Rebirth of the Supreme Immortal Emperor-Chapter 102 - 101 The Clown that Prances Around! [Seeking Recommendations, Seeking Collections]

Chapter 102: Chapter 101 The Clown that Prances Around! [Seeking Recommendations, Seeking Collections]

Upon hearing the middle-aged man’s words, Zhang Yuanhao was visibly embarrassed and hastily defended, "Master Zheng, you have misunderstood. Although Li Chen is young, he possesses considerable martial arts skills. He once fought dozens single-handedly, and even Donghua’s underground Emperor, Du Meng, is no match for him!"

The man addressed as Master Zheng is named Zheng Qian, and he is the head of the Zheng Family Martial Arts Hall.

Moreover, he once studied at the Shaolin Temple and served as a lay disciple for five years.

Although he was just a lay disciple, he often boasted about his association with the Shaolin Temple, carrying himself as a descendant of a prestigious martial arts sect. Wherever he went, he was filled with a sense of superiority, seeing himself as above others.

As such, someone who viewed himself so highly naturally looked down upon people like Du Meng who were involved in the underworld. He considered them capable only of underhanded tactics and regarded them as riffraff and hooligans unworthy of respect.

Immediately, Master Zheng flicked his sleeve dismissively and snorted with disdain.

"Hmph, Du Meng is nothing more than a street ruffian and gang leader. Over the years, indulging in wine and women has emptied him out. Were it a fair fight, not to mention my closed-door disciples, even an apprentice would be able to defeat him within a few rounds!"

Hearing Zheng Qian’s boastful claim, Li Chen sneered in silence.

Although Du Meng was addicted to indulgences, he was not as pathetic as Zheng described. If the two were to face off one-on-one, who would win or lose remained an open question.

Yet this fellow had the audacity to claim that a mere apprentice from his hall could defeat someone like Du Meng, his arrogance knew no bounds—it even outstripped Li Chen’s own.

Seeing that Li Chen was not intimidated by his aura, Zheng Qian was annoyed and huffed indignantly.

"What? Boy, are you not convinced?"

Zhang Mingyuan had no fondness for Li Chen and would not have invited this unknown youngster had his son not insisted.

He noticed the atmosphere becoming awkward and, worried about provoking Zheng Qian further, quickly intervened to defuse the situation: "Master Zheng, please calm your anger!"

After speaking, he turned to Li Chen, introducing him with an air of superiority: "Li Chen, this is Master Zheng, the head of our Donghua Zheng Family Martial Arts Hall. If you can learn a move or two from him, you’ll benefit for life!"

Li Chen sneered coldly, "Heh heh!"

Seeing Li Chen’s lack of respect, both Zhang Mingyuan and Zheng Qian’s expressions soured.

Impatient by nature, Zheng Qian demanded, "What do you mean by this, boy?"

Li Chen smiled indifferently, "Nothing much, just finding it amusing to watch a buffoon jumping up and down in front of me!"

This sent Zheng Qian into a rage, bellowing, "Who are you calling a buffoon?"

Li Chen smiled faintly, replying, "I didn’t name you, so why are you so worked up?"

Zheng Qian’s face turned iron blue, and he yelled, "Damn you, you..."

Zhang Mingyuan’s face also turned beet red as he shouted, "Li Chen, stop your insolence and apologize to Master Zheng at once!"

Li Chen pointed at Zheng Qian dismissively, "Him? He’s not worthy!"

Furious and humiliated, Zheng Qian shouted, "Such arrogance! Today, I shall personally teach you, the younger generation, a lesson, to make you understand the importance of respecting your elders and the tradition!"

Just then, a young man in a changshan stepped forward and said, "Master, there is no need to use a cleaver to kill a chicken. Let your disciple teach him a good lesson on your behalf!"

Zheng Qian also felt that for someone of his status in the martial world, it was beneath him to physically confront a junior.

"Good, Beishan, go and represent your master. Teach him properly and let him truly understand the might of genuine Huaxia martial arts!"

Zhang Mingyuan was also curious to witness if Li Chen really possessed the skills his son boasted about. So, he did not try to stop the confrontation.

Zhang Yuanhao wanted to speak up, to defend Li Chen, but he was stopped by a look from his father.

Beishan approached Li Chen and, in the manner of worldly martial artists, gave him a fist salute.

"Please!"

Li Chen replied nonchalantly, "You make the first move. Otherwise, once I strike, you won’t get another chance!"

Enraged by Li Chen’s words, Beishan fumed, "How arrogant!"

