Chapter 920: Chapter 914: Collecting Protection Money

The East Continent mainly comprises the two provinces of Huainan and Huai Bei.

The city of East Sea is the provincial capital of Huainan Province.

Most of the higher education institutions in the province are concentrated around the northern part of West Lake, forming a university district.

Naturally, many National Martial Arts Academies also gather in the University City.

After all, there are quite a few students in universities who like to join martial arts academies.

Even those who don’t study martial arts want to join just for the fun of it, as it’s an additional platform for social interaction.

West Lake Martial Arts Hall is in this University City, close to West Lake, and East Sea City’s First High School is not far away either.

Therefore, during usual times, Liiu Nai’er can run directly to the martial arts hall after school.

Initially.

Liiu Nai’er wanted to invite Jin Yuting and others to learn Taekwondo, but they looked down on stuff from Han Country and didn’t go, preferring to learn half-baked things in the high school’s National Martial Arts Society.

After all.

Since Chu Anling graduated and left, the current president of the National Martial Arts Society has been somewhat unimpressive.

Now, upon learning that Chu Anling is opening a National Martial Arts Academy in the University City with investment from Liiu Nai’er’s uncle, Jin Yuting and others decided to come together, have a meal, and then register at the martial arts hall.

Unexpectedly.

It turned out to be Liiu Nai’er inviting them to the martial arts hall for a gathering.

West Lake Martial Arts Hall is not far away, just a few minutes walk, and Lin Tian followed Liiu Nai’er and the others, walking there directly.

Five minutes later.

They arrived in front of an ancient-style building.

Before them was a building with a classical design, featuring red walls and green tiles, intricate carvings, and flying eaves, exuding an ancient style.

On the entrance plaque of the ancient building, there were four large, flamboyant characters—West Lake Martial Arts Hall!

“West Lake Martial Arts Hall, the name is clear! But hasn’t anyone used it before?”

Lin Tian glanced up, and as he walked in, he curiously asked Liiu Nai’er.

“West Lake Martial Arts Hall wasn’t allowed to be used before because if it were linked to West Lake like this, it would get free publicity!”

Jin Yuting explained, “However, Senior Chu Anling has connections up there, and it was finally approved. It’s said that there’s also support from Master Yang Ji Yang behind this martial arts hall, so it was permitted as a contribution to promoting Huaxia Martial Arts!”

Upon hearing this.

Lin Tian suddenly understood.

The entrance of the martial arts hall was bustling with people coming and going.

Following Liiu Nai’er and Jin Yuting, they entered, and there were even more people inside.

This place, though called a martial arts hall, is far more luxurious than the average hotel!

Unlike the simple martial arts halls of ancient times, this place is divided into restaurant floors, guest room floors, combat arena floors, cultivation room floors, and so on, fully equipped with everything.

The gathering place of the West Lake Martial Arts Hall is on the second floor.

Lin Tian went up with the four of them and found the gathering had already started.

The people here were all dressed in jewels, clearly individuals of certain status.

Those who could attend this gathering were not ordinary people; none would be of less than a million in net worth.

When Lin Tian appeared with Liiu Nai’er, a middle-aged couple, amidst a crowd of people, raised a casual toast and then hurriedly walked over.

“Uncle, Aunt!”

Liiu Nai’er greeted the couple.

The two were Liiu Nai’er’s uncle and aunt.

Liiu Nai’er’s uncle is Liiu Nianguang, who is Liiu Nai’er’s mother’s brother, and her aunt, Chai Xingzhu, is a sophisticated and tasteful beauty.

“Nai’er is here! And Ting Ting, all of you, it’s good you’re here, have a good meal tonight, feel free!”

Chai Xingzhu approached and held Liiu Nai’er’s hand, then smiled at Jin Yuting. It was apparent that Jin Yuting and the others had met Liiu Nai’er’s uncle and aunt several times and knew each other.

At this moment, Chai Xingzhu’s gaze fell on Lin Tian, and she asked curiously, “Nai’er, who’s this classmate of yours? Aunt seems not to have met him before!”

Standing next to them, Liiu Nianguang also glanced over.

“Aunt, Uncle, you definitely wouldn’t guess who he is!”

