Chapter 200: Challenging a 7th Rank Powerhouse

Chapter 200: Challenging a 7th Rank Powerhouse

In less than ten minutes, Song Shang, the association president, called again.

Zhao Zheng immediately answered, "Uncle Song, have you found out who's behind this?"

President Song replied, "Yes! The one targeting your father's company is Liu Ruyan from the Grand Commerce Guild, the Liu family!"

Zhao Zheng asked, "How influential is this Liu family?"

President Song explained, "The head of the Grand Commerce Guild is the patriarch of the Liu family. They are business tycoons with extensive connections... Additionally, the Liu family has produced numerous extraordinary powerful individuals. One of them, named Liu Qing, is only thirty-three this year and has already reached the 7th rank. He has immense potential."

"Oh, by the way, Liu Qing is Liu Ruyan's elder brother!"

Hearing this introduction, Zhao Zheng quickly formed an initial assessment of the Liu family's influence.

At the very least, to ordinary people, the Liu family was undoubtedly a formidable force. Grandfather's eyes revealed a growing concern.

At this moment, President Song suddenly said, "I can step in and temporarily resolve the issues your father's company is facing. However, I can only stop the pressure from official channels. The Liu family will likely retaliate against your father's company in the business world..."

Zhao Zheng's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this.

This was clearly not the outcome he desired! If the Lius dared to target his family, causing them to be frightened, how could he vent his anger if he didn't cut off their hands? If he lacked the ability, he could only endure it silently.

But now, Zhao Zheng was confident in his own strength.

"Uncle Song, what's the reputation of the Liu family in the country?"

"Not good!" President Song replied, "They built their fortune by reselling important domestic resources. They are notorious middlemen with dirty hands, swallowing numerous small domestic companies. If it weren't for their connections in high places, people like them would have been dealt with long ago..."

It was evident that President Song had little respect for the Liu family.

Zhao Zheng immediately asked, "Uncle Song, does the Liu family's audacity stem from Liu Qing? What would happen if I took him out of the picture?"

President Song thought seriously for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed, "How could I have forgotten about this strategy... You can transform into Chen Ye and, as a representative of the Zhao family, challenge Liu Qing to a duel! You don't need to kill him; breaking his legs will be enough to settle everything!"

Zhao Zheng was taken aback, "A challenge?"

President Song continued over the phone, "What? Don't you know that conflicts between extraordinary beings can be resolved through duels after issuing a challenge? Even if you kill your opponent, you'll only face a fine."

Zhao Zheng fell silent.

Wasn't this method of dueling something from ancient times? How was it still a thing in the present day?

Upon further reflection, it seemed quite reasonable.

After all, the destructive power of extraordinary beings was immense. Without a legal outlet for their grievances, allowing them to seek private revenge would undoubtedly pose a significant safety hazard to society.

President Song added, "However, Liu Qing is quite influential, and many people follow him. Directly killing him might cause trouble. You can disable him first and then deal with him slowly later."

Zhao Zheng promptly responded, "Alright, Uncle Song, I understand."

President Song said, "I'll send you Liu Qing's information later. Once you're ready, you can go and challenge him directly."

Zhao Zheng suddenly thought of a question, "Uncle Song, what if he doesn't accept the challenge?"

"Not accept it?" President Song laughed on the other end of the line, "He's a celebrity! And your current public information only indicates a 6th rank. Unless he's ready to give up, he'll definitely accept the challenge!"

"If he truly refuses to accept your challenge, it'll be even better. I'll spread the news, and the Liu family's reputation will be ruined, facing immense negative backlash. They won't be able to recover from it."

...

Zhao Zheng ended the call and let out a sigh of relief. Turning his head, he saw his grandfather staring at him in astonishment.

It was as if he was seeing him for the first time.

"Grandpa, is my performance surprising you?" Zhao Zheng asked with a smile.

Grandfather remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "No, I just realized that my dear grandson has truly grown up."

"So, Grandpa, do you support the plan I just mentioned?"

"Of course I do!"

Grandfather spoke with a stern voice, "I know about Liu Qing, and he's indeed a formidable figure. If you can defeat him, it proves that you're a true powerhouse. As a powerful individual, you must have the dignity to strike back fiercely against anyone who dares to provoke you. Otherwise, you'll be seen as weak, and anyone will feel they can step all over you!"

At this point, Grandfather sighed, "It's because your father and I didn't understand you well enough that our Zhao family has been bullied."

