Chapter 151: Chapter 150: Secret Plot
Nearly half a month had passed since Zhao Xuanqi’s last appearance in the Jinmen Martial Arts Arena. Less than a week remained of the month-and-a-half deadline he had agreed upon with Yan Shuntao to reach the Jinmen A-level arena.
After his battle with Wu Yin, Yan Shuntao had not only eagerly sent Zhao Xuanqi the finest Wound Medicine, but had also told him not to worry about the month-and-a-half deadline. He urged him to focus on recuperating. Yan Shuntao assured him that with his solid track record in the Martial Arts Arena, failing to reach the A-level wouldn’t affect his recommendation within the Chamber of Commerce. At worst, it would just require some extra explaining.
However, Zhao Xuanqi had no intention of breaking his word. After successfully achieving the initial stage of Tongxuan in his heart, he prepared to resume competing and complete the final stretch of his climb through the arena ranks.
According to Shi Huai’an’s and Fan Shiyan’s predictions, there shouldn’t be any more complications. Few opponents, if any, could face Zhao Xuanqi in the arena now. Given his victory over Wu Yin, as long as Zhao Xuanqi let word get out before competing, any Martial Arts Arena expert who wasn’t confident enough would deliberately avoid his matches, clearing a path for him.
In other words, he had a very high probability of advancing to the A-level arena with a perfect record.
Zhao Xuanqi had no intention of abandoning his connection to the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce. Although he was now an Elder of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Gates, he still held the title of Honored Guest Elder. Furthermore, his own need for resources was enormous, and he couldn’t keep asking the two Gates for help. His previous savings had been completely depleted during this time.
The Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce was a good option. From a purely commercial perspective, it was no weaker than the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Gates; its industries were even more extensive. However, due to its historical composition and the background of its members, it had fewer ties to the Martial Arts Realm and had always focused its energy on the business world. Now, with chaos brewing, it was starting to show signs of distress.
Securing this connection would temporarily solve his resource problem, and it would also be a way to repay the favor he owed Yan Shuntao.
Meanwhile, as for the Jinmen Martial Arts Arena, Zhao Xuanqi’s disappearance was actually expected by many. After all, numerous spectators had witnessed the brutality of his fight with Wu Yin. Both combatants had fought until they were completely exhausted, nearly ending in a draw, and had suffered extremely severe injuries that would be difficult to heal quickly.
And what Martial Artist of that caliber didn’t have a few enemies? When injured and weak, they would certainly choose to lie low and stay hidden to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Furthermore, although Zhao Xuanqi’s fame had skyrocketed due to his fight with Wu Yin, that was only among the common people who hadn’t seen much of the world. Thanks to the clandestine operations of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Gates, the top-tier powers had not yet taken real notice of him.
But the common people were often forgetful. In less than three days, the impact of the battle faded as both combatants recuperated in seclusion. After a week, almost no one was talking about it anymore. Instead, another major event had captured the close attention of all the people, and even all the major powers.
Fighting had broken out on the border of the three provinces of the Northern Territory.
First, the Beidou Army and the Phoenix Army held joint military exercises on the Northern Territory’s border. Tensions escalated, and the final straw was the discovery of a wild Rare Beast in the border mountains. A firefight erupted between the two sides during the hunt for the beast, which then escalated into a regional conflict. For now, they are only engaged in small-scale skirmishes, but it is likely just a matter of time before it erupts into all-out war.
What drew the most attention was the appearance of the Neon Nation’s Military Department amidst the local conflicts. The Neon Nation’s military had intervened in the dispute through a joint defense pact.
Their wolfish ambitions seemed impossible to conceal any longer.
This sparked a wave of anti-Neon Nation protests and marches across the country. The Jinmen Neon Concession was also significantly affected, and the signs of chaos began to fully manifest.
「Jinmen, Neon Concession, The Consulate.」
Outside the consulate, troops stood heavy guard. Due to the recent events in the Northern Territory, the area was not peaceful.
Inside the consulate, within a secret meeting room.
In the center of an exquisitely decorated, Japanese-style wooden room stood an elegantly crafted tea table, around which three figures were seated.
One of them wore a crisp black suit. He was of medium height, with a slightly thin build, and appeared to be in his forties or fifties. He had short hair and wore gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a gentle and refined appearance.
This person was currently brewing tea, his skill in the tea ceremony clearly excellent. His every move exuded a sense of elegance and tranquility.
Sano Hideyuki, Consul of the Neon Concession.
Beside Sano Hideyuki sat a tall man. He had a powerful build and wore a Neon military uniform. He was sitting ramrod straight, palms on his knees, his posture impeccable. His uniform was immaculate. His face, sharp and chiseled, showed no emotion, and his eyes glinted with a light that seemed to disdain everything.
Yamada Ichirō, commander of the Neon garrison in the concession.
Across from the two of them sat a middle-aged man in a traditional Neon Nation kimono, a beard on his face, his expression calm and composed.
On the chest of his kimono was a peculiar symbol: a circular pattern formed by three comma-shaped gouyu connected head to tail.
Wakatsuki Kei, vice-president of the Profound Ocean Society, the Neon Nation’s largest Ranger organization.
"President Kei, thank you for making the long journey across the ocean. Mr. Yamada and I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
Sano Hideyuki said with a smile as he filled Wakatsuki Kei’s cup with hot tea.
"Consul Sano, there’s no need for such formalities. You and I are both simply contributing to the Empire’s grand plan. This is my first time in the Divine Land. It is indeed a vast and fertile land. The moment I set foot on it, I could feel its profound weight."
"To conquer this land, pure military force is not enough. That would cause the Empire to suffer enormous losses. This is a weakened lion. Though it is on its last breath, in its Dying Glow, it may still recover a sliver of its former ferocity."
"According to the wishes of our superiors, the easiest way to break a man is to crush his character. The best way to conquer this land is to first crush the confidence of its people, trample on their national pride, make them look up to us, make them fear us, so that they will tremble in terror at the mere mention of our name."
"The Divine Land boasts a Martial History spanning several thousand years. Over the last century, its martial traditions have been rekindled. The eight great Warlords built their armies on martial prowess, fostering a culture that reveres strength. And Jinmen is the Divine Land’s Martial Arts Capital, a place where masters from all over the land gather, and where this martial spirit is at its peak. My Profound Ocean Society has summoned masters from our homeland and brought them west for one purpose: to subjugate the experts of Jinmen and dominate its Martial Arts Arena. By doing so, we will shatter the fighting spirit of the Divine Land’s people and pave the way for the plans to come."
"However, I’ve heard that the Jinmen Martial Arts Arena does not permit people from the Six Nations to compete. I wonder if you two have a plan for this?"
Wakatsuki Kei’s expression was calm as he spoke.
