Duel!

Xiang Feihu formally challenged Ronan to a duel!

How would Ronan choose? It felt like he was caught in a dilemma now. Although he was at Yi Lin Manor and the martial arts hall was his home ground, how could he possibly be a match for Xiang Feihu?

That kid was really being impulsive. Conservatively speaking, he was about to get beaten into a pig's head.

Xiang Feihu's move once again set off a storm of discussion across social media.

Many nobles who had not attended Wei Wei's party regretted it.

Even the older generation began paying attention to this conflict that seemed to have arisen merely from romantic rivalry.

Behind it, there seemed to be another clash between the Li Family and Yi Lin Manor.

Yet what no one had expected was that this time, it was the boy from Yi Lin Manor who had taken the initiative to provoke the other side!

A good show seemed to be unfolding.

Unfortunately, the Earl was not at the estate tonight. No one had enough prestige or influence to stop this clash of pride between Xiang Feihu and Ronan!

Inside the martial arts hall, Su Jie watched Ronan with a cold sneer.

In his eyes, Ronan was nothing more than a scheming scoundrel, hiding his strength and flirting with Su Xiao—someone like that was utter trash. He wished Xiang Feihu would just make a move and beat him black and blue!

But he also knew this was Yi Lin Manor. If Xiang Feihu attacked outright, those bodyguards eyeing them like tigers would probably rush in before he could even touch Ronan. No matter how fierce Xiang Feihu was, two fists could not beat four hands. He would likely be captured alive.

That was why Xiang Feihu had cleverly chosen to challenge Ronan directly.

A one-on-one duel.

In the eyes of many, this was deeply unfair to Ronan.

Christine said softly, "Young Master Xiang, you came from the Mech Combat Brigade's special forces. In a one-on-one fight, who could possibly be your match? This challenge of yours is rather unfair."

Xiang Feihu said calmly, "If Mr. Ronan has the confidence to pursue Su Xiao, then he should understand who his opponent is."

"His opponent is not me, but Nanbei. You ask who can defeat me in a one-on-one fight? Sorry, but Nanbei alone could take on ten men like me."

Everyone immediately fell silent. Even Christine could only smile bitterly.

Xiang Feihu's words were flawless.

The name Li Nanbei was like a towering mountain pressing down on the shoulders of every young noble in the Emerald Star Region.

Everyone knew Xiang Feihu was formidable; no one knew just how formidable Li Nanbei was!

That was what made him so terrifying!

If Ronan wanted to challenge Li Nanbei, he would first have to get past Xiang Feihu.

"So there's no question of fairness. If you're a man, come fight me."

Xiang Feihu said it bluntly.

Wei Wei was somewhat troubled.

She had no idea how to handle the situation before her.

Should she have the guards seize Xiang Feihu? That would certainly be the safest option, but it would also completely destroy Yi Lin Manor's dignity! Besides, resentment simmered in her heart: this was trouble you, Ronan, brought upon yourself, so why should all of Yi Lin Manor take the blame for you?

Who told you to get so carried away chasing girls that you even dared to flirt with Su Xiao?

The resentment in Miss Wei Wei's heart swelled, and she simply gritted her teeth. With a wave of her hand, she signaled the guards to stay on alert but not make a move yet.

She wanted to see just how Ronan planned to wrap this up tonight!

"Actually, I'm really curious."

Facing Xiang Feihu's aggressive pressure, Ronan did not rush. Instead, he said leisurely, "What exactly do you people take Su Xiao for?"

"Whoever has the bigger fists gets to possess her? Have you ever considered what she thinks?"

"Maybe she doesn't like either Li Nanbei or me!"

The moment those words came out, everyone was dumbfounded again. What exactly was this guy trying to do?

Only Su Xiao's eyes reddened slightly. At that moment, she finally understood Ronan's feelings!

This idiot... how could there be someone so foolish?

Her heart felt faintly sour, yet that bitterness carried joy.

Because she understood that tonight, Ronan was not merely standing up for Yi Lin Manor or venting Wei Wei's anger.

He also wanted to stand up for Su Xiao!

These people had completely ignored her feelings and treated her as nothing more than a tool for a marriage alliance!

