Chapter 25: The Qimen of the Martial Marquis
Page 1/3
The dawn was just breaking, with the sun rising in the east.
Major media outlets vied to report on yesterday’s battle at Jingjing Airport in the capital.
“What? A sixth-tier demon beast? Slain by a young boy?”
“That’s just speculation. There’s also Shen He Kui—maybe she was the one who struck it down.”
“No way! Didn’t you see the later reports? Li Tiangang showed up too!”
“Yeah, Li Tiangang fought that boy!”
“It ended in a draw!”
“What? A draw? Could it be Ling Yun, the Holy Son of Nanshan?”
“No, Ling Yun now only preaches Buddha’s teachings, doesn’t intervene physically.”
“A media insider uncovered that it looked a lot like the Peach Blossom War God from Donghai three years ago!”
“The Peach Blossom War God? He’s not dead?”
“Who said he was dead? No news for three years, probably just closed-door cultivation.”
“Could be! Otherwise, how could he have fought Li Chenqian to a standstill?”
“Incredible! Li Chenqian is at the Great Vajra Realm!”
“Wait, what’s the Peach Blossom War God’s real name again?”
“Chu Linfeng. Isn’t it written here? What… wow!”
“Chu Linfeng!!!” Everyone exclaimed simultaneously.
“What’s all the noise this early? Weren’t you sent to find someone? Why haven’t you left yet?”
Li Xiaoxue, still drowsy, was awakened by the commotion outside her door. Hugging her husky, she pushed the door open to check what was happening.
“Sect Leader! The person... the person seems to have been found!” The group, upon seeing Li Xiaoxue, immediately knelt and reported.
“Found?!” Li Xiaoxue was so excited she tossed her husky aside.
Used her hand to warm it, discarded it like a dog.
“Where? Where is he? Did you bring him?”
She grabbed the disciple’s collar in excitement.
“Sect Leader, look at this!” The man handed over a communication device.
Li Xiaoxue snatched it and looked at the news, bypassing the text to zoom in on the picture.
“It’s him, it’s him!” Then she saw her father’s photo and quickly dialed Li Chenqian’s number.
“Xiaoxue? Where have you been these past few days? I’ve been calling you without a reply!”
“Father, don’t ask about that now. Where is Chu Linfeng? Did you bring him back to the academy?” Li Xiaoxue asked anxiously.
“No. You come back first. Chu Linfeng is safe outside. Oh! Luo Xi went with him too!”
Li Xiaoxue was baffled; hadn’t Sister Shen been avoiding him all along? How come she’s now traveling with him?
“Father, do you know where he went? I have to find him. I need to explain face to face to clear my heart!”
“No nonsense. Hurry back! I have an important meeting now. Will contact you later.”
Li Chenqian hastily ended the call; it was indeed a crucial meeting chaired personally by Wu Zisheng of the Kunlun Divine Sect.
After the call, Li Xiaoxue tried contacting Shen Luoxi but failed repeatedly.
“Sect Leader, where are you going?”
To the airport. Li Xiaoxue wanted to check the flight information herself to see where Chu Linfeng was headed.
“Sect Leader, if you leave, what about the Xuanming Sect?”
“All sect affairs will be managed temporarily by Lu Chengzong. I’m taking this communication device; contact me if needed!”
Saying that, Li Xiaoxue marched out of the sect, followed by the short-legged husky panting wildly.
---
High-level Meeting Hall, Jingjing Kunlun Academy.
“Dean, sorry for the delay. I just received a communication. Sorry to keep you all waiting.”
“Please sit. Now that everyone is here, let’s begin.”
Seeing Wu Zisheng take his seat, the academy’s senior officials dared to bow and sit.
Although Wu Zisheng was dean, he rarely involved himself in academic affairs, holding fewer than two meetings a year. This sudden summons must mean something serious.
“This meeting is called for one matter only!”
Everyone straightened up, opening their communication devices and listening carefully, ready to take notes.
“It concerns next year’s autumn triennial Sect Competition!”
“Sect Competition? Competition?” Everyone was surprised.
This was a big deal for the various schools of thought but, for the Northern Academy of the Huangpu Military Academy of Huaxia, it was just some low-level sects fighting over scholarships.
“Dean, in past years, these minor sect battles were just symbolic. Our academy usually sent a Vajra Realm teacher to give a formal speech and that was it. Which teacher went depended on who was free at the time.”
