"The law of the jungle, what’s wrong with it? At least it ensures that the martial talents of our Liang aren’t inferior to those of other countries."

...

...

On the viewing platform, due to the identities of Cui Yunfan and others, a fierce verbal conflict erupted.

But regardless of the standpoint, there was one consensus among these Liang martial artists: defeat the Nansha Three Islands first.

Deal with external matters first, and handle internal affairs behind closed doors later.

On the viewing platform, Yu Beichen looked at Cui Yunfan and the others with a solemn expression. He had interacted with these people before.

After all, the Nansha Three Islands are just tiny territories, so the youths from these islands would seek martial resources in other countries. Both he and Cui Yunfan had stayed in the Han Kingdom.

Cui Yunfan’s strength was formidable, and crucially, he and the Five Clans practiced the Combined Attack Technique. If Cui Yunfan and the other two were to take the stage, the advantage of the three brothers’ connected thoughts would dissipate.

"Cui Yunfan, don’t forget the words you once spoke to me."

Yu Beichen spoke sharply, "Back then, you all said that Liang would ignore and guard against youths like you in other countries, not treating you as Liang’s own. Was that a lie?"

Yu Beichen’s words stirred an uproar on the platform again.

Many martial artists who were unaware of the inside story looked puzzled.

"Does our Liang really disregard and secretly guard against martial artists who go abroad for cultivation?"

"Isn’t it reasonable to go abroad for better martial paths? The Imperial Court shouldn’t treat it this way."

"Is it unnecessary?"

A young man on the platform sneered repeatedly, "Though the Military Affairs Department hasn’t issued a public statement, there are private rules that any youths going abroad cannot enter martial halls upon returning, nor are they eligible to enter a Martial Arts Academy. It’s almost explicit that once you go abroad, you’re no longer a Liang martial artist."

"In my opinion, Senior Brother Cui and the others shouldn’t have intervened. If they win, no one will appreciate them, but if they lose, they’ll face insults."

Listening to the discussions on the platform, Cui Yunfan’s lips curled slightly as everything unfolded as he had anticipated.

"Those were just impulsive words in the past. The Cui Family is of Liang, and I, Cui Yunfan, am naturally a child of Liang. How could I stand by when Liang is in trouble?"

Cui Yunfan shook his head, causing cheers to erupt from the platform.

"Senior Brother Cui is right; whether abroad or at home, we are all children of Liang."

"The Military Affairs Department should revise its stance. Talents like Senior Brother Cui, who train abroad, shouldn’t be ignored."

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, having heard the discussions on the platform as well.

He already had a vague suspicion in his heart.

Soon, the changes on the field confirmed his suspicion.

"Senior Brother Cui, please excuse me for not participating in this battle."

A young man standing behind Cui Yunfan suddenly spoke, drawing the attention of everyone present.

"It’s not that I don’t want to fight for Liang, but I once swore that if Liang wouldn’t provide me with any martial cultivation resources, I, Xie Kun, wouldn’t fight for Liang even once."

"Nonsense!"

Upon hearing these words, Cui Yunfan immediately turned around and scolded, "Junior Brother Xie, how could you be so foolish?"

"I understand Senior Brother’s guidance, but I’ve made a vow back then. If I break it now, it might hinder my Martial Path Will in the future."

Xie Kun looked remorseful, and beside him, other young men also started to speak.

"Senior Brother Cui, I’m sorry, I’ve made similar vows. Unless the Imperial Court changes its policies, I won’t fight for Liang."

This sudden change caused an uproar on the scene.

But can Xie Kun and the others be blamed for this?

According to them, Liang abandoned them first!

If Liang gave up on them, why should they now restore Liang’s face?

"Cui Yunfan, don’t act here if you’re not planning to go on stage, why appear at all?"

From Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, Meng Xing directly tried to expose Cui Yunfan and the others, but he overlooked human nature.

"This is bad!"

Murong Yan softly muttered, glancing at Lin Chen, only to find him frowning as well.

Did Lin Chen also see through it?

