You Dare Compete With Me?

The next day.

Chen Jing rose early and arrived promptly at the new restaurant opened by Zhuang Tao's family.

This restaurant, named Zhuangyu Restaurant, was located on the west side of the city, just outside the inner city, and was not too far from the Fist Academy.

The entrance was brand new, and the wooden beams still carried a faint scent of fresh lacquer.

Although it was still morning, the area in front of the restaurant was already bustling with people; idlers and curious onlookers from all walks of life had swarmed in from nowhere, creating a lively atmosphere.

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

Today, Zhuang Tao wore an exquisite black robe with gold-embroidered trim at the cuffs, giving him the appearance of a young master from a wealthy family.

He seemed like a different person entirely; every gesture carried a sense of poise, and he bowed to everyone he met, his face stretched wide with a grin.

When he spotted Chen Jing, that smile brightened even further, and he waved him over hurriedly. "Junior Brother Chen! Over here!"

Chen Jing stepped forward, cupping his hands in a salute with a smile. "Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhuang. May your business flourish from the very first day."

"Haha! Why bother with such formalities between brothers like us!"

Zhuang Tao laughed heartily, his voice tinged with excitement, and reached out to pull Chen Jing to his side. "Perfect, today is the grand opening. Stay here and greet the guests with me to help me bolster the prestige of the place."

Chen Jing waved his hands quickly. "This... Senior Brother, I'm not very good with words. I'm afraid I might ruin your mood."

"It doesn't matter if you can't talk, just stand there!"

Zhuang Tao waved him off, unconcerned. "With you by my side, the facade of my restaurant looks all the more imposing."

With that, Zhuang Tao forcibly pulled Chen Jing to his side.

As he did, Zhuang Tao's brows twitched.

What heavy strength!

He was a Second Blood Martial Artist himself, yet he had nearly failed to budge Chen Jing.

Zhuang Tao's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Whoa, you've got some real strength there; I almost couldn't pull you."

Chen Jing smiled in response. "Senior Brother Zhuang, you're joking again."

Zhuang Tao then dragged Chen Jing firmly to his side and continued, "Alright, you don't need to say much. Just repeat whatever I say later."

The two stood side-by-side at the entrance to welcome guests, with Zhuang Tao handling the greetings and Chen Jing nodding along, forming a surprisingly tacit understanding.

As guests arrived in twos and threes, the crowd in front of the restaurant grew increasingly dense.

Suddenly, a commotion rippled through the crowd as a group of guards pushed people aside, followed by five or six young men in silk robes, gently waving jade fans, emerging from the path cleared by the guards.

These men possessed an extraordinary aura.

However, trailing behind them were two familiar faces: Pu Shaojie and Xiang Lingfei.

"They really came!"

Watching this scene, Zhuang Tao's eyes lit up, and he whispered to Chen Jing, "See the one in the lead?"

Zhuang Tao tilted his chin toward the young man at the head of the group, signaling Chen Jing to look, and said, "These are the people I met at the banquet yesterday. The one leading them is from the Liu Family, one of the three great families of the inner city. His name is Liu Chuzhou."

"This Liu Chuzhou is already a Second Blood Martial Artist at such a young age, and I heard them say he's about to attempt the breakthrough to Third Blood!"

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

Listening to Zhuang Tao, Chen Jing followed his gaze.

At that sight, his heart gave a sudden jolt.

This Liu Chuzhou was none other than the Senior Brother Liu who had casually turned him away when he had tried to apply to the Eight Desolations Academy!

Chen Jing never expected to run into him here!

Chen Jing felt a sinking sensation in his heart, but he maintained a faint smile on his face.

Zhuang Tao continued, "I wanted to take you to that banquet yesterday to meet people and network with other martial artists, but those two, Pu Shaojie and Xiang Lingfei, blocked you, claiming your talent wasn't up to par."

At this, Zhuang Tao's tone grew noticeably angry. "Don't take it to heart; just treat their words like farts! Once you become a Second Blood Martial Artist, it won't be too late to settle the score with them."

Listening to Zhuang Tao's comfort, Chen Jing nodded slightly. "I understand."

"Alright, I'll take you over to get familiar with them. Maybe this Liu Chuzhou will be willing to sponsor you with some resources, which would make your breakthrough to Second Blood more secure."

After saying this, Zhuang Tao led Chen Jing toward Liu Chuzhou's group.

"Senior Brother Liu, that you would grace our Zhuangyu Restaurant with your presence truly makes our establishment shine!"

Upon reaching Liu Chuzhou, Zhuang Tao immediately began to flatter him.

"Haha, I felt an instant connection with Brother Zhuang at the banquet last night. Hearing that your new restaurant was opening, I naturally had to come and show my support."

Liu Chuzhou replied with a smile.

As for Chen Jing standing beside Zhuang Tao, he was directly ignored.

After all, the Chen Jing from two months ago was merely a minor footnote in his life, nothing worth keeping in mind.

Besides, the current Chen Jing looked vastly different from before.

The previous Chen Jing had been thin, dark, and small, looking entirely malnourished.

Chen Jing was now tall and sturdy; those unfamiliar with him would never be able to link the current Chen Jing to the one from before.

Following Zhuang Tao's welcome, Liu Chuzhou and the others walked straight into the restaurant.

Afterward, many invited guests arrived at the restaurant.

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

However, just before the fuse was lit.

Bang!

The crowd was shoved aside violently as seven or eight young men in tight-fitting outfits stepped out like wolves and tigers.

The leader, his sword-like brows raised coldly, spoke in a voice as sharp as a blade: "Zhuang, you come to the West City to open a restaurant—do you even have the skills for it? Can you actually protect the distinguished guests who come to support you?"

