Chapter 18: Invitation

Seeing that the top three of the martial arts tournament had been decided, Feng Zi returned to the arena at the call of the head constable.

Watching this dark horse who had suddenly emerged, the martial artists present were filled with deep emotion—

"I had thought the Champion of this tournament would be either Young Master Lu or Li Shou; I never imagined such a formidable figure would emerge."

"I heard from the disciples of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall that Feng Zi's talent was poor, and after nearly three years of practicing martial arts, he had made no progress at all..."

"Hah! You dare believe such nonsense? Feng Zi's strength is so formidable; he must be a martial arts genius carefully cultivated by Hall Master Zhao Feng!"

"That makes sense. Furthermore, if Feng Zi's realm had truly not progressed for so long, wouldn't that mean... that person broke through to such a realm in less than a month?"

"Exactly, exactly. We are all martial artists; you and I both know in our hearts how unbelievable such a conjecture is."

Clearly, the martial artists present all believed that Feng Zi was merely a martial arts genius who had been hiding his strength all along.

Regarding these speculations, Feng Zi did not take them to heart:

He knew well that these conjectures surrounding him were only due to the strength he had displayed and the results he had achieved—

In this world, ultimately, only results matter; no one cares about the efforts of a piece of trash who cannot make any progress.

By the same token, when he displayed extraordinary strength, others would naturally rationalize everything about him in their own minds.

Watching the three young Martial Masters on the field, County Magistrate Lu, sitting in front of the County Government Office, wore a face full of smiles:

He summoned a servant who had been standing behind him, gave a few low-voiced instructions, and the servant bowed and hurried away.

The other officials sitting on either side of the County Magistrate also took similar actions.

Without needing to think, Feng Zi knew that these big shots in the county were planning something, preparing to recruit the talents who had appeared in the tournament.

As for what they had prepared, Feng Zi did not know, but he understood that he must be among those being recruited!

Since that was the case, it was enough for him to scheme for sufficient benefits for himself and his parents.

"Silence!" Just as Feng Zi was calculating this in his heart, the head constable presiding over the tournament cleared his throat, suppressing the voices of the crowd:

"Under the witness of the officials of the County Government Office and all you martial artists, the top three of this tournament have been decided—Champion Feng Zi, runner-up Lu Hanwen, and third place Li Shou!"

After announcing this in a loud voice, the head constable turned to the three of them and respectfully handed each of them a Martial Token.

Feng Zi looked closely and saw that this refined iron token was quite simple, with only a square and vigorous character for "Martial" on it.

Seeing that all three had accepted their tokens, the head constable continued to announce:

"Three days from now, the top three may use this token in their hands and their tournament registration tag to select one Human Grade Technique from the Martial Arts Library of the County Government Office!"

Hearing the term "Human Grade Technique," the martial artists present were all filled with envy—

"That is a Human Grade Technique! I've heard that as long as a Martial Arts Technique enters the 'Heaven, Earth, Human' three grades, its mysteries and benefits far exceed ordinary techniques!"

"I heard that as long as one practices a graded technique, the speed of cultivation will far exceed that of ordinary martial artists; I wonder if it's true or not..."

"Regardless of whether a Human Grade Technique can assist in cultivation, its boost to combat power definitely exists—"

"Tsk tsk, these three Martial Masters will practice a Human Grade Technique; regardless of how much their strength increases, their combat power will certainly see a corresponding rise!"

Although the martial artists were envious, few were jealous:

Everything those people obtained was ultimately earned through their own hard work, blood, and sweat, move by move!

Not convinced? Why didn't you knock them down on the arena floor?

Especially Feng Zi; his nearly fanatical fighting spirit and ruthlessness made all the martial artists present shudder, fearing a direct confrontation with him!

Just like that, amidst the cheers and respect of all the martial artists, the tournament concluded successfully.

Just as Feng Zi was preparing to leave, Lu Hanwen called out from behind him: "Brother Feng Zi, please stay a moment."

Hearing this, Feng Zi turned to look at him, merely tilting his head to show his confusion.

Seeing this, Lu Hanwen immediately said: "Brother Feng Zi, the tournament has ended; what are your plans for the future?"

Hmm, that Young Master Lu who "hides eight hundred schemes in a single sentence" was back again.

Regarding the other's question, Feng Zi decided to be open and honest, sighing helplessly:

"Brother Hanwen, I truly treat you as a friend; could it be... that you have so many calculations even when treating a friend?"

Hearing this reply, Lu Hanwen, who had already calculated many responses in his heart, could not help but be stunned.

Instead, it was Li Shou, who had been standing beside Lu Hanwen, who burst into laughter upon hearing these words:

"Look, didn't I say something similar? How does it feel to be snapped back at?"

Lu Hanwen was silent for a long time, and in the end, he only shook his head helplessly and sighed: "Very well, it is I who was not sincere enough."

"Calling Brother Feng Zi back this time is to invite you to a banquet—there will be a dinner at Lu Fu three days from now; I hope Brother Feng Zi will do me the honor."

Hearing this, Feng Zi still just tilted his head, not answering, waiting for the other to finish speaking:

Without needing to guess, he understood that Lu Hanwen must not have said everything yet.

Seeing this attitude, Lu Hanwen helplessly added: "Do not worry, this banquet was arranged by me personally; there will only be you, me, and Li Shou present."

Hearing the other finish, Feng Zi then stepped forward, smiling and patting the other's shoulder: "That's more like it; friends should be a bit more sincere."

Having said that, he turned around, waved his hand, and said: "As for Brother Hanwen's invitation... I will accept it with a smile; I will definitely arrive at the banquet on time in three days."

Without waiting for Lu Hanwen to reply, Feng Zi's figure gradually moved away.

As for Feng Zi's attitude, Lu Hanwen's expression was very strange:

As the eldest son of the County Magistrate and the eldest young master of the Lu Family, the largest power in Wutai County, no one had ever spoken to him like this before.

Li Shou, standing to the side, had not spoken for a long time. Lu Hanwen turned his head in confusion, only to see the other suppressing a laugh, his expression quite awkward.

Seeing Lu Hanwen looking at him, Li Shou finally could not hold back and burst into loud laughter.

After laughing for a good while, Li Shou finally said: "You... you really need someone like Feng Zi to properly cure your habit of not speaking like a normal person."

Hearing this, Lu Hanwen punched Li Shou on the shoulder in annoyance, laughing and scolding: "You only know how to make sarcastic remarks!"

Having said that, the two turned around and walked in the opposite direction.

Only then did Lu Hanwen realize something belatedly, thinking to himself:

"Strange, it was clearly me who set the banquet and issued the invitation; how did Feng Zi end up taking the initiative without me even realizing it?"

It was only at this moment that Lu Hanwen, as if waking from a dream, suddenly realized—

That seemingly straightforward Feng Zi had no fewer schemes in his heart than he did!

Of course, Feng Zi, who had already departed by this time, naturally knew nothing of the conversation between Lu Hanwen and Li Shou.

As for the path he was taking... it naturally led to the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall.