Chapter 830

Chapter 830: Duel of Techniques (Continued)

Slap!

A heavy slap landed on Sikong Hongfei’s face.

The notorious playboy of Taiwu City shuddered and slowly opened his eyes.

At first, his gaze was somewhat disoriented, but upon seeing Wang Chen seated at the table, sipping tea, all his memories flooded back instantly.

“Wang… Lord Wang, may I ask how I have offended you?”

In truth, Sikong Hongfei had wanted to ask this question back at Qingchun Tavern when he discovered Wang Chen’s identity!

He had never interacted with Wang Chen before, but he was well aware of Wang Chen’s reputation.

Unfortunately, Wang Chen hadn’t given him the chance to speak; he had lost consciousness before he could utter a word, and now he had awoken to this moment.

Though Sikong Hongfei was arrogant, he wasn’t a fool. He knew he was in Wang Chen’s grasp and couldn’t afford to act on impulse.

If he did, he would surely suffer!

“No.”

Wang Chen replied bluntly, “But your father is causing trouble for me. As the saying goes, the son must repay the father’s debts. If I don’t come to you, who else should I seek?”

Wang Chen had already learned that the main figure behind the trouble with Mo Han and the Mo family was Sikong De Ping of the Sikong family.

He was the chief official of Taiwu Pavilion!

The Sikong family was one of the most prominent large clans in Taiwu City, with numerous members and extensive business interests, firmly holding a dominant position.

The emergence of White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy, especially the latter, had significantly encroached on the interests of the Sikong family.

Given this context, it was no surprise that Sikong De Ping used the Mo family as a warning.

Wang Chen had initially planned to capture Sikong De Ping directly, but the chief official had recently been residing at Qinyun Peak, so he had to settle for dealing with his son instead.

Sikong Hongfei was utterly confused.

He disliked cultivation and had no interest in family affairs. His life revolved around indulgence and pleasure, so he had no idea how his father had offended Wang Chen.

He felt as though he had been struck by misfortune out of nowhere.

Sikong Hongfei wanted to protest or threaten Wang Chen, but he thought better of it—wise men avoid unnecessary conflict: “Lord Wang, I truly don’t know anything about this. Capturing me won’t help you.”

Wang Chen smiled and said, “Don’t worry. As long as you cooperate, I won’t kill you.”

He nodded to the warrior standing nearby, who promptly placed ink, paper, and a brush in front of Sikong Hongfei.

Sikong Hongfei hesitated for a moment and cautiously asked, “Lord Wang, what do you mean?”

“Write a letter to your father.”

Wang Chen said lightly, “You can decide what to write. But if your father doesn’t come to rescue you within three days, I’ll send you to eternal bliss.”

Sikong Hongfei shivered involuntarily and quickly grabbed the paper and brush to begin writing.

His instincts told him that while others might fear him due to his status, Wang Chen clearly did not care.

If he wanted to survive, he had no choice but to follow Wang Chen’s orders.

Sikong Hongfei soon finished a letter pleading for help and timidly offered it to Wang Chen for review.

However, Wang Chen was too lazy to look and said, “Gao Zhuang, take him away.”

“Understood!”

After a moment, the warrior who took Sikong Hongfei away returned, saying, “Master, he’s locked up in the dungeon now.”

“Two things.”

Wang Chen raised the letter Sikong Hongfei had just written and said, “Send this letter to Qinyun Palace and notify everyone that the academy is closing for three days, allowing all students to go home.”

The warrior answered in a deep voice, “As you command!”

Wang Chen nodded.

This warrior’s name was Gao Zhuang. He was only eighteen years old and had lost both parents at a young age. He survived by hunting outside the city with his innate strength.

Half a year ago, while selling furs, he got into conflict with gang members and suffered serious injuries, struggling to reach Ci Shi Pharmacy for help.

At that time, Wang Chen happened to be in the pharmacy, and seeing Gao Zhuang’s plight, he helped chase away the gang members who were pursuing him.

He saved Gao Zhuang.

Although this was a trivial matter to Wang Chen, Gao Zhuang was grateful and knelt at the pharmacy’s entrance for a day and night, wanting to serve Wang Chen.

Seeing that Gao Zhuang was sincere and had talent in martial arts, Wang Chen decided to take him in.

Gao Zhuang lived up to his name: tall and strong, he had an extraordinary physique.

However, his life had been fraught with difficulties. He missed the best time to establish a foundation and had no martial master to guide him. He barely reached the second-level Flesh Refinement stage, wasting all his innate talent.

Fortunately, Gao Zhuang met Wang Chen.

Under Wang Chen’s guidance, he took elixirs to cleanse his marrow and bones, quickly advancing in martial arts after starting his training.

In just six months, he had stepped into the Blood Refinement stage.

He was only one step away from the fifth level of Marrow Refinement!

Most importantly, Gao Zhuang’s loyalty to Wang Chen was absolute, the kind that would make him willing to die without a second thought.

Thus, Wang Chen entrusted him with managing some affairs of the academy and the pharmacy.

Aside from Hu Jiao Jiao, he was the closest person to Wang Chen.

After Wang Chen’s orders, the next morning, the disciples of White Deer Academy packed their bags and went home.

Usually, they stayed at the academy and only got to visit their families once a month, so this sudden three-day break caused some murmurs among them.

However, many disciples were excited, unaware that the academy was about to face a significant trial!

By noon, except for the martial masters and miscellaneous workers hired by the academy, over ten thousand disciples and apprentices had returned to their homes.

Wang Chen gathered all the martial masters and said, “I will have a duel with Qinyun Palace, and this is not something you can participate in. So no matter what happens, everyone must stay in your residences and not come out.”

These martial masters were hired to protect the academy and teach new students. They had no duty or obligation to fight for his personal grievances.

Wang Chen would not force anyone to do what they couldn’t or didn’t want to do.

Besides, the enemies he had to face were not martial artists at the Marrow Refinement or Acquired Level who could match up to him.

Not even the innate strong fighters could.

What difference would it make if a few more or fewer were used as cannon fodder?

The martial masters looked at each other.

But everyone obeyed Wang Chen’s orders.

In fact, many of these martial masters were willing to fight for Wang Chen.

However, Qinyun Palace had a fearsome reputation, its supreme status unshaken for centuries. Its might weighed heavily on everyone’s minds.

Sending them to face the oppressive force from Qinyun Palace was truly beyond their capabilities.

Thus, White Deer Academy quickly became silent and empty, the usual bustling noise completely vanished.

Wang Chen went to the academy entrance, setting a table and tea stove.

He savored tea while waiting for the main person to arrive.

Wang Chen did not wait long; it was merely half an hour when a banner-waving group approached from the direction of Taiwu City, charging toward White Deer Academy with fierce momentum!

Seeing this scene, Wang Chen squinted his eyes, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

It was time for a showdown!