A Challenge

At eight that evening, at Wind and Cloud Manor, the largest restaurant in Mingyuan City.

It was an ancient-style restaurant with five floors, built in a square-ring layout. A stage stood at the very center for performances, while the first through fifth floors were built along the walls like surrounding corridors, allowing diners to watch the show from anywhere.

At that moment, all of Wind and Cloud Manor had been reserved by Li Zong and was closed to the public.

Starting from six in the evening, large numbers of young and middle-aged men in black uniforms, crimson fists embroidered on their chests, had entered Wind and Cloud Manor one after another.

They were enforcers from the various branches of Mingyuan City's Death Fist Society, responsible for protecting its casinos, underground boxing rings, and other illicit operations. Li Zong had summoned them all to Wind and Cloud Manor—nearly two hundred men in total!

When Su Ti followed Long Yuanzheng into Wind and Cloud Manor, this was the scene that greeted him.

Li Zong sat imposingly in a grandmaster's chair on the stage, facing the entrance. Behind him stood his two sons—Li Mingsheng, the martial one, and Li Minggui, the scholarly one.

Beyond them, from the first floor to the fifth, nearly two hundred young Death Fist Society enforcers watched them.

Some stood while others sat, but every pair of eyes was fixed on Long Yuanzheng's group as they entered, filled with murderous hostility.

The moment Long Yuanzheng's group entered, they were met with a show of force!

The few men in black suits Wang Gengyuan had brought with him instinctively took half a step back upon seeing the scene.

Yao Juan, Yan Jun, and Wang Gengyuan all frowned deeply. Only Long Yuanzheng remained calm. With his hands behind his back, he strode toward Li Zong, while Su Ti followed one step behind.

Long Yuanzheng stopped before Li Zong and sat in the grandmaster's chair opposite him before speaking unhurriedly.

"Li Zong, I came here today to hold you accountable. You've put on this display—do you think I, Long Yuanzheng, can no longer fight? Do you want to test me?"

The instant those words left his mouth, an invisible force erupted from Long Yuanzheng and surged directly toward Li Zong.

It was killing intent!

A person's strength could, to a large extent, be judged by the intensity of their killing intent.

Even the killing intent of a Tongli Stage martial artist like Su Ti was enough to terrify ordinary people and street thugs, let alone someone at Long Yuanzheng's level.

Long Yuanzheng's killing intent was savage and tyrannical, like that of a humanoid beast. Li Zong, who bore the brunt of it, changed expression. Though Li Mingsheng and Li Minggui behind him were not the primary targets, their faces also turned pale.

Feeling the aura Long Yuanzheng had unleashed, every Death Fist Society enforcer in Wind and Cloud Manor caught his breath. The vicious momentum they had built up instantly weakened to almost nothing.

Seeing the momentum of over a hundred of his own men suppressed by Long Yuanzheng alone, Li Zong was both shocked and furious.

He had never fought Long Yuanzheng before, but he had not expected the gap between them to be so immense based on aura alone. Any thought of confronting Long Yuanzheng head-on vanished from his mind.

Still, one could lose a fight but not their presence. With so many people watching, he naturally could not bow his head and disgrace himself!

Li Zong slapped the armrest, rose to his feet, and roared.

"Long Yuanzheng, your disciple killed my son, yet you've come here to accuse me? You've gone too far!"

"If you don't hand over the murderer today, do you think any of you will leave here alive?!"

With a thunderous sound, the doors of Wind and Cloud Manor were immediately shut by his men.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Dozens of military-grade crossbows were raised by the enforcers. Red targeting dots appeared, all aimed at Long Yuanzheng and his group.

Rather than being frightened, Long Yuanzheng burst into laughter.

"Li Zong, I think you've grown more muddleheaded with age."

"You've already got one foot into this realm yourself. Do you still not understand what this realm is capable of?"

"If you had dozens of guns pointed at me today, I might at least frown. What are these dozens of toys supposed to mean? Don't make me laugh."

"If you want yourself and your two sons to die here, go ahead and have them attack."

As he spoke, Long Yuanzheng held out a hand. Third Senior Brother Yan Jun immediately handed him a bottle of water. Long Yuanzheng unscrewed the cap and drank, not even sparing Li Zong and the others a glance.

Li Zong clenched his fists, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. After a long while, he finally waved his hand, signaling for the enforcers behind him to lower their crossbows.

