CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 145: DETERMINING THE SUPERIOR (3000 WORDS)

This made him, who had been in a state of rigorous cultivation, step out to see how he stood against this emerging young master from the southwest region.

More and more people gathered in the spacious memorial hall; besides the many martial arts schools, there were also people from the official Security Bureau.

After all, the challenge was issued to someone from the Security Department, so both reason and duty required the presence of the Security Department, leading them to send Lei Li, a Great Perfectionist of Fist Technique now stationed at the Shu Capital Security Department.

Lei Li, appearing to have just completed a mission, exuded an uncontrollable evil qi, his face bearing an expression warning strangers to keep away.

Zhang Li, standing beside Lei Li with arms crossed, remarked with emotion, "I didn’t expect this kid to draw all the martial arts schools of the southwest, big and small, without a single absence."

Lei Li squinted, nodding, "It’s quite a rare spectacle, but after this matter is settled..."

Lei Li didn’t finish his sentence. Although the Assassination Swordsmanship School righteously issued the challenge, the person is still from the Security Bureau, and even with Lu Ren’s decision, the Security Department has to adhere to the unspoken rules. However, if there’s no retaliation afterward, it might appear too weak.

Moreover, the economic investigation department recently discovered that the Qianyin Group’s funds were being transferred abnormally, flowing overseas through different channels, which made Lei Li internally condemn the Assassination Swordsmanship School to death.

Zhang Li had already warned Lu Ren about matters turning into personal enmity and vendettas. Although many would fear the reputation of the Security Department, such honest and upright duels cannot be refused by any martial artist, or they will find it hard to stand in this circle.

Although Lu Ren could refuse, eventually, he would be looked down upon.

However, Zhang Li had a premonition that if it weren’t for this battle solely attracting Lu Ren, Lu Ren would definitely not have come.

He does not consider himself a member of the Martial Arts Realm...

In another corner of the memorial hall, the chairman of the Qianyin Group was wheeled out, surrounded by tall, muscular bodyguards in black suits, their expressions alert and fearing any impending incident.

As for Zeng Li himself, he showed no expression, seemingly unaffected, but his eyes were fixed intensely on the entrance of the memorial hall, and his hands on the armrest were numb, apparently lost feeling.

Suddenly, the once quiet crowd became silent again.

Everyone craned their necks toward the entrance of the memorial hall; a ride-share car quietly parked at the club’s entrance.

The car door opened, and a tall, muscular man, donned in loose martial arts attire with a pair of swords at his waist, alighted from the car.

The man was none other than Lu Ren.

Lu Ren swept his gaze around nonchalantly, getting a sense of the atmosphere.

With the Eighteen Families of the Southwest’s first-class martial arts schools and countless second and third-class martial arts schools, nearly everyone in the martial arts circle of the southwest was present.

What a grand scene.

With my handsome looks and cold demeanor, there’s no way I could lose face!

Lei Wenfeng squinted his eyes at Lu Ren, who had just gotten out of the car, subconsciously dropping his folded arms.

This person is very dangerous.

Woosh!

The disciples of the Assassination Swordsmanship Stream lining the two rows in the memorial hall suddenly stood up and glared at Lu Ren, standing by the wreaths. The disciples near the door had their hands poised on their sword handles, ready to draw their swords at Huang Jixuan’s command.

This scene made Lei Wenfeng’s eyes twitch, his body tensing up instinctively.

Standing behind Lei Wenfeng, two silent men suddenly became fierce, instinctively reaching into their pockets.

The solemn and heavy atmosphere of the memorial hall suddenly turned cold and murderous. Those with no martial arts background turned pale, fearing that if a fight broke out, they might get hurt.

Does the Assassination Swordsmanship Stream really have a death wish? How dare they act like this under official scrutiny?!

Do they truly see themselves as people of importance?

The numerous martial arts schools, big and small, couldn’t wait for Huang Jixuan to give a reckless order.

It would surely be lively then!

Cheng Tianle and Cheng Qin also turned pale, clinging to Uncle Tan. They had never seen such a spectacle; movies were just movies, but now facing these imposing martial artists, they truly found it difficult to remain composed.

Lu Ren’s gaze remained calm, paying little attention to the seemingly agitated disciples of the Assassination Swordsmanship. He felt no disturbances in his heart, even wanting to yawn.

Should they dare to act, the first to not spare them wouldn’t be Lu Ren, but the Security Department and the military. They wouldn’t pass up the chance to eliminate a martial arts school repeatedly testing the limits. They were just looking for an example to make as a warning.

It’s about time to curb these various martial arts schools that have been bouncing back again over the years.

Lu Ren walked steadily into the memorial hall, under everyone’s gaze.

Cheng Tianle also looked at Lu Ren with admiration. If it were him, facing so many imposing figures, especially under some angry gazes, his legs might buckle instantly, and his face would hit the ground first.

Lu Ren’s gaze shifted to the middle of the memorial hall, where four expensive coffins were arranged behind the sacrificial table. Above the incense offering, a large white paper with black characters for ’Offering,’ with Pengdi and others’ spirit tablets set up on the table.

