Chapter 38: The Martial Arts Arena
"Elder Chang is right. It would be most satisfying to have a real fight!"

As soon as Chang Yunzi made the suggestion, Qin Da was the first to respond, "We are all martial artists, so don't argue like a bunch of women. If you have the ability, come down and fight. Winning or losing depends on your ability, so that no one will be dissatisfied. Humph!"

Qin's words were rough but true, and he immediately won the approval of everyone. However, many people in the martial arts arena were still hesitant, especially the heads and elders of the six major sects. They were not afraid of fighting with others, but there was no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Since they were going to compete, there would inevitably be winners and losers. Due to their current status and position, if they fought as heads and elders, not only would they not be glorious if they won, but they might even be labeled as bullying the weak. And if they lost in front of the heroes of the world and their own disciples, losing the chance to compete for the Jingfenghuayutu would be a small matter, but losing face would be a big deal.

The leader of a sect or the elders of his disciples often bear the reputation of the entire sect. If they accidentally lose a move, they will inevitably be criticized by their fellow martial artists, making the disciples at all levels in the sect feel inferior and even ashamed when they travel around the world.

"Fame and fortune", "fame and fortune", especially in the martial arts world, if one wants to gain a foothold in orthodoxy, then "fame" must be three times more important than "profit".

Compared to the concerns of the six sect leaders and elders, the four great families and Jinjianwu were quite calm. Today, except for the Jiangnan Lu Mansion, the masters of the other families were not present, and some of them were not even the core masters of the sect. Therefore, it would not be shameful for them to lose, and winning would make them famous. They could afford to win and lose.

"A martial arts competition is a good idea." Luo Tianjin pondered for a moment and said slowly, "But since it is a competition, there should be some rules. Otherwise, what's the difference between it and a fight between random people?"

Chang Yunzi nodded and said, "Lord Luo is right. In my opinion, we should stop fighting at the right time and not hurt anyone's life, so as not to damage the harmony."

Tang Ren sneered, "What Elder Chang said is too naive. As the saying goes, fists and feet have no eyes. Since you are determined to fight for your goal, you must go all out. Why should you stop at a certain point? If you just show off a few tricks, wouldn't it be a joke?"

Lu Tingxiang thought for a while and said, "This is simple. I can place nine large tables in the middle of the field in three rows and three columns to form a "ring". The contestants will go on the stage to compete. The one who falls to the ground first will lose. What do you think?"

"This method is not bad." Luo Tianjin nodded, "But all of you martial arts masters are experts among experts. Flying flowers and plucking leaves can hurt people's lives. It is extremely dangerous once you make a move. If you are not sure, it will be a matter of life or death. I am afraid that some people will lose their lives before they even hit the ground. I am afraid..."

Luo Tianjin had long seen through the thoughts of the six major sects, and knew that it would be too much to ask these senior masters to go on stage to compete. Therefore, in order to save the face of the six major sects, Luo Tianjin had to speak up and say what they wanted to say but could not say.

Song Yu was slightly stunned when he heard this, then he thought about it for a while and figured out the key point. He smiled and said, "If you are worried about this, you don't have to go on stage. I'm afraid that Lord Luo is joking, right?"

"If you can give up the Jingfenghuayu Tu so easily, then why would you have to resort to a competition to fight for it?" Luo Tianjin's face darkened, and his eagle-like sharp eyes stared straight at Song Yu, who had a mocking look on his face. Song Yu couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart, and for a moment he was so nervous that he forgot to refute.

Teng Cang saw that the situation was not good, and hurriedly interrupted, "Lord Luo, what you said makes sense, but I wonder if you have any good ideas?"

Teng Cang did not get an answer from Luo Tianjin to this question. The martial arts field was silent. Luo Tianjin kept staring at Song Yu with a gloomy face. No one dared to speak rashly, and the atmosphere was quite awkward.

