Chapter 121

Wuzheng Office!

At this moment, Tai Rubai was as frantic as ants on a hot pan.

Lin Chen hadn’t returned for two nights.

Yesterday’s county duel between Degao County and Yu Dong County had ended, and today it was Poyang County’s turn to face Yanshan County.

“My lord, perhaps we should apply to the Wuzheng Office for a one-day delay?” suggested Ceng Qingyao.

“No.”

Su Lingchuan waved his hand. Delaying by one day had already drawn complaints from Degao and Yu Dong Counties; further delay would only deepen other counties’ resentment toward Poyang County.

Compared to the county duel, he was now far more concerned with Lin Chen’s whereabouts.

The only thing that reassured him was that Lin Chen’s safety was likely unthreatened—he had been summoned away by Jiang Qing, whose background he knew well; Lin Chen would face no trouble in Raozhou Prefecture.

“But without Lin Chen, we’re likely to lose this duel.”

“Let us lose, then. Poyang County isn’t afraid of losing one match. A defeat might even stir up the students’ fighting spirit—could be a good thing.”

Su Lingchuan could only offer such reassurances. He bore no ill will toward Lin Chen; from Tai Rubai’s report, he knew Lin Chen had been willing to take the Tongqiao Pill for his sake. He understood that unless truly unable to come, Lin Chen would never miss the county duel.

Thinking of the Jiang household and the origins of that Jiang official, Su Lingchuan harbored a suspicion.

Only two possibilities could delay Lin Chen: a breakthrough in realm or a critical advancement in a technique, where interruption was impossible.

“Order the students to the training ground.”

Su Lingchuan made the final call; the heads of each hall had no choice but to gather their students. When Fu Jingya and the others assembled and saw Lin Chen was absent, their eyes filled with confusion.

Why isn’t Senior Lin here?

All eyes turned to Gu Shan and Fu Ang. Gu Shan clenched his lips in silence. Fu Ang wore a bitter smile—he hadn’t expected Senior Lin to vanish for two full nights.

Dry tinder met blazing fire, and now it’s out of control?

Senior Lin isn’t the type to do something like this.

“Let’s go.”

Ceng Qingyao scanned the group and spoke coolly, offering no explanation for Lin Chen’s absence.

As for Su Lingchuan, as director of the Wuzhengsuo, he naturally wouldn’t enter the arena with the students.

Training Ground.

The Wuzheng Office’s training ground was vast, with elevated seating on all four sides—it had originally been used for the prefectural examinations and provided seats for spectators.

On the spectator stands, students from all other counties had already arrived.

Normally, the duel between Poyang and Yanshan Counties wouldn’t draw such a crowd, but due to the delay, students from other counties were resentful and came purely to watch the spectacle.

Besides the students, many martial artists from the prefectural city had also come to watch.

Only those at least at the Organ-Refining stage were allowed to enter the Wuzheng Office to watch; those below that level had no access unless it was the prefectural examination.

The students from Poyang and Yanshan Counties entered almost simultaneously, exchanged a glance, then returned to their respective areas.

“Strange—why isn’t Lin Chen here?”

“Could he be afraid of losing and dare not fight?”

Zhu Tao harbored hatred for Lin Chen, but the moment he spoke, even Yanshan County’s own students looked at him as if he were an idiot.

Afraid of losing and refusing to fight?

Does he think with his brain?

Zhang Qi and Shen Ge exchanged a glance; both were puzzled. In all of Poyang County, the only one they considered a true rival was Lin Chen.

With Lin Chen absent, this county duel would be extremely easy for them.

Outside the Wuzheng Office hall.

Jiang Qing looked at Su Lingchuan: “My lord, that’s the situation. If possible, it would be best to delay the duel until Lin Chen returns.”

“No need.”

Su Lingchuan shook his head. Seeing Jiang Qing’s puzzled expression, he smiled and explained: “It’s just a county duel. I can afford to lose. But the good news you’ve brought me is far more comforting than winning the duel.”

Two entry-grade techniques fused!

Good heavens—if this hadn’t come from Jiang Qing herself, and if she hadn’t confirmed it was the judgment of Li Wan, that senior from Santan Mountain, he’d have slapped the speaker across the face. Did they think he was that easy to fool?

As an entry-grade martial artist, Su Lingchuan knew exactly what fusing two techniques meant. Success wouldn’t create a new technique—it would merely elevate the rank of the existing one.

Fusing two low-grade techniques could match the power of a mid-grade technique.

Even if Lin Chen failed, this would greatly aid his understanding of martial techniques.

Now Su Lingchuan had even greater admiration for his master’s vision. He himself had been shortsighted. Fortunately, he had reflected in time and treated Lin Chen sincerely—not out of self-interest.

“Miss Jiang, if you wish to watch, you may proceed directly to the training ground. I’ll enter first.”

Watching Su Lingchuan enter the hall, Jiang Qing felt helpless. She had already entered the Wuyuan Academy and could no longer represent Jingshui Martial Hall in the duel—otherwise, she’d disrupt the balance.

…

…

Fifteen minutes later, a large group of martial experts led by Qiu Rufeng appeared at the training ground.

The arrival of the Wuzheng Office director stirred excitement among the students—even though they’d already seen this Wuzheng Office official and so many martial experts yesterday.

“Where is Lin Chen?”

After taking his seat, Qiu Rufeng scanned the Poyang County students and asked in a deep voice.

