Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 316 Undercurrent
The departure of Han Guo Martial Arts Academy created a somewhat awkward atmosphere at the scene.

"I, Zheng Guo, am also withdrawing from this ranking tournament."

After a long pause, the Zheng Kingdom's leader also spoke up. Zheng Kingdom followed Han Kingdom's lead, and since Han Kingdom chose to withdraw from the competition in this way, Zheng Kingdom naturally followed suit.

Most importantly, Zheng only has one martial arts academy, and they have no chance of finishing in the top three this time. Rather than losing to Liang, they might as well withdraw with Han and let Han feel Zheng's loyalty.

After Han and Zheng withdrew, Hou Zhantian's expression turned grim.

"This time, our Great Liang finally gained the upper hand over South Korea and chose to withdraw from the competition. South Korea cannot afford to lose even a little bit."

The disciples of Liang Kingdom Martial Academy looked on with anger as they watched the departing martial artists from Han and Zheng Kingdoms.

So, in this martial arts academy ranking competition, only South Korea can be number one!

"Senior Brother Lin, even if Han Guo and Zheng Guo withdraw from the competition, they will still be the number one in your Canglan Martial Academy. No one can erase that title."

Kong Qing offered a word of comfort to Lin Chen, but Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. Han Guo's withdrawal from the competition was not simply a matter of being embarrassed and angry.

The reason why martial arts academies in various countries care so much about ranking competitions is because it involves the allocation of resources for their respective academies. The higher the ranking, the more resources the academy can receive.

However, these resources did not come out of thin air. Instead, each of the nine nations contributed resources to the Elders' Council of the Nine Nations Joint Martial Arts Academy, which then distributed them according to their rankings.

In the past, if any country failed to provide resources, it would be expelled from the Nine-Nation Alliance Martial Arts Academy. This is why countries ranked last, such as Zhao and Ze, have never withdrawn despite being ranked last.

Some martial arts resources are unique to each country. Once a country withdraws from the competition, its own martial arts geniuses will no longer have the opportunity to obtain these resources.

However, the confrontation between South Korea and Liang is about to break out. South Korea's defeat in this ranking competition may lead them to choose to leave the United Martial Academy.

This isn't just a matter of being a sore loser; it's about completely overturning the table.

"The ranking tournament is suspended for today. You may all return to the courtyard to rest."

With both Han and Zheng withdrawing, Murong Song had to suspend the competition. At this moment, the experts from all countries shared the same concerns as Lin Chen: if Han withdrew from the United Martial Academy, Zheng would inevitably follow suit, and these two countries would no longer provide martial arts resources to the United Martial Academy. In that case, there would be no need for the ranking competition to continue.

It's not that only Han and Zheng have scarce martial arts resources, but the other countries will certainly not suffer the same loss. The final result will be that the United Martial Academy will exist in name only, or simply cease to exist.

A ranking tournament that everyone was looking forward to was suddenly canceled.

Lin Chen followed the other martial arts academy disciples from Liang Kingdom and left the square, returning to his residence in the villa.

Half an hour later, Hou Zhantian and Chen Shan arrived at the villa at the same time.

Seeing the grim expressions on the two adults' faces, Lin Chen's heart sank. Had the worst-case scenario occurred?
"Han Kingdom has officially withdrawn from the United Martial Academy, and Zheng Kingdom has followed suit by also choosing to withdraw from the United Martial Academy."

As expected, Lin Chen wasn't too surprised by the news Vice Dean Chen told him as soon as he entered; he was already mentally prepared.

"Lin Chen, there's no point in continuing the martial arts academy ranking competition. We'll leave Yan and return to Liang shortly."

Hou Zhantian's words surprised Lin Chen. Why was he in such a hurry to leave Yan?

What happened?

"With Han Kingdom withdrawing from the United Martial Academy, it is bound to completely break ties with Liang Kingdom. The potential you have shown is probably already making Lu Qiguang and even Han Kingdom feel like they have a bone stuck in their throat. It is safest to return to Daliang as soon as possible."

Hou Zhantian didn't mince words; he spoke very frankly. Lin Chen understood: Dean Hou was worried that Han Guo would target him.

However, those people from Han Kingdom who came to Yan Kingdom probably don't have that kind of strength yet.

