Chaotic World Book
Chapter 208 - 203: Then It’s Worth It

Chapter 208: Chapter 203: Then It’s Worth It

Ordinary folks from the Worldly Society might not realize there’s some problem here, and they might even get excited about it. After all, someone organizing such a martial arts tournament indeed scratches an itch for many martial artists since there truly is such a need.

Look at Situ Xiao, who was so unruly just moments ago—now his eyes are gleaming with anticipation, clearly tempted by the proposal.

At most, they might feel the Wang Family is a bit too presumptuous, acting as if it’s the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch... But since it’s only targeting the youth, the implication isn’t as pronounced. Considering the Wang Family’s qualifications, organizing a gathering for young warriors to compete is somewhat justifiable.

However, Situ Xiao comes from a force to be reckoned with. His lineage is from the Divine Continent’s premier sect, the Divine Brilliance Sect, said to have inherited a very complete Ancient System. The nature of this sect is rather similar to that of Zhao Changhe’s, leaning more towards External Skill, specializing in Body Refining and Horizontal Training, with a complement of Inner Strength.

The Divine Brilliance Sect produces numerous experts; currently, their sect leader, Li Shentong, holds the fifth position on the Heavenly List, whereas the Wang Family’s head, Wang Daoning, holds the tenth and last spot. In terms of qualifications, the Divine Brilliance Sect could also organize such an event.

Organizing such a martial arts tournament isn’t difficult, but why, over so many years, whether it’s Aristocratic Families or major sects, has no one ever done this? At most, regional sects hold small-scale disciple competitions.

It’s because the government already has a similar event, well-known to all—it’s called the martial examination. It is broader in scope and, other than sparring, has a clear selection purpose. Those who perform exceptionally in the martial examination, depending on their traits, either join the military or organizations like the Demon Suppression Department and the Imperial Guard, etc., to be cultivated by the state. This is an important part of the national talent system.

Although people from major families or sects rarely want to participate in the state’s martial examination, even fewer from the Hidden Dragon List do. On the surface, it seems different from this small gathering for the Hidden Dragon sword competition... But no matter the semantics, in essence, it’s similar—a declaration of organizational and leadership status.

So the Divine Brilliance Sect never considered organizing such an event, nor did the Cui Family or the like.

The Wang Family’s move is clearly an attempt to test the limits of seizing the Imperial organizational status. Perhaps there’s no selection purpose now, but what about in the future? Especially since they’ve brazenly named it the Langya Sword Competition...

And now it’s just about the young Hidden Dragons, but will it later involve key martial artists from the Mystical Gate Eighth or Ninth Layer? And even later, the Human List?

Even Xia Longyuan has never done this!

"What do you think?" Zhao Changhe asked Xia Chichi through a voice transmission.

Xia Chichi replied indifferently, "What’s it to me? I don’t compete. Let the Langya king stir up whatever he wants—the more chaos in the world, the better. I initially thought their grand invitation would be something rare. The Venerables asked me to get involved to grasp the situation, but had I known it was just this, I wouldn’t have come at all. It’s a waste of my time."

Zhao Changhe nodded then sent a voice transmission to Cui Yuanyang, "What about you, Yangyang?"

He had just sent the message when he cursed himself for being stupid. Yangyang’s strength probably wouldn’t allow for voice transmission, right?

To his surprise, Cui Yuanyang responded naturally, "Father told me to just bring my eyes and ears. Aside from discussing the wedding etiquette for my brother, I’m to express no opinion about anything else. Let the Wang Family do as they please—we neither support nor oppose it."

Zhao Changhe was astonishment. "You can actually use voice transmission!"

Cui Yuanyang grumbled, "Big Brother Zhao really underestimates our Purple Qi Qing River... although Yangyang feels the color isn’t quite right, it seems green to me, the power is certainly there."

Zhao Changhe was speechless. "Alright then. But if the Wang Family were to rebel, would you still go through with the marriage alliance?"

Cui Yuanyang said calmly, "That’s just how Aristocratic Families are, Big Brother Zhao. If the Wang Family gains power, we are naturally in-laws. If the Wang Family’s plot fails, whether the Wang girl is divorced or sent to a cold palace is all up to my brother’s whims."

Zhao Changhe, "Aren’t you loyalists to the emperor?"

"That is my father’s personal stance, but the survival of the family doesn’t concern itself with such matters, Big Brother Zhao."

Zhao Changhe fell silent.

Xia Chichi, who had been intentionally eavesdropping on their conversation, sighed.

And yet you claim the Cui Family doesn’t teach domestic strife!

But then again, considering the Aristocratic Family education she’s received, she probably wouldn’t care if he had several other women. What she cared about was the order of precedence...

No wonder her greatest worry was about Tang Wanju.

While these three were whispering, others were also quietly talking with acquaintances. The scene was noisy for a moment but soon quieted down again.

After all, there’s not much to discuss; the matter is truly simple.

Even the reasons for assessing and closing doors beforehand were quite obvious—it was to test the will of these individuals. Who would be intimidated by the Wang Family, who would be indistinguishable from the rest, and who would be a thorn in the side—all this the Wang Family had already figured out. The public relations work, the persuasions, and the threats and bribes, if necessary, were presumably almost finished in private...

