Challenge Accepted

At eight o'clock in the evening, the largest restaurant in Mingyuan City, Wind and Cloud Manor.

This was an ancient-style restaurant, five stories high, built in a courtyard style. In the very center was a stage for performances, and the first to fifth floors were built along the walls, like corridors, allowing diners to watch the performances.

At this time, the entire Wind and Cloud Manor had been booked by Li Zong and was not open to the public.

Starting from six o'clock in the evening, a large number of young men wearing black uniforms with blood-red fists embroidered on their chests entered the Wind and Cloud Manor one after another.

These were the thugs from the various halls of the Death Fist Society in Mingyuan City, responsible for protecting the Death Fist Society's casinos, underground boxing rings, and other black industries. At this time, they had all been summoned to the Wind and Cloud Manor by Li Zong, nearly one to two hundred people in total!

When Su Ti followed Long Yuanzheng into the Wind and Cloud Manor, this was the scene he saw.

Li Zong sat grandly on a master's chair on the stage, facing the entrance. His two sons, Li Mingsheng and Li Minggui, one martial and one scholarly, stood behind him.

Behind them were the gazes of nearly one to two hundred young thugs from the Death Fist Society on the first to fifth floors of the Wind and Cloud Manor.

They were either standing or sitting, all focusing their gaze on Long Yuanzheng and his group who had just entered, their eyes fierce and predatory.

As soon as Long Yuanzheng and his group entered the door, they were given such a show of force!

The few men in black suits brought by Wang Gengyuan couldn't help but take half a step back as soon as they saw this scene upon entering.

Yao Juan, Yan Jun, and Wang Gengyuan also frowned deeply. Only Long Yuanzheng had a calm expression, walking with his hands behind his back towards Li Zong. Su Ti followed a step behind him.

Long Yuanzheng walked up to Li Zong, sat on the master's chair opposite Li Zong, and then spoke leisurely.

"Li Zong, I came here today to hold you accountable. You've set up this scene, do you think I, Long Yuanzheng, can't fight anymore and want to have a go with me?"

As soon as these words were spoken, an invisible aura erupted from Long Yuanzheng, directly rushing towards Li Zong.

That was killing intent!

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

Su Ti's killing intent as a Tongli Stage martial artist was enough to scare ordinary people and petty thugs, let alone someone of Long Yuanzheng's level.

Long Yuanzheng's killing intent was violent and overbearing, like a human beast. Li Zong, who bore the brunt of it, changed his expression. Although Li Mingsheng and Li Minggui behind him were not the main targets, their faces also turned pale.

And feeling the aura emanating from Long Yuanzheng, the Death Fist Society thugs throughout the Wind and Cloud Manor held their breath, and the fierce aura they had built up earlier instantly weakened to almost nothing.

Feeling that his hundred-plus men's aura was suppressed by Long Yuanzheng alone, Li Zong was also shocked and angry.

He had never fought with Long Yuanzheng, but he didn't expect the gap between them to be so large just based on aura. He completely gave up the idea of confronting Long Yuanzheng head-on.

But he couldn't lose face in front of so many people. With so many people watching, he naturally couldn't back down and be humiliated!

Li Zong slapped the chair, stood up, and said angrily.

"Long Yuanzheng, your disciple killed my son, and you're still here to hold me accountable? You're simply going too far!"

"If you don't hand over the murderer today! See if you can still leave!"

With a bang, the gate of the Wind and Cloud Manor was immediately closed by his subordinates.

Swish swish swish!

Dozens of military-grade crossbows were set up by the thugs, their red dots aimed, all pointing at Long Yuanzheng and the others.

Long Yuanzheng, seeing this, was not afraid, but instead laughed heartily.

"Li Zong, I think you're getting more and more confused as you live."

"You yourself are half a step into this realm, don't you know the power of this realm?"

"If you were pointing dozens of guns at me today, I might frown. What do these dozens of toys mean? Don't be ridiculous."

"If you want yourself and your two sons to die here, just let them do it."

Saying this, Long Yuanzheng stretched out his hand, and his third senior brother Yan Jun immediately handed him a bottle of water. Long Yuanzheng opened the cap, drank the water, and didn't even look at Li Zong and the others.

Li Zong clenched his fists, his eyes flickering. After a long while, he still waved his hand, telling the thugs behind him to put away the crossbows.