Hearing this, the crowd turned to look at Zhuang Tao inside the building.

Those inside the restaurant also poked their heads out, their gazes darting back and forth between Zhuang Tao and the man who had spoken.

"Isn't that Tang Jun from the Tang Feng Restaurant next door? He's clearly here to cause trouble!"

"He's here to pick a fight!"

"This guy doesn't pick a time early or late, but chooses the grand opening to stir up trouble?"

"You don't understand; causing trouble during the opening is the best way to crush the popularity of Zhuangyu Restaurant."

"After all, if they can't even handle a provocation, who would dare come to eat at Zhuangyu Restaurant in the future!"

The crowd whispered and discussed, the atmosphere turning tense as the scent of gunpowder grew thicker in the air.

Zhuang Tao's face, which had been full of smiles, turned completely gloomy at this moment.

"This Tang Jun..."

Zhuang Tao cursed under his breath and said softly, "When I was choosing the location, he smiled more warmly than anyone, saying he would never come to cause trouble. Yet today, the moment my Zhuangyu Restaurant opens, he's the first to jump out and wreck the place."

As he spoke, Zhuang Tao stepped toward the entrance, with Chen Jing following closely behind.

Outside the main door, the noise was deafening, and Tang Jun stood at the front of the crowd with his men, looking like a rooster waiting to watch the show.

"Tang Jun."

Zhuang Tao pushed the door panels open. The moment he stepped over the threshold, his aura surged, his eyes locking onto the man opposite him like blades: "Today is the grand opening of my Zhuangyu Restaurant!"

"If you are a friend, come in, have a drink, and eat a meal; I, Zhuang Tao, will certainly welcome you with open arms."

At this point, Zhuang Tao paused, his voice suddenly dropping: "But if you are not a friend, then show your hand! I, Zhuang Tao, will take it!"

As his words fell, the surrounding neighbors watching the spectacle gasped in unison.

This was no longer a mere squabble between restaurants; it was a clear challenge of martial prowess.

Just as the crowd had said, if Zhuang Tao couldn't handle Tang Jun's move today, this Zhuangyu Restaurant would be finished, and it might even affect the business of other restaurants. Therefore, no matter how angry he was, he had to force himself to stand his ground.

Listening to Zhuang Tao's words, Tang Jun chuckled, tapping his folding fan with his fingers, his voice filled with undisguised mockery.

"Zhuang, I don't mean anything else."

"I just want to see... if your Zhuangyu Restaurant has the strength to protect the distinguished guests who come to dine."

Tang Jun said this as if he were concerned, but in reality, the knife he twisted was sharper than anyone else's.

Hearing this, Zhuang Tao's brows twitched slightly, and he said coldly: "A duel between martial artists?"

"Then come over. I'd like to see if I beat you to death, or if you beat me to death!"

Zhuang Tao's words were sharp and unyielding; after all, as a Second Blood Martial Artist, he naturally didn't fear Tang Jun.

Tang Jun immediately shook his head: "Hey, hey, you're the boss. Can you sit in the restaurant every single day?"

Then, he slapped his folding fan against his palm, his lips curling into a meaningful arc: "Our Tang Feng Restaurant's hired guard will fight, and your Zhuangyu Restaurant's hired guard will respond."

"If you win, I, Tang Jun, will send you a grand gift."

"If you lose, take down your sign!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the street instantly erupted.

Listening to Tang Jun's response, Zhuang Tao frowned slightly.

This Tang Jun was clearly prepared!

After all, those who could be hired as guards in a restaurant were all First Blood Martial Artists.

Those who could become Second Blood Martial Artists naturally wouldn't look down on being hired as a restaurant guard.

Now that Tang Jun dared to provoke him, he must have already prepared a powerful guard, specifically aiming to wreck the place.

The strength of his guard might have already reached the peak of First Blood, or even the level where they could break through to Second Blood at any moment!

Thinking of this, Zhuang Tao took a deep breath and subconsciously turned to look at Chen Jing.

Chen Jing was indeed his own hired guard, but... he had only just passed First Blood half a month ago. His foundation was thin, and it wasn't certain he could win steadily.

Just as Zhuang Tao was pondering, Chen Jing took the initiative to step forward: "Senior Brother Zhuang, since the other side has called me out, I will go."

After all, as the hired guard of Zhuangyu Restaurant, now that trouble had arrived, he naturally had to step up.

Just then, a voice carrying a hint of a smile suddenly drifted out from the tavern: "Senior Brother Zhuang, let me handle this!"

Xiang Lingfeng stepped slowly out from the building, his face wearing an expression that was eight parts composed and two parts amused.

"Junior Brother Xiang!"

Seeing this, Zhuang Tao immediately frowned, clearly puzzled as to why Xiang Lingfeng had suddenly stepped forward.

Xiang Lingfeng simply walked to Zhuang Tao's side, raised his hand, and lightly waved his five fingers in front of Zhuang Tao's eyes.

At the sight of this, Zhuang Tao realized in an instant that Xiang Lingfeng was reminding him of the sponsorship from yesterday.

"Since that is the case, I shall leave it to you, Junior Brother Xiang."

Thinking this, Zhuang Tao spoke softly, then patted Chen Jing on the shoulder, signaling for him to stay steady for the moment.

Yet, as if doing it on purpose, Xiang Lingfeng paused slightly when he reached Chen Jing.

He tilted his head just a fraction, his gaze sweeping across Chen Jing's face with a subtle, lingering provocation.

That look seemed to say: "Do you really think you're worthy of competing with me?"

Watching Xiang Lingfeng's display, Chen Jing raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.