Lu Tingxiang coughed twice as if to smooth things over, but Luo Tianjin took the lead and slowly retracted his chilling gaze, and turned to Teng Cang and said indifferently: "It's simple. Today, each sect is only allowed to send young second-generation disciples to compete. First, their martial arts are not yet good enough to hurt each other's lives with one move. Second, it is also an opportunity for these younger generations to gain experience. It is a rare good thing for these young people to be able to compete with disciples from different sects. Third, the competition between the younger generations is just a small fight. No matter how much they fight, it will definitely not hurt the harmony between the sects. As for us elders, it is really inconvenient for us to take action. It doesn't matter if we are accused of bullying the weak. If we lose face in front of the heroes of the world, we will get angry and make enemies because of it, which is not worth the loss."

After saying that, Luo Tianjin casually glanced at Wuchan of the Shaolin sect opposite him. Wuchan had already mastered the Shaolin's unique martial art Yi Jin Jing at a young age, and had been personally taught by the Shaolin abbot for many years. His internal strength was probably as deep as that of the two eminent monks Yuan Ku and Yuan Kong. Obviously, it was because of Wuchan's presence that Luo Tianjin said what he just said.

Everyone knows that the Xianwang Mansion has a close relationship with the six major sects, and Luo Tianjin's words undoubtedly clearly show his position, standing on the side of the six major sects, and competing with the four major martial arts families headed by Lu Tingxiang and Jinjianwu. At this moment, it is more accurate to say that it is a competition between the northern and southern factions rather than a competition among the heroes.

"This matter..."

"It's settled." Before Teng Cang could speak, Lu Tingxiang gave the order, "Come on, set the table!"

Lu Tingxiang did not give anyone a chance to speak, as the servants of the Lu residence had already carried large tables into the martial arts arena with great fanfare.

In fact, Lu Tingxiang agreed to this matter not on impulse, but after careful consideration. Judging from the masters present today, the top masters of the four great families and Jinjianwu are definitely not as many as the six major sects. If they follow the rules, they will definitely lose. If they do not follow the rules and fight for their lives, they will easily cause a river of blood to flow in the Lu Mansion, resulting in a melee that is difficult to end.

In addition, there is another most important reason, that is, Lu Tingxiang himself is considered a junior to Luo Tianjin and others in terms of seniority in the martial arts world. If he really can't make it, he can shamelessly quibble about Luo Tianjin's words just now, and then personally participate in the competition. Lu Tingxiang is quite confident in his martial arts, and this is also his last trump card today.

Both sides had their own thoughts and reached a delicate balance. Everyone looked eagerly at the arena that had been set up in the martial arts field. The young disciples from all schools and factions showed an eagerness to fight. Some of them even couldn't help but squeeze to the front and beg their elders for a fight. You know, today's competition is not only a chance to make merit for the master, but also a great opportunity to become famous in the martial arts world.

Mo Cen took his wife and children to the side, looking at the "ring" in the middle of the martial arts field with astonishment, and said to Lu Tingxiang with a wry smile: "My dear nephew, there are hundreds of people here today. If we fight one by one, I'm afraid it will take three days and three nights to finish. Look at my retirement..." "Senior Mo, don't worry..." Lu Tingxiang first comforted him with kind words, then stepped forward and said loudly, "Everyone, if all the disciples go into battle, it will take too long, which is not a good thing for Senior Mo's family and everyone present. So I think that any sect that is interested in the Jingfenghuayutu can send at most two disciples to compete."

After all, this is the Lu Mansion. Since Lu Tingxiang has spoken, how can everyone not agree?

"I'll come first!"

Before Mo Cen finished speaking, Qin San had already risen up with a big laugh. The Fiery Sun Sabre was unsheathed in mid-air with a light "clang" sound. In an instant, a series of cold lights flashed through the air, causing everyone on the sidelines to squint their eyes. With a few nimble somersaults, Qin San had already landed steadily on the nine large tables. He raised the Fiery Sun Sabre to his shoulder, with an arrogant and playful look, looking down on everyone on the sidelines, and laughed: "Among the Hexi Qin family, I, Qin San, have the youngest generation, the least experience, and the lowest martial arts, so I will be the first to throw out some ideas. If anyone is dissatisfied, please come on stage and teach me!"

Although Qin San's words were polite, in fact everyone knew that he, Qin Da and Qin Er were triplets from the same womb, and he was the one with the best martial arts among the three heroes of the Qin family, slightly better than his two brothers.