When he glanced at Zeng Li, he raised an eyebrow slightly. The videos he sent out hadn’t led to Zeng Li’s arrest, indicating he had someone take the fall for him.

Or perhaps he was released on bail for medical reasons?

Lu Ren noted Zeng Li’s numb blue-black hands and made a decision. Gazing at Zeng Li with a hint of a smile, he caused Zeng Li to tremble with anger but helpless to act...

Even if the Assassination Swordsmanship School is considered a first-class boxing skill school, there are less than three Great Perfectionists of Fist Technique among them, and Lu Ren single-handedly defeated two. It’s truly a catastrophic blow to them.

To achieve the Great Perfection of Fist Technique, each is an outstanding individual emerging from thousands of martial artists, a grandmaster-level figure in a low-productivity ancient era. How many such figures can there be in an era?

If not for the abundant material wealth in modern society, having one such figure in a boxing school would already be considered a peak.

Before the incense table, Huang Jixuan, dressed in mourning attire, seems to have sensed Lu Ren’s gaze. He grips the longsword lying across his lap, slowly stands up, and turns around.

The man with a resolute face, neither joyful nor sad, quietly watches Lu Ren across from him without showing any emotion.

"Pengdi is my mentor."

Huang Jixuan starts to speak slowly.

"Although I disagree with him holding onto the old practices of the Assassination Swordsmanship, stubbornly believing that Assassination has been an assassin school throughout its hundreds of years of history, it was before, it is now, and it will be in the future.

But the present era is vastly different from before, and I’ve been urging transformation vigorously, leading to the Assassination Swordsmanship being split into two branches, so now my Assassination Swordsmanship School can stand openly under the bright light, while the assassin direction led by my mentor has already declined."

Huang Jixuan’s gaze holds a glint of spark.

"Regardless, he is my mentor, and his grace towards me is as heavy as mountains. A mentor for a day is like a father for a lifetime. The feud of killing a father is irreconcilable, whether to give him peace in the afterlife or to offer an explanation to the entire Assassination Swordsmanship."

Having said this, Huang Jixuan then looks towards a disciple nearby, who immediately understands and heads towards the back of the memorial hall, followed closely by several other disciples.

Waiting for several disciples to carry out an incredibly heavy solid wood coffin and place it beside Huang Jixuan.

Bang!

The solid wood coffin lands, slightly shaking the ground, indicative of its immense weight.

Huang Jixuan reaches out his hand and resists the coffin lid, exerting force suddenly.

Boom!

The heavy coffin lid is pushed open with a palm, revealing an empty inside.

Huang Jixuan’s hand strokes the edge of the coffin, his eyes fixed on Lu Ren: "Today, only one of us can leave this memorial hall!

The coffin is ready; it’s either for you or for me to use."

Huang Jixuan enunciates each word, then with a swift motion, presses down on the sword hilt and draws the longsword.

Clang!

The sword hums, vibrating slightly with the wrist’s movement, the sound of the sword humming incessantly, causing the eardrums of those nearby to ache.

Everything from the past, grudges and emotional conflicts, will be erased after this battle.

It will determine both superiority and life and death.

This is a battle of life and death; if one side doesn’t die, it will absolutely not stop.

Though Lu Ren’s rise to fame is relatively recent, each of his battles has been remarkable, and Huang Jixuan, admitting that he is not weak, has already prepared himself for the possibility of death when facing Lu Ren’s astounding victories.

The martial artist’s life-and-death struggle, if it’s a mutual life-threatening battle in the same stage, both are unyielding; even if victorious, it’s extremely dangerous.

Those present witnessed the scene, all with slightly shocked expressions, not only the people within the martial arts circle but also the top-tier individuals who generally lead pampered lives, have never seen such a scene, never seen such a displayed indifference towards life and death.

Interesting.

Lu Ren’s eyes also grow serious; he believes he will win this battle, but he doesn’t want to be beaten and bedridden for three to five months.

This man Huang Jixuan, whether in willpower or strength, is among the outstanding Great Perfectionists in Fist Technique.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the rapid increase in martial path skill level during battles, and the great changes in this world, with the interweaving of the exotic realm and the real world, he would rather hide away in a corner, spending his days idly.

Lu Ren has always feared experiencing life and death in such fierce battles; there is great terror between life and death.

But fear does not mean being afraid.

After all, for ordinary martial artists seeking ultimate sublimation, achieving a breakthrough beyond oneself, the emergency stimulation during a life-and-death battle will bring an immense degree of enhancement.

"Then let’s see how you fall into this coffin."

Lu Ren’s indifferent words resonate.

These words sounded quite arrogant to those present.

But for Lu Ren, he possesses Perfect Mastery of Phoenix Falcon Fist at an outstanding level, allowing him an exquisite understanding and perfect subtle control within this realm.

This is the confidence that brings Lu Ren here.

With comprehensive assistance from the system, the Phoenix Falcon Fist has long stepped towards a higher level.

(Thanks for the support from the struggling momentum! Thank you!! Today, temporarily two Chapters of six thousand words, recently busy with work and have no time to write, too busy and tired, tomorrow three Chapters, three Chapters!! Ollie go brothers!)