142: How much do you have to challenge me?

Returning to Changtu County, Shen Bei first sent Jian Tong home, but didn't see Jian Shan, who was likely busy with matters concerning the local combat team.

Although Jian Shan's root bones and Meridians were completely ruined, making him a Martial Artist in name only, his organizational experience in Changtu County was still top-notch.

Afterward, Shen Bei returned to his old, small home.

Since being admitted to the Martial Arts University, time had flown by like a white colt passing a crack, and he hadn't returned for about half a year.

The house was covered in dust.

Shen Bei rolled up his sleeves and cleaned it from inside out.

Looking at the small but complete house, Shen Bei couldn't help but sigh.

From a high school student who used to lie flat, to being admitted to a Martial Arts University, and then becoming the king of champions.

Now a Third-Rank Martial Artist, everything felt a bit surreal.

A few days later.

Shen Bei received a call from Jian Tong and went to the Changtu County Guesthouse.

To outsiders, a guesthouse might sound old, dilapidated, a product of the last century.

In this era, similar establishments have all been renamed with more elegant terms like 'hotel,' 'inn,' or 'club.'

However, the Changtu County Guesthouse was a county-run industry, a place for entertaining external guests.

The entire building had a reserved and low-key exterior, not at all flashy, just an unremarkable five-story building.

But the interior was vastly different.

The decoration could be described as extremely dignified and luxurious.

It was no less impressive than any grand hotel.

The meeting hall for this occasion was on the third floor.

Jian Shan and Changtu County's top official, County Magistrate Shi Yong, were acting as greeters at the entrance.

There were some Martial Artists from within the county town; everyone was familiar with each other, constantly running into one another.

There were also some Martial Artists whose household registration was in Changtu but who had developed elsewhere; these individuals naturally needed to be received.

"County Magistrate Shi!"

A man opened his car door and, with a laugh, approached County Magistrate Shi Yong to greet him.

County Magistrate Shi Yong nodded and introduced, "This is Sun Bojian, a Third-Rank Martial Artist! He's busy with business outside and rarely returns to our county town."

Jian Shan hummed in acknowledgment, sizing up Sun Bojian. His first impression was that he seemed a bit weak.

A Third-Rank Martial Artist, even if not a close-combat type, shouldn't have a physique that's so out of shape.

He didn't walk with the vigorous stride of a tiger, and his beer belly was quite prominent.

Jian Shan patted his shoulder: "Pay attention to managing your body. Practice the skills you've learned more often. Things aren't like they used to be."

Jian Shan's words were originally well-intentioned.

But Sun Bojian didn't take kindly to them. Fortunately, he didn't get angry, merely smiled.

Just then.

Amidst a fleet of luxury cars, Shen Bei, riding his beloved electric scooter, weaved through the gaps and arrived directly at the guesthouse entrance.

Without even stopping, he jumped off, gave a gentle push with both hands.

The electric scooter glided directly into the bike shed, its front wheel slotting into the parking rack.

The entire process was smooth and seamless.

Shen Bei clapped his hands, quite satisfied with his unique trick.

"Uncle Jian!"

Shen Bei stepped forward to greet him.

"County Magistrate Shi," Jian Shan gestured to County Magistrate Shi Yong beside him, "greet him."

Shen Bei stepped forward to shake hands: "Hello, County Magistrate Shi. My name is Shen Bei, please guide me."

County Magistrate Shi Yong's hands gripped Shen Bei's like pincers, his Face beaming with joy: "Young and promising, truly young and promising! I've kept track of how many records you've broken, and I feel proud whenever I attend meetings outside."

"Just a false reputation, a false reputation."

"You're being overly modest. Come on in, the meeting will start soon," County Magistrate Shi Yong said with a smile, ushering Shen Bei inside.

"Wait!"

At this moment, Sun Bojian's voice was hoarse and sharp, like a blade tearing through cloth: "You are Shen Bei?"

In Sun Bojian's view, he had already anticipated meeting Shen Bei here.

A few days ago, Boss Li arrived in Changtu County and recounted his experience.

He increasingly felt that the Shen Bei Boss Li spoke of was the Champion of Changtu County, the Shen Bei currently studying at Lingnan City Martial Arts University.

Just a small fry.

It would be best to meet him, retrieve Boss Li's money, and take it all for himself.

A very simple matter.

At this moment, Shen Bei turned his head, looking bewildered: "Yes, do you need something?"

"Do you know Boss Li?"

"Which Boss Li?"

"Stop playing dumb!" Sun Bojian's Face grew colder, his eyes like icy beads: "The Boss Li from the 200,000!"

Shen Bei casually hummed in understanding.

So, Sun Bojian was here to stand up for Boss Li?

Shen Bei's expression remained unchanged: "What, do you have an opinion?"

Sun Bojian chuckled: "You've gained power and become carried away! Boss Li is a good friend of mine. I don't care what grievances you two have, you need to spit out that 200,000 to me!"

Ptooey!

Shen Bei spat: "I've spit it out, do you dare to catch it?"

The humiliation and rage in Sun Bojian's eyes almost spilled out: "So you're not giving me, Sun Bojian, any Face?"

