Chapter 131: The Might of a Grandmaster

At this moment, everyone watched the scene with bated breath. Everyone knew that if Wang Jingshan’s strike failed to be effective, the situation could become very dangerous.

Just as the loud crash subsided, the steel shield protecting Zhao Hu shattered, and the qi-blade in Wang Jingshan’s hand vanished. Wang Jingshan stood there disheveled, his face grave. Zhao Hu, however, let out a sinister laugh and lunged forward again. The crowd gasped in shock; Wang Jingshan’s seemingly all-out strike had produced no effect at all.

Wang Jingshan felt a sense of despair. He hadn’t expected Zhao Hu to have reached the realm of a Half-Step Grandmaster; he was no longer a match for him. Yet, with Zhao Hu charging, he could not simply concede. With no other choice, he channeled his internal energy, condensed another qi-blade in his hand, and slashed toward Zhao Hu. The two clashed once more.

This time, Wang Jingshan went all out. His qi-blade danced through the air, surrounded by shimmering blade auras and a frightening, bone-chilling force. Zhao Hu, however, moved with uncanny agility, leaving behind streaks of afterimages. He occasionally withstood a strike from the qi-blade head-on, showing no signs of weakness. The onlookers were gripped by the intensity of the fight, their hearts pounding in their throats.

In the midst of this, two people remained completely calm. One was Lu Ming, who had been sitting with his head bowed and eyes closed ever since he entered, as if he were asleep. The other was the withered old man who had come in with Zhao Hu. He stood in a corner with his hands tucked into his sleeves, silent and unassuming, like a common servant. Everyone had completely overlooked him.

Wang Jingshan and Zhao Hu fought with increasing ferocity. Wang Jingshan’s hair stood on end, his qi-blade swinging like a gale as he unleashed waves of energy at Zhao Hu. Zhao Hu leaped and rolled, a mere phantom shifting across the field, dodging the blade while occasionally landing a vicious blow on Wang Jingshan.

As the stalemate continued, the spectators were mesmerized. Suddenly, Zhao Hu let out a thunderous roar, spitting a white wave of sound toward Wang Jingshan. Caught off guard, Wang Jingshan faltered. This was the signature move of Zhao Hu’s "Iron Scorpion" style: the Scorpion Wave Poison Sting!

Seeing Wang Jingshan struck, Zhao Hu moved with lightning speed, performing a scorpion backflip and kicking Wang Jingshan square in the chest. With a loud "bang," Wang Jingshan spat blood and was sent flying backward. The crowd erupted in an uproar. A peak Xiantian expert had actually been defeated!

Wang Jingshan lay several yards away, blood spilling from his mouth. He clutched his chest, glaring fiercely at Zhao Hu. Zhao Hu stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at him with cold arrogance.

Zhao Huang felt a surge of panic. If even a peak Xiantian expert was no match, he was in grave danger. He couldn't help but cast a glance at Lu Ming, but Lu Ming remained in his meditative state, completely still.

Zhao Hu sighed, thinking he had misjudged. This Lu Ming was clearly a coward; seeing how formidable Zhao Hu was, he was already terrified. Well, so be it. If a peak Xiantian expert couldn't handle Zhao Hu, what use would this coward be? He was only good for bullying internal martial artists like himself.

Zhao Hu let out a loud laugh. "A peak Xiantian expert? Is that all you’ve got? Who is next?"

Seeing Zhao Hu’s arrogance, the members of the Pao Society were filled with righteous indignation, but since their skills were inferior, they were forced to swallow their anger. Wang Jingshan, looking at the arrogant Zhao Hu, shouted, "Boy, don't be so smug! Do you dare to fight the head of my clan?"

Zhao Hu’s expression shifted. The crowd broke into laughter; the head of the Wang family was a Grandmaster-level expert. Surely Zhao Hu wouldn't have the audacity. Yet, to everyone's surprise, Zhao Hu replied, "Why wouldn't I dare? Let him come and meet his death."

"What?"
"How arrogant!"
"Damn it, he actually dares to challenge a Grandmaster!"
"He really is courting death!"
"Quick, get Grandmaster Wang here to teach this ignorant fool a lesson!"

