Daily News: You promised yourself to be a fisherman, but you've become a martial arts god?

Ji Shen, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of Zhenwei Escort Agency, swept his fierce eyes across the entire scene, his voice carrying an inner force, and said:

"The Mountain-Shaking Martial Arts Banquet officially begins!"

"This is the Ming Jin group's arena. The martial artist whose name is drawn must step onto the stage to fight within ten breaths, or they will be considered to have surrendered!"

"Those who step onto the stage and then concede, fall off the stage, or become incapacitated are considered to have lost."

"No restrictions on weapons or methods, fists and feet are silent, life and death are irrelevant!"

"In ten breaths, I will officially draw the lots!"

After saying that, Ji Shen nodded to the high platform opposite him.

Following Ji Shen's gaze, Li Nian saw that the high platform was built of huge stones, with a scarlet brocade carpet on the surface, ebony carved railings around it, and cloud-patterned gauze curtains hanging from the top to filter out the glaring sunlight.

Four people were sitting in the front row. On the far left was an unremarkable middle-aged man. The middle-aged man had an ordinary appearance and wore a low-key yet luxurious dark brocade robe. He looked like an ordinary rich man. He was of simple and unassuming build, with calluses on his palms. His eyes held the sharpness of a martial artist and should not be underestimated.

The second person from the left is a military general dressed as such. He is wearing black iron armor, carrying a beast-shaped shoulder pole, with a leather belt around his waist, a sword and a plaque hanging from his waist, a helmet on his head, and black hair peeking out from his temples. He is tall and strong, and his military uniform exudes a fierce aura.

To the right of the general was an old man with white hair tied up with a jade hairpin. He was dressed in brocade and luxury. Although his face showed signs of age, his physique was strong and vigorous, showing no signs of decline. His eyes were sharp and restrained, and the calluses on his palms were still visible. He exuded the elegance of a noble family, but beneath that lay the fierce confidence of a martial artist.

On the far right is an old man with white hair and a youthful face. His white hair is as white as snow, and his complexion is as ruddy as a man in his prime. He is dressed in brocade and adorned with jade, and has the appearance of an old man from a noble family. However, there is a grayness hidden in his eyes, and his skin exudes a kind of vainness nurtured by evil. He gently strokes a tuft of long hair at his temple with his right hand in a delicate gesture.

Seeing Li Nian looking at the high platform, Meng Suxi introduced:

"Junior Brother Li, on the left side of the platform is Ruan Chen, the head of the Ruan family; next to him is Di Shuo, the Black Cavalry Captain of the Shaking Mountain Camp; next to him is Ji Cangshan, the Grand Elder of the Ji family; and on the far right is Zhang Xiaoyue, the head of the Zhang family. All four of them are at the Transformation Realm!"

"Behind the four were renowned masters of internal strength in the county, including Yi Shurao, the head of the Yi family and the county magistrate, as well as our master."

Li Nian understood.

Behind Zhang Xiaoyue and his group of four, their master Liu Qinyun and Yi Shurao sat together under a curtain.

Wu Hong scratched his head, puzzled:

"Senior Sister Meng, why isn't the County Magistrate sitting in the front, but instead sitting with Master?"

Li Nian also had doubts.

Logically speaking, Yi Shurao, as the county magistrate, should sit in the middle, so the Ji family's arrangement is somewhat inhumane.

Meng Suxi looked around, gestured for the two of them to come closer, and then explained in a low voice:

"Although the Ji family and the Yi family both serve the imperial court, they have always been at odds with each other in both civil and military affairs. On the surface, the relationship between the two families is calm, but underneath, there are turbulent undercurrents."

"This martial arts banquet was spearheaded by the Ji family, so we certainly won't let the Yi family steal the spotlight. How could we possibly allow the county magistrate to sit in the head seat?"

"I heard from Miss Fengjia's family that the county magistrate will be attending because our master persuaded him to come."

"The Ji family should also know that they cannot be too negligent towards the county magistrate. Since he has come, they should each take a step back. That's why they arranged a curtain to protect the county magistrate's head. This is understandable."

"I see."

Wu Hong nodded in realization.

Meng Suxi suddenly remembered something and urged:

"Stop talking! Go to our martial arts school's seats and cheer on our senior brothers and sisters who are about to go on stage!"

After saying that, the group returned to their seats.

At the same time, Ji Shen on the stage ordered someone to bring over the box for drawing lots, put his hand into it, drew two slips of paper, and said:

"Mingjin Group, First Match: Cui Shi of Songfeng Martial Arts School vs. Chen An of the Chen Family!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two men in the audience stood up, looked at each other, and then leaped onto the stage almost simultaneously.

Ji Shen walked to the sidelines and said:

"start!"