His question sent a ripple of confusion through nearby entry-grade experts: Who was Lin Chen?

Though the Wuzheng Office had issued notices, details about Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian’s exploits had been mostly confined to internal martial hall propaganda. These entry-grade experts had long left the martial halls and held no official posts in the Wuzheng Office system—they naturally knew nothing of it.

“Director, Lin Chen isn’t here today,” Su Lingchuan quickly replied.

Qiu Rufeng glanced at his disciple but didn’t press further. He merely said coolly: “Then let the duel begin.”

On the other side, Zhang Wangshan and other Wuzhengsuo directors stared at Su Lingchuan with confusion. The duel had been delayed a day precisely because Lin Chen had taken the Tongqiao Pill—yet the very man involved refused to compete?

Refused to compete—and still took the Tongqiao Pill?

What game is Su Lingchuan playing?

On the training ground, with a single command from an entry-grade expert of the Wuzheng Office, the atmosphere grew tense.

Everyone had witnessed the ferocity of yesterday’s duel between Degao and Yu Dong Counties—no student had escaped unharmed.

“Today’s duel won’t match yesterday’s intensity—Poyang and Yanshan’s overall strength is inferior to yesterday’s two counties.”

Not necessarily. Zhang Qi and Shen Ge from Yanshan aren't weak. This duel still has some excitement.

Amid the murmurs of the spectators, Zhang Qi didn’t hesitate—he stepped forward to the center of the training ground.

“Yanshan County’s Zhang Qi challenges ten Poyang County juniors to a duel!”

Whoo!

The crowd erupted—mainly the spectators from other counties.

They’d anticipated a one-vs-many scenario, but they hadn’t expected Zhang Qi to be this audacious.

One against ten!

On the Poyang side, Fei Hong and the others glowered. Zhang Qi’s words were a clear insult.

“Young fool, needs a beating.”

Zhang Wangshan feigned reprimand. Su Lingchuan merely snorted. As a master of pretense, Senior Zhang was truly skilled.

He didn’t believe Zhang Qi’s challenge to face ten opponents was unknown to the director of the Wuzhengsuo.

The other entry-grade experts were sharp as well—they merely smiled and said nothing.

“Yanshan County has produced such a prodigy this year—and he wants to fight ten at once?”

“Hah! Our Yanshan County this year has more than one good talent. Zhang Qi placed second in the March duels, and Shen Ge—who’s even stronger—hasn’t even fought yet.”

Many of the Organ-Refining martial artists watching were originally from the counties themselves; if there was a county duel, they naturally came to show support.

The speaker was from Yanshan County and well-informed about this year’s martial hall students.

“Afraid his big mouth will get slapped,” retorted a martial artist from Poyang County.

On the field, Zhang Qi quickly selected ten opponents.

The remaining nine Poyang students weren’t chosen. Zhang Qi looked at Fei Hong and the others: “I didn’t pick you because I’m saving something for Senior Shen. If I defeat you all, he’ll find this duel boring.”

Zhang Qi’s arrogant words ignited collective fury among the Poyang students.

“Arrogant fool—first beat all ten of us!”

Zhang Qing of Tie Xue Martial Hall snorted and turned to the other nine: “Since he’s so bold, we won’t hold back!”

Move!

Zhang Qing and the other nine attacked simultaneously.

They knew Zhang Qi had opened sixteen meridian gates—three full gates higher than any of them.

But even a tiger can’t withstand a pack of wolves. They didn’t believe he could handle so many at once.

“You’ll soon know what despair feels like!”

Zhang Qi’s face twisted with cruelty. His aura surged like a wild beast’s as he lunged forward, punching straight at the nearest opponent—Zhang Qing.

Roar!

His fist exploded with the sound of a tiger’s bellow. Zhang Qing countered with his Iron Crash Fist, unleashing a cannon-like impact.

Crack!

The fists collided. Zhang Qing’s face paled instantly. The next moment, his body flew backward like a severed kite.

One strike!

Zhang Qing defeated!

Meng Yuan and the others watched, pupils contracting sharply. Zhang Qi wore a cruel smile as he charged forward like a beast.

One punch, then another!

Like a tiger entering the mountains, unstoppable.

“Great Completion Tiger Roar Fist!”

Some onlooker martial artists cried out in shock.

“With the suppression of the Three Orifices realm and the Great Completion Tiger Roar Fist, Zhang Qi is invincible.”

Thirty breaths!

In barely thirty breaths, only Zhang Qi remained standing on the training ground.

Though he bore bruises, his injuries were light.

Su Lingchuan’s face turned ashen; the masters of Poyang County’s eight martial halls shared the same expression—Poyang County had suffered a crushing defeat.

“Pathetic.”

Zhang Qi sneered, turning his gaze to Shen Ge: “Senior Shen, take care of the rest—I’ll spare you the boredom.”

“This Zhang Qi is so arrogant.”

Some students from other counties couldn’t stand it, but their words were immediately countered by those around them.

“Only those with strength can be arrogant. Martial Dao speaks through strength. If Poyang County lacks the power, it should just accept defeat.”

On the viewing platform, Jiang Qing watched Zhang Qi’s arrogance, her eyes cold. Just as she decided whether to break the balance and enter the arena for Poyang County, her peripheral vision caught a figure at the training ground’s entrance.

Seeing that figure appear, Jiang Qing smiled.

Senior Lin, he made it after all.

(End of Chapter)