Chapter 72: The grand competition on the straits (Second) (1/2)

Chapter 72: The grand competition on the straits (Second)

“Even Xu Zhen is here. After you killed his disciple, he will definitely not let things end there. You’d best be careful.” Chen Bin’s initial voice had been harsh, but it had then grown softer with the second phrase. When she spoke, her voice had tickled Wang Chao’s ears.

Today, Chen Bin was wearing a pure black colored blouse and a matching black skirt. When the wind blew, the skirt had rippled in the wind like water.

Her black colored clothing had accentuated her tender creamy skin. Even her facial appearance had been noticeably beautiful so that even Wang Xiaolei and Wu Yingda would sometimes glance her way despite having many beautiful women already around the two.

But they weren’t the only ones. Many disciples that the masters of the Wulin had brought with them had also been attracted to her.

Listening to Chen Bin’s words, Wang Chao’s eyes followed her hints over to one of the parasols. Right underneath one of them was a middle aged man with golden glasses that stared at Wang Chao poisonously. Even without hiding his presence, his strength could easily be felt.

Wang Chao hurriedly averted his gaze and let out a long breath of air. Calming his heart, he pretended such a person didn’t exist.

The senses of an expert was far too sharp. When they had reached the Hidden Jin stage, they were able to detect anything that touched their hair. Even if the enemy didn’t move, they could use the hostility in their eyes to sense something.

Wang Chao’s entire body had already reached such a level. Even if he hadn’t looked at Xu Zhen’s his stare was like a sharp dagger that pierced into his skin, creating an uncomfortable feeling.

“If this goes on during the competition, then there’s a good chance my heart will be thrown into disarray. And in a competition against an expert like Zhang Wei, this could spell out my death!”

Immediately realizing the purpose of Xu Zhen’s malicious stare, Wang Chao began to steel his heart. Eliminating the stabbing sensation he was feeling, he began to feel a sense of gratitude for Chen Bin.

“If I were to enter a state of hypersensitivity during the competition and felt the hostile stare of Xu Zhen, then I would have been stunned by Xu Zhen’s stare and lose.”

But with Chen Bin’s warning, Wang Chao had been prepared. Now this hostile stare of Xu Zhen was pointless against him.

“Thank you.” Wang Chao thanked Chen Bin graciously.

“It wasn’t much. I only wished for the playing field to be equal.” Chen Bin smiled sweetly before turning around to return back to where Chen Aiyang was sitting.

“Director Wang, is the setting to the competition to your liking? There are masters from Southeast Asia, the martial art scholars from Taiwan, and the martial art masters from Hong Kong and Macau. With Xue Lianxin here, the judging will be completely unbiased. You can rest assured.”

When Chen Bin came up to talk to Wang Chao, Zhao Jun hadn’t dared to eavesdrop. As a form of etiquette, he had stepped two steps away and only came forward when Chen Bin had left.

“Director Wang, although you are a very strong martial artist, this must be the first time you’ve made contact with the coastal martial arts world. Come, I’ll help introduce you to everyone.” Zhao Jun had been very precise with his words as if he had done this many times before.

“Director Zhao, there is no need.” Wang Chao spoke. “I’ve brought the 100 million RMB as stated in the contract. As per the regulations, master Zhang Wei and I must sign a waiver in regards to our death. These things shouldn’t be delayed, so let’s start.”

Wang Chao’s refusal had been because there was too many experts here of all sorts of martial art disciplines. If he were to have Zhao Jun introduce him to everyone here, then Wang Chao would have found himself inspecting everyone and their martial art skill, especially Chen Aiyang and Xue Lianxin. With these experts, Wang Chao would have been far too distracted for the real event.

To be distracted within a competition and have a divided heart and mind, that would only result in death.

A competition between experts had to focus on each other’s martial arts. Wang Chao’s ability to study another’s skill was decent enough since he had long since washed away any impurities within him. This had allowed him to focus and concentrate on his observations without any other thoughts.

“That’s fine. The host naturally has to honor the guest’s wishes. Let’s go start then.” Zhao Jun’s eyebrows narrowed together, unexpecting Wang Chao to be that straightforward.

Wang Chao hadn’t said a word as he followed Zhao Jun up to the table right in front of the platform. On it, there was a single brush and a long piece of paper with a seal right next to it.

On the paper was the words, “A fair contest and nondisclosure agreement.”

Signing his name with the brush, Wang Chao then pressed his hand against the sealed ink on the paper.

By this time, Zhang Wei had also reached the table. He was dressed in pure black and wore cloth shoes with an icy expression. Signing his name, he too pressed his hand against the paper.

Afterwards, a uniformed martial artist came forward and spoke, “Will the witness please sign his name.”

As he spoke, Chen Aiyang stood up.

Wang Chao hadn’t looked at Chen Aiyang at all and spoke, “I’ll go change my clothes, please lead the way.” As he spoke, Wang Chao turned away towards the hold of the ship.

“Xiao Chen, that youth isn’t an ordinary person.” Xue Lianxin was already 90 years old with a snow white beard that was combed nicely. As he walked with Chen Aiyang to the front of the table, he spoke of his opinion to him.

“Indeed.” Chen Aiyang’s eyes shined as he nodded. “Judging from his movements, he shouldn’t be that far apparent from Zhang Wei in terms of skill. Most importantly, he’s very calm and collected without any signs of being distracted. It seems that since both sides are equal in strength, this competition will have someone die. How unfortunate.”

“For a martial artist to die on the stage, it is not a death in vain.” Xue Lianxin stroked his beard, “This is a battle between a dragon and a tiger. Only one winner will be seen, but I cannot see just who that winner will be. We should just observe for now.”

In a battle between experts, any factor could change the battle at any given moment. When both sides were equal in strength, only the heavens could predict the winner. No matter who was stronger in martial arts or which master had the sharper eyes, no one would be able to predict the outcome.

By the time the two had walked back to their seats, Wang Chao had already swapped his clothings into a traditional purple Tang robe that was similar to the one Tang Zichen once wore. He wore clothes shoes and slowly stepped forward like a sparrow skipping across the water onto the platform.

At that moment, Zhang Wei came walking up onto the stage.

The platform was made of several thick planks of fir wood with steel binding it to the ship, making it extremely stable.

“Master Zhang, I’ve no grievances against you, but was forced onto this stage. How life enjoys to play tricks on us humans.” Wang Chao suddenly spoke.

One man was an illustrious master of martial arts from Guangdong while the other was a newly established expert from the mainlands. Neither of the two had known of the other and had neither grievance or connection. However, they were now forced to fight against each other to the death, such a fight like this could only make every spectator sigh in regret.

Both were masters of martial arts with skill that could easily kill or save a man’s life, even their own. This was truly the greatest mockery of martial arts.