Martial Sovereign of the Turbulent World

Chapter 180: Chapter 178: Opportunity, Flipping the Table, Aunt Ding’s Backup Plan

On the Xuanwu Platform, eighteen black lacquered coffins were lined up in a single row. White banners bearing the word "Mourning" hung low in the windless air, and the ground was strewn with joss paper.

It was now approaching noon, the time of day when the sun is at its fiercest.

But as the brilliant golden light spilled down, bathing the entire Xuanwu Platform, it offered no warmth. Instead, it cast a bleak, chilling desolation over the scene.

Zhao Jigang was dressed in a Profound Robe, a plain white paper flower tied around his left arm. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the last Black Jade Token hanging from his waist.

He sized up Fu Juemin from head to toe, then suddenly spoke. "Dragon Elephant Wisdom?"

Fu Juemin had previously revealed his Fundamental Seal to block a combined attack from Zhou Feibai and Qin Suyi. It wasn’t surprising that Zhao Jigang recognized it—after all, he was the president of the city’s Martial Dao Association and a Gratitude Sensing Realm martial artist from a Martial Family.

But Fu Juemin only watched him quietly, saying nothing.

"For someone your age to have such strength, methods, and cunning... there’s truly no injustice in Tianpeng’s death at your hands."

Seeing that he wasn’t going to respond, Zhao Jigang paid it no mind and abruptly changed the subject.

"I came to Shenghai when I was twenty-one. By then, I was already a Tongxuan Martial Artist.

I had all these martial skills, yet I could only find work hauling sacks at the docks."

"Later, I seized an opportunity to get into the Martial Arts scene, and it was a long, hard climb, step by step, to get where I am today..."

"I’ve often felt I was born in the wrong era. If the old dynasty hadn’t fallen, a man of my abilities—I, Zhao Jigang—might have been made a noble lord or a high minister..."

He paused, his gaze landing on Fu Juemin with tangible weight.

"The one thing I’ve lacked my whole life is an opportunity."

The corner of Fu Juemin’s mouth twitched.

"You find this amusing?"

Zhao Jigang shook his head.

"It’s because people from your background will never understand just how important a single opportunity is to people like us!"

As he spoke, his tone gradually soured.

"Do you know what my first reaction was after the events at the Martial Arts Association, when I saw Tianpeng’s corpse?"

A glint shone in Zhao Jigang’s eyes, and a smile slowly spread across his face.

"Happiness."

"The opportunity I needed had finally come!"

An immense momentum erupted from Zhao Jigang, and invisible currents of air roiled beneath his robes.

"The more outstanding your performance, the more fearsome you appear to others, the happier I am."

"That way, the opportunity I get from killing you to climb higher... is that much greater."

The moment Zhao Jigang finished speaking, the powerful aura unique to the Gratitude Sensing Realm burst from his body without restraint!

A wave of energy suddenly expanded outward, instantly pulling the surrounding white "Mourning" banners taut, causing them to whip and snap loudly!

Now, Zhao Jigang’s eyes burned brightly as he stared unblinkingly at Fu Juemin, his features slightly distorted by excitement.

"After today... Tianpeng, and Elder Zhou and the others... I’m sure they will be happy for me."

Fu Juemin stared blankly at the Zhao Jigang before him.

After a moment, he suddenly broke into a radiant smile.

He nodded, his tone even as he replied, "As you... wish."

.....

Below the platform, the crowd was still reeling from the shock of Fu Juemin slaying three men and clearing three trials in succession, unable to come to their senses for a long time.

No one could have imagined that for this challenge, the Qinglian Gang’s greatest trump card would turn out to be the "Young Master Zhang" himself, the very person called out by the Martial Arts Troupe!

The three long-famous Half-step Gratitude masters of the Shenghai Martial Arts Troupe had been cut down by him one after another as easily as slicing melons. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, who would believe it?!

"So young, so supremely skilled in the martial arts, and born with such handsome features..."

Amidst the crowd of onlookers, the hunchbacked old man, who had been poised to spring into action at a moment’s notice, now had a sharp glint flashing in his murky eyes as he clicked his tongue in admiration.

"The Princesses of the Chajue Manduo Clan absolutely adore this type of husband. Back in the old dynasty, a man like him would have been handpicked by the emperor to be the Martial Champion Scholar!"

The old hunchback sighed, then turned to Su Hui beside him and couldn’t resist congratulating her, "My lady, you truly have a keen eye!"

Su Hui, who had been watching, entranced, was startled by his words. A flicker of shock and annoyance crossed her eyes, and she shot him a light glare. "Uncle Bai, have you forgotten why I had to plead on your behalf back then?"

The old hunchback’s expression changed instantly, and his knees bent as if he were about to kneel. "This old servant deserves to die! I’ve spoken out of turn, spoken out of turn..."

Su Hui shook her head, saying no more.

Elsewhere, Tang Jing was also staring in a daze. Her eyes were fixed on the stage, and she could hardly believe that the man up there was the same person who had kicked her back then.

’This guy... is that powerful?’

"Someone that Ding Moshan holds in such high regard would hardly be a mediocrity."

