Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Clash
"Not bad, kid. You’ve been hiding your skills!"
Looking at Fang Xing, Xu Zhengxiong’s face was filled with admiration.
With such an accomplishment, Fang Xing’s chances were almost certain.
He could hold his own against him without being at a disadvantage. Aside from a slight lack of real combat experience, Xu Zhengxiong deeply admired his mastery of Martial Arts.
"You flatter me, Uncle Xu. I’ve just been training diligently," Fang Xing said, cupping his fists.
Xu Zhengxiong stepped forward and patted his shoulder. "Kid, no need to be modest. To have cultivated the Grapple Hand to this level is truly one of a kind."
Fang Xing smiled but said nothing.
His insight into the Grapple Hand Martial Arts was all thanks to his natural talent for Comprehension.
His Root Bone might be lacking, but his Comprehension was definitely top-tier—good enough to stand out in all of Qingshan, or even the entire Jiang Province!
A heaven-sent talent. The value of this Comprehension was comparable to pure Red Gold!
"With your strength, securing this position should be no problem. Come on, follow me to see the County Magistrate. They’ve probably arrived already," Xu Zhengxiong said. Fang Xing nodded.
He followed Xu Zhengxiong out of the duty room.
...
At the County Yamen, Xu Zhengxiong led Fang Xing into a courtyard.
As he stepped into the courtyard, Fang Xing saw several figures.
Two were also Constables wearing red Official Uniforms. One was the Constable in charge of the East City District, Yang Bo!
The other was the Constable in charge of the South City District, Chen Shan.
Both had reached the Peak of Bright Force in their Cultivation.
Besides the two of them, another person stood behind each.
They were two young men, both looking to be about eighteen or nineteen.
Their temples were full and their gazes sharp.
These two were, without a doubt, the other competitors Xu Zhengxiong had mentioned.
One was named Yang Xin, and the other was Ji Bochang!
Fang Xing had learned from Xu Zhengxiong that Yang Xin was Yang Bo’s nephew, and they were quite close.
The other, Ji Bochang, came from a notable background.
He was from the Ji Family of Qingshan.
While not a top-tier clan, they were quite wealthy in Qingshan County, owning several hundred acres of land, making them a local power!
When Xu Zhengxiong led Fang Xing into the courtyard, four pairs of eyes turned toward them.
"Eh? Old Xu, why did you bring someone?" Chen spoke up, a look of surprise in his eyes.
Xu Zhengxiong looked at him and chuckled. "Just bringing someone to give it a try."
’Give it a try!’
Hearing this, Yang Bo, who was on the other side, narrowed his eyes. He then stepped forward and sized up Fang Xing. "What, is this little brother of yours also a Martial Artist?"
"Of course. Why else would I bring him here?" Xu Zhengxiong said coolly.
Fang Xing didn’t interject, but from the conversation, it was clear Xu Zhengxiong’s attitude toward Yang Bo was noticeably colder.
The four Constables were not a harmonious bunch.
Yang Bo and Xu Zhengxiong did not get along.
However, they had no major conflicts, nothing like a life-or-death grudge—just an accumulation of minor disagreements over the years.
"Old Xu, didn’t you say you had no one when we talked yesterday? You sly dog, are you messing with us?"
Chen Shan stepped forward, looked at Fang Xing, then turned his gaze back to Xu Zhengxiong with a hint of complaint.
Xu Zhengxiong smiled. "Old Chen, I’m not messing with you. This little brother of mine just broke through to the Martial Artist realm yesterday. I only found out this morning myself."
"Just broke through?"
"Such a coincidence?" Chen Shan looked at Xu Zhengxiong with suspicion.
"It’s just that coincidental," Xu Zhengxiong nodded.
"..."
"You sly dog, you’re a tricky one. I don’t believe you," Chen Shan said teasingly, staring at Xu Zhengxiong.
"Hmph, competing for the position right after breaking through. Aren’t you afraid something will happen to him?" Yang Bo snorted coldly.
Hearing this, Xu Zhengxiong’s expression was impassive. "Success or failure will only be known after we try."
"Old Xu, since you’ve brought him now, we can only proceed with a proper sparring match," Chen Shan said with a sigh.
"I know, but I believe he’ll be fine," Xu Zhengxiong said calmly.
Hearing Xu Zhengxiong’s words, both Chen Shan and Yang Bo turned their gazes to Fang Xing.
