90: Chapter 90: Clash of the Three Martial Arts Schools

The sudden and aggressive expansion of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, along with the appearance of nearly ten Second Grade Martial Artists out of thin air, was like dropping a boulder into the calm martial arts world of Heishan City, stirring up a thousand waves.

On every street corner, in tea houses and taverns, everyone was talking about it.

"Good heavens, Liehuo Martial Arts Hall is trying to turn the world upside down! How did they suddenly produce so many Second Grade experts?"

"I heard they formed something called the 'Little Martial Alliance,' demanding that every Family hand over their industries and guards. The Liu Family and Zhao Family resisted, but they ended up beaten black and blue, and half their businesses have gone under!"

"This is clearly an attempt to unify the Heishan City martial arts world and dominate it alone! The balance between the three major martial arts halls has been maintained for so many years; is it finally going to be broken?"

"Where did Hall Master Lie Fentian get such confidence? Master Bai Song and Hall Master Chen Qingfeng are both Third Grade experts; can they just sit by and watch him grow so powerful?"

"Heh, haven't you heard? The Baiyun Martial Arts Hall and Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall have already clashed with people from Liehuo a few times, and they didn't gain any advantage; instead, they suffered losses! Those newly promoted Second Grade experts from Liehuo might feel a bit... unstable in their Foundations, but there are so many of them!"

Awe, skepticism, fear, excitement... various emotions spread throughout the city. Everyone realized that the sky over Heishan City was truly about to change.

Naturally, Baiyun Martial Arts Hall and Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall could not sit idly by while Liehuo Martial Arts Hall devoured them.

At first, they tried to fight back by suppressing the other side's business, competing for resources, and protecting affiliated families.

However, after several small-scale conflicts and secret struggles, the two halls were shocked to find that they were constrained everywhere and frequently suffered losses.

Those newly promoted Second Grade Martial Artists from Liehuo Martial Arts Hall were like desperate, mad dogs. Relying on their numbers, they fought fiercely. Although their individual strength might not have been as solid as the elite Disciples of the two halls, their numerical advantage and their ruthless, no-cost approach were enough to bridge the gap.

What made the two halls even more alarmed was that Hall Master Lie Fentian seemed completely indifferent to the injuries of his Disciples, even intentionally letting them "hone" themselves in conflicts. His coldness and decisiveness were chilling.

"Damn it! Where did Liehuo Martial Arts Hall get so many Second Grade Martial Artists? Even with secret methods to accelerate their growth, this is too fast!"

Master Bai Song of Baiyun Martial Arts Hall, a thin, middle-aged scholar with eyes like lightning, looked at the damage report in his hand, his face pale.

His Baiyun Martial Arts Hall was famous for its agile palm and sword techniques. His Disciples were mostly quick and clever fighters. Facing the overwhelming, brutal tactics of the numerous Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, they found it quite difficult to unleash their skills.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall also had a solemn expression. He had personally tested a newly promoted Second Grade Martial Artist from Liehuo Martial Arts Hall in secret.

He discovered that although the opponent's Qi and blood were vigorous, their Foundation was unstable, and there was a sense of stagnation in the operation of their power. It was clearly the result of some method of pulling up seedlings to help them grow.

But even so, ten such Second Grade Martial Artists banding together, combined with the original strength of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, was enough to form an overwhelming advantage against any single martial arts hall.

Liehuo Martial Arts Hall took advantage of the situation to expand. Many small and medium-sized families and Loose Cultivators saw which way the wind was blowing, either actively defecting or being forced to join the "Little Martial Alliance."

The momentum of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall was unparalleled for a time. Hall Master Lie Fentian was smug, and his pace of expansion accelerated.

Baiyun Martial Arts Hall was the first to fail to hold on. Master Bai Song went to the county government personally to see Magistrate Zhou Wenhai. He explained the pros and cons, hoping that the government could intervene to limit the expansion of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall on the grounds of "maintaining order and preventing large-scale armed fighting."

Magistrate Zhou Wenhai sat in the hall, twirling his beard, thoughts racing in his mind.

He naturally did not want to see Liehuo Martial Arts Hall become the sole power, forming an unmanageable force that threatened the authority of the government.

But Hall Master Lie Fentian was now powerful and acted ruthlessly. If he didn't have absolute certainty, he didn't want to offend him easily.

More importantly, after the battle at Tingtao Villa, the ferocity of the demonic cult was still fresh in his mind. The Imperial Guard was overwhelmed, and the forces available to him as a magistrate were really limited.

"What Revered Master Bai said, this official also deeply agrees with. Private fights between Martial Artists, disturbing the livelihood of the people, are indeed not what the imperial court wants. This official will find an opportunity to speak with Hall Revered Master Lie and persuade him to value harmony..." Magistrate Zhou Wenhai spoke in official jargon, trying to smooth things over.

However, the next day, Hall Master Lie Fentian visited him personally. Without any extra pleasantries, he handed over a gift list directly. It listed one-tenth of the expected annual revenue of the "Little Martial Alliance" in the future.

And he promised that as long as the county government did not interfere with the "normal competition" between the martial arts halls, this "token of appreciation" would be delivered on time, and it would only be more, not less.

Magistrate Zhou Wenhai looked at the heart-racing numbers on the gift list, and then looked at Hall Master Lie Fentian's smiling yet threatening eyes. The balance in his heart tilted instantly.

One-tenth of the revenue was enough to make him, his secretary, and even the entire county government office fat and oily!

As for the martial arts halls fighting to the death?

As long as they didn't openly rebel, didn't affect civilians, and didn't affect his political achievements and tax revenue, what did it have to do with him?

Perhaps, if Liehuo Martial Arts Hall unified the martial arts world of Heishan City, it might even be easier to manage...