"Now that I know, rest assured, Grandpa," Zhao Zheng spoke firmly. "Since I was able to achieve such results during the Universal Spirit Realm, Liu Qing will be nothing more than a defeated opponent. I'll avenge the humiliation you and Dad suffered!"

Grandfather nodded with a smile, "My grandson has grown up and should have his own opinions. Go ahead and do it, Grandpa supports you!"

Zhao Zheng immediately broke into a smile.

After a moment, he continued, "Grandpa, don't tell my dad about this for now. I'm afraid he'll nag me, and I'll tell him once it's resolved."

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Grandpa."

...

A moment later.

The information about Liu Qing was sent to Zhao Zheng's phone by Song Shang.

Zhao Zheng glanced at it and was immediately surprised.

This Liu Qing's innate ability was actually the Mutant "Ice Person" heritage! He possessed the ability to create ice and control it.

This ability was very similar to the Natural Devil Fruit Ice Freeze Devil Fruit, and it was an extremely powerful innate ability.

No wonder, at such a young age, he had already become a Tier 7 Ranker!

In addition, there was also some of Liu Qing's itinerary in the information.

He would arrive in Huisi in two days to acquire shares in a certain company...

Seeing this, Zhao Zheng smiled.

No wonder they were siblings!

...

Back home.

Zhao Fu was sitting on the sofa in the living room, his brows furrowed.

Obviously, he was thinking about the trouble the company had encountered!

"Dad!"

Zhao Zheng called out.

Zhao Chenghua raised his head and looked at his son, saying, "Did you send your grandpa away? What did he say?"

"No! Grandpa is so pleased with me, what could he say?" Zhao Zheng said with a smile.

At this moment.

Mother He Wenli came out of the kitchen carrying a basin of washed fruits.

Seeing her son, she immediately called out, "Son, come and eat some fruit."

"Okay, Mom."

Zhao Zheng stood up, took the fruit bowl from his mother, and placed it in front of his father.

"Dad, you should eat too."

Zhao Chenghua obviously had no appetite, and he looked at Zhao Zheng and asked, "Did you take a leave of absence to come back? How long do you plan to stay this time?"

Zhao Zheng said, "No, it's not like that! The school is on vacation for a month and a half, and I plan to stay at home for a while before deciding."

Hearing this, He Wenli immediately smiled and said, "Good, good, stay at home! What does my son want to eat tonight? Mom will make it for you."

"Red braised crucian carp!"

"Okay, Mom will go buy a fresh one right now."

He Wenli said and went out to buy groceries.

Zhao Chenghua, however, looked at his son and asked, "I saw the news about you and Song Haitang on the internet yesterday. The 10th Spirit Realm... What were your results?"

"I'm the same as Haitang, but I deliberately let her have better results to avoid my name appearing in the report."

Hearing this, Zhao Chenghua immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't know much about the Spirit Realm, but as long as his son didn't get the short end of the stick, he was fine.

"I heard that Song Haitang's strength test... is almost reaching the Tier 6 Standard?"

"Yes!"

Zhao Zheng smiled and nodded.

He had a reason to be happy because Song Haitang was not only his chosen daughter-in-law, but also a powerful individual he had cultivated himself, giving him a great sense of accomplishment!

As for Song Haitang's strength test results, they had gone viral yesterday afternoon and caused a huge sensation on the internet, with many news outlets reporting on it.

Being able to almost reach Tier 6 by the end of the Newborn period was absolutely unprecedented.

This was yet another new record!

"What about your current strength?" Zhao Chenghua asked with concern.

Zhao Zheng immediately smiled and said, "It's definitely stronger than Haitang."

Hearing this, Zhao Chenghua finally showed a satisfied smile.

After a conversation between father and son, Zhao Zheng returned to his room.

His room was always kept clean with his mother's help.

...

Two days later.

Afternoon.

Outside a certain company in Huisi, a large group of reporters gathered!

Subsequently.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

A long-bodied car with an out-of-town license plate drove up to the main entrance of the company.

From the car, a middle-aged man in a long robe with a braid stepped out, drawing everyone's attention.

Seeing the man appear, the reporters swarmed around him.

A "long gun short cannon" was pointed at the man.

"Mr. Liu, your sudden appearance here, is it to sign the acquisition contract?"

"Mr. Liu, can you reveal the amount of funds you're using to acquire Jiahang Corporation?"

"Mr. Liu, there's a rumor that you took advantage of Jiahang Corporation's founder in a vulnerable state and coerced him. Is this true?"

"Mr. Liu, say a few words..."

