Free Web NovelChapter 178: Chapter 178: You Simply Can’t Afford It
After the expert from the Zheng Family spoke, everyone turned their eyes back to Lu Chao.
The name "Fake Lu Chao" had recently become known to quite a few people in the Dragon Flame Royal Capital. After all, the incident in Saint Su City had caused a significant stir. Combined with matters involving the Chaotic Hundred Countries and the Dragon Flame Academy, various rumors had started to spread.
Even Wu Fenyu was stunned, because it could be said that Zheng Zhuhe’s commotion today was all because of Lu Chao.
The Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist came from them, and her father, Wu Ying, had intervened on their behalf.
As the entire hall fell silent, Zheng Zhuhe suddenly... BOOM!
The True Qi throughout his body erupted as he roared, "Fake Lu Chao, so it was you."
It was this same Fake Lu Chao who had gotten him kidnapped by Yin Ye, causing him to suffer endless humiliation... and Fake Lu Chao had also ruined the Saint Bone Zheng Family’s plans. His own intended father-in-law had even become the Su Family’s Saint Bone Heir.
He was also the one who had killed Zheng Zhuhai with a single strike.
Of course, it never occurred to Zheng Zhuhe that the conflict had started because Zheng Liyuan had kidnapped Cheng Chuming in the first place.
Lu Chao’s expression was calm. "Yes. But my real name is Lu Chao."
’Who the hell cares if your name is Lu Chao or what!’ Zheng Zhuhe could no longer control his emotions. "Kill him for me."
Instantly, two Transformation Peak experts from the Zheng Family erupted with power. They had previously followed Zheng Liling to Saint Su City, so they naturally recognized Lu Chao. They had also personally witnessed him kill Zheng Zhuhai with a single strike.
When enemies cross paths, their eyes burn with exceptional hatred.
But in the next instant, Sun Shijin took a large stride forward, fixing the two Zheng Family experts with a cold gaze.
Seeing this, the two of them felt their imposing auras instantly dissipate, and they backed away several steps.
At that moment, Sun Shijin spoke coldly, "If you dare to touch Lu Chao, believe me when I say I will kill Zheng Zhuhe right now."
The scene plunged into dead silence. Auras clashed between the two sides, making the hall of the Hundred Flames Trading Company feel incredibly oppressive.
After a standoff that lasted for several breaths...
One of the Zheng Family experts hesitated for a moment before quickly walking to Zheng Zhuhe’s side and whispering a few words.
Zheng Zhuhe’s expression darkened instantly, but he suppressed his anger and spoke.
"Fake Lu Chao, consider yourself lucky."
"The Dragon Flame King has decreed that nothing is to happen to you before the competition for the Beast Flame Academy spots. Otherwise, I would have made sure you died today."
In reality, what the Zheng Family expert had whispered in his ear was...
’Sun Shijin is on the brink of despair. The competition for the Beast Flame Academy spots is his only hope. If something happens to Lu Chao, he’ll really go on a murderous rampage.’
Therefore, Zheng Zhuhe had no desire to be senselessly killed by a crazed Sun Shijin.
But, of course, he couldn’t admit that he was afraid.
Instead, he used the Dragon Flame King’s order as an excuse, posturing as if he wouldn’t deign to deal with Lu Chao for the time being.
Lu Chao merely smiled at this, not bothering to expose the lie. The atmosphere, which moments before had been a prelude to a battle to the death, gradually calmed. But Zheng Zhuhe still had no intention of leaving, and he turned to look at Wu Fenyu again.
"Either bring out the Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist and sell it to me, and then kowtow in apology."
"Or, your Dragon Flame Branch can shut down for a while."
He still spoke with a faint threat, looking as if he had Wu Fenyu completely under his thumb.
And Zheng Zhuhe truly did have the power to force the Dragon Flame Branch to temporarily close.
He was the local powerhouse. No matter how influential the Hundred Flames Trading Company was, they were currently on his territory.
For a moment, Wu Fenyu could only reply, "This matter requires my father’s return before a decision can be made."
Zheng Zhuhe let out a cold laugh and slowly turned around.
He strode step by step toward the main entrance of the Dragon Flame Branch, his low voice echoing behind him. "The Dragon Flame Branch of the Hundred Flames Trading Company has looked down on this young master. As of today, it is temporarily closed."
