Infinite Fighting

Chapter 52: Chapter 48: Tide of the Era

"Get in!"

A member of the Law Enforcement Team shoved Zhang Ji into a solitary holding cell at the Law Enforcement Bureau.

"Wait!" The man’s gaze fell on the Moonlight Cup on Zhang Ji’s chest. His eyes shifted slyly, and he said, "You can’t take that in with you!"

With that, he reached for Zhang Ji’s Moonlight Cup.

But Zhang Ji caught his hand.

With a slight squeeze, the man cried out.

"Agh, that hurts, it hurts!"

Zhang Ji let go and shoved him aside.

Enraged, the man drew his gun and aimed it at Zhang Ji. "Still acting tough in here? You think you’re hot stuff just because you know a little martial arts? Do you have any idea where you are?"

Zhang Ji’s eyes narrowed, disgusted by the man’s stupidity.

Just as he was about to demonstrate his strength again, the Law Enforcement Team captain, having heard the commotion, came over.

"What do you think you’re doing with that gun?" The captain strode forward and smacked the man on the back of the head. "I told you to lock someone up. Why are you causing so much trouble? Let me tell you, today isn’t like any other day. You’d better cut out all your little tricks. If something goes wrong, the lives of your entire family wouldn’t be enough to answer for it!"

After saying this, the Law Enforcement Team captain turned to Zhang Ji, his tone softening. "Please, go on in by yourself. We’re just following orders, so please don’t make things difficult for us."

Unlike the man who had gotten his job through connections, this captain knew exactly who Zhang Ji was.

He was estimated to be at least a Professional 9th Dan and was the champion of the current martial arts tournament.

If they truly provoked a man like that, he and his men wouldn’t stand a chance.

Their deaths would be a small matter; the real problem would be if the plans of the higher-ups failed to proceed smoothly.

Zhang Ji didn’t waste time on small fry and turned to enter the holding cell.

He heard the door lock behind him, but his expression didn’t change.

He wasn’t the only one arrested this time; none of the higher-ups in the Five Elements Sect had been spared.

Zhang Ji wasn’t sure if this was about Xiao Ningning’s death, but it didn’t feel like it.

If this were truly revenge for Xiao Ningning, they theoretically only needed to come for him.

Li Long had done something similar in the past, and he had only been exiled to Shanli Island.

This current situation felt... off.

Unfortunately, he had been focused on his training lately, so he wasn’t exactly sure what had happened.

However, before he was taken away, Li Long had told him to stay calm and not cause trouble, so he decided to hold back for now and see how things played out.

’If it really comes to it,’ he thought, ’I could punch a tunnel through these precinct walls with a single swing.’

....

Meanwhile, Li Long and Yan Ruifeng were locked in the same room.

This was what they had requested.

Yan Ruifeng and Li Long even still had their cell phones.

The Law Enforcement Bureau couldn’t refuse, or rather, was powerless to stop them.

They had to give face to these two Grandmasters.

"Master, has he responded yet?" Li Long asked Yan Ruifeng.

"He said he’ll be here by early morning at the latest," Yan Ruifeng replied.

For a councilor to personally come to meet them and get them out, it was clear how serious this matter had become.

Li Long’s brow furrowed instantly.

At first, he’d also thought this was fallout from Zhang Ji’s actions, but he quickly felt that wasn’t right.

The scale of this operation was far, far too large.

It was unimaginably large.

It was as if... they were targeting the entire Five Elements Sect directly.

He couldn’t believe it was true.

The Five Elements Sect was so massive; if it were to truly fall, the consequences would be terrifying.

Moreover, Li Long couldn’t fathom why the Five Elements Sect was being targeted.

...

「Three o’clock in the morning.」

Liu Hetong’s car arrived at the Law Enforcement Bureau in North Creek City.

He then proceeded, completely unimpeded, to the outside of the holding cell where Yan Ruifeng and Li Long were.

Liu Hetong stood outside, looking in at the two Grandmasters.

His expression was complicated.

Yan Ruifeng looked at the man before him and asked, "What’s happened?"

"They’re going to eliminate all obstacles within a year. From now on, private armed forces of this scale will no longer be permitted," Liu Hetong answered succinctly. "The people of the martial arts world have only two choices: surrender your power and pledge allegiance to the government, or disband on the spot and be absorbed by the government. Resisting has only one consequence..."

For a nation, the very phrase "the martial arts world" carried extremely negative connotations.

Martial Artists used force to break prohibitions and flout the law. Whenever they were dissatisfied, rather than expressing their demands through proper channels, they preferred to use the laws of heaven and earth—the rule that the strong are revered and the weak are meat for the strong. They used their own martial power to obtain everything they wanted.

And in a Sect like the Five Elements Sect, there were tens of thousands of such people.

On its path to becoming the behemoth it was today, the Five Elements Sect had used its martial might countless times.

There was no helping it; that power was just too useful.

It was perfectly in line with the laws of heaven and earth.

But unfortunately, the times had changed.

An ordinary person in combat armor could now rival a Grandmaster.

Even a professional fighter couldn’t withstand a large-caliber bullet.

Society required stability, and power needed to be centralized.

No ruling class enjoys seeing a faction they can’t control run rampant, treating the rules they set as a joke.

"So that’s how it is." Yan Ruifeng’s face showed understanding. "Just like the Vajra Sect back then?"

"Yes," Liu Hetong said. "If you’re willing to sign a pledge, everyone can leave."

Behind Liu Hetong, a secretary handed over the pledge. Its contents were brief, but incredibly heavy.

"Are you looking to take a piece of this, too?"

Yan Ruifeng’s gaze toward Liu Hetong was tinged with a complex sigh.

