Chapter 396: Covert Contest
As it turned out, Xue Qingqing hadn’t originally planned on going up the mountain with everyone.
But after seeing Qin Tuo’s skills just now, Xue Qingqing was instantly put at ease.
She knew that as long as Qin Tuo was there to protect her, no one could possibly harm her.
When Xue Chengdong heard this, he grew incredibly anxious.
He knew Qin Tuo and Huang Junkai were skilled—otherwise, they couldn’t possibly have rescued Xue Qingqing from a group of assassins.
But the two great families they would face tomorrow were terrifyingly powerful. There was no telling how many Grandmaster-level experts would show up!
’Under such circumstances, these two young men might not even be able to protect themselves. How could they possibly protect my precious daughter?’
Thus, Xue Chengdong instinctively wanted to object.
But before he could speak, Jin Hongtao, who was seated nearby, frowned and asked coldly,
"President Xue, are these two young men going tomorrow as well?"
Hearing their master’s question, Ma Youcai and a group of disciples from Xingyi Hall also turned to stare at Qin Tuo and his companion with hostility.
Qin Tuo remained at the table, calm and unmoving as a mountain, paying the group no mind.
Meanwhile, Huang Junkai, seeing so many people watching him, couldn’t help but feel a surge of nervousness.
Xue Chengdong nodded and said,
"Yes, Master Jin. These two will be accompanying us tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Jin Hongtao’s expression changed instantly. He snorted coldly.
"President Xue, you’re just sending them to their deaths. Besides, where am I supposed to find the energy to protect a couple of nobodies?"
An embarrassed expression immediately spread across Xue Chengdong’s face. After a moment’s thought, he forced a smile.
"Master Jin, you may not be aware, but they insisted on coming. They’ve also said they’ll be responsible for their own lives and won’t require you to worry about their safety."
Jin Hongtao said nothing further after hearing this explanation.
However, his sullen expression clearly revealed his deep-seated displeasure.
Seeing that Jin Hongtao didn’t press the issue, Xue Chengdong let out a huge inward sigh of relief.
Just then, Ma Youcai stood up, puffed out his chest, and declared proudly,
"Don’t you worry, President Xue! I can guarantee Miss Xue’s safety tomorrow. As for everyone else... I’m afraid they won’t even be able to protect themselves!"
As he spoke, Ma Youcai shot a deliberately provocative glance at Qin Tuo. The hostility in his eyes was plain for anyone to see.
To his dismay, Ma Youcai found that Qin Tuo simply ignored him.
Ma Youcai was instantly infuriated, and he secretly gritted his teeth.
’I’ll find a chance to teach Qin Tuo a lesson tomorrow after we get up the mountain,’ he decided.
Ma Youcai’s declaration put Xue Chengdong much more at ease.
"Alright, everyone. Since that’s settled, let’s leave it at that. For now, please enjoy the banquet I’ve specially prepared for you all!"
Xue Chengdong said with a smile, easing the tense atmosphere.
After that, everyone dropped the subject and began to eat, drink, and chat merrily.
After the banquet, Xue Chengdong sat drinking and chatting with Jin Hongtao. Both men, faces flushed, clinked their glasses together time and again.
Meanwhile, a group of disciples from Xingyi Hall swarmed around Xue Qingqing, crowding her.
"What are you all doing?"
Xue Qingqing frowned, her delicate brows knitting in displeasure.
One disciple said with a grin,
"Miss Xue, we’d like to get a photo with you. Surely you can grant us this one small request?"
Xue Qingqing was about to refuse, but then she remembered that these people would be fighting for her family tomorrow, so she reluctantly agreed.
Immediately, the disciples buzzed around her like a swarm of flies, all fighting for a chance to get a photo with Xue Qingqing.
Qin Tuo, however, simply stood up and walked out to the pavilion.
He found it too stuffy inside and wanted to get some fresh air.
Reaching the pavilion, Qin Tuo quietly speculated about the major confrontation that was likely to unfold on the mountain tomorrow.
’What kind of experts will the other two families send?’
However, that wasn’t Qin Tuo’s primary concern. What he most wanted to know was what kind of precious ores were hidden within the new mine.
Qin Tuo had just sat down when a fragrant breeze announced Xue Qingqing’s arrival. She had followed him.
As soon as she arrived, Xue Qingqing asked,
"Qin Tuo, what are you doing out here?"
Qin Tuo glanced at Xue Qingqing but didn’t respond.
Unfazed, Xue Qingqing smiled and asked,
"Qin Tuo, don’t you want an autographed photo with me?"
Qin Tuo coldly uttered two words.
"I don’t."
Xue Qingqing froze, then fumed with indignation.
In her entire life, no one had ever ignored her so completely.
Usually, Xue Qingqing was adored by thousands wherever she went. When had anyone ever treated her with such cold indifference as Qin Tuo?
Before Xue Qingqing could say another word, Ma Youcai appeared out of nowhere. His face was a mask of cold fury as he reprimanded,
"You brat, Qin! How dare you treat Miss Xue with such disrespect?"
His face was flushed with anger. He was clearly trying to play the part of her white knight.
Qin Tuo turned his head and calmly retorted,
"Oh? And what attitude should I have?"
Ma Youcai snorted.
"You should at least stand up when you speak to Miss Xue, not sit there with such arrogance!"
Qin Tuo just grunted, not even bothering to acknowledge the man.
This dismissive attitude enraged Ma Youcai. He had been holding back his temper with Qin Tuo all night, but he couldn’t afford to lose face in front of Xue Qingqing.
Unable to contain his anger, Ma Youcai’s blood rushed to his head. He charged forward and grabbed Qin Tuo’s shoulder.
He intended to haul Qin Tuo to his feet and humiliate him on the spot.
Xue Qingqing yelped in surprise and was about to intervene.
But Ma Youcai was faster. He exerted his strength, heaving upward with all his might!
But Qin Tuo remained seated, completely unmoved, a clear look of mockery on his face.
Ma Youcai strained for what felt like an eternity, only to find that he couldn’t budge Qin Tuo in the slightest.
All his straining only made his own face turn red and his neck swell with effort. To make matters worse, Xue Qingqing witnessed his pathetic display...
Ma Youcai felt utterly humiliated. ’Looks like I have no choice but to use my Qi Force,’ he thought.
’Alright, you little punk, keep acting so tough! Let’s see how you like a real lesson!’
Seething with hatred, Ma Youcai unleashed his Inner Strength—the power of a true Martial Artist—intending to flip Qin Tuo onto the ground.
But even after he unleashed his Inner Strength, Qin Tuo remained as immovable as a thousand-year-old boulder.