Xiong Binkun was clearly relying on his status and seniority to bully others. After hearing about the incident at the Hongmen tavern a few days prior, he had initially assumed Mr. Xiao was an elderly martial arts practitioner. However, upon seeing Xiao Yunlong, he was greatly disappointed.
Of course, Xiong Binkun's arrogance and condescension were not without reason. For most martial artists, cultivation required immense effort and constant refinement of the body. In other words, the level of martial attainment was closely related to age.
At the Su City Martial Arts Association, an older martial artist was likely to be a master, while a younger one was almost certainly not.
This was Xiong Binkun's logic: everything was about age and seniority!
Perhaps fearing Xiao Yunlong's outburst, Hong Shisan quickly intervened, "If President Xiong finds it inconvenient to act, perhaps Coach Zhang could spar with Mr. Xiao? After all, everyone is just here for friendly sparring and mutual learning; there's no need for a major confrontation."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Kuang turned to look at Xiong Binkun. Xiong Bingkun nodded slightly in agreement.
"Since that's the case, let's spar," Zhang Kuang said, rising to his feet. He was burly and exuded an imposing presence.
Xiao Yunlong remained seated, glancing sideways at Xiong Binkun, and said indifferently, "I apologize, but I must clarify one thing. In the martial arts circles of Su City, not just any stray cat or dog is qualified to spar with me. Do you all understand what I mean?"
Xiao Yunlong had initially just wanted to enjoy a meal and drinks. Facing Xiong Binkun's blatant provocation, he had shown considerable restraint out of consideration for Hong Shisan.
However, the more he backed down and tolerated, the more presumptuous and arrogant the other party became, even putting on airs in front of him!
When it came to putting on airs and displaying status, who could compare to his title as the King of Zhenbei?
Zhang Kuang was enraged, "You brat, you truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth! A mere youth who hasn't even fully grown dares to be so arrogant and presumptuous before us. Even with Hong Shisan present, I will teach you a good lesson today!"
With that, he assumed a fighting stance, clenched his fists, and lunged at Xiao Yunlong.
After all, he was a coach at the Su City Martial Arts Association, responsible for teaching the association's disciples. He naturally possessed some skill.
As soon as he attacked, his fist whistled through the air. His massive physique unfolded like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, creating a truly awe-inspiring momentum.
Pan Wuzong and Hong Shisan immediately rose from their seats, concerned about being caught in the crossfire.
Xiong Bingkun, however, remained seated, even picking up his wine glass and calmly taking a sip.
Xiao Yunlong also did not move, remaining seated like a bell.
As Zhang Kuang's fist, as large as a sandbag, was about to land, a direct hit would have sent an ordinary person spitting blood and severely injured on the spot.
At this very moment, Xiao Yunlong's hand flashed out, grabbing the opponent's wrist.
Zhang Kuang was stunned, clearly surprised that the other party could block his attack.
He tried to pull his hand away forcefully, but to his horror, his hand seemed to have taken root with the other's five fingers. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break free.
Zhang Kuang's heart sank, and he immediately realized that he had truly encountered a formidable opponent this time.
"With this little ability, you want to spar with me? You're not worthy!"
Xiao Yunlong let out a cold laugh, side-stepped, and kicked out. Zhang Kuang was sent flying over ten meters away!
From beginning to end, Xiao Yunlong remained firmly seated, his backside never leaving the chair.
The expressions of the other three present changed. As the saying goes, the layman watches the excitement, while the expert observes the technique. All three present were martial artists and could naturally see that Xiao Yunlong's skills were extraordinary.
Hong Shisan quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "Alright, the spar is over. Mr. Xiao, although young, is indeed a master. As the saying goes, we become friends through combat. There's no need to take offense. Let's raise our glasses and let bygones be bygones."
Xiong Binkun still had not moved, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Xiao Yunlong, "Good lad, I misjudged you earlier. Although you are young, you do have some skills and are qualified to spar with me."
With that, Xiong Binkun stood up and slowly rolled up his sleeves, indicating that he was preparing to act.
Zhang Kuang was a coach at the Martial Arts Association, his subordinate. The fact that the other party had severely injured Zhang Kuang in his presence was a direct affront to him as the president.
Therefore, Xiong Binkun had to avenge this, otherwise, how could he maintain his standing in the martial arts circles of Wu City in the future?
Hong Shisan stood there holding his wine glass, looking helpless. If he had known it would turn out this way, he would never have arranged this gathering. Having a meal was proving to be too difficult.