Qin San was nearly nine feet tall, with an incredibly sturdy build, skin as black as charcoal, and countless pits on his fleshy face. His hair and beard were as black and dense as steel needles and iron wires. From a distance, he looked like a violent and ferocious black bear. His terrifying appearance alone was enough to scare many people away.

"Qin San, didn't your Hexi Qin family just give up the Jingfenghuayutu? Why are you coming up again now?" Zhongli Mu asked with a malicious smile.

"Hehe, it's not important whether my Hexi Qin Clan wants this map or not. What's important is that it's a rare opportunity to fight with the masters of the six major sects. I can't wait to do it." Qin San grinned and glanced at Zhongli Wanying who was sitting next to Zhongli Mu. He said with a sly smile, "The daughter of the Zhongli Sect leader is so pretty. Why don't you come up and have a fight with me? If you can fight well, we can regard this as a martial arts competition to win a bride, haha..."

Qin San was a rough man, and he had no sense of propriety when he spoke. Upon hearing this, Madam Zhuang's face turned cold, and she shouted angrily: "Qin San, you bastard, if you dare to speak frivolously to my daughter again, I will cut off your tongue!"

Qin San chuckled and replied nonchalantly, "I don't argue with women. If you, Kongtong Sect, want to teach me a lesson, why don't you send a decent man? Could it be that... apart from Sect Leader Zhongli, there are no other decent men? Haha... Qin is joking. I hope you don't argue with a rough man like me!"

Qin San's words immediately caused a burst of laughter from the crowd. Although he gave a few explanations at the end, it sounded extremely ironic to the ears of the Kongtong sect disciples. This kind of sarcasm in broad daylight especially made the male disciples of Kongtong sect so angry that they wished their eyes popped out.

"Dad, Mom, let me go!" Zhongli Wanying was embarrassed and annoyed, her face flushed, her pearly teeth biting her lower lip, her almond-shaped eyes glaring at Qin San angrily, and she took the initiative to challenge Zhongli Mu to a fight.

"Qin San, don't be so arrogant. Your elder brother couldn't take my blow just now. I wonder how you, as his younger brother, can handle it?" The Qingcheng Sect and the Kongtong Sect have always been close friends. Gong Qing couldn't bear to see Kongtong being humiliated again and again. He shouted and stepped forward, "I'll meet you!"

"Thank you, Gong Zuoshi, for your righteous words. However, Qin San has insulted Kongtong too much. If we, the disciples of Kongtong, cannot defend our sect, won't the world think that Kongtong is cowardly and incompetent?"

Before Gong Qing went into battle, one of the Kongtong disciples had already flown out, and with a swoop he flew into the martial arts arena. He lightly tapped the ground with his right foot, rose up again, and leaped onto the stage.

This man looked to be in his early twenties, with a rather quiet appearance and a slightly thin figure. There was still a hint of childish indignation lingering between his delicate brows.

Liu Xunyi was a cautious person and could tell at a glance that although this man had a stern expression, he was actually pretending to be calm. In fact, the few actions he had just taken on the stage had already made him look weak, which really surprised Liu Xunyi.

"Zhou Mu, you are so ridiculous, come down!" Madam Zhuang screamed subconsciously, and stood up to go on stage, but was grabbed by Zhongli Mu. Zhongli Wanying said anxiously: "Dad, Senior Brother Zhou has always been weak, how can he be a match for Qin San?"

"Once he's on stage, he can either be knocked down by his opponent or admit defeat and step down. There is absolutely no third way for him to step down." Zhong Limu changed his previous joking expression and said with a deep look in his eyes, "This is the rule."

"But Senior Brother Zhou..."

“No need to say more!” Without waiting for Zhongli Wanying to persuade him again, Zhongli Mu suddenly scolded impatiently, “It’s fine that you don’t follow the rules in Kongtong, but now that you are in Lu Mansion, do you still want to act recklessly? Although Mu’er is weak, he has a very strong temper. At this moment, all the disciples are frightened by Qin San’s momentum and dare not go on stage rashly. Mu’er’s going on stage can be regarded as saving some face for Kongtong. Alas!”

……

(End of this chapter)