Chapter 160: Jiang Linfeng!

The leader’s gaze swept around the room and finally settled on Old Master Chen.

A sneer curled at the corner of his mouth. His voice, raspy and grating like the scraping of metal, broke the silence: “Chen Jinsong, do you still remember me?”

Chen Jinsong stood up upon hearing the man’s voice. His eyes narrowed slightly as he replied in a cold tone, “Jiang Linfeng?”

“Yes, it’s me!”

Jiang Linfeng strode past the guests straight to Old Master Chen, as if he was the only one in the room. He laughed heartily, “Haha, I didn’t expect you to remember my name after all these years. Do you spend every night in fear, worried that someone will come for your life?”

“Come for my life?” Old Master Chen raised his eyelids, speaking calmly, “Your father and I had a fair duel, and we both signed a life-and-death agreement. You know as well as I do, in the world of ancient martial arts, life and death are not in our hands. I regret your father’s death, but I couldn’t control it.”

“Haha, Chen Jinsong, always the expert at evading responsibility. But I know you too well to bother arguing,” Jiang Linfeng’s laughter boomed. “I came here today with one purpose, to seek justice from Chen’s Martial Arts Hall and avenge my father.”

“If you’re truly here just for vengeance, you’re welcome to take my life. But I know there’s more to your intentions,” Old Master Chen said, looking directly at Jiang Linfeng.

Jiang Linfeng sneered, “Haha, regardless of what you say, my mind won’t change. The signboard of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, I am set on destroying it today, and nobody can stop me! You’ve grown old. And I, Jiang Linfeng, find no honor in fighting you. It would be a hollow victory and would tarnish my reputation. But since you killed my father, I will destroy your martial arts school, end your legacy, and let you taste the agony of a life worse than death.”

“What grandiose talk,” Yang Yuanji, witnessing Jiang Linfeng’s disregard for everyone, laughed in anger, “Big talk is easy. If you really can do it, go ahead and try.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll see soon enough.”

Jiang Linfeng scoffed, then looked around and addressed Chen Jinsong, “You’ve invited so many people, what do you plan? A gang fight?”

“Rest assured, I’m aware of the help you’ve invited. Unless they are of equal skill, numbers won’t matter. You have six people, and we at Chen’s Martial Arts Hall will also field six. A fair contest, with no disputes over the outcome, regardless of victory or defeat.”

Old Master Chen’s gaze passed over Jiang Linfeng and the five individuals behind him, his pupils narrowing slightly, “If you win, Chen’s Martial Arts Hall will withdraw from the Four Great Martial Arts Halls and close its doors. But what if you lose?”

“Lose? Hahaha!” Jiang Linfeng burst into a piercing laugh, turning to his fellow martial artists, “He thinks we can lose? That’s hilarious!”

The other five joined in with the laughter. For a moment, Chen’s Martial Arts Hall was filled with their mocking laughter.

Watching these six display such disdain for everyone, the surrounding guests were unable to contain their anger, particularly those seated near the door, who clenched their fists and glared at the five men.

“What are you staring at? Keep staring, and I’ll gouge out your eyes,” one of the five, a chubby man, suddenly turned back, his eyes menacing.

However, all those present were martial artists, none of them meek or fearful. Someone immediately retorted, “I’ll look if I want. What can you do about it?”

The fat man’s face flashed with fury. Contrary to his bulky frame, he demonstrated astonishing agility. He lunged forward with incredible speed, reached the speaker in a blink, and sent him flying with a slap.

After striking the man, the figure returned to his original position just as swiftly.

This action happened in mere seconds, leaving the spectators barely able to catch a glimpse of his movements, which left them thoroughly shocked.

“Anyone else dare to look?” The fat man’s gaze was fierce as it swept over the crowd.

The onlookers lowered their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

In the ancient martial arts world, strength reigned supreme, and no reasoning could surpass the might of a fist.

“Let’s not stray from the main issue,” Jiang Linfeng spoke unhurriedly.

At his words, the fat man withdrew his gaze, crossed his hands behind his back, and stood back, ceasing any further aggression.

Seeing the strength of this group, the onlookers began to whisper amongst themselves, covertly exchanging information.

“Hey, do you know who these people are?”

“I have no idea. There’s no one like them in Jiangnan Province.”

“You’re out of touch. These five, including Jiang Linfeng, are well-known ancient martial arts masters from our neighboring Jiangbei Province.”

“Brother Wang, do you know about them? Could you please elaborate and clear up everyone’s confusion?”

“No need to introduce Jiang Linfeng much, right? He was originally from our Jiangnan Province, then he left. I don’t know what kind of opportunity he found, but he’s now quite renowned in Jiangbei Province. It’s even rumored that his cultivation has reached the Dark Force level.”

“Dark Force?”

Everyone was astounded. In Jiangnan Province, where the ancient martial arts strength was relatively weaker, a master of Dark Force was virtually invincible.

“Yes, although it’s just hearsay and not confirmed. But even if he isn’t at the Dark Force level, he won’t be far from it.”

“And the others?”

“The other five with Jiang Linfeng? From right to left, they are Han Lin, Chu Tao, Shen Lin, Zhou Fang, and Wu Yong. They are quite renowned in Jiangbei Province, comparable to the heads of our Four Great Martial Arts Halls. It’s baffling why they would follow Jiang Linfeng.”

“As strong as the leaders of the Four Great Schools? And five of them, no less? Incredible!” The crowd was visibly shocked.

“Yes, five experts on par with the leaders of the Four Great Schools, plus a suspected Dark Force master… It’s unfathomable how we could stand against them. Not to mention Master Chen’s loss of cultivation. Even if he were at full strength, he wouldn’t be a match for this group!”

“Indeed, it looks like Chen’s Martial Arts Hall is in serious trouble.”

Lin Xiao, unnoticeably attentive, absorbed every word of the crowd’s discussions.

After witnessing the fat man’s display, Lin Xiao almost confirmed that all six challengers had cultivation levels at least equal to the heads of the Four Great Martial Arts Halls.

As for Jiang Linfeng, if Lin Xiao’s intuition was correct, his cultivation had reached the Dark Force level and had stabilized over time.

If Lin Xiao had only just achieved Dark Force, he would likely not be a match for him.

Five experts of the Four Great Schools’ headmaster level and a master of Dark Force, constituted a force capable of overwhelming the ancient martial arts landscape of Jiangnan Province. No wonder they dared to challenge alone.

And it was no wonder that everyone thought Chen’s Martial Arts Hall was doomed.

After all, with Old Master Chen’s complete loss of cultivation, even if the other Four Great Schools lent their support, they would still be no match for this group.

And now, with Wei Martial Arts Hall’s defection, their chances were even slimmer.