So, did the Korean Kingdom secretly send powerful individuals over, or perhaps have other helpers?
"I've made this arrangement as a precaution, so don't overthink it. Pack your bags, and if there's anything you haven't done yet, hurry up and finish it. We'll depart in half an hour."

"I'm fine."

Hou Zhantian smiled and said, "Don't you need to say goodbye to the Sixth Princess of Yan? Don't worry, we have time."

Lin Chen hesitated for a moment: "I'll write a letter." "Okay."

Hou Zhantian nodded, gave a few instructions, and then hurriedly left the villa with Chen Shan.

Lin Chen returned to his study, wrote a letter, and entrusted a servant from the Martial Academy to deliver it to the Sixth Princess's residence. The servant was not surprised at all; the matter between this young master Lin and the Sixth Princess had already spread throughout the entire capital.

At first, many people thought that Young Master Lin was not good enough for the Sixth Princess, but with Young Master Lin's outstanding performance in the ranking competition, no one says that anymore. In fact, in the eyes of many people, Young Master Lin is already the prince consort of their Yan Kingdom.

Such a perfect match, His Majesty certainly wouldn't object.

Half an hour later.

Lin Chen and his group of martial arts academy disciples, led by Hou Zhantian and three vice deans of the academy, quietly left the capital and boarded a ship at the dock.

……

……

The northern border of the Yan state.

The two old men crossed the border silently and entered the territory of the Yan Kingdom.

However, just as the two old men crossed the mountain range bordering Han and Yan and appeared on the plains, before they could even unleash their speed, an aged voice came from the opposite direction.

"Brother Yinian, Brother Bo'an, it's been several years since we last met. I hope you two are well."

A hearty laugh came from afar, and Murong Zheng's figure slowly appeared. Upon seeing Murong Zheng, the two old men exchanged a glance, both seeing a sense of unease in each other's eyes.

The old fellow Murong Zheng wasn't in the palace, but appeared here. He must have calculated that someone from their Han Kingdom would come, and was waiting here on purpose.

"I have prepared a small feast at the government office not far away. I hope you two will do me the honor of attending."

"Brother Murong, why beat around the bush? I think you should know why we came to Yan. Are you perhaps choosing to side with Liang?"

Their purpose in coming here was to kill the group of martial arts academy disciples from Liang Kingdom, especially Lin Chen, who was on their kill list.

Han has its own unique way of transmitting messages. Knowing that Huo Ruohong had been defeated by Lin Chen three hours ago, the Grand Preceptor sent the two of them to Yan to ensure that Lin Chen could not return to Liang.

"My Yan Kingdom is a small country and will not interfere in the conflict between Liang Kingdom and Han Kingdom. However, if any Liang Kingdom martial arts academy disciple is harmed in my Yan Kingdom, Liang Kingdom will definitely demand an explanation from my Yan Kingdom."

"It's very simple. When the time comes, my Han Kingdom will send a martial arts army to help your Yan Kingdom guard the border. Liang Kingdom will absolutely not dare to touch your Yan Kingdom in the slightest."

Murong Zheng shook his head: "You two still don't understand what I mean. Yan does not want to interfere in the conflict between your country and Liang."

"What do you mean you don't want to get involved? It seems your Yan royal family really intends to make Lin Chen your royal consort."

Zheng Bo'an sneered repeatedly. The two of them knew everything that had happened in Yan, including the fact that the sixth princess of Yan had rejected Su Zhe, the grandson of the Grand Tutor, and confessed her feelings to Lin Chen.

“I advise your Yan Kingdom to think this through. Even if Lin Chen is a genius, he is only a low-grade martial artist now. It will take him at least twenty years to grow up. Do you think my Han Kingdom will give him that time? Don’t drag your Yan Kingdom down for someone who is destined to die.”

Murong Zheng remained expressionless; from the moment he appeared here, he represented the attitude of the Yan royal family.

If it were just a matter of being a prince consort, the Yan Kingdom would naturally not care, but the Murong family owed Lin Chen a great debt of gratitude, which must be repaid.

He came here to stop the powerful figures from the Han Kingdom from heading south.

"Do it!"

"I want to see just how strong Murong Zheng, who is known as one of the top ten first-rank masters, really is!"

Zheng Bo'an and his companion exchanged a glance, not wanting to delay any longer. The Liang Kingdom would leave the Yan Kingdom in a day at most, leaving them little time to catch up.

(End of this chapter)