The crowd exploded in outrage at Zhao Hu’s challenge. Wang Jingshan, his face full of fury, felt that insulting the head of the Wang family—a generation’s Grandmaster—was an utter humiliation to their house. "Fine, boy. Just you wait. I am calling the Clan Head right now." Wang Jingshan struggled to his feet, went to his disciple, and made a call.

A moment later, he hung up and said to Zhao Hu, "If you have the guts, stay right there. Our Clan Head will be here shortly."

Zhao Hu sneered, "As if I’m afraid of him." He stood his ground, waiting quietly.

The crowd grew even more furious. They had thought Zhao Hu was just all talk, but he really intended to provoke a Grandmaster. A Grandmaster could not be insulted; they were invincible. Zhao Hu was truly digging his own grave. The members of the Pao Society sat back down, sneering as they waited for Grandmaster Wang to arrive. Zhao Hu’s days were numbered.

Wang Jingshan, supported by his disciple, sat down with a grim look. His own defeat was one thing, but Zhao Hu’s challenge to the head of the Wang family was unforgivable. He would wait for the Clan Head to show this ignorant boy what a true Grandmaster was. Wang Jingshan glanced at Lu Ming, who still appeared to be fast asleep, and gave a disdainful snort, his eyes filled with contempt.

The arena fell into a tense silence as everyone waited for Grandmaster Wang to arrive and annihilate the arrogant Zhao Hu. After waiting for nearly half an hour, the crowd began to grow restless. Suddenly, a resonant voice echoed from outside: "I hear someone wishes to challenge me here?"

With those words, a tall, slender old man walked in. He appeared to be around sixty, dressed in a traditional Tang suit with black cloth shoes, sporting a thin black beard, and looking full of vigor. Upon seeing him, the crowd stood up in unison and bowed. "Welcome, Grandmaster Wang."

The head of the Wang family, the legendary Grandmaster Wang Yangming, walked with the steady, powerful gait of a dragon or tiger, reaching the center of the courtyard in just a few strides.

Wang Jingshan hurried forward, bowing deeply. "Clan Head, this is the man who injured me and threatened to challenge you." He pointed toward Zhao Hu.

Wang Yangming glanced at Zhao Hu and laughed heartily. "Ambitious. I like young men like you—courageous enough to challenge others." Then, his tone shifted. "However, provoking a Grandmaster comes with a price. Are you prepared?"

As Wang Yangming spoke, it felt as though wind and thunder were surging around him, his presence immense. Witnessing his bearing, the crowd broke into cheers.

"Grandmaster Wang is mighty!"
"What an aura! Truly worthy of a Grandmaster!"
The crowd praised him sincerely.

At this moment, Lu Ming opened his eyes and looked toward the center of the field. Zhao Huang, noticing Lu Ming had woken up, said with disdain, "What a calculation. You wake up only when you see a Grandmaster coming to assist."

Lu Ming glanced at him and said slowly, "A Grandmaster? Nothing more than an ant." With that, he closed his eyes again and drifted back into his slumber.

"What did you say?" Zhao Huang was instantly enraged. A coward who had been feigning sleep to avoid danger had now woken up, only to spout such arrogant nonsense. It was unbearable. However, Lu Ming remained silent, as if he had fallen asleep again.

Zhao Huang’s face turned bright red with fury, nearly causing him to cough up blood. "Hmph, such a spineless, pretentious coward. I won't give you a single cent." He made up his mind; once this was over, he would have it out with Lu Ming. Since Lu Ming hadn't lifted a finger, he deserved nothing. If Lu Ming dared to demand payment, he could go ask Grandmaster Wang—see if he had the guts. Furthermore, he would repeat Lu Ming’s insult about the Grandmaster to Wang Yangming; whether Lu Ming could walk away from that was another matter entirely.

Casting one last cold look at Lu Ming, Zhao Huang ignored him and turned his attention back to the field. Zhao Hu and Wang Yangming stood facing each other, while Wang Jingshan had retreated to his seat. Wang Yangming stood motionless, invisible whirlwinds swirling around him, accompanied by the whistling of the air. Zhao Hu, however, slowly retreated until he stood beside the withered old man who had arrived with him.

"Haha, he finally knows fear."
"Nice try, boy. Want to run? It's too late now."
"The might of a Grandmaster is truly extraordinary."