Chapter 96: Something Momentous Occurs

Lu Ming frowned slightly at Jing Lingxuan’s words. This girl was far too calculating—she could say such things in front of others without the slightest regard for their feelings. Even if someone was boasting, it was unnecessary to be so merciless.

Yu Bai’s face, too, grew awkward. After all, Lu Ming had helped her; yet her friend was so disrespectful, making her feel embarrassed on his behalf.

At that moment, applause and cheers erupted from beneath the martial stage. It turned out that a dark-skinned young man with a square face had won four consecutive bouts, earning enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

Yu Bai seized the opportunity to comment, “That man is amazing—he’s already won four matches in a row.”

“I heard the important guest hosting tonight has offered a reward. Whoever wins the most rounds today will receive a prize of one hundred thousand yuan,” added Sheng Siyu.

Just then, another challenger stepped onto the stage to face the victorious martial artist. The match began immediately, and the two engaged in fierce combat.

Lu Ming observed them. Both were practitioners at the basic external martial arts level—just starting out in the world of martial arts, having trained their bodies, and now at the stage where victory depended on fists and kicks.

On stage, the two exchanged blows with great intensity. Before long, the previous winner, already tired from four consecutive battles, began showing signs of exhaustion. His opponent noticed and launched a relentless assault. The dark-skinned man was flustered, and defeat seemed imminent. The crowd gasped.

Suddenly, the dark-skinned man’s body trembled, as if infused with renewed strength. He let out a roar, attacking with both fists and feet. In a few moves, he completely overpowered his opponent, then pummeled him with a series of heavy blows.

These powerful strikes were overwhelming; his opponent could not withstand them and was knocked flat onto the stage.

The dark-skinned martial artist laughed heartily, clasped his hands in salute to the audience, and was greeted with thunderous applause—his fifth victory.

Everyone began speculating that he would surely be today’s champion.

Lu Ming merely smiled. The world was vast and full of wonders. The man’s sudden burst of strength caught his eye; Lu Ming immediately recognized him as the one who had purchased his inscribed constructs.

The martial artist spoke loudly, “I am Jin Shuo from Sujiang Province. Traveling here, I happened upon this grand event. Let us meet through martial arts—after a brief rest, I’ll spar with my fellow practitioners.”

With that, Jin Shuo saluted the crowd again and left the stage to rest. After five consecutive matches, he certainly needed a break.

Yet the martial artists from Northwest Province all wore expressions of indignation. To have an outsider win five matches in their territory was humiliating. But within the realm of external martial arts, none could defeat Jin Shuo. They were helpless—they couldn’t send an internal martial artist against him, as that would be unfair and invite ridicule.

Yu Bai clapped her hands and said to Lu Ming, “That man is really impressive—five victories in a row. Looks like the prize is his.”

“Just flashy moves,” Lu Ming replied with a faint smile.

He himself had already surpassed the level of grandmaster, and with the addition of the Priest’s Combat Techniques, his understanding of martial arts had transcended the world’s conventional wisdom—beyond what anyone else could comprehend.

But Lu Ming’s offhand comment immediately drew a retort from Jing Lingxuan.

She shot him a scornful look and said, “You’re all talk. If you went up there, he’d flatten you in a single punch.”

Lu Ming shook his head and smiled, ignoring her. They simply belonged to different worlds; he saw no reason to converse further.

Meanwhile, two more people took the stage for another exciting match, and the crowd watched, absorbed. Yu Bai gave Lu Ming an apologetic glance and turned her attention to the competition.

Lu Ming watched for a moment and lost interest. Those on stage were only novice external martial artists; their understanding of martial arts was worlds apart from his own. To outsiders, the fight might seem thrilling, but to Lu Ming it was as childish as a scuffle between toddlers—clumsy and full of flaws.

As everyone enjoyed the spectacle, Jing Lingxuan’s phone suddenly rang. She glanced at it and answered.

After the call, she said to Yu Bai and Sheng Siyu, “How annoying, Shi Jianbo found out I’m here and insists on coming over.”

Sheng Siyu exclaimed, “Wow, Shi Jianbo is really devoted to you—he’s chased you all the way from Nanwei City!”

“Who asked him to chase me? Honestly.” Though Jing Lingxuan protested, her face was full of pride.

Shi Jianbo was someone she had met on a flight—he was from Nanwei City in Northwest Province, reportedly the president of a company. After meeting Jing Lingxuan, he pursued her relentlessly, while she kept him at arm’s length.

Yesterday, Jing Lingxuan deliberately posted on social media, showing herself sightseeing in Xijing City. Shi Jianbo saw it and immediately declared he would visit, but she intentionally declined. Today, Shi Jianbo drove over directly, called her, and she pretended to reluctantly agree to his visit.