Xiao Yunlong glanced at Xiong Bingkun and said, "Now you want to spar with me? But I'm truly sorry, with your caliber, you're not qualified to fight me. You'd barely be worthy of carrying my shoes!"
"Good lad, I see you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Xiong Binkun clenched his fingers, producing a series of cracking sounds. He shouted, "Bring me paper and a brush to sign a death match agreement! To dare provoke me like this, today, we shall decide victory and defeat, and life and death!"
Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but sneer, "With one foot already in the grave, you're so quick to talk about life and death. Your dog's life, I truly don't covet. First, open your dog eyes wide and look at this cup, then decide if you still want to fight me for life and death!"
With that, Xiao Yunlong spread his right palm and covered the blue and white porcelain wine cup. With a gentle press, the five-centimeter-tall cup was pressed into the pear wood tabletop. Crucially, the cup remained intact, and not a drop of the wine spilled out.
Then, Xiao Yunlong inhaled lightly, and the wine in the cup flowed back into his mouth.
The people present were instantly petrified, their faces filled with profound shock.
Xiong Bingkun was no exception, his eyes widening so much they almost bulged out of their sockets.
"With a gentle press, he sinks the cup into the hard table. This is too terrifying! What kind of martial cultivation is this? Is this a Grandmaster of Hua Jin?" Hong Shisan exclaimed in amazement.
"No, this cannot merely be a Grandmaster of Hua Jin. While a Grandmaster can also press a cup into the tabletop, it would not be this effortless, nor would the cup remain intact. Such perfection, only the legendary Martial King realm of 'Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown' can achieve this!" Pan Wuzong, standing nearby, also exclaimed.
At this moment, Xiong Binkun suddenly felt as if his spine had been removed. His legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
He finally realized just how terrifying an expert he had provoked tonight. This was a Martial King of 'Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown,' even more formidable than a Grandmaster of Hua Jin!
But Xiong Binkun could hardly believe that this short-haired youth, who hadn't even reached the age of twenty-five, possessed such terrifying skills. Had he been practicing martial arts since he was in the womb?
"Mr. Xiao, it was my fault. I retract my previous statement. Please forgive me!" Xiong Binkun immediately bowed with cupped fists. The president of the Su City Martial Arts Association finally lowered his arrogant and haughty head.
Xiao Yunlong poured himself another glass of wine, drinking as he said, "So, you no longer dare to fight me for victory and defeat, or life and death?"
"I dare not, I never dare again. I was indeed wrong just now. Please, show mercy!" Xiong Binkun remained bowed, his back already drenched in sweat.
"Then tell me, where were you wrong?" Xiao Yunlong asked slowly.
Xiong Binkun was momentarily taken aback. He had initially thought that if he bowed and admitted his mistake, the other party would not pursue it further. After all, he was the president of the Su City Martial Arts Association, a figure of some standing in Su City's underworld.
Intimidated by the other's terrifying skills, Xiong Binkun dared not act out further. After some thought, he said, "Reporting to Mr. Xiao, my mistake just now was being blind and arrogant, relying on my age and seniority to put on airs, and thus offending you."
Xiao Yunlong said faintly, "Well said. You do have some self-awareness after all!"
Xiong Binkun's eye twitched, and he suppressed his anger, "Mr. Xiao, may I leave now?"
Saying this, he turned and started to walk away. After all, he had been utterly humiliated tonight and had no face to stay any longer.
Xiao Yunlong chuckled, "You call yourself a man of the underworld, yet you haven't heard that what goes around comes around? Do you think it's that simple to leave with just a few casual words, without leaving anything behind?"
Xiong Binkun's body stiffened. Without turning his head, he gritted his teeth and asked, "Then may I ask, what else do you want?"
Xiao Yunlong directly picked up the wine bottle from the table and threw it. Soon, the ground was littered with shards of porcelain.
"Either crawl out of here; of course, if you have the guts, call for paper and a brush to sign a death match agreement, and we shall decide victory and defeat, and life and death!" Xiao Yunlong sneered.
In fact, if this Xiong Binkun truly had the courage to sign a death match agreement, Xiao Yunlong would not have made things too difficult for him.
However, it was clear that this Xiong Binkun was nothing more than a coward who bullied the weak and feared the strong!
Without any hesitation, Xiong Binkun prostrated himself on the ground and slowly crawled out from the floor covered in porcelain shards.