Shen Bei's lips curved in a smile, but his gaze shot out a chill: "I don't know you, but don't you know me?"

"Damn it!" Sun Bojian's eyes gradually turned cold, and he said sinisterly: "Aren't you just a Second-Rank Martial Artist who won some chicken-pecking 'king of champions' title? Do you really think there's no one in this world who can deal with you, and you can do whatever you want?"

Shen Bei snorted a laugh: "It's good that you know who I am. Stop wasting my time. You know perfectly well how that money came to be. If you want to collect debts for others, you need to weigh your own worth! How about this, I'll spare you one hand; if I can't beat you to death with one hand, then you can be arrogant with me again!"

Sun Bojian had seen arrogant people, but never a Second-Rank Martial Artist daring to be arrogant in front of a Third-Rank!

He was about to explode with anger!

"Good! You want to play tough with me, do you? Come on!"

Sun Bojian flashed out the door, his Face fierce, filled with an indescribable coldness and brutality: "Today, I'll f*cking kill you and teach you a lesson!"

Shen Bei was just about to step out and follow.

In his opinion, a commoner like Boss Li, who knew a Changtu County Martial Artist, couldn't have a very high rank.

Wanting him to spit out the money he had taken? How could that be possible!

If you're not convinced, then fight!

No matter the occasion, fists do the talking!

Just then, Jian Shan grabbed Shen Bei and whispered, "No matter what misunderstanding or grievance you two have, if you owe him, give it back."

Shen Bei waved his hand: "No need for Uncle Jian to worry, I'll handle it myself."

"He's a Third-Rank Martial Artist!"

"Oh? That's even better."

Shen Bei became even more energized. A Third-Rank Martial Artist dared to collect a debt.

Are Martial Artists this arrogant now?

This unhealthy trend must be rectified!

"Enough!"

At this moment, County Magistrate Shi Yong's Face was grim, and he roared: "This is not a place for you to run wild! Get rid of your usual arrogance, wantonness, and conceit!"

Sun Bojian was silent for a moment, his eyes becoming gloomy, a hint of cunning flashing across his expression: "This time I'll give County Magistrate Shi Face, Shen Bei, this matter isn't over between us!"

Shen Bei's indifferent gaze met his: "Then I advise you to do it soon, because once school starts, you won't be able to find me."

"Good!"

Sun Bojian snorted, flicked his sleeve, and walked into the guesthouse, radiating Evil Qi.

Shen Bei was also quite annoyed.

It wasn't that Shen Bei looked down on Sun Bojian, but his body was so out of shape. What if he was a Third-Rank?

He clearly neglected his training; he was just an empty shell.

To be frank, anyone who could beat him with one hand would be his daddy.

Shen Bei was that strong!

But he had thought that his performance during this period had been quite good.

He had achieved quite a bit.

Not to mention living off his looks, anyone else who had ideas about him would have to consider the consequences.

The result was...

He was slapped in the Face right after the holiday started.

This Sun Bojian clearly knew him, yet still dared to provoke him.

What did this indicate?

It indicated that his reputation wasn't big enough!

Does he have to announce his name every time he encounters trouble, 'I'm Shen Bei from the Martial Arts University'?

How undignified!

It seems he still needs to make his Face more well-known, like Nine Lives Raven.

It should be the kind of reaction where people say, "Wow, Nine Lives Raven, can't mess with him."

A small interlude did not affect the atmosphere inside the Changtu County Guesthouse.

Let alone Shen Bei's argument.

Other Martial Artists were not much better, especially those from the county who had overlapping businesses.

They had already rolled up their sleeves and were spitting at each other.

Neither Jian Shan nor County Magistrate Shi Yong were surprised.

Third-floor hall.

When Shen Bei entered, there were already over a hundred people sparsely seated inside.

This was the maximum number of Martial Artists County Magistrate Shi Yong could gather.

In fact, Changtu County is a populous county, with over 1 million people.

Over the years, there must have been more Martial Artists accumulated.

However, many people had gone out to make a living and simply never returned, some even moving their household registration elsewhere.

"Oh, isn't this Shen Bei, the king of champions?"

"So young!"

"Indeed, the waves behind push the waves ahead, and one wave washes us onto the beach."

"The competition was very exciting, mainly characterized by its ferocity, truly bringing glory to Changtu people!"

"Little brother, I have a chicken farm opening, and I invite you to cut the ribbon for me. Name your price; I'm just looking for good fortune."

...

These people were all self-familiar, completely unlike people who had never met before.

Shen Bei was not shy, smiling and responding with a few words: "A ribbon-cutting isn't necessary, I prefer to sing 'A Spray of Plum Blossoms'."

Everyone laughed a few times.

At this moment, Shen Bei saw Jian Tong waving in the crowd.

He sat beside her.

Looking at the tea and dried fruit snacks on the table.

He grabbed a handful of Gua Zi and quietly asked: "This isn't a meeting, it's practically a tea party."

Jian Tong shrugged: "Don't let the relaxed surface fool you; there are undercurrents. Before you came in, they were all discussing how to deal with national policies later."

"Unless they want to die."

Shen Bei cracked open a hazelnut, popped it into his mouth, and said with a crunch.