Chapter 540: Stirring Up Trouble, Framing for Murder

Zhengming Martial Arts Hall...

"Old Hall Master, calm your anger."

A high-level martial arts master whispered this advice, completely disregarding that his own seniority was higher than the other's.

Xue Zhengming, who was being persuaded by the crowd, had already seen his fury subside significantly, surrounded by many respectable figures who had come upon hearing the news.

These people included those from long-standing martial arts halls that had stood for hundreds of years, gate guests of noble families, and staff members from sects stationed abroad.

In short, there were no low-level practitioners among them, and all the guests were of high status!

When these people traveled, who wasn't surrounded by stars and clouds of followers? For ordinary people, even a single glance was a luxury.

But now, they had all condescended to come to Zhengming Martial Arts Hall to accompany Xue Zhengming, speaking and offering counsel.

"I, Old Xue, am not someone who doesn't understand the rules. Among friends who eat the martial arts rice bowl, I haven't offended a single soul. Over these years, I truly don't know what I did wrong to be bullied at my own doorstep like this?"

Facing the crowd, Xue Zhengming could not help but air his grievances; several disciples stood to the side with sorrowful expressions, looking as if they had suffering they could not voice.

"That's not the case, you are taking it too seriously. It is clearly that Pang Jihui who does not recognize a true master and rashly provoked you."

"Rest assured, we are all here today to vent your anger for you."

Suddenly, a voice rang out abruptly, "What does a mere Pang Jihui count for? I see the mastermind behind this is that person from Daqian Martial Arts Hall."

Once these words were spoken, the scene immediately turned cold.

Xue Zhengming said sharply, "Don't talk nonsense, do not involve others."

Pang Jihui is just a small character, but Zhou You is not simple; even Yanshan has suffered losses at his hands.

After all, this Hall Master of Daqian Martial Arts Hall also has a powerful martial artist supporting him from behind.

Xue Zhengming knew his own situation; that powerful martial artist 'Disciple' might not necessarily stand against another powerful martial artist for his sake.

"Old Hall Master, don't be afraid, we all support you."

The crowd of martial arts masters clamored, each one filled with righteous indignation.

Xue Zhengming, however, calmed down, raised his hand and said, "Perhaps it is a misunderstanding. When Pang Jihui arrives, I will talk to him. If there is no deep hatred or great grudge, let's treat this as if it never happened."

"Many thanks to everyone for your enthusiastic help, but harmony is most important; it is best to try not to resort to violence!"

He had the intention to smooth things over, but the others would not agree.

"What is there to fear? No matter how formidable Zhou Daqian is, he cannot be greater than reason."

"Old Hall Master..."

Three streets away from Zhengming Martial Arts Hall...

Pang Jihui collapsed dejectedly in a dark alley; he had originally intended to go before the gates of Zhengming Martial Arts Hall to commit suicide in public and extinguish the other party's fury.

He did not expect to encounter an ambush midway, and was about to die silently in this dark corner.

Standing before him was a cold-faced martial arts master with blood on his fingertips; it was this person who had struck Pang Jihui down and dragged him into the alley.

"Who are you, and why do you want to ambush me?"

Pang Jihui clutched his chest, filled with fury.

"Don't flatter yourself. With your meager skills, even without an ambush, I could have captured you easily."

The cold-faced martial arts master grabbed his neck, thrusting one hand toward his eye socket, and said, "After you die, I will destroy your body and erase the traces, creating the illusion that you fled to another region."

"Plus, with you visiting Daqian Martial Arts Hall specifically before 'fleeing,' the fury of Xue Zhengming and his disciples will be directed at Zhou You."

"Hehe..."

Hearing this, Pang Jihui suddenly realized, pointing at the other party, "Your goal is Zhou You."

"Good, so Liu Chengen was plotting against me, and it was actually for this. Even noble families are so despicable and base."

There was no need to ask; the cold-faced martial arts master was also one of Liu Chengen's people, a gate guest who came out to do the dirty work.

The cold-faced martial arts master replied to him, thrusting his two fingers forward, intending to burst his eyeball and pierce through Pang Jihui's skull. Suddenly, a loud shout came from behind, "Ox-Tiger Divine Power."

