Chapter 823: Chapter 828: Challenging the School
Tang Yuan leaned close to Hu Fei, looking at the processed images, and asked, "One of them is Zhu Hong, who are the other three?"
"Ling Chen mentioned these people to me before; the other ones should be Chu Huaiyang, Song Mingzhe, as for the last one..." Hu Fei thought for a moment, suddenly a flash of insight crossed his mind, "I know who it is, it’s gotta be Chen Quan. Ling Chen said Zhu Hong has a master named Chen Quan, who’s coming to East Sea City, and told me to watch out for him. Zhu Hong, Chen Quan, Chu Huaiyang, Song Mingzhe, I’m sure it’s these four."
"So, it’s them who kidnapped Nanrong Yuan and Little Hua?"
"They showed up at the dock in the middle of the night, could that be a coincidence?" Hu Fei said, "I’ll add more men to search for them thoroughly. You’re a government agent, it’s best if you can use government resources to seal the airport, train station, and all entrance roads to East Sea City. By all means, we can’t let them escape East Sea City."
"Alright, I’ll contact the local government immediately for their cooperation." With that, Tang Yuan took out his phone, walked to the side, and dialed a number.
...
Yan City Prison.
Ling Chen sat in the cell, leaning against the wall, eyes slightly closed, quietly waiting for any news.
Not long after, Qin Genglong was escorted in by the prison guards. Hearing the footsteps, Ling Chen opened his eyes, looked at Qin Genglong, and asked, "Well? Any news?"
Qin Genglong shook his head, his face filled with frustration, "I’ve conveyed your intentions, but the Qingyang Society and Hongmen replied, saying no matter what you want to do, they’re not interested in participating."
Upon hearing this, Ling Chen couldn’t help but smile, "Is it because I rejected their invitation that day, so they find me unpleasant?"
"Probably so. Ling Chen, since they’re unwilling to associate with you, what are you going to do?"
"Simple. We’re all martial artists, so we’ll do things according to the rules." With that, Ling Chen stretched lazily on the bed, "Old Qin, don’t think too much. Just rest and build your strength, you’ll need it soon."
Two days passed swiftly.
During these days, Ling Chen stayed obediently in prison, following orders and rules, causing no trouble and avoiding giving Yu Peng a chance to make a mess. After a few days of rest, his injuries were mostly healed. As for Qin Genglong, it’s needless to say. Qin Genglong primarily practices Cross Training, which strengthens the body the higher the level, so his external injuries didn’t bother him much and healed within a day or two.
Clang! Clang!
Early in the morning, guards knocked on the cell door with batons, indicating that it was time for yard time.
Leaving the cell, Ling Chen and Qin Genglong went to the yard for some free activities. After a moment, Ling Chen gave Qin Genglong a signal, and the latter understood, immediately leading Ling Chen to the other side of the yard. Reaching the fence edge, Qin Genglong pointed at a guarded iron gate not far away, "That’s it."
Ling Chen nodded, without another word, and walked straight toward the iron gate.
At the entrance, a muscular man in a tight tank top blocked Ling Chen with his hand, speaking harshly, "This is private property, get lost!"
"I’m here to see your boss, relay for me that Ling Chen has business with him."
"You’re Ling Chen?" The man looked Ling Chen up and down, impatiently waved his hand, "Our boss already said anyone can see him, except you. If you know what’s good for you, leave before causing trouble." Saying this, the man extended his right hand, trying to shove Ling Chen away.
Seeing the right hand approaching, Ling Chen raised an eyebrow, swiftly grabbed the man’s wrist, and with a sharp twist, the man, weighing over a hundred pounds, immediately fell to the ground, groaning in pain, his forehead scraped and bleeding.
"Ling Chen!" The man yelled angrily, "You dare provoke Hongmen, I see you must be tired of living." With that, he raised his arm, swinging his fist directly towards Ling Chen’s face.
"Off you go."
The fist hadn’t touched Ling Chen when Qin Genglong blocked it. Without giving the man a chance to counter, Qin Genglong swung his fist, knocking the man down directly.
Glancing at the unconscious man, Ling Chen smiled faintly, then pushed open the iron gate and walked in.
Similar to the Metropolitan’s territory, Hongmen also has an independent activity area. However, unlike Metropolitan, Hongmen’s area leans more towards a Martial Arts Academy style, with the floor covered in solid wood and surrounded by screens with weapons racks beside them, fully equipped with swords, guns, axes, everything.
Currently, over ten men in white martial arts uniforms stood in the middle of the wooden floor in pairs, practicing their skills, with two middle-aged men nearby offering guidance.
Seeing Ling Chen and Qin Genglong coming, the two middle-aged men immediately called the practitioners to stop, then led them to approach Ling Chen, coldly asking, "Who are you, don’t you know Hongmen’s rules?"
Ling Chen chuckled nonchalantly, "I know your rules, that’s why I came uninvited." Pausing, Ling Chen continued, "I heard Hongmen values rules the most, and is quite strict, so I came to learn how skilled Hongmen experts truly are."
Hearing this, the faces of the two middle-aged men changed, sternly saying, "Do you want to challenge us?"
"Exactly. What, does Hongmen not have the courage?"
One middle-aged man sized up Ling Chen, then glanced at Qin Genglong beside him, "I know him. Heard Qin Genglong has been close to someone lately, if I’m not mistaken, you’re the one who defeated Luo Haicheng."
"It’s me!"
"Ling Chen, you have quite the nerve to come to our Hongmen’s territory to challenge. Do you really think just the two of you can beat our Hongmen experts?"
Ling Chen shrugged, "You’ll know if you try. I’m here to challenge, not to waste words with you. If you’re not afraid, bring out your Hongmen experts."
"Hmph! Ling Chen, you’re too audacious, do you really think Hongmen is lacking people? Fine, since you want to challenge us, we’ll grant you, as long as you don’t end up crying and begging for mercy."
With that, one middle-aged man quickly headed inside.
Not long after, an old man slowly walked out, surrounded by several middle-aged men. The old man, around sixty years old with grey hair, a goatee, a lean face, wearing loose traditional clothing, walked with vigor.
Seeing the old man, Ling Chen squinted his eyes, a sharp gleam flashed from his pupils.