Luo Feng’s heart moved.
In the martial arts forums and database of the ‘Extreme Home’, there were many posts about conflicts between warriors. In China, within the six major base cities, warriors were subject to government control and law. However, once they left the base cities and entered the regions where monsters lived, there were no legal restraints.
That was a place where warriors and monsters fought, a lawless zone. Warriors lived on the edge of life and death, and conflicts leading to killing were not uncommon.
However, the major martial arts schools and the government did not want to see this happen.
Warriors were humanity’s wealth.
They were one of humanity’s key weapons against monsters. They did not want internal conflict to cause heavy losses among warriors. Therefore, so-called ‘internal negotiation’ and ‘private settlement’ came into being. If there was a grudge, fine, they would sit at the negotiation table and resolve it. If negotiation failed, that was another matter.
“Luo Feng, you are still a newcomer who has just entered the warrior world. It is better to make fewer enemies,” Chief Instructor Wu Tong said with a smile. “And at the beginning, you are also in need of money.”
“Mm.” Luo Feng nodded. If it could be settled privately, then so be it. “Uncle Wu, but we cannot go easy on Zhang Haobai. If my strength were weaker, my arms and legs would really have been broken that time.”
“That is natural.” Wu Tong nodded seriously. “If we do not make them bleed once, they will think our Extreme Martial Arts School is afraid of them.”
“Uncle Wu, what do you think is a suitable amount?” Luo Feng asked. He was not familiar with the rules, so it was better to ask first.
Wu Tong thought for a moment and said, “The one who offended you is just an ordinary person, so it should not exceed five million Chinese yuan. And you, Luo Feng, are an elite of our martial arts school, so it cannot be too low either. At least one million. Between one and five million, you can choose a figure yourself.”
“Mm.” Luo Feng considered it and nodded.
“If you agree, I will notify them to meet tonight,” Wu Tong said with a smile.
“Alright, thank you, Uncle Wu.” Luo Feng nodded.
Luo Feng first stored the Nine Layers Thunder Blade secret manual safely, then entered the internal network ‘Extreme Home’ and carefully searched posts about private settlements between warriors.
“Oh… so that is how it is.”
“So compensation money is also tied to face.”
After reading many posts, Luo Feng finally had a rough idea of the evening negotiation.
“Xiao Feng, dinner is ready,” his mother Gong Xinlan called from downstairs.
“I am coming, Mum.”
Luo Feng turned off the device and went downstairs immediately.
In the hall downstairs, his father and mother were eating, while a maid was cooking.
“Where is Luo Hua?” Luo Feng asked in confusion. “He is not back yet?”
They had hired two maids at home, both women in their forties. One specifically took care of his younger brother Luo Hua, who needed assistance with many things, allowing him to go out more often.
“Your brother is at Lotus Pond Park nearby. He just called and will be back soon,” his father Luo Hongguo said with a smile.
“Why has he been going to that park so often lately?” Luo Feng asked.
His mother Gong Xinlan lowered her voice and smiled. “Your brother has started seeing a girlfriend.”
“A girlfriend?” Luo Feng was surprised. Although society now had many disabled people, such as soldiers injured in monster battles, who still dated, married, and had children, his brother had only moved here less than a month ago.
So quickly?
“Do not listen to your mother. Your brother is just seeing a girl, it is not that serious yet,” Luo Hongguo laughed.
“Whatever, it is good for him to have some experience,” Luo Feng thought. Whether it succeeded or not, it was still part of life experience, which was beneficial for his brother.
In Yangzhou City, Yian District, Tiandu Garden Community.
“Uncle.” Zhang Haobai looked at his uncle Zhang Zelu. These days he had been living in constant fear, even afraid at night that people from the security bureau would come to arrest him.
“Ahu, as long as we can protect Haobai, it is fine even if we suffer some losses,” Zhang Zelong could not help saying.
“Big brother, do not worry.” Zhang Zelu was tall and sturdy, giving off the impression of a fierce beast. He grinned, revealing white teeth. “That Luo Feng brat, just a rookie warrior. He has only fought the weakest monsters kept in military zones. After becoming a warrior, he knows the rules and will not act recklessly. If he really dares, hmph, messing with me, ‘Mountain Splitting Tiger’, is asking for death.”
Hearing his confidence, Zhang Zelong and Zhang Haobai both felt relieved.
“Alright, leave it to me. I am going now.”
With a wave, Zhang Zelu walked out.
Outside was a heavily modified six-wheel Hummer. Someone in the car looked out and smiled. “Tiger Bro, ready?”
“Mm, let’s go pick up Old Li, then head to the Extreme Martial Arts Hall,” Zhang Zelu said as he got in.
“Alright.”
Rumble.
The six-wheel Hummer roared and quickly left Tiandu Garden.
In the evening, in Moonlight Community of Yangzhou City, inside a meeting room on the second floor of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, Luo Feng and others were gathered.
“Xiao Feng, what a coincidence. Your Uncle Kong and Brother Chen are here today,” Wu Tong laughed.
Luo Feng greeted them quickly. Beside Wu Tong stood two men. One was thin, with a long scar that almost split his face in two, giving off an intimidating aura. The other was strong-built with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, clearly very warm in personality.
