Chapter Thirty-Four: The Rise of China

Everyone was stunned. Howard, after all, was one of the rare martial arts masters in modern Russia, yet under a single palm strike, he was sent off the ring by his opponent’s inner force. What extraordinary skill must this person possess?

At that moment, every eye turned to the figure standing tall on the stage—it was none other than Xiao Fei. Yet, none of the foreign diplomats stationed in China recognized him.

In truth, Xiao Fei had no inner force at all. He had merely asked Little Ling to temporarily enhance his physical abilities. After punishing the Japanese forces and the villain Li Tiande, he had acquired a large amount of energy points, which Little Ling used to upgrade Xiao Fei’s physical attributes. Now, Xiao Fei was already a first-class warrior.

Little Ling’s investigation revealed that his opponent, Howard, was only a second-class fighter. Though the difference seemed slight—just two ranks—the disparity in strength was immense.

“Who is this young man?” Jin Shaohua and Cai E were both astonished and quietly relieved. Cai E seemed to have other suspicions. Who exactly was this youth? Could he be connected to the murder of the Japanese Colonel?

Howard, humiliated and unable to accept such disgrace, struggled to his feet, leaped back onto the stage, and pointed at Xiao Fei, demanding, “Who are you?”

Xiao Fei did not answer. Instead, he abruptly threw a punch at Howard’s outstretched finger. There was a crisp sound, followed by a scream as Howard’s finger snapped into several pieces.

“Forgive me, I have a peculiar habit—I dislike being spoken to while pointed at. Please remember that in the future,” Xiao Fei said calmly, turning to support Jin Zhengri.

“Big Brother, I—I can still fight!” Jin Zhengri spat out a mouthful of blood, insisting.

Xiao Fei smiled gently. “You’ve done enough. Let’s step down and rest. I’ll personally tend to your wounds shortly.”

With that, Xiao Fei led Jin Zhengri off the stage. He had been watching the fight closely and knew Jin Zhengri had done his utmost. Xiao Fei also discerned that in that last punch, Howard had clearly intended to kill, so he had to step in to save Jin Zhengri from certain death or crippling injury.

Yet Howard, suffering such humiliation, refused to let matters rest. He shouted, “Stop! This is the ring—you can’t just walk away. You—ah…”

Before Howard could finish, Xiao Fei swung back and kicked his other hand. Another set of fingers broke.

“I told you, I don’t like being pointed at when spoken to,” Xiao Fei said coldly.

“What kind of person fights like this? This is harmful to the friendship between the peoples of China and Russia!” protested Henry, the representative of the Russian embassy.

“Ah, Mr. Henry, please don’t make everything about national friendship. The ambassador already said this is an informal friendly match—life or death is not the concern, only injury. Young men are hot-blooded; a forceful move is understandable, wouldn’t you agree?” Jin Shaohua, who had been observing from afar, stepped forward to retort, leaving the Russian ambassador speechless.

“Father, I did my best, but…” Jin Zhengri looked shamefacedly at his father, Jin Shaohua.

“Son, I’m proud of you. Go rest now,” Jin Shaohua replied, then turned to bow deeply to Xiao Fei, “Young hero, thank you for saving my son’s life.”

“So you are Governor Jin. Please, don’t be so formal. Your son and I are friends. Besides, today’s matter concerns the honor of our great nation. Any man should stand up!” Xiao Fei responded.

“Well said! Ha ha! With talents like you, our nation is fortunate!” Jin Shaohua stroked his moustache with delight.

Xiao Fei’s sudden emergence left several people below dumbfounded, unsure where such a formidable figure had come from.

The Russian embassy representative was frustrated but could say nothing. The other four embassies’ representatives were equally shocked, fearing their own country’s champions were no match for this young man.

What could they do? They had prepared the “Sick Man of East Asia” placard to humiliate the Chinese, but now what?

The foreign diplomats quickly gathered to discuss countermeasures. They feared Xiao Fei, but could not swallow their pride.

“Who exactly are you?” Howard, reckless and undeterred, still pressed the question, risking danger to approach Xiao Fei and Jin Zhengri.

Xiao Fei had heard the crowd’s comments, including Howard’s persistent questioning. He replied coldly, “I am a man who cannot tolerate sand in his eyes nor weeds by his side, a lover and inheritor of Chinese martial arts, someone who will not allow others to sleep soundly beneath my roof!”

