dognovel Chapter 129 The Hero's Invitation is Issued, Shaking the Martial World
Chapter 129 The Hero's Invitation is Issued, Shaking the Martial World
"Leader... this... the Martial Arts Association's certification hasn't even been issued yet, and we're already holding our own certification ceremony? Isn't this going against the grain? And we're even inviting government officials?"
"Just do as I say," Ma Cong said firmly. "Whether they come or not is their business. Whether we invite them or not is our decision."
After hanging up with Ding Hao, Ma Cong dialed Qian Zhenhua's number.
"Chairman Qian, could you also send out some invitations for me?"
"To whom should it be sent?"
"Invite every single one of the prominent media reporters, TV stations, portal websites, and influential social media influencers you know!"
"Tell them that in a month, the Foshan Xiqiao Mountain National Martial Arts Alliance will hold a press conference. At that time, I will personally demonstrate to the whole society what our National Martial Arts Alliance's certification standards are!"
"At the same time, we also welcome the Chinese Wushu Association to send an 'expert team' to provide 'guidance' and 'exchange'!"
Qian Zhenhua was stunned.
What are they trying to do?
This is a direct confrontation with the Martial Arts Association!
Moreover, it was on their own home turf, with a stage set up and everyone invited to watch!
"Leader Ma... isn't this too risky?" Qian Zhenhua asked with some concern. "We haven't received official approval yet. Such a high-profile move... what if..."
"There's no 'what if'," Ma Cong interrupted him, his voice carrying a resolute force.
"He, Li Jianguo, has his official documents. I, Ma Cong, have my fists."
"He wants to compete with me for the right to define 'standards,' then I'll let him, and let the whole world see for themselves."
"Whose standards are stricter?"
Ma Cong hung up the phone, stood up, and walked to the window.
He looked towards the capital, his eyes burning with the intensity of war.
Li Jianguo, do you think you've won?
Do you think you can trap me with a set of bureaucratic tricks?
Then I'll use the most direct and violent method to tear your paper-thin "standards" to shreds on the stage you're most proud of!
"Brother Sun, Brother Wang." Ma Cong turned around.
"Here!" Sun Changqing and Wang Benlei immediately stood up straight.
"You guys should also get ready and send out invitations."
"To whom should it be sent?"
"From all the renowned schools and masters of Southern martial arts—Hung, Lau, Choi, Lee, Mok, Wing Chun, White Eyebrows, Dragon Style… invite them all!"
"Let me tell you, I, Ma Cong, will set up a fighting arena in the birthplace of Southern Fist."
"I want to see what real Chinese martial arts are like, I want to be among the first to receive certification from our Chinese Martial Arts Alliance, and I want my school to flourish."
"One month from now, at Yunhai Temple on Xiqiao Mountain, I'll be waiting for them!"
The invitation from the National Martial Arts Alliance swept through the entire Southern martial arts world like a sudden Category 12 typhoon.
In no time, from Guangdong Province to Guangxi Province, from Fujian Province to Hong Kong and Macao, all schools practicing Southern Fist received this invitation jointly issued by several Northern Fist masters, including Sun Changqing and Wang Benlei.
The invitation was simple yet domineering.
A month later, in Foshan, at Xiqiao Mountain, the newly completed Huaxia National Martial Arts Heritage Base was established.
Ma Cong, the leader of the National Martial Arts Alliance, will hold the first "National Martial Arts Alliance Certification Ceremony" and "Southern School Martial Arts Exchange Meeting" here.
At that time, Ma Cong will personally demonstrate martial arts and explain what the "standards of Chinese martial arts" are.
All attendees are welcome to go on stage to discuss, exchange ideas, and verify their findings.
The winners will receive the first batch of "Grandmaster" certifications from the National Martial Arts Federation and will be invited to become elders of the federation to jointly manage its affairs.
This invitation to heroes, along with the newly promulgated "Management Measures" by the Martial Arts Association, was presented to the leaders of the major sects in the Southern School, putting them in an unprecedented dilemma.
To go or not to go?
this is a problem.
Going there would be tantamount to openly contradicting the Wushu Association and siding with Ma Cong.
It's important to understand that the Wushu Association's "Management Regulations" had just been released, and it was at the height of its power. Supporting Ma Cong at this time was undoubtedly going against the grain, putting oneself in opposition to the authorities. If the Wushu Association wants to make things difficult for you later, they'll have plenty of ways to do so.
But what if we don't go?
Not going would be tantamount to admitting that one is inferior to others and that one is afraid to "show off" on the stage set up by Ma Cong.
Ma Cong's words, "I'm waiting for those who want their sects to flourish," are like a thorn, deeply embedded in the hearts of every ambitious sect leader.
Who wouldn't want their sect to flourish?
Who wouldn't want to find a way out in this era of decline for traditional Chinese martial arts?
Ma Cong's emergence was like a lightning bolt piercing the night. With unparalleled strength, he proved that Chinese martial arts are effective. Now, he has rallied the masses, formed an alliance, and established a base, aiming to pave a new path for the entire Chinese martial arts.
Following him might really lead to a bright future.
But the risks are equally enormous.
For a time, the entire Southern martial arts world was in turmoil.
Some sects were extremely disgusted by Ma Cong's arrogance and domineering attitude.
"A mere nineteen-year-old dares to command the entire martial arts world? He thinks too highly of himself!"
"A certification ceremony? What qualifications does he have to certify others? Who recognizes his standards?"
"This is clearly an attempt to use Southern Fist's territory to subjugate our Southern martial arts world and elevate himself to the throne of leader! We must not let him succeed!"
Most of these sects had close ties with the local martial arts association, or were themselves conservative old-fashioned figures. They unhesitatingly chose to side with the martial arts association and scoffed at Ma Cong's invitation to challenge them.
Other sects, however, saw an opportunity.
"Ma Cong is going to challenge the Martial Arts Association! This is a battle of gods!"
"Fortune favors the bold! The Martial Arts Association has controlled resources for so many years, but what has it ever done for us independent martial arts schools? Besides collecting fees, issuing certificates, and organizing flashy routine competitions, what else can it do?"
"Ma Cong may be arrogant, but he's truly capable! And he's invested real money to build such a huge base! Following him, we might actually be able to make something of ourselves!"
"Go! We absolutely have to go! Even if we don't get the certification, just seeing that young master's prowess will make the trip worthwhile!"
These schools were mostly comprised of enlightened individuals who were frustrated within the martial arts association system or deeply concerned about the current state of Chinese martial arts. They decided to take a gamble!
Many other sects chose to wait and see.
They didn't want to offend the Martial Arts Association, but they also didn't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, they all sent their most outstanding disciples or some less important elders to Foshan, ostensibly to "observe the ceremony" or "learn," but in reality, they were just going to test the waters.