Chapter 154: The Four Major Martial Arts Schools

As the guests streamed into Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, Chen Lingxin, standing to the side, exhaled softly, whispering in Lin Xiao’s ear to introduce the identities of the newcomers. Her knowledge of their backgrounds was impressively detailed, causing Lin Xiao to look at her with new eyes.

Remembering all those names and having a clear understanding of their backgrounds was no easy task. This showed that Chen Lingxin had a deep grasp of the participants in this exchange meeting, contrary to her seemingly carefree and indifferent exterior.

Through Chen Lingxin’s introductions, Lin Xiao learned that among the guests, the three strongest individuals were Zhou Chenguang, the headmaster of Wuxu Martial Arts Hall; Wei Chengxue, headmaster of the Xuantian Martial Arts Hall; and Yang Yuanji, headmaster of Xuantian Martial Arts Hall.

The Wuxu, Wei, and Xuantian Martial Arts Halls, located in other cities within Jiangnan Province, held similar status to Chen’s Martial Arts Hall. They were all influential entities in their respective areas.

These three schools, along with Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, were recognized as the top four martial arts academies in Jiangnan Province. They held considerable fame within the wider martial arts community and were collectively known as the Four Major Martial Arts Halls, standing at the pinnacle of martial arts institutions in the province.

These academies boasted long heritages, with ancestors who were masters of the Dark Force. Though the current headmasters hadn’t broken through to the Dark Force stage, they were all close to it, making them top-tier experts in Jiangnan Province.

While other academies also had their share of skilled masters, they either lacked the deep heritage or their cultivation levels fell significantly short of the four major schools’ headmasters.

Being one of the four major academies was both a privilege and a burden. Under constant scrutiny, any sign of vulnerability could invite challengers seeking to usurp their position.

Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, at this moment, faced such a precarious situation.

Zhou Chenguang from Wuxu Martial Arts Hall, despite his advanced age and unassuming appearance, possessed an incredibly keen awareness. He seemed to notice Lin Xiao and Chen Lingxin’s observant gaze and glanced over.

Lin Xiao, dressed in the uniform of an ordinary student, had a calm and profound look in his eyes, an inner radiance barely perceptible, skillfully concealing his aura. Zhou Chenguang swiftly glanced at him but failed to discern his true strength, dismissing him as just another student. His gaze then shifted to Chen Lingxin.

A flicker of recognition crossed Zhou Chenguang’s eyes as he nodded slightly at Chen Lingxin before moving his attention away and proceeding into the academy.

Chen Lingxin playfully stuck out her tongue and retreated behind Lin Xiao, using his figure as a shield, no longer daring to openly survey the scene.

At the entrance of the martial arts academy, a middle-aged man dressed in a traditional long robe and holding an antique fan, looking every bit the scholarly gentleman, was conversing with Master Chen.

“Uncle Chen, where’s that mischievous girl, Chen Lingxin? I haven’t seen her around.”

This middle-aged man was Yang Yuanji from Xuantian Martial Arts Hall. He enjoyed a close personal relationship with the Chen family and was well acquainted with Master Chen’s grandchildren.

“Don’t even ask. She was just here, and in the blink of an eye, she disappeared,” Master Chen said, shaking his head in frustration. He then added gravely, “Yuanji, I might have to trouble you with today’s matter.”

“Master Chen, you’re too kind. It’s no trouble at all. Chen’s Martial Arts Hall and Xuantian have always been allies. How could I just stand by when your school faces difficulties?” Yang Yuanji said with a slight smile.

He then lowered his voice, “But Uncle Chen, why has Wei Chengxue from Wei Martial Arts Hall also arrived? Hasn’t he always been at odds with the Chen family? Could he be planning to cause trouble?”

“Don’t worry unnecessarily. The four major martial arts schools have always stood together. Although there’s friction with Wei Martial Arts Hall, they wouldn’t act against the greater good,” Master Chen responded, shaking his head.

Yet the shadow of concern in his eyes betrayed his outward confidence.

“Let’s not worry about him for now. If he doesn’t harbor ill intentions, that’s fine. But if he does, we’re not defenseless.”

“Right, Uncle Chen. Rest assured, we have long agreed to stand united. If Wei Martial Arts Hall decides to act against this agreement, they shouldn’t blame us for not showing courtesy.”

As they spoke, more than twenty people had already entered Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.

The annual exchange meeting of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall was highly esteemed in Jiangnan Province, and these attendees were all well-known figures in the martial arts circles of the province.

After welcoming several groups of guests, Master Chen went inside to entertain them. Meanwhile, Chen Tianxing and his son Chen Tianli continued to stand at the entrance, greeting newcomers.

Chen Tianli, somewhat distracted, scanned the area, searching for Chen Lingxin.

However, Chen Lingxin and Lin Xiao were positioned just out of Chen Tianli’s line of sight, making them impossible for him to spot.

“See that obnoxious guy?”

Suddenly, Chen Lingxin tugged at Lin Xiao’s sleeve, peeking her head out from behind his shoulder and pointing at a man who had just passed by.

The man appeared to be in his early thirties, his face marked by a rough visage. He wasn’t particularly tall but was remarkably brawny. His exposed arms, twisted with muscle, radiated a fearsome power.

He sauntered into the martial arts academy, exuding an air of dominance.

As he brushed past Chen Tianli, he forcefully clapped Chen Tianli’s shoulder, sending him reeling back a few steps, and let out a few boisterous laughs, seemingly oblivious to those around him.

Lin Xiao followed Chen Lingxin’s pointing finger, nodding, “I see him, what’s the issue?”

“That guy is from the Wei Martial Arts Hall, our family’s arch-rival. His name is Xu Huiba, the senior brother of the Wei Martial Arts Hall, and one of the people I despise the most,” Chen Lingxin explained.

She was leaning entirely against Lin Xiao’s back, her chest pressed against him, apparently unaware of the intimacy of their stance, “He’s never attended the exchange meetings before. I can’t believe he dared to show up this time. It’s infuriating!”

Lin Xiao could hear the genuine anger in Chen Lingxin’s voice and was curious about what Xu Huiba had done to upset her so greatly.

At the same time, Lin Xiao felt somewhat awkward due to Chen Lingxin’s soft chest pressing against his back.

Their posture was quite suggestive; from afar, it seemed as if Chen Lingxin was embracing Lin Xiao from behind, drawing curious glances from the surrounding students.

“What did he do to upset you so much?” Lin Xiao asked, setting aside his momentary distraction to focus on Chen Lingxin’s narrative.

“Hmph, that man not only bullies anyone from Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, but his gaze also becomes sleazy whenever he sees me. He even says some revolting stuff. Just the thought of it is nauseating,” Chen Lingxin said, still simmering with anger, clenching her teeth tightly.

“I see.” Lin Xiao wasn’t surprised by her explanation.

Chen Lingxin’s demeanor was frank and casual, but she undeniably possessed great beauty, coupled with a spirited air uncommon in most girls. This quality undoubtedly attracted the attention of men, desiring to win her over.

In fact, within Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, there were quite a few male disciples who admired Chen Lingxin, but they were intimidated by her usual formidable demeanor and dared not express their feelings.

“Why don’t you teach me a few moves, so I can give him a taste of his own medicine?” Chen Lingxin suggested, tiptoeing to whisper into Lin Xiao’s ear, her lips almost grazing his earlobe.