The man in the trench coat beside her found her reaction amusing and couldn’t help but say,

"To think you’ve been holding a grudge this whole time. Now you see, don’t you? He was going easy on you back then."

"If we really fought for real, I wouldn’t... I wouldn’t necessarily lose to him!"

Tang Jing tried to sound tough, but her voice lacked conviction.

The man in the trench coat knew her temperament and didn’t argue, his eyes habitually sweeping over several key positions below the Xuanwu Platform.

Suddenly, his gaze froze, fixing on a specific spot.

—He saw Luo Chengying, who had been standing at the forefront of the Woodcutter Gang’s position, suddenly slam something in his hand onto the ground. His face was a mask of hostility as he cursed and muttered, calling Chai Xiong over.

It was unclear what Luo Chengying said to Chai Xiong, but immediately after, the entire Woodcutter Gang—hundreds of axe-wielding men in black—began to move in unison.

Once the Woodcutter Gang started moving, it wasn’t long before the Blue-clothed Gang began to stir as well.

Seeing the two gangs seemingly coordinating as they began to converge on a single location, the man in the trench coat’s expression grew taut. "Trouble’s brewing," he said in a low voice.

Tang Jing whipped her head around. "Hm?"

....

It was unclear when it had started, but now the forces of the Woodcutter Gang and the Blue-clothed Gang, hundreds of men strong, were all in motion.

The Woodcutter Gang’s members were marked by their short black jackets and the sharp axes at their waists; the Blue-clothed Gang wore fitted indigo garments with short blades at their hips.

The two gangs, one in black with axes, the other in blue with blades, were like two heavy, turbid clouds of different colors. They slowly converged, as if by some unspoken accord, pressing toward the same location, seething with killing intent.

The noon sun spilled across the dense forest of axe-heads and blades, reflecting a vast, heart-chilling glare.

Bai Hexing, the Leader of the Blue-clothed Gang, watched with dark eyes and a cold sneer on his face.

In the seats of honor, the two ugly men from Toad Palace giggled as they hopped onto their chairs. They stood on their tiptoes to get a better view, looking as comical as spectators at a grand play.

Luo Chengying, naturally, strode at the very front of the two gangs. Chai Xiong, following close behind, obsequiously lit a cigar for him.

His coat fluttered in the wind, his gold rings blindingly bright—he cut an indescribably domineering and arrogant figure.

Not far away, the members of the Martial Arts Troupe gathered near the Xuanwu Platform. Seeing the situation unfold, their eyes began to flicker as they exchanged glances...

THUD!

A figure leaped down from the high platform, landing steadily on the ground.

He was a tall, imposing man with a powerful build—broad shoulders and a narrow waist. It was none other than the Tongxuan guardian from the first Cyan Jade trial.

After the first one, a second, a third, and a fourth immediately followed...

Those members of the Martial Arts Troupe, whether they had fought on stage or not, now all began to close in without a word.

Among them were numerous Tongxuan Martial Artists, each with a cold glint in his eye. Their murderous intent was palpable in every shifting gaze.

The three parties, like a silent, roiling tide, spread out with practiced coordination. They formed a pincer formation, pressing in on the Qinglian Gang’s position step by step.

.....

The members of the Qinglian Gang were no fools. Seeing this, how could they not realize something was wrong? The faces of almost everyone in their ranks changed.

"Madam Ding!"

All eyes instinctively snapped toward Madam Ding.

Madam Ding’s expression, however, remained placid.

She rose from her main seat, gazed at the encroaching forces, and gave a sudden wave of her hand.

At her side, Big Cat stepped forward without a word and presented her with a small, exquisite ladies’ pistol.

Madam Ding took the pistol in hand.

Her action was like a command. The Qinglian Gang members behind her immediately drew their sidearms, and a series of crisp clicks, like a sudden downpour, rang out as they all chambered their rounds.

Seeing this from a short distance away, Luo Chengying let out a savage laugh and waved his arm. "Drawing guns? Let’s see who’s got more hardware!"

CLACK—!

From within the ranks of the Woodcutter and Blue-clothed Gangs, all those with guns raised them at once! A dense forest of muzzles glinted with a cold, metallic sheen under the sun.

Swords were drawn and bows were strung; a massive battle seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

But at that very moment, Madam Ding calmly raised her hand, pointed the pistol to the sky, and gently pulled the trigger.

BANG!—

A single gunshot completely shattered the paper-thin peace of the arena.

It looked as though the two sides were about to come to blows.

Suddenly, a long, piercing shriek cut through the air.

A dark, cone-shaped object trailing a long, gray-white plume of smoke suddenly rocketed in from a corner outside the arena, flying unerringly toward the most crowded section of the Martial Arts Troupe!

"Hidden Weapons?!"

From the Martial Arts Troupe’s side, a Tongxuan Martial Artist reacted with lightning speed. He didn’t dodge or evade. Instead, his five fingers formed a claw, and he swiped at the incoming black shadow with a gust of power!

The very instant his fingertips touched the black object—

BOOM—!!!

With a deafening roar, a small mushroom cloud of fire and thick smoke suddenly erupted in the arena, and a scorching blast wave instantly radiated outward.

That Tongxuan Martial Artist, along with several others around him, was instantly engulfed by the crimson light of the flames...