Chapter 778
by fanqienovelChapter 778: Gaining Fame and Fortune (Part 1)
Two days later, the martial arts competition in Chibi City officially commenced at the central training ground.
The annual martial arts competition was undoubtedly a grand event for the city, drawing thousands of townsfolk who crowded around the three competition stages, leaving no room to spare.
The battle drums thundered, and the battle flags fluttered fiercely; Chibi City had never been so vibrant!
According to the competition rules, each martial arts school could send three martial masters to compete, with rankings determined by the number of victories secured.
A school that ranked last for three consecutive years would lose its license to operate.
Hongyi Martial Arts School had performed poorly in the past two years; without improvement this year, elimination was inevitable!
Yet, seated at the representatives’ table, Shao Hongcheng appeared calm and composed, showing no signs of distress.
A neighboring school leader inquired with a smile, “Master Shao, I heard your Hongyi Martial Arts School recently welcomed a young prodigy. Surely, victory is within your grasp this time?”
His voice carried clearly, drawing the attention of all surrounding martial arts school leaders.
Like attracts like, and among the martial arts schools in Chibi City, there were clear hierarchies.
The seating at the representatives’ area reflected this, with the strongest in the front row and the weaker ones towards the back.
Due to past poor performances, Shao Hongcheng was seated at the very back, among peers of similar standing, where competition was fiercest.
Each victory, each winning ticket, could alter their destiny!
Many had heard of the prodigy from Hongyi Martial Arts School, but Shao Hongcheng had always been discreet, never boasting. Moreover, with Wang Chen training in North Mountain, details about him were scarce.
Reactions varied—some were wary, others skeptical, some dismissive, and some hostile…
As the focus of attention, Shao Hongcheng smiled lightly, “Thank you for your kind words. This time, our Hongyi Martial Arts School will certainly secure enough victories to continue our exchanges with all of you.”
The expressions of those around shifted noticeably.
Shao Hongcheng was too calm and confident; his tone suggested not just assurance but also a disregard for his opponents!
The question lingered: was this confidence genuine, or was it mere bravado?
“Ha ha!”
At that moment, a mocking laugh broke the tension, “Master Shao, you shouldn’t be so confident. Being knocked off the stage would be quite the embarrassment.”
“No need for your concern, Master Wu!”
Shao Hongcheng retorted without hesitation, “I never boast, but if you doubt me, Master Wu, how about a wager?”
This sarcastic individual was Wu Lei, the head of Wu Family Martial Arts and a long-standing rival of Hongyi Martial Arts School.
Their feud spanned decades, beyond any hope of reconciliation.
The two schools were close in proximity and once matched in strength, but recent troubles had led to Hongyi Martial Arts School’s decline.
Wu Family Martial Arts had seized the opportunity to surpass them.
Both Shao Hongcheng and Wu Lei were martial artists at the Peak of Marrow Refinement, but Wu Lei, backed by the Wu family, had a stronger foundation than Shao Hongcheng.
Responding to Shao Hongcheng’s challenge, Wu Lei sneered, “Wager or not, do I have to fear you?”
“The question is, what are we betting? Small stakes won’t be interesting!”
Shao Hongcheng met his gaze and declared loudly, “Isn’t it obvious? If you’re in, let’s make it big!”
“If I lose, I’ll give you the entire Hongyi Martial Arts School. But if I win…”
“You’ll owe me thirty thousand jade coins!”
“Do you dare?”
The surrounding school leaders gasped in unison.
This was no small matter!
Thirty thousand jade coins were equivalent to three hundred thousand bone coins. Though Hongyi Martial Arts School wasn’t particularly powerful, the value of its property and land far exceeded that amount. Shao Hongcheng was staking everything he had!
Where did such confidence come from?
Wu Lei’s expression shifted uneasily.
As the head of Wu Family Martial Arts, he instinctively sensed something amiss. Shao Hongcheng’s confidence was overwhelming.
But with so many witnesses and having been the one to provoke the challenge, backing down now would mean losing face in Chibi City.
If Shao Hongcheng had proposed betting Hongyi Martial Arts School against Wu Family Martial Arts, Wu Lei would have refused outright.
Yet, thirty thousand jade coins struck a nerve—it was just enough to make him hesitate.
“Too scared now, are you?”
Seeing Wu Lei waver, Shao Hongcheng sneered, “If you’re too afraid, then crawl back into your shell like a turtle and stop embarrassing yourself!”
Hiss—
Gasps rippled through the crowd once more.
Shao Hongcheng’s words were cutting, a direct slap to Wu Lei’s pride.
He showed no fear of offending Wu Lei’s influential family.
If Wu Lei let this slide, he’d truly earn the title of “turtle.”
“Let’s do it!”
Wu Lei roared, his anger boiling over. “Words mean nothing—let’s put it in writing!”
Shao Hongcheng laughed heartily. “Exactly what I wanted!”
The two quickly summoned witnesses and, in front of everyone, drew up a betting contract.
Such wagers weren’t uncommon. Martial arts schools with grudges often gambled during competitions, as long as it didn’t break the rules.
But for Shao Hongcheng and Wu Lei to gamble so recklessly was truly astonishing!
The news spread like wildfire, and soon every representative from the participating schools had heard of it.
Some dismissed it as a farce, while others were intrigued, speculating about the source of Shao Hongcheng’s confidence.
Then more details emerged.
It turned out that Hongyi Martial Arts School had sent only one martial master to the competition: Wang Chen.
Rumors swirled that Wang Chen was just sixteen years old, a disciple of Shao Hongcheng who had arrived in Chibi City only three months prior.
It was said that his cultivation level had already reached the Marrow Refinement stage!
Now everyone understood Shao Hongcheng’s boldness—he was betting everything on a sixteen-year-old boy. It seemed utterly reckless.
Most of their territory believed Wu Lei was certain to win the wager.
Yet, the bet between Hongyi Martial Arts School and Wu Family Martial Arts didn’t disrupt the competition’s proceedings.
At the hour of the snake, a deep horn sound reverberated through every corner of Chibi City.
The bustling training ground fell silent in an instant. All eyes turned to the middle-aged man who had stepped onto the central stage.
Zhao Zhenxuan, the city lord of Chibi City and an innate strong fighter!
This dignified and scholarly figure had presided over Chibi for decades, commanding unparalleled respect. Every martial artist present bowed their head in reverence.
“In this competition, let us spar with restraint…”
Zhao Zhenxuan’s voice echoed across the training ground, resonating deeply in the hearts of all who listened.