"The price is quite reasonable, let me take another look."
Jiang Shi spoke, continuing to browse inside the blacksmith shop.
Liu Si and a few others followed along the entire time.
After wandering through, Jiang Shi sighed silently, in the end, he didn't purchase anything.
It was simply too expensive.
Even ordinary swords and knives cost four taels of silver each.
What kind of joke is this?
How long would an average person have to save to buy a weapon?
It's practically a profiteering industry.
In the end, Jiang Shi shook his head lightly and left the place.
"Boss, aren't you buying weapons?"
Liu Si asked.
"Screw that."
Jiang Shi couldn't be bothered to reply to him.
In the end, the group continued to wander leisurely within the city.
Clang, clang, clang...
Suddenly, a series of rapid gong sounds came from ahead.
A large crowd gathered on the street, forming a dense mass.
Jiang Shi also showed a look of curiosity, gazing in that direction.
In the front area, there stood a huge arena, adorned with red and green decorations, and large couplets were pasted on both sides.
Step on the fierce tiger of Nanshan!
Punch the evil dragon of Beihai!
A burly man, nearly two meters tall with a full beard, stood proudly on the arena, shouting loudly, his voice like thunder.
"Fellow townsfolk, my name is Ren Yuan. Passing through Tieshi City, I heard about the many masters here. Today I set up this arena specifically to issue a challenge. Anyone who can defeat my iron fists, I am willing to offer one thousand taels of silver, but if you lose, don't worry, all you need to do is leave an apology of five taels of silver. Any brave man who's not afraid to die, come on up!"
The burly man raised his fists high, exuding a wild and fierce aura, his muscles like iron knots.
The crowd beneath erupted in astonishment.
Everyone revealed a look of shock.
Good heavens!
Just by winning against him, one could get a thousand taels of silver.
If they lost, it wouldn't be shameful; they only needed to pay five taels of silver.
Whichever way you look at it, it's a huge profit!
"I'll go!"
A lanky Wandering Warrior, with a sallow complexion and a lean physique, vaulted onto the arena post and landed on the stage, cupping his hands and saying, "I am Du Qing, the Grass Green Snake, willing to learn from your brilliant moves."
"Wait!"
Ren Yuan raised his large hand, speaking, "Young man, please hand over a deposit of five taels of silver first, so that when fists fly without eyes, you won't renege. If you win, a thousand taels of silver plus your principal will be returned!"
"You!"
Du Qing was enraged, but still took out five taels of scattered silver from his bosom and tossed it aside, shouting fiercely, he quickly lunged towards Ren Yuan.
Ren Yuan's tiger eyes suddenly shot out a cold light, as his towering frame of over two meters directly charged forward quickly.
Bam, bam, bam!
Immediately, the two engaged in an intense exchange.
However, Ren Yuan's strength was truly terrifying. In just a few moves, he grabbed the back of Du Qing's shirt, casually flinging him as if he were a small chick, hurling his body high up and forcefully slamming it against the ground.
Bang!
With a dull knock, Du Qing spewed blood wildly, ligaments snapped, bones fractured, letting out a miserable scream.
"Thank you for letting me win!"
Ren Yuan cupped his hands, shouting aloud.
Immediately, two men rushed over beside him, helping Du Qing up and quickly carrying him away.
"Is there anyone else willing to continue the challenge?"
Ren Yuan continued to shout, his voice deafening.
"Good gracious, this guy's strength is terrifying!"
Liu Si clicked his tongue in amazement.
Jiang Shi, however, remained silent, stroking his chin.
Winning means a thousand taels...
This is faster than robbery!
So!
Should I give it a try?
His eyes observed carefully, then looked behind the burly man, and immediately fell into thought.
This brute strikes with cruelty and dares to set up such a stage, he likely has some backers.
Even if you win against him, you might not live to collect the thousand taels.
Silently, a thin, weak hand slipped through the crowd, reaching for Jiang Shi's bosom stealthily.
Jiang Shi looked down, delivering a slap.
Crack!
Ah!
A shrill and miserable cry rang out, and that skinny hand quickly retracted. A man dressed in black hemp cloth was terrified, hurriedly shoved through the crowd, clutching his arm, and fled in panic.
It was evident that his hand was swollen high, with all the bones broken.
The surrounding crowd was in an uproar, looking at Jiang Shi in surprise.
