Chapter 153: Chapter 152: Feather Thought Style
While Zhao Xuanqi and Yan Shuntao were discussing the matter of the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce’s Martial Arts Department Chief.
In a certain courtyard in Jinmen, a secret meeting was unfolding.
Presiding over this meeting was the second-in-command of the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce, Vice President Wei Zonglong.
His business involved foreign trade and imports. He controlled the largest foreign trade channels in the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce, with his closest ties being to the Neon Nation.
The reason Wei Zonglong had been able to establish a firm foothold in Jinmen back then was due in no small part to the secret support of the Neon Concession. Even his first bit of startup capital had come from a Neon Trading Company.
Of course, these were all well-kept secrets. Thus, when the Neon Empire made a demand of him, he had no room to refuse.
In the courtyard, seven middle-aged men in suits, including Wei Zonglong, sat around a tea table. Their businesses were mostly linked to foreign trade, and each had connections to the various foreign concessions, though most hadn’t reached the point of selling their lives for them.
To them, it was just business, and this particular line of work wasn’t their only one.
And behind each of these men stood a Martial Artist. They varied in age, but all of them exuded a dangerous aura. Clearly, none were to be trifled with.
"I’ve called this small meeting before the general assembly. I trust you all know why."
Wei Zonglong said calmly, looking at the others.
"This is about the Chief of the Martial Arts Department, isn’t it? Mr. Wei, the situation in Jinmen has been turbulent lately. It would be beneficial for everyone if the Chamber of Commerce could consolidate its power and face these conflicts together by choosing an expert strong enough to stabilize the situation."
One of the middle-aged directors, a man with a kind face, spoke up.
"That’s right. I heard that Yan Shuntao found an expert this time, one who advanced to the A-Ranks with a perfect record. He defeated many masters along the way, including a successor from the Western Border Wu Family. He’s incredibly strong. The position of Martial Arts Department Chief will most likely fall to him."
Another director, who wore gold-rimmed glasses and had a small mustache, chimed in.
"Beneficial for everyone? I don’t agree with that sentiment. You should all be clear on the importance of the Martial Arts Department Chief’s position. Whoever’s man takes that seat will have a much greater say in the Chamber of Commerce’s future."
"Yan Shuntao has always styled himself as a patriotic merchant. He’s consistently had reservations about our business dealings with foreigners. If he were to lead the Chamber of Commerce in the future, and the situation shifts, I’m afraid your businesses and mine will suffer."
"None of you want your source of wealth to be cut off because of that, do you?"
Wei Zonglong said lightly.
"The matter of the Martial Arts Department Chief is decided by strength. The Martial Arts Realm isn’t like the business world—if you have the skill, you have it; if you don’t, you don’t. If Mr. Wei can find an even stronger expert to help, we would naturally be willing to stand on your side."
"However, from what we understand, the expert you’ve found is only at the Two Qi Realm. Isn’t there still a significant gap compared to Yan Shuntao’s man?"
Everyone present was shrewd; they all knew what Wei Zonglong meant by calling this small meeting. They weren’t about to declare their allegiance without knowing what ace Wei Zonglong truly had up his sleeve.
"To be frank, I have indeed found a stronger expert. With his help, taking the position of Martial Arts Department Chief will be as easy as reaching into a bag to grab something. However, to nominate him for the post, I will need all of your support."
Wei Zonglong said slowly.
Hearing this, the men frowned slightly. Experts weren’t cabbages, you couldn’t find them growing everywhere. Top-tier experts, in particular, usually had powerful factions behind them. Finding a freelance master was incredibly difficult.
’What kind of expert has Wei Zonglong found now, that he dares say taking the Chief position will be child’s play?’
’And why would this person need their collective support just to be nominated?’
"Mr. Hua Jing, please come out and see us."
Wei Zonglong clapped his hands lightly.
Then, the men saw a tall man emerge from a back room not far away.
The man had a cold expression and downcast eyes. He wore a Neon Samurai Kimono and had stiff, short hair. He moved like a phantom, silent and traceless. And though his steps seemed slow and leisurely, it was as if he was using Shrinking Inches; in just two or three steps, he was before their table.
"I am Hua Jingcheng of the Neon Swordsmanship Feather Thought Style. A pleasure to meet the directors of the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce."
He spoke the language of the Divine Land with perfect diction. If it weren’t for his samurai attire, no one would have detected his Neon accent.