Long Yuanzheng truly was someone formidable. That kind of display had not frightened him; after these two exchanges, Li Zong had been utterly defeated in terms of momentum. This scene also made Li Zong consider using his second plan.

The entire hall fell silent. Even the enforcers looked uncertain. They did not believe any human could be strong enough to fight a hundred opponents and withstand dozens of crossbows, but Li Zong's retreat still stunned them.

Li Zong sat down again and put on a show of taking deep breaths, saying nothing.

Long Yuanzheng set down his teacup as well.

"Li Zong, if you won't speak, then I will."

"Your son Li Mingyuan had my disciple seized twice. How are we settling that debt?"

"My son is already dead!"

Li Zong roared, his eyes red. That emotion was not feigned; it was genuine.

Although Li Mingyuan had achieved nothing in either academics or martial arts, Li Zong had truly doted on his youngest son.

"I know your son is dead, but first figure out why he died."

"If he had behaved himself and not provoked anyone, would he have died?"

Li Zong fell silent.

Once the matter was laid bare, he truly had no ground to stand on.

For the sake of the Death Fighting Competition's "viewership," Li Mingyuan had concocted the gimmick of random civilian contestants and had people seized all over Mingyuan City. More than a dozen people had died in a single month. Li Zong had handled the pressure for him because they had all been ordinary people with neither power nor influence. Even if they had justice on their side, they had nowhere to seek it.

But Li Mingyuan had targeted Long Yuanzheng's disciple.

"That kid wasn't your disciple at the time."

Li Zong forced the words out. After spending decades in the underworld, how could he be some fool who only knew how to fight and kill?

He was sharp-minded. He had no justification in this matter, and after the earlier probing, it was clear that Long Yuanzheng was determined to protect Su Ti. With Long Yuanzheng taking such a hard stance, other than fighting to mutual destruction, Li Zong truly had no way to touch Su Ti.

That was why he was now prepared to back down, advancing by retreating as he began his second plan.

Long Yuanzheng chuckled. "He wasn't then, but he is now. Su Ti joined my Dragon Gate Martial Hall when Li Mingyuan sent people to attack him the second time. I even brought the contract. Do you want to see it?"

Li Zong's expression shifted repeatedly. After a long while, he took a deep breath and said.

"Master Long, it was my son's fault for taking your disciple, but he's dead now. What more do you want?"

Long Yuanzheng was mildly surprised to see Li Zong yield so quickly. He had thought that given Li Zong's character, he would need to use a few more tactics.

"Five million. Consider it compensation to soothe my disciple. Then this matter will be settled."

"Fine. I'll give it to you!"

Li Zong was a decisive man. Without another word, he agreed immediately.

He waved a hand, and a subordinate nearby promptly handed over a bank card.

Long Yuanzheng did not even look at it. He waved his hand, signaling for Su Ti to take it.

Su Ti accepted the card, and Long Yuanzheng nodded inwardly.

Five million was not much to the Death Fist Society; it was not even enough to hurt them. But Dragon Gate Martial Hall was currently supported by Long Yuanzheng alone. Though Li Zong could not defeat him, he possessed considerable wealth and influence. If their forces truly clashed, the result would only be mutual destruction.

Therefore, he could not push Li Zong too hard.

These five million were both an explanation for Su Ti, his disciple, and a gesture of submission from the Death Fist Society. That was enough.

"Very well. Since the matter has been resolved and we have accepted President Li's compensation, this ends here. We won't stay any longer. President Li, no need to see us out."

Having achieved his goal, Long Yuanzheng did not further provoke Li Zong with words and prepared to leave with his people.

"Master Long, please wait."

Long Yuanzheng's gaze turned cold. He knew it would not be that simple. Turning around, he saw that the speaker was not Li Zong, but his son Li Mingsheng.

Li Mingsheng clasped his fists and performed a martial salute.

"My younger brother was blind and offended Master Long's outstanding disciple. He deserved to die for it, but—"

Li Mingsheng changed the subject, bowed slightly to Long Yuanzheng, and said.

"I have long heard of the Dragon Gate Martial Hall's great reputation, and I am also a martial artist. When one practices Ancient Martial Arts alone for too long, one can't help but itch for a match. I would like to exchange pointers with your beloved disciple. Would you honor me with the chance?"

Long Yuanzheng snorted. Without even looking at Li Mingsheng, he spoke to Li Zong.

"So this still isn't over? Li Zong, before your son fights my disciple, how about the two of us have a match first?"

