South City Gate.
This was the most ancient city gate in Jinling, a truly magnificent structure. However, it was narrow enough to allow only one carriage to pass at a time. With two carriages now present, the right to enter became the first contest between the two factions!
“Do you think the Martial Association’s Second Elder might intervene? After all, he represents the Association.”
Ye Longlin stood on the city wall, hands behind his back, his gaze remarkably calm.
Yuan Gang, a step behind him, spoke slowly, scratching his buzz cut and chuckling.
If they knew their boss was acting, the Martial Association probably wouldn't even dare to show up. The Second Elder, or even Wu Ji himself, would have to seriously consider if they could handle this matter.
“If he intervenes, he can stay here today.”
Ye Longlin said plainly, his words carrying no hint of pressure.
If the so-called Second Elder of the Martial Association made a move, he would certainly respond.
This was a dispute between two juniors. What kind of etiquette was it for an elder to get involved?
A child couldn't win, so an adult stepped in to fight a child?
Did they really think the military didn't have its own powerful figures to back him up?
At the city gate.
Cao Ziwen and Lin Zaisheng simultaneously rolled down their car windows and exchanged a glance.
“Cao Ziwen, hello.”
“Lin Zaisheng, hello.”
After exchanging greetings, a spark of intensity flared in their eyes.
Cao Ziwen opened his door first and stepped out, dressed in military uniform.
The heir of the Martial Association challenging the ninth-ranked on the Military Rankings was not just a battle between them, but a contest between the Martial Association and the military. Neither side would back down.
“Since only one can pass, what do you think, Brother Lin?”
Cao Ziwen got out and lit a cigarette, a smile playing on his lips that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Lin Zaisheng also alighted, smiling. “Our Martial Association dominates six spots on the Heavenly Talent Rankings, occupying half the field. Your military has no one on the Heavenly Talent Rankings. This time, I should be the victor.”
Indeed, the Martial Association had been rapidly expanding its influence over the years under the guise of martial arts. They had recruited extensively, amassing vast funds and attracting numerous talents. This led to a significant decline in the quality of soldiers enlisting, with the Martial Association far surpassing them in this regard.
However, the Martial Association’s mid-to-high-tier strength could not match that of the military.
“There’s no need to bring that up. Your Martial Association has backing, and so does our military. It’s just that our military has never been as ostentatious as yours. We both understand the principle of keeping a low profile and hiding our sharpness,”
Cao Ziwen shook his head slightly, sighing as he spoke.
Lin Zaisheng appeared curious and continued, “Then what do you think should be done?”
Cao Ziwen took a step forward, and a palpable aura of ferocity erupted from him, his intention clear: a contest of willpower.
Lin Zaisheng’s expression shifted slightly. He took a step forward as well, their auras colliding. The one who couldn’t withstand it first would be defeated.
On the city wall, Ye Longlin looked down, a hint of amusement on his face as he rested his hands on the battlements.
After watching for a moment, he shook his head slightly. “Lin Zaisheng is no match for Cao Ziwen.”
His words seemed to carry the weight of a final verdict. Just as he spoke, Lin Zaisheng took a step back, his face pale, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.
“I lost. In terms of aura, you win.”
No sooner had Lin Zaisheng spoken than a cold snort echoed from his car. A vast and powerful aura emanated from within, and in an instant, the entire sky was shrouded in dark clouds, as if a heavenly might permeated them.
This heavenly might descended, as if to suppress all enemies in the world!
“When did our Martial Association ever need to yield to others? Hmm?”
The voice of the Martial Association’s Second Elder echoed coldly, reverberating across the entire sky!
“Zhūbān Lóngxiàng.”
Within the Murong royal family, the old monk Jikong opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed within them before he shook his head slightly and murmured, “Low-grade Zhūbān Lóngxiàng is no match for that person. That person… is far more than just Zhūbān Lóngxiàng.”
“There are rumors that the Martial Association’s Eight-Thousand-Year-Old has broken through to high-grade Zhūbān Lóngxiàng, but that’s all. Who is this person the master speaks of?”
“You mean to say, that person has surpassed the Eight-Thousand-Year-Old? When did such a powerful figure arrive in Jinling?”
A middle-aged man in plain clothes, his hair streaked with white, appeared outside the Buddhist hall. He happened to overhear Jikong’s words and asked with some confusion.
Jikong shook his head slightly. “Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed.”
After saying this, as if feeling it wasn't convincing enough, he continued, “Amitabha, if I were to speak, both sides would be prepared, and the course of events might change, leading to a series of complications. I hope Your Highness understands.”
The butler was not representing himself, but the Old Prince Murong.
“Zhūbān Lóngxiàng? Another Zhūbān Lóngxiàng expert has entered the city. It seems these matters will face variables. Troublesome, troublesome.”
“Have you found out the background of the person who destroyed our Song family’s plaque? Don’t tell me you haven’t found out yet!”
Within the Song family, someone also felt this aura. The family patriarch was also inquiring.
“No, we cannot find any information about the opponent’s identity. It’s as if someone has erased their existence.”
The people of the Song family were also experiencing immense frustration. They had been investigating, but could not uncover any useful information, which was extremely vexing.
“Very well, let’s go outside the city to see what’s happening. This Zhūbān Lóngxiàng should be someone from the Martial Association.”
Outside the city.
As the Martial Association’s Second Elder made his move, the scene fell into a deathly silence.
Cao Ziwen gritted his teeth, his face pale, his legs trembling uncontrollably. He was on the verge of collapse!
No!
Cao Ziwen, you cannot kneel!
You represent the honor of the military. If you kneel now, how will you ever hold your head high in front of the Martial Association in the future!
His eyes turned bloodshot.
But at this very moment, his body suddenly felt lighter. He took deep breaths, experiencing a sense of near-death reprieve.
“Are you bullying my child because he has no one to back him? The Martial Association truly surprises me.”
A voice called out, and then, a young man in casual white attire leaped down from the city wall, hands behind his back.
He exuded the presence of an unparalleled master.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Cao Ziwen almost couldn’t help but burst into tears. He immediately straightened his body and gave Ye Longlin a military salute.
“General Ye!”
Strictly speaking, Cao Ziwen had no significant relationship with him. It was just that five years ago, Cao Ziwen, having secured first place in the capital’s military competition, was recommended to enter the Dragon Pavilion. Ye Longlin was responsible for the elimination process at that time.
It was the only cohort he had personally overseen.
They had met once then; he had personally eliminated Cao Ziwen.
“How about it, are you afraid of a one-on-one fight this time?”
He hadn’t expected that the young man from back then would have grown to this extent.
“I’m not afraid! I have confidence, I can win, please rest assured, General!”