My Ares Son-in-Law

Wang Kun's lips curled into a cold smile, his voice extremely low: "What is the New Martial Arts Association? It has only grown stronger by recruiting some unorthodox sects over the years. Compared to the War God Alliance, the Yama Palace, and the Martial Arts Army, it is not even worthy of carrying their shoes. Besides, you are mistaken."

"If he doesn't offend the New Martial Arts Association and everything goes smoothly, what opportunity will our Wang family have to curry favor with him? This is the best time for our Wang family to rise to power!"

Not far away, He Zhenhai, the head of the He family, was deathly pale, his eyes filled with shock and regret. He looked at He Haiyue beside him, his voice trembling slightly: "We bet on the wrong horse... Haiyue, we underestimated this kid. He's not a rough gem; he's clearly a fierce god hiding his sharp edge! He's terrifying."

He Haiyue pursed her lips, gazing at the aloof figure on the stage, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and for a moment she was speechless.

On the bluestone-paved martial arts platform, the chilling atmosphere almost solidified. Broken stones were scattered everywhere, the heart-stopping battle just now leaving deep, bone-revealing cracks on the surface, like gruesome wounds torn apart the earth, a shocking sight.

Situ Xiong stood with his hands behind his back, his green robe fluttering slightly in the morning breeze, yet unable to conceal the murderous aura emanating from him. This vice president, who had led the Western New Martial Arts Association for many years, now had a face ashen, his eyes blazing with fury.

He slowly surveyed the entire room, and wherever his gaze fell, whether they were elders from prestigious families or scions of noble clans, they all lowered their heads and avoided his gaze.

"Young man," he finally spoke, his voice not loud, yet carrying a penetrating power that clearly resonated throughout every corner of the martial arts arena, "do you know that this martial arts platform carries the rules of the Western Region's martial arts world for nearly a hundred years?"

Xiao Chen stood quietly in the center of the stage. The bloodstains splattered on his dark robes resembled dark red plum blossoms blooming on the plain silk, strikingly glaring. He raised his hand and gently wiped away the remaining bloodstains from the corner of his lips with his fingertips, his eyes still sharp as knives, showing no fear whatsoever: "Rules?"

He chuckled, his laughter full of sarcasm: "If we're really talking about rules, why didn't Chairman Situ step in to uphold justice when Lu Fengnan attacked me from behind? Where were the rules then?"

"Boom!" A commotion immediately erupted from the audience. Several respected senior martial artists looked ashamed and quickly looked away.

Xiao Chen's words struck a nerve with them. They hadn't missed Lu Fengnan's sneak attack, but they had chosen to remain silent out of respect for the power of the New Martial Arts Association.

A cold glint suddenly flashed in Situ Xiong's eyes, and his aura surged dramatically, causing his green robe to flutter even without wind: "What a sharp-tongued junior! How dare you speak so cleverly and arrogantly in front of this old man! If I don't teach you a lesson today, I'm afraid there will be no order left in the martial arts world of the Western Region!"

Before he finished speaking, the entire martial arts platform suddenly trembled violently! Centered on his toes, the hard bluestone slabs cracked and shattered inch by inch, spiderweb-like cracks spreading outwards at an alarming speed, even the railings around the platform began to sway slightly. A powerful aura, like a mountain pressing down, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression, directly approached Xiao Chen!

"Senior Situ, please calm your anger!"

Just as tensions were about to rise, a figure in cyan appeared like a gentle breeze, landing lightly between the two and blocking their overwhelming aura.

The newcomer appeared to be around forty years old, with a refined appearance and a short beard. The steel sword hanging at his waist, though unsheathed, gleamed with a chilling light that exuded a fierce killing intent, clearly indicating he was a master swordsman. "So it's Elder Lin Zhenghao of the Qingyang Sword Sect," Situ Xiong sneered, his tone full of displeasure. "What, is your Qingyang Sword Sect also going to interfere in the New Martial Arts Tournament?"

Lin Zhenghao bowed to Situ Xiong with a respectful yet humble demeanor: "Senior Situ, you flatter me. I have no intention of interfering, but I feel that this young friend has such cultivation at such a young age. If he were to perish here, it would be a great loss to the martial arts world of the West."

He turned around, looked at Xiao Chen with a hint of appreciation in his eyes, and smiled gently: "Young friend, when you fought Yang Nantian just now, the move 'Surprising Finger' you used was as sharp and powerful as a sword. Did you learn it from the true teachings of the Sword Saint of the East Sea?"

Xiao Chen nodded slightly, his tone as indifferent as if he were talking about something trivial: "East Sea Sword Saint? Heh, I have met him once. But I wouldn't call him a true disciple. A few years ago, he was trapped in the far north ice plains, and I saved his life. Later, he insisted on teaching me a few moves, and I couldn't refuse, so I just learned them casually."

"What?!" A gasp rippled through the audience, many standing to their feet, their faces filled with disbelief. The Sword Saint of the East Sea was a peerless master of his time, having never taken on a single disciple in thirty years. Countless people begged him for a single word of instruction, and to receive personal instruction from him was an immense stroke of luck. Yet Xiao Chen not only claimed he was "just learning casually," but also said the Sword Saint of the East Sea was " pestering him to teach him"—what a load of bragging!

Lin Zhenghao's surprise instantly turned into delight, his eyes shining brightly: "So that's how it is! Young friend, you have such a fortuitous opportunity! In that case, would you be willing to join my Qingyang Sword Sect? Our sect has a long-standing relationship with the Sword Saint of the East Sea. If you are willing to come, I am willing to treat you with the respect due to an elder, and I will certainly not bury your talent!"

Situ Xiong's expression changed drastically, and he shouted angrily, "Lin Zhenghao! How dare you! You are openly making an enemy of the New Martial Arts Association!"

"Senior Situ, you misunderstand." Lin Zhenghao turned around calmly, his tone steady yet carrying an undeniable firmness. "This junior simply couldn't bear to see such talented individuals and brilliant minds go to waste. Besides..."

His gaze slowly swept over the corpses of Yang Nantian and Lu Fengnan below the stage, and he said meaningfully, "Everyone here can see clearly who is right and who is wrong in today's events. If this matter is spread, and people say that the New Martial Arts Association condoned its subordinates' sneak attacks and instead made things difficult for the young man who was acting in self-defense, I'm afraid it will not be good for the association's reputation."

Situ Xiong's face was ashen, and he clenched his fists even tighter in his sleeves, his knuckles almost crushing them. He knew he was in the wrong today, but if he gave up now, wouldn't his reputation as the vice president of the New Martial Arts Association and the prestige of the New Martial Arts Association be completely ruined?

"I appreciate Elder Lin's kindness."

Just then, Xiao Chen suddenly spoke, breaking the stalemate. He slowly raised his right hand, a wisp of golden sword energy faintly visible at his fingertips, gleaming dazzlingly in the sunlight. "It's just that I've always been used to being alone and don't like being bound by sects."

His gaze calmly fell upon Situ Xiong, his tone carrying a hint of coldness: "Besides, today's matter is not yet settled."

Lin Zhenghao froze on the spot, his smile instantly freezing, his eyes filled with astonishment—he never expected that this young man would refuse such generous conditions from the Qingyang Sword Sect without hesitation! Countless martial artists would fight tooth and nail to join the Qingyang Sword Sect, let alone be treated with the respect due to an elder! (End of Chapter)