The first round of the martial arts tournament had concluded in the blink of an eye, with Liu Ming of the Liu family martial arts school and Lin Chenchen of the Lin family martial arts school ranking at the bottom. Liu Ming, in particular, had narrowly avoided failing to qualify for the semifinals.
"Liu Ming, with such poor skills, why are you even participating in this competition? You're just an embarrassment to the Liu family martial arts school!"
While eating, Liu Yan grew increasingly angry. She shot Liu Ming a glare and spoke without courtesy.
Liu Ming was a distant relative of Liu Yan. If not for Liu Sheng Tian, the head of the Liu family and Liu Yan's grandfather, who believed Liu Ming had great martial arts potential, Liu Yan might not have even known she had such a relative.
"I… I… I've already tried my best." The immense disparity in status made Liu Ming angry, but he dared not argue much. He even dared not look Liu Yan in the eye!
"Alright, Sister Yan, stop scolding him. Our two families are in the same boat; neither of us should look down on the other. However, I never expected the Zhao family martial arts school to be ranked first. I heard that Zhao Lin has a powerful backer behind him; I wonder who it could be."
As Liu Yan was about to say more, Lin Qingqing, after glancing at her cousin Lin Chenchen beside her, turned to comfort Liu Yan. Suddenly, she seemed to recall something and looked enviously at the people from the Zhao family martial arts school not far away.
Although the Zhao family martial arts school had been well-known in Liu Town before, in just one year, they had already made a name for themselves among the many martial arts schools in North China Province!
This was simply incredible!
Watching the two women's envious gazes, Er Zhu merely smiled and said nothing. The success of the Zhao family martial arts school was the result of Zhao Lin and Chen Mo's hard work; it had nothing to do with him, the big boss.
If it weren't for this martial arts tournament, he would have almost forgotten he even owned a martial arts school…
"I am Liu Fengshan, the head of the Liu family martial arts school. May I ask which martial arts school these two beauties are from?"
As the three were eating listlessly, a voice suddenly came from beside Liu Yan and Lin Qingqing. The two turned their heads and saw a man in a black robe bowing to them with his hands clasped in front of his chest.
The man had sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, with a handsome appearance, but his features were filled with a hint of wickedness, making him appear untrustworthy at first glance.
"Liu family martial arts school? Oh… is that the Liu family martial arts school ranked second in the competition?"
The two women cautiously sized up Liu Fengshan. Suddenly, Lin Qingqing seemed to recall something, covered her mouth, and exclaimed.
Before, they had never paid attention to this martial arts school. But recalling Liu Fengshan's fluid movements just now, Lin Qingqing's eyes were filled with envy and admiration!
Liu Fengshan was skilled; he had almost defeated Zhao Lin, who was ranked first. If such a prodigy were from her Lin family martial arts school, it would be wonderful!
Liu Fengshan smiled and nodded at Lin Qingqing's infatuated expression. Although his attitude was humble, a hint of greed flashed in his eyes!
He disdained participating in such a small competition, but when he heard that the two beauties from the Liu and Lin families would also be attending, he personally entered the competition. He had been coveting Liu Yan and Lin Qingqing for a long time, but since the two women did not practice martial arts, he had no opportunity to meet them. Now that he finally had the chance to see their true appearances, how could he let it go!
Liu Fengshan secretly observed Liu Yan and Lin Qingqing, as if he were staring at a delicious meal. Er Zhu saw this clearly but said nothing.
It wasn't that he intended to stand by and do nothing, but he felt it was not yet time for him to act!
Although Liu Fengshan was very strong, in his eyes, he was no different from an ant!
"I'm sorry, we don't practice martial arts, so we're not interested in knowing you!"
Lin Qingqing admired Liu Fengshan greatly, but Liu Yan immediately saw through Liu Fengshan's intentions, especially those lecherous eyes. She grabbed Lin Qingqing and prepared to leave.
"Heh, not much skill, but quite the temper. Your Liu family martial arts school dares to offend me; you're simply asking for death!"
Seeing that Liu Yan had seen through his intentions, Liu Fengshan became enraged. He shouted and, at the fastest speed, appeared before Liu Yan and Lin Qingqing, grabbing Lin Qingqing and pulling her towards him.
Although others from the martial arts schools were also angry, they pretended not to see, thinking of Liu Fengshan's ranking in the competition. Many even planned to watch the commotion.
"Miss Liu, you'd better let go of this beauty. Brother Liu's skills are superb. It wouldn't be good if she were injured, or if you were injured!"
"Exactly, if you're not as skilled, don't try to show off. Otherwise, when Brother Liu tears down your Liu family's banner, it will be even more embarrassing!"
"That's right, if I were you, I would definitely make friends with Brother Liu. That way, you'd have some support!"
…
Just as Liu Yan was about to argue with Liu Fengshan, she heard the surrounding crowd's taunts. Liu Yan's face turned green with anger, and her molars ground together, but thinking of the unaccomplished Liu Ming, she could only suppress her anger.
"Miss Liu, aren't you going to let go?" Hearing the constant praise, Liu Fengshan's expression became even more arrogant. He held Lin Qingqing's wrist and asked back with a sinister smile.
Compared to their Liu family martial arts school, the other two martial arts schools were like heaven and earth. In Liu Fengshan's view, his主动 inquiry was already a tremendous fortune for them. Only a fool would refuse!
"Enough, Mr. Liu. The purpose of everyone practicing martial arts is to eliminate evil and promote good, not to bully others with power. No matter how strong your Liu family martial arts school is, it's still just a martial arts school. Don't forget, our Liu and Lin families are influential noble families!"
Hearing this, Lin Qingqing finally reacted. She forcefully shook off Liu Fengshan, her beautiful eyes filled with rage!
She had seen many rich second-generation heirs who bullied others with their status, but she never expected it to be the same in the martial arts world!
A mere martial arts school head dared to openly threaten noble families. Was there any justice left in this world!
"Hahaha, noble families? Have you ever heard of a noble family whose net worth is less than a hundred million? Your two families are merely a little wealthy in high society, acting important with insignificant power. Do you really think you are daughters of noble families?"
Hearing this, Liu Fengshan not only wasn't scared but burst into laughter, his eyes full of contempt!
His words further incited the mockery of many martial artists. They carefully observed the two women, and their hearts began to harbor different intentions.
They didn't know the rules of the outside world, but in the martial arts world, strength was paramount!
Any one of them could easily defeat Liu Ming and Lin Chenchen, so at this moment, Liu Yan and Lin Qingqing were like fish on a cutting board, at the mercy of others!
Seeing this scene, Er Zhu's eyes turned icy. He had intended to intervene, but he suddenly saw Zhao Lin and Chen Mo approaching. He exchanged a look with them, and they instantly understood. They moved at the fastest speed towards Liu Yan and Lin Qingqing.