The vast reception restaurant fell silent due to Xiao Yunlong's resounding words, and everyone turned their heads to look at the figure walking in, standing tall and straight like a javelin.
The leader of the Fusang warriors, Sazugawa, remained seated, unmoving. His four accompanying Fusang warriors also remained still.
Sazugawa narrowed his eyes into slits and scanned the approaching Xiao Yunlong with a playful gaze.
"Mr. Xiao, you've finally arrived. This is great!" Liang Minghui quickly stood up, the heavy stone in his heart finally lifted.
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand, signaling him not to say more, then sat down with a plop, simultaneously surveying the Fusang warriors before him.
As Liang Minghui had mentioned on the phone, among these five Fusang warriors, two were Minor Grandmasters, two were Grandmasters of Internal Force, and Sazugawa himself was a powerful martial artist with one foot already in the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown King realm.
Perhaps ordinary martial artists couldn't tell, but Xiao Yunlong could accurately see three hazy, blue-purple qi lights faintly rising above Sazugawa's head. Since he had only half a foot in, they hadn't yet merged.
Of course, Xiao Yunlong also saw that although the Fusang leader's martial cultivation was at the half-step Martial King level, his internal qi was still significantly stronger than Zhuge Nie's. In other words, if Zhuge Nie were to make a move now, he might not be able to defeat his opponent.
"You are that Xiao Yunlong. It is said that Sato Kazui and the others were killed by you, is that correct?" Sazugawa coldly demanded, his gaze like an eagle's, fixed on Xiao Yunlong.
"That's right. Those three Fusang dogs dared to provoke and injure people in my Dragon Country, so I couldn't let them off!" Xiao Yunlong stated with conviction.
"Baka!"
A Fusang Grandmaster of Internal Force was enraged. He pointed at Xiao Yunlong, gritting his teeth and shouting, "You sickly man of Dragon Country, how dare you wantonly kill our Fusang warriors!"
Xiao Yunlong glanced at him coldly, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Another Fusang Grandmaster of Internal Force said, "Since your helper, Mr. Xiao, has arrived, let's not waste any more time. Let the competition begin!"
Xiao Yunlong sneered lightly, "No rush. My Dragon Country is a land of etiquette, and besides, the banquet has been prepared. It would be a waste not to eat now that it has just begun. Since we are here, let's have dinner first!"
Liang Minghui, hearing this, felt deeply embarrassed and ashamed. Although Mr. Xiao hadn't directly reprimanded him, the words "banquet has been prepared" clearly served as a reminder.
"Why all the fuss? Are you, this kid named Xiao, afraid to fight? You dared to kill Sato Kazui and the others, do you know fear now?" Two Fusang warriors slammed the table and roared.
Sazugawa waved his hand slightly and grinned playfully, "You two, calm down. Regardless, we are guests. Since the host has spoken, we will indulge them. There's no hurry anyway!"
As he spoke, Sazugawa looked up at Xiao Yunlong and said, "You probably haven't had dinner either, have you? Why don't we eat together? After all, this might very well be the last meal of your life."
He then chuckled heartily. The Fusang leader's words and demeanor were filled with sarcasm and contempt.
Xiao Yunlong also chuckled, "I haven't had dinner yet, but as for whose last supper this is tonight, that remains to be seen."
With that, he picked up a clean pair of chopsticks and a bowl, and before digging in, he beckoned to Liu Ruyan to join him.
Liu Ruyan was no longer the timid, naive, and easily frightened girl she once was. Having followed Xiao Yunlong for some time, she had witnessed many significant events. Moreover, she had begun practicing martial arts and was now a Minor Grandmaster of Internal Force, her courage and experience gradually increasing.
Therefore, upon hearing Xiao Yunlong's instruction, Liu Ruyan walked over directly, sat down, and calmly picked up her chopsticks to eat.
"I almost forgot, I haven't had dinner either," Jun Bufan said with a laugh, also sitting down.
The Fusang warriors glanced at the two of them and let out cold snorts, saying nothing more, clearly too disdainful to speak.
Two media personnel by the table continuously filmed with their machines, accompanied by two Fusang envoys as witnesses.
Thus, everyone at the table picked up their chopsticks and began to eat. For a moment, the scene appeared surprisingly harmonious. Those who didn't know better might have thought it was a gathering of friends.
The surrounding city defense guards watched quietly, confusion evident on their faces. They couldn't understand what Mr. Xiao was doing.
Just as Xiao Yunlong was about to pick up some food, he suddenly remembered something. He turned to Liang Minghui and said, "I almost forgot. Have these guards withdraw. And have all those outside the door withdraw as well."
"Mr. Xiao, withdraw all of them?" Liang Minghui couldn't believe it, thinking he had misheard. After all, if they withdrew, controlling the situation would be impossible if any problems arose.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Xiao Yunlong glanced at him.
Liang Minghui dared not say another word. He immediately stood up, looked at the surrounding guards, and waved, "All of you, withdraw. Have the guards outside also retreat, and resume your normal patrol status!"
Upon receiving the order, the guards quickly withdrew like a flowing stream.
Sazugawa chuckled playfully at this, "You have some courage, daring to have all the guards withdraw. But honestly, since we dared to come, we are not afraid of what you might do to us. We five are here today for only one purpose: to vindicate our Fusang martial arts!"
"Well said, to vindicate your Fusang martial arts. But with just the five of you, you want to vindicate it? Don't you think that's overestimating yourselves?" Xiao Yunlong scoffed.
"We are overestimating ourselves? Do you, this immature brat, have the ability? I'm too lazy to say more nonsense. Tell me, how should we compete!"
