Everyone on the scene had their mouths agape, too shocked to utter a word.
Gao Yuan’s expression had turned even more somber than before. Facing such blatant humiliation from Jiang Kai, he, the patriarch of the Gao family, felt no honor at all.
Not only him, but Guo Jun, Secretary Gao, and the many guests invited this time also wore looks of awkwardness.
“Alas, I didn’t expect the Jiang family to have such strength now.”
“Indeed. After a few years apart, they’ve made a complete comeback.”
“The Gao family is probably going to have to swallow this bitter pill in silence.”
The onlookers began to whisper among themselves.
“Still, it’s quite unsportsmanlike of the Jiang family to send chrysanthemums to someone’s birthday banquet.”
Just as Song Qiao was about to remain silent and observe the situation, Gao Mengmeng’s small hand quietly nudged his right hand from behind.
“Mr. Song, can you do me a favor?”
Song Qiao turned to look at her and couldn't help but chuckle, asking, “What can I possibly do? That Hu Peng over there is indeed a martial artist.”
“But you were able to discern the strength of Jiang Zhen and Xia Yu twice. I believe you are also a master.” Gao Mengmeng said with certainty.
She then piteously shook Song Qiao’s arm.
“Mr. Song, please help me just this once. I really don’t want to receive chrysanthemums on my birthday.”
“Please, consider it your birthday gift to me.”
The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt, tears welling up in her eyes by the end. Her pitiful expression made Song Qiao’s heart ache a little.
“Alright, I’ll try my best. But I can’t guarantee a win.”
Song Qiao hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. From his observations of the two previous matches, he had already assessed Hu Peng’s approximate strength. He could only say that while the opponent was strong, he was by no means his match. Since Gao Mengmeng had pleaded with him, and her father and uncle were quite friendly with him, helping out once wouldn’t be a problem.
“That’s wonderful, Mr. Song! You’re my great savior, the god in my heart forever!”
Upon hearing Song Qiao’s agreement, Gao Mengmeng almost jumped three feet high, her face unable to conceal her excitement.
“Gao Yuan, have you seen the strength of our Jiang family by now?”
“Anyone present, if they are unconvinced, can step forward and challenge us. If anyone can defeat Hu Peng, our Jiang family will immediately turn around and leave.”
Jiang Kai, seeing that the onlookers were already intimidated by Hu Peng’s strength, became even more arrogant in his speech. However, the audience, though angered by his words, dared not utter a single retort. The Jiang family was clearly trending towards becoming a martial arts family, and stepping forward now would be akin to courting death. Every businessman present was shrewd enough to know better than to engage in such a thankless task.
“Jiang Kai, at this point, even if our Gao family suffers a loss, I urge you to show mercy.” Secretary Gao said, his brow furrowed, his voice exceptionally cold.
“Don’t forget, in this world, it’s no longer an era where might makes right.”
Jiang Kai, hearing this threat, didn’t get angry but instead laughed heartily.
“Show mercy? Hahaha, how can your Gao family speak such words now? Your ancestors showed no mercy when they tried to wipe out our Jiang family back then.”
“Then what do you want?” Gao Yuan slammed the table, veins bulging on his arm.
“Today, our Jiang family came to celebrate your junior’s birthday. Have her come out, offer her thanks, and we’ll be on our way.”
His words sent the entire venue into an uproar, and Gao Mengmeng’s face turned even paler. Humiliation, naked humiliation! It was as if they were being slapped in the face in public! If the birthday girl came out to apologize after their disruption, the Gao family would never be able to hold their heads up in the martial arts world again.
“Impossible, absolutely impossible.” Secretary Gao, furious, stood up, his breathing becoming heavy. In his many years in politics, this was the first time he had suffered such immense humiliation.
“If you’re unwilling, then have your Gao family’s experts defeat Hu Peng!”
“Fine, I accept this challenge on behalf of the Gao family.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Qiao’s resonant voice boomed from the crowd. He then slowly walked towards Jiang Kai under everyone’s gaze.
“This match, I will represent the Gao family.”
His declaration silenced the entire hall. After a few seconds, peals of laughter erupted.
“Is Mr. Song out of his mind?”
“Does he really think he’s an invincible martial arts master just because he guessed the outcomes of two matches by luck?”
“This martial arts bout is not gambling. One wrong move could cost you your life.”
The onlookers, who had initially found Song Qiao to have some insight, now dismissed him as another pompous joke.
“Song Qiao, what nonsense are you spouting?” Xia Yuqing, who had been watching from the crowd, could no longer stand it and hurried over, intending to pull Song Qiao back.
“Are you crazy? If you go up there to show off and get beaten to death, our entire family will be finished.” She said, pushing him and trying to drag him away from the scene.
“Yes, brother-in-law. Your opponent is a martial arts master. You’ll be at a disadvantage if you fight now,” Xia Xueqing also urged anxiously from the side. Their brother-in-law had always been mature and steady since starting his business, and they couldn’t understand why he was acting so impulsively today.
“Don’t you two worry. This Hu Peng will definitely not be my opponent. I’m confident I can defeat him.” Seeing the Xia sisters trying to stop him, Song Qiao could only helplessly explain.
“What’s Song Qiao’s background? At a critical moment like this, he still wants to show off. Isn’t it enough that our Gao family is being embarrassed today?” Sitting nearby, Gao Yuan wished he could personally drag Song Qiao off the stage to witness this farce.
Secretary Gao also wore a look of extreme awkwardness, secretly lamenting his misfortune. “Why is this young Mr. Song so unreliable today? He’s practically trying to doom our Gao family.”
Jiang Kai, initially startled to hear someone accept the challenge, almost burst out laughing when he saw that it was Song Qiao stepping forward.
“Hahaha, to what extent has the Gao family fallen?”
“To send out a contestant as skinny as a chick, aren’t you afraid Hu Peng will kill you with a single slap?” He taunted Song Qiao, a smug smile on his face.
“Kid, with your scrawny physique, I advise you to give up.”
“Why don’t you surrender now and kowtow to become my disciple? Perhaps I can teach you a few moves and make you a master.” Hu Peng chimed in.
“Pah, you mere beginner martial artist, what right do you have to teach me?” Song Qiao glanced at him indifferently, his eyes filled with mockery and disdain.