Watching her look so pleased and boastful, Lu Ming secretly shook his head. This kind of girl was far too vain, always playing with men who showered her with attention, just to prove her own worth and charm—a truly pretentious display.

Sheng Siyu and Yu Bai kept asking about Shi Jianbo, and Jing Lingxuan’s pride became even more pronounced. She described how handsome and wealthy he was, while simultaneously insisting she found him unworthy and had only agreed to see him out of courtesy.

Yu Bai and Sheng Siyu, lacking Jing Lingxuan’s cunning, were utterly taken in.

Soon after, a man appeared in their line of sight. He stood about one meter seventy-five, neither thin nor overweight, with well-defined features. He wore a sky-blue short-sleeve shirt, light gray business-casual trousers, and gleaming brown leather shoes, presenting a spirited appearance.

This was Shi Jianbo, the man Jing Lingxuan had mentioned.

He walked up to Jing Lingxuan and said, “Lingxuan, you were hard to find!”

Jing Lingxuan pursed her lips, “I told you not to come, but you insisted.”

“It’s just been so long since I saw you; I missed you.” Shi Jianbo’s syrupy words made Yu Bai and Sheng Siyu cover their mouths and giggle.

Jing Lingxuan then cast Shi Jianbo a seductive glance, which made him feel weak in the knees.

She said, “Since you’re here, let me introduce you. This is Yu Bai, and this is Sheng Siyu—they’re my colleagues and closest friends.”

Shi Jianbo hurried forward to greet them.

Lu Ming, meanwhile, was completely ignored—Jing Lingxuan had no intention of introducing him.

Yu Bai quickly spoke up, “This is my friend, Lu Ming.”

Shi Jianbo sized up Lu Ming and greeted him coolly.

It was nearly seven o’clock. Jing Lingxuan said in a sweet voice, “After a whole day out, I’m starving.”

Shi Jianbo responded eagerly, “Tell me what you want to eat—I’ll treat you all. Ladies, pick anywhere you like.”

“I’d love to try the local ‘Jianghu cuisine’—I’ve heard it’s unique. But it looks like we won’t get to eat it today,” Sheng Siyu said regretfully.

The ‘Jianghu cuisine’ at Drunken Rivers was as famous as the scenery, drawing crowds of tourists. Unfortunately, it was packed today, and they had no chance.

Shi Jianbo looked around and said, “Something major is happening tonight—the big names of the Northwest martial world have gathered. Looks like this place won’t work. Why don’t we go somewhere else? Anywhere you want.”

Jing Lingxuan suddenly laughed, “Is that so? But just now, Mr. Lu said he’d get us a table on the second floor of Five Phoenix Tower, so we could dine and watch the matches. Why don’t we let Mr. Lu take us up? It’d be perfect.”

Though she was smiling, her expression was full of disdain—she simply didn’t believe that Lu Ming, who looked so obviously poor, could take them upstairs.

Shi Jianbo sized up Lu Ming and laughed, “Do you know what kind of people are upstairs, and you dare say such a thing?”

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow, “Oh? And you do?”

Seeing that Shi Jianbo and Jing Lingxuan were cut from the same cloth, Lu Ming had nothing more to say. Truly, birds of a feather flock together.

Shi Jianbo cleared his throat and lifted his chin. “I may be a businessman, but I’m passionate about Chinese kung fu. I keep up with martial world affairs. Tonight, the martial arts leader of Northwest Province, Grandmaster Lin Xiao, is hosting a banquet for a distinguished guest named Lu. This Mr. Lu is said to be a grandmaster himself.”

“It’s a meeting of two grandmasters, which is why tonight is so lively. Do you understand the significance of a grandmaster? A grandmaster is an invincible figure, revered by all. Even with my status, I wouldn’t dare disturb them. Young man, you’re talking a bit big.”

Shi Jianbo, full of pride, lectured Lu Ming, showing off his knowledge before the three ladies.

Lu Ming smiled, “May I ask your identity, sir?”

“Gladly,” Shi Jianbo said complacently. “I’m the president of Hip Electronics. It’s not a big company—just worth a few hundred million.”

Hip Electronics was a well-known company in Nanwei City—Shi Jianbo had some wealth and was proud enough to boast before ordinary people.

Lu Ming just shook his head. Shi Jianbo and Jing Lingxuan were exactly alike—showy, self-important, and vain.

Seeing Lu Ming shake his head, Shi Jianbo’s expression changed and he was about to speak, when suddenly there was a burst of applause and Jing Lingxuan cried out, “Oh!”