Chapter 97: Chapter 93 Sanjue Martial Artists_1
That day, Red Sand Martial Arts Hall and Black Blade Martial Arts Hall were still spreading rumors in the streets, only to be blocked by the likes of Wang Lin.
Wang Lin took action straight away, breaking the legs of several disciples from the two martial arts halls and tying them up in public view on the street.
The news quickly spread among the local citizens.
The rumors fell apart on their own.
Because, it was with true strength that Sanjue Martial Arts Hall had proved they possessed real talent and learning.
Didn’t you see how the disciples from Red Sand Martial Arts Hall and Black Blade Martial Arts Hall couldn’t even last a few moves against those from the Sanjue Martial Arts Hall?
How could they have such strength if they lack real talent and learning?
Just a few days back when Sanjue Martial Arts Hall didn’t take any action, it was interpreted by the people as a display of modesty.
"Soon, it will be my turn to step in."
In the crowd, Lu Yan smiled to himself.
He had been secretly following Wang Lin and the others all along. After all, Wang Lin had only broken the limit four times, and he was worried that if the other two martial arts halls had martial artists who had broken the limit more than four times, Wang Lin would be no match for them.
But in reality, the strongest among them had only broken the limit three times, thus no match for Wang Lin.
As expected, after these events unfolded, a massive number of young people flooded into the martial arts hall wanting to learn martial arts.
They possessed real talent and were only half the price of the other martial arts halls. If they missed this opportunity, they would never have another like it. They had to seize the chance no matter what.
Lu Yan accepted the payment from anyone who came to learn martial arts.
In just three days, he had taken in more than thirty apprentices.
Even the three students who asked for a refund a few days ago came back, thick-faced, wanting to continue their training. They were thrown out of the door, one by one, by Cao Hu.
As for the previously enrolled apprentices, Lu Yan also returned the difference according to the current price.
This made the apprentices secretly rejoice, glad that they didn’t leave before. Otherwise, they would have regretted it to the point of banging their heads against a wall.
Red Sand Martial Arts Hall.
Thump!
Duan Shenfei slammed down, turning a piece of blue stone into powder with his palm. He refrained from smashing the marble table for its high price.
"How dare they, Sanjue Martial Arts Hall, they’ve gone too far."
Duan Shenfei’s face was ashen.
Among those whose legs were broken, one was his personal disciple who had been taught second-rate martial arts. Now, the bones in his leg were completely shattered, making him disabled.
"What do we do now?"
Liu Zong asked.
"Sanjue Martial Arts Hall has reduced its teaching fees again. This is a path to self-destruction. It has alarmed the Martial School Alliance of thirteen schools. We can invite a few more masters to go to Sanjue Martial Arts Hall together and force them to submit."
Duan Shenfei said coldly.
He didn’t dare, nor did he wish to go directly to Sanjue Martial Arts Hall to challenge them.
If he wins, it would be fine, but if he were to lose, it would severely affect the reputation of the Red Sand Martial Arts Hall. It would be hard to take in disciples in the future.
...
The next day.
"Pavilion Master, the heads of Red Sand, Black Blade and three other martial arts halls have come together, saying they have urgent matters to discuss with the Pavilion Master."
In the study, Li Quan came to report.
"Let them wait."
Lu Yan said.
He was expecting this.
One hour later.
"How outrageous, this Lu Shanchuan is really big-headed, making us five headmasters wait here."
One of the burly men, who looked like a black tower, roared angrily.
This man, Zhao Tie, was the head of the Black Destroyer Martial Arts Hall. His second-tier martial art, Black Destroyer Body, had reached the Peak of Perfection. He was nicknamed Iron Tower Overseeing the River.
The other four headmasters also had grim expressions.
They were all headmasters of their respective areas and were quite famous in Baicao City. Now, an outsider dared to display such arrogance and ostentation.
"We might as well just turn over this bird’s nest of a Sanjue Martial Arts Hall. I would like to see what he can do."
Zhao Tie, known for his temper, continued to rant.
"Brother Zhao, be patient. If he can avoid the first move, how could he avoid the fifteenth? Today, he must see us whether he wants to or not."
Duan Shenfei said.
Zhao Tie gave a heavy snort, his face dark, and sat down.
After a while.
"Ha ha ha, esteemed guests have arrived, this is indeed an honor! I was so absorbed in my martial arts practice that I lost track of time. Please forgive my tardiness."
Lu Yan came into the drawing room with a big laugh and took the seat at the head of the table.
He had used the alias Lu Shanchuan when he opened the Sanjue Martial Arts Hall.
The five headmasters barely lifted their hands in greeting.
"Master Lu, let’s be upfront. We are here today about the pricing issue at your Sanjue Martial Arts Hall. The pricing of the thirteen martial arts halls in Baicao City is uniform. You’ve set your teaching price at half of the other halls. What are you expecting us to do?"
