Chapter 192: Chapter 188: Confidence
While Zhao Xuanqi and the others were forming their alliance...
In a certain residence in Jinmen.
"My Lord, the Jinmen Martial Arts Association rejected our request for a meeting. They claim the competitors need to prepare for the tournament in peace and should not be disturbed. Their stance was quite firm."
A subordinate reported to Hong Luan, who sat in a chair at her desk. Dressed in white, her appearance was androgynous.
"Rejected? As expected. What’s the news from Jinling?"
Hong Luan’s expression was calm. She would have found it far more suspicious if the Martial Arts Association Three Elders had given in so easily.
"The Military Commander sent a telegram. A general from the National Salvation Association is stirring up trouble in Jinling, and personnel are also needed to stabilize the situation in the Northern Territory. For the time being, it will be impossible to dispatch any Elders who have surpassed the Harmony realm to Jinmen. However, three Five Qi Chaoyuan masters have been sent and are on their way," a subordinate reported to Hong Luan in the study.
"Only three Five Qi Chaoyuan masters?"
Hong Luan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
’The Martial Arts Association Three Elders have been entrenched in Jinmen for many years, and they are incredibly powerful themselves. They even have a record of jointly standing against the Military Commander. Just three Five Qi Chaoyuan masters... trying to take someone from their grasp is practically impossible.’
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Just then, there was a knock at the study door, and another subordinate from the Phoenix Army entered.
"We just received intel from our scouts. Zhao Yuan and Xiang Ji paid a secret visit to the Martial Arts Association Headquarters. Afterward, an unusual phenomenon was reported from the Sanlao Residence. Several hours have passed, and there’s still no sign of them leaving. We suspect it’s related to Zhao Xuanqi."
The subordinate reported in a low, serious voice.
"Zhao Yuan and Xiang Ji, hmm? It makes sense for them to team up. In this situation, with the Three Elders mediating, it’s only natural for them to band together for protection."
Hong Luan nodded slightly, her composure restored.
"My Lord, what should we do? If the Jinmen Martial Arts Association can form alliances, so can we. The strongest of the younger generation from major Warlords like Beidou, Giant Spirit, and Shenxiao are all in Jinmen. Shall I contact them?" the subordinate asked respectfully.
"Not for now. Approaching them is a last resort. It’s true they’ve coveted the Primordial Dragon Secret Technique and Celestial Dragon Extreme Breakthrough for years. However, anyone can see that the Holy Beast Fist is far more valuable to our Vermilion Bird Sect. Cooperating with them would be giving them leverage over us. They won’t want us to obtain this Secret Transmission easily, and we would undoubtedly have to pay a heavy price."
"There’s no rush. Deploy more men and keep a close eye on everyone involved. For now, we’ll watch and wait. There are people who are more worried about this than we are."
Hong Luan said with a cold smile.
Zhao Xuanqi’s sudden emergence had completely upended the Grand Martial Tournament. As another major participant, the Neon Empire ought to be even more concerned about his existence than she was.
「Neon Concession Consulate, conference room.」
This time, Wakatsuki Kei of the Profound Ocean Society and the other martial artists were in attendance. Consul Sano Hideyuki and the garrison commander, Yamada Ichirō, were presiding.
"It’s all but confirmed that Zhao Xuanqi’s Hundred Beasts Fist is the legendary Holy Beast Fist of the Divine Land. He defeated Mr. Cangtian’s Unreturning Strike in a single blow, which means his strength is on par with Zhao Yuan and Xiang Ji. He will be a major obstacle for us. What are your thoughts?"
Sano Hideyuki said, addressing everyone present.
"We just received intel. Zhao Xuanqi has likely met with Zhao Yuan and Xiang Ji and formed an alliance. With the Three Elders of Jinmen backing them, and with the National Salvation Association causing distractions, the eight major Warlords within Jinmen will be hesitant to make any rash moves."
"My proposal is to have the Military Department’s Divine Wave Group take action. We must, by any means necessary, ensure that at least one of those three is unable to continue competing."
Yamada Ichirō said, his expression grim.
The Divine Wave Group was the collective term for the Neon Nation’s special military operatives. These individuals possessed extreme and unusual Secret Medicine Abilities. They were masters of various assassination techniques, equipped with the most advanced weaponry, and all were highly-trained killing machines.
In a one-on-one duel in the ring, they would be no match for a top Martial Arts Expert. But outside the ring, working in teams with do-or-die resolve, even the greatest of experts could meet a bitter end at their hands.
There were plenty of precedents.
Even the strongest Martial Arts Experts have their limits.
"Mr. Yamada, I’m afraid we cannot agree to that proposal."
A voice interrupted Yamada.
It was the man with the emerald-green eyes.
"Mr. Shechuan, what are your thoughts?"
Sano Hideyuki asked the man.
"Do you two propose this method because you don’t trust us? Though the Ten Sha have suffered losses, the three of us are still sitting here, undefeated."
"It’s just the Holy Beast Fist. A fist technique from thousands of years ago. Even if it was passed down by a so-called Divine General, after all this time, how much of its Profound Technique could possibly remain? We already have ways to deal with Zhao Yuan and Xiang Ji, so what difference does one more Zhao Xuanqi make?"
"Against me, the Holy Beast will be just a dead beast."
Shechuan Ancient’s emerald pupils morphed into the shape of crosses, taking on a bizarre hue as he spoke lightly.
"That’s right. We, the Three Celestial Assassins, have never known defeat. If we resort to such methods now, wouldn’t that just be admitting to the Divine Land that we fear them?"
The speaker was another of the Three Celestial Assassins—an enormous man with a brutish, fleshy face, who sat on a custom-made steel chair.
Finally, there was the man whose face was wrapped in bandages. He was slumped in his chair like a corpse and said nothing, but for a brief moment, a spark of electricity seemed to flash through the conference room. The lights flickered, making his opinion clear without a word.
Comments