"Hall Revered Master Lie is far-sighted and considers the overall situation. You are truly a model for the martial arts world of our Heishan City.

It is common for Martial Artists to spar and stop at the limit. As long as you don't cross the line, this official is naturally happy to see it happen." Magistrate Zhou Wenhai accepted the gift list with a beaming smile, his attitude doing a 180-degree turn.

With the tacit approval and even secret support of the county government, Liehuo Martial Arts Hall became even more unscrupulous. The pressure on Baiyun and Qingfeng halls increased sharply.

Helpless, Master Bai Song of Baiyun Martial Arts Hall had to go to Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall in secret to meet with Hall Master Chen Qingfeng.

"Brother Chen, Hall Master Lie Fentian's wolfish ambition is already obvious. The county government has accepted dirty money and is sitting on the sidelines.

Relying on either of our families alone is no longer enough to compete. Only by joining forces can we have a glimmer of survival!" Master Bai Song went straight to the point, his tone heavy.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng sighed: "Brother Bai is absolutely right. The rapid growth of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall is definitely not the Righteous Path.

The methods they use are likely related to the demonic cult.

It's just that even if we join forces, what are the odds of winning in a head-on fight? Hall Master Lie Fentian's Aura is currently at its Peak. The Disciples under him who have taken the fierce drugs fight like madmen, regardless of casualties.

If this attrition continues, the Foundation our two halls have built over decades will likely be destroyed in one fell swoop."

"Then what does Brother Chen think we should do?" Master Bai Song frowned tightly.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng pondered for a long time and slowly said: "Jianghu matters should be settled by Jianghu rules. Since private fighting is hard to resolve and causes heavy casualties, why not... follow the rules left by our ancestors."

"Fist fighting?" Master Bai Song's eyes narrowed.

"Exactly." Hall Master Chen Qingfeng nodded. "The three major martial arts halls will each send three people to decide the winner on the ring.

Best of three rounds, the loser withdraws from the competition or meets the reasonable conditions proposed by the winner.

This is the proper way to resolve disputes between Sects and Families. It is open and aboveboard, and one must accept the bet if they lose. Even the county government will have nothing to say.

Moreover, ring competition focuses on individual strength and on-the-spot performance. Those Second Grade experts under Hall Master Lie Fentian who rely on Medicinal Pills have unstable Foundations and may not necessarily have much of an advantage in actual combat.

More importantly, it can avoid large-scale melee and preserve the vitality of our two halls."

Master Bai Song thought for a moment and nodded slowly: "It seems this is the only feasible way for now. But will Hall Master Lie Fentian agree? He is powerful now and may not be willing to accept this constraint."

"He will." A sharp glint flashed in Hall Master Chen Qingfeng's eyes. "If he wins the fist fight, he can justify suppressing us and completely establish his position as the leader of the Heishan City martial arts world, saving countless troubles.

If he refuses to fight, it will make him look guilty and afraid of the real skills on the ring. With Hall Master Lie Fentian's arrogant heart, he will definitely not refuse."

"Good! Then let's issue a joint invitation to his Liehuo Martial Arts Hall for an open 'fist fight'!"

The joint "fist fight" challenge letter from the two major martial arts halls was quickly delivered to Liehuo Martial Arts Hall.

Hall Master Lie Fentian held the gold-stamped letter, looking at the words "meet friends through martial arts, decide the winner on the ring, resolve grudges" on it.

A flash of surprise first crossed his red face, which then turned into a thick disdain and a cold sneer.

"Fist fighting? Hmph, Hall Master Chen Qingfeng, Master Bai Song, it seems you are at your wit's end and want to use this archaic method to turn the tables?"

He sneered, threw the letter on the desk, "Fine! Just what I wanted! The small fights in private are troublesome after all.

Let's do it on the ring, in front of the whole city, and crush you squarely! Let everyone see clearly who the true martial arts hegemon of Heishan City is!"

He waved his hand without any hesitation: "Reply! Say that my Liehuo Martial Arts Hall accepts! Let them set the time, place, and rules! My Liehuo Martial Arts Hall will accompany them to the end!"

The news spread like wildfire to every corner of Heishan City.

"Fist fighting! The three major martial arts halls are going to have an open fist fight!"

"My god! How many years has it been since such a grand event occurred!"

"This will be fun to watch! Best of three rounds to decide the pattern of the Heishan City martial arts world!"

"I heard it's on the first of next month, at the big drill ground in the west of the city, an open ring! Must go and grab a good spot then!"

"Who do you think will win?"

"Hard to say, Liehuo Martial Arts Hall is powerful now, but Baiyun and Qingfeng halls have deep Foundations, and the hall Revered Masters are both veteran Third Grade experts...

And the ring competition tests individual strength, those from Liehuo who were boosted by drugs may not be useful..."

The whole city was boiling!

Whether they were Martial Artists or civilians, everyone had their full attention drawn to this upcoming, Peak duel that would determine the fate of Heishan City's martial arts world.

Restaurants and tea houses were full, and gambling houses even opened betting odds. For a time, everyone's topic revolved around "fist fighting," guessing who each side would send and what the outcome would be.

Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, inner hall.

Constable Lie Ming walked in quickly, his face full of uncontrollable excitement and killing intent. "Revered Master! The fist fight is decided. To be safe, the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall is highly likely to send that brat Lin Tian!

Disciple requests Revered Master to bestow the 'crimson flame demon pill' to help this Disciple break through to the Late Stage of the Second Grade!

Disciple wants to personally twist off Lin Tian's dog head on the ring to avenge Junior Brother Yun! And also to secure a crucial victory for the martial arts hall!"