novelraw Chapter 131: A Foreign Invasion, The Street Becomes a Dueling Ground (Part 1)
Chapter 131: A Foreign Invasion, The Street Becomes a Dueling Ground (Part 1)
Donghua.
Wei Cheng was personally overseeing things at the Special Security Bureau Headquarters.
The Martial Hero Conference was too influential, and Zhao Ping lacked the authority to make the final call on many matters. Only Wei Cheng possessed the seniority and qualifications to do so.
"Old Minister, we just received word. The embassies of several nations—led by the Starry Sky Country, and including England, Pusuo, Japan, and others—have suddenly submitted applications for personnel changes. After verification, the names on the change lists are all figures from their respective domestic Martial Arts Cultivation Realms. The relevant departments are currently asking for our opinion!"
"They’re here, as expected."
Hearing this news, Wei Cheng’s expression showed no surprise whatsoever.
They had anticipated this situation back when they were first preparing to host the Martial Hero Conference.
Future Saints would be a crucial symbol of national power. They would be a means of settling disputes in the new era and could even influence the redistribution of Earth’s resources. How could other countries stand by and watch Donghua take the lead? They were bound to use various methods to interfere.
"Old Minister, according to our intelligence, the number of Saint Experts and younger-generation Soul-Seizing Martial Artists being dispatched by various countries far exceeds our estimates. Should we still proceed with the original plan?"
Zhao Ping quickly scanned a list in his hand, his expression shifting repeatedly.
"We’ll counter whatever they throw at us. The number of people they’ve mobilized has exceeded our expectations, but our own projected combat strength has also surpassed our original estimates."
Wei Cheng said with a smile.
"Are you referring to... the one in Wencheng?"
Zhao Ping asked in a low voice.
The plan for the Martial Hero Conference had been drafted six months ago, or perhaps even earlier. At that time, Yi Beidou hadn’t even officially entered the world stage.
Therefore, their original plan had not accounted for Yi Beidou.
Besides, as a newly ascended Saint, Yi Beidou wouldn’t have been able to play a significant role. But who could have imagined that in less than half a year, his strength would advance by leaps and bounds? In Dragon Tiger Town, he even defeated a Corpse Dissolving Immortal’s Forbidden Secret Technique face-to-face.
That level of power was enough to be considered a decisive combat force, one that could potentially change the entire situation.
His influence was now crucial.
He had appeared out of nowhere, an unexpected factor.
"Tell them that since Donghua can afford to host this grand event, we can also withstand any probing from any party in the world. But Donghua is not a lawless land, nor are we the nation that was bullied at will a century ago. Since they’ve come, they will abide by Donghua’s rules."
"First, matters of the Martial Arts Realm will be settled within the Martial Arts Realm. Those who enter our country must not harm a single ordinary citizen of Donghua. Otherwise, we will mobilize the full power of the nation to kill them."
"Second, whether they wish to spar with our Saint Experts or their juniors want to challenge the contestants of our Hundred Heroes Martial Arts Discussion, it must be based on the principle of mutual consent. If there is any coercion, sneak attacks, or malicious injury, they should understand the consequences."
"Third, this is a conference about the future. Tell those old fossils in their seventies and eighties not to bother showing up. Most of those old geezers have mastered some Forbidden Secret Technique and don’t have many years left. If they come here to cause trouble, the potential for damage is too great. Of course, Donghua’s own older generation will not interfere either; they will only be present to uphold the rules. If they disagree and insist on sending their old-timers into the country, then for every one we find, we will eliminate one, no matter the cost."
"These are the three points. If they agree, we will grant them entry and allow them to proceed to Modu."
Wei Cheng said lightly.
He knew very well that the other nations would never give up on interfering. If Donghua issued an outright refusal, the individuals on that list would certainly find other ways to enter the country.
It was nearly impossible to stop a few individual experts from sneaking in. But if dozens or even hundreds of experts entered Modu covertly and caused trouble, the resulting damage and chaos would be even greater.
In a situation like this, it was better to manage the flow than to block it completely. Setting three ground rules would allow them to control the situation better and turn a passive position into an active one.
Even those from other countries with ulterior motives did not want to provoke a full-scale war with modern weapons.
Submitting the list under the pretext of rotating embassy personnel was, in itself, a test of Donghua’s official stance.
Today’s Donghua was no longer the Donghua of the past. Any party wishing to act recklessly would need to weigh the consequences.
"Yes, I understand."
Zhao Ping took a deep breath, nodded, and immediately went to handle the matter.