Facing the reporters' blockade and especially those questions, Liu Qing's expression turned cold.

"Get lost!" He roared, ignoring the cameras filming around him, and unleashed a surge of cold air.

Suddenly, a cold wave swept through, startling the reporters who quickly retreated.

Liu Qing let out a cold laugh and was about to leave.

Suddenly...

"Huff!"

A figure descended from above, landing directly in front of Liu Qing.

Liu Qing's expression changed slightly, and he turned to look at the newcomer, realizing it was just a bespectacled young man, and he relaxed.

Among the younger generation in the country, there were not many stronger than him, and he knew them all.

This definitely did not include the bespectacled young man before him.

"Quick, quick, there's big news! Start filming!"

An excited journalist called out.

Anyone who wasn't a fool could tell that the bespectacled young man had descended from above, intentionally blocking Liu Qing's path, clearly looking for trouble.

Suddenly, the surrounding journalists became like sharks that had caught a whiff of blood, their faces filled with excitement as they instructed their camera assistants to capture the scene.

"Are you Liu Qing?"

"Yes, I am. Who are you?" Liu Qing asked.

"I'm Chen Ye, a representative sent by the Zhao family," Zhao Zheng said. "Due to your idiot sister, Liu Ruyan, who has no sense of propriety, offended the Zhao family and used despicable and illegal means to seize the Zhao family's assets... I represent the Zhao family in challenging you to a duel. In three days, we'll settle this at the Great Wilderness Ridge!"

As Zhao Zheng's words fell, he threw the challenge letter towards Liu Qing.

The challenge letter contained a coin, and with Zhao Zheng's strength, it was thrown with great force.

If Liu Qing didn't accept it, he would surely suffer.

This guy seemed to have also realized the situation, and he immediately reached out to catch the challenge letter.

Liu Qing hadn't even read the contents of the challenge letter, but his face was already filled with anger.

Zhao Zheng's words were simply too offensive.

How dare he call his sister an idiot?

Since the rise of the Liu family, no one had ever dared to speak such words in front of Liu Qing.

"You're asking for death!" Liu Qing said coldly.

He was too lazy to care about the so-called Zhao family's background. He just wanted to kill this young man to vent his anger!

"What? Do you want to fight here?"

Zhao Zheng smiled faintly. "Go ahead and try!"

Liu Qing, upon hearing this, clenched his teeth in anger, almost crushing the challenge letter in his hand.

But he still managed to restrain himself.

Because the country's laws explicitly prohibited Extraordinary Beings from fighting in bustling areas!

If an Extraordinary Being ignored this prohibition, they would surely invite trouble, and experts from the Zodiac Bureau would personally come to deal with them.

Although Liu Qing was arrogant, he wasn't arrogant enough to ignore the Zodiac Bureau.

Moreover, with so many journalists around, some even live-streaming, how dare he make a move?

"So, you're Chen Ye? Fine, I accept your challenge! In three days, you'll suffer a miserable death!" Liu Qing said coldly.

Hearing such arrogant words, Zhao Zheng merely smiled faintly and left, disappearing into the sky in an instant.

He didn't use supersonic flight, fearing that it would scare Liu Qing and prevent him from showing up for the duel.

Even so, as Zhao Zheng's figure disappeared, Liu Qing's face remained grave.

Flight!

It was an extremely rare ability!

Liu Qing knew that possessing the ability to fly meant either this Chen Ye was lucky, or he wasn't simple.

Moreover, he, Liu Qing, wasn't some unknown person.

Since this guy dared to deliver the challenge letter, he must have some confidence...

Thinking of this, Liu Qing's expression turned grim.

Why did he accept the challenge letter just now?

Because Liu Qing was a celebrity!

Bearing the burden of his reputation, whether it was good or bad, at his current status, some things were beyond his control.

He was an important figure of the Liu family, and if he backed down now, it would greatly impact the family's reputation...

"Mr. Liu, did someone just challenge you?"

"They accused your sister, Liu Ruyan, of using illegal means to seize others' assets. Are you aware of this?"

"Mr. Liu, I just heard that you've accepted the challenge. Are you confident about the duel in three days?"

The fearless journalists surrounded him again...

Liu Qing was exasperated and decided to leave the company. He turned around and returned to his car.

"Drive!"

He instructed the driver.

As the car started, Liu Qing thought for a moment, took out his phone, and dialed his sister's number.

——————————

(PS: Ruyan the Great is a term from the Ruyan Emperor web novel...)



(End of Chapter)

Chapter end