His several senior brothers, upon hearing Li Chen’s bold claim, clamored, "Beishan, teach him a lesson, let’s see if he dares to be so arrogant afterward!"

"I think this lad is all talk. He won’t last ten rounds against Brother Beishan!"

"Come on, sixth junior brother, you’re underestimating Brother Beishan. In my opinion, three moves are sufficient!"

"No need for three moves. I bet Brother Beishan can send him scrambling for his teeth with a single punch!"

Hearing the flattery from his martial brothers, Beishan felt somewhat smug.

"Kid, since you’re seeking death, don’t blame me for being merciless!"

Li Chen replied coldly, "You talk too much!"

Enraged, Beishan swung a fierce punch straight at Li Chen’s face.

His punch was as swift as thunder and powerful enough to create gusts of wind; not to mention a common man, even a bull could be knocked down instantly.

Some of the waitress, seeing Beishan’s punch so vicious, secretly worried for Li Chen.

The more timid ones even covered their eyes, not daring to witness such a gruesome scene.

Li Chen simply smiled serenely, and as Beishan’s Iron Fist approached, he quickly made a move, capturing his wrist like a dancing golden snake.

Before Beishan could react, he was yanked forward, followed by a swift kick, skimming the water like a dragonfly, sweeping across his kneecap.

"Crack!"

"Crack!"

In an instant, Beishan fell to the ground, stiff as a dead dog.

Seeing this incredible scene, everyone’s mouth hung open in shock. Those waitresses gaped so wide, one could stuff a cucumber into their mouths.

"Beishan lost? How is this possible?"

"Am I seeing things? Beishan is a master of External Strength Great Success, how could he lose to him?"

"Could it be that he is an Inner Strength Master?"

Hearing the words "Inner Strength Master," everyone looked at Li Chen with eyes filled with amazement.

Judging by his age, he was just seventeen or eighteen.

An Inner Strength Master at seventeen or eighteen was unbelievable; probably only those Ancient Martial Families with a thousand years of heritage could nurture such an extraordinary prodigy.

Watching these people’s astonished looks, Li Chen suddenly found it quite amusing.

A mere Inner Strength Martial Artist had them looking as terrified as bears. If he displayed his skills as an Innate Grandmaster, wouldn’t he scare them to death?

Zheng Qian, an old hand in the worldly society, quickly regained his composure and laughed heartily, "Not bad, quite capable; it seems I have indeed underestimated you."

After speaking, his tone shifted as he looked at Li Chen and said, "Now, I give you an opportunity. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Li Chen replied with a cold smile, lightly uttering three words: "You’re not worthy!"

Zheng Qian was infuriated and snapped, "Hmph, kid, don’t think that knowing a little kung fu puts you above everyone else. Today, I’ll open your eyes and let you witness my unmatched skills!"

Before his words could hit the ground, he slammed his hand on the table.

There was a dish of lobsters on the table, which, shaken by his palm, leapt up into the air as if they were alive.

Immediately after, he drew out a shiny set of Western-style cutlery, with the sound of the knife wind whistling through the air, slicing all the lobsters neatly in half as they spun, dropping to the ground.

Seeing this display, Zhang Mingyuan and the others were dumbfounded with admiration and awe.

"Master Zheng’s martial arts have reached the Transformation Realm, even more mystical than what’s shown in martial arts TV shows. Today, I’ve really broadened my horizons!"

Zheng Qian stroked his goatee, full of pride as he said, "Boss Zhang, rest assured, that Iron Arm Zhou Tong brought in by the Wang Family is just a chicken and a dog in front of me, not worth mentioning, and can be crushed with a flip of my hand!"

Zhang Mingyuan rejoiced and said, "Master Zheng, to be honest, because of this matter, I’ve felt like there’s a fishbone stuck in my throat. These past days I couldn’t eat well, couldn’t sleep soundly, and had restless nights. Now that I see you, I can rest easy."

Having said that, he signaled a bodyguard with a glance.

The guard understood and brought out two silver metal briefcases, placing them in front of the table.

Upon opening the cases, they were crammed full of bright red banknotes, dazzling to the eye.

"Master Zheng, here is a reward of 5 million. After the job is done, there will be another 5 million, which I will personally arrange to be delivered to your residence!"

Zheng Qian feigned an air of transcendence, saying, "Fair enough, fair enough, money is just an external object to me, as ephemeral as floating clouds!"

After speaking, he quickly gestured for his disciples to take the money, as if fearful that taking it slower might cause the five million in cash to grow wings and fly away.

Then, Zheng Qian turned to Li Chen, his eyes narrowing into slits, arrogantly asking, "Kid, do you admit defeat now?"