His voice was incomparably arrogant. As he strode toward the exit, he walked directly toward Lu Chao.
And so, the two of them grew closer and closer...
Zheng Zhuhe suddenly spoke. "Fake Lu Chao, I do hope you make it to Beast Flame Academy. I want to tear you to pieces."
With that, they brushed past each other.
But just as Zheng Zhuhe was passing him, Lu Chao said coolly, "The Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist... you can’t afford it."
As his words fell, Wu Fenyu, who had been at a complete loss, suddenly looked up.
Zheng Zhuhe stopped in his tracks and whipped around. "What did you say?"
Lu Chao turned to face him, looking Zheng Zhuhe straight in the eye.
"A couple of days ago, I heard the Hundred Flames Trading Company established a new rule. To qualify to purchase the Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist, one must perfectly master the first three forms within the time it takes an incense stick to burn..."
"And you can’t afford it. You’re not qualified."
"I’m saying I look down on you. You... are unworthy of buying it!"
As Lu Chao spoke, a furious fire ignited in Zheng Zhuhe’s eyes.
The next moment, he shot a glare at Wu Fenyu, his voice piercing. "Is this true?"
Wu Fenyu was dumbfounded. ’Where did that rule come from?’
This Fake Lu Chao was obviously spouting nonsense, but she immediately understood. Lu Chao was helping her out of this predicament. As long as Zheng Zhuhe couldn’t learn the forms within the time limit, he wouldn’t have the face to demand she close her shop.
But she couldn’t make this decision. Her father was planning to send the Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist to the Hundred Flames main office to set a price.
Just as Wu Fenyu hesitated...
A resonant and powerful, yet aged, voice rang out from the entrance. "Indeed, that is the case."
Everyone turned toward the voice to see a tall, black-robed old man walking in from outside.
Seeing the newcomer, Wu Fenyu let out a long sigh of relief and rushed forward. "Father, he..."
The newcomer was none other than Wu Ying!
He stopped his daughter from speaking further, replying calmly, "There’s no need to explain. I already know."
With that, he turned to Zheng Zhuhe. "Young Master Zheng, is it? The rule for the Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist is indeed as this young man described. However, I was planning to announce it this evening and have it officially begin tomorrow."
Wu Ying directly confirmed Lu Chao’s story, stating that one must comprehend the first three forms within the time it takes an incense stick to burn to be qualified to purchase it.
This was to be a special event hosted by the Hundred Flames Trading Company.
Zheng Zhuhe stared intently at Wu Ying, as if trying to determine if he was the black-robed man who had kidnapped him.
His fists clenched slightly.
Finally, Zheng Zhuhe spoke. "Wu Ying, I want you to start now. Otherwise, I’ve already stated the consequences. Moreover, if I do learn it within the time limit, every single one of you will... kneel, kowtow, and apologize for looking down on me."
For the time being, Zheng Zhuhe couldn’t tell if Wu Ying was the one who had kidnapped him, but seeing as things had come to this, he might as well assume he was.
He spoke the last three words through gritted teeth.
Wu Ying, however, replied without hesitation. "Fine. I agree to everything. Let’s begin now."
His movements were swift and efficient. He immediately produced a manual.
He then tore out the pages for the first three forms, tossed them to Zheng Zhuhe, and immediately ordered an Attendant to light the incense.
Once everything was set...
Wu Ying then added, "If you fail to learn it within the time limit, I won’t ask Young Master Zheng to kneel or kowtow. But I will require an apology from you." freewebnoveℓ.com
Zheng Zhuhe sneered derisively and paid him no mind.
As the top genius of the Zheng Family, he was brimming with confidence. He didn’t believe for a second that he would be unable to learn it.
And so, right then and there, he opened the manual to the first three forms of the Hundred Marvels Fist.
Meanwhile, Wu Fenyu hurried over to Wu Ying and asked, "Father, what if he actually learns it within the time limit? What do we do then?"
If he succeeded, they would not only have to sell him the technique but also close the shop and kowtow!
Wu Ying gave a sinister smile. "Don’t worry. Fake Lu Chao said he won’t be able to learn it, and so he definitely won’t be able to learn it."
Wu Fenyu was stunned. ’Why?’
