The "support" from the crowd did not affect Guan Yanji's viewpoint.
Throughout history, those who applaud are the idle ones, while those who praise or criticize are the real buyers. These people, who love a good show, naturally hope that Jing Zhe will participate, since it won't be them who are going against Jing Zhe in the end.
Then Guan Yanji said again, "Sect Leader Qingyang, the rules cannot be broken. If they can be broken so easily, where is the dignity of the four major sects?"
"this…"
The Qingyang Sect Leader was also in a dilemma. He wanted Jing Zhe to participate so that someone could teach him a lesson. He had actually contacted Long Aodi privately, but he never expected to be opposed by Long Aodi's master.
Could it be that he was angry because he discovered that the apprentice was contacting him in private?
However, he couldn't possibly disregard the rules in front of so many people, especially with the other three major sects present. If he did, how could he gain people's trust in the future?
"Master, please agree to let him participate—"
"Shut up!"
Long Aodi had barely opened his mouth when Guan Yanji glared at him fiercely, looking at him with a disappointed expression.
Guan Yanji witnessed the minor altercation between Long Aodi and Jing Zhe yesterday. As for Jing Zhe's subsequent suggestion to participate in the martial arts competition, he didn't take it to heart at all. After all, he knew that Jing Zhe was a government official, not a martial arts practitioner, and no one would agree to that.
To his surprise, someone actually agreed. He didn't have time to explain it to his apprentice, so he had to stop the matter for now.
After being glared at by Guan Yanji, Long Ao retreated dejectedly, giving Jing Zhe a vicious look as if to say: Consider yourself lucky, or I would have beaten you to death!
Jing Zhe, with his fiery temper, couldn't stand such provocation.
Just as the Qingyang Sect Leader hesitated, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up. Before anyone else could react, he was startled by his sudden movement.
"Sect Leader Qingyang, I am participating in the martial arts tournament not as an official of the imperial court!"
"If not as a government official, does this President Jing intend to participate as an ordinary citizen?"
Guan Yanji sneered, appearing quite disdainful.
Jing Zhe completely ignored him, striding forward and flicking his long robe forward with a dashing and imposing air.
"I am Jing Zhe, the Right Protector of the Heaven and Earth Sect!"
"..."
After a moment of silence, whispers arose from the crowd.
"The Heaven and Earth Sect? That name... is powerful!"
"Yes, no wonder they dared to show themselves; they came prepared!"
"..."
Many strange and unusual events have emerged during the annual martial arts tournament. Given the vast territory of Anguo, it is not surprising that there are some reclusive sects.
"Have you heard of this Heaven and Earth Sect?"
No, what about you?
"I don't have any!"
"..."
Then, a moment of silence fell over the crowd.
Guan Yanji asked curiously, "I've been in the martial arts world for decades, but I've never heard of any Heaven and Earth Sect. I wonder what kind of sect or school this Heaven and Earth Sect is, Chief Jing?"
"With the sky as our head and the earth as our feet, standing tall and upright, we are the Heaven and Earth Sect! This... what sect leader? It's like I've never heard of your so-called sect. It's normal that you haven't heard of our Heaven and Earth Sect. I won't openly call you ignorant!"
"..."
In verbal sparring, Jing Zhe has never lost.
With just a few words, Guan Yanji's hands began to tremble, and given his age, it was easy to think of Parkinson's disease...
"Master, don't worry about him! Just let him participate!"
"..."
This time, Guan Yanji didn't shut Long Aodi up. He rolled his eyes and said, "President Jing, although you are... a member of the Heaven and Earth Sect, you still have the status of a court official. On the martial arts stage, fists and feet have no eyes. If you are injured and then use that to make things difficult for our sect, wouldn't we be left with a bitter pill to swallow?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, the onlookers who had been watching the spectacle instantly understood why Guan Yanji had been preventing Jing Zhe from participating in the martial arts tournament. Long Aodi felt the same way, shaking his head and thinking to himself, "As expected, the old fox is shrewd!"
Jing Zhe waved his hand and said magnanimously, "Impossible. I dislike bullying others the most. You don't need to worry about my status as a court official. Even if you hit me, you don't need to worry that I will send newspaper staff to report negative news about your sect every day, or that I will collude with local officials to interfere in your sect's affairs, or that I will abuse my power to speak ill of you in front of His Majesty and make sure your sect has no place in Anguo!"
"..."
After Jing Zhe finished speaking, everyone was stunned.
Although he kept saying "don't worry," everyone wasn't stupid. He had already specified his methods, so it was obvious that's what he was thinking. Why did he say "don't worry"?
Sects like the four major sects have nothing to fear from the imperial court. If the court dares to make things difficult for them, they will receive the highest honors whenever they go to other countries.
But those small sects are different. They wear the hat of a sect but don't have the strength of one. In reality, they often have to act according to the whims of the imperial court. If what Jing Zhe said is true, then their sects are doomed.
Thinking about this, the people from those minor sects were practically green with envy when they looked at Jing Zhe. Many others also hoped he would participate, since most people wouldn't run into him; they just wanted him to encounter a hot-tempered guy who could easily kill him…
Guan Yanji originally intended to stop Jing Zhe from participating, but he got angry because of Jing Zhe's rude remarks earlier.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "President Jing, none of you here are fools, so you don't need to scare us with your words. If you really want to participate, then let's sign a life-or-death agreement, with no regard for casualties! If you agree, then you are allowed to participate; if you disagree, I will be the first to object!"
Jing Zhe actually wanted to say, "Who do you think you are, objecting like this?" But the words came out with a joking laugh: "Fine! But it can't just be me signing the life-or-death pledge; everyone else has to sign it too!"
"Okay, does anyone else have any objections?"
Guan Yanji had been waiting for this question, and he smiled as he asked the others.
Those from minor sects knew that Jing Zhe didn't know martial arts, so they weren't afraid of any pledges. Long Aodi was the first to say, "Alright, then let's sign the life-or-death pledge!"
"..."
So Jing Zhe went up on stage and, together with Long Aodi and the others who were going to participate in the competition today, signed a life-or-death agreement.
Now, today's competition will officially begin.
Since each of the four major sects has one participant, the other sects also need to select four people within two days.
Yesterday morning, Lin Qingshan of the Qingcheng Sect emerged victorious, while in the afternoon, Long Aodi of the Kunlun Sect won. Therefore, one person will be chosen each morning and afternoon.
There are no restrictions on the order of appearance, nor is there any question of fairness, since only one person can ultimately become the leader of the martial arts alliance, and when one enters the arena does not affect the outcome.
Seeing someone walk onto the stage, Jing Zhe thought for a moment and then stepped forward.
————
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