CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 67 VISIT

Ruda is a renowned martial arts university in the East China Region, ranking among the top hundred martial arts universities in Dragon Country and within the top two hundred globally.

Inside the school, there are numerous faculties.

Apart from the Martial Arts Academy, there are also other regular departments.

Tang Shiping, the dean of the School of Communication and International Culture, holds significant influence at Ruda due to his extensive experience.

Early in the morning, an old friend visited in person.

After chatting for a while, the friend gradually explained the reason for the visit.

"Old Tang, the other party is very sincere."

While speaking, the person took out several pill vouchers from his pocket and laid them on the table.

"I’ve heard most of the development companies have a touch of darkness." Tang Shiping didn’t even glance at the pill vouchers.

"We’ve been friends for years, so I won’t lie to you—it’s not most, it’s all. However, Tian Wenhua is close with the Zhao Clan."

"Hmm?" Tang Shiping lowered his head to sip his tea.

"Ahem, of course, not the main Zhao family. His Bad Exploration Company has shares from the Rao family in Rucheng. You’re certainly aware of the relationship between the Rao family and the Zhao Clan. Back then, when Saint Zhao visited Rucheng, it was the Rao family that hosted him."

"The Rao family has prospered in Rucheng, well-known. I have a good relationship with Rao Fuxing, the principal of Fifty-Ninth Middle School." Tang Shiping nodded.

"That Rao Fuxing is far from the real Rao patriarch family. It’s actually not that significant, just asking you to relay a few words to the Martial Arts Hall to let the pressure trickle down, and that would be enough."

"Is it really just passing a message?"

"It’s just passing a message to let the other side know that Ruda is not his safe haven."

"How could you say that? Isn’t Ruda a safe haven for students?"

"Oh, what a slip of my tongue. I meant if students cause trouble outside, Ruda must handle it impartially."

"Exactly. Take those pill vouchers back, and once the issue is resolved, let’s have a meal together."

"Alright!"

After chatting for a bit more, the old friend left.

Sitting in his chair, Tang Shiping pondered how he owed his old friend a favor; today’s matter was not trivial but manageable.

Wang Boxiong, the hall master of Affiliated Martial Arts Hall, whom he’d met several times before, was very courteous, showing no arrogance despite being an Innate Grandmaster.

Though he had some nicknames and stories, they were more likely fabricated by others.

Tang Shiping stood up and slowly walked towards the Affiliated Martial Arts Hall.

As he walked, he contemplated his next move.

As the dean of the School of Communication and International Culture, Tang Shiping was adept in diplomatic language and verbal skills.

After a short walk, he smiled and, based on his extensive experience, roughly guessed what Wang Boxiong, a martial artist, might say—mostly just some clichés.

More importantly, Wang Boxiong had just become the hall master and desperately needed support from the main campus of Ruda.

It was impossible for him to jeopardize his reputation for a minor martial arts school student.

The plan was to flatter first, then probe, gradually clarifying the intent. Finally, using his wealth of experience to persuade, subtly hinting at future reciprocation with the Martial Arts Hall, Wang Boxiong surely couldn’t refuse.

As long as Wang Boxiong agreed, the matter would be resolved.

Tang Shiping was brimming with confidence, having handled such matters countless times.

Wearing thick glasses, he walked smilingly to the hall master’s office of the Affiliated Martial Arts Hall, gently knocking on the door.

"Is Hall Master Wang in? It’s me, Old Tang." Saying this, he pushed the door open and entered.

Though Wang Boxiong outranked Tang Shiping, he stood up immediately and greeted him warmly due to Tang Shiping’s seniority.

"Elder Tang’s visit graces us with honor." Wang Boxiong said courteously.

Tang Shiping took a seat as Wang Boxiong poured tea and served water.

Smiling, Tang Shiping nodded and said, "Since Captain Wang took over as hall master, the Martial Arts Hall has been thriving, and all school leaders are praising you."

"You flatter me..."

After exchanging pleasantries, Tang Shiping extolled Wang Boxiong as an exceptional figure.

Before long, Tang Shiping lightly coughed and, feigning nonchalance, slowly said, "I heard there’s a new student at the Martial Arts Hall named Zhou Leng who went to challenge someone from a development company?"

"Yes, I asked him to go." Wang Boxiong replied.

Tang Shiping was taken aback, holding the teacup in mid-air, motionless.

The numerous arguments he had prepared all morning were stuck inside, unable to be spoken.

Why was Wang Boxiong acting out of character?

Tang Shiping’s face flushed as he realized Wang Boxiong’s intentions.

Soon, Tang Shiping regained composure, slowly placing the teacup down and nodded, "Since it was Hall Master Wang’s order, there’s no problem. Such a courageous student deserves praise."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Tang Shiping left the hall master’s office.

Walking out of the Martial Arts Hall’s office building, Tang Shiping looked back and silently walked back to Ruda’s main campus.

"No wonder he’s nicknamed Wang Huaixiong; practicing martial arts has made him cunning..."

Wang Boxiong sat in the office for a moment before making a phone call.

Inside the Martial Arts Dojo.

Zhou Leng was intently focused, slowly executing the Overlapping Waves Palm.

This time, instead of cultivating as usual, he used the "Observing Heart Method."

This approach wasn’t a cultivation technique but rather a skill.

During cultivation, he observed every detail of his body, demanding extreme precision, unlike the vague feelings of the past.

To perceive every detail and sense the minutiae.

After completing a set of slow boxing, Zhou Leng felt mentally exhausted and his vision whitened. He found a quiet place to cultivate his inner power through Qi manipulation.

Once his energy recovered, Zhou Leng resumed hitting the slow boxing and observing his heart, repeating the process over and over.

