Ch. 81The Biggest Sucker
Chapter Summary: “The Biggest Sucker”
Key Plot Points and Events
- The Martial Hall leaders debate who should become chairman of the newly formed Yunyang Martial Arts School Alliance: experienced organizer Hong Jiantong or powerful Grandmaster Guan Lie.
- Hong initially believes his years of connections, influence, and preparation have guaranteed victory, but he becomes uneasy when Guan appears to have more support than expected.
- Supporters on both sides argue over the alliance’s priorities:
- Hong’s supporters emphasize administration, experience, development, and management.
- Guan’s supporters argue that strength and martial authority are necessary to resist outside enemies.
- To prevent the meeting from collapsing into violence and division, Xiong Jiang proposes a secret ballot. Both Guan and Hong accept.
- During the vote count, Hong leads by several votes, appearing certain to win. However, a series of late ballots sharply narrows the gap.
- The final ballot goes to Guan, giving him twenty-two votes and making him the first chairman of the alliance.
- Hong is forced to applaud and congratulate Guan despite his humiliation and anger.
- Guan’s remark that he won because of his strength—and that Hong would have had no chance unless he were also a Dan Jin Grandmaster—deeply wounds Hong.
- Overwhelmed by resentment, humiliation, and frustration, Hong suffers severe chest pain, becomes dizzy, and collapses in his chair.
Character Developments
- Hong Jiantong shifts from confident and self-assured to anxious, devastated, and resentful. His belief that careful planning and social influence would secure victory is destroyed.
- Guan Lie remains calm and outwardly gracious throughout the contest. His understated comment after winning reveals a sharp, possibly provocative side beneath his reputation for mildness.
- Xiong Jiang acts as a mediator, recognizing that continued debate could destroy the alliance. His voting proposal prevents the meeting from ending in conflict.
- Fang Mo supports Guan’s election because Guan’s authority would make it harder for enemies to target him.
- Feng Qingyuan hopes Guan wins because his master’s leadership would benefit the development of Subduing Tiger Might.
- Liu Fengjie openly supports Hong on the grounds that the alliance should prioritize development and management, while Lin Xiangdong supports Guan because martial leadership should be based on strength.
- Zhou Yundong, Chen Yingzhong, and Shen Kaijiang, observing from a private room, reveal that outside forces have been lobbying the halls and view control of the alliance as a major strategic asset.
Significant Themes
- Strength versus experience: The election reflects a larger debate over whether leadership should be based on administrative ability and relationships or overwhelming martial power.
- Political maneuvering and uncertainty: Even extensive preparation and promised support cannot guarantee victory once competing interests and secret ballots come into play.
- Public dignity versus private humiliation: Hong must congratulate Guan publicly while suffering intense anger and shame internally.
- Power and influence: The alliance represents a force capable of challenging major martial families and resisting political or external pressure.
- Irony and reversal: Hong believes he has arranged everything for his own success, only to feel that he has prepared the victory for Guan instead—the source of the chapter’s “biggest sucker” sentiment.
Important Character Interactions
- Hong’s supporters clash verbally with Guan’s supporters over the meaning of proper leadership.
- Xiong Jiang addresses both candidates directly and gains their agreement to a fair vote.
- Hong and Guan exchange formal congratulations after the result, but Guan’s seemingly polite comment carries a pointed insult about Hong’s inferior strength.
- Hong watches Guan receive congratulations with growing hatred, interpreting Guan’s words as deliberate mockery.
- The observers in the private room discuss the political consequences of Guan’s possible victory and realize that the final result may undermine their broader plans.