The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 285 Full
When the woman uttered the words "Penglai," Zheng Lingchuan's expression changed drastically. If Zheng Ming was a flood to him, then this woman, named Zheng Yi, who belonged to Penglai, was no different from a ferocious beast.

Zheng Yi glanced at him, then turned back to look at Zheng Ming.

"He is from Yingzhou."

"Yes."

Zheng Ming smiled and nodded.

Zheng Yi said expressionlessly.

"So, the reason you suddenly stopped hunting us down twenty-eight years ago was because there was internal turmoil within your ranks."

"It seems that Yingzhou is not a monolithic entity."

Zheng Ming scoffed.

"so what?"

"There are very few people left in Penglai."

“Kill him, then kill you, and Yingzhou will still be Yingzhou.”

Zheng Yi slowly raised her sword, pointing it at Zheng Ming's chest.

"That depends on who dies first."

Zheng Ming clapped his hands.

"That's right!"

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At the summit of Junji Peak, in the late afternoon.

The wooden arena has disappeared.

The rocky landscape was as if it had been repeatedly ploughed open by a sharp blade, leaving it riddled with potholes. The martial artists on both sides, especially those closest to the center, were dumbfounded, staring blankly at the traces left by the battle, occasionally glancing at the high platform to the north with expressions of astonishment and uncertainty.

The ten seats on the platform were already full.

Qingluan Sect, Gaoming.

An ordinary-looking man of average height sat to one side of Liu Chengxuan, his hands on his knees and his eyes slightly closed, as if he were regulating his breathing.

Qiao Cailian, of the Kunlun School.

With sharp eyes and a voluptuous figure, the female Taoist priestess, whose robes stretched taut, held the sword hilt in front of her with both hands, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

Shuijin Temple, where one can understand one's true nature.

A young monk with extremely handsome features and feminine appearance, wearing a moon-white robe and with a patch of dark stubble on his head, was holding one hand in front of his chest and slowly turning prayer beads with the other hand, muttering to himself.

There is also the Duan family of Dali, including Duan Jue.

Four masters at the Celestial Realm level stepped onto the arena in quick succession within an hour, shattering the martial arts community's perception of martial arts.

First, Gao Ming fought against more than ten top-tier masters, including some of the most outstanding members of the Kongtong Sect, but he only used one move each time. Each move was made with the same level of internal energy and strength as his opponent, but it was just enough to break through the opponent's moves, disrupt their stance, and knock them off the stage.

If the opponent intends to kill, they will die after falling off the stage. If they only want to challenge, they won't even be left with a scratch after losing.

He is proficient in all martial arts, and his mastery of each martial art is in no way inferior to that of a master who has been practicing for decades.

Then it was Qiao Cailian from the Kunlun Sect who shattered the arena with a single sword strike, walked up to the platform and sat down without anyone daring to question her.

Duan Jue followed suit, pointing his finger and shattering a boulder as thick as a person's embrace. He then went up to the stage and sat down.

Finally, there is Liaoxing at Shuijin Temple.

He didn't even make a move.

Walking to the center of the ruined arena, shattered by Qiao Cailian, he sat down cross-legged, allowing the assembled heroes to attack him. This ravaged land was, in fact, the aftermath of the martial arts world's attacks on him.

He was also the only one who attracted the attention of both Wudang and Shaolin.

“Master Yongjie, I haven’t reached the Celestial Realm, so I can’t see very clearly… This person doesn’t seem to be Vajra, right?”

Zhiqing whispered to Yongjie.

"No."

Yongjie shook his head.

"In short, Vajra is just a tougher bone and muscle, but this senior brother was surrounded and attacked for half a day, yet his clothes were not even torn... He must be Sumeru."

"Protective Qi, this usage doesn't seem to be from the Central Plains tradition; it's at least different from all the martial arts I know." "I see."

Zhiqing nodded and looked at Liaoxing, who slowly walked up the platform after getting up.

"I might have to ask for your guidance sometime in the future."

Then he stopped talking.

By this point, the arena had crumbled, the chairs were full, and the board was filled with the required number of signs, seemingly indicating that the matter was about to be settled. Yet, for a moment, no one spoke, their gazes constantly lingering on the one person on the platform.

Liu Chengxuan.

Huanhua Sword Sect.

No one questioned the other sects' right to sit above them and look down. Shaolin and Wudang were obvious choices, and even the Beggars' Sect and the Canal Gang had more people and more money. Even without top-tier or celestial-level masters, they could overwhelm any of the sects below with their first-rate experts. It was perfectly reasonable for them to sit there.

But what exactly is the Huanhua Sword Sect?

What makes him worthy of being called "the pinnacle"?
Yes, everyone understands what the Embroidered Uniform Guard is trying to do—they just want to maintain a facade of legitimacy in the martial arts world, which is understandable. But couldn't you at least try to conceal it a little?
Even if you had just found a mid-tier sect among the top-tier ones, put on a show, and flattered us, we would have accepted it with a few laughs and compliments. But you've placed such trash on everyone's shoulders—

Isn't that too inconsiderate?

If your rules, even the obvious ones, can't convince people, how can I possibly follow them?
So for a moment, no one spoke.

There will definitely be people who disagree.

Someone will definitely step forward.

Everyone was waiting, waiting for someone to say those words.

That sentence——

"I don't agree!"

Teng!
A young man stepped out from the crowd behind him, broke free from his companion who was holding his arm, his face flushed, and pointed at Liu Chengxuan, shouting.

"What right does he have to sit there!"

"Merely second-rate, not even as good as me! Sect Leader Liu, if you have the guts, come down and fight me! I—"

"He pointed at the garrison commander, who was rude, and killed him."

An Ziyang waved.

"Wait, Commander An, I'm not—"

The young man's expression changed drastically.

Several Imperial Guards surrounded him, and to the young man's horrified gaze, one shield smashed his weapon, one sword cleaved his head vertically, one sword sliced ​​his waist and abdomen horizontally, and one sword plunged into his groin.

In an instant, blood splattered.

The young man's body was dragged away.

"Any more?"

An Ziyang smiled.

"Oh, no need to worry. My commander is broad-minded and respectful of scholars. If you have any opinions, please feel free to raise them."

"But don't point randomly. My garrison commander is sitting up there too."

“He has a good temper and may not care. But as his subordinate, I can’t pretend I didn’t see it—I have to make it clear to you all in advance.”

he laughed.

There was silence for a moment.

The man who had been watching Li Miao at the start of the banquet clenched his fist, then suddenly relaxed it, his face expressionless.

"Killing is to stop the tide."

"But killing the chicken might scare the monkey, but it won't frighten the tiger or the lone wolf."

Sure enough, just as he was thinking this, an old voice rang out from the crowd.

"Can we replace the top-tier wooden plaque?"

An Ziyang looked in the direction of the sound.

A robust old man stepped out from the crowd.

(End of this chapter)