That is why Wang Zhaoqing saw Zhao Changhe as a "main character," given Zhao Changhe’s sensitive identity, his attitude would be crucial.

Seeing everyone quiet down, Wang Zhaoqing smiled faintly, "Of course, our Wang Family doesn’t host such a grand event for nothing. All who participate in the discussion of swords will receive gifts from our family. Those who excel above all others will also receive extra treasures as rewards."

Someone said, "With Cui Yuanyong absent, Brother Situ ranks second on the Hidden Dragon List, and Brother Wang third, both at the Mystical Gate Eighth Layer... Although the Hidden Dragon List does not entirely represent one’s true strength, the difference in realms at this stage makes it almost impossible for us at the Seventh Layer, or even those at the Fifth or Sixth Layers, to surpass you two. So aren’t these so-called rewards effectively predetermined for you two?"

Wang Zhaoqing chuckled, "Of course, I won’t be taking anything for myself. I believe Brother Situ has no interest in it either."

Brother Situ raised his head to drink a large bowl of wine, laughed heartily, and said, "I don’t give a damn what the Wang Family is thinking, nor do I want any treasures. To fight among the esteemed heroes is indeed my wish; whatever consequences there are afterward, do whatever you like, just don’t expect me to promote it for you."

Wang Zhaoqing gave a cupped fist salute, "That is more than enough."

He paused, his gaze fell on Zhao Changhe, but he continued addressing everyone, "Therefore, the actual rewards are prepared for those of you at the Sixth or Seventh Layers. Do any of you have the confidence to emerge victorious?"

Zhao Changhe leisurely sipped his drink and casually asked, "What rewards are they? Let’s hear them."

Wang Zhaoqing smiled slightly, "A rare treasure from the sea, consuming it can slightly expand one’s meridians."

Zhao Changhe’s drinking motion halted there, and both Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang involuntarily held their breath.

The Wang Family had indeed come prepared, pinching exactly where it hurts.

But Wang Zhaoqing asked with a smile, "What do you say, Brother Zhao? Are you interested?"

Zhao Changhe fell silent for a long while, then suddenly smiled, "Zhao... will not participate. I would rather watch the performances of everyone else. I am just here to celebrate Brother Wang’s birthday. That is welcome, right?"

Wang Zhaoqing’s consistently confident and amiable smile suddenly froze.

It didn’t matter much if others recognized this martial contest; Situ Xiao’s recognition and the participation of dozens of Hidden Dragons were already enough to give it prestige.

But whether Zhao Changhe recognized it held significant, unknown importance to outsiders.

In the eyes of the Cui, Wang, and Tang families, Zhao Changhe’s "Prince" identity was solidified, and the current consensus was that he "hated his father’s abandonment, was unwilling to return to the capital, and wandered the Worldly Society," which almost perfectly fit the template of the real Xia Chichi.

It didn’t matter if outsiders were unaware of this idler’s identity in the Worldly Society. As long as he acknowledged the contest and participated personally, the message it sent to those with intent was extremely important. Firstly, it proved that the sole surviving Prince had no intention to continue the rule of the Jiangshan, and secondly, it indicated that this "rare commodity" at least did not oppose the Wang Family taking the Xia’s place.

Do not underestimate this significance—the legal doctrine lies right here, and many recognize it, making future matters much easier to handle. Hence, at the Cao Gang’s ship’s prow, the Wang servants were discourteous to Xuan Chong but were practically begging Zhao Changhe to attend the banquet.

The Wang Family knew that Zhao Changhe was unyielding, and coercion would only backfire, potentially even offending the Cui Family, leaving only enticement.

A treasure capable of expanding one’s meridians was also extremely rare to them, which they took out at great expense, believing it would surely attract Zhao Changhe, who had long suffered in this regard, like a moth to a flame. They must have thought Zhao Changhe wasn’t foolish and knew the item was meant for him—that as long as he participated, it would be his... Unexpectedly, he refused!

He actually refused!

Forget Wang Zhaoqing, who was currently questioning his life choices, even Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang were somewhat shocked by Zhao Changhe’s decision.

Could it be that he seemed to wander the Worldly Society on the surface, yet had come to an understanding with Xia Longyuan in secret?

As if Zhao Changhe knew what they were thinking, he took another leisurely sip of wine and spoke softly, "Some vomit blood in their effort to protect this land; others are wretched and seek personal gain amidst chaos. Zhao Changhe may be a bandit from the wilds, but he too knows what deserves respect."

Speaking still of banditry, his meaning was actually revealing to them that he was not after taking over this Jiangshan; he was simply expressing disdain for the Wang Family’s actions, not a conflict of interest.

Wang Zhaoqing understood and narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking indifferently, "Does Brother Zhao realize what he’s passed up? It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will never be found again, all for such a reason?"

Zhao Changhe drained the wine in his cup, smiled nonchalantly, and said, "If it means some people can cough a little less, then it’s worth it."