Sazugawa coldly shouted and slammed his chopsticks onto the table.
Xiao Yunlong said calmly, "Simple, three against two!"
"Three against two? How exactly does that work?" Sazugawa grunted.
"The two people beside me are a Minor Grandmaster of Internal Force and a Grandmaster of Internal Force. You can send corresponding warriors to fight them. For the final match, I will personally step in!"
Xiao Yunlong pointed at Liu Ruyan and Jun Bufan.
Liang Bendao, who was not far away, stepped forward and cupped his hands, "Mr. Xiao, I am also currently at the Grandmaster of Internal Force level. I request to fight, and I am confident that as long as I don't face a warrior beyond the Grandmaster of Internal Force level, I will never be defeated!"
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand, "You are already injured. There's no need for you to fight again, lest people say our great Dragon Country cannot find other martial artists, and we have to send an injured person to compete!"
"But..." Liang Bendao started, naturally unwilling to miss such a good opportunity to show himself.
Xiao Yunlong, however, waved his hand to interrupt him, "You did well this time. You stepped forward. Although you were injured, at least you didn't retreat or stand by. Step down!"
Liang Bendao wanted to say more, but his father, Liang Minghui, subtly signaled him.
"Yes, Mr. Xiao. I will withdraw. If you need anything, Mr. Xiao, please command me. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!" Liang Bendao cupped his hands and retreated.
Regardless, being praised by Mr. Xiao made his injury worthwhile.
In fact, Liang Bendao's injury was not as severe as it appeared. He had simply not wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and his hair was somewhat disheveled, making his injury look more serious. As for why he wanted to appear this way, only he knew.
Sazugawa chuckled coldly, "Good. Minor Grandmaster of Internal Force against Minor Grandmaster of Internal Force, Grandmaster of Internal Force against Grandmaster of Internal Force. This is very fair. In that case, I will also personally fight in the last match. Let's make it best of three!"
"Let's go to the training ground!" Xiao Yunlong said, standing up and walking out, with Liu Ruyan and Jun Bufan following closely.
"I'll lead the way!" Liang Minghui immediately reacted and jogged to catch up, walking ahead.
"Senior Sazugawa, that Dragon Country kid named Xiao seems very confident. Do we have a guaranteed victory in this best-of-three match he proposed?" the sly-looking Fusang warrior asked in a low voice as they walked.
Sazugawa stared at Xiao Yunlong's back in front of him and chuckled, "To have a guaranteed victory, as long as you don't lose both of the first two matches, and then I step in for the third match, there will be no problem at all!"
"Senior Sazugawa, let me fight. I can tell that the other Dragon Country Grandmaster of Internal Force has only recently broken through, and he's so young. I am absolutely confident I can defeat him!" the sly-looking Fusang warrior said.
"Let me fight. I am also absolutely confident I can win!" another Fusang Grandmaster of Internal Force eagerly stated.
"What do you mean by that? You'd better not fight me for it. You were defeated by me last time!" the sly-looking Fusang Grandmaster, Kato Jiyuro, grumbled.
"How could I be your defeated opponent? I did lose to you last time, but now I might not..."
"Alright, Kato Jiyuro, you go. Listen carefully, you must win, not lose. Our Fusang martial arts are the true origin, and we cannot afford to lose even once!"
"Yes, Senior Sazugawa. Rest assured, dealing with a mere Dragon Country martial arts kid, if I lose, I will commit seppuku!" Kato Jiyuro shouted.
Sazugawa nodded, and then he also finalized the selection for the Minor Grandmaster of Internal Force level participant.
Soon, everyone arrived at the training ground. Although Liang Minghui had dismissed many city defense guards earlier, everyone was gathering towards the training ground upon hearing about the competition, clearly wanting to witness this spar.
Fortunately, the training ground was large enough to accommodate two to three hundred people without issue.
"So, who will you send for the first match?" Sazugawa sat on the ground. Although there were chairs around the training ground, he seemed unaccustomed to them. In any case, his demeanor and presence were imposing.
"Let the Minor Grandmaster of Internal Force level go first. Ruyan, you go first!" Xiao Yunlong said.
The reason for letting Liu Ruyan go first was mainly considering her somewhat lacking psychological fortitude compared to Jun Bufan. If she were placed in the second match, and if Jun Bufan lost the first match, her psychological pressure would be even greater.
Of course, Xiao Yunlong specifically proposed the three-match competition format primarily to give Liu Ruyan and Jun Bufan opportunities to perform. As for the outcome of the competition, it was not important.
Even if they lost the first two matches, it wouldn't matter. At worst, he could eliminate these Fusang warriors, the two Fusang envoys, and the filming crew, and the matter wouldn't be spread.
Although doing so was somewhat unsportsmanlike, as the two envoys and the filming crew were invited guests, Xiao Yunlong didn't care. As the dignified King of Zhenbei, he had far more bloody and ruthless methods than this.
Although Liu Ruyan appeared to be composed, she was still somewhat nervous in her heart, as this was her first time competing, and her first opponent was a warrior from an enemy country.
Xiao Yunlong patted her shoulder and said, "Just go up and compete. Fight with all your might. It doesn't matter whether you win or lose."
Liu Ruyan nodded, then suddenly asked, "But Yunlong, what if I accidentally cripple or kill them?"
Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but smile and said word by word, "If you can kill him, then beat him to death. I'll back you up, don't be afraid!"
"Then I understand!" Liu Ruyan nodded firmly, no longer hesitating, and stepped onto the stage.