Chapter 155: Provocation

Chen Lingxin seemed to relish her conversation with Lin Xiao, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Lin Xiao’s ears tingled under the intense gaze of the onlooking disciples, almost as if they were melting him with their stares. To put some distance between himself and Chen Lingxin, he subtly stepped forward.

“You can’t defeat him?” Lin Xiao asked.

“Xu Huiba is older than me. Our strengths were closely matched before; neither of us could gain the upper hand.”

Chen Lingxin appeared oblivious to the attention they were drawing, or perhaps she was aware but simply indifferent.

“You are so amazing, you have already broken through to the Bright Force stage, can you teach me a few moves, I can call you master?” she said.

“Didn’t I already tell you? I’m not interested in taking disciples,” Lin Xiao responded, somewhat exasperated by Chen Lingxin’s persistence. “Besides, we’re about the same age. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for you to call me Master?”

“There’s no embarrassment in that. When the student is ready, the master appears. Since you’re so powerful, you deserve to be my master,” Chen Lingxin said nonchalantly. “As for others, no matter how old they are, if they aren’t strong enough, they have no chance of being acknowledged as my master.”

“Since you’re so eager to learn, I guess I could show you a few things,” Lin Xiao conceded, swayed by Chen Lingxin’s determination. “But not today. We’ll discuss it after everything has settled down.”

“Yay, that’s great!” Chen Lingxin exclaimed softly, nearly jumping for joy.

As Lin Xiao and Chen Lingxin were talking, all the guests for the Chen Martial Arts Hall’s anniversary had already entered.

The academy’s courtyard was set up with a feast, and the guests began to take their seats.

Old Master Chen, spotting Chen Lingxin and Lin Xiao in a corner, opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately just sighed deeply. Shaking his head and pointing at Chen Lingxin, he walked inside.

Chen Tianli shot Chen Lingxin a reproachful glance and urged, “What are you two doing over there? Come here, where have you been?”

“Mind your own business,” Chen Lingxin shot back at Chen Tianli, then turned to Lin Xiao with a polite tone. “Master, let’s go inside.”

“I never agreed to be your master,” Lin Xiao rebuffed her playful attempt to elevate him.

“What’s the harm? It’s just a nickname. Can’t I happily call you Master?” Chen Lingxin retorted, rolling her eyes and pulling Lin Xiao into the school. They took seats at a table near the entrance.

Chen Tianli became visibly anxious. “Chen Lingxin, Lin Xiao, you can’t sit here. You should be at the first table, with grandfather and father.”

“Shoo, shoo, you go ahead. Don’t worry about us. Sitting with a bunch of old men, I fear I’ll lose my appetite,” Chen Lingxin complained with evident annoyance.

Chen Tianli was at his wits’ end with Chen Lingxin’s willful and reckless behavior.

Truth be told, he was somewhat afraid of his sister, who was only a minute older than him. He couldn’t outfight or outtalk her. In the Chen family, only their grandfather had some control over her, and their father seldom interfered in Chen Lingxin’s matters, leaving him feeling utterly powerless.

Thus, Chen Tianli could only turn to Lin Xiao with a look of desperation, hoping for his intervention. However, Lin Xiao just shrugged, signaling his inability to assist.

Lin Xiao knew that Chen Lingxin would listen if he spoke up, but he too preferred not to sit with the elder Chen and the others. His reluctance was not because he was repelled, but to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

With no other choice, Chen Tianli reluctantly went by himself. He had no alternative, being the sole grandson of the elder Chen.

Once everyone was seated, the elder Chen patriarch stood and addressed the gathering. His voice was soft yet carried clearly to all.

