"Xia Xueqin, this matter won't end like this!"
Wang Lin stared at Xia Xueqin with a grim expression for a few seconds. He ultimately chose to avoid Xia Xueqin's sharp demeanor but did not back down.
"You're right."
Xia Xueqin sneered. She heard the hidden threat in Wang Lin's words but paid it no mind.
"Let's go!"
Wang Lin spoke, his face dark as he took the lead in leaving.
He had claimed Lin Zhiping was his good friend, yet he didn't even stay to handle Lin Zhiping's remains.
To him, the status of "good friend" was merely an excuse to teach Jiang Wuming a lesson!
Although Wang Zhisheng and Ye Rui felt very stifled, upon hearing Wang Lin's words, they knew it was impossible to regain face today. They followed Wang Lin away in silence.
However, before leaving, Ye Rui stared at Jiang Wuming sinisterly for a few seconds.
If he had only hated his cousin before, then after today's events, he completely hated Jiang Wuming!
"Uh..."
Seeing Wang Lin, Wang Zhisheng, and Ye Rui leave, the few rich brats from Donghai stared in disbelief.
They had never dreamed that Wang Zhisheng and Ye Rui would be suppressed in Donghai, and that even Wang Lin's personal intervention couldn't help them regain face!
Beyond their shock, they also knew that if news of today's events got out, it would definitely be a sensational major event in Dragon Country's high society!
"Aunt Xia, thank you."
At the same time, Jiang Wuming spoke to Xia Xueqin, thanking her.
Today, if Xia Xueqin hadn't arrived in time, he would have had to use his true strength to fight Wang Lin. In that case, his identity would have been essentially exposed.
"Why thank me, child? It's my duty to protect you."
Xia Xueqin smiled and shook her head. She seemed like a different person from when she faced Wang Lin, transforming from a powerful martial arts expert into a kind and approachable neighborhood aunt.
Hearing Xia Xueqin's gentle words, Jiang Wuming's heart warmed. He no longer stood on ceremony and instead turned to Qin Xiaozhi, "Xiaozhi, call Uncle Qin and have him send people to handle the scene. Also, if there are any procedures I need to do, just tell me."
"Okay, boss."
Qin Xiaozhi took the order, took out his phone, and walked aside to call Qin Linhai.
"Aunt Xia, let's go to the private room and sit for a while. After the Martial Department finishes handling the scene, we can leave if there are no issues," Jiang Wuming suggested to Xia Xueqin.
"Alright."
Xia Xueqin nodded, and then returned to the private room with Jiang Wuming, Xia Dong, and Su Qiang, leaving Qin Xiaozhi outside to wait for the Martial Department to handle the scene.
"Wuming, that Lin Zhiping is a Nine-star martial artist, and the most powerful among the Martial Dao Grandmasters, while you are only an Eight-star martial artist—how could you kill him?"
After taking their seats in the private room, Xia Xueqin immediately asked the question that was troubling her.
"Brother Wuming, I want to know too."
Xia Dong also blinked her big eyes, her face full of curiosity. "You don't know, I was so nervous at the time.
Especially when I saw Lin Zhiping use the True Dragon Divine Technique on you.
At that moment, I thought you had been killed by him.
But you were unharmed, and in turn, defeated him with the True Dragon Divine Technique..."
"Wuming, you can also use the True Dragon Divine Technique?"
Xia Xueqin was taken aback again.
The True Dragon Divine Technique was once the treasure of the Dragon Gate, and now, besides forbidden techniques, it was provided to the Martial Department, but only core members of the Martial Department were allowed to practice it.
Let alone someone like Jiang Wuming who was not affiliated with the Martial Department, even most students at the Donghai Martial Arts Academy were not qualified to practice it.
"Yes, Aunt Xia, I learned the True Dragon Divine Technique from my master."
Jiang Wuming nodded. He first directly responded to Xia Xueqin's question, then hesitated. Seeing Su Qiang by his side, he ultimately decided not to tell Xia Xueqin his true identity. Instead, he carefully considered his words and continued, "My ability to defeat Lin Zhiping across realms is mainly due to two reasons.
First, the internal energy cultivation method I practice is very special and can enhance my combat power.
Second, I have rich experience in life-and-death combat, and I am intimately familiar with the True Dragon Divine Technique, allowing me to predict Lin Zhiping's attack patterns."
"Wuming, although your martial arts realm is slightly lower than the inheritors of the major martial arts factions, your combat power is not much lower—defeating Lin Zhiping by crossing a realm is something even the inheritors of the major martial arts factions cannot do."
