After his anger subsided, Chen Xiong took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

He wasn't Yuan Shang, nor was he Xu Ke. No matter how enraged he was, as someone who had to consider the bigger picture, he could only endure it. He had to pray that Xu Ke could break through the encirclement and secure a top-three position.

Standing beside Chen Xiong was Jin Hankang. Behind them were Lin Zhongtian, Mo Yunchang representing Long Capital, and Shi Junneng, who had once been honored by the General Alliance. Although Lin Zhongtian was neither a referee nor an Alliance Hierarch, his status as a Martial Alliance Elder allowed him to stand there. However, because of the recent incident where he favored Xu Ke, Jin Hankang—who should have been his ally—didn't even spare Lin Zhongtian a glance.

Lin Zhongtian felt extremely stifled.

As for Shi Junneng and Mo Yunchang, they both stood behind them in silence. Although they didn't speak, it was clear they had no desire to get involved in the conflict. The Martial Alliance might be on the verge of belonging to the Wang family, but not every member wished to curry favor with Wong Ting. That would be completely illogical.

Meanwhile, Chen Xiong and Jin Hankang were waiting for Xu Ke and Yuan Shang to come downstairs.

"Xu Ke and Yuan Shang really put on airs, making so many of us wait for them," Jin Hankang immediately began to nitpick after only a few minutes, clearly spoiling for a fight.

Chen Xiong, who was obviously used to the old man's rants, said indifferently, "We didn't notify them we were coming over, so it's normal for them to be a little late. They were waiting upstairs and are on their way down now. Besides, it's not even one o'clock. It would be fine even if they arrived later."

Without so much as a glance at Chen Xiong, Jin Hankang said sarcastically, "Heh, waiting upstairs? It would be fine if they arrived later? Chen Xiong, you've got some nerve! Shouldn't they have been waiting at the entrance to greet us? Making so many people wait for them now… such arrogance!"

Chen Xiong's expression darkened instantly. If I could, I'd stuff a stinky sock in his mouth.

Seeing Chen Xiong fall silent, Jin Hankang gave a snort and dropped the subject. Down below, an impatient Qian Jun gave Su Ximing a meaningful look. Understanding at once, Su Ximing raised his hand and called out, "Elder Jin, when are we actually going to start? We've been waiting for so long. Is it because someone isn't coming at all?"

At this, Chen Xiong's face fell. Aren't they just saying they don't want to wait for Yuan Shang and Xu Ke and want to begin immediately?

"In such a hurry?" Jin Hankang asked, raising an eyebrow instead of agreeing right away.

"Of course that's not what I meant, Elder Jin," Su Ximing said with a grin. "We're the younger generation; we can wait as long as necessary! But you elders and the Alliance Hierarchs from the various regions are all distinguished individuals. Yet here you are, forced to waste so much time because of some arrogant youth. I… sigh! Even if all you esteemed elders are magnanimous enough not to hold it against him, I can't help but feel it's an injustice to you!"

Once he finished, the many Alliance Hierarchs who had just been flattered immediately nodded in agreement.

"Exactly!"

"Well said, Su Ximing."

"This is truly a waste of our time. Why isn't that Xu Ke here yet?"

"He's probably at the Wang Family Corporation washing someone's feet right now… hahaha."

Waves of mockery rose from the crowd. Seeing this, Chen Xiong gritted his teeth. This speech elevates everyone else while demeaning Xu Ke. It was clearly premeditated!

He glanced at Jin Hankang, who looked absolutely triumphant. Showing his appreciation for Su Ximing, Jin Hankang announced, "Su Ximing has a point. I'm sure the time of our many Alliance Hierarchs is precious. In that case, let's begin!"

The Alliance Hierarchs roared their approval, "Elder Jin is right!"

Chen Xiong tried to intervene, "Elder Jin, please wait just a moment…"

"Bring up the drawing box," Jin Hankang ordered, completely ignoring Chen Xiong and showing utter disregard for the Tianhai Martial Alliance.

Just then, a voice called out from nearby. "So this must be the widely respected Elder Jin, who has been retired for so long?"

Xu Ke's voice startled the entire hall into silence. All heads turned in unison to look at him.

Qian Jun looked up, a cold sneer sweeping over Xu Ke. Su Ximing and Zhao Xiangping let out disdainful snickers. Just a piece of trash.

Beside Xu Ke, a grim-faced Yuan Shang radiated a dangerous aura.

At that moment, Jin Hankang's furious roars echoed throughout the Martial Alliance hall. "Xu Ke, why are you so late?!

"Do you have any idea how long all of us have been waiting for you?

"Wasting the precious time of our invaluable Alliance Hierarchs—what punishment do you deserve for such a crime?

"Get on your knees, confess your guilt, and bow in apology, now!"

The moment Xu Ke appeared, Jin Hankang had seized the initiative with a cold rebuke. He intended to condemn Xu Ke from the moral high ground and force him to bow his head and admit fault at their very first meeting. Being arrogant in front of Lin Zhongtian is one thing, but does he think he can pull that crap in front of me? In his dreams! I will crush his arrogance!

Seeing this, the crowd's faces filled with mocking amusement. With so many accusations piled on, he must be scared senseless, right?

But Xu Ke simply looked back at Jin Hankang with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Elder Jin, are you illiterate?"

Jin Hankang's eyes widened as he barked, "What did you say?"

Xu Ke replied calmly, "If you can't read, you should ask others for help more often. The competition starts at one o'clock, not twelve fifty-eight. Is there a problem with me arriving now?"

Jin Hankang was momentarily speechless.

Just then, Qian Jun stood up and said with a cold smile, "Xu Ke, you are in the wrong here. I command you to apologize to Elder Jin immediately! Don't waste everyone's time with your pointless bickering. Verbal posturing is utterly useless!"

His words were utterly domineering, leaving no room for rebuttal. His dozen or so followers immediately roared their approval.

"Brother Jun is right!"

"What's this about being illiterate? Is he insane?"

"Just apologize for being late so we can get started. What's the big deal?"

"Does he really think the Martial Alliance is his house, where he can say whatever he wants…"

The taunts came one after another like a tidal wave, intended to shatter Xu Ke's psychological defenses. Yuan Shang and Chen Xiong were already livid. These bastards…

But Xu Ke remained completely unruffled. He turned his smiling gaze to Qian Jun. "Qian Jun, you are in the wrong here. I command you to apologize to me immediately."

The crowd erupted in scoffing laughter.

"What's this guy talking about?"

"He thinks copying Brother Jun makes him just as imposing?"

"He looks like a monkey to me!"

Jin Hankang stepped forward again, his tone dripping with contempt. "What mistake has Qian Jun made? He is right. You will apologize to me immediately!"

In that moment, Xu Ke became the target of public condemnation. From every direction, he was assailed by an endless barrage of ridicule and scorn.

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