Chapter 96: Dragons and Tigers Gather, All Eyes Upon Them

The next morning.

Just past dawn, with still quite some time before noon, Gu Kanshan and his daughter had already arrived early.

Lin Xingchao sat in his wheelchair, and while getting ready to depart from the residence, he also had Xi Beichen go find Lu Yuan, intending to take him along to Haihe Square to watch the excitement.

However, not long after.

After returning from outside, Xi Beichen brought back the news that Lu Yuan was not at home, so they had made a wasted trip.

"Strange, this kid is mysterious every day and can never be found; what exactly is he busy with?"

Gu Kanshan and his daughter were also waiting, and Lin Xingchao had no choice but to say:

"Forget it, let's head over first."

And so.

With Xi Beichen pushing the wheelchair, the group went out onto the street together, heading toward Haihe Square.

The place where they lived was not far from Haihe Avenue or even Haihe Square, only a distance of less than ten *li*. As the few of them chatted along the way, they arrived near the square in just half an hour.

However, to everyone's surprise.

Even though there was still quite some time before noon, the square was already packed with people everywhere, the roar of voices shaking the sky, far exceeding the usual bustle and noise.

Looking at the sea of people in the square, Xi Beichen's expression was slightly shocked as he said:

"Could it be that all these people came to see that outsider?"

Facing the surging crowd, Gu Kanshan was also quite helpless:

"Need you ask? By yesterday, the news had spread across at least half of Jinjin City. There are plenty of idle people who came here early to watch the excitement. It's fortunate we arrived relatively early; otherwise, if we had come any later, I'm afraid there wouldn't even be room to stand in this square."

Lin Xingchao sighed deeply: "One stone stirs up a thousand ripples. Jinjin City hasn't been this lively in a long time."

Without another word, Xi Beichen pushed Lin Xingchao into the crowd first, then squeezed toward the location of the central stage.

Along the way, some thugs and idlers who were pushed aside were very dissatisfied and were about to curse or start a fight, but with just one look from Gu Kanshan, the murderous aura forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood gave them such a jolt that they hurriedly dodged away.

The street thugs in Jinjin had long since trained a pair of sharp eyes and knew who could be provoked and who could not. Therefore, although both Gu Yunsheng and Gu Yourong were beautiful in appearance, no one dared to approach them because of Gu Kanshan by their side.

Just like that, before long, the group of five squeezed to the center of the square, which was where the stage was located.

On the stage, an Eight Immortals table had already been set up, and two coolies stood trembling beneath the stage, holding up a couplet, seemingly waiting for the arrival of the main person in charge.

And off-stage, Gu Kanshan only swept his gaze across the surrounding crowd, and his eyes narrowed slightly:

"Zheng Shan'ao, Huang Shihu, and Liu Chengxiang of the Martial Arts Association; Cao Futian and Yan Shuqin of the Golden Blade Group; Deng Xiaolin and Zhong Jinlong of the Boatmen's Guild—they actually all came."

The names he mentioned were all renowned figures and leaders of various forces in Jinjin, every one of them a Sixth Realm Martial Arts Master, rarely seen on ordinary days.

Yet, today they were all gathered here.

Including Lin Xingchao, who, after scanning the crowd back and forth, also discovered something and couldn't help but exclaim:

"Further back, it seems there are also people from the Tianli Sect and the Iron-Blooded National Salvation Society. Just as Old Gu said, that outsider has truly attracted all the major forces on the surface of Jinjin. I wonder who will step onto the stage to challenge him after he arrives."

The small Haihe Square could be said to have become the vortex center where dragons and tigers gathered. Xi Beichen was also shaken, exclaiming:

"With so many renowned masters of Jinjin here, just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle. I wonder if that outsider can withstand the challenges and pressure from so many people today?"

Gu Yourong still found it hard to believe even now:

"Master, Old Gu, do you really think there is such a monstrous genius in the world who can repel a Martial Arts Master at just over twenty years old?"

This was not only the question in her heart, but also the question in the hearts of everyone present who had not witnessed the grand occasion with their own eyes yesterday.

Gu Kanshan shook his head and said:

"Not to mention now, even during the peak of martial arts development in the previous dynasty, I had never heard of such a peerless genius."

Lin Xingchao pondered:

"This person setting up the ring is not for a duel, but by way of receiving three punches, which suggests he should belong to those with Godly Strength and a special constitution. His true Martial Arts cultivation should still be quite a distance away from the Embrace Dan Realm."

Xi Beichen seemed to recall something: "Godly Strength, I remember Junior Brother Lu also belongs to this type of constitution. When I sparred with him, even though his Martial Arts cultivation wasn't high, his strength was impressive."

"True, he also possesses Godly Strength, but compared to this outsider who set up the ring, it is still like a small witch meeting a great witch."

Lin Xingchao said with slight regret:

"I don't know where that kid ran off to. Such a lively event where Martial Arts Masters will take action is rare to see; it's a pity to miss it."

