Hei Ze Wen Jun, facing the formidable Shen Lang, found himself in a precarious situation. He knew he wasn't Shen Lang's match if they fought, yet refusing would bring shame upon him as the president of the Yang Country Martial Arts Association.
"Enough, stop thinking, and take my punch."
As Hei Ze Wen Jun hesitated, Shen Lang's fist was already before him.
Fast, incredibly fast.
Hei Ze Wen Jun had witnessed others' swift punches, but Shen Lang's was the fastest he had ever seen. He reacted in a panic, but before he could even launch his own attack, Shen Lang sent him flying over a dozen meters. His chest bone shattered, and he spat a mouthful of blood before losing consciousness.
"What? President Hei Ze was also defeated?"
Witnessing the complete annihilation of the Martial Arts Association, the Yang Country people present turned ashen. They had expected the association to easily defeat Shen Lang, never anticipating such an outcome. In less than ten minutes, the Martial Arts Association was utterly wiped out.
"Team Leader Shen..."
On the scene, Xiong Zi and Long Zi had witnessed Shen Lang's prowess many times before, but seeing him sweep through the Yang Country martial artists like an autumn wind clearing fallen leaves still filled them with excitement. After all, Shen Lang was dealing with the descendants of scoundrels.
Of course, amidst their exhilaration, Xiong Zi and Long Zi did not forget to send the live video and pictures back home, for national propaganda.
At the same moment, at Nanling Television Station, Zhao Shi Hua, who was on vacation, was summoned back by her editor. Upon her return, Zhao Shi Hua entered the editor's office, her face filled with curiosity. "Editor, why did you urgently call me back? Is there some breaking news?"
"Shi Hua, why are you only arriving now?"
Zhao Shi Hua's editor, a woman in her forties, complained as Zhao Shi Hua walked into the office, "Do you know what a critical moment this is? We need to seize this opportunity; our KPI for the year will be met."
Zhao Shi Hua was bewildered. "Editor, although I'm on vacation, I've been following domestic news. I haven't seen any major hotspots. What are you referring to?"
"You don't know yet?"
The editor pushed a tablet towards Zhao Shi Hua. "Just two hours ago, a young man named Shen Lang issued a challenge to the Yang Country martial arts world on Yang Country television. He has already defeated dozens of Yang Country martial artists. The Yang Country media is currently broadcasting this live. However, our people are not on-site. Some of the reports are rebroadcasts, and even the publicity comes from unprofessional videos and photos circulating from the scene."
"Shi Hua, this is huge news. If we handle it properly, it will elevate our careers to a whole new level. Therefore, I want you to personally go to Yang Country, obtain firsthand information, and give us a head start in our publicity."
"Shen Lang?"
As Zhao Shi Hua looked at the video on the tablet, she let out a wry smile. "This kid really can't stay out of trouble. He dares to challenge an entire nation's martial artists by himself. Who does he think he is, Superman or Wolverine?"
"What? You know him?"
Hearing Zhao Shi Hua's words, the editor was shocked. "Who is he?" Currently, the outside world only knew of a Shen Lang challenging Yang Country martial artists, but they had no information about him. If they could reveal his background, the editor was confident it would be a massive sensation.
Zhao Shi Hua saw through the editor's thoughts and decided not to hide anything. "Editor, this kid's name is Shen Lang. Not only does he possess mysterious medical skills, but he is also incredibly skilled. Last time, when bandits took hostages at Nanling Cinema City, he was the one who rescued them."
"His identity has always been very mysterious. I've investigated him secretly. He's very close to Song Sha Dao and Gu Qing Han, especially Song Sha Dao, whom he always calls 'Uncle.' I suspect he is Song Sha Dao's long-lost nephew, the biological son of Song Qing Yi and Shen Tian Jun."
"What?"
The editor was overjoyed. "I didn't expect this kid to have such a background! Great, this is excellent. Shi Hua, write the promotional article as soon as possible, detailing Shen Lang as much as possible. The title should be 'Distant Lands, Shared Enmity, the Valiant Hero Shen Lang Challenges Yang Country Martial Artists Single-Handedly.' Get me the draft as quickly as you can."
"Alright—"
Zhao Shi Hua nodded. "Don't worry, Editor. I'll have my assistant book tickets now. As for the article, I'll write it on the plane and send it to your email as quickly as possible."
"Shi Hua, you're the one I trust the most. This is a major opportunity, and we must seize it." The editor clasped Zhao Shi Hua's hand. "Thank you for your trouble."
Zhao Shi Hua nodded and then turned to leave. Truthfully, influenced by her family, Zhao Shi Hua had harbored reservations about Shen Lang at first. However, after calming down and thinking rationally, she realized Shen Lang was not the kind of person her parents and sister described. Zhao Shi Hua was an independent thinker; she was certain Qin Yan Luo was a quack doctor, and if not for Shen Lang's intervention during her episode at Wang Bei Tea House, she might have died. Honestly, she didn't know when it happened, but Zhao Shi Hua no longer harbored any animosity towards Shen Lang. In fact, she felt gratitude and a hint of affection.
Thinking of Shen Lang challenging the Yang Country martial artists alone, Zhao Shi Hua was shocked and, at the same time, worried for him. Was this kid truly that reckless? Did he not know that he was up against an entire nation's martial artists?
Soon, Zhao Shi Hua dismissed these thoughts. She would go and see for herself. She only hoped that Shen Lang would be alright. She hadn't yet had a chance to properly thank him.
Twenty minutes later, Zhao Shi Hua boarded a plane bound for Yang Country.
At the same moment, on Yang Country's Sakura Plaza, Shen Lang stood alone in the center of the square. Tens of thousands of Yang Country people were filled with rage, yet none dared to step forward. At this moment, Shen Lang was like a resolute god of war, blocking all challengers, inciting fury but forbidding direct confrontation. Despite his arrogance, the young man was too powerful, having single-handedly swept through the Yang Country Martial Arts Association. Such strength was simply beyond the reach of ordinary individuals.
"Father, should we make a move now?"
The live broadcast of the scene reached an ancient courtyard in Yang Country, where a one-eyed youth looked at a white-haired elder and said, "The Yang Country Martial Arts Association represents the pride of Yang Country's martial artists. Their honor has been utterly torn to shreds; we, who dwell in the shadows, cannot remain inactive."
"No hurry, let's wait and see." The white-haired elder smiled. "Even if it's time for our hidden sects to act, let others make the first move. Let the bullets fly a bit longer."