Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 593 - 106: Undercurrents Rising

The departure of the Han Kingdom’s Martial Arts Academy left the atmosphere at the scene somewhat delicate.

"Our Zheng Kingdom will also withdraw from this ranking tournament."

After a while, a strong figure from the Zheng Kingdom also spoke up. The Zheng Kingdom looks to the Han Kingdom as a leader, so when the Han Kingdom chose to withdraw in this manner, naturally the Zheng Kingdom followed suit.

The main reason being, their Zheng Kingdom only has one Martial Arts Academy, and this time they have no chance of making the top three. Rather than losing to the Liang Kingdom, it is better to withdraw along with the Han Kingdom and let the Han Kingdom feel the loyalty of their Zheng Kingdom.

With the withdrawal of Han and Zheng, Hou Zhantian’s face turned unsightly.

"This time our Liang Kingdom finally has the upper hand over the Han Kingdom, and they choose to withdraw. The Han Kingdom really cannot afford to lose."

The Liang Kingdom’s Martial Arts Academy disciples, watching the departing Han and Zheng martial artists, were also full of anger.

So, this martial arts academy ranking tournament can only be first place if it’s the Han Kingdom!

"Senior Brother Lin, even if the Han and Zheng Kingdoms withdraw, your Canglan Martial Arts Academy is still first, no one can deny that."

Kong Qing spoke to comfort Lin Chen with a word, but Lin Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. The withdrawal of the Han Kingdom was not simply a matter of losing face.

The reason why the academies of various countries care so much about the ranking tournament is because it affects the allocation of resources for their respective academies. The higher the rank, the more resources an academy can get.

But these resources don’t appear out of thin air; they are gathered by the Nine Kingdoms to the elders’ seat of the United Martial Arts Academy, and then distributed according to rank by the elders.

In the past, if any kingdom did not provide resources, it would be expelled from the elders’ seat of the United Martial Arts Academy. This is why those kingdoms ranked at the bottom, like the Zhao Kingdom and the Ze Kingdom, though ranked last, have never withdrawn.

Some martial arts resources are unique to certain kingdoms, and without them, their martial arts talents would have no chance to obtain these resources.

But now the confrontation between the Han and Liang Kingdoms is about to erupt. This time the Han Kingdom’s failure in the ranking tournament makes it very likely to directly choose to leave the United Martial Arts Academy.

It’s no longer just a matter of being unable to bear losing, but rather they are ready to flip the table completely.

"Today’s ranking tournament will be paused first, and everyone can return to their quarters to rest."

With the simultaneous withdrawal of the Han and Zheng Kingdoms, Murong Song had to suspend the fight, because at this moment the strong figures of each kingdom shared Lin Chen’s worry: if the Han Kingdom were to withdraw from the United Martial Arts Academy, Zheng Kingdom would surely follow, and these two countries would no longer provide martial arts resources to the United Martial Arts Academy, making the ranking tournament unnecessary to continue.

It’s not just that only the martial arts resources of the Han and Zheng Kingdoms are scarce, but others will certainly not suffer this loss either. The ultimate result would be that the United Martial Arts Academy becomes nominally existent, or directly non-existent.

An originally highly anticipated ranking tournament was thus suddenly ended.

Lin Chen also left the plaza along with the other martial arts academy disciples of the Liang Kingdom and returned to their residence.

Half an hour later, Hou Zhantian and Chen Shan both arrived at the residence simultaneously.

Seeing the two adults with somber expressions, Lin Chen’s heart sank as well. Has the worst case happened?

"The Han Kingdom has officially withdrawn from the United Martial Arts Academy, and the Zheng Kingdom has chosen to follow suit."

As expected, hearing the news as soon as Vice Director Chen walked through the door, Lin Chen was not too surprised, as he was already mentally prepared.

"Lin Chen, there is no point in continuing the martial arts academy ranking tournament. You should leave the Yan Kingdom and return to the Liang Kingdom soon."

Hou Zhantian’s words surprised Lin Chen a bit. Why the rush to leave the Yan Kingdom?

Has something happened?

"The Han Kingdom’s withdrawal from the United Martial Arts Academy certainly means they intend to tear all pretense with the Liang Kingdom. The potential you have displayed must have made Lu Qiguang and even the Han Kingdom feel as though there’s a bone stuck in their throats. It’s safer to return to the Liang Kingdom sooner."

