Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

Chapter 85 The Challenge (Please Subscribe!)

Zhou Yuan practiced his boxing until sunset before changing into decent clothes and heading straight to the county government office.

It had been several days since I last visited Luo Baiyan at the county government office, and the office looked brand new.

The county government office, which had been quiet for many days, suddenly became lively.

Several yamen runners stood on both sides of the entrance, exuding an air of solemnity and authority.

Carriages and sedan chairs kept stopping at the gate, and the person who got out was a very famous and important figure in Gaoshan County.

If they happened to bump into each other at the entrance, they would exchange a few words of greeting and then follow the welcoming constables into the county government office.

This banquet was like walking the red carpet; if you weren't invited, it meant you weren't high enough in status.

Those who were invited were all eager to show off their brilliance, hoping to make an appearance in front of the new county magistrate.

Upon seeing Zhou Yuan, the commander of the city guards, approaching on foot, many people's eyes flashed with contempt and disdain.

A peasant is a peasant. Even becoming the commander of the city guards couldn't change his shabby appearance. He couldn't even afford to ride in a sedan chair when he went out.

These people thought to themselves, but on the surface they forced a smile and bowed to Zhou Yuan from afar.

"Commander Zhou!"

Zhou Yuan nodded in response and walked steadily into the county government office.

Seven or eight round tables were set up in the open space outside the county government hall, and dozens of lamps were erected around them, illuminating the surroundings.

After everyone was seated, they whispered among themselves in twos and threes, while maids and servants bustled back and forth serving tea and dishes, creating an unusually noisy scene.

"Commander Zhou, your location is here."

The yamen runners who were welcoming the guests led Zhou Yuan to a seat.

Zhou Yuan frowned almost imperceptibly.

As the commander of the city guard, he was the ruler of Gaoshan County when the county magistrate was not around, and he was the second most important person in Gaoshan County when the county magistrate was around.

If the arrangements are made properly, the county magistrate could easily be the host of the banquet.

But now, the other party is asking him to sit at the very bottom of the table.

Is this where the show of force begins?

Zhou Yuan thought to himself that he had prepared himself mentally before he came. He valued peace and harmony. As long as the other party did not interfere with his martial arts practice, he was willing to cooperate with them to take over Gaoshan County.

He sat down calmly, seemingly closing his eyes to rest, but in reality, he was secretly studying martial arts techniques.

What's the point of fighting in this little puddle in Gaoshan County? Even if you win, you're just a big, crazy toad.

Zhou Yuan never imagined he would stay in this small puddle forever; his goal was the stars and the sea.

The local gentry and powerful families originally intended to greet Zhou Yuan, the commander of the city guards, but after seeing his rank, they all figured out a certain meaning and began to observe.

Only Cheng Jiuhe's father, Cheng Hengjiang, and Zhang Jun, the head of the Thunderbolt Martial Arts School, walked up to Zhou Yuan and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Not long after, the noisy scene suddenly quieted down.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of orderly footsteps rang out, and seven or eight yamen runners ran out from the inner hall.

Then, a young man in his thirties, dressed in the robes of a county official, walked over with a brisk pace.

"Welcome, Your Excellency!"

Someone shouted it out first, and everyone stood up to welcome them.

The new county magistrate, Dong Hailou, walked straight to the main seat, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire room, and slowly raised his hand to press down.

"sit."

"Thank you, Magistrate!"

Zhou Yuan followed suit, bowing respectfully and taking his seat.

Thinking back to how these people had been fawning over him not long ago, but now they didn't even bother to greet him and instead started currying favor with the new county magistrate, Zhou Yuan found it quite amusing.

It was like watching a great show called "Face Changing".

In the arena of fame and fortune, there are no eternal protagonists, only eternal fame and fortune.

He watched coldly from the sidelines.

After giving his opening remarks, Dong Hailou's gaze suddenly fell on Zhou Yuan.

"Commander Zhou, the county is hosting a banquet today, and you are considered one of the hosts. The county has arranged for you to sit with us. Commander Zhou, you won't be angry, will you?"

Dong Hailou spoke with a mysterious smile on his face.

"Of course not. The county magistrate is the most important person in the county, and I, Zhou, should naturally follow his lead."

Zhou Yuan said calmly, without showing any anger or displeasure.

"I had long heard that Commander Zhou came from a family of artisans. Now, listening to him speak, I can see that he is quite literate. No wonder he was able to become the commander of the city guards despite being from an artisan family."

