The Competition Begins

In the blink of an eye, the day of the competition arrived. Besides Zhang Yunhao and Zhang Yuntang, only six other people participated, making a total of eight contestants. If not for the Great Elder fearing a loss of face with too few participants, there might have been even fewer.

The arena was already prepared. The Patriarch and the Great Elder waited at the entrance for the Heavenly Fist Sect's steward to arrive. The spectator stands surrounding the arena were completely full.

Although everyone knew the outcome, they still came to watch the match as ordered. After all, appearances had to be maintained.

Compared to the adults who knew how to mask their feelings, most of the younger generation of the Zhang Family wore gloomy expressions. It was supposed to be a fair competition where everyone had a chance, but now it was monopolized by the Great Elder's son, naturally putting them in a bad mood!

Therefore, most of the younger generation remained silent. However, some were gathered together, mocking the contestant who had yet to arrive.

Leading them was Zhang Yunyi, who sneered, "That brat Zhang Yunhao actually wanted to compete for a spot. He's probably buried somewhere outside by now."

The skinny young man who had mocked Zhang Yunhao before was also there. He nodded and said, "That's right, he's definitely dead. It serves him right. Does he even know his own worth?"

"It serves him right. Not only is he a cripple, but he was also kicked in the head by a donkey. Even we wouldn't dare to participate in this competition. Who does he think he is, daring to compete with the Fifth Young Master?"

Zhang Yunyi scoffed, "If he's not dead, I'll chop off my head and let him use it as a stool!"

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd. Just then, a gloating voice suddenly came from the side, "Zhang Yunyi, it seems your head is about to become a stool."

"What did you say? Are you implying that cripple could actually survive and come back?"

Zhang Yunyi turned around angrily. Seeing that it was Zhang Yunchuan, with whom he normally didn't get along, he sneered, "Did a donkey kick your head too?"

The people around them let out snickers. Zhang Yunchuan chuckled coldly and pointed forward, "Why don't you hurry and send your head over for him to sit on?"

Everyone followed the young man's finger and froze. Zhang Yunyi's eyes widened, and he stood up in disbelief!

They were all so shocked because Zhang Yunhao, whom they believed was dead, had actually returned alive and was striding towards the contestant area.

"How is this possible? Zhang Yunhao isn't dead?"

Zhang Yunyi was dumbfounded. Zhang Yunchuan said with a cold laugh, "If he's dead, how can he use your head as a stool?"

"You..."

Zhang Yunyi was a mixture of shame and anger, feeling extremely humiliated. Seeing him flustered, many people around them burst into laughter, their sarcastic remarks making Zhang Yunyi grit his teeth in rage.

Zhang Yunhao was unaware of this and had no interest in knowing. He calmly walked to the contestant area and sat down. The other seven contestants were all very surprised to see him. This guy actually came back alive?

While the others were merely surprised, Zhang Yuntang's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. The mocking glances from others further angered him. However, he was composed enough not to foolishly mention the assassination attempt on Zhang Yunhao at this moment. He didn't even speak to Zhang Yunhao, as he felt it would be too embarrassing.

Secretly, Zhang Yuntang angrily transmitted his voice using True Qi to Zhang Zhiyan, "What's going on? Why isn't that brat dead?"

Zhang Zhiyan was also very confused. Hearing Zhang Yuntang's questioning, he quickly explained, "Fifth Young Master, it might be due to the Demonic Sect incident that caused a change. But don't worry, Fifth Young Master. This brat's strength is insufficient; his return won't have much impact."

Zhang Yuntang snorted, "Of course, I'm not worried. I'm just annoyed. I'll crush him after the competition."

Seeing that Zhang Yuntang was no longer angry, Zhang Zhiyan breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Zhang Yunhao and found that Zhang Yunhao was also looking at him. A doubt arose in his heart: could this brat have really discovered something?

Zhang Yunhao was indeed looking at Zhang Zhiyan, as well as the two middle-aged men beside him. All three of them gave him a feeling of disgust; they must have cultivated demonic arts!

"What exactly do these people from the Demonic Sect want? First Poisonous Snake Young Master, and now so many of them are at the Zhang Family?"

Zhang Yunhao frowned. After the competition, he might need to have a talk with Nangong Ru. He didn't want any trouble affecting the Zhang Family.

After a while, everyone present stood up because the Patriarch and the Great Elder had entered with important guests. However, upon closer inspection, everyone was astonished, as two people from the Demon Extermination Alliance were among them.

The two Demon Extermination Alliance members were wearing dark red brocade robes with the alliance's insignia. One was a middle-aged man with a commanding presence and a dignified air, his sleeves embroidered with a silver long saber emblem.

The Demon Extermination Alliance used different colored long sabers to denote status and realm. A silver long saber represented the Innate Realm. Currently, there was only one silver constable in Qianshan City, and that was Thunderous Wrath Constable, who was investigating the Demonic Sect affairs, nicknamed Startling Thunder Saber!

The other person was a woman with a cool and detached expression. Her sleeves bore two bronze long sabers, signifying a Two-Saber Bronze Demon Exterminator Constable. She was an acquaintance of Zhang Yunhao – Nangong Ru!

"Nangong Ru, and a silver constable from the Demon Extermination Alliance? Why are they here?"

Zhang Yunhao was as confused as everyone else. This was an internal matter for the Zhang Family; why would the Demon Extermination Alliance be involved? And a silver constable, no less. This was too much respect for the Zhang Family!

Zhang Yunhao had a premonition that this was related to him. When he saw Nangong Ru's meaningful gaze, he became more certain, but also more puzzled.

In fact, the high-ranking members of the Zhang Family were also wondering why a distinguished silver constable would personally come to watch a small competition. It made no sense! However, since they were here, the Zhang Family members naturally didn't dare to neglect them and respectfully invited them in.

Due to the sudden arrival of the Demon Extermination Alliance, the original main guest, the Heavenly Fist Sect's steward – Frost Fist Liang Dong – was overlooked by everyone. This displeased him greatly, but he dared not show it. On the surface, he conversed amiably with the Great Elder.

"The relationship between the Great Elder and this steward..."

Zhang Yunhao's heart sank upon seeing this scene. However, a sect that large shouldn't be as corrupt as the Zhang Family, right?

After the Patriarch and the others were seated, the usual formalities began, such as the Patriarch giving some encouraging words. Although the outcome was predetermined, everyone still put on a show of enthusiasm. Otherwise, incurring the Patriarch's wrath would not be pleasant.

Martial artists generally had fewer cumbersome rituals, so the drawing of lots proceeded quickly. Zhang Yunhao drew lot number one and was to compete first.

The other person who drew lot number one was a young man in blue. Seeing that his opponent was Zhang Yunhao, he burst into laughter, "It seems I have good luck. I can help the Fifth Young Master out."

"I think you're the unlucky one."

Zhang Yunhao said honestly, which earned him a sneer from the young man in blue, "With your current strength, having just broken through, do you really think you can win?"

Zhang Yunhao raised an eyebrow. "If I didn't want to win, why would I be here?"

The young man in blue dismissively said, "Ambition is a good thing, but you should also look at who you are. Dealing with you will only take three moves."

Zhang Yunhao couldn't be bothered to say more. After the draw was complete, he walked straight onto the stage. The young man in blue followed him with a smile.