Fang Xing stood silently to the side, his expression unchanging.
He couldn’t get involved in the conflicts between the Constables right now.
Their statuses were different.
Even though they weren’t his direct superiors, they were still his superiors.
"Little brother, what’s your name?" Chen Shan asked, sizing him up.
Fang Xing gave a slight fist-and-palm salute, his demeanor neither servile nor overbearing. "Reporting to Chen, this subordinate is Fang Xing."
"Fang Xing..." Chen Shan nodded.
"You’re a fine young man, but you just broke through. It would be best to stabilize your foundation for a few years. Otherwise, if something were to happen, your joy would turn to sorrow."
Yang Bo said coolly, a hint of threat in his tone.
Fang Xing naturally understood the meaning behind his words.
’He might as well have just told me to get lost, that this position was not for me to touch.’
But his expression remained calm. He glanced at Xu Zhengxiong, then looked back at Yang Bo and said, "You don’t need to worry about that, Yang. Since I’m here, I naturally have to give this position a try."
"Heh, don’t be too arrogant, young man. There are many people who are stronger than you."
Yang Bo snorted coldly.
"When you’re young, you have to take your chances. Otherwise, you won’t have any opportunities when you’re old," Fang Xing said calmly.
He didn’t want to get involved, but since things had come to this, he wouldn’t back down.
Retreating would not only be a loss of face for him, but it would also bring shame to Xu Zhengxiong.
He was no doormat who would just endure it!
’When you have to be tough, you have to be tough!’
’They might be stronger than me now, but in a little while, who knows?’
’We’re both at the Bright Force stage. Even if they’re at the Peak of Bright Force, they would only have the upper hand. No need to worry too much.’
"Hmph, very good. I’ll remember you." Seeing that his threats were useless, Yang Bo’s face darkened. He gave a cold snort and walked away.
"During the spar later, go all out. Remember, if any other problems arise, I’ll take care of them for you."
Xu Zhengxiong patted his shoulder, his words clear and deliberate.
These words were as good as directly telling everyone that he was Fang Xing’s backer.
Hearing Xu Zhengxiong’s words, Fang Xing cupped his fists. "Boss, I will do my best."
"Mm." Xu Zhengxiong nodded with a broad smile.
Seeing this, the expressions of Chen Shan and Ji Bochang, who was standing behind him, also grew solemn.
Meanwhile, Yang Bo’s face grew even darker. He looked at Yang Xin beside him and said, "During the spar later, you’d better take it seriously."
As he said this, Yang Bo’s tone grew heavier.
Hearing Yang Bo’s words, Yang Xin nodded. He looked toward Fang Xing, clenched his fists, and a vicious smile appeared on his face.
’Idiot...’
Seeing Yang Xin’s threatening smile, Fang Xing cursed him internally and paid him no mind, simply closing his eyes.
...
A short while later, a middle-aged man in a Profound Robe walked into the courtyard.
He was tall, and his broad robes concealed a powerful, muscular build.
He carried an air of authority, and one could feel his powerful presence with just a single glance.
And this middle-aged man in the Profound Robe was the second-most powerful figure in the entire Qingshan County Government Office, a Senior Eighth Grade official of the Court!
Counselor of Qingshan County, Lin Zheng!
He was also a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist!
His status and strength were both top-tier.
"Greetings, Lord Lin."
Seeing Lin Zheng appear, everyone immediately bowed in salute.
Lin Zheng nodded. His gaze swept over the crowd and landed on Fang Xing, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Old Xu, didn’t you say the Northern Division had no one? Why have you brought another?"
Hearing Lin Zheng’s question, Xu Zhengxiong stepped forward and bowed slightly. "My Lord, Fang Xing just had his breakthrough yesterday. I wanted to let him give it a try."
"Oh? Is that so." Lin Zheng nodded, his brow relaxing.
"My Lord, we already discussed this yesterday. According to the rules, we should still hold a formal sparring match. It would be fairer that way."
Yang Bo stepped forward and said.
Lin Zheng glanced at him, then looked back at Xu Zhengxiong. "Old Xu, what do you think?"
"I will follow your decision, my Lord," Xu Zhengxiong replied.
Lin Zheng scanned the group, pondered for a moment, and said, "Since everyone is here, let’s proceed as we discussed yesterday. Have a fair sparring match. The final victor will win."
