<h4>Chapter 51: Martial Arts Tournament.</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Henyee Trantions <strong>Editor: </strong>Henyee Trantions


    Sunday morning, Zhou Tianhao’s vehicle was parked right at the entrance of the Lake Side Community.


    Other than Chen Fan, Master Guo and Zhou Tianhao, A’Biao and ten other bodyguards also tagged along. They drove five cars in total. A’Biao was driving the car that Chen Fan and Zhou Tianhao were in.


    “Are we going toward Dong Jiang Province?” Chen Fan asked curiously.


    “Yes, thend there is expansive, and therefore our event is always hosted in the Dong Jiang Province.” Zhou Tianhao exined. “The Qin Yang County was the border town between Dong Jiang Province and Hu Dong Province. People there adored martial arts. Every year around this time, the vigers will host a wrestlingpetition.


    “Every year around this time, people from all the other viges and counties will flock to join thepetition. It was quite a sight to behold.”Zhou Tianhao said yearningly. “We had chosen this time to host our Martial Arts Tournament in order to honor their tradition.


    “The business aspect aside, the tournament is apetition for the best martial artist. There will be many wealthy people from as far as Dong Jiang Provinceing to spectate the tournament.


    “Therge crowd the tournament drew to the country helped the local economy significantly. After so many years, it had be one of the major ie sources for the local people. ”


    “I see.” Chen Fan nodded.


    The Chu Zhou City was only two hours away from Dong Jiang Province. Once they drove across the border, the scenery outside of the car window changed drastically.


    Chu Zhou City was located in the northern part of the coastal province: Hu Dong, and therefore its economy was not as developed as those cities in the south. Dong Jiang Province was even less developed due to itsnd-locked location. From the narrow gravel roads to the dingy shacks along the side of the road, Chen Fan felt that the quality of life here in this small county was five years behind that of Chu Zhou City.


    As for Qin Yang County, Chen Fan found it very simr to the countryside that he visited when he was a child. Time seemed to have stopped here, and everything looked exactly how they were in the ’80s


    Once they entered the Qin Yang County, they pulled over beside a luxury three-story building.


    “Boss Zhou, you are finally here!” Someone was already waiting for them at the entrance.


    “Master Chen, Master Guo, this is Boss Zhang From Qin Yang County.” Zhou Tianhao introduced the owner of the housezily.


    “Oh my. Don’t call me boss. Just call me Xiao Zhang.” Boss Zhang hurried a reply.


    To a local gentry from a small vige, Zhou Tianhao was considered a powerful magnate. As such, Boss Zhang fawned over him to gain his favor. Even a small favor from Zhou Tianhao would be so beneficial to a local gentry that he wouldugh in his dreams.


    “Is this Master Chen?”


    Boss Zhang nced at Zhou Tianhao’s entourage, and he quickly spotted Chen Fan and noticed the authority the boymanded.


    “Yes. Master Chen is the Third Lord’s friend.” Zhou Tianhao said thinly.


    Excitement shed across Boss Zhang’s face. He reached out both hands and pumped Chen Fan’s hands vigorously. “Oh my! Third Lord’s friend! I am so honored!”


    The Wei Family was a household name across China, and therefore, Boss Zhang was familiar with the Third Lord and his clout.


    Seeing how young Chen Fan was, Boss Zhang was even more convinced that Chen Fan came from a prestigious family. Otherwise, he would not befriend the Third Lord. So thinking, Boss Zhang’s smile broadened and became even more enthusiastic to please Chen Fan.


    “It is Master Chen’s first time visiting your vige; please take good care of him.” Zhou Tianhao said.


    “You can count on me!” Vice Mayor Zhang ponded his chest and announced.


    Once they entered the three-story building, Chen Fan was greeted by a few attractive young girls. The beauty of their youth was evident on their smooth face that was devoid of any makeup.


    One of the girls sat beside Chen Fan. She was the youngest and the most attractive.


    While waiting, Chen Fan started a short conversation with her.


    Her name was A’Xiu, and she was from arge family and had many siblings. Her parents couldn’t afford for all the kids to go to university, and therefore, A’Xiu was forced to quit school ever since junior high. Because of her good looks, she was hired by the local government to be a waitress in the local government-owned hotel.


    After they had lunch, Chen Fan suggested walking around the vige and explore.


    Boss Zhang hurried to caution him that the local residents of Qin Yang ware quite ill-mannered and short tempered. If he walked alone, the locals might pick on him over a stare. He suggested Chen Fan bring A’Xiu with him. The locals were less likely to stir up trouble if they saw one of them was among the visitors.


    As he offered his suggestion, Boss Zhang shot a knowing nce at A’Xiu.


    A’Xiu blushed and then she lowered her head.


    The tournament stretched over a few days, and only on thest day would the audiences see thepetition among bosses from Jiang Bei Region. After all, only the wealthiest businessman would have afforded the best fighters who wouldst until the end.


    Wealthy men and women who could afford the tickets flocked into the county to see the matches on thest day.


    As Chen Fan strolled in the streets of the small vige, he saw groups of visitors pass him on many asions. Their fine dress and paleplexions were a telltale sign that they were from the city and had never worked one day in the field.


    Among these city visitors, Chen Fan saw newly-wed couples, school mates, and beer-bellied middle age men walking beside their young mistress with a group of bodyguards following them. All of them came to see the tournament.


    “What is the schedule of the tournament like?”


    Chen Fan asked.


    A’Xiu was a shy girl; she spoke quietly, “The tournament is usually hosted in the evening. The stage was used by the locals for their wrestlingpetition. After the tournament, we have a bonfire party every night.


    “The wrestlingpetition was just for fun, and therefore, the rewards are not very high.


    “But the tournament was the real deal. The participants were no ordinary fighters.”


    After she said that, her eyes lost focus for a second.


    She wanted to get out of this vige and go study in the city, get a job and marry a city boy. However, since she was a girl and her grades were nothing to brag about, her family had decided to prioritize her brothers’ education and let the girls quit the schools.


    Chen Fan noticed her sudden silence. He shot her an indifferent nce.


    Having lived for five hundred years, Chen Fan had be insensitive to humanity’s suffering. He knew that time would wash away everything, so why should he care for the mortals and their troubles. If he were a sixteen-year-old boy, he would have felt so bad for the girl and would give her a ticket out of the small town then and there.


    A’Xiu quickly gathered herself and led Chen Fan to other parts of the vige.


    As they walked on the main street of the town, arge group of people were heading toward the opposite direction. Their confident and imperious strides suggested the immense power of their leader. At the center of the group, Chen Fan saw Xu Ao.


    The group had blocked the road, and Chen Fan had to stop.


    After Xu Ao noticed Chen Fan, he paused a second and looked at the boy with a frown.


    “Why are you here?”