Chapter 47 - 48: Daring to Challenge the Dojo Without Money

Chapter 47: Chapter 48: Daring to Challenge the Dojo Without Money

Guo Martial Arts Hall.

"HOO! HAH!" Coordinated, rhythmic shouts of martial arts training rang out across the courtyard.

Over a dozen bare-armed men, supervised by a lean and muscular man, continuously alternated thrusting their hands into a large iron cauldron. A fire burned fiercely beneath the cauldron, heating the sand that filled it to the brim as the men rapidly drove their hands in and out.

"Alright, you’ve trained long enough. Take a break," the muscular man said, clapping his hands to signal them to stop.

Hearing this, the men immediately let go of their tense postures. They let out long exhales, flashing pained, grimacing smiles.

"Everyone, remember to soak your hands in the medicinal liquid for a while." Taking in their exhausted expressions, he had someone bring over a large wooden vat filled with a grayish-brown medicinal brew.

The disciples nodded. Once the flush on their arms gradually faded, someone approached the vat and submerged his arms in the liquid.

"OOH!" The moment his arms entered the water, the man let out a howl like a wild ape.

The muscular man’s face darkened. "What’s with that ungodly wailing!"

The noise stopped abruptly.

Just then, a middle-aged man walked out from inside the house. Seeing him, the muscular man approached and greeted respectfully, "Father."

The middle-aged man offered a curt hum of acknowledgment. With his hands clasped behind his back, he watched expressionlessly as the disciples took turns plunging their hands into the medicinal soak. Then, he turned to the muscular man and asked, "Guo Hao, how has student enrollment been these past few days?"

Guo Hao thought for a moment before replying, "Ever since you defeated Hong Ming, Father, we’ve had people coming to sign up every day. The numbers aren’t huge, though. We’ve only recruited thirteen disciples so far, and..."

"And what?"

"And their talent is quite a mixed bag."

"That’s to be expected. Talented Martial Artists are practically monopolized by the local Martial Arts Halls. In a few days, I’ll go challenge the Jiang Family Martial Arts Hall to thoroughly establish our reputation. Then, everyone will know the prowess of our Guo Martial Arts Hall!"

Hearing this, Guo Hao’s expression shifted slightly. The middle-aged man caught the reaction and asked, "What is it?"

"Father, you’ve already challenged many establishments, including the Hong Family Martial Arts Hall. I fear it has already sparked dissatisfaction. If you continue doing this, I’m afraid you’ll incur bitter grudges," Guo Hao said hesitantly.

"Hmph, do you think your father is afraid of them?" The middle-aged man sneered dismissively. Had those Martial Arts Halls not banded together to ostracize him, he would have laid hands on those useless sacks of meat long ago. With his strength, let alone dealing with the big three, sweeping through every Martial Arts Hall in White Stone City wouldn’t be an issue.

Guo Hao remained silent, though he let out a heavy sigh in his heart. Ever since his father became a Power Training Martial Artist, he had grown increasingly arrogant.

The atmosphere turned heavy as neither spoke. Just then, Guo Hao’s attention was drawn to a burly man at the entrance. The stranger quickly strode into the courtyard. Seeing this, Guo Hao stepped forward, a look of confusion on his face. "Can I help you with something?"

He sized up the newcomer. The man was heavily built with a fierce, intimidating face. He looked to be around thirty years old—hardly someone here to learn martial arts.

"You must be Guo Zhong. I’m here to challenge your hall!" The burly man ignored Guo Hao completely, looking straight at the middle-aged man as his booming voice rang out.

At those words, everyone in the courtyard abruptly stopped what they were doing. They turned their heads in unison to stare at the burly man in astonishment.

The confusion on Guo Hao’s face froze the moment the man spoke. Stunned, he turned to look at his father.

Guo Zhong had heard the burly man’s declaration as well. His sharp, calculating eyes fell upon the challenger, scrutinizing him closely.

"Here to challenge my hall?" Guo Zhong chuckled softly, a cold smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Since arriving in White Stone City, he had always been the one kicking down the doors of other dojos. He hadn’t expected it would be his turn to be challenged on his own turf.

He looked at the burly man and asked, "Which Martial Arts Hall are you from?"

The burly man waved a hand dismissively and said with impatience, "Never mind which hall I’m from. I just came to challenge yours. The question is, do you dare accept?"

"Why wouldn’t I!" Guo Zhong’s smile vanished, his expression turning solemn.

"Then cut the crap and let’s get started." The burly man took a step forward, directly confronting Guo Zhong.

"Hold on. I never fight for free," Guo Zhong interrupted. "If you want to challenge me, show me your sincerity first."

The burly man paused, confused. "What sincerity?"

"A prize. A wager," Guo Zhong clarified, seeing the man’s lack of understanding.

"How much do you want?" the burly man asked, narrowing his eyes.

A smirk returned to Guo Zhong’s face. He held up a single finger and said lightly, "One hundred taels!"

The burly man was left speechless. He gave Guo Zhong a long, hard look before dropping a single phrase: "Wait here!"

Watching the burly man’s retreating back, Guo Zhong’s expression faltered slightly before he shook his head and scoffed. "He dared to challenge my hall without any money!"

He had thought he’d stumbled upon a dumb brute and could easily make one hundred taels. Instead, the man turned out to be all show and no substance. Shaking his head, Guo Zhong walked back inside the house.

An incense stick’s time later, the burly man returned to the Martial Arts Hall. He threw a heavy bag of coins onto the ground and barked at Guo Hao, "Call Guo Zhong out here."

Hearing the commotion outside, Guo Zhong paused in surprise before stepping out. His gaze immediately fell upon the money bag on the ground. Seeing a silver note of ten taels poking out from the middle of the bag, his pupils shrank slightly, and he narrowed his eyes.

"Alright, since you want to challenge me, bring it on," Guo Zhong chuckled lightly, his impression of the burly man improving slightly.

The burly man nodded. Just as he was about to make a move, Guo Zhong stopped him again. "However, let’s make things clear first. If you lose, this one hundred taels belongs to me."

"And what if you lose?" the burly man retorted.

"If I lose?" Guo Zhong was taken aback by the question, but replied anyway. "If I lose, I’ll give you one hundred taels!"

"Deal!"

"Then let’s begin," Guo Zhong said, gesturing for his disciples to step back.

"Hold on."

This time, it wasn’t Guo Zhong who spoke, but the burly man. Guo Zhong looked at him in confusion, only to hear the challenger say, "Bring out your money first!"

"You... you think I’d back out on my word?" Guo Zhong’s face hardened as a flash of anger crossed his features.

"Just in case!" the burly man replied noncommittally.

With a dark expression, Guo Zhong stayed silent and shot a glance at Guo Hao. Guo Hao went inside, retrieved one hundred taels, and placed the money next to the burly man’s pouch.

Seeing this, the burly man nodded in satisfaction. He looked at his opponent and declared, "Make your move!"

Guo Zhong snorted coldly and didn’t hold back. He lunged forward in a single powerful stride. Fueled by anger, his techniques were exceptionally ferocious.

In contrast, the burly man simply stared at Guo Zhong, standing completely motionless in place.

"Hmph, if I don’t beat you into a cripple today, my name isn’t Guo Zhong!" Guo Zhong sneered inwardly. His palm chopped out like a sharp blade, tearing through the air with a whistling hiss as it struck toward the challenger.

Guo Zhong’s offensive was as fierce as a tiger. Just as his strike was about to land, he noticed the burly man finally raising his hand at a leisurely pace. Guo Zhong couldn’t help but sneer, "Moving only now? Don’t you think it’s a little too late?"