Except for Zhang Zhengdao, who seemed untrained, most teachers at Jingjing Academy were Vajra Realm cultivators. Two vice deans were Lingxu Realm, and a few Lingkong Realm teachers like Shen Luoxi were prodigies destined to become Vajra Realm.
To them, only the military-backed Tianji Peak, home to the famed pill master Zhuge Danqing, was worthy of respect. The others, holding one or two Vajra Realm cultivators, were barely worth notice.
Hence, the five scholarship slots were practically predetermined—four already set.
The remaining eight sects barely had cultivators beyond Lingkong Realm, some even only at the Mountain-Shaking Realm. Their fights were less entertaining than high-level academy students sparring, so there was little expectation.
Unknown to them, Wu Zisheng was consumed by this issue. Even if the academy was in turmoil, he would focus solely on this matter.
“Hmph! Vice Dean Huang, are you implying I’m overreacting?”
Wu Zisheng coldly glared at Vice Dean Huang Dingkun, a Lingxu Realm expert ranked tenth on Huaxia’s Wuxian Zhenwu List.
Huang Dingkun, sweating and nervous, quickly corrected himself.
“Ah, Dean, I was only confused. With the recent surge in spiritual energy, talents have indeed emerged. This Sect Competition is important!”
“Good. Then Huang, you’ll coordinate with the military to move the event from autumn to spring—this winter is also acceptable.”
“Ah?” Everyone was stunned. The Sect Competition was like the Autumn Games, always held at a fixed time. After each match, the military reviewed results, publicized them, and submitted them to the Finance Ministry—a process taking about three months before the next year’s funding.
“Dean, this may be rushed. The sects aren’t prepared!”
“Then issue the military notice tomorrow on the official website—advance it to early next spring!”
Before they could recover, Wu Zisheng added,
“Also, change the venue to Deep City next year!”
???
Everyone’s scalps tingled. Event locations were announced only after the previous one ended, like the Olympics.
Next year’s event was slated for Tianfu City, where the Martial Arts Plaza was probably already topped out.
As for Deep City, they had no preparations. Was the stadium ready? This was absurd!
“Use the stadium. The time issue is manageable. Tell Deep City government no need to build barriers, protective walls, or buffer zones!”
???
Pure fantasy! Wu Dean was daydreaming! Without those protections, the audience would surely perish! This was nonsense!
They all silently seethed but dared not speak.
Finally, Huang Dingkun couldn’t hold back.
“This is madness! Without protection, it’s a human tragedy waiting to happen!”
“Why not? Do you think Zhuge Danqing will compete?”
“Ah? Dean, Zhuge Peak Master is your peer and senior. He won’t compete; the deputy peak master leads the team.”
“Then what’s to fear?”
Everyone was more confused. Was the dean feigning ignorance?
“Dean, even ignoring the four peaks, the eight sect valleys will surely send Lingkong Realm participants. A full-strength strike could destroy the stadium instantly. Every year, over 100,000 spectators attend live!”
“With me here, what’s there to fear? Do you think I can’t protect a mere 100,000-seat stadium?”
???
What does that mean? Is Wu Zisheng going himself? This was not a novice’s first time!
“Dean, what do you mean? Are you attending?”
“Not attending. I will personally preside over this year’s Sect Competition!”
Those words caused six of the dozen senior officials to scramble under the table!
“What do you mean by that?”
Huang Dingkun, seeing them crawl out, inwardly cursed. What could it mean? It means you scared us!
A Huaxia military deputy chief of staff! He was only seconded. If full-time, he could command the entire army. Five-star General MacArthur would say, “Yes, you’re my equal!” Chairman Jiang would say, “Yes, you’re just like me!”
You say you’re hosting a military training review for eight vocational schools?
“Dean, this level of competition only needs Zhang Zhengdao to show our academy’s respect!”
“Bang!!!”
Before anyone reacted, Huang Dingkun vanished, leaving a human-shaped hole in the wall!
Li Chenqian’s eye twitch involuntarily—last time he mentioned Zhang Zhengdao before Wu Dean was just then.
“Any objections? If not, notify Huang Dingkun to proceed.”
“Yes, Dean!”
“Oh, and add a note in the military notification: All Huaxia-certified sects must participate, or their sect registration will be revoked.”
Page 2/3
Wu Zisheng finished and glanced at Li Chenqian.