Duan Shenfei got straight to the point.
"Oh, so that’s what this is all about? You teach yours, I teach mine. If you’re afraid I’ll take your business, you can also lower your prices. What does this have to do with me?"
Lu Yan said casually.
"What a load of crap! If you want to compete, do it with real skill, not by halving your prices. What sort of talent is that?"
Zhao Tie slaps the table, rising angrily, and glares at Lu Yan.
"Competition is acceptable, but you’re purposely lowering prices, that’s malicious competition. It violates the rules of the Martial School Alliance, we won’t allow it."
Liu Zong of One Blade Soul Cutter said coldly.
"Those are your rules. My Sanjue Martial Arts School hasn’t joined the Martial School Alliance. Their rules can’t bind me."
Lu Yan said.
"Lu Shanchuan, you’re far too arrogant."
Duan Shenfei spoke coldly.
Lu Yan leaned slightly forward, looking down at everyone, and said, "So what if I’m arrogant?"
Bang!
Zhao Tie slapped the table again, this time his Qi-blood burst forth, splitting the table in two as he yelled, "Don’t push your luck, this is Baicao City, be careful or you won’t even know how you died."
"Are you trying to teach me a lesson?"
Lu Yan asked.
"Let’s see it then, let me witness your ’superior skills’, let’s see what you’re made of!"
Zhao Tie shouted ferociously, stirring up his Qi-blood, making his already brawny physique even more intimidating. He was nearly 2.2 meters tall, like a towering black pillar.
It’s no wonder they call him ’Iron Tower Overseeing the River’.
"If you want to spar, we can. Three days from now, I’ll set up an arena. All pavilion masters are welcome to come and fight. See yourself out."
Lu Yan said.
He had no interest in fighting here; if he won, no one would know about it.
If he was going to fight, he would do it publicly, and make a name for Sanjue Martial Arts School.
Wang Lin and Li Quan came in immediately, beckoning for the five major pavilion masters to leave.
The faces of the five major pavilion masters were grim.
Setting up an arena for a public showdown? That was a complete disregard for the alliance of the thirteen schools.
"Fine, we’ll see about that in three days."
Zhao Tie rose to leave.
"After smashing the table, aren’t you going to pay for it?"
Lu Yan said indifferently.
Zhao Tie stiffened. His face was ashen as he pulled out a piece of silver and threw it on the ground. He bellowed, "I’ll see your moves in three days!"
With that, he left.
The remaining four pavilion masters also left Sanjue Martial Arts School with ashen faces. They went together to discuss with the other pavilion masters of the alliance.
If Sanjue Martial Arts School truly set up an arena for a public challenge, they would have no choice but to accept, whether they liked it or not.
If they didn’t accept, they’d be branded as lacking in skill and cowardly.
If they lost their reputation, their martial arts schools might as well close down.
After the five masters left, Lu Yan ordered Wang Lin and others to hire some people and set up a stage in an open space outside the Sanjue Martial Arts School.
The news was then released that the Martial School Alliance was aggrieved by his teaching prices. They banded together to repress them, but they were not afraid of oppression and planned to publicly challenge all major martial arts schools.
If anyone could defeat him, he would revert his teaching prices to market prices.
The news came out, leading to intense discussions and spreading out to other streets and districts.
The city was abuzz, and countless people started paying attention to this matter, looking forward to the duel three days later.
Usually, there were competitions among the thirteen martial arts schools, but mostly between disciples. It was rare for the masters themselves to compete.
Naturally, many people didn’t want to miss such a spectacle.
Three days later.
Outside the Sanjue Martial Arts School, the place was packed like a sea of people. The area around the platform was impenetrable.
"The masters of the Martial School Alliance have arrived."
Someone shouted, and the crowd parted to let a row of people through.
"Out of thirteen martial arts school masters, twelve have come."
Li Quan whispered to Lu Yan.
He had collected all the information about the thirteen martial arts schools during this period and knew the appearance and characteristics of the masters well. He recognized them at once.
"The more, the merrier."
Lu Yan nodded, leaped onto the stage, and asked loudly, "Who will be the first to teach me?"
"I’ll go first."
A figure leaped onto the stage - it was Duan Shenfei, the Red Sand Flying Wolf.
"Red Sand Flying Wolf Duan Shenfei, proficient in Red Sand Palm, is here to learn."
Duan Shenfei made a fist salute following the rules amongst martial arts schools, and gave a brief self-introduction. It was a display of fairness and righteousness, leaving a good impression.
"Lu Shanchuan, proficient in sword, leg, and palm techniques, known as the Sanjue Martial Artist. Today, I will use palm techniques to learn your skills."
Imitating him, Lu Yan also gave a self-introduction.
