Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 973 - Block the Way, Press for Answers

Chapter 973: 973 Chapter Block the Way, Press for Answers

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, please make way for me." Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong wore an expression of determination to leave, as if he couldn’t care less what they thought. However, Gu Fan, Lord Xiong, and Mo Yun just smiled and shook their heads—it was obvious that they weren’t going to step aside.

Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong’s expression darkened, "Kid, don’t think you’re something special just because you beat me. I was going easy on you on the stage. If you don’t get wise, don’t blame me for not being nice."

"Great, fighting is simpler. Lord Xiong, please, make it quick." After Gu Fan spoke, Lord Xiong took a step forward, his formidable gaze seemingly telling Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong to cooperate nicely.

Based on intuition, Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong knew this elder was not someone to provoke. But for the sake of his dignity, he couldn’t back down and simply readied himself.

In the blink of an eye, the outcome was decided—Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong was pinned to the ground by his head, pressed down by Lord Xiong.

"My god, how can there be such a powerful expert." Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong felt no humiliation, only fear and unease. He struggled with all his might, but Lord Xiong’s strength was as immovable as a mountain, firmly holding him down, rendering him unable to move.

"Big brother, we don’t want to make things difficult for you, but if you won’t talk, it puts us in a tough spot too," Gu Fan said in a persuasive tone, making Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong realize he had no choice but to capitulate, "Alright, I’ll tell you, but you must never reveal that it was me who said it. The one behind the big gambling arrangements at the Martial Arts Competition this time is the owner of the World’s Number One Gambling House."

Gu Fan replied indifferently, "We already know about the World’s Number One Gambling House. Everyone knows who the bookie is. What we want to know is who else is pulling the strings behind the scenes."

After hesitating for a moment, Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong assessed the situation and the stakes involved, and finally revealed, "It’s the leader of Xuanjian Sect, it’s the Xuanjian Sect in cahoots with the World’s Number One Gambling House."

"So that’s how it is!" Gu Fan stroked his chin thoughtfully. He had heard of the leader of Xuanjian Sect too—everyone considered this person the most likely candidate to become the leader of the Martial Arts.

Mo Yun couldn’t help but express her admiration, "By utilizing this Martial Arts Competition, not only can the leader of Xuanjian Sect command all fighters as the leader of the Martial Arts, but he can also make a fortune from it—killing two birds with one stone, making a killing."

Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong immediately nodded, "Exactly, that’s their plan. I was called in by the leader of Xuanjian Sect to help out, and for this Martial Arts Competition, both the leader of Xuanjian Sect and the World’s Number One Gambling House have arranged for many powerful fighters to participate and cooperate with their scheme."

Mo Yun started to worry, "So, we are basically going against Xuanjian Sect and the World’s Number One Gambling House now. This is indeed troubling."

"This is what you wanted me to say, it has nothing to do with me," said Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong, scared, feeling as if he were being pushed to the edge of a cliff.

Gu Fan then asked, "Is there anything else you haven’t told me?"

"I’ve told you everything I could. As for whatever else Xuanjian Sect and the World’s Number One Gambling House have planned, they wouldn’t tell me," Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong pleaded with his expression, and Gu Fan felt there was no need to press any further, so he signaled Lord Xiong to let him go.

The moment Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong regained his freedom of movement, he scrambled away with hands and feet, rolling and crawling away without looking back, fearful that if he was even a step slower, Gu Fan and the others might regret letting him go so easily.

Seeing Gu Fan deep in thought, Mo Yun curiously asked, "What’s wrong, what are you thinking about?"

Gu Fan was puzzled, "I just don’t understand why the leader of Xuanjian Sect would do this. He shouldn’t need money, so why put on this act?"

Lord Xiong explained, "Do you think you can command all fighters just by becoming the leader of the Martial Arts? Do you think you can command the world just by becoming the emperor? Without the benefits to distribute, who would sell their loyalty to you?"

"I see, money is what makes all the sects of the Martial Arts willing to sell their loyalty. That’s why the leader of Xuanjian Sect wants to make a big score, and this money is coming from the fighters themselves—shearing the wool from the sheep," Gu Fan finally understood, then burst into laughter, "From this perspective, as long as we keep betting on the leader of Xuanjian Sect, we can keep winning."

Mo Yun agreed, "That’s right, we can also take the opportunity to make a bit of cash."

"I’m wondering, what would happen if everyone bets on the leader of Xuanjian Sect?" mused Gu Fan with a sly grin spreading across his face.

Lord Xiong and Mo Yun clearly understood the implication in Gu Fan’s words and felt the matter becoming more interesting.

After the sub-level martial arts competition and the first round, there were thirty-two fighters left. Apart from Gu Fan and Jin Yi, who were the dark horses, all the other fighters were universally recognized first-rate experts. This meant that the fights to come would be evenly matched, making it hard to predict who would win.

The gambling house would analyze the strengths of the competitors, offering shorter odds for those deemed more likely to win and higher odds for those less favored, ensuring their own steady profit. Of course, they would also consider how many of the remaining thirty-two were their own men.

No matter what, the final victor of the Martial Arts leader position would definitely be the leader of Xuanjian Sect. With that in mind, Gu Fan already had a preliminary plan. He intended to use his own strategies to disrupt others’ arrangements.

"Gu Fan, I know what you want to do, and I support you," Mo Yun remarked, "but you’re only focusing on the leader of Xuanjian Sect. Consider your situation. In the next round of competition, there will be no one manipulating things behind the scenes. How are you going to win?"

Hearing this, Gu Fan felt his morale plummet. He really hadn’t figured it out? Defeating even Iron Arm Fist Gu Tong had been tough, and that wasn’t even on true skill. How was he going to face increasingly formidable opponents?

"Think of a method, think of a method," Gu Fan racked his brain, desperately searching, but after a while, he was still at a loss for a plan.

Mo Yun consoled him, "It’s okay, we don’t really expect you to become the leader of the Martial Arts. Just do your best. If you lose, it’s not a big deal, just don’t get too badly beaten."

That sounded somewhat awkward, but Gu Fan also knew that becoming the leader of the Martial Arts was harder than reaching the sky. He faced fierce martial artists as if they were fierce tigers blocking his path, not to mention the obstacles posed by Xuanjian Sect and the World’s Number One Gambling House.

Neither Mo Yun nor Lord Xiong held much hope. They believed it was best for Gu Fan to prepare for defeat. However, Gu Fan didn’t give up. He figured that if it came down to real skill and bona fide competition, he didn’t stand much of a chance, but since he knew some were manipulating the competition from the shadows, he could use that knowledge to his advantage.

There had to be a way, but Gu Fan needed more information—knowledge of the movements of those behind the scenes, as well as a thorough investigation of his next opponent. Once he had all that figured out, he could become the mastermind behind the masterminds, making the game much more entertaining.