Chapter 2055 - 2053: Martial Arts Tournament (The Renovation Next Door Is Driving Me Crazy! To the Mountain!)

As an elderly man well-versed in Martial Hero novels, Fang Zheng certainly knows how to gain fame in the shortest time.

First, you need an unusual weapon to be easily remembered by people.

Forget about commonplace weapons like the Ghost Head Blade or Longsword, the true Martial Hero; nine out of ten famous figures in martial arts use specially crafted weapons. We’re not talking about the Golden Snake Sword or Dragon Slayer Blade, as the bar is set too high, but things like the Judge’s Pen, crutches, throwing knives... these are the most distinctive.

After all, not everyone can declare their weapon’s Attribute Level before a fight like Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng.

In fact, it’s the same in modern society; who cares about attributes when changing equipment? You always look at the appearance first before considering attributes, right?

So, appearance is more important than anything else.

Following the footsteps of these predecessors, Fang Zheng took a fan as his weapon, specifically the very stylish White Jade Fan. The entire fan is carved from pure jade, illustrated with landscapes and beauties, remarkable at first glance.

Once you have a stylish weapon, naturally, what follows is your combat achievements. Just like in online games, even if your equipment is flashy, you need to rely on PvP to gain fame. To this, Fang Zheng was unreserved, traveling around while conveniently eliminating a bunch of mountain bandits. Of course, with the social order of the Great Han, those black path sects you read about in Martial Hero novels certainly don’t exist—in any case, if you try to set up a martial sect, apart from anything else, the Imperial Court will definitely first check your paperwork and taxes, also requiring you to abide by the law without violations.

What? You say you’re from the black path? Don’t want to obey the law? Don’t want to pay taxes?

Guards, prepare the troops.

In such a situation, black path sects naturally can’t flourish, although just like there are famous criminals in modern society, this high martial era also has some highly skilled lawbreakers. They’re either elusive or the average government office lacks the power to apprehend them. For such people, Fang Zheng laughingly took care of them smoothly.

Not only that, Fang Zheng showed no mercy for these heinous criminals, not only dismantling their martial arts but also rendering them disabled; thus, for many in the black path, Fang Zheng also has a "notorious reputation."

As the saying goes, good deeds rarely leave the house, while bad news spreads far and wide. Fang Zheng, with his unique weapon and ferociously brutal attitude towards black path individuals, made a name for himself in no time.

So much so that now nearly everyone in the Southern Martial World knows of a handsome and charming Young Lord Jade Face.

So, to gain fame, acting cool and menacing are indispensable.

When Fang Zheng reached Guiyang, the annual Southern Martial World Tournament was being held, much like modern chef cooking competitions—a civilian organization watched by officials. Of course, the winners naturally receive prizes, but for Fang Zheng, these things obviously hold no attraction.

The reason he came to participate in this Southern Martial Tournament is naturally drawn to those Jade Guardian Fairies. Indeed, many people showed up for the same reason, as it was rumored that the Jade Guardian Fairy would also attend this Martial Tournament, which is only to be expected.

After all, the rumor of the Jade Guardian Fairy is widespread, but only a few have truly seen her, which makes many curious onlookers quite interested. The chance to see how beautiful this legendary Jade Guardian Fairy really is seems quite appealing to most onlookers.

Upon entering the tavern, most of what could be heard revolved around discussions on this matter.

"Hey, do you think that Jade Guardian Fairy will actually attend this Martial Tournament?"

"Of course, this was personally stated by the Demon Sword King. He saw that Protector of the Jade at Hero Li Tianming’s house, and Hero Li also told Wang Wu about it."

"Hey, this is interesting. Perhaps the prize for this Martial Tournament is the Hee’s Bi Jade."

"Are you insane? Even if you were given that thing, would you dare take it? They say whoever obtains the Hee’s Bi Jade gains the world. Are you trying to seize the throne?"

"Ha, I’m not that foolish. But isn’t it rumored that the Divine Skill of the First Emperor is within the Hee’s Bi? I could easily practice the Divine Skill and then hand over the Hee’s Bi to the Imperial Court. Or if I could obtain the Hee’s Bi, I’d simply hand it to the Imperial Court; maybe I could exchange it for a government position, and even if not, possibly get some martial arts manuals, right?"

"Hahaha, with your mindset, you’d never get Hee’s Bi."

"I was just saying..."

While listening to the Martial World folks boast around him, Fang Zheng gleefully sipped his drink. Indeed, this reflects most martial artists’ genuine thoughts. The Great Han is rich and the people strong; even in the most impoverished places, at least they are settled with enough to eat. In this circumstance, who would want to rebel without lack of brains?