Long Yuanzheng was indeed a formidable figure. This scene did not scare him. On the contrary, after these two rounds of confrontation, he was completely defeated in terms of aura at this time. And this scene also made Li Zong consider using the second plan.

At this time, the whole place was silent. Even the thugs' eyes were a little surprised and uncertain. They didn't believe that a human could be strong enough to fight a hundred people and resist dozens of crossbows, but Li Zong's backing down also shocked them.

Sitting back in his chair, Li Zong pretended to take a deep breath, not saying a word.

Long Yuanzheng also put down his teacup.

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

"Your son Li Mingyuan captured my disciple twice. How do you account for this?"

"My son is dead!"

Li Zong said angrily with red eyes. This emotion was not faked, but real.

Although Li Mingyuan was neither good at academics nor martial arts, he was indeed particularly fond of this youngest son.

"I know your son is dead, but first you need to understand why your son died."

"If he had been honest and not provoked anyone, would he have died?"

Li Zong was silent.

If this matter was laid bare, he really wasn't in the right.

Li Mingyuan, for the "ratings" of the Death Fighting Competition, created a gimmick of ordinary contestants, capturing people everywhere in Mingyuan City. More than a dozen people died within a month, and he had taken all the pressure for Li Mingyuan because these were ordinary people with no power or influence in their families, and nowhere to voice their grievances even if they were in the right.

But he arrested someone who happened to be Long Yuanzheng's disciple.

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

Li Zong said with a forced smile. He had been involved in the underworld for decades. How could he be a reckless man who only knew how to fight and kill?

He was very smart. He was in the wrong on this matter. After the previous probing attitude, Long Yuanzheng was determined to protect Su Ti. With Long Yuanzheng's attitude being so tough, besides a lose-lose situation, he really had no other way to touch Su Ti.

So he was now ready to back down, using retreat as a means to advance, and launch the second step of his plan.

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

Li Zong's expression changed several times. After a long while, he took a deep breath and said.

"Hall Master Long, it was wrong of my son to arrest your disciple, but he's already dead now. What else do you want?"

Seeing Li Zong back down so quickly, Long Yuanzheng was also slightly surprised. He had originally thought that with Li Zong's personality, he would still try some tricks.

"Five million, as compensation for my disciple. This matter will be written off."

"Okay, I'll give it to you!"

Li Zong was also a figure of importance. Without saying another word, he directly accepted.

He waved his hand, and a subordinate immediately handed over a bank card.

Long Yuanzheng didn't even look at it, waved his hand, and motioned for Su Ti to take it.

Su Ti took the bank card, and Long Yuanzheng also nodded secretly.

Although five million was not much for the Death Fist Society, and it was even insignificant, the Dragon Gate Martial Hall was currently supported by him alone. Although Li Zong couldn't defeat him, he had a large family and business. The collision of their forces would ultimately result in a lose-lose situation.

Therefore, he couldn't push Li Zong too hard.

This five million was an explanation for Su Ti, his disciple, and also a sign of submission from the Death Fist Society. That was enough.

"Alright, since the matter has been resolved and we have received Chairman Li's apology, this matter ends here. We won't stay any longer, Chairman Li, no need to see us out."

Having achieved his goal, Long Yuanzheng didn't provoke Li Zong with words and was about to leave with his people.

"Hall Master Long, please wait."

Long Yuanzheng's eyes turned cold. He knew it wouldn't be that easy. Turning his head, the person who spoke was not Li Zong, but his son, Li Mingsheng.

At this time, Li Mingsheng clasped his hands and bowed in a martial arts salute.

"My younger brother was blind and offended Hall Master Long's esteemed disciple. He deserved his death, but..."

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

"I have long heard of the great name of the Dragon Gate Martial Hall, and I am also a martial artist. When practicing ancient martial arts alone for a long time, one inevitably feels the urge to spar. I would like to spar with your beloved disciple. Would you do me the honor?"

Long Yuanzheng snorted coldly upon hearing this, didn't even look at Li Mingsheng, and said to Li Zong.

"This matter isn't over, is it? Li Zong, before your son fights my disciple, how about we spar first?"

Li Zong chuckled, a cold light flashing in his eyes. This was his second plan. Since he was in the wrong on the previous matter, he would put it aside and find trouble with the Dragon Gate in another way.

