A resounding shout made everyone turn their heads abruptly.
They found that the newcomer was Song Qiao, accompanied by an enraged Jiang Rou.
Tao Jie felt a wave of relief wash over him, muttering under his breath, "Finally, I'm saved."
Chunshan Long, however, wore the opposite expression.
Seeing Song Qiao once again causing trouble at a critical moment, his face contorted worse than if he had eaten excrement.
He stomped forward, furiously scolding Song Qiao. "It's you again! It's you! Why is it always you?"
In his fury, Chunshan Long uttered "It's you" three times. This matched Song Qiao's previous three appearances to disrupt their plans.
The first time, as the Tao family was helpless and at his mercy, Song Qiao suddenly appeared. Not only that, but he also cured his master's Yin Gu poison and nearly killed him. If Chunshan Long hadn't fled quickly, he would have perished long ago.
The second time, at Du Qin's place, negotiations for cooperation were going very smoothly. But this brat was stubbornly ruining everything! It ultimately led to an unpleasant parting.
And this third time, Song Qiao appeared again. Chunshan Long refused to believe he was merely passing by!
Song Qiao grinned and replied to Chunshan Long, "Of course, it's me again." "I didn't expect you guys would actually dare to challenge us!"
Just as Chunshan Long was about to unleash a torrent of curses, he saw his master, who had been silent all along, step forward.
Guan Shanming stood before Song Qiao and said with a smile, "After returning, both my disciple and I felt your words held great wisdom." "Since our Yansui school wishes to establish a foothold in Modu, we cannot rely on the help and support of others." "Therefore, following your suggestion, we have decided to challenge each school individually." "Our sole aim is to gain recognition for our Yansui school." "Surely, this is still not to your satisfaction?"
"No, no, no," Song Qiao shook his head and replied, "Challenging is my suggestion, and I would never undermine myself by negating it." "It's just that I also have a share in the Tao family's martial arts school!"
Guan Shanming raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "Are you implying that you also wish to fight on behalf of the Tao family?"
Song Qiao lightly wagged a finger, correcting him, "Not on behalf of, but it's only right!"
Hearing Song Qiao's words, Tao Jie beside him was overcome with emotion. Looking at Song Qiao's figure, he felt as if he were seeing his deceased father standing before him again. She had always wanted to ask Song Qiao to be her master, but he never accepted. Therefore, he dared not perform elaborate courtesies now, merely bowing deeply to Song Qiao with immense gratitude.
Li Chong also struggled to express his thanks to Song Qiao, but the latter waved him away. "Rest if your leg is broken. Leave this to me. They're just a bunch of Japanese devils; I don't believe they can turn the world upside down!"
Guan Shanming raised an eyebrow at this and turned to look at Yuan Wubin beside him. Yuan Wubin glanced at Song Qiao and asked with disdain, "You want to fight me?" "I advise you to think it through!"
Song Qiao didn't even look at him, shaking his head in denial. "Of course not."
Chunshan Long, seeing Song Qiao back down, almost burst into laughter. Then, he witnessed a scene he would never forget.
Song Qiao raised his hand and pointed directly at his master! "You come! If I deal with you, your two dog disciples can finally shut up!"
"How dare you!" Chunshan Long stepped forward, yelling angrily, and then reintroduced Yuan Wubin's identity to Song Qiao. "This is my Uncle-Master! It's already being generous for him to face you!"
"Uncle-Master?" Song Qiao looked back at Yuan Wubin, then at Guan Shanming again. He found the old man to be quite cunning! In this day and age, what was with this master-apprentice succession thing? Song Qiao shrugged and said, "If that's the case, it's not impossible."
"It is impossible, Grand Chieftain!" Tao Jie hurried forward, trying to persuade him. "You are our Grand Chieftain, your status is far more noble than Guan Shanming's. Although Yuan Wubin is his junior brother, he was personally trained by him. According to the rules, you cannot fight him; this would be lowering your status and would be a laughingstock!" Yuan Wubin held a higher seniority, but Song Qiao's status was even more extraordinary! With his background as the Grand Chieftain of Tongmen, even Guan Shanming could only look up to him. If it were a casual spar, it would be fine. But challenging a martial arts school was a formal and solemn occasion; it could not be a mess!
Song Qiao nodded after listening, finding some logic in it. "Then how about this, let my disciple come and spar with him!" As soon as he finished speaking, regardless of the reactions of the others, Song Qiao directly took out his phone and called Gao Meng. "Feeling restless after a morning of training? Want to find a target for some real combat practice?" "Yes! Master, I want to!" On the other end, Gao Meng's fists were already clenched, and she sounded exceptionally excited. Before the call even ended, the sounds of a door closing and a car starting could be heard.
Song Qiao smiled and hung up. He then noticed Yuan Wubin staring at him furiously. Song Qiao quickly waved his hand, saying, "Don't be so angry; this is for your own good." "I'm afraid if I make a move, you won't last two rounds, and that would be embarrassing." "You!" Yuan Wubin was about to step forward to teach Song Qiao a lesson. But he was quickly stopped by Guan Shanming. While he believed in Yuan Wubin's strength, fighting a disciple was less taxing than fighting a master. Guan Shanming wanted to see what Song Qiao would say after his disciple lost!
Yuan Wubin glanced at Song Qiao with disdain but still nodded in agreement.
Approximately five minutes later, Gao Meng excitedly ran up to Song Qiao. The first question she asked made everyone's jaw drop. "Master! Who am I fighting?" Song Qiao raised his finger and pointed mockingly at Yuan Wubin opposite them. "Leave it to me!" Gao Meng clenched her small fists, assumed a stance, and was eager to begin.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Song Qiao's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He never expected that this usually honest and cute girl would be so excited after learning a set of boxing techniques. He knew Yuan Wubin was stronger than Gao Meng, so before the fight began, he couldn't help but remind her, "Be careful."
Gao Meng nodded heavily and gestured for Yuan Wubin to begin. But Yuan Wubin glanced at Gao Meng and then burst into laughter. He pointed at Song Qiao and sneered, "It seems you are truly out of capable fighters." "You actually sent a little girl to make a fool of herself." "Hmph! You are insulting me; I never hit women. Get lost!"
Gao Meng had initially thought of this as a practice session, even feeling a bit grateful. But now she was furious! She glared at Yuan Wubin, her voice laced with anger, "Who are you calling a little girl?" "If you don't get past me today, none of you Japanese devils will be leaving this door!"
Good heavens, what an aura! Even Song Qiao couldn't help but want to give a thumbs-up and praise her fierceness. "Then you go and fight him. I'm here, so it's fine." Song Qiao frowned. He didn't care about rules. Having Gao Meng fight Yuan Wubin was mainly to give her more practical combat experience. During missions, he feared taking her along due to the danger. Therefore, Yuan Wubin presenting himself was a rare opportunity. This man's skill was indeed considerable, and he himself was present. He could ensure Gao Meng wouldn't get hurt. When he called her, Song Qiao had already made up his mind. At worst, he would intervene; what kind of blasted rules mattered compared to his disciple's safety?
Seeing Gao Meng's demeanor, Tao Jie suddenly felt worried. He was about to try and persuade her again when he saw Song Qiao nod in agreement, "We have to win back this honor!"