He could already imagine how turbulent things would become in Modu, Donghua’s most prosperous and international metropolis, in the near future.
He hoped everything would proceed smoothly, without any mishaps.
「Half a month flew by.」
As the official start date of the Hundred Heroes Martial Arts Discussion drew closer, Modu became increasingly lively.
According to official promotions, the scale of this Hundred Heroes Martial Arts Discussion was incomparable to any of the provincial tournaments.
Although the official competition venue could only accommodate fifty thousand live spectators, officials had already coordinated with many large bars, cinemas, exhibition halls, and other public venues in Modu.
At that time, these locations would serve as secondary venues, broadcasting the event live. Anyone with proof of legal age could purchase a ticket to enter and watch.
It wasn’t just Modu; similar secondary venues were set up in provinces and cities across the country, though not nearly on the same massive scale as in Modu.
By conservative estimates, the number of simultaneous viewers in Modu alone could reach the millions.
Enthusiasts from all over the country had already flooded into Modu, causing local hotel prices to skyrocket and making Donghua’s most prosperous city even more bustling.
The top one hundred martial artist contestants also arrived in Modu one after another.
On every street corner and in all sorts of public places, many people were passionately discussing the Hundred Heroes Martial Arts Discussion, debating the strengths and weaknesses of the contestants.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the general public, martial artists from various countries were also gathering in Modu.
An undercurrent surged.
Before the Hundred Heroes Martial Arts Discussion officially began, a far more dangerous contest had already started.
Modu, Bund Pedestrian Street.
As one of Modu’s famous tourist attractions, the number of visitors here had swelled as the Hundred Heroes Martial Arts Discussion approached, creating a constant, bustling flow of people.
A tall young man was walking along the pedestrian street with his junior brothers and sisters from his sect, taking in the sights of the Bund.
Han Qichen, heir to the Wandering Dragon Bagua Palm, thirty years of age, champion of the Jin Province tournament for the Martial Hero Conference. His martial arts cultivation had already reached the Soul-Seizing Realm.
The group from the Wandering Dragon Bagua Palm sect possessed an extraordinary bearing and physique, standing out from the crowd of tourists like a crane among chickens.
"That looks like Han Qichen! The champion of our Jin Province tournament for the Martial Hero Conference! I can’t believe we’re running into him here!"
"Han Qichen! We’re all martial arts enthusiasts from Jin Province, here to support you! You have to do your best and take first place in the national Martial Hero Conference. Make Jin Province proud!"
A cry of surprise erupted from the crowd of tourists on the pedestrian street. Then, several of them ran over excitedly, wanting to ask Han Qichen for an autograph.
"Senior Brother, I didn’t expect you to have fans even in Modu. You’re a big celebrity now," his pretty junior sister said with a grin.
Han Qichen couldn’t help but give a light cough. He could face any opponent without fear, but he was still a bit uncomfortable with these enthusiasts constantly swarming him.
’I should’ve worn a mask and sunglasses before coming out. I can’t believe people still recognize me here in Modu.’
The public’s enthusiasm was beyond his expectations.
The commotion here also attracted the attention of nearby passersby, sparking a flurry of hushed discussions.
"Which celebrity is that?"
"I don’t think he’s a celebrity. He’s the champion from Jin Province for the Martial Hero Conference!"
"Holy crap, no wonder their physiques and auras are so intimidating. I just walked past them and didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly."
"You’re telling me? The people in the Martial Hero Conference are all genuine experts. Haven’t you read the explainer posts online? Figures like him have the power to shatter stone tablets and can even fight lions and tigers. You think that’s a joke? When you walk past a tiger, can you not tremble in fear?"
"This is the first time I’ve seen someone like that up close. His reputation is well-deserved."
"..."
In no time, the crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger.
"Han Qichen, heir to the Wandering Dragon Bagua Palm, a part of the Donghua Ancient Boxing Technique. But that’s all outdated stuff that should have been buried in the dust of history long ago. What a joke, this Martial Hero Conference. It’s nothing more than you people closing your doors and playing house for your own amusement."
Just then, a voice speaking broken Chinese suddenly rang out from the crowd. It rolled like thunder, instantly suppressing all the chatter on the street.
The crowd fell silent in an instant. All eyes turned toward the source of the voice to see a tall, muscular, blond young man. Dressed in a hooded sweatshirt with his hands in his pockets, he wore a mocking smile as he slowly walked toward Han Qichen and his group.