Master's Wife understood as soon as she saw the situation.
Her daughter was acting so shy. What could that be if not a stirring of young love?
This Wen Liangyu was almost certainly the one her daughter had been thinking about.
She studied the young man carefully. He was certainly handsome, but the fabric of his clothes was ordinary. He didn't look like he came from a wealthy family.
Master's Wife sighed softly to herself.
That girl Dai really took after her in every way—even her fondness for handsome young men was exactly like her own when she was young.
Back then, hadn't she insisted on marrying Deng Yan simply because he was handsome?
Deng Yan came from an ordinary family, knew no martial arts, and had no real way to make a living. He had nothing but a handsome face. Her father had tried to talk her out of it, but she hadn't listened to a word.
And what had come of it?
The vows of undying love and sweet nothings they'd traded before marriage had vanished like morning dew afterward, revealing the bland, cold truth beneath. Deng Yan ignored her and grew more distant by the day. He rarely told her the truth, and was always making excuses to go out, God knew where to fool around.
Looking back now, she truly regretted it.
Master's Wife pushed aside old memories and regrets, then said gently to Wen Liangyu, "Today's martial arts competition is quite an event. Young Master Wen, if you have no other plans, why not watch it with us?"
Wen Liangyu brightened and hurriedly bowed. "Thank you, Madam. I'd be delighted."
Master's Wife thought to herself: He is someone my daughter likes, after all. I don't expect him to be rich or powerful. As long as he's dependable and treats Dai well, I won't stand in their way.
The group went to the viewing stand together.
The spot had an open view directly facing the ring, and several rows of chairs had been set out.
The martial arts halls of Wen'an County, along with most of the prominent figures in the martial arts world, had already arrived.
When they saw Master's Wife and her party arrive, especially Lu Chen following close behind her, many people stood and greeted him with clasped hands.
"So this is Hall Master Lu Chen? Truly, heroes emerge young!"
"Hall Master Lu's skill the other day certainly opened our eyes!"
"I've long heard of Hall Master Lu. It's a pleasure to finally meet you!"
Lu Chen's recent exploits had already spread far and wide.
This young expert, who had risen so suddenly, now possessed influence and strength that many people could no longer afford to overlook. Some had even begun actively currying favor with him.
Mei Dai and Mei Ying watched everyone greet Lu Chen and exchange pleasantries with him, both feeling somewhat surprised.
By rights, their mother was in charge of Plum Blossom Martial Hall. These senior figures in the martial arts world ought to have spoken with her first, out of courtesy if nothing else.
Yet the scene before them made it seem as if Lu Chen were the guest of honor.
Master's Wife didn't mind.
She preferred peace and quiet, rarely went out, and wasn't good at socializing.
She was glad to be left in peace and found herself an inconspicuous seat.
After greeting the various martial arts elders, Lu Chen finally went over to the head of the martial arts association.
Old Master Du was nearly seventy, yet still hale and hearty. He had tiger-like eyes, a bristling beard, and a face the color of jujubes. His temper was fiery, and he acted with swift decisiveness. People called him Thunderbolt Tiger.
His daughter, Du Ruonan, stood beside him.
In the bitter cold, she wore nothing but a set of leather trousers and a leather jacket, both thin and tight-fitting. They showed off her agile figure, especially her long, straight legs, which stood out against the wintry wind.
Lu Chen greeted them respectfully.
Old Master Du smiled and exchanged a few words with him. That was enough to count as an introduction.
After Lu Chen left,
Du Ruonan scoffed. "That kid? They're hyping him up as the best of the younger generation in the martial arts world? He doesn't look like much."
"If he doesn't look like much, go test his mettle yourself," Du Liefeng replied calmly.
Du Ruonan curled her lip. "I've already formed a Seal, and he hasn't even formed one. If I beat him, it'll just be bullying. What's the point?"
"That kid isn't simple." Du Liefeng's voice grew serious. "I heard that just days after breaking through, he went to South City and beat Ma Liuzi of Bat Martial Hall flat."
"What?"
Du Ruonan's eyes widened. "Ma Liuzi? That guy reached External Force two years ago. He's been training hard ever since and is on the verge of forming a Seal. Lu Chen just started out. How could that be possible?"
Du Liefeng continued, "That's not all. He's involved in the underworld and has close ties to the Small Knife Society in North City."
At that, Du Ruonan's gaze shifted as she looked at Lu Chen again.
Du Liefeng lowered his voice. "Girl, find an opportunity to see if you can get close to that kid. If we can bring him into our martial arts hall, all the better."
He sighed, his face showing weariness and worry.
"You're my only daughter, and this place will be yours one day. Because of those martial arts halls from other counties, I've made enemies of several local halls this time around. When I'm gone, they may well come after you. You'll need to find a way to get a few reliable people on your side and keep this hall going."
Du Ruonan pressed her lips together and nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Dad. I know what I need to do."
Lu Chen returned to his seat beside Master's Wife.
A short while later, all ten martial arts halls had arrived.
Five stood on each side of the ring.
The five local halls from Wen'an stood on the eastern side.
Their hall masters stood solemnly with their carefully selected disciples, every one of them looking grave, as though facing a powerful enemy.
Most were dressed in fine clothes, and many of their disciples were sons of local wealthy or well-to-do families. Their faces bore the hard look of martial artists, but their eyes and brows lacked some of the true killing intent.
On the western side stood the five martial arts halls that had migrated from Wenwu County.
As soon as they appeared, the atmosphere changed.
The five hall masters—some old, some young, some men, some women—all looked grim, their eyes sharp as eagles'.
Most wore robes that were worn but serviceable, and their disciples were mostly lean, dark-skinned, and powerfully built, with a fierce air about them.
Compared with the bunch of "rich boys playing soldier" on the eastern side, the difference was plain to see.
Master's Wife watched the western side too, and her brief sense of relief began to waver.
Those people looked like trouble.
Lu Chen's gaze swept over the five halls on the western side, then settled on a particularly eye-catching giant.
He was an extraordinarily tall young man, well over eight feet, with broad shoulders and a massive frame. In the crowd, he looked like a young bear that had wandered into a flock of sheep.
"That's Shi Jingang of Iron Fist Martial Hall," someone nearby murmured. "I hear he's not too bright, but he's got terrifying brute strength. He practices the clumsiest techniques, Wild Ox Force and Mountain-Splitting Fist, yet somehow he's made a name for himself with them. He's already a Seal martial artist. Over in Wenwu County, hardly anyone his age dares to meet him head-on."
"Tch, what good is strength? We martial artists rely on our force for offense and defense! No matter how strong you are, can you break through someone's force defense?" another person scoffed.
"I don't know. That's just what I heard."
By now, Lu Chen had 51 points in Perception alone. He could see clearly from a great distance.
He examined Shi Jingang carefully and noticed numerous scars on his body. Some looked fresh, not yet fully healed. As Lu Chen studied the wounds, he couldn't help but wonder.
A Seal martial artist could already use force to protect his whole body. Ordinary attacks could hardly injure one.
But Shi Jingang had scars crisscrossing his body, including some fresh ones.
Could it be... that the guy kept all his force coiled up to attack, and didn't use any of it to protect himself?
Lu Chen couldn't help wondering.
Before you continue