Chapter 1681
At the mention of Amoh, a look of pride appeared on everyone’s face. Amoh was the seven-year-old grandson of the president of the Thyanian Martial Arts Association and was already famous in Thyanian martial arts circles. He was considered the most promising rising star in the country.
“Amoh will be competing in this tournament, right?” one staffer asked.
“Of course. The president wouldn’t miss such a good training opportunity p>
“I hope Amoh gets to face that Zhinorian kid in the ring. He can show him what a real master looks like p>
“I’m just worried he’ll make the kid cry and we won’t be able to get him to stop! Imagine him throwing a tantrum on the mat, hahaha p>
The group laughed, brushing Evan off despite the display of skill they had just witnessed.
That evening, Punikun’s grandfather hosted a dinner at his home. It was billed as a private dinner, but there were quite a few outsiders present. Besides Tarquin, there were several Thyanian military officers and members of the Thyanian Martial Arts Association, including the president himself.
When Tarquin arrived, a martial arts performance was underway in the banquet hall. The moment they saw him, their brows furrowed, their hostility palpable.
The fact that Punikun’s father had lost to Tarquin hadn’t just damaged the Punikun family’s reputation; it had cast a shadow over the entire Thyanian martial arts community. After all, a professional martial artist losing to a businessman was a total disgrace.
So, no one present tonight was happy to see Tarquin.
The two Thyanian martial artists performing exchanged a look. One began to retreat toward Tarquin while the other pursued, attacking aggressively. It looked like he was attacking his opponent, but his real target was Tarquin.
Tarquin stood in the doorway, narrowing his eyes, showing no intention of moving. Just as a fist was about to smash into his face, the attacker’s knees suddenly buckled, and he dropped to the ground in front of Tarquin with a thud.
Everyone was stunned.
Tarquin, completely unfazed, turned calmly to Lowell. “Give him some money p>
Lowell pulled out a stack of bills and tossed them onto the floor. “I didn’t realize Thyania had such a tradition of bowing at my feet Here’s a little something for the show. Don’t spend it all in one place p>
Lowell pulled out his wallet and handed some bills to the bowing martial artist.
The man’s face darkened. Lowell added, “Go on, take it. Don’t be shy. It’s a tip from
my boss. No need to bow again. Get up p>
The bowing man was seething. He clenched his fists, ready to lunge but a sharp bark from Punikun’s.. grandfather stopped hay Gritting his teeth, the martial artist returned totis seat.
Someone next to him whispered, “What happened to you p>
“I don’t know,” the man hissed, his face pale. “My legs just turned to lead. It was like
I lost all feeling from the waist down p>
“But we were all watching. He didn’t attack you. He didn’t even move p>
Frustrated to no end, the man grabbed his glass and chugged a large gulp of wine.
“I’m telling you, I don’t know what happened p>
After that little episode, the tension in the room thickened. Punikun’s grandfather sized Tarquin up, a smile on his face that didn’t reach He greeted Tarquin in p>
his eye
Thyanian, which a translator relayed.
“Mr. Bradford, welcome. Please, have a seat p>
Tarquin responded politely and, under everyone’s watchful eyes, sat down with complete composure.
Punikun’s grandfather said, “I was quite shocked that you, a businessman, defeated my son. You must have trained under a master, received professional training, yes p>
“I’ve had training, but no master,” Tarquin replied. “I’m just a businessman, not a martial artist p>
Someone spoke up, their voice laced with displeasure. “No master, but you beat Punikun’s father? Do all you Zhinorians lie so much p>
Tarquin turned to look at the man, his tone mild but his eyes ice-cold. “It’s not that we like to lie. It’s that you’re all too pathetic p>