Then, Xiao Fei strode over to the assembled foreign delegations and declared, “I am Xiao Fei, a true child of China, a lover and inheritor of orthodox Chinese martial arts. My purpose today is simple: to teach you the meaning of integrity. Your martial arts were learned from China, yet now you turn your backs on your roots and betray us. You are unworthy to be inheritors of Chinese martial arts!”

His words caused a stir. This was the voice of China’s heart, but few dared to speak it aloud, especially in such a setting.

Only now did everyone realize that this youth was named Xiao Fei.

Qin Tianxiang, anxiously watching Xiao Fei from the sidelines, saw her beloved demonstrate such courage and resolve. Tears of happiness streamed down her face, and she thought: My love, my husband, my sky!

Cai E, meanwhile, began to associate the hidden master in Jiangning with the young man before him. He immediately instructed his adjutant, “Investigate this youth’s connection to Qinglong Mountain and Li Shishi. Remember, do not reveal your intentions, and under no circumstances harm Xiao Fei or anyone related to him.”

“Yes, General!” The adjutant turned and left.

“Xiao Fei… Xiao Fei… That name sounds familiar,” Cai E murmured, his mind racing to his late comrade Xiao Zhong and his brothers Xiao Hua and Xiao Teng.

A sudden realization struck Cai E. “Could this Xiao Fei be the grandson of Lord Xiao?”

Lord Xiao had named his four grandsons: Xiao Zhong, Xiao Hua, Xiao Teng, and Xiao Fei—their names together formed ‘China Soars.’ This was well known in Jiangning.

Upon discovering Xiao Fei’s true lineage, Cai E’s admiration deepened. “The Xiao family has successors. Xiao Zhong, may your spirit in heaven bless our nation.”

Years ago, Cai E and Xiao Zhong were comrades-in-arms, bound by deep friendship. Xiao Zhong sacrificed himself, becoming Cai E’s eternal memory.

Cai E had once visited Yutian County in Jiangning to find the Xiao family descendants, but the family had declined. Xiao Fei, Xiao Zhong’s youngest brother, was known for being unruly, which had disappointed Cai E. Now, however, Xiao Fei was impressive beyond words.

Cai E gazed gratefully at the sky, then toward Xiao Fei, nodding silently in approval.

“Xiao Fei, what do you mean by this? What qualifications do you have?” Washington Carey, the American embassy representative, stepped forward with a clumsy Chinese accent. “Unless you defeat me!”

“And me, Ritter Brown!”

“And me, Hillary Barton!”

“Count me in, Paul Novsky!”

“And me, Howard!”

The five nation’s champions stood in a row.

“Husband, I’ll help you,” Qin Tianxiang stepped up.

“Big Brother, they’re too much—I’ll join,” Jin Zhengri returned to the stage, despite his serious injuries.

“And me, and me…” Several other passionate young men followed, unable to bear the foreign powers bullying the few with the many.

Meanwhile, Li Tiande hid in a corner, snickering, “Hmph, Xiao Fei, you’re doomed today.”

He promptly sent word to his uncle Hu Baiwan, reporting that someone was challenging the five embassies, and instructed his men to inform the diplomats, urging them to pressure Hu Baiwan.

Xiao Fei turned to Qin Tianxiang and Jin Zhengri and said, “Step back, the five of them are more than enough for me alone.”

“You alone?” Paul Novsky scoffed.

“My two hands are enough,” Xiao Fei replied quietly.

“Hmph, then today you’ll see my strength!”

“You’re not my equal alone—come at me together!” Xiao Fei said calmly.

The arrogance in his tone, the audacity in his words, shocked everyone present.

Even Cai E was worried. He might have confidence in Xiao Fei against one champion, but against five nations’ best, and with Xiao Fei vowing to use only his hands, the stakes were high—failure was not an option.

“Xiao Fei, are you serious? Don’t be reckless!” Jin Wanyu, observing from the loft, finally couldn’t restrain herself and descended at a run to stop Xiao Fei from taking risks.

It was Jin Wanyu’s first formal meeting with Xiao Fei, and Xiao Fei’s first glimpse of the legendary beauty of Jiangnan, the famed Jin Wanyu.