Cui Shi and Chen An walked to the center of the arena, clasped their fists together, and then each drew their weapons from their waists.

A flash of cold light appeared, and the two immediately engaged in combat.

Blades clashed with a clang, fists and weapons clashed, advances and retreats, attacks and defenses.

Cui Shi's moves were fierce and powerful, each strike aimed directly at vital points, while Chen An's movements were agile, dismantling and parrying each move.

The sounds of weapons clashing on the stage were incessant, while the cheers and shouts of the spectators below rose and fell.

After several exchanges, Cui Shi seized an opening and swept his sword diagonally, forcing Chen An to retreat repeatedly. Seeing that he was no match for him, Chen An jumped off the stage.

Ji Shen didn't mince words and said:

"Songfeng Martial Arts School, Choi Seok-seung!"

After saying that, they drew lots again.

"Next match: Gu Jingsong from Qinyun Martial Arts School vs. Zhu Shaogang from Jinglan Martial Arts School!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingsong raised his eyebrows, his face beaming with joy.

Zhu Shaogang has mastered the Blood Refinement Technique, and he has already unlocked the Bone Refinement Technique. This match is in the bag!

He clenched his fist secretly, vowing to fight well in this battle. If he performed well, he might be promoted to the Shaking Mountain Camp!

Just as Gu Jingsong stood up to go on stage, Zhu Shaogang opposite him immediately conceded defeat:

"I give up!"

Zhu Shaogang also worked at Zhenwei Escort Agency and had witnessed Gu Jingsong's ruthless Eagle Claw Kung Fu. He was no match for Gu Jingsong when they were at the same level. Now that Gu Jingsong has broken through to the Bone Refinement stage, the gap in strength will only be greater.

He doesn't want to get hurt or die!

Ji Shendao:

"Gu Jingsong of Qinyun Martial Arts School wins!"

Congratulations, Senior Brother Gu!

The members of Qinyun Martial Arts School offered their congratulations.

Gu Jingsong forced a smile.

With each round of the martial arts competition, the opponents became stronger, and the hard-won opportunity to showcase his strength was lost, so he couldn't smile.

However, being able to advance to the next level was a step up in the rankings, and Gu Jingsong felt a little better after thinking about this.

The arena battles continue...

After five rounds, Ji Shen drew lots and said:

"Next match: Cen Mo from Qinyun Martial Arts School versus Dong He from Dong's Martial Arts School!"

"Senior Brother Cen has captured Dong He!"

The members of Qinyun Martial Arts School cheered for Cen Mo. Cen Mo looked solemnly in the direction of his opponent, nodded indifferently, and leaped onto the arena with a light touch of his toes.

On the other side, Dong He went on stage later than Cen Mo, but he got on stage a step faster than Cen Mo.

Dong He's face was as sharp as if carved by a knife, and his eyes were as sinister as those of a venomous snake.

"start!"

With Ji Shen's command to begin, before Cen Mo could even clasp his hands in greeting, Dong He drew his broadsword from his waist and unleashed a furious attack on Cen Mo.

Cen Mo didn't use any weapons; instead, he employed claw techniques. His iron claws flew about, creating a fierce wind as he desperately parried the blade's attack.

The blades slashed and whistled, the claws clashing frequently with the blade, sparks flying everywhere. Cen Mo was visibly falling into a disadvantageous position, retreating step by step.

Dong He pressed on relentlessly, giving his opponent no chance to catch his breath.

After several moves, Cen Mo was no match for the sharp blade with his bare hands. An opening was revealed, and the broadsword swept diagonally, aiming straight for Cen Mo's head. Cen Mo thought to himself that something was wrong and tried to roll off the stage.

Dong He's slash missed its mark, but Cen Mo escaped unharmed. He quickly caught up and delivered a powerful kick to Cen Mo's chest. The latter felt a tightness in his chest, spat out a mouthful of blood, and was sent flying off the stage, crashing heavily onto the open ground in front of the Qin Yun Martial Arts Hall's seating area.

"You're lucky, kid, you dodged quickly!"

Dong He stood at the edge of the arena, glanced disdainfully at Cen Mo, then looked arrogantly at the crowd of Qin Yun Martial Arts School and said:

"Those scoundrels from the Qinyun Martial Arts School who refuse to surrender to me, Dong He, will be slaughtered!"

Having said that, he turned his gaze to Li Nian, thinking to himself:

"This brat is ignorant and arrogant, daring to offend the Third Young Master Ruan Bin."

"But it's good that you offended him. If you hadn't, how could I have taken on this lucrative opportunity, with such a hefty reward for killing you all?"

Li Nian sensed Dong He's murderous intent, but he remained silent.

Before the outcome is decided, saying more will only be a waste of breath!