“Brother Chen, Uncle Kong,” Luo Feng greeted.
These two were no ordinary people. The Extreme Martial Arts Hall in Yangzhou currently had three general-level warriors staying there: Chief Instructor Wu Tong, ‘Fire Cannon’ Chen Gu, and ‘Eagle Blade’ Kong Quan. Wu Tong had retired from monster hunting, while Chen Gu and Kong Quan still often left the base city to hunt monsters.
They were the leading figures among the warriors in Moonlight Community.
“Xiao Feng, we know your situation. Do not worry, we will stand up for you,” Chen Gu laughed loudly.
“Yes,” Kong Quan nodded slightly.
Soon after, both sides sat down in the meeting room. The Extreme Martial Arts Hall side had over twenty people, while the Thunder Martial Arts Hall side had only eight.
“Wu Tong, this matter is indeed your nephew’s fault,” a bearded man said with a smile. “But he is just a kid, what does he really know? He is not a warrior, there is no need to be so strict.”
“Old Li, stop talking nonsense,” Wu Tong shook his head with a smile. “It is clear why you are here. You want a private settlement, right? Mountain Splitting Tiger, you speak.”
Zhang Zelu, known in the warrior world as ‘Mountain Splitting Tiger’, used a massive two-handed battle axe and was known for his fierce and ruthless style.
“Hall Master Wu,” Zhang Zelu smiled slightly and looked at Luo Feng. “Let Xiao Luo speak. Xiao Luo, how do you want to settle this to be satisfied?”
“Shut up.”
Eagle Blade Kong Quan glared and shouted, “Luo Feng is a good brother of our Extreme Martial Arts Hall. Xiao Luo? Are you qualified to call him that?”
Zhang Zelu froze. Kong Quan was a ruthless figure in the warrior world, and even he did not dare to provoke him.
“Mr Zhang Zelu,” Luo Feng stood up and smiled faintly. “Since so many senior brothers are here for me, I feel a bit embarrassed. Honestly, in my opinion… hmph, that Zhang Haobai only tried to break my legs and arms, that is nothing. But he actually hit my father. That is courting death.”
Luo Feng glared.
Zhang Zelu was startled. The warriors from the Extreme Martial Arts Hall all laughed. Zhang Zelu was a veteran warrior, already at advanced fighter level, only one step away from general level. Yet Luo Feng dared to glare at him, which made everyone find it interesting.
“Hmph, Luo Feng, what do you want? Speak,” Zhang Zelu said coldly.
Luo Feng smiled.
Zhang Zelu’s anger? He did not care at all. With his current strength, he was already close to advanced fighter level physically, and his spiritual power was at least at beginner general level.
“In one sentence, 50 million Chinese yuan. I will give you face, and this matter ends here,” Luo Feng said calmly.
“50 million? You are asking for too much!” Zhang Zelu snapped.
“That price is too high,” frowned the Thunder Martial Arts Hall manager Li.
Luo Feng smiled without speaking.
“It is not high,” Wu Tong said calmly.
“Luo Feng, I will give you a price too. 5 million. I will give you 5 million, and this ends here. Otherwise, you are not giving me face!” Zhang Zelu stared at Luo Feng.
5 million?
Even the Extreme Martial Arts Hall side frowned. With Fire Cannon Chen Gu and Eagle Blade Kong Quan present, this price was too low. It was disrespectful.
“Not giving you face?” Luo Feng stared back. “Zhang Zelu, I will also say this. 50 million. Not a single yuan less. If you dare reduce it, you can go to the security bureau and join your nephew!”
Zhang Zelu laughed in anger. He had not expected a newcomer like Luo Feng to be so bold.
“50 million, not a single yuan less?” Zhang Zelu’s eyes turned fierce, like he wanted to eat him alive.
Luo Feng did not care at all.
“Alright, listen to me,” Wu Tong said. “Both of you step back. 30 million Chinese yuan. Zhang Zelu, 30 million is not much for you. Pay it and this ends. Luo Feng, do you agree?”
Luo Feng nodded. “I agree with Uncle Wu.”
“Mountain Splitting Tiger, what about you?” Wu Tong asked.
Everyone in the room looked at Zhang Zelu. Zhang Zelu stood up angrily and laughed coldly. “Make me bow to a brat? Dream on. Old Li, brothers, let’s go.”
“If you refuse private settlement, then later you may have to pay 100 million to protect your nephew,” Wu Tong said calmly.
“I would rather give the state 100 million than pay 30 million privately!” Zhang Zelu sneered. “Kid, being a warrior is not easy. Once you leave the base city, you will know how terrifying monsters are. Those military zone monsters are just weakly kept ones. I hope you do not die too early. Also, I am close to general level. How long will it take you to reach that? And can you even live that long?”
Luo Feng smiled faintly. “Thank you for your concern, Mr Zhang Zelu. But you should worry about preparing 100 million for the state to save your nephew.”
“Hmph.” Zhang Zelu’s face darkened. “Let’s go!”
“100 million, 100 million,” Fire Cannon Chen Gu deliberately mocked twice.
Zhang Zelu and his group said nothing more and left.