Heh heh heh, those bald monks likely regard the Great Han as some barbarian group from the west, unaware that the gap between the two is not just a matter of centuries...

However, at that moment, someone else spoke up.

"By the way, did you know? There’s a sect called Pure Thought Zen Temple set to participate in this Martial Tournament."

"Pure Thought Zen Temple? What kind of place is that?"

"I’m not too sure either. I only saw those people once, and they dressed very peculiarly, plus they were all bald..."

"Hahahaha, that sure sounds strange enough."

I see.

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng silently put his cup down, a flash of cold light in his eyes. As expected, these bald monks just don’t learn their lesson.

They’ve clearly realized that infiltrating the Great Han through religion is tough, so they’ve turned to a roundabout strategy, trying to enter via a martial sect. After all, martial sects undergo less scrutiny compared to religious groups and are easier to obtain permits for. With the way these Buddhist bald monks operate, they can easily proclaim themselves a meditation and martial arts sect, then close their doors to practice scriptures and magic inside.

After all, the inner workings of a sect fall under privacy. As long as you’re not conducting human sacrifices or dawn ceremonies, the Imperial Court can’t easily interfere.

Damn, these bald guys are just like rats, slipping through any hole they can find, MMP!

Fang Zheng had already guessed the opponent’s purpose, which was to leak the news that the Jade Guardian Fairy would participate in the Southern Martial World Tournament, drawing the attention of all martial arts figures, and then let the Pure Thought Zen Sect stand out. As long as the Pure Thought Zen Sect performed well in this Martial Arts Tournament, they would definitely be able to gain a wave of reputation.

However, since I know about it, how could I let you succeed?

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng curled his lips, revealing a smile.

Just wait, if I don’t make you bald guys go home crying from this Martial Arts Tournament, then my name isn’t Fang Zheng!

However, just as Fang Zheng had this thought, a wine jug suddenly fell from the sky, crashing onto the table in front of him, completely overturning the wine and snacks before his eyes. At the same time, an angry shout came from behind.

"How dare you insult my master, you must be tired of living!"

Fang Zheng silently turned his head, only to see a few young white-robed warriors confronting a rugged but strong man. The latter looked like a woodcutter from the mountains but carried a long staff, suggesting he was also a martial artist. At this moment, facing the white-robed warriors’ angry shout, the ragged man just laughed loudly.

"Am I wrong? Your master was foolishly ensnared by that woman, truly stupid. You’re no better; being deceived by a woman’s sweet words is nothing to be proud of. Are you not disciples of a prestigious sect? Yet you look as naive as sheep right now."

"How dare you, thief!"

Hearing this, one of the white-robed warriors couldn’t resist drawing his sword.

"Let Swift Sword Liu Tao teach you a lesson..."

"Swish—————!!"

However, before he finished speaking, a white light suddenly flashed between the two, tearing open a crack in the floor and wall. The chilling sword qi surging forward made both sides back away in shock, then looked in the direction where the white sword qi had come from.

"Who is interfering?!"

"........."

Under everyone’s gaze, Fang Zheng stood up quietly, coldly staring at both parties.

"I don’t care why you’re fighting, but I want to know, which bastard threw this wine jug?!"

MMP, can’t Laozi even drink in peace?!

"Uh......"

Looking at the wine jug that had crashed onto Fang Zheng’s table, the white-robed warriors looked awkward. They had been upset by the insults to their master and had thrown the wine jug, which the man dodged. The argument started from there, and they hadn’t cared where the jug landed.

But now......

"Who are you?"

However, there’s always a few stubborn ones in this world. The white-robed warrior who had acted earlier snorted coldly and glanced at Fang Zheng.

"We have unfinished business with him, your little trouble can wait. It’s just a wine jug; we can more than afford it!"

Hey!? Do you think you’re in the right?

Hearing this, Fang Zheng’s expression darkened, and the man behind the white-robed warrior also changed his expression.

"Senior brother, this......"

"Swish———!"

But just as he opened his mouth, a white light flashed in front of him. With a dull grunt, the white-robed warrior who had spoken so boldly was sent flying, crashing into a wall nearby.

"Senior brother!"

"Senior brother!!"

Seeing the white-robed warrior struck down, the other disciples hurried over. The white-robed warrior stood up with their help, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and glared at Fang Zheng.

"You coward, attacking by surprise?"

"Who attacked by surprise? I did it right in front of you, it’s just that you’re so slow, as dumb as a pig."

Fang Zheng snorted coldly, snapping open his fan, and hearing his words, the white-robed warrior became even more enraged, drawing his longsword from his waist.

"Fine, let me see the masterful skills you boast of!"