First of all, Meng Zhao's name was known to all. In the Divine Land's Jianghu martial arts world, he possessed enormous prestige and was hailed as one who would bear the weight of the age in the future. This naturally drew immense attention to him, magnifying every move he made.
Xie Wanzhi had lost, but since few people knew anything of his life, people would merely treat it as post-meal gossip. They would not consider his defeat anything especially terrifying or extraordinary.
Meng Zhao was different. His image as a powerful, invincible genius had already sunk deep into the hearts of the people. If he lost, it would be a towering disgrace. He would be nailed to the pillar of shame and dragged down from his altar.
Second, Meng Zhao's challenge this time had been passive, unlike Xie Wanzhi's initiative. This, too, would make an enormous difference in how tolerant people would be.
Xie Wanzhi had stepped forward of his own accord when the Liang Prefecture martial artists had been helpless, acting in the face of danger.
What about Meng Zhao? He had passively received Tong Lie's letter of challenge. From the outset, he lacked Xie Wanzhi's spirit and dedication of risking life and death for the Jianghu Martial Arts World, the righteous path of the Divine Land, and the great cause of humankind.
If he lost, if he was defeated, people's fury toward him would surge, and hostility toward him would rise one wave after another.
This was also why Meng Zhao's current status was so awkward, and why the situation he faced was so awkward.
Of course, it was not without benefits.
Just as they had analyzed before, if he lost, then nothing he did would be right. All his efforts would be erased, and all his achievements