"How could I be a match for Hall Master Long? My son challenging your disciple is purely due to the urge to spar and has nothing to do with personal grudges. If your disciple doesn't want to accept, then so be it."

Li Mingsheng also immediately said, "That's right, if your disciple doesn't want to accept my challenge, I won't force him. It's just that if it gets out that your Dragon Gate Martial Hall is avoiding the fight, your reputation won't sound good."

Long Yuanzheng sneered, "You two father and son can go sing opera. Trying to provoke me with words? First listen to the stupid things you're saying. How old is Li Mingsheng, and how many years has he practiced martial arts? How many days has my disciple been practicing? You challenge him?"

Yao Juan also glared angrily upon hearing this. Li Mingsheng was over thirty and had practiced martial arts for over ten years, while Su Ti was not even twenty. Li Mingsheng actually had the nerve to challenge Su Ti, and even claimed it wasn't for personal grudges. It was simply laughable.

Seeing that the two sides were again at loggerheads, Li Minggui stepped forward to mediate.

"Hall Master Long is joking. My brother has practiced martial arts for many years and is eager to spar when he sees a worthy opponent. Seeing your disciple is so outstanding, he wanted to challenge him. It was indeed a bit thoughtless."

"But..."

He also changed the subject.

"Since Hall Master Long said my brother's age doesn't match your disciple's, I have another fighter here. In terms of age, he is even younger than this young brother Su, and he also wants to compete with him."

Li Minggui stepped aside and introduced a bald man two meters tall who walked onto the stage. He was huge, with terrifying purplish-blue tattoos on his chest, and he showed his white teeth to everyone with a "simple and honest" smile.

"This is our A-class fighter from the Death Fighting Competition, named Demon Mountain. He is exactly sixteen years old this year, three years younger than your disciple. Surely Brother Su won't be afraid to accept his challenge?"

The people from the Dragon Gate Martial Hall looked at this person, whose physique was not much different from Yao Juan's, and their eyebrows twitched. They thought, Is this really sixteen?!

Long Yuanzheng looked at Demon Mountain for a few seconds and said expressionlessly.

"If I'm not mistaken, putting aside this fighter's age, his skill is already at the first layer of Inner Refinement, and he seems to have practiced external techniques, plus he has a naturally strong physique. Our Su Ti has not yet entered the Inner Refinement Stage. We will not accept this challenge."

Li Minggui was not discouraged by the refusal. A cold smile appeared on his face. The topic had reached this point, and he had already prepared his words and subsequent calculations.

If Su Ti didn't accept this challenge today, this matter would spread throughout the entire ancient martial arts world of Nanjiang Province tomorrow!

The esteemed disciple of the dignified Long Yuanzheng didn't even dare to accept the challenge of a wild fighter three years younger than him. What kind of disciples was Long Yuanzheng teaching? What kind of martial hall was he running?!

As for Su Ti having only been practicing for a few days? No one cared about that. Rumors spread quickly, and they, the Death Fist Society, had more than just three people. They had plenty of people and power!

Long Yuanzheng's power was no match for theirs. Once they had even a little handle, they would seize it and publicize it widely.

In the end, under the pressure of public opinion in the ancient martial arts world, Long Yuanzheng would either be completely disgraced, or he would still have to let his disciple come out and compete.

People live for their reputation, and this is especially true in the ancient martial arts world. For the ancient martial arts world, reputation is profit. The reputation of a sect cannot be stained with even a speck of dust!

If someone really challenges you, even if you can't win, you have to go on stage and fight, even if it means dying on stage!

This is what it means to be in the martial world, where you are not your own master!

Long Yuanzheng was also an old hand in the martial world. His eyes flickered, and he saw this point.

Li Zong used retreat as a means of advance, glossing over the matter of Li Mingyuan kidnapping Su Ti before, and using the name of challenging Dragon Gate Martial Arts to trouble Su Ti again. His purpose was to bypass Long Yuanzheng, this protective umbrella, and directly kill Su Ti in a one-on-one challenge!

But he was helpless. He was just one person. He could defeat Li Zong, but he couldn't stop the wagging tongues. The other party wanted to use this handle to attack the reputation of the Dragon Gate Martial Hall, and he couldn't do anything about it.

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

And at this moment, Su Ti, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

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