You Think You're Worthy of Competing with Me?

The next day.

Chen Jing got up at dawn and arrived early at the newly opened restaurant owned by Zhuang Tao.

The restaurant was called Zhuangyu Restaurant. It stood on the west side of the Inner City, not far from the Fist Academy.

Its facade was brand-new, and the wooden beams still carried a faint smell of fresh paint.

Though it was still morning, the entrance was already packed with people. All sorts of idle onlookers had appeared from who knew where, eager to show their support or join in the excitement, making the place unusually lively.

What surprised Chen Jing most was that Zhuang Tao, who usually didn't wander into the Fist Academy until the sun was high in the sky, was already standing at the entrance, neatly dressed and waiting to welcome guests.

Today, Zhuang Tao wore a finely made black robe, its cuffs embroidered with gold patterns. He looked every bit like the young master of a wealthy family.

He seemed like a whole new person, carrying himself with an air of poise. He greeted everyone with a cupped fist, grinning so broadly that it looked as if his smile might split his face.

When he saw Chen Jing, his smile brightened at once. He quickly waved him over. "Junior Brother Chen! Over here!"

Chen Jing walked over and cupped his fist with a smile. "Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhuang. May your grand opening bring great success."

"Haha! We're brothers. What's the point of all this polite talk?"

Zhuang Tao laughed heartily, his voice brimming with excitement. He reached out and pulled Chen Jing to his side. "Perfect timing. It's opening day, so help me welcome the guests and add some presence to the place."

Chen Jing hurriedly waved his hands. "This... Senior Brother, I'm not much of a talker. I'm afraid I'll spoil the mood."

"Doesn't matter if you're not a talker. Just stand there!"

Zhuang Tao waved dismissively, not at all concerned. "With you standing beside me, this restaurant's got a lot more backbone."

Then he forcibly pulled Chen Jing to his side.

As he did, Zhuang Tao's brow twitched.

What incredible strength!

He was a Second Blood Martial Artist, yet he'd nearly failed to pull Chen Jing over.

Zhuang Tao's eyes lit up. "Whoa, you're strong! I nearly couldn't pull you over."

At that, Chen Jing smiled. "Senior Brother Zhuang, you're joking again."

Zhuang Tao dragged Chen Jing beside him and continued, "All right, you don't have to say much. Just repeat whatever I say."

The two stood side by side at the entrance, welcoming guests. Zhuang Tao handled the greetings while Chen Jing nodded along. They worked together quite smoothly.

As guests trickled inside, the crowd outside the restaurant grew larger and larger.

Suddenly, the crowd stirred. A group of guards pushed people aside, and then five or six young men in silk robes emerged along the path the guards had cleared, casually waving jade fans.

They had an extraordinary presence.

Two familiar faces accompanied them: Pu Shaojie and Xiang Lingfei.

"They really came!"

Zhuang Tao's eyes lit up. He leaned toward Chen Jing and whispered, "See the one at the front?"

He lifted his chin toward the young man leading the group, directing Chen Jing's attention before continuing, "They're the people I met at the banquet yesterday. The one in front is from the Liu Family, one of the Three Families in the Inner City. His name is Liu Chuzhou."

"Liu Chuzhou is still young, yet he's already a Second Blood Martial Artist. I hear he's about to break through to Third Blood!"

"If he succeeds, he'll be the youngest Third Blood Martial Artist in Red Rock County. His future will be limitless!"

Following Zhuang Tao's gaze, Chen Jing looked toward the man.

The moment he did, his heart jolted.

Liu Chuzhou was the very Senior Brother Liu who had casually turned him away when Chen Jing had tried to join the Eight Desolations Academy!

Chen Jing had never imagined he would run into him here.

His heart sank, but he kept a faint smile on his face.

Zhuang Tao continued, "Yesterday, I wanted to take you to the banquet to meet some people and mingle with the other martial artists. But Pu Shaojie and Xiang Lingfei used your lack of talent as an excuse to turn you away."

His voice clearly held anger. "Don't take it to heart. Just treat their words like farts! Once you become a Second Blood Martial Artist, you can settle the score with them."

Chen Jing nodded gently at Zhuang Tao's reassurance. "I understand."

"All right, I'll take you over so they can get to know you. Maybe Liu Chuzhou will be willing to sponsor some resources for you. That'll make your breakthrough to Second Blood more certain."

With that, Zhuang Tao led Chen Jing toward Liu Chuzhou and the others.

"Senior Brother Liu, your presence at Zhuangyu Restaurant is a true honor. You've brought glory to our humble establishment!"

Zhuang Tao came before Liu Chuzhou and immediately began flattering him.

"Haha, I hit it off with Brother Zhuang at the banquet last night. Now that I've heard his new restaurant is opening, of course I had to come and show my support."

Liu Chuzhou laughed as he spoke.

As for Chen Jing, standing beside Zhuang Tao, he simply ignored him.

After all, Chen Jing had been no more than a brief interruption in his life two months ago, and he'd never given him another thought.

Besides, Chen Jing looked completely different now.

Before, he'd been skinny, dark, and malnourished-looking.

Now, he was tall and sturdy. Anyone who didn't know him well would never connect the Chen Jing of today with the one from before.

With Zhuang Tao leading the way, Liu Chuzhou and the others went straight inside.

Many more invited guests arrived afterward.

Once everyone had gathered, Zhuang Tao signaled the servant to start setting off firecrackers.