However, though his words sounded polite, he stood ramrod straight. With his tall frame and cold gaze, he looked down on the directors at the table as if they were ants he could crush at any moment.
’A Neon person?!’
The faces of the directors present changed slightly, and the Martial Artists standing behind them couldn’t help but frown.
"Mr. Wei, what is the meaning of this? Making a Neon person the Chief of our Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce’s Martial Arts Department? This is an outrageous affront to the world!"
"Indeed! War is about to break out in the Northern Territory. Getting involved with the Neon People at a time like this is not a wise move, Mr. Wei!"
"Besides, the Jinmen Martial Arts Association has a rule that people of the Six Nations are not allowed to compete on the grand stage. Even if this man becomes Chief, he can’t represent the Chamber of Commerce in battle!"
...
A buzz of discussion erupted from the crowd, and the scene became somewhat noisy and chaotic.
Although they had many connections with the various concessions, these were purely business dealings. They were far from the point of selling their lives for the Neon People and bearing the infamy. To do so in the current climate would likely lead to them being cursed and condemned behind their backs.
"Times have changed. The old rules only applied to the past. From now on, there will be new rules. Whether the Jinmen Martial Arts Association will allow me to compete is not your concern. You all need only support my bid for the Chamber of Commerce’s Martial Arts Department Chief. There will surely be no shortage of benefits for you in the future."
Hua Jingcheng spoke with a calm expression, his tone not one of request, but what seemed to be a condescending command.
"Who do you think you are? Why should we support you? Mr. Wei, I believe our business here is done. Forgive me, but I, Lin, will not stay any longer."
The director with the kind face, who had been the first to speak, scowled and made to get up and leave.
Having climbed to their positions, who among them didn’t care about their own dignity? Who didn’t have a bit of a temper?
The other directors also seemed unwilling to get dragged into this mess and wanted to get up and take their leave.
"I’m afraid that if you don’t agree to this, no one is leaving this courtyard today."
Hua Jingcheng looked at the middle-aged director with a calm expression. A dangerous aura suddenly spread out, causing the director to shiver violently as if he’d been plunged into an icehouse. He nearly lost his footing and collapsed.
"Insolent!"
The middle-aged Martial Artist behind the director suddenly snapped his eyes wide open, a sharp glint shooting from them. He took a step forward, blocking the director. His hair stood on end, and his entire aura became as sharp as a drawn sword.
"Huang Minggao of the Five Extremes Star-Cutting Saber. From the Southwest, forty-two years old, at the level of Five Qi Tongxuan. You’ve attained Heart Fire Qi. You’re known for a saber as fast as lightning, a cold gleam that dazzles the eyes, capable of cutting down the stars. But in my eyes, the Five Extremes Star-Cutting Saber is merely a second-rate saber technique. Stand down. You are not qualified to stand before me."
Hua Jingcheng said flatly, his expression unchanging.
"You dare insult my school?! Let’s see what you’ve got, you Wokou!!"
Huang Minggao’s figure blurred into motion. His body instantly seemed to swell as a Qi Surge enveloped him. At the same time, a muffled THUD erupted from his chest as his Heart Fire ignited and his Qi and Blood exploded. He tore through the air, the momentary flash of light and shadow creating a blinding sensation.
This was a body technique that required immense skill. By moving at high speed and rapidly vibrating his body and clothes, he created afterimages to confuse the opponent’s vision and conceal his true attack.
At forty-two, his Physical Ability was still at its peak. Combined with his years of accumulated experience and fighting skill, he was not someone a younger Martial Artist could compare to. He was at the absolute strongest point of his life.
Star-Cutting Saber!
As Huang Minggao’s body vibrated, a hand blade suddenly chopped out from among the afterimages. The air parted as if a meteor had split the night sky. The timing and angle of the strike, concealed by the afterimages, were almost imperceptible—it was incredibly sudden!
And just then, Hua Jingcheng moved. He took a light step forward and, just like before, it was as if he used Shrinking Inches. His figure crisscrossed with Huang Minggao’s, and he reappeared several meters away.
Several of the Five Qi Tongxuan experts present didn’t even notice how he had performed the Force Release, nor could they clearly see his line of attack. They only vaguely saw a thread-like stream of air slash across Huang Minggao’s neck as their figures crossed.
’Is that... Gang Qi?!’
Huang Minggao’s body froze.
The next moment.
PSHHT!!
Scalding blood suddenly sprayed from his neck. His tough skin and muscle had been severed in an instant by Hua Jingcheng’s bare hand!
