At the information desk, Yvonne Smith saw that he was still unwilling to leave. It seemed that keeping him blocked outside was not a solution, so after half an hour, he was finally allowed into the committee office building.

The Adjudication Committee consisted of fourteen members, with three members on duty at any given time. Although the members were elderly and frail, they were often highly respected in the martial arts world.

Ethan Clark stepped into the office and immediately bowed to greet the three committee members on duty: “Greetings, committee members. I am Ethan Clark, acting head of the Tiandao Sword Sect...”

“That’s not correct... You’re not a registered martial artist, so you can’t act as the head of the Tiandao Sword Sect.”

One of the committee members interrupted him directly.

Ethan Clark recognized this person, Henry Grant. Ten years ago, he was also a skilled fighter, having achieved mastery in body refinement. Later, he joined the Martial Arts Association and became a member of the Adjudication Committee.

“I will submit the martial artist registration application form.”

Ethan Clark said.

“The martial artist registration application form.”

Henry Grant frowned: “A martial artist is not enough. If the Tiandao Sword Sect doesn’t have a registered martial master within a year, it can no longer maintain its organizational status and must be disbanded. The Tiandao Sword Sect’s premises will also have to be reclassified from martial arts land to commercial or residential land. If you want to continue holding this land, you’ll need to pay a land reclassification fee of 1.4 million within a month.”

“I know. There are still eleven months left before the year is up.”

Ethan Clark gathered his thoughts, paused for a moment, and said, “I’ve come to the Adjudication Committee mainly to request a ruling on Brian Foster. Longquan Sect used poison during a fair match...”

“I’ve told you many times, you have no evidence that it was Longquan Sect who used the poison.”

“There were so many witnesses. It was obvious to everyone that my father was poisoned at the time.”

Ethan Clark looked at one of the committee members: “Mr. Bolton, you’ve had drinks with my father more than once, so you should know that Brian Foster is no match for my father. Yet he still fought him—this in itself is a conspiracy.”

That Mr. Bolton glanced at Ethan Clark and said calmly, “Everyone makes mistakes, even a horse stumbles. Who can say for sure what happens in a martial arts match?”

“Ethan Clark, right? Your Tiandao Sword Sect has slandered Longquan Sect’s reputation more than once without evidence. Longquan Sect’s Master Foster has already reported this to me. Now that you’ve applied for martial artist registration to act as Tiandao Sword Sect’s head, then let Master Foster deal with you in the way of martial artists when the time comes.”

Henry Grant said indifferently.

“Brian Foster’s actions completely violate the spirit of martial arts. Is the Adjudication Committee really going to ignore this?”

“All you say is just empty words without evidence. We can’t just do whatever you say, can we? The Martial Arts Association doesn’t belong to your Tiandao Sword Sect.”

Another committee member spoke leisurely.

David Turner, who had brought his grandson to seek swordsmanship advice from Chris Clark half a year ago.

“Don’t involve family members. He ordered people to harass my family. The Adjudication Committee should put a stop to this.”

“Did Brian Foster or any Longquan Sect martial artist take action? If not, for conflicts between ordinary people, you should go to the judicial authorities.”

David Turner picked up his teacup, blowing on the hot steam as he spoke.

Ethan Clark looked at the three duty members of the Adjudication Committee.

“Those people were instigated by Brian Foster.”

“Ordinary people are not our committee’s concern.”

David Turner was made uncomfortable by Ethan Clark’s gaze and started to usher him out: “If there’s nothing else, please don’t disturb our work.”

“So that’s it? It just ends like this?”

Ethan Clark still looked at him.

Off to the side, Henry Grant lit a cigarette and said leisurely, “There are three major rules in the martial arts world. First, martial artists must not attack ordinary people without cause. Second, martial artists’ grudges allow for equal retaliation. The head of Longquan Sect, Brian Foster, killed the head of Tiandao Sword Sect, Chris Clark. Now that you’ve succeeded him, you can kill Brian Foster in return.”

Kill Brian Foster.

Brian Foster, head of Longquan Sect, one of the nine major martial arts forces in Venus City, had achieved mastery in body refinement and entered the vital energy stage.

As for him, he was a martial arts novice—there was no comparison between the two.

With the Martial Arts Association refusing to intervene, how could he seek justice for his father, Chris Clark?

In the end, Ethan Clark turned and walked out of the Adjudication Committee, feeling somewhat dejected.

“Tsk, such an ignorant kid.”

Henry Grant sneered.

“Give Old Foster a call. We’ve taken a big risk for him—he should show some appreciation.”

David Turner chuckled.

Mr. Bolton said nothing, just glanced at the bank balance displayed on his phone and smiled faintly.

……

Outside the building.

Although it was noon in September with the sun blazing overhead, Ethan Clark still felt a chill on his body.

“I... am just a student. Longquan Sect has martial master Brian Foster, fourteen registered martial artists, and over a hundred apprentices...”

Ethan Clark stood outside the Adjudication Committee for quite a while.

At last, he turned around with some difficulty and walked toward the Martial Arts Association office area.

A staff member received him: “How can I help you?”

“I am Ethan Clark, acting head of the Tiandao Sword Sect.”

“Tiandao Sword Sect?”

This staff member knew of the sect.

The sect had been established for over a decade and was one of the nine major martial arts schools in Venus City.

Unfortunately, something happened recently, and it declined rapidly.