“Thank you for gracing our event with your presence. Today marks the annual Martial Arts Exchange Meeting of our school. Thanks to your support, this event has gained some renown in Jiangnan Province over the past decade. I’d like to extend my gratitude to all of you. In my youth, armed with some skill, I sought out challenges and conflicts, offending many and making numerous adversaries. Now, in my old age, I’ve gained nothing but lingering injuries. Today, with everyone here, I declare my retirement from the martial arts world. From this day forth, I will step back completely. The stewardship of the Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, I hereby entrust to Tianxing, and I hope you all will bear witness.”

At this point, Chen Tianxing stood up, his demeanor calm. He respectfully addressed the gathering, “Esteemed colleagues, I seek your guidance in the days ahead. I am committed to collaborating with you all to elevate the ancient martial arts of Jiangnan Province.”

Most guests rose to reciprocate the gesture, feeling compelled to show respect.

Following the elder Chen’s declaration, Chen Tianxing’s role had evolved. As the new head of one of the four major martial arts schools in Jiangnan Province, even those previously inclined to challenge him felt obliged to offer their respect.

This respect was not just for Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, but for the prestige of all four major schools in the region.

After the salutations, the guests resumed their seats. However, a few, including Wei Chengxue of the Wei Martial Arts Hall, remained standing.

Wei Chengxue, a sturdy and muscular man in his fifties, surveyed Chen Tianxing and then spoke mockingly, “Elder Chen, your son Chen Tianxing is only at the middle stage of Bright Force, right? For someone of his level to lead one of our four major martial arts halls, it’s a true dishonor to our collective prestige.”

Upon hearing Wei Chengxue’s words, the entire room was shocked, and all eyes turned to Elder Chen.

Many among the smaller factions and lone martial artists were unaware that Elder Chen had lost his martial prowess, a fact known to only a select few.

To them, Wei Chengxue’s blunt declaration in such a setting seemed like an outright confrontation.

The few who were aware of Elder Chen’s diminished skills smirked coldly. These were the influential martial arts schools of Jiangnan Province, each capable of vying for a spot among the four great institutions. Seeing the Chen Martial Arts Hall in trouble, refraining from adding insult to injury was as much as could be expected.

The guests exchanged knowing glances, and the atmosphere turned distinctly awkward.

Those present were all astute, sensing from Wei Chengxue’s statement that something significant might unfold today.

Regardless of what was to happen, it was of no concern to most of them. Hence, the majority chose to silently observe, refraining from rashly joining the conversation. The vast courtyard fell into a silence so deep, you could hear a pin drop.

Elder Chen’s face was stoic, his voice icy as he responded, “Master Wei, what exactly are you implying?”

“Come on, Elder Chen, drop the act. Everyone who needs to know about your lost cultivation already does. The Chen’s Martial Arts Hall no longer deserves to hold one of the four major titles.”

Wei Chengxue chuckled, “Elder Chen, I suggest you relinquish the title of your own accord. Otherwise, the Chen’s Martial Arts Hall may face its demise today.”

Before Elder Chen could reply, the students from the Chen Martial Arts Hall erupted.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Close your foul mouth and get out of here!”

“Out, now!”

Enraged, the students hurled incessant curses at Wei Chengxue.

At this moment, Chen Tianxing, standing to the side, glared icily. He suddenly lifted his hand and bellowed, “Silence!”

His commanding shout, resonating with authority like thunder, completely overpowered the students’ angry voices.

Although Chen Tianxing’s martial capabilities weren’t enough to fully support the prestige of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, it remained one of the four great schools.

Indeed, for his age, Chen Tianxing’s skills were respectable. In any ordinary martial arts school, his abilities would more than qualify him as the head.

At the headmaster’s command, the students ceased their shouting, teeth gritted and eyes blazing with fury at Wei Chengxue, as if they wished to tear him apart.

Wei Chengxue scoffed disdainfully, “A bunch of useless fools.”

He continued, “Elder Chen, we’re all martial artists. Let’s skip the nonsense. In our world, cultivation is paramount. If you disagree, feel free to challenge me. I, Wei Chengxue, will not shy away from a fight.”