"You should understand. It’s better to hand it all to me than to let *them* devour you completely. At least this way, you can retain some dignity," Liu Hetong said. "I won’t wipe you out. Let me handle this, and you’ll still be able to live somewhat normal lives afterward."

"Let us keep Golden Hook Mountain!" Yan Ruifeng said.

"Impossible!" Liu Hetong shook his head. "No symbols can be left behind, to say nothing of Golden Hook Mountain and the massive tourism industry it involves. The most I can do is give each of you a sum of money after the Five Elements Sect disbands, and you can then retire into city life."

"And what if we choose to resist?" Li Long suddenly spoke up.

His eyes were filled with anger, even killing intent.

"You should know very well that it would be meaningless. If the Five Elements Sect is designated as a terrorist organization, the army will come for you. The use of large-scale, high-impact weapons wouldn’t be out of the question. A single medium-range missile is all it would take for the Five Elements Sect to cease to exist. They would be delighted to see that happen," Liu Hetong said flatly.

Yan Ruifeng grabbed Li Long’s wrist and said to Liu Hetong, "We agree."

He had personally lived through that era and seen the result of the martial arts world resisting the state. Even the "Terrestrial Immortal" of the Northern Dao Sect had ultimately been forced to choose seclusion.

All one could say was that the times had changed; it was no longer an era to be led by Martial Artists.

The tides of the era were rolling in, and it was time for them to temporarily retreat from the stage.

But as long as their people remained, that was all that mattered. With their abilities, they would make a comeback sooner or later.

Li Long’s clenched fist finally relaxed, and Yan Ruifeng signed his name.

"You’ve made the right choice," Liu Hetong said, taking the signed pledge.

.....

.....

「Outside the Law Enforcement Bureau.」

Zhang Ji, Shen Han, and the others stepped outside, where Yan Ruifeng, Li Long, and two elders were already waiting.

"Are you all all right?" Yan Ruifeng came forward to ask.

"We’re fine," Shen Han said, shaking his head.

Zhang Ji and Gu Shuangshuang also shook their heads, indicating they were unharmed.

"As long as everyone’s okay, that’s all that matters. Let’s go back," Yan Ruifeng said, forcing a smile.

The group then got in their cars and started the journey back.

The atmosphere was a bit heavy. Shen Han broke the silence, asking, "Master, why exactly were we brought in for questioning?"

"There were some irregularities with internal Sect affairs. Nothing major," Yan Ruifeng replied after a moment’s silence.

Li Long kept his eyes fixed on the scenery outside the car window. He, too, was filled with resentment, but the frustration was lodged in his chest with no outlet.

"Oh, so that’s what it was." Shen Han, unsuspecting, just complained, "If it was just an investigation, couldn’t they have just found a Core Disciple? Why call so many of us over? The government is so meddlesome these days!"

He had been too sheltered. Having trained in the mountains since childhood, and being young, he still hadn’t noticed that the atmosphere was wrong.

But Zhang Ji had already picked up on some things.

It just wasn’t the right time to ask questions. He would have to wait until they returned to the Five Elements Sect and find Li Long to inquire in private.

’If I’m really the one who implicated the Five Elements Sect,’ he thought, ’then I’ll have to seriously reconsider how to conduct myself in the future.’

’Maybe I really should be more restrained, not so extreme, and stop killing people at the drop of a hat.’

The cars drove quickly, and everyone soon arrived back at the Five Elements Sect.

After Yan Ruifeng told everyone to return to their quarters, Zhang Ji also went back to his courtyard.

However, after waiting for half an hour, he made his way to Li Long’s courtyard.

Standing outside, he was about to knock, but his powerful perception allowed him to detect another voice inside.

"The Five Elements Sect is going to be disbanded," Li Long said.

"What?" Gu Shuangshuang said in disbelief. "Why?"

"When a pig is fattened, it’s always sent to the slaughter," Li Long answered coolly. "Unless that pig can fly to the heavens and transform into a dragon! Then it would be that dragon’s place to rule above the nine heavens, sustained by mortals praying for its blessed rain!"

Gu Shuangshuang looked pensive. "Senior Brother, no matter what, I will follow you and Master."

"Mm, go get some rest. This will all pass," Li Long said gently.

Gu Shuangshuang turned to leave. As she pushed open the door, she saw Zhang Ji standing on the path. They nodded to each other, then she moved past him and walked away quickly.

Zhang Ji entered the courtyard. Li Long was sitting at the stone table, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"You’re here. Sit," Li Long invited.

Zhang Ji stepped forward and sat down. Li Long poured him a cup of tea.

Zhang Ji picked up the teacup, downed it in one go, and asked, "When do we leave?"

"Probably in about half a month," Li Long said, looking at Zhang Ji. "Conditions might be a bit more difficult from now on. Many of the medicinal pills we used to have... I’m afraid they won’t be so easy to come by anymore."

"I didn’t have those before, and I could still practice my martial arts," Zhang Ji said.

"That’s good," Li Long said with a smile.

He was very satisfied with Zhang Ji’s answer.

At a critical juncture like this, at least they were all still of one mind and hadn’t fallen apart. That was a good thing.

As long as the people remained, the wealth would return sooner or later.

"Then I’ll go back to my training. If you need me for anything, just say the word," Zhang Ji said.

"I will," Li Long said with a nod.

Zhang Ji stood, gave a fist-and-palm salute, and turned to leave.

He had come only to confirm whether he was the cause of the problem. Now that it was certain he wasn’t, there was nothing more to say.

’Better to go back and continue my training,’ he thought. ’I’ll strive to break into B-rank as soon as possible!’

’Once I’m at that level, I probably won’t have to deal with so many of these troublesome worldly affairs.’

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