But just before the fuse was lit—

BANG!

The crowd was suddenly shoved aside, and seven or eight young men in fitted outfits strode out from among them like a pack of wolves and tigers.

The man at the front had sharply angled brows and a voice like a keen blade. "Zhuang, you've opened a restaurant here in West City. Do you have what it takes to look after the honored guests who come to support you?"

At his words, everyone outside turned to look at Zhuang Tao inside the restaurant.

The people inside also leaned out to see, their gazes sweeping back and forth between Zhuang Tao and the speaker.

"Isn't that Tang Jun from the neighboring Tang Feng Restaurant? He looks like trouble!"

"He's here to pick a fight!"

"Why'd he have to pick opening day to cause trouble?"

"You don't get it. Starting trouble on opening day does the most damage to Zhuangyu Restaurant's reputation."

"If they can't even handle this challenge, who'll dare eat at Zhuangyu Restaurant in the future?"

The crowd whispered among themselves. The atmosphere turned tense, the smell of gunpowder growing stronger by the moment.

The smile vanished from Zhuang Tao's face, his expression turning completely dark.

"That Tang Jun..."

Zhuang Tao muttered a curse, then said quietly, "When I chose this location, he was all smiles and swore he wouldn't cause trouble. Now it's opening day, and he's the first one to jump out and ruin things."

As he spoke, Zhuang Tao strode toward the entrance, with Chen Jing close behind.

The street outside was abuzz with voices. Tang Jun stood at the very front with several of his men, looking like a strutting rooster waiting for a show.

"Tang Jun."

Zhuang Tao pushed open the door and stepped across the threshold, his presence surging as he fixed the other man with a blade-sharp gaze. "Today is the grand opening of my Zhuangyu Restaurant!"

"If you're a friend, come in for a drink and a meal. I, Zhuang Tao, will make sure you feel welcome."

He paused, and his voice suddenly darkened. "But if you're not a friend, then show your hand! I'll take you on!"

The onlookers on the street drew in a sharp breath.

This was no longer a quarrel between restaurants. It was an open challenge, plain as day.

Just as the crowd had said, if Zhuang Tao couldn't handle Tang Jun's challenge today, Zhuangyu Restaurant was finished. It could even hurt the business of other restaurants. So no matter how furious he was, Zhuang Tao had no choice but to make his position clear.

At Zhuang Tao's words, Tang Jun chuckled and tapped his folded fan, his voice brimming with undisguised mockery.

"Zhuang, I mean no harm."

"I just want to see... whether your Zhuangyu Restaurant has what it takes to protect the honored guests who come to dine."

Tang Jun's words sounded concerned, but they struck harder than a knife.

Zhuang Tao's brow twitched. He replied coldly, "You want a duel?"

"Then come over here. I'd like to see whether I kill you or you kill me!"

Zhuang Tao's words were fierce and unyielding. As a Second Blood Martial Artist, he had no reason to fear Tang Jun.

Tang Jun immediately shook his head. "Hey, hey. You're the owner. Can you stay here and guard the restaurant every day?"

He smacked the folded fan against his palm, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile. "Our Tang Feng Restaurant's hired fighter will face off against your Zhuangyu Restaurant's hired fighter."

"If we win, I'll give you a generous gift."

"If we lose, take down your sign!"

The street erupted at his words.

Zhuang Tao frowned slightly at Tang Jun's response.

Tang Jun had clearly come prepared!

After all, the hired fighters at restaurants were all First Blood Martial Artists.

Those who became Second Blood Martial Artists naturally had no interest in working as hired fighters at restaurants.

Since Tang Jun had dared to provoke him, he must have already lined up a powerful fighter. He was here to smash the place.

His hired fighter might already be at the peak of First Blood, perhaps even on the verge of breaking through to Second Blood!

At that thought, Zhuang Tao took a deep breath and instinctively turned toward Chen Jing.

Chen Jing was indeed his restaurant's hired fighter, but... he'd only reached First Blood half a month ago. His foundation was still shallow, and victory was far from certain.

As Zhuang Tao was weighing his options, Chen Jing stepped forward on his own. "Senior Brother Zhuang, since they've called us out, I'll take the fight."

As a hired fighter for Zhuangyu Restaurant, it was only natural that he step up when trouble arose.

Just then, a voice tinged with amusement came from inside the restaurant. "Senior Brother Zhuang, let me take this one!"

Xiang Lingfeng walked out of the restaurant at an unhurried pace, eight parts composed and two parts amused.

"Junior Brother Xiang!"

Zhuang Tao frowned when he saw him, clearly unsure why Xiang Lingfeng had suddenly stepped forward.

Xiang Lingfeng simply walked over to Zhuang Tao and raised one hand, gently wiggling five fingers before his eyes.

Zhuang Tao understood at once: Xiang Lingfeng was reminding him about yesterday's sponsorship.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Junior Brother Xiang."

Zhuang Tao spoke quietly, then patted Chen Jing on the shoulder, letting him know to stay calm for now.

Xiang Lingfeng, however, seemed to do it on purpose. He paused as he reached Chen Jing.

Turning his head slightly, he let his eyes pass over Chen Jing's face with a faint hint of provocation.

His gaze seemed to say, "You think you're worthy of competing with me?"

Chen Jing raised an eyebrow at Xiang Lingfeng's attitude, but said nothing.