Chapter 161: Conflict

Inside the inn, the Crimson Sun Monk sat with his eyes closed, meditating. One of the disciples who had followed him earlier, the young master in white whose weapon was a thin Jian, walked respectfully into the room.

The young master bowed and said, “Master.”

The Crimson Sun Monk remained with his eyes closed. After a while, he slowly spoke, “How did it go?”

“They were no match at all, just some small fries.” The young master said, “Over the past few days, we have smashed the signs of seven martial arts schools. I think some people are getting restless.”

The Crimson Sun Monk said calmly, “It’s fine. As long as we avoid shedding too much blood, the Shadow Corps will have no choice but to endure.”

“Master is right.” The young master’s eyes shifted slyly, and he added, “But Master, though those martial arts schools lost their signs and their people were crippled, forcing them to shut down—Rakshasa died so tragically. Are we just going to let them off?”

“Let them off?” The Crimson Sun Monk opened his eyes. A flash of blood-red light passed through them, as if thick blood had covered his pupils. “After we kill Ghost Fist, they will all pay with their lives.”

The young master laughed. He understood the Crimson Sun Monk’s meaning—the other party simply did not want to confront the Shadow Corps directly from the start, so they chose to act openly while preparing a hidden move.

At that moment, noisy sounds came from the direction of the inn’s main entrance.

The young master in white smiled, a cruel expression appearing on his face. “Master, it seems those worthless martial arts schools have joined forces.”

“Hmm.” After saying this, the Crimson Sun Monk closed his eyes again and entered a deep meditative state, as if completely unconcerned about what was about to happen. In fact, over the past few days, it had been his five disciples taking turns going around challenging schools and tearing down signs. He himself would never personally involve in such trivial matters.

…

Elsewhere, a middle-aged man in his thirties, surrounded by over a hundred martial arts instructors and students, walked toward the inn.

He was the master of the Xinlu branch of Zizai Hall, He Minghai.

At that moment, with a hint of unique pride on his face, he stood in front of the inn’s entrance and asked the people around him, “Instructor Lin, are those troublemaking outsiders staying here?”

“Yes.” A martial artist with one broken arm, wrapped in bandages, said bitterly, “I saw them enter here with my own eyes. Those beasts not only fought unfairly but also viciously crippled people’s limbs at the slightest provocation. Instructor He, you must uphold justice for us!”

Since arriving in Xinlu, He Minghai had always focused on winning people’s hearts, hoping to unite the entire martial arts community in Xinlu to achieve some results in his father’s eyes. Having outsiders causing trouble in Xinlu was practically perfect for him.

However, after passionately condemning the situation, he turned to A Fei beside him and asked, “A Fei, is Instructor Zuo still unable to come?”

A Fei replied awkwardly, “Brother just happened to go on a long trip these past few days and can’t return for now.”

“Oh, I see.”

But the people around them clearly did not believe this. Why leave at such a critical time?

Someone whispered, “Hmph, and he calls himself the association president? I bet he’s not traveling—he’s hiding out of fear.”

Someone who had witnessed the fights sighed, “Can’t blame him. I saw those outsiders fight—they’re unfathomably strong, far more skilled than Zuo Zhicheng. They’re probably not ordinary people.”

Someone speculated, “Not ordinary? Could they be disciples of some martial arts sect?”

“Probably. Otherwise, why do you think all those experienced fighters are hiding? Now we can only rely on Instructor He. After all, he has the backing of Zizai Hall, so he should be able to make the other side back down.”

“Of course. Instructor He has inherited the true teachings of Zizai Hall,” said one of Zizai Hall’s students. “Even in Haijing, Instructor He’s martial arts rank within the top 15.”

Haijing was the capital of the Southern Bay region and also where Zizai Hall’s main headquarters was located.

A Fei naturally heard these whispers. Watching He Minghai’s forced smile, he could only suppress his anger and silently curse them as bastards.

Just then, a slightly effeminate-looking young man wearing a thin Jian at his waist walked out from the inn’s entrance.

As soon as he appeared, a wave of anger surged through the crowd of martial artists and students.

Someone pointed at him and shouted, “It’s him! He’s the one who injured Instructor Hou! He cut off Instructor Hou’s thumb!”

“Beat him to death!”

“Show him we’re not to be messed with!”

The young man smirked coldly and said lightly, “Trash will always be trash. Do you only know how to gang up?”

“What did you say!”

“Say that again!”

Seeing the people around poised to attack, a faint trace of killing intent appeared in the young man’s eyes.

At that moment, He Minghai stepped forward. “Brother, aren’t you being too aggressive? As martial artists, we cultivate virtue before strength. Your group has not only torn down others’ signs but also crippled their martial arts. Your actions are far too ruthless.”

“He Minghai?” The young man smiled faintly. “Good speech. I just wonder how much of your father’s skills you’ve actually learned. Enough talk. If you want to fight, then bring it on. I don’t plan to waste time on trash like you.”

He Minghai frowned. If there weren’t so many people around, he would have already cursed aloud. But for now, he only stepped forward slowly. “Since you refuse to see reason, we’ll have to settle this with our skills.”

“Draw your sword.”

“Draw my sword?” The young master in white froze briefly, then burst out laughing. “Do you think you’re worthy of me drawing my sword? To deal with a spoiled young master like you, one hand is enough.”

He Minghai hated nothing more than being accused of relying on his family background. Hearing this, his face turned pale with rage. “Fine, fine. Just don’t regret it later.”

On the rooftop of the inn, three men and one woman looked down at the fight at the entrance with boredom.

White Wraith’s face was as cold as a Jiangshi. A Hai rested his chin on his hand, his face full of disdain. The other two men looked somewhat similar. One carried a large blade on his back, while the other had several firearms strapped to his waist and back. Both watched the entrance with amused expressions.

The one with guns at his waist laughed playfully. “Brother, how long do you think it will take the senior brother to deal with them?”

“Who knows? It depends on his mood,” the one with the large blade on his back chuckled. “We can’t kill them, so probably ten breaths.

But these losers really aren’t worth watching. I just wonder how strong that Ghost Fist is.”

The younger brother with guns said, “He ripped off Sister Wraith’s hand. He must be at least as strong as us.”

White Wraith’s face turned cold. She said sharply, “Yuwen… are you looking for death?”

“Hehehe, just joking,” the brother called Yuwen said. “That Ghost Fist must be quite strong. What do you think, Second Brother?”

A Hai snorted coldly. “I’ll take care of Ghost Fist. After I kill him, I’ll challenge Styx.”

“Ooh!” the Yuwen brothers exclaimed excitedly. “A battle of the century?”

Meanwhile, the fight in the street was nearly over. It didn’t even take ten breaths before He Minghai was on one knee.