Dong Hailou's words, seemingly exaggerated, were actually a constant reminder that Su Mu came from a craftsman's family, his contempt for Su Mu was obvious.

"Thank you, my lord."

Zhou Yuan calmly cupped his hands in greeting.

Dong Hailou's punch felt like it hit cotton; he felt a tightness in his chest, and a dark glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Zhou Yuan is quite cunning this week!

"I have invited you all here today for two reasons. First, the county government would like to meet with you all and get to know each other, since we will need to work together with you in the future."

Secondly, there is another matter in this county that I would like to solicit everyone's opinions on.

"You are all pillars of the county, and the county will rely on you in the future. Today, please speak your minds frankly; the county will welcome any suggestions you may have."

The crowd immediately showered him with compliments, praising him as humble, wise, and just, creating a chaotic scene resembling a bustling market.

Zhou Yuan blushed as he listened, but Dong Hailou and the others who were flattering him thoroughly enjoyed it.

After praising him for the duration of a cup of tea, Dong Hailou raised his hand again and pressed it down.

After everyone quieted down, he continued, "Before I came here, I heard that there was a martial arts alliance in Gaoshan County, which was responsible for assisting the county in managing all the martial arts practitioners in the county."

The county thinks this is a good idea, so it plans to continue implementing it.

However, the original leader and deacon of the Martial Alliance have violated the law and can no longer be employed. Today, the county would like to take this opportunity to elect a new leader and deacon of the Martial Alliance. Does anyone have any objections?

The Martial Alliance was a money-making scheme devised by Pang Yunlong, which monopolized all matters related to martial arts in Gaoshan County.

Whether it's opening a martial arts school, becoming a disciple, taking up a position as a martial artist, or even selling weapons and elixirs, everything must go through the Martial Alliance.

When Pang Yunlong was in power, the Martial Alliance did not have a leader; Pang Yunlong himself was the de facto leader.

After being purged by Luo Baiyan and Yue Zichuan, the Martial Alliance had long since become a mere shell of its former self.

Previously, when Zhou Yuan took over as the commander of the city guard, he focused solely on the city guard and ignored the Martial Alliance. Today, however, the new county magistrate has brought up the old matter again.

Everyone subconsciously glanced at Zhou Yuan. The Martial Alliance was created by the previous commander of the city guards. If there was a leader of the Martial Alliance, the commander of the city guards would be the most suitable person.

However, the new county magistrate clearly did not mean that.

Seeing Zhou Yuan sitting there like a Buddha, with his head bowed and his face expressionless.

"The county magistrate is wise!"

"That's exactly right."

Everyone turned to speak to County Magistrate Dong Hailou.

Dong Hailou also glanced at Zhou Yuan, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Since no one has any objections, then the county will recommend someone."

Dong Hailou said, "Junior Brother Gao, come out."

Before Dong Hailou could finish speaking, a tall, thin man came out from the back room.

"This is my junior brother Gao Liang. Although he is only a martial arts scholar, he has reached the required level and is very likely to pass the next martial arts examination."

There are precedents in our county of martial arts scholars holding important positions, so I think Junior Brother Gao should be suitable to be the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance.”

The man lived up to his name; he was extremely tall and thin, like a sorghum stalk.

Dong Hailou's words were clearly pointed, but Zhou Yuan still kept his eyes half-closed, as if it were none of his business.

"Since we are the Martial Alliance, we should respect martial arts. I will not bully people from small places like you. If anyone thinks they are stronger than me, then the position of leader of the Martial Alliance is yours."

Gao Liang's gaze swept over the crowd, his already somewhat sinister eyes becoming even colder. "Anyone who disagrees, come and fight."

Don't worry, if you can beat me, it's because I'm not skilled enough, and my senior brother won't blame you.

"That's right, Junior Brother Gao is right. If anyone's strength surpasses Junior Brother Gao's, then this county will only congratulate them and will never make things difficult for them."

Dong Hailou said with a smile.

"grown ups!"

Suddenly, a man stood up and called out, "This humble servant wishes to learn from Brother Gao's superior skills. Please grant me permission, sir!"

Upon hearing the sound, everyone looked over and couldn't help but show surprise on their faces.

The speaker was Chen Huojia, the owner of Hongsheng Martial Arts School.

Chen Huojia is a very slick person who always changes his stance depending on the wind. He was very close to Pang Yunlong when Pang Yunlong was in power.

Later, Pang Yunlong was purged, but Chen Huojia managed to escape unscathed from the purge.

