"That's right," Yuan Shang replied nonchalantly. He didn't care that the man looked down on his status as a Vice Alliance Hierarch.

Jin Hankang's face immediately flushed with anger. "How is it that when I arrive, Chen Xiong doesn't come to welcome me personally?" he demanded. "A mere Vice Alliance Hierarch, what qualifies you to greet me? I heard on my way here that you people from the Tianhai Martial Alliance are arrogant, and now I see it's true!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shang's expression turned grim. Is this old guy just here to stir up trouble?

"Elder Jin, aren't your words a bit insulting?" Yuan Shang took a deep breath, forcing his anger down. "Alliance Leader Chen is traveling from Sui City and won't arrive in Tianhai until tomorrow. Unless he can fly, it's impossible for him to greet you now."

If it weren't for the fact that Chen Xiong had called him beforehand and told him to keep his temper in check when meeting Jin Hankang, Yuan Shang would have started cursing already.

Jin Hankang sneered. "That's a failure of his own coordination. Knowing I was coming and that there were so many matters to attend to, why didn't he prepare in advance? I think his time as an Alliance Hierarch is over!"

Anger flared in Yuan Shang's eyes as he retorted, "Wasn't the notice about your arrival and the venue change concerning Long Capital sent out just this afternoon? So shouldn't this be a coordination failure on Shen Capital's part?"

Yuan Shang's head was already throbbing from preparing for the competition at the sports center. He could see that Jin Hankang was just trying to establish his authority. All Yuan Shang had to do was show some deference, belittle Chen Xiong in front of the man, and Jin Hankang would likely back off. But there's no way I'm giving him that satisfaction!

With the air of an elder schooling the younger generation, Jin Hankang scoffed, "Shen Capital can't handle it? Back when I was an Alliance Hierarch, matters like this were trivial! Am I a god, then?"

His bodyguard immediately chimed in with flattery. "Of course, you are. If it weren't for your desire for a quiet life, our branch would have invited you to be our Alliance Hierarch long ago!"

Thoroughly pleased, Jin Hankang laughed heartily. "Enough with the flattery!"

Yuan Shang watched them with a cold gaze. A sycophant and an old fossil. What a perfect pair.

After his laughter subsided, Jin Hankang pompously lectured Yuan Shang, "Don't assume others are incapable just because you are! Tsk tsk, each generation is worse than the last!"

Yuan Shang could no longer hold back.

Seeing that the situation was about to escalate, Peng Hetong quickly cut in. "Yes! Elder Jin, you're absolutely correct! Your scolding is well-founded! Alliance Leader Chen indeed has many shortcomings!"

If Yuan Shang actually speaks his mind, this whole night will blow up, Peng Hetong thought, inwardly resenting Yuan Shang for his recklessness. Even I, a Hall Chief, have a better grasp of the big picture!

Yuan Shang watched with cold indifference. It's not the first time Peng Hetong has acted like a coward.

"And you are?" Jin Hankang glanced at Peng Hetong, clearly not recognizing him.

Peng Hetong hurriedly said, "Greetings, Elder Jin. I am Peng Hetong, the Enforcement Hall Chief for the Tianhai Martial Alliance."

"Very good!" Jin Hankang scoffed. "You show promise. Much better than certain clueless individuals." As he spoke, he shot another glare at Yuan Shang.

Peng Hetong was instantly overjoyed. "Thank you for the compliment, Elder Jin!"

"Let's go. Take me to see your Tianhai Martial Alliance, and then find me a five-star hotel to rest. Have you booked it yet?" Seeing that Yuan Shang had fallen silent, Jin Hankang considered himself the victor and began ordering them around.

Peng Hetong immediately launched into a lengthy explanation. "Of course, it's all booked! As soon as we heard you were coming, we started..." He rattled on, fawning over the elder and trying to take credit, which clearly pleased Jin Hankang.

And with that, the group walked out.

Yuan Shang sighed and muttered to himself, "Xu Ke, you have to win. The whole Martial Alliance is waiting to see Tianhai become a laughingstock..."

Standing with Xu Ke means standing against Wong Ting, which in turn means standing against the Martial Alliance Leader himself! In a situation like this, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the Tianhai Martial Alliance an enemy of the entire Martial Alliance!

***

「Huang Family Residence.」

"Elder Jin has arrived, Brother!" Huang Zhenyang entered Huang Zhendong's office, his voice tinged with excitement. "This is a great opportunity to build a connection."

Didn't the Huang Family help Wong Ting precisely for his influence? The Long Capital Martial Alliance is part of that power!

"No rush." Huang Zhendong didn't even lift his head. "We'll meet him tomorrow. If you can't wait, you can go by yourself. Just make sure not to mention the Huang Family name when you're licking that old man's boots."

The blunt words made Huang Zhenyang flush with a mixture of embarrassment and anger, but he dared not show it. "Brother, what are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Huang Zhendong said indifferently. "Now that Wong Ting has brought the competition to Tianhai, if we actually lose, it will be a disgrace for all of us families who are rooted here."

Huang Zhenyang quickly replied, "That would just prove Xu Ke is useless! We can blame him and let him take the fall!"

He was thrilled when he learned about Wong Ting's various schemes against Xu Ke. If Xu Ke disgraced Tianhai on his home turf, the Huang Family would have the perfect excuse to make him the scapegoat.

"Heh, if you could be as useless as Xu Ke, Dad would be overjoyed in the underworld," Huang Zhendong sneered.

Huang Zhenyang hadn't expected to be scolded so thoroughly just moments after walking in. He fell silent, not daring to speak.

Seeing his reaction, Huang Zhendong shook his head. This fourth brother of his... twenty-odd years and he hasn't matured at all!

"Get out and call Sheng in."

Huang Zhenyang shuffled out of the room.

A short while later, Huang Sheng walked in.

"What's your take on this matter?" Huang Zhendong asked.

Huang Sheng pondered for a moment before speaking. "Although we are Xu Ke's enemies and Wong Ting's friends...

"Having Qian Jun defeat Xu Ke is something we all want to see. But if Wong Ting's people actually prevent Xu Ke from reaching the finals, or even the top three, then it's our Tianhai families that ultimately lose out."

Huang Zhendong's face turned grave. "Exactly!"

Huang Sheng continued, "Even if I'm reluctant to admit it, I have to say that there is basically no one in Tianhai's younger generation stronger than Xu Ke!"

"No need for 'basically'," Huang Zhendong said coolly.

Huang Sheng nodded. "If even Xu Ke gets crushed, it will be a slap in the face to all of Tianhai."

"Then what do you think we should do?" Huang Zhendong asked.

"It's simple," Huang Sheng said. "It's fine for Xu Ke to lose to Qian Jun, but he cannot lose to anyone else."

"Agreed!"

"Dad, do you think Wong Ting will rig the lots?"

"Without a doubt. How else could they ensure all of Xu Ke's opponents before the finals are at the Postnatal Late Stage?"

"If that's the case, then we should..."

***

The next day, by the time Xu Ke got out of bed, he had already received a message that Chen Xiong and his group had arrived from Sui City. According to their schedule, the drawing of lots would take place in the afternoon.

Xu Ke's eyes narrowed slightly. The drawing of lots, huh? Honestly, I have no desire to go. It'll just be a show of Wong Ting's cheating. But I have to attend.

He decided to put the matter aside for now. Afterward, he found Tang Yingchang and asked him to keep an eye out and see if anyone was still tailing Xu Yi today.

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