Liiu Nai’er clung to Chai Xingzhu’s hand, saying excitedly, “He’s the Brother Xiaotian I often mentioned to you! From when I was a child, playing around together!”

“Oh, so he’s Brother Xiaotian!”

Chai Xingzhu revealed a look of surprise, then smiled and nodded at Lin Tian as a greeting.

Over there, Liiu Nianguang also made a casual remark and then paid no more attention.

“Nai’er, come with us to toast the master a few drinks! And then greet Young Master Chu when he arrives, and we leave! Things are urgent there!”

Liiu Nianguang solemnly said, “We mentioned to you before that this is a rare opportunity! It’s not just good for you but also for your uncle and aunt!”

“Really? That’s great!”

Liiu Nai’er was overjoyed, her face beaming with excitement. Then she turned apologetically to Lin Tian, “Brother Xiaotian, I have to entertain the guests, and afterward, I have to leave urgently. Originally I wanted to hang out longer with you, sorry about that. But, I’ll come to Yanjing to find you and definitely give you a huge surprise!”

A huge surprise?

Lin Tian’s face filled with curiosity but ended up smiling and nodding, “Alright! Feel free to call me anytime!”

After Liiu Nai’er left with Liiu Nianguang and Chai Xingzhu, Lin Tian said to Jin Yuting and the others, “Go enjoy yourselves, I’ll just grab a bite and might leave soon!”

The four of them were not familiar with Lin Tian initially, and with few topics to discuss, they eventually parted ways. Lin Tian found a corner to eat something quietly by himself.

Unfortunately.

The food here was quite ordinary; Lin Tian would rather have the street food from the food street.

But after a while, Jin Yuting suddenly came out of the crowd and ran over.

“Brother Xiaotian, aren’t you bored on your own? Haha, I’ll keep you company!”

Jin Yuting jovially walked over, sat down directly across from Lin Tian, and with no regard for manners, propped her chin with one hand while stuffing her mouth with the other, staring at Lin Tian, “So, what did you come to East Continent for?”

“Just visiting! Is there supposed to be a martial arts conference in the next couple of days? Just joining in the fun!”

Lin Tian nodded and smiled, looking at this straightforward lady in front of him.

“Wow, we’re planning to watch it the day after tomorrow too!”

Jin Yuting’s eyes shone with delight, “Have you also learned National Martial Arts?”

“Not really! I’m just here on a friend’s invitation.” Lin Tian replied with a slight smile, not explaining much further, merely nodding in response.

He, indeed, hadn’t learned National Martial Arts or Martial Arts, only Immortal Martial Skill and the Cultivation Path!

“Shall we go together?”

Jin Yuting exclaimed joyfully, full of anticipation.

“We’ll see then!”

Lin Tian did not make any promises but nodded ambiguously.

Soon after, Liiu Nai’er returned, briefly said goodbye to Lin Tian, and left, seemingly with something extremely urgent; neither Jin Yuting nor the others knew what Liiu Nai’er and her uncle and aunt were up to.

Shortly after Liiu Nai’er left, a commotion suddenly arose at the entrance.

“Hehe, quite lively here!”

Following a sinister laugh, a tall young man led a group of people into the room.

The people in the banquet hall, who were drinking and conversing, changed their expressions upon seeing the young man, showing unease.

The crowd parted, and an elderly man in martial arts uniform stepped out from within, walking with a tiger’s gait and exuding impressive aura.

“Mr. Liu, Young Master Liu Kai, visiting unannounced, are you here for a few drinks? Haha, it was my negligence earlier that you weren’t invited!”

The elder stepped forward and remarked to the young man with a forced smile.

“Haha… Master Lee, no need to be so courteous!”

Liu Kai laughed aloud, sweeping his gaze around the room, and then said, “I’m not here for drinks but to discuss with Master Lee about how much your martial arts hall should contribute monthly. After all, with our Dongqi Association’s protection, your martial arts hall would be even safer!”

“What!”

Master Lee’s expression changed, his eyes turning cold as he growled, “Liu Kai, your Dongqi Association is reaching too far, do you know whose territory this is? You’re collecting protection fees here now!”