Now that County Magistrate Dong Hailou's intentions are so clear, why would Chen Huojia jump out to oppose him?

Just as everyone was filled with doubt, Dong Hailou nodded in approval.

Chen Huojia got up and went to the open space, spread his arms, and hooked his palms back, assuming a "White Crane Spreads Its Wings" posture.

"Brother Gao, please enlighten me!"

Chen Huojia raised his voice.

"please!"

Gao Liang spoke coldly and sternly. Before he could finish speaking, his body had already sprung up like a spring and struck down from mid-air.

"Well done!"

Chen Huojia shouted, thrusting his hands forward like spears, the air itself seeming to rip apart with a shrill sound.

Gao Liang remained expressionless, then with a sudden jerk of his arm, he pressed down sharply.

"Bang!"

The palms and arms struck each other, producing a dull thud.

Chen Huojia was struck as if by a severe blow. He let out a miserable cry and staggered back three steps.

"Brother Gao, your strength is truly formidable. Has your blood transfusion already reached 30%?"

Chen Huojia shouted loudly, his footwork flowing, and he pressed forward towards Gao Liang once again.

Chen Huojia's White Crane Fist footwork is unpredictable and ever-changing. His hands are like the long beak of a white crane, flying up and down, pecking, hooking, and flicking, with attacks as fierce as a storm.

Everyone secretly admired Chen Huojia, not to mention his character, his skills were indeed impressive, and he had mastered the White Crane Fist to perfection.

His moves were fierce yet carried an air of elegance, like a white crane; he truly deserved to be one of the top masters in Gaoshan County.

Chen Huojia's attacks were dazzling, but Gao Liang was also quite formidable.

His arms moved like nimble snakes, deflecting all of Chen Huojia's attacks.

With a series of muffled thuds, the two had already exchanged dozens of moves.

Just then, Gao Liang seized the opportunity and, with a move called "Snake Spits Tongue," his fist struck Chen Huojia's abdomen with lightning speed.

Chen Huojia screamed and flew backwards for ten feet before landing on his back with a thud.

He then leaped up, clutching his stomach and groaning repeatedly.

"Brother Gao is too powerful. I, Chen, concede defeat."

Chen Huojia said loudly, "My strength is among the best in Gaoshan County, but it is far inferior to Brother Gao. Brother Gao is indeed from a prestigious family. I admire you!"

Everyone looked at him strangely; it turned out that Chen Huojia was the target.

That old man has no shame in his eagerness to curry favor with others; he willingly became Gao Liang's stepping stone!

Chen Huojia's energetic demeanor hardly suggests an injury. He clearly lost to Gao Liang on purpose to highlight Gao Liang's superior strength.

While everyone cursed inwardly, some also admired Chen Huoshen's shamelessness.

No wonder Hung Sheng Martial Arts School is so resilient, I'm impressed!

"Master Chen's kung fu is also quite superb. My junior brother had the advantage of being young."

Dong Hailou said with a smile, "I wonder if Master Chen would be willing to serve as the vice leader of the Martial Alliance?"

"I am willing to serve you, sir, even at the cost of fire and water!"

Chen Huojia was overjoyed and exclaimed loudly.

Dong Hailou nodded with satisfaction. "Is there anyone else who wants to test my junior brother's skills?"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. With Chen Huojia leading the way, it would be tantamount to anyone deliberately conceding defeat now, as they were all prominent figures in the county and wouldn't do such a thing.

As for defeating Gao Liang, wouldn't that offend the new county magistrate? That's even more unacceptable.

Everyone remained silent.

"Since everyone agrees, it's settled then. From today onwards, Gao Liang will be the leader of the Gaoshan County Martial Alliance."

"

Dong Hailou made the decision.

"etc."

Gao Liang suddenly said, "I have something to ask someone."

A hint of displeasure flashed deep in Dong Hailou's eyes, but he knew his junior brother's temper, so he did not stop him.

"Zhou Yuan, commander of the city guard."

Gao Liang's gaze fell on Zhou Yuan, his eyes turning cold as he asked, "I heard that not long ago you led the city guards to kill a spirit snake in the mountains fifty miles west of the city. Is that true?"

"have."

Zhou Yuan raised his eyelids slightly. This was no secret; afterwards, many city guards sold off the snake meat from last time.

This was considered a strange tale, and the town talked about it for several days.

"It really was you."

Gao Liang said coldly, "Commander Zhou, I want to experience your skills. Come here."

",