Jiang Shi was unmoved, as if he had just casually swatted a fly, and continued to look towards the arena.
At this moment, more and more people were gathering, and more individuals jumped onto the stage one after another.
However, without exception, all were sent flying out by Ren Yuan within three moves.
For a moment, the crowd below was boiling even more.
Everyone started shouting, straining their voices.
...
Inside a restaurant.
Three middle-aged men sat quietly, frowning, with a cold look, instinctively looking at the distant arena.
"An outsider dares to brazenly steal food from under our noses; this is quite bold."
One of the middle-aged men spoke indifferently.
"Having a bit of skill and daring to show off recklessly, it's simply courting death. Getting killed someday is what he deserves!"
Beside him, a sallow-faced man with a mustache spoke coldly.
"Gentlemen, instead of wasting time gossiping here, why not send someone to take him down? Only by taking him down will the prestige of our three martial halls remain intact. I suggest each of our families sends one disciple over and see whose disciple can defeat him? The two losing families will offer one thousand taels of silver to the winning family, what do you think? Dare to bet?"
The third middle-aged man, waving a White Paper Fan, spoke calmly.
"Hmm?"
The other two middle-aged men exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.
"Good idea, I agree with this!"
"If someone is willing to give me a thousand taels to spend, why would I refuse?"
Their tone was indifferent.
If anyone who knew them was here, they'd recognize them at a glance.
Each was a renowned martial hall master in Tieshi City!
Respectively, the masters of Thunder Martial Arts Hall, Thunderbolt Hand Lei Wanfeng!
White Crane Martial Arts Hall, White Crane Palm Yan Yifa!
Iron Body Martial Arts Hall, Iron Cloth Shirt Liu Zhendong!
The three martial halls had been established in the city for many years, with numerous disciples, and their interests were deeply intertwined, tolerating no outside interference.
"In that case, let's draw lots to decide who will send someone first."
White Crane Palm Yan Yifa, seemingly smiling, casually had the waiter bring pen and ink, wrote notes, and placed them in a teacup.
The three took turns drawing.
The first to be drawn was, surprisingly, Iron Cloth Shirt Liu Zhendong!
Liu Zhendong laughed heartily, saying, "Gentlemen, I appreciate the concession. A thousand taels of silver, please deliver it soon; it's best not to delay, hahaha!"
He directly ordered his hall's chief disciple Zhao Yunlong to act personally.
The two beside him both snorted coldly, turning their heads away.
Zhao Yunlong received the order and quickly strode out of the restaurant, heading straight for the arena with immense momentum, leaping onto the stage. He stood tall and strong, muscular, folded his arms, and coldly said, "Zhao Yunlong here to learn your skills!"
Wow!
The crowd was in an uproar.
"The chief disciple of Iron Body Martial Arts Hall, Zhao Yunlong!"
"It's said that his Iron Cloth Shirt is already well-honed, a master at the third level of Entering Strength!"
"There's a good show coming!"
...
"Third level of Entering Strength?"
Jiang Shi's eyes flickered as he secretly compared.
Is the third level of Entering Strength already considered a master?
Within ten days, I equaled the third level of Entering Strength.
Bam bam bam bam!
On the arena, a fierce exchange quickly began.
Ren Yuan, menacingly fierce, with a wild aura, stood over two meters high with substantial momentum, his moves were wide open and fast. After more than ten moves, he suddenly shouted, grabbing Zhao Yunlong's shirtfront, causing Zhao Yunlong's face to change with fright, unable to resist.
Crash!
Zhao Yunlong's entire body was swung high and slammed forcefully to the ground.
Boom!
The whole ground trembled slightly.
Ah!
Zhao Yunlong spewed blood, screaming miserably, losing combat power on the spot.
The crowd below was in an uproar.
Everyone cheered loudly.
Inside the restaurant, Iron Cloth Shirt Liu Zhendong suddenly slammed the table and stood up, shocked and angry, staring fiercely at Ren Yuan below, eager to act personally.
The two beside him immediately smiled, quickly intercepting.
"Brother Liu, hold on, haha, can it be that Brother Liu cannot afford to lose?"
"Worthy of the legacy of Iron Cloth Shirt. Zhao Yunlong's muscles and bones are indeed strong; to withstand such a fierce slam and still be unharmed, it's certainly rare."