<h4>Chapter 1246: Chapter 1254: Martial Arts Academy Showdown</h4>


    "Yes." Tian Hanzhongposed his words, mustered up the courage and said, "Both Hall Masters, recently the students in the hall have been secretly discussing and feel that we are too cowardly, being bullied to this extent and still remaining indifferent. It makes everyone ufortable. If... if we keep them confined in the hall and not allow them out, it might greatly affect their morale."


    "Are they thinking we have been too weak?" He Ziyun chimed in.


    Tian Hanzhong nodded and said, "Deputy Hall Master, some are already considering leaving Dragon Tiger Hall to join Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy. If we keep retreating, it will only make the students lose confidence in us. I think we need to take measures to restore their confidence in us."


    Tong Zhentian pondered for a moment, nodded slightly, and said, "You have a point. However, the situation we are facing now is veryplex. To be honest with you, those people are obviously targeting us. They won’t stop until Dragon Tiger Hall closes. Otherwise, no matter what we do, they won’t give up unless we kill them all."


    "Then... what should we do? We can’t just let ourselves be bullied."


    He Ziyun thought for a while and said, "How about this? If anyone wants to go out, remember to have Qin Genglong and the others apany them. With experts protecting your safety, those from the Martial Arts Academy won’t dare to act recklessly."


    "Yes, I understand. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now." After saying this, Tian Hanzhong sped his fists, turned around, and walked towards the office exit. Just as he reached the door, a young man hurriedly ran over and urgently said, "Hall Master, bad news, people from the Martial Arts Academy havee looking for trouble."


    "What?" Tong Zhentian’s face turned angry as he suddenly stood up and said, "These scoundrels are truly fearless, daring toe to Dragon Tiger Hall to cause trouble. Come, let’s go meet them. I want to see how capable they are."


    Not long after, the group arrived at Dragon Tiger Hall’s martial arts arena.


    At that moment, in the martial arts arena, the students were gathered together, watching the people from the Dragon and Tiger Martial Arts Academy.


    The people from the Martial Arts Academy were not many, only three or four, one of whom was slightly older, probably over forty, standing in front of everyone, presumably the person in charge.


    Seeing Tong Zhentian and He Ziyun approaching, the middle-aged man smiled and sped his fists, "Elder Tong, Mr. He, my name is Huangzekai. It is my honor to meet two martial arts elders."


    He Ziyun said lightly, "Let’s skip such courteous words. Why have youe?"


    "I’m here today on behalf of our Martial Arts Academy to challenge a match," Huangzekai said. "In recent days, our two martial arts academies have had many conflicts, causing a stir outside. People are eager to see which of our academies has better teaching quality and faculty. After much thought, since we are both running martial arts academies, why not hold apetition to spar against each other? I think this is the best way to demonstrate our strengths. Elder Tong, you are the Hall Master of Dragon Tiger Hall. What do you think of my suggestion?"


    "Sorry, I’m not interested in a martial arts match." Tong Zhentian directly rejected the other party’s proposal.


    "Not interested?" Huangzekai said with a fake smile, "Is it disinterest or fear? Elder Tong, in front of so many students, you need to make yourself clear."


    Tong Zhentian’s face turned cold, just as he was about to speak, Huangzekai said, "Elder Tong, don’t me me for being blunt. Dragon Tiger Hall is a martial arts academy, yet it doesn’t even have the courage for a martial arts match. The students it produces are surely cowards. Everyone..." Huangzekai nced at the students present and said, "If I were you, I’d leave early, instead of wasting time and energy here. A Hall Master whocks courage, what do you think he can teach you?"


    Hearing this, the expressions of Tong Zhentian and He Ziyun changed slightly. They knew their opponent was using a provocation tactic. Such methods didn’t work on them. However, Huangzekai’s words caused a change in the students’ perceptions, which was Huangzekai’s true intention.


    Seeing the students murmuring, Tong Zhentian and He Ziyun exchanged nces, and their expressions were not pleasant.


    It had to be admitted, Huangzekai’s tactic was clever, capturing the students’ minds. If Tong Zhentian refused the challenge, and in light of recent events, Dragon Tiger Hall was bound to gain a reputation for cowardice. Once that reputation spread, the influence and reputation of Dragon Tiger Hall would be greatly diminished.


    Also, those students would likely choose to leave Dragon Tiger Hall. After all, no one would want to follow a group of cowardly masters.


    "Elder Tong." He Ziyun sighed softly and said, "I’m afraid you have no choice but to ept."


    Tong Zhentian nodded, he understood the consequences of this matter. Aside from agreeing, he had no other choice unless he disregarded the reputation of Dragon Tiger Hall.


    "Fine, you set the time, we’ll set the venue."


    "Haha!" Huangzekaiughed loudly, nodding, "Finally, Elder Tong shows some courage. Alright, then it’s a deal. With so many witnesses, I trust you won’t go back on your word, Elder Tong."


    After finishing speaking, Huangzekai waved his hand and left Dragon Tiger Hall with a few followers.


    Back in the office, He Ziyun frowned slightly and said, "Elder Tong, the other side suddenly proposing a match is undoubtedly well-prepared, we must be careful."


    "I know, that’s why I told him that Dragon Tiger Hall will choose the venue. This way, we don’t have to worry about them tampering with the site. However, we still can’t let our guard down. Mr. He, inform everyone to be vignt, to prevent those people fromunching a sneak attack." Although Dragon Tiger Hall’s overall strength was not weak, Tong Zhentian was still a bit worried, who knows what tactics those people would use.


    "Don’t worry, I will brief them." He Ziyun nodded.


    As they spoke, Hu Fei came in briskly from outside, full of excitement, and said eagerly, "Two Hall Masters, I’ve just received great news."


    Tong Zhentian and He Ziyun exchanged looks and asked, "What good news?"


    "They found Ling Chen."


    Upon hearing this, He Ziyun’s eyes dimmed, "It’s just finding a corpse, what’s there to be happy about."


    "No, no." Hu Fei hurriedly said, "It’s not a corpse, it’s a living person. Haha! I knew that guy Ling Chen was blessed and wouldn’t die so easily."


    "You mean it?" The spirits of the two elders lifted.


    Hu Fei nodded and said, "Of course it’s true, I just talked to Kai on the phone, I wouldn’t deceive you." Pausing, Hu Fei continued, "Kai has already gone to pick up Ling Chen himself, he should be back shortly."