Issuing a Challenge

Gu Hongchen sighed, "Alas, your father knows you're proud, but if you don't defeat him, my heart's knot may never be untied, and I'll never be able to break through."

The Blood Saber was dead, but his legacy had been stolen.

As long as his son defeated the Blood Saber's successor, he would still have hope for a breakthrough.

To prove he wasn't weaker than the Blood Saber.

He had this confidence; Gu Jian's talent and strength were far superior to his own, and it was highly likely he would step into the Grandmaster realm in the future.

Defeating the Blood Saber's successor would be no problem.

Gu Jian frowned, "Father, is there no other way?"

"No!"

Gu Hongchen said decisively. His Dao heart had problems that external forces couldn't solve.

"Moreover, I'm telling you, the Blood Saber's successor is not weak; defeating him won't be easy. He defeated your cousin Gongsun Sheng in one move and even fought evenly with the Mad Saber." Gu Hongchen said enticingly, deliberately exaggerating Chu Jiang's strength to provoke his son into issuing a challenge.

He didn't have much time left. If another decade or two passed, his Blood Essence would begin to decline, and breaking through to the Grandmaster realm would be almost impossible.

Before that, he had to break the curse on himself.

Even if it meant forcing his son to do something he didn't want to do.

"Oh, this strength is barely enough for me to issue him a challenge." Gu Jian's eyes flashed with surprise, and his attitude took a 180-degree turn as he agreed.

"Go make the arrangements. Let them decide the time and place!" Gu Hongchen knew his son's nature. If he didn't give him a way to back down.

Asking him, the number one on the Human Ranking, to challenge the tenth on the Human Ranking was basically impossible.

Even if he was his father.

He himself had once possessed this kind of spirit, but a single wrong thought had led him astray, cutting off his martial path.

"Yes!"

Gu Jian bowed briefly to Gu Hongchen and then withdrew from the great hall.

The Sword King Sect had left liaison personnel in Baishi County to send messages via carrier pigeon.

The speed was very fast.

The next day, news arrived.

"Father, they refused!"

Gu Jian said, having expected this outcome when the other party refused.

Perhaps they knew their own limitations and didn't dare to accept the challenge.

"Did they not state a reason?" Gu Hongchen's face was somewhat grim.

"They said that to challenge him, a stake is required, something valuable, preferably a heavenly treasure or a martial art manual..."

Although Gu Jian had a good mindset, he was a little annoyed at this moment. While he acknowledged Chu Jiang as a strong opponent, barely worthy of a fight, if they had simply refused, it would have been fine.

But they had to add those words.

His actions made it seem as if Gu Jian was begging Chu Jiang to fight him, which made him slightly unhappy.

"It doesn't matter. As long as it's not a direct refusal, it's not a problem." Gu Hongchen waved his hand, signaling Gu Jian not to worry, and continued, "I'll handle the matter of the stake!"

He paused and then said, "You focus on preparing for the decisive battle with the Blood Saber's successor. You must win in one battle; there can be no mistakes."

Gu Hongchen's voice was low and firm. Whether he could break the curse depended on this battle, and he was willing to pay any price.

Besides, he didn't believe the Blood Saber's successor would win.

No matter how many good things there were, he wouldn't be able to enjoy them.

"Father, don't worry. If his strength is only at the level he showed a few days ago, I will definitely win!"

Gu Jian said slowly, his words filled with confidence.

His understanding of the Way of the Sword had reached a new level.

The Vast Righteous Sword Song, one of the Sword King Sect's four great sword techniques, had reached great mastery.

Now, he could calmly deal with opponents in the Vajra Realm Middle Stage.

Soon.

A piece of news quickly spread throughout Dahe Commandery, Annan Commandery, Lingfeng Commandery, Ziyan Commandery... sweeping across one-third of Yunzhou.

Gu Jian, the number one on the Human Ranking, had issued a challenge to Chu Jiang, ranked eleventh on the Human Ranking. The time was set for half a month later, and the location was Black Wind Mountain, thirty miles northwest of Baishi County.

A sixth-grade True Essence Pill and a bottle of Jade Dew Elixir were offered as the stake for this duel.

