What?!
More money?!
Before coming, Zheng Wuxiang had imagined countless possible reactions from Su Ye.
He might refuse in righteous indignation.
Or apologize through floods of tears.
But never had he imagined... it would come down to money?!
The cold expression on Zheng Wuxiang's face nearly cracked.
"Money? How much?!"
Su Ye answered casually, "Nothing too extravagant. A million."
"Oh, and the Martial Combat Platform isn't exciting enough. Why don't we go straight to the Life and Death Arena? Three million for the Life and Death Arena!"
Zheng Wuxiang was speechless. "What? The Life and Death Arena?!"
In the Life and Death Arena, life and death were of no consequence!
Even Dong Huang recognized that killing in the Life and Death Arena was no crime.
Zheng Wuxiang stared hard at Su Ye.
"Are you sure?"
Su Ye had volunteered to enter the Life and Death Arena. Did he have something to back up that confidence?!
If they entered the Life and Death Arena and Su Ye still won in front of everyone, his Zheng Family Martial Arts School would truly be disgraced before the public.
At that moment, Zheng Wuxiang actually began to hesitate.
The corners of Su Ye's lips curled upward.
"Of course. As long as you pay enough, I'll step into the arena."
"How about this? I'll give you a month to find a disciple in your school who dares to fight. We'll meet in the Life and Death Arena a month from now."
"A month should give you plenty of time to publicize this and draw all the attention you want. Well? Aren't I considerate?"
Su Ye had seen right through Zheng Wuxiang. He hadn't come today to avenge Song Si at all.
Nor had he come to make Su Ye offer a humble apology.
He wanted to prove the strength of his Zheng Family Martial Arts School.
A ninth heaven fighter, taken down instantly by a student?
Impossible!
Nothing but a vicious rumor!
They had to dispel that rumor with a match!
Since Su Ye was taking his money, he naturally had to provide good service.
Of course, more importantly...
A month would be enough to raise his cultivation level, and more than enough to evolve his supernatural ability again.
However...
The others had no idea what Su Ye was thinking.
Zhang Xuan suddenly grabbed Su Ye's arm, wanting to shake some sense into him.
"Su Ye, have you lost your mind?! You're going to fight someone at the ninth level of Kaiyuan in the Life and Death Arena?!"
Su Ye himself was only at the seventh level of Kaiyuan!
Even if he broke through to the ninth level of Kaiyuan within a month, his odds would still only be fifty-fifty!
But...
Seeing how nervous Zhang Xuan was reassured Zheng Wuxiang.
So that was it! Su Ye was bluffing!
He was pretending to be confident to make me back down.
What a schemer!
He must have tricked Song Si the same way.
"Fine. The Life and Death Arena it is!"
As for waiting a month... it was a little late, but it would give him just enough time to publicize the fight in the Life and Death Arena.
He might even use it to draw more attention to his Zheng Family Martial Arts School and attract more students.
After all, in this day and age... attention was king.
Still...
"Kid, you're the one who suggested the Life and Death Arena, so don't think you can run. I'll have people watching you!"
Zheng Wuxiang chuckled, pointing his index and middle fingers at his own eyes, then at Su Ye.
"Oh, right. You have parents, don't you? I hear you have a little sister, too. Only seven years old. Quite adorable."
Swish—
The amusement in Su Ye's eyes abruptly vanished, and his hands slowly curled into fists.
Zheng Wuxiang had actually threatened his family!
He was asking to die!
Just as Su Ye silently looked toward Zheng Feng, who was still utterly clueless, preparing to give Zheng Wuxiang a taste of losing a loved one...
"Well, well. Who's this, threatening people right out on the street?!"
A languid voice rang out.
A middle-aged man in a dark blue Patrol Uniform strolled over.
The instant Zheng Wuxiang saw the newcomer, his pupils trembled violently.
Then he lowered his head without the slightest hesitation.
"Director Zhang."
The newcomer was none other than Zhang Baichuan, director of Fangyuan City's Patrol Bureau!
If Zheng Wuxiang was a martial arts school master with a little strength to his name...
Then Zhang Baichuan was the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
He could cut him down at any moment.
Zheng Wuxiang dared to threaten Su Ye to his face, but before Zhang Baichuan, he didn't dare utter a peep. He even had to hastily take it back.
"Director Zhang, what brings you here?"
"Oh? So you're allowed to swagger up to someone else's shop and threaten people, Master Zheng, but I'm not allowed to come watch?"
Zheng Wuxiang hastily shook his head like a rattle.
"No, no, no! How would I dare threaten anyone?"
Zhang Baichuan said, "Are you saying I misheard?"
"N-no, I wouldn't dare... I-I was actually just expressing concern for Su Ye's family."
"Is that so? I thought you were trying to threaten our little hero of Fangyuan City on behalf of that heinous criminal from your school, Song Si."
At those words, Zheng Wuxiang's expression changed drastically.
The surrounding onlookers, meanwhile, turned astonished gazes toward Su Ye.
What exactly had this handsome student done to earn the title of Fangyuan City's little hero from the director of the Patrol Bureau?
A glimmer of understanding flashed through Su Ye's eyes.
It seemed Zhang Baichuan had already investigated Song Si.
Sure enough.
Zhang Baichuan laughed heartily, walked over to Su Ye, and took his hand.
"Su Ye, thank you for subduing that thug Song Si. You also provided a vital lead that allowed us to uncover his true nature."
"We searched Song Si's residence and actually found more than a dozen ornaments made from his victims' bones in his basement. Our investigation revealed that Song Si was a murderous fiend who specifically targeted talented Martial Arts High School students. After brutally murdering them, he made ornaments from their bones to admire every day. Because he had always attacked those students outside the city, he managed to get away with it more than a dozen times."
"I came here today specifically to thank you, Su Ye."
As he spoke...
Rustle...
The eight patrol officers who had accompanied Zhang Baichuan lined up in two rows.
Two banners were instantly unfurled.
[City Hero] [Wisdom and Courage]
Su Ye was speechless.
This was too embarrassing.
Someone give me a hole to crawl into.
When they first met, he had never imagined Zhang Baichuan would put on such a show.
He maintained an expressionless face as he endured Zhang Baichuan's enthusiastic thanks and the surrounding crowd's fervent praise.
Just as Su Ye was about to lose his ability to remain polite...
Zhang Baichuan finally revealed the other important reason for his visit besides thanking him.
Before speaking, however, Zhang Baichuan waved a hand, instantly forming a Star Power Shield around them and enclosing them both.
Star power projected outside the body.
Su Ye's pupils contracted slightly.
That was the hallmark of entering the fourth heaven.
Zhang Baichuan was actually a Fourth Heaven Expert?!
"Su Ye, this way, the people outside won't be able to hear us."
"Su Ye, my main purpose in coming today is actually to extend an invitation on behalf of the Patrol Bureau. We'd like you to join us."
Su Ye was surprised. "Join the Patrol Bureau? But I haven't graduated yet."
"That's not a problem. You can become a probationary patrol officer with the Patrol Bureau first, then officially join us after graduation."
As he spoke, Zhang Baichuan chuckled.
"If Principal Zhang hadn't come by last time, I wouldn't even have known you'd awakened a supernatural ability, Su Ye—and a physical talent ability at that, the kind best suited for combat."
"If I'd known you were an ability user, there'd have been nothing more to say. Song Si was practically asking to die by attacking you. Even if you'd beaten him to death, he'd have deserved it... Forget it. Let's not talk about that wretched man. Su Ye, of course our Patrol Bureau has to snap up someone with your talent before anyone else! As long as you're willing, from this day forward, you're one of us!"
Before you continue