A roar exploded on the flat ground, a fishy wind swept through the surroundings, and a figure pounced down from a wall to the side, charging toward the back of the cold-faced martial arts master.

The newcomer was Zuo Lv; he channeled his divine power, the strength and blood in his arms surging, pressing down with the force of ten thousand catties.

The cold-faced martial arts master was worthy of being a noble family's gate guest; his reaction was extremely fast. He kicked out with his right leg, the joint folding backward, passing over his shoulder and smashing down like a heavy sledgehammer toward Zuo Lv's chest.

"A high-level martial arts master!"

Zuo Lv's pupils contracted sharply; he crossed his arms, instantly shifting into a stance of Defense.

Thud! With a muffled sound, Zuo Lv was kicked flying, and the sleeves covering his arms exploded into countless fragments.

The cold-faced martial arts master did not stop his feet, his figure shooting out like an arrow driven by a punch, looking as if he would pierce through Zuo Lv's chest.

Suddenly, a point of cold light flickered from the shadows behind him.

Qi Qingdi killed his way out holding a short staff; that he, a blood-energy martial artist, dared to ambush him made the cold-faced martial arts master laugh in anger.

"Kid, you're courting death!"

The cold-faced martial arts master executed a whip-hand, his arm striking out like an Iron Whip, the heavy air landing on Qi Qingdi and causing him to stumble, nearly falling to the ground.

At this moment, Pang Jihui also saw that the newcomer was there to help him, and clutching his wounds, he joined the siege.

Alas, he was already injured and his blood-energy was insufficient; after throwing two or three hasty punches, he was kicked flying by the cold-faced martial arts master, crashing through two layers of blue brick walls.

"Roar, roar! Moo, moo!"

Zuo Lv's eyes turned red as he rushed up; his actions seemed as if he were going to perish together with the enemy, actually abandoning his Defense.

The cold-faced martial arts master said sarcastically, "Not bad, you've taken a new master and you're actually fighting this hard?"

The next moment, Zuo Lv wrapped his arms around the cold-faced martial arts master's shoulders, attempting to lock him down.

The cold-faced martial arts master wore a mocking expression; with his physical strength, a slight shake of his limbs would be enough to shatter Zuo Lv's limbs, leaving him paralyzed on the ground and reduced to a cripple.

Before he could act, Qi Qingdi struck his lower abdomen with the short staff.

The cold-faced martial arts master's expression quickly turned to astonishment, "Qianmei Treasure."

This short staff was, surprisingly, a blood-energy divine weapon refined from Qianmei Remains, sufficient to break through his physical Defense.

A staff strike hit his lower abdomen, and a strange, savage power burst into his body.

The cold-faced martial artist's Qi and blood were scattered on the spot, his limbs and bones went numb and sore, and he instantly became weak and powerless.

With this, the situation reversed; the butcher became the meat.

"Tiger Claw Grappling Hand!"

Zuo Lv stepped forward quickly, his palms curled into claw shapes, and he grabbed and kneaded the cold-faced martial artist all over, only to hear the crisp sounds of joints dislocating and bones shifting.

In the time it took to catch a breath, the cold-faced martial artist had his joints dismantled, becoming soft and powerless.

"Quick, take the captive back to the martial arts hall."

To avoid further complications, Zuo Lv and Qi Qingdi tied the cold-faced martial artist into a bundle like a rice dumpling, tossed him into a water bucket cart nearby, covered it, and pushed it toward Daqian Martial Arts Hall.

"Wait a moment, you two!"

Pang Jihui spat out blood and walked out from the hole, "Take me back, this old man is still of use; this person came to kill me."

Qi Qingdi looked at him twice and nodded to Zuo Lv, "Senior Brother Zuo, take him along."

Zuo Lv nodded decisively, "Follow!"

Their trip here was specifically for this cold-faced martial artist, and they did not care about Pang Jihui at all.

Pang Jihui followed behind them, sighing in his heart that there was no need for Zhou You to even show his face; two disciples were enough to capture a high-level martial artist alive—Daqian Martial Arts Hall was truly unfathomable.

It was just that their opponent was the Liu family, one of the top aristocratic families in Fucheng; how could Zhou You possibly contend with such a behemoth?

(End of chapter)