“Teacher Li, accompany me to Deep City. After all, your precious daughter will compete.”
Li Chenqian was stunned. What? Li Xiaoxue competing? Jingjing Academy sending a representative?
…
At the academy gate, Zhang Zhengdao bent over, holding a dog bowl, inspecting someone who had fallen at the guard post.
“Isn’t that... Vice Dean Huang? Hey, get up quickly!”
“Yes, the Vice Dean!”
Huang Dingkun emphasized as he rose—if he couldn’t tell the difference between the academy’s big shots, he didn’t know how he’d die.
“Yes, yes, Vice Dean, what happened?”
“Nothing, nothing. I misstepped while flying and fell. Ouch… my kneecap… It’s fine, Old Zhang. You go about your business.”
“Alright, Vice Dean!”
“Vice, vice! Old Zhang, I want to ask something. If it’s inconvenient, forget it.”
“Oh, no inconvenience. Wu Dean and I are master and disciple.”
Huang Dingkun shook his head as he walked away.
“Master and disciple? Wu Dean took such an old, useless disciple? Might as well have taken me!”
Zhang Zhengdao smiled and left the gate.
“Meow, meow, Ah Xiang, it’s time to eat. Where’s Ah Qiang? Ah Qiang, come here…”
“Hey! Isn’t that Teacher Zhang?”
Zhang Zhengdao looked toward the voice. Several first-year Class Three students stood there, led by Chen Meng and Wu Siwei.
“You boys, why are you wandering outside class? The academy prohibits unauthorized outings. Go back immediately!”
“Yes, the academy has rules, but we have Teacher Zhang guarding the gate. Dogs, Teacher Zhang’s dog is so cute, hahaha.”
“You’re twisting words to insult an old man!”
“Oh no! Teacher Zhang is Teacher Zhang, dog is dog. You’re feeding it now, so we just talked about it, right Wu Siwei?”
“Right, Meng Ge. I’m a bit frustrated. Our former teacher is now a dog feeder. No wonder the knowledge he taught was hard to swallow!”
Zhang Zhengdao smiled faintly.
“You little rascals, you can eat anything, but don’t talk nonsense! What I taught you is very practical!”
“Practical? Old man, don’t joke. I endured it before because of the dean’s face! Now that you’re out of favor, still pretending? Let me show you the power of the Zhou Tian Realm. Brothers, attack him!”
Chen Meng spoke, and Wu Siwei, with heavy steps, rolled up his sleeves and charged.
Just as the first punch was about to land, the scene went black.
They all fell into a dark space. Beneath their feet appeared a nine-grid pattern. They stood in the center grid, surrounded by eight others inscribed with [Rest, Life, Injury, Block, View, Death, Fright, Open], corresponding to [☵, ☶, ☳, ☴, ☲, ☷, ☱, ☰], constantly shifting and rotating.
Confused, they heard a voice:
“This formation is the Wuhou’s Strange Gate Eight Diagrams, once trapping Lu Boyan in the Fish Belly Bay. The eight gates correspond to eight palaces, with sixty-four variations. Every misstep resets the formation. Since you think my teachings useless, try to break through. If you cannot, you shall be trapped forever.”
They panicked and begged on their knees, but only cat and dog sounds replied—no other voice.
…
When Li Xiaoxue was rushing down the mountain towards Jingjing at a three-way fork, she encountered a group burdened with large packages, hurrying anxiously. They seemed to be coming from the east, Baihua Valley.
At first, she paid no mind, but the more she looked, the more familiar their attire seemed.
Recalling the morning news images, the two women beside Chu Linfeng seemed to be dressed like this.
“Sir, wait!”
Li Xiaoxue called out to the leader, none other than Mo Youqian.
“Miss, my family is in a hurry, no time to chat. Sorry!” The steward made a brief salute and didn’t stop.
“Do you know Chu Linfeng?”
“Ah, Valley…” Tang Ying tried to speak but was silenced by Mo Youqian.
Li Xiaoxue saw this clearly.
“Xiao Tang, no need to bring the drum. When we reach the market, father will buy one for you.”
“Sir, I mean no harm. Chu Linfeng is my friend. I’ve been searching for him. If you know, please tell me.”
“Stop! Where do you think you’re running?”
They looked up to see over a dozen people rushing from the north at the fork. They wore pale green robes, white silk belts, and badges at their waists.
“Miaomiao Peak!!!”