As they were talking.

On the other side of the stage.

Yesterday, the Jinjin Martial Arts Association lost quite a bit of face, so today almost all the well-known martial arts hall masters and renowned masters were alarmed and gathered here.

Just the five great renowned masters and Martial Arts Masters of the Martial Arts Association had arrived in full force, three of them today, while martial arts hall masters like Hou Zhenhua and Qiao Sihai could only stand in the back like juniors.

At this moment, in the front row of the crowd, an old man with a hooked nose, wearing a purple jacket and with a physique as sturdy as a lion, stared coldly at the stage:

"It is almost noon, and that outsider has yet to appear. Could it be that he is afraid?"

Beside him, Zheng Shan'ao had a calm expression:

"Master Huang, do not be anxious. There is still more than a quarter of an hour until noon."

Huang Shihu turned his head, his gaze sharp as he swept over, displeased:

"Master Zheng, if you hadn't intentionally gone easy yesterday and lost the Martial Arts Association's face, why would we need to make such a big fuss today? After that outsider arrives, I will have to step onto the stage to see if he is truly as you described!"

Huang Shihu, a Sixth Realm Martial Arts Master and veteran of the Jinjin Martial Arts Association, became famous two or three years earlier than Zheng Shan'ao.

Whether in the Martial Arts Association or in Jinjin City, this person was also illustrious and admired by all, and because their ages were similar, he was often compared to Zheng Shan'ao by busybodies.

In addition, because of their different personalities and philosophies within the Martial Arts Association, he had always been on bad terms with Zheng Shan'ao, always looking to compete and determine who was superior.

However, facing Huang Shihu's questioning, Zheng Shan'ao just smiled dismissively and did not argue:

"If you don't believe me, you can go up and try it yourself when the person arrives."

Huang Shihu was noncommittal. Beside him, another white-haired renowned master of the Martial Arts Association said slowly:

"A lion hunting a rabbit still uses its full strength. If Master Huang intends to step up later to win back face for the Martial Arts Association, it would be better to be cautious.

After all, as the news spread, there are many more people here to watch the excitement today than yesterday. If most of our experts from the Martial Arts Association come here today and still cannot take down that outsider's couplet, then it would truly be a laughingstock."

With three Martial Arts Masters speaking, the other experts of the Martial Arts Association had no room to interject and could only listen obediently.

Just like that.

As time passed and noon drew nearer, a large number of commoners and curious onlookers rushed over; the square, spanning over a hundred zhang, was already packed to the point of being impassable, crowded with some thirty or forty thousand people.

Even the teahouses, taverns, and various buildings surrounding the square were filled with people inside and out, even standing on the rooftops, craning their necks from afar, waiting for the main character to appear.

And seeing that the time was about right.

Two laborers waiting under the stage, having long received instructions, suddenly carried a pair of couplets and held several strings of firecrackers as they climbed onto the ring, then lit them in full view of everyone.

Crackle, pop!

The two men hid in a corner of the ring as the firecrackers exploded with a heaven-shaking sound, and thick smoke billowed and rose.

At this, the thousands of people in the square, who had been clamoring noisily, were all attracted by this change, everyone stretching their necks to look, not knowing the intention of the two men on the stage.

And after only a few breaths, when the firecrackers on the ring had burned out, the explosions ceased, and the thick smoke and dust gradually dispersed with the wind.

Below the stage, whether it was Lin Xingchao, Gu Kanshan, or the experts from various factions, their expressions all changed in unison.

Because at this very moment, after the smoke and dust cleared, a tall and elegant figure had appeared out of thin air in the center of the ring, seemingly the very same outsider who had set up the ring yesterday.

But with so many pairs of eyes watching around the ring, from Martial Arts Masters down to ordinary people, not a single person had seen when or in what manner the other party had gotten onto the stage!

Just as the entire scene fell silent for this instant.

One saw Lu Yuan, who had appeared abruptly on the ring, take a few steps forward with a smile, cup his hands in all directions, and then his voice rolled like thunder, resounding in everyone's ears:

"I have kept you all waiting."

"The ring from yesterday continues today. It is still according to the rules I stated yesterday: regardless of gender, age, or seniority, one only needs to pay one hundred Silver Yuan, sign a life-and-death document, and if you can take my Three Punches and remain standing on the stage, you can win a prize of fifty thousand Silver Yuan!"

"Today's ring challenge, officially begins!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the two men in the corner received the instruction and immediately raised the bamboo poles, unfolding the couplets reading God Fist Invincible and Jinmen Number One.

At the same time, it caused the thousands of people in the crowd to instantly stir, and the atmosphere was ignited in an instant:

"Hiss, did you see that? How on earth did this person get up there?"

"Such a young outsider, was it him who punched Master Hou of the Martial Arts Association away yesterday?"

"Strange, how exactly did he get onto the ring? What kind of trick did he use? I was watching the whole time and didn't see anyone go up at all!"