Under Ronan's provocation, Xiang Feihu had even wanted to settle the matter through force—if two men fought and determined a winner, what did that have to do with the girl?

Whoever was stronger got to possess her? How absurd was that?

Even more laughable was that such a rule, such a line of reasoning, had already taken root in people's hearts.

Most people thought this was perfectly normal. They thought there was nothing wrong with it.

Only Ronan felt that this was wrong. There was no absolute logical connection between who was stronger among men and which girl someone liked.

When it came to relationships, Ronan was a very clumsy person, but at the same time, he was also a very genuine one.

That was just who he was. If something was wrong, he would point it out—and then tear it down with his own hands!

Before Xiang Feihu could react, he quickly said:

"You want to duel me? No problem! But let's make the terms clear first. If you lose, then you—then your Li Family—must never again use that so-called 'Li Nanbei's fiancée' nonsense to bind Miss Su Xiao. She is a free girl, and she deserves the right to choose freely. At least before she becomes engaged to Li Nanbei, she is free. You so-called bodyguards, stay the hell away from her."

Ronan's tone was fierce and domineering. Though he stood amid the crowd, he was like a savage hungry wolf!

The crowd was somewhat entranced.

This young man still dared to make such wild claims under Xiang Feihu's pressure?

Either he truly had some skill, or he had simply lost his mind!

Most people believed it was the latter!

That Side Kick just now had indeed been impressive, but Xiang Feihu could do the same!

Perhaps Ronan had some fighting ability, but how could he compare with an elite special forces soldier trained in the regular military?

"Love really does make people blind... Su Xiao's charm is seriously something."

"But come to think of it, Su Xiao seems to be treating Ronan better than anyone ever before. I just heard a little bit of gossip—apparently, Su Xiao is actually the one pursuing Ronan..."

"No way. Other than being a little handsome, what good points does Ronan have that would make Su Xiao chase after him? The heir to Yi Lin Manor? That's nothing compared to Li Nanbei!"

Whispers spread through the crowd below.

The atmosphere in the martial arts hall grew increasingly heated. Everyone understood that no one could stop the battle between Ronan and Xiang Feihu now.

The key was how they would fight.

They were very curious.

When Xiang Feihu heard Ronan accept the challenge, he secretly let out a breath of relief.

He sneered inwardly. I was afraid you'd back down! Since you dared accept, I'll make sure you lose all face today!

He was no fool. Since Ronan dared accept, he surely had some tricks up his sleeve.

The fact that three Rose Blood Knight assassins had failed to kill Ronan was already suspicious; the handshake at the banquet and that Side Kick just now both suggested that Ronan was very likely proficient in close combat—a martial arts expert!

That was why this guy was so confident!

According to the Li Family's judgment, Ronan should have been a talent secretly cultivated by the Earl. He was skilled in martial arts and had grown up in a secret base from childhood, so it was normal for him to lack worldly experience.

Xiang Feihu was a soldier, but not a brute. On the contrary, he was very clever and knew how to exploit strengths while avoiding weaknesses.

He could not lose today's match!

His eyes shifted as he said, "Fine! If I lose, I swear that before Su Xiao and Nanbei become engaged, the Li Family will not provide her with any protection! But if you lose, apologize to the Li Family, then keep your distance from Su Xiao."

Ronan nodded without hesitation.

Xiang Feihu said leisurely, "Since Young Master Ronan is being so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either. Just as Miss Christine said, a direct martial arts duel would indeed give me an advantage. How about this? I heard that the martial arts hall at Yi Lin Manor has the new generation of Light Mech Simulation Battle Pods."

"Why don't we use those to decide the winner?"

Xiang Feihu's proposal immediately drew support from the crowd!

In this age of the galaxy, martial arts certainly possessed great personal appeal, but mechs were the main theme of war!

The mechs of the galactic age were the knights of the old era!

Mech battles were what truly made people's blood boil!

Only Wei Wei's expression changed drastically. "He's never even used a Light Mech Simulation Battle Pod!"

The girls were all stunned for a moment.

Yet before they could say anything, Ronan had already replied with certainty:

"Fine."

Another huge wave of recommendation votes! We're currently at nine thousand—how about we charge straight to ten thousand? Also, place your bets! Ronan versus Xiang Feihu—which one are you backing?