Chapter 84: Challenging the Academy

"Why are there fights every day in this academy?"

"Who says they aren't? People are injured every day, and people are sent to the hospital every day. The fighting is too fierce!"

"Who would dare to send their children here …"

"If these martial artists have the ability to fight their own people, why don't they go to the battlefield and fight foreign beasts instead of disturbing the people here …"

"That's right, that's right …"

A few aunties in their forties and fifties were holding vegetable baskets in their hands. They were standing not far from the door of the martial arts academy and discussing in low voices.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted them.

"Aunty, is this how this academy like, recently?"

The aunties looked up and saw a tall, fair-skinned young man standing in front of them. The young man looked clean and handsome. He was dragging a suitcase in his hand, as if he had just returned from a trip. His pitch-black eyes were clear and deep, sparkling like crystals.

The aunties were stunned for a moment and subconsciously replied, "That's right. It's been like this since half a month ago. There are people coming to challenge the academy every day, batch after batch. Both sides have injured many people. I heard that even the master of the academy was injured …"

The handsome young man frowned and asked, "Do you know why?"

One of the aunties quickly said, "I know this. It seems that this academy borrowed the name of a martial arts genius to recruit many students and steal the business of other academies.

"The other academies couldn't stand it and joined forces to deal with it. I estimate that it will collapse in a few days. The signboard has been broken several times in the past half a month. Hey, what's the name of that martial arts genius? It seems that he lives in a neighbourhood nearby … "

The aunties next to them couldn't help but interrupt, "Young man, don't tell me you want to sign up for this martial arts academy. Listen to aunty's advice, it's better if you go to some other academy. This place is a troublesome place. Don't get involved …"

The young man smiled and said, "No, I'm just going to the academy to find someone."

"Oh, that's good. But you'd better come another day, or wait for a while. Wait for them to finish fighting before you go in … Hey, where is he?"

The aunty was halfway through her words when she looked up and found that the young man standing in front of her had disappeared.

Not far from the entrance of the academy, a suitcase could be seen being slowly pulled in.

"Young people just don't like to listen to their elders. They're clearly in a fire pit, yet they still want to jump in. They'll suffer sooner or later."

At this time, one of the aunties suddenly shouted as she stared in the direction the young man went.

"Ah! I remember now. Isn't this kid the high school martial arts genius that was reported on the TV news more than two months ago? I remember that it was this fair and clean appearance! These academies are fighting all because of him!"

The other aunties were shocked. Only then did they realize that they had accidentally come into contact with the person at the centre of the incident.

…

Lu Sheng dragged his suitcase and stepped through the gate of Red River Martial Arts Academy.

The situation inside the door was even worse than what could be seen from the outside.

There was a large group of people in the hall of the academy, and it seemed that there was a confrontation between two parties.

…

Lu Sheng put down the suitcase and slowly walked towards the crowd. Everyone was looking at the center of the crowd. No one noticed him coming in.

Lu Sheng went behind the crowd and patted the shoulder of a beautiful girl who was looking around on tiptoe. The girl turned around and was stunned when she saw Lu Sheng.

Then she was surprised and excited. She turned around and was about to call for help. But before she could call out, her mouth was covered by a fair and slender hand.

"Shh!" Lu Sheng made a shushing gesture to the girl and shook his head slightly. He wanted her to keep quiet.

The girl nodded obediently.

Lu Sheng let go of her hand and looked at the center of the crowd.

The beautiful girl who recognized him was the receptionist of the Red River Martial Arts Academy.

…

Two groups stood in the academy's lobby. Some of the equipment and furniture in the lobby were pushed to the side.

One of them was wearing a red martial arts suit with the word "Chuan" printed on the back.

This group of people stood in the middle of the lobby. There was a chair in front of them. A middle-aged man with a square face and a dignified appearance sat on the chair.

Judging from his appearance and aura, he should be the real master of the Red River Martial Arts Academy, Ni Hongchuan. He was a Level 4 Martial Artist who had been famous in Baihe City for a long time.

However, Ni Hongchuan seemed to be seriously injured. His face and lips were slightly pale. From time to time, he would reach out to cover his chest.

Beside Ni Hongchuan stood a man and a woman. One of them was Ni Shuang, whom Lu Sheng recognized. The other was a short and skinny young man, whom he had never seen before.

There were not many people in the Academy. Almost everyone had some injuries. Some had bruises on their faces. Some even had their hands or feet wrapped in plaster and bandages.