Hearing this, Xia Xueqin couldn't help but praise him. Then, with a face full of anticipation, she said, "Given time, as your martial arts realm improves, you will definitely be able to contend with the strongest inheritors of the major martial arts factions, just like your father did back then!"
This time, Jiang Wuming did not say anything.
After killing Zhao Qian and avenging his mother, Jiang Wuming had lost his goal on the martial path.
However, after reading Xia Xueqin's 'Recollections of Jiang Zhan' and learning about his parents' past, he had re-established his goal.
His goal was not to contend with the strongest inheritors of the martial arts factions, but to ascend to the peak of martial arts, and then, like the former Dragon Gate Sect Master Zhuge Lingjun, to go alone to the headquarters of the War God Hall!
He intended to slap Antony Roman to death at the headquarters of the War God Hall, and then trample the War God Hall Master Aaron Roman under his feet, to seek justice for his parents from back then!
...
Half an hour later, people from the Martial Department arrived.
Qin Linhai, the person in charge of the Donghai branch of the Martial Department, personally led the team.
Upon arriving at the Dragon Orchid Restaurant, Qin Linhai had Lin Zhiping's body collected. Then, after learning the whole story from Qin Xiaozhi, he entered the private room with Qin Xiaozhi.
"Uncle Qin."
Seeing Qin Linhai enter, Jiang Wuming got up and greeted him.
"Master Xia."
Qin Linhai nodded slightly to Jiang Wuming as a response, and then greeted Xia Xueqin.
Given his status, he had naturally met Xia Xueqin and knew that she not only possessed terrifying martial prowess but also had the backing of the Xia family!
"Minister Qin."
Xia Xueqin stood up to respond to Qin Linhai, not showing the same assertiveness as she had when facing Wang Lin earlier.
"Wuming, I have learned about the events from Xiaozhi. Lin Zhiping bullied the younger and attacked you first. After failing to defeat you, he ambushed you, and you killed him on the spot. There is no problem with that."
After exchanging greetings, Qin Linhai went straight to the point. As he spoke, he raised his eyebrows and changed his tone, saying, "You crippled Wang Zhisheng's arm. From a moral standpoint, there's no issue, but it violates the Martial Department's regulations.
If the other party is determined to pursue the matter, it will be somewhat troublesome. However, you don't need to worry. You only crippled Wang Zhisheng's arm, so even the punishment will be light."
"Minister Qin, regarding Wuming crippling someone's arm from the Martial Department, you don't need to worry. The Martial Arts Academy will stand up for Wuming."
As Qin Linhai finished speaking, before Jiang Wuming could reply, Xia Xueqin spoke first.
"Master Xia, what do you mean?" Qin Linhai was somewhat confused.
Not only he, but Jiang Wuming and Qin Xiaozhi also looked at Xia Xueqin with surprise.
"Establishing heart for heaven and earth, for the living people, continuing the lost learning for the sages, and bringing peace to all generations – this is the motto of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy.
The purpose of establishing the Donghai Martial Arts Academy is to cultivate martial arts talents for Dragon Country. Students, apart from practicing martial arts and improving their strength, must also possess martial ethics. They must never abuse the skills learned in school to do evil!
If such a student appears, the teachers of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy have the obligation to cleanse the sect!
Although Wuming is only a visiting professor at the Donghai Martial Arts Academy, he was Wang Zhisheng's teacher and taught him. Disciplining Wang Zhisheng is only right and proper!"
"Makes sense!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Linhai's eyes suddenly lit up.
Regardless of personal feelings, the relationship between Jiang Wuming and Qin Xiaozhi, or knowing Jiang Wuming's identity, Qin Linhai did not want to punish Jiang Wuming according to the Martial Department's regulations and cause Jiang Wuming to develop resentment towards the Martial Department. However, he also could not engage in favoritism or abuse his authority.
Now, the idea provided by Xia Xueqin perfectly resolved his dilemma.
...
At the same time.
On the other side, Wang Lin had brought Wang Zhisheng and Ye Rui back to his residence and had a doctor specializing in martial arts examine Wang Zhisheng's injuries. The result was the same as his initial judgment: Wang Zhisheng's right hand was completely crippled, and there was no way to reattach it. Only a prosthetic hand could be fitted.
"Xiao Rui, this matter cannot be let go just like that. Otherwise, both the Wang family and the Ye family will lose all face!"
After learning that his son Wang Zhisheng's right hand was completely crippled, Wang Lin's expression became even darker, and he reminded Ye Rui.
"That's for sure!"
Ye Rui touched his swollen face, his hatred surging!
...