Free Web NovelChapter 598: Chapter 109: The Battle Begins
Junior Brother Lin is a genius even more monstrous than I am.
Lin Chen nodded and then asked another question out of curiosity: "Brother Pei, how did you end up here?"
When Han Kingdom announced its withdrawal from the ranking tournament, and when Dean Hou led everyone away from the Yan Capital, even though the news had been sent back to Liang before they left, the timing was too tight.
Unless Brother Pei happened to be within the borders of Yan Kingdom.
"I may not fully understand you, Junior Brother Lin, but do you think I don’t understand the people of Han Kingdom?"
Pei Qingming and Lin Chen exchanged a glance, and Lin Chen immediately grasped Brother Pei’s meaning, and they both broke into smiles.
"Han Kingdom has always been the number one among the Nine Kingdoms. Over the years, its public image has been ’fair and just,’ but in reality, the Han Country Court from top to bottom has never been truly magnanimous. If they perceive a threat, they will go to any lengths to eliminate that threat in the cradle."
"This applies not only to individuals but also to other countries. Whichever country rises and threatens their status, they will promptly support other countries to suppress it. When I heard about your performance in the ranking tournament, I predicted that Han Kingdom would scheme against you, so I rushed toward Yan Kingdom, and I arrived just in time."
"Qingming still sees through the true nature of Han Kingdom."
Hou Zhantian’s voice came from behind them: "Han Kingdom outwardly preaches fairness, and they’re even willing to cultivate martial geniuses from the Nine Kingdoms. They tempt those who go to Han Kingdom to stay there, and then use cultivation techniques or beauty to make these talents develop a sense of belonging to Han Kingdom. A significant part of Han Kingdom’s strength comes from gathering the elites of the Nine Kingdoms."
Hou Zhantian is well aware of Han Kingdom’s intentions to cultivate talents from the Nine Kingdoms.
Han Kingdom’s shrewdness lies in retaining many geniuses from the other Eight Kingdoms within its borders. Even though these geniuses might not follow Han Kingdom’s commands to act against their own homelands, Han Kingdom can easily have martial artists from Wu Kingdom deal with Ze Kingdom, or martial artists from Ze Kingdom deal with Zhao Kingdom...
"Let’s go back together, Qingming, you can pass on some insights about Martial Arts Cultivation to these youngsters."
Upon hearing Hou Zhantian’s words, Pei Qingming shook his head: "Dean, my path of cultivation isn’t suitable for the junior brothers, I really don’t have much insight to pass on. Instead, Junior Brother Lin’s letter ’To Junior Brothers of Jiangnan Dao,’ is worth more of their study."
Hou Zhantian looked taken aback, with a hint of helplessness on his face, understanding what his disciple was implying.
To be able to enter the Martial Arts Academy and represent it in the ranking tournament already shows that these disciples are geniuses among geniuses, yet there’s still a huge gap compared to Pei Qingming. Having Pei Qingming pass on insights about Martial Arts Cultivation could instead shatter these disciples’ martial hearts.
"I didn’t consider it thoroughly, it’s indeed unsuitable."
Pei Qingming didn’t continue with this topic to avoid causing too much of a blow to the junior brothers, and he shifted the subject: "Dean, I don’t intend to return to Liang."
"Not returning to Liang? Han Kingdom will surely find out what happened here within a day, it could be dangerous to stay abroad."
Hou Zhantian frowned, while Pei Qingming laughed: "Dean, even if Han Kingdom sends martial artists to hunt me down, as long as I am not eager to fight, they still won’t be able to stop me from leaving."
With the power of a First-Grade Martial Artist, Hou Zhantian had this confidence.
A First-Grade Martial Artist is already a top-tier power in the Nine Kingdoms, as long as such a power doesn’t engage in battle and solely aims to escape, it would take an alliance of multiple First-Grade Martial Artists to potentially pin them down.
"I’m planning to stay in Yan Kingdom for a few days to visit an old senior brother I knew."
Hearing this from Pei Qingming, a gleam appeared in Hou Zhantian’s eyes: "Qingming, do you mean?"
"Junior Brother Lin’s power is still a bit weak, he needs time. If Han Kingdom were to find out that Junior Brother Lin single-handedly defeated Huo Ruohong and two others in their joint effort, they would spare no expense to eliminate Junior Brother Lin. Even if Junior Brother Lin stays within Liang’s borders, who can ensure Han Kingdom won’t sneak in a few First-Grade Martial Artists to assassinate him?"
Pei Qingming’s intent was clear, this time he sought to draw Han Kingdom’s attention.
"Senior Brother Pei, actually..."
"Junior Brother Lin, I’m not doing this solely for your safety, it’s also because Liang and Han Kingdom are on the brink of war. Showing my strength to the outside world right now is to make it known to other countries, even if they don’t side with Liang, they should at least not align with Han Kingdom, maintaining neutrality is enough." freewebnoveℓ.com
Pei Qingming patted Lin Chen’s shoulder, and with a faint sense of embarrassment in his expression said: "Of course, there’s also a major reason, after seven years of silence, the spotlight has been stolen by you, Junior Brother Lin. Doesn’t Senior Brother care about his face? It’s a good opportunity to let the Nine Kingdoms know that I, Pei Qingming, as Liang’s greatest genius in three hundred years, am not just an empty name."
Lin Chen looked at Pei Qingming, understanding that Brother Pei’s last words were in jest. Given Brother Pei’s prowess, he had long overlooked such hollow fame. If he cared about reputation and gossip, he would have broken through to Upper Grade long ago.
"Alright, Qingming, be extra careful yourself in Han Kingdom."
Hou Zhantian, not one to be indecisive, acknowledged that Qingming’s plan was correct. This time, with forces from both Han Kingdom and Zheng Kingdom perishing here, Han Kingdom will surely be furious. A conflict will inevitably erupt between the two sides, and if Han Kingdom learns of Lin Chen’s true abilities, they would go to any length to assassinate Lin Chen.