Hou Zhantian did not shy away, speaking directly. Lin Chen understood that Dean Hou was concerned about the Han Kingdom targeting him.

But considering the people from the Han Kingdom who came to the Yan Kingdom, they shouldn’t have this capability yet.

So, the Han Kingdom has secretly sent strong individuals over, or do they have other help?

"This arrangement is also just in case. No need to think too much, pack up and if there’s anything you haven’t done, hurry up and do them, we’ll leave in half an hour."

"I have nothing that needs doing."

Hou Zhantian smiled: "Don’t you need to say goodbye to the Sixth Princess of the Yan Kingdom? Don’t worry, there’s still time."

Lin Chen hesitated for a moment: "I’ll write a letter, then."

"Alright."

Hou Zhantian nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then hurried away from the residence with Chen Shan.

Lin Chen returned to his study, wrote a letter, and entrusted a martial arts academy servant to deliver it to the Sixth Princess’s residence. The servants at the residence were not surprised at all, as the matter between Young Master Lin and the Sixth Princess had already spread throughout the capital.

Initially, many thought that Young Master Lin was not worthy of the Sixth Princess, but with Young Master Lin’s outstanding performance in the ranking tournament, no one says that anymore. In fact, in the eyes of many, Young Master Lin is already considered the Prince Consort of their Yan Kingdom.

Such a heavenly match, His Majesty would definitely not oppose.

Half an hour later.

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

...

...

At the northern border of the Yan Kingdom.

Two elders quietly passed through the border into the Yan Kingdom’s territory.

However, just as the two elders crossed the mountains dividing the Han and Yan Kingdoms and appeared in the plains, without having yet increased their speed, an old voice came from the front.

"Brother Yinian, Brother Bo’an, it’s been years since we last met. Have you both been well?"

A hearty laugh came closer from afar as Murong Zheng’s figure slowly appeared, and upon seeing Murong Zheng, the two elders exchanged a glance, each seeing trouble in the other’s eyes.

Murong Zheng, this old fellow, was not in the Imperial Palace but appeared here, which means he had anticipated people would come from the Han Kingdom and was waiting here deliberately.

"I have prepared some wine nearby at the prefecture government office, and hope you both will do me the honor."

"Brother Murong, there’s no need to beat around the bush. Our purpose in coming to the Yan Kingdom should be clear to Brother Murong. Are you choosing to stand with the Liang Kingdom?"

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

The Han Kingdom has its unique method of relaying messages, having known three hours ago that Huo Ruohong had lost to Lin Chen, the State Preceptor sent the two of them to the Yan Kingdom, determined not to let Lin Chen return to the Liang Kingdom.

"Our Yan Kingdom is a small country and won’t interfere in the dispute between the Liang and Han Kingdoms, but if anything happens to the Liang Kingdom’s martial arts academy disciples in our Yan Kingdom, the Liang Kingdom will certainly demand an explanation from us."

"That’s simple, then. Our Han Kingdom will send martial arts forces to help you defend your border, and the Liang Kingdom wouldn’t dare to touch your Yan Kingdom at all."

Murong Zheng shook his head: "You two still haven’t understood what I mean. The Yan Kingdom doesn’t want to get involved in the confrontation between your two kingdoms."

"Not want to interfere? It seems your Yan Country Royal Family truly plans on making Lin Chen your royal Prince Consort."

Zheng Bo’an chuckled coldly. They were very aware of everything happening in the Yan Kingdom, including the Sixth Princess’s rejection of the State Preceptor’s grandson, Su Zhe, and expressing her feelings to Lin Chen instead.

"I advise your Yan Kingdom to think carefully. Even if Lin Chen is a genius, he’s just a Lower Grade martial artist for now. It would take at least twenty years for him to grow, and do you think my Han Kingdom will give him that time? Don’t drag your Yan Kingdom down for a doomed person."

Murong Zheng’s expression remained unchanged, as his appearance here already represented the stance of the Yan Country Royal Family.

If it were just a Prince Consort title, the Yan Kingdom wouldn’t care, but the Murong Family owes Lin Chen a great favor, and this favor must be repaid.

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

"Take action!"

"I truly want to see how strong this Murong Zheng, who is reputed as one of the top ten First Grade experts, really is!"

Zheng Bo’an and his companion exchanged a glance and didn’t want to delay any longer. The Liang Kingdom would leave the Yan Kingdom in at most a day, leaving them little time to pursue.