All kinds of discussions rushed to Heaven, deafening; whether it was the renowned masters of the Martial Arts Association, Zheng Shan'ao and Huang Shihu, or the experts from the Boatmen's Gang and the Golden Blade Group, none could see how Lu Yuan had ascended the stage, and their eyes all revealed looks of shock and suspicion.

And in such a clamorous scene, looking at the figure in the center of the ring who was the focus of all attention, Lin Xingchao and his two disciples below the stage, and Gu Kanshan and his daughter, were all dumbstruck.

No words could describe the shock and horror in their hearts at this moment.

They never imagined that this outsider who had stirred up the whole city would actually be Lu Yuan!

Especially Lin Xingchao and his disciples, their faces stiff and horrified, their minds in a complete mess, all unable to speak a word.

And at this moment.

On the side of the Jinjin Martial Arts Association below the stage, Huang Shihu, who had been waiting for a long time, could no longer hold back; with a tap of his feet, he flew onto the stage like a goshawk.

The surging crowd below the stage let out another exclamation:

"That is Master Huang Shihu, the renowned seniors of the Martial Arts Association are taking action again!"

"Nonsense! Yesterday was one thing, but if there is still no response today to stop this outsider, the face of the Martial Arts Association will truly be lost!"

"Sigh, Master Zheng already voluntarily admitted defeat; I don't think this Master Huang will necessarily succeed either..."

"Then you are greatly mistaken! Master Zheng had noble martial virtue yesterday and didn't want to bully the small with his greatness, which is why he stepped down directly, but today it concerns the face of the Martial Arts Association, I'm afraid this Master Huang won't be polite!"

Seeing Huang Shihu, this renowned master of the Martial Arts Association, ascend the ring, the crowd below was immediately extremely enthusiastic, with cheers and support rising one after another.

And at this time.

Lu Yuan had actually already noticed the presence of Lin Xingchao and the others below the stage, but now he had no need to play the pig to eat the tiger or hide anything, so he looked at Huang Shihu, who had ascended the stage, with indifference and smiled:

"Does Your Excellency also wish to challenge?"

"Nonsense! Do you think this old man came onto the stage to play games with a youngster like you?"

Huang Shihu sneered, first going to the table to place one hundred Silver Yuan and pressing his handprint on the life-and-death document, then coming before Lu Yuan, his gaze like an eagle:

"God Fist Invincible, Jinmen Number One; I have been in the Jinjin Martial Arts Association for so many years and have never seen such arrogant words. Throw your punch; I want to see what kind of Godly Strength you people really have!"

"Good!"

The old man before him was clearly also a Martial Arts Master in the Embrace Dan Realm; Lu Yuan nodded, too lazy to talk nonsense, and immediately stepped forward to strike with the Broken Gang Divine Fist augmented by the technique of 【Great Strength】.

Boom!

As Lu Yuan made this move, it carried unparalleled wild ferocity and violence; the peerless power ruthlessly crushed the airflow, emitting a wailing, ghost-crying sound, the fierce wind swept through the air to strike violently, and the sounds of air explosions and sonic booms rang out at the same time, as if the air were fragile paper being torn apart in an instant.

What astonishing power!

A thousand words are not as good as experiencing it oneself; the momentum of this punch made Huang Shihu's heart jump, and he stepped forward directly, stomping his feet hard, and amidst the shattering of the ground, one palm moved like a dragon, coiling and rising amidst the roaring wind.

With this step and press, his whole body emitted the sound of blood-Qi roaring, and as the palm was delivered, it was simply like a thunderclap suddenly exploding on flat ground, the wild power rushing over in layers like a ten-thousand-ton giant wave.

"Raging Sea Ten Thousand Billows Palm," this was his signature technique that made him famous in Jinjin; this palm technique combined hardness and softness and could even use softness to overcome hardness, especially skilled at dissolving all force, exactly countering all brute strength!

However, the next moment, fist and palm intersected.

Then, the fierce wind exploded!

Lu Yuan's punch slammed hard into the palm Huang Shihu had struck out, like a thunderclap on flat ground; visible ripples and a huge roaring sound suddenly spread, and the gale caused by the shockwave swept up sand and dust, billowing in all directions!

And in such a scene.

Lu Yuan's figure shook slightly, and the already fractured surface of the ring seemed unable to bear such wild power, shattering again;

Looking at Huang Shihu opposite, he let out a muffled groan as his expression changed drastically, his arm was violently jolted, and his body retreated repeatedly amidst wild shaking.

During the wild retreat, he only felt the wind tearing at his ears, his arm and even his whole body's tendons and bones shaking, and a huge impact force swept through his whole body like a tsunami, causing all his bones to rattle, and his ears were buzzing as if a dozen copper gongs were being struck beside him, nearly deafening him.

Since he had achieved success in martial arts, he had never had such an experience!

(End of chapter)