They looked like old and weak soldiers. Their aura was much weaker than the group of people wearing dark blue martial arts suits.

"Lin Tieshan, don't you think you're going overboard? Our Red River Martial Arts Academy has promised not to recruit any more students for a year. What more do you want?"

Ni Hongchuan stared at a man wearing a black martial arts suit and spoke in a deep voice.

The man wearing the black martial arts suit was close to two meters tall. He had a crew cut and dark skin. The muscles on his body were like blocks of rock. His appearance was fierce and his eyes were sharp. He was like a fierce black tiger, looking around with an imposing aura.

The man wearing the dark martial arts suit seemed to be the leader of the group.

When he heard Ni Hongchuan's words, he grinned, revealing a row of neat white teeth. "Master Ni, today we won't talk about business. We, the Iron Mountain Academy, are here to seek guidance from your Red River Academy."

"Lin Tieshan, you're a Level 4 Martial Artist. You're taking advantage of my father's injury to challenge us. Don't you have any shame?" Before Ni Hongchuan could speak, Ni Shuang was already reprimanding him.

Lin Tieshan laughed and said, "Niece Ni's words are fascinating. Do martial artists need to look at the day to challenge another martial arts school? Your father, Ni Hongchuan, being injured is his problem. Me coming to challenge a school is my problem. Since your Red River Academy dares to put up your signboard, you should be prepared to be smashed at any time!"

As he spoke, Lin Tieshan released his aura. The group of people from the Red River Academy had a slight change in expression as they took a few steps back.

Ni Hongchuan's face was calm as water. He slowly nodded and said, "You're right. Since we put up our signboard, we must have the ability to protect it. I, Ni Hongchuan, came to Baihe City twenty years ago. I was alone and relied on my fists to build my foundation. I could do it then, and I can do it now."

Ni Hongchuan abruptly stood up, an unnatural flush quickly appearing on his face. He was already injured. His actions had affected his injuries and he coughed violently.

"Dad!"

"Master!"

Ni Shuang and the short and skinny youth saw this and quickly reached out to support him. They were extremely worried.

"I'm fine …" Ni Hongchuan reached out to block their hands and shook his head to indicate that he was fine.

Lin Tieshan on the side laughed and coldly said, "Since you don't have the ability, don't brag so much. A seventeen-year-old Level 2 Martial Artist … Heh, is that a student that you, Ni Hongchuan, can teach? It serves you right to be crippled."

"I already said, Lu Sheng is not my dad's student. He's just a member here!" Ni Shuang tried to explain.

Lin Tieshan waved his hand and said indifferently, "I don't care about this. I only know that you guys used the name of Lu Sheng to steal more than half of our school's business. If you dare to stretch your claws into our pockets, don't blame us for chopping off your claws."

"The student cancelled his card and wanted to come to us. Who can you blame?"

"I know. That's why we decided to tear down your Red River Academy's signboard. If your school falls, the students will have nowhere to go. Naturally, they will come back."

"You …" Ni Shuang was so angry that she gritted her teeth. She couldn't say a word.

Lin Tieshan clapped his hands and said, "Alright, that's enough nonsense. Hurry up and send people up. I'll take care of them. Go to the Martial Arts Association and cancel your school …"

Red River Academy's people were filled with grief and indignation. Since half a month, there were people coming to challenge the academy almost every day.

At first, it was still okay. Everyone could still handle it.

But later on, it became more and more intense. Other masters personally brought people up.

Ni Hongchuan personally fought a few rounds. He was also seriously injured and almost couldn't fight any more.

Now, there was another Level 4 Martial Artist school master coming to challenge them. Red River Academy might really be forced to close down at this rate.

"I'll fight you!" Ni Shuang gritted her teeth and walked out.

Ni Hongchuan's face changed. He hurriedly said, "Ni Shuang, come back. You're only Level 3. You're no match for him."

Ni Shuang shook her head and said with a firm face, "Dad, this is all my fault. I should take responsibility. Don't worry. At worst, I'll just be injured. He won't dare to kill me."

"Junior Sister, I'll fight with you." The short and thin youth standing on the other side of Ni Hongchuan also stood up.

Although the youth's appearance was not impressive, he was quite calm. He looked at Lin Tieshan and said, "School Master Lin, you're a Level 4 Martial Artist. Bullying my Junior Sister, who's a Level 3, isn't that unreasonable?"

Lin Tieshan smiled and nodded. "Don't worry. Red River Academy can send as many people as you want. I'll take them all on."