Challenge

Chen Cheng reached out and gripped the doorknob, smiling as he said:

"Old man, you sure are long-winded. Don't worry, I definitely won't lose."

With a click, he opened the door, only to find the office completely empty.

"No one."

Chen Cheng stepped back and looked at the sign above the door. It indeed read Martial Arts Association President's Office.

Huang Xiaoren pondered briefly as well before saying:

"Perhaps the president went out to handle something."

As he spoke, Huang Xiaoren spotted a Martial Arts Association staff member, pulled him over, and asked:

"Where is the president?"

"Vice President Huang, the president went to the martial arts hall. Vice President Gao started fighting with the Japanese swordmaster Nakata Sasaki there, so the president went to break it up."

After letting the staff member leave, Chen Cheng stroked his chin and asked:

"Where's this martial arts hall? Take me there for a look."

"Please follow me."

Huang Xiaoren led Chen Cheng out of the office building and to the martial arts hall nearby.

The martial arts hall covered a vast area. Inside were spectator stands and a training floor nearly the size of a standard football field. It was usually used by Martial Arts Association members for practice, but whenever matches were held, it could be converted into several arenas.

Upon entering the martial arts hall, Chen Cheng saw people seated below the platform, dressed in attire from different countries and regions. One look was enough to tell that they were members of the sixteen nations here to issue challenges.

On the platform, a man in a kimono holding a Japanese sword was exchanging moves with an elderly man in training clothes wielding a broadsword.

To those who knew nothing of Ancient Martial Arts, their fight looked incredibly dull. The two