Li Zong chuckled, a glint of coldness flashing through his eyes. This was his second plan. Since he had no grounds in the previous matter, he would let it pass and find another way to cause trouble for Dragon Gate Martial Hall.

"How could I possibly be a match for Master Long? My son is challenging your disciple purely because he wishes to test his skills. It has nothing to do with personal grudges. Of course, if your disciple does not wish to accept, then forget it."

Li Mingsheng immediately added, "That's right. If your disciple does not wish to accept my challenge, I will not force him. It's just that word getting out that Dragon Gate Martial Hall avoided a fight would not sound very good for your reputation."

Long Yuanzheng sneered. "You father and son should both go perform in an opera. Trying to provoke me with words? Listen to the nonsense you're saying first. How old are you, Li Mingsheng? How many years have you trained? My disciple has only joined the school for a few days, and you want to challenge him?"

Yao Juan glared furiously as well. Li Mingsheng was already in his thirties and had trained in martial arts for more than ten years, while Su Ti was not even twenty yet. Li Mingsheng actually had the nerve to challenge Su Ti, then claim it had nothing to do with personal grudges. It was laughable.

Seeing the tension rise again, Li Minggui stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Master Long, please forgive my brother. He has practiced martial arts for many years and was delighted to see someone so talented as your disciple, which is why he wished to challenge him. It was indeed inconsiderate."

"However—"

He too changed the subject.

"Since Master Long says my brother's age does not match your disciple's, I have another boxer here. He is even younger than this young brother Su and would also like to compete with him."

Li Minggui turned sideways and gestured. A bald, two-meter-tall giant stepped onto the stage. He had an enormous build and terrifying blue-purple tattoos across his chest. Looking at everyone, he revealed his stark white teeth in an "honest" smile.

"This is an A-Class Boxer from our Death Fighting Competition, named Demon Mountain. He is exactly sixteen this year, three years younger than your disciple. Surely Brother Su would not dare refuse his challenge?"

The people from Dragon Gate Martial Hall looked at his build, which was nearly the same as Yao Juan's, their eyelids twitching as they thought, Sixteen, my ass?!

Long Yuanzheng assessed Demon Mountain for a few moments, his face expressionless.

"If I'm not mistaken, putting his age aside, this boxer has already reached the first level of Inner Refinement and seems to have trained external martial arts as well. Combined with his naturally powerful physique, while Su Ti has yet to enter the Inner Refinement Stage, we will not accept this challenge."

Li Minggui was not discouraged by the rejection. A cold smile appeared on his face. The matter had reached this point, and he had long prepared his arguments and subsequent schemes.

If Su Ti did not accept this challenge today, word of it could spread through the entire Ancient Martial Arts community of Nanjiang Province tomorrow!

The esteemed disciple of Long Yuanzheng, refusing even the challenge of an unaffiliated boxer three years younger than himself—what disciple was Long Yuanzheng fit to teach? What martial hall was he fit to run?!

As for Su Ti having joined only a few days ago? No one cared. A lie repeated often became truth, and the Death Fist Society had far more than three people. They had plenty of manpower and influence!

Long Yuanzheng's influence could not compare to theirs. Once they had even the slightest handle against him, they would seize it and publicize it relentlessly.

In the end, under the pressure of public opinion in the Ancient Martial Arts world, Long Yuanzheng would either be utterly disgraced or still have to send his disciple out to fight.

A man lived for his reputation, especially in the Ancient Martial Arts world. To martial artists, reputation was profit, and a sect's signboard could not be allowed to gather even the slightest dust!

When challenged by another, even if one could not win, one still had to step onto the stage and fight—even if it meant dying there!

That was life in the martial world; one's actions were not always their own to choose!

Long Yuanzheng was an old hand in the martial world. His eyes flickered as he saw through it.

Li Zong had advanced by retreating, setting aside Li Mingyuan's abduction of Su Ti. Under the banner of challenging Dragon Gate Martial Hall's martial arts, he was once again making trouble for Su Ti. His goal was to bypass Long Yuanzheng's protection and kill Su Ti directly in a one-on-one challenge!

But Long Yuanzheng was helpless. He was only one man. He could defeat Li Zong, but he could not stop the endless tide of gossip. The other side intended to use this pretext to attack Dragon Gate Martial Hall's reputation, and there was nothing he could do.

Unless Su Ti accepted the challenge, but Long Yuanzheng had never even considered that. He would never push his disciple out there.

Just then, Su Ti, who had not said a word until now, suddenly spoke.

"Demon Mountain, right? I accept your challenge."