also unsightly, he raised his hand to stop the crowd, and only after the voices gradually faded did he ask:

"Hall Master Lu, you said there were four conditions. What is the last one?"

Lu Yuan smiled indifferently:

"The fourth one is not very important, because I once injured a Shenluo person on the spot, and in addition, I caused Gao Hailou to commit suicide out of fear of punishment, so they also want to cripple my hands as revenge."

"How preposterous."

Even Wu Yixian, who had excellent Nurturing Qi skills, said angrily:

"Do the Shenluo People think we are all pigs and sheep in a pen, to be slaughtered at their will? Hall Master Lu, what is the reaction of officials like Nayancheng who are responsible for the negotiations?"

Lu Yuan said: "They naturally also feel humiliated and angry, and are unwilling to agree. However, the Shenluo People are threatening war with giant ships and cannons, and they do not have the power to make the decision. In the end, it still depends on Old Buddha to make the final call."

Martial Arts Association veteran Zheng Shan'ao spoke gloomily:

"I see the situation as not optimistic. The Jin Dynasty just suffered a major defeat at sea, and it has only been a little over half a year since then. The entire imperial court fears the foreigners like tigers; they have absolutely no confidence or courage to go to war with Shenluo.

This time, the Shenluo People are making an issue out of nothing and using strong-arm tactics precisely because they have spotted the court's weakness of not daring to fight, which is why they are asking for such an exorbitant price. In the end, there is a high probability that Old Buddha will still agree to these conditions, at most after some bargaining!"

Cao Futian's face turned livid:

"If Old Buddha really agrees, then Hall Master Lu..."

Lu Yuan, however, laughed:

"Do not worry about me. I have already let Nayancheng convey to Old Buddha that the Shenluo People's conditions can be agreed to, but the premise is that they must prove they have the ability and qualifications to do so."

Wu Yixian's eyes moved, and he could not help but ask:

"What does Hall Master Lu mean by this?"

Lu Yuan's smile was faint:

"The matter is not yet settled. Master Wu, please allow me to keep you in suspense for now; wait a few days and you will know."

Just as the entire city of Jinjin was shaken and panic was spreading.

Nayancheng had already taken his entourage and personal guards, directly ordered the suspension of the day's train schedules, and boarded a special train to rush to Tianjing.

With the train roaring along the way, he arrived in Tianjing smoothly two hours later. Nayancheng did not stop to rest, took a carriage provided by the post station, and rushed back to the palace to seek an audience before sunset.

"What?"

In Cining Palace, after hearing Nayancheng's detailed report, Old Buddha, who was sitting upright on the phoenix chair, had her gaze frozen:

"That rebel wants this Empress Dowager to invite the strong from the great powers and even the whole world to hold a World Martial Arts Tournament for him in Tianjing, to compete for the title of World Number One, and even to decide whether the treaty is signed or not?"

"The bastard! What does he take this Empress Dowager for? Does he think he is the master of the Great Jin?"

Old Buddha was furious because of Lu Yuan's overbearing commands, but Nayancheng quickly said:

"Old Buddha, please calm your anger. In this humble official's view, the suggestion put forward by this villain actually has some feasibility. After all, both Shenluo and Sha'e are now demanding to punish and are seeking the person himself. If the imperial court takes action, I fear we will have to pay a great price, and there is no guarantee of total success. It would be better to let the three parties fight like dogs, and the imperial court may have a chance to sit back and reap the benefits."

"Indeed, Old Buddha, this is a rare opportunity!"

Just as Nayancheng finished speaking, Cang Jige and Bu Tiansuo, the two Great Shamans who had been guarding Old Buddha's safety, also stepped out from the side hall together and said with slight joy:

"What we were worried about was that this person's methods are strange; even if we sent experts and a large army to surround and kill him, there is no guarantee of total success. If he were to escape, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"But if this person takes the initiative to come to Tianjing to participate in this Martial Arts Tournament, then he is seeking his own death. Occupying the advantage of the terrain, we can calmly set up an inescapable net. When he is exhausted from fighting the foreigners at the tournament, we can launch our attack and capture him in one fell swoop!"

As these words fell, Old Buddha also revealed a slight look of being moved.

"What you all say seems reasonable."

With the Abuhulin Spear in hand, she considered herself invincible in the current age, and defeating Lu Yuan, that number one rebel under Heaven, would be as easy as turning over one's hand.

However, defeating or killing is one thing, while capturing alive is quite another.

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Lu Yuan is suspected of possessing the secret of immortal cultivation; regardless of anything else, he must be kept alive for interrogation. This is a matter of top priority, compared to which any treaty with the great powers is nothing.

But judging by the various bizarre methods he has revealed, Xici believes the possibility of capturing him alive is at most thirty to forty percent.

This is also the main reason why she and all the Grandmaster powerhouses of the Jin Clan have prepared for so long, yet have delayed taking action.

And now, this so-called World Martial Arts Tournament proposed by Lu Yuan himself seems to be a rare opportunity.

(End of this chapter)