At the moment Meng Xing spoke, Lin Chen realized that Meng Xing had fallen into the trap.

Such words... can be spoken by others but not by Meng Xing.

Meng Xing is seen as a beneficiary of the current policies of Liang’s Military Affairs Department, at least by many martial artists.

They won’t delve into the details. Given Meng Xing’s family background, if he chose to train abroad, his strength would likely surpass that of Cui Yunfan and the others.

They only know that Meng Xing is the top disciple of Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy’s new batch. But if Liang allowed those overseas trained talents to return, it’s uncertain if Meng Xing could keep his top position.

As Lin Chen expected, on the platform, many martial artists began criticizing Meng Xing.

What a masterful tactic!

"There are two things Liang martial artists cannot lose: one is to martial artists from the Zheng Kingdom, and the other is to those from the Nansha Three Islands. Cui Yunfan and the others have seized this point," Murong Yan pinpointed the crucial point.

Faced with the challenge from Yu Beichen and his brothers, the viewing Liang martial artists wished for someone to stand up. At this moment, they weren’t thinking much, only wishing someone could defeat Yu Beichen.

Cui Yunfan’s appearance gave them hope.

Cui Yunfan scanned the crowd, with a faint smile on his lips. In the next moment, he clasped his hands and spoke thunderously, "Lord Hou, we are willing to fight for Liang. However, the Imperial Court’s Military Affairs Department imposes many restrictions on traveling martial artists. If we win, we don’t expect the authorities to change policies, but only hope that we can let the junior brothers enter Lingxiao Hall, allowing them peace of mind."

In the Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy side, there was an uproar. Lingxiao Hall could only be entered by academy disciples, and even they must pass assessments. Cui Yunfan was seemingly using this as leverage.

Fighting for Liang’s honor is false; wanting to access Lingxiao Hall’s power is true.

However, the martial artists watching from the stands didn’t see any problem with this request.

"If I recall, a few months ago, Lin Chen defeated disciples from the Sihe Martial Arts Academy and Pilgrim Martial Arts Academy and was allowed to enter Lingxiao Hall of Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy. If Cui Yunfan and the others can defeat Yu Beichen and his brothers, shouldn’t they qualify too?"

"This request isn’t excessive; Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy should agree."

Listening to the voices on the platform, Cui Yunfan humbly smiled at Hou Zhantian. He seemed respectful, but there was a sense of self-satisfaction in his heart.

Given the current situation, Lord Hou had no choice.

Directly having the Imperial Court and Military Affairs Department change their policies wasn’t possible, but by taking this first step, allowing them into Lingxiao Hall of Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, it set a precedent. His father and others could use this as leverage to further pressure the Military Affairs Department to make changes.

Hou Zhantian’s face was livid; the Five Clans of Guan had outmaneuvered him.

On any other occasion, should a few unworthy juniors dare threaten him, he would show them the fury of an Upper-Grade Martial Artist.

But now, he was cornered.

As the director of Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, he couldn’t dictate the policies of the Imperial Court and Military Affairs Department, but matters of the academy were under his jurisdiction alone.

Currently, all Cui Yunfan and his group were asking for was a chance to enter Lingxiao Hall. To everyone, this didn’t seem like an excessive request.

If Lin Chen could do it, why couldn’t Cui Yunfan and his group?

"If Lord Hou is unwilling, we won’t insist. Regardless of the junior brothers’ willingness, I, Cui Yunfan, will represent Liang in this battle."

Cui Yunfan spoke again, advancing by retreating!

Everyone’s eyes fell on Hou Zhantian at that moment.

The armrests of Hou Zhantian’s chair cracked, while the smile on Cui Yunfan’s face grew wider.

Just at that moment——

"No need to trouble Senior Brother Cui. Dealing with the Nansha Three Islands is something we juniors can handle."

A clear voice shattered the silence, and everyone turned toward the source to see a young figure in a blue robe. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The viewing platform erupted in cheers.

More than two months ago, right here.

It was this figure that turned the tide here.