In the past, Zhou Leng would not have had this patience.

But the one month spent on a hospital bed subtly changed Zhou Leng.

The more challenging a task, the more correct it often is.

As evening approached, Feng Wenhao and others shamelessly came seeking him, saying they wanted to watch the negotiation together, but Zhou Leng refused.

Who knows what accident might occur during the negotiation.

After much persuasion, Zhou Leng agreed that if there were indeed a gambling fight, he would call them along.

Zhou Leng first took the subway to Pioneer Company, and then rode with Li Linhan to the Bad Exploration Company.

As soon as the two got out of the car, seven or eight people surrounded them.

Some had crutches, some wore eye patches, some smiled without saying a word, and quite a few were comrades often seen in Li Linhan’s videos.

"Are you Zhou Leng? Haven’t seen you in over a year, and you’ve grown as strong as a young bull. Where are you studying?" The man with crutches was Fan Haoshan, whom Zhou Leng had met many times.

"Hello Uncle Fan, I am at the Martial Arts Academy."

"Martial Arts Academy?" Fan Haoshan frowned, "Your Martial Arts Hall really knows how to mistreat martial arts equipment, gives me a headache."

"So much nonsense," Li Linhan gave Fan Haoshan a glare, "Come on, let’s go to Xue Tongming."

As Fan Haoshan walked with his crutch, he said, "The little brats of the Pioneer Army are getting more and more arrogant, today they should be properly taught a lesson. Those lousy Five Tigers of Shuizhou, always bragging, on the Shuizhou battlefield, they’re just five cats with scabby skins, only good for running."

"Shut up during the negotiations later." Li Linhan said.

This sturdy man in his forties or fifties helplessly said, "Listening to the old squad leader."

Zhou Leng glanced at Fan Haoshan; every time he saw him, he had an inexhaustible supply of foul language.

When he was a kid, every meeting this man would give him chocolate.

Zhou Leng and Li Linhan approached Xue Tongming at the entrance of Bad Exploration Company, and both sides introduced themselves.

Zhou Leng stood together with Xue Chengsong.

Xue Chengsong asked, "Nervous?"

"Not really."

"My dad says it might get a bit explosive today, but after confirming a gambling fight, things will calm down. However, it’s all adult matters, even if it really turns into a fight, we can just play the innocent kids." Xue Chengsong said.

Zhou Leng swept his eyes over the crowd and said, "Judging by the aura, they’re all experts. My Uncle Li and the others, the weakest are in the Body Refining Stage."

"It’s about the same on my side, those in the late Blood Transporting Period can only stand at the back."

"What did your dad say?"

"The usual stuff. Seems like it’s been too long since both sides had a fight, finding an excuse to battle. I’ve been seeing this since I was a kid, I’m numb to it."

The two chatted in low voices while the adults laughed and joked.

Soon, the large iron gate of the Bad Company opened wide, with lights illuminating, hundreds of shadows approached backlit, pressing down like a black mass.

Xue Tongming laughed heartily and said, "Brother Hu, heard someone pierced a hole in your belly? Did anything leak out?"

"Didn’t hold down, ended up leaking you out." The elderly man with graying hair in the middle said expressionlessly.

"Then I really became Sun Wukong, playing all around inside Princess Iron Fan’s belly."

"If you have gas, let it out, if not, roll far away." Tian Wenhua swept his gaze over the crowd, finally fixing on Zhou Leng.

His eyes were deep.

Zhou Leng calmly met his gaze without any change in expression.

Tian Wenhua nodded slightly, saying, "A hero comes from youth." Then he looked away to others, not even glancing at Xue Chengsong.

Xue Chengsong pouted, thinking Tian Wenhua, the old bastard, never thought highly of him

Next to Tian Wenhua, a tall and thin figure also looked over, with long narrow eyes and a sinister gaze.

Zhou Leng didn’t recognize him, but could guess it was Yan Fenggang from the Five Tigers of Shuizhou.

Tian Wenhua nodded slightly towards Li Linhan, saying, "Brother Li."

Yan Fenggang and others looked at Li Linhan and the other veterans, their gazes evasive.

Li Linhan stepped forward and said, "About my nephew’s matter, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean? Ask him how he left my two subordinates."

"Trying to rob and instead getting crippled, they asked for it themselves, what’s it got to do with Zhou Leng?"

"If it was just injuries, it wouldn’t matter, but if the dantian is crippled, then there’s something to talk about." Tian Wenhua said.

"Talk about what? Crippling them was justified. Without crippling them, wait for retaliation? Legal offenses in the city, and they’re still in the right?" Li Linhan said.

"Then what about him stopping my brother?"

Li Linhan paused, turning to look at Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng said, "Brother Hu, you’re joking. When do we in the Martial Guard need to look at the Pioneer Company’s face when handling cases? I suggest you ask the Martial Guard Bureau or even the Martial Guard Department, my superiors would be pleased to answer you."

Yan Fenggang interjected, saying, "You hit my little brother Tu Rong, how do you reckon that?"

"I hit Jiang Yan and Tao Bing. Your little brother actively participated; does this count as me hitting your little brother, or your little brother provoking me?" Zhou Leng retorted.

Yan Fenggang’s eyes widened and said, "Brat, give you a little face, and you dare open a dye shop? Haven’t you heard of us Five Tigers of Shuizhou..."

Tian Wenhua intervened, "Alright, arguing is useless. Since we can’t reach an agreement, let’s settle it the customary way, with a gambling fight. Zhou Leng is at the Blood Transporting Period, so let’s have nine battles in the Blood Transporting Period, are you daring enough?"

Li Linhan and Xue Tongming exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.