Various factions reacted differently upon receiving the news.

Li Jianshan, the Sect Master of the Myriad Flower Sword Sect, one of the six great sects in Annan Commandery, clapped his hands and laughed, "Interesting, truly interesting! This young man is quite arrogant, challenging the number one on the Human Ranking and still wanting to use treasures as a stake. Pass down the order to send people to closely monitor this battle."

Murong Fei, the Sect Master of the Huangji Sect, frowned slightly, "I heard from the elders in the sect that the Blood Saber's successor, Chu Jiang, practices our Huangji Sect's ultimate martial art—the Great Vajra Palm."

"If that's the case, he'll have to give an explanation..."

Sikong Miaoyin, Sect Master of the Hundred Flowers Sect: "Xue'er, you can take Yu'er to observe this battle. Battles of this magnitude are rare and will be beneficial for you both."

Yunzhou Demon Suppressing Guard Headquarters, Left Commander: "This little guy has caused quite a stir. Send Commander Qin to Nanyang Prefecture immediately to monitor him secretly and prevent any accidents."

In an unknown location, Earth Fiend Star revealed a sinister smile: "This is a good opportunity... Isn't this the perfect place to find a new clone."

Baishi County, County Yamen Demon Catching Division.

"Here are five second-grade True Essence Pills, one Flame Fruit, and one hundred-year-old Purple Cloud Ginseng." Gongsun Li, the representative of the Gongsun family, said with a grin, pointing at the jade boxes in front of him.

"These are all rare treasures and spiritual medicines. Can you please reduce my Young Master's sentence and release him?"

Chu Jiang's mouth twitched, and he said calmly, "Your Young Master committed a serious crime. He instigated others to vandalize and rob, causing significant economic losses to this county."

"Imprisoning him for two years is already a light sentence. Since you are willing to compensate, I will take it upon myself to reduce his sentence by another year."

"This is the greatest concession I can make!"

Gongsun Li cursed inwardly. It was just breaking a few tables and chairs, what significant economic losses? Wasn't he just implying they didn't offer enough?

What "taking it upon myself" and "reducing the sentence by a year"? Whether he's imprisoned for a day or a year is up to you, this guy is too greedy.

These items are nowhere near enough to satisfy his appetite.

"You jest, sir. I just remembered I forgot to bring out another treasure." Gongsun Li took out another small jade box from his embrace.

"This deep-sea Mermaid Pearl, although cracked, still contains considerable energy. This treasure is extremely rare... What do you say?"

The family had given him quite a few treasures this time, and he had intended to pocket some for himself, but now it seemed that wouldn't be possible.

Alas.

Chu Jiang held the Mermaid Pearl in his hand and sensed it carefully. It was indeed filled with immense energy.

"The item is good. It seems your side is indeed sincere. How about this, I'll break the rules this time and reduce the sentence to three months... I truly cannot go any lower than this." Chu Jiang played with the pearl, feigning difficulty, as if he had made a huge concession.

Gongsun Li was extremely annoyed. He frowned tightly, cursing the other party incessantly in his mind.

His family's mission was to bring the person back immediately, no matter the cost.

He suppressed his anger and spoke again, "These treasures are all the items the clan gave me. However, I have two bottles of top-grade Body Tempering Fluid on me, which can increase the physical strength of those in the Houtian realm and accelerate breakthroughs."

These two bottles of Body Tempering Fluid were his last possessions. He hadn't expected to lose them as well.

This trip yielded no benefits, and instead, he had emptied his own coffers.

Chu Jiang remained silent for a long time before speaking, "Come to the county jail to pick him up in half a month. Even if you brought Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow, I wouldn't be able to reduce it further. After all, he committed a crime and must serve some time."

He could tell that this person had practically nothing left on him.

No matter how much he squeezed, he wouldn't be able to extract any more oil.

"Sigh."

Gongsun Li was dejected. Forget it.

Young Master, you'll have to stay in there for a couple more days. Your subordinate truly has nothing left to give that greedy official, so you'll have to endure a little longer.

"Then, sir, I shall take my leave. I will return in half a month to pick him up."

After speaking, Gongsun Li left the Demon Hunting Office with a heavy heart.