Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 226 - 219: Donghua Sick Man

As time went on, all sectors of Donghua society became increasingly aware of the Martial Arts Realm, and the North-South Martial Dao Tournament, in particular, began to draw the attention of more and more ordinary people.

Under the guidance of the relevant authorities, the terrifying power of individual Martial Artists also began to spread online, sparking a growing number of discussions.

The North-South Martial Dao Tournament, which was gradually approaching its climax, was a major focus of these discussions.

"Have you guys heard about the North-South Martial Dao Tournament? I heard the quarter-finals are about to start!"

"It’s mind-blowing. Those top-tier Martial Artists are so incredible, but the matches are a little bloody."

"You call that bloody? That’s fighting spirit!"

"Which Martial Artist is your favorite? I like Ji Yunzhou from the Southern Martial Arts Realm. He’s so cold and domineering!"

"I like the northern Martial Artist, Chen Ding! A true man needs no explanation!"

"I wonder who the final champion will be. I can’t wait!"

"I want to practice martial arts too! I heard schools are about to start offering Martial Dao classes. I’m so excited!"

"..."

Similar discussions began to spread. Anyone who had gone to see the North-South Martial Dao Tournament couldn’t help but follow the progress of the matches. As a result, some of the powerful Martial Artists in the tournament even gained a considerable number of admirers.

The process initiated by Donghua’s higher-ups to bring the Martial Arts Realm into the open seemed to be a great success.

However, outside interference finally arrived.

The Starry Sky Country’s fleet held joint military exercises with Gouli Country in the coastal waters, the situation in the Silan Region suddenly grew tense, the Black State Region was in turmoil, and the Starry Sky Country’s homeland introduced targeted trade legislation, all seemingly with an ulterior motive...

Subsequently, a diplomat from the Starry Sky Country paid a visit. Outside of the official discussions and negotiations, he claimed that the recent North-South Martial Dao Tournament held in Donghua Country was so influential that its effects were even being felt back in his homeland. He stated that fighting enthusiasts in the Starry Sky Country were quite interested, and their fighting association had submitted an application to the Foreign Affairs Bureau. They hoped to assemble a delegation to visit Donghua for a friendly exchange to promote the development of fighting techniques and deepen the friendship between their two peoples.

The Donghua Foreign Affairs Bureau naturally understood the other party’s intentions. Since the request hadn’t been formally proposed at the negotiation table, the Donghua side politely declined it. The diplomat from the Starry Sky Country expressed great regret in response.

The Foreign Affairs Bureau relayed this news to the relevant departments. Everyone knew that the inevitable had finally arrived.

...

...

「On the very night the Foreign Affairs Bureau rejected the Starry Sky Country’s request for an exchange.」

「Southern Boxing Three Capitals.」

「Ji Po Jue Arena.」

The tournament’s preliminary rounds were nearing their end, and the top eight spots were almost set in stone. The final battle for the top eight would begin soon. However, due to widespread public attention, the number of matches, far from decreasing, had actually increased significantly.

Now, the dueling matches were no longer held only at night; the start time had been moved up to two in the afternoon. Although many Martial Artists knew they had no hope of challenging the reigning champions, they were spurred on by the current social fervor and the terrifying power of a Saint Awakening, and they threw themselves into the duels regardless.

Not for fame or fortune, but only to become stronger.

The entirety of the Southern Boxing Three Capitals was filled with an air of vibrant, aspiring fighting spirit.

Sweat, struggle, passion, will—it all captivated the heart and soul of every spectator.

The dueling matches started at two in the afternoon, and the arena was almost always packed to capacity. The atmosphere was electric. However, tonight, something discordant appeared amidst this fiery scene.

Those who had come to watch the dueling matches discovered that, at some point, a group of foreigners had slipped into the back of every arena.

These men were large and powerfully built, seemingly possessing great physical prowess. Once inside the arena, they did nothing but push through the crowd. Then, two of them, one on each side, raised a white cloth banner with cold expressions. Written on it with a black marker was a large term in the Starry Sky language, with a line of smaller text beneath it.

"What does that Starry Sky language term mean? I can’t read it. Is there anyone here who’s passed Level 4 and can explain?"

"These white guys look like they’re up to no good. What are they trying to pull? They can’t possibly be planning to cause trouble here, can they?"

"What on earth does that term mean? Their expressions are disgusting!"

"..."

The appearance of these men instantly drew the attention of everyone in the audience.

"That term... the last time it appeared in this land was nearly a hundred years ago. It means ’Donghua Sick Man’!"

Soon enough, someone recognized the term’s meaning.

It was a young man with glasses who looked to be under thirty. He was just an ordinary person who had only learned about the Martial Arts Realm because of the recent initiative to publicize it, and he had since fallen in love with the dueling matches. Seeing that term, his ordinary face trembled slightly, evidently consumed by rage.

No matter which of the Donghua People they were, none could remain calm when faced with such a term.

Because this was the greatest wound in Donghua’s history, and a shame borne by the entire nation.

A century had passed. The Heroic Spirits of countless fallen heroes lingered over the land. How could the nation suffer such humiliation again?!

ROAR!!

The banner’s meaning instantly spread through the audience, causing a massive uproar. The entire crowd was overcome with indignation, nearly going on a rampage, wanting to rush forward and tear the men to pieces.

But the men’s gazes were sharp, their bodies powerful, and their faces showed no trace of fear. The staff of the Ji Po Jue Arena also spotted the disturbance at once and immediately sent people out to maintain order, preventing a full-blown riot.

"Sirs, what is the meaning of this?" a staff member from the Ji Po Jue Arena in a black suit said to the foreigners, his expression grim. "If you’re here to watch the matches, the Ji Po Jue Arena welcomes you. If you’re here to cause trouble, then please leave. If you don’t cooperate, we’ll have to ’escort’ you out."

"Cause trouble?" one of the foreigners replied with a sneer in surprisingly fluent Donghua Language. "We’re merely stating a fact."

"We submitted a request for an exchange to your officials, and you actually rejected it. You’re just scared. You have no idea what truly formidable power is. All you do is lock yourselves away and entertain yourselves. You don’t even dare to accept a challenge. A hundred years have passed, and you’re still this!"

A mocking smile crept onto the foreigner’s lips as he jabbed a finger forcefully at the text on the banner. He then let his gaze sweep, as if casually, over the surrounding crowd.

The crowd instantly erupted, and the Ji Po Jue Arena staff nearly lost control of the scene.

"You are not welcome here," the staff supervisor said, his eyes narrowing. "Are you going to leave on your own, or do I need to have my men ’escort’ you out?"

’In the past, he might have found some "special" methods to deal with these foreigners, but the situation was different now. Many of those methods were no longer an option.’