Although Huang Yaoshi had revised his opinion of Lu Chen and even gained a faint appreciation for his martial talent, his temperament had always been strange and contrary. Coupled with the subtle mindset of an old father, he simply found Lu Chen displeasing no matter how he looked at him.
Especially when he saw his daughter's smug expression and recalled how she had defended and praised Lu Chen before, Huang Yaoshi felt increasingly irritated. He simply said to Huang Rong:
"Rong'er, you've been sneaking around outside for a month already. It's time to come home with Father."
"Go home? I don't want to!"
Huang Rong shook her head like a rattle drum.
"Rong'er still wants to take Lu Chen around to challenge famous masters everywhere and make a name for ourselves."
Huang Yaoshi said mildly:
"The martial world is dangerous, and human hearts are unfathomable. Rong'er, you have never traveled the martial world alone, yet you want to take a young man who has only just begun training to humiliate renowned masters everywhere. Have you considered the consequences? On some dark and windy night, one of those so-called masters whose pride you trampled might bring dozens of masked men, lime powder, fishing nets, and Hidden Projectiles to greet you all at once—and take your lives."
Huang Rong giggled.
"Father, aren't you underestimating Rong'er too much? I'm so clever. Who could possibly plot against me?"
Huang Yaoshi shook his head.
"No matter what, you must return home with Father."
What father would allow his precious daughter to run all over the martial world with a hot-blooded brat?
Seeing Huang Yaoshi's unyielding attitude, Huang Rong changed tactics. She clung to his arm and wheedled:
"If Father is worried about Rong'er, why not travel the martial world with us? You can also give Lu Chen some pointers along the way."
So she refused to separate from that brat no matter what?
She even wanted him to serve as that brat's personal guard and martial arts instructor!
Huang Yaoshi was furious. Avoiding Huang Rong's gaze, he shot Lu Chen a cold glare.
"..."
Lu Chen wore an innocent expression.
Huang Rong continued pleading.
"Father, if you insist on taking me home, then take Lu Chen with us too. Accept him as your final disciple and personally teach him martial arts. He'll definitely carry forward the legacy of Peach Blossom Island..."
He had no disciples left, and she was his only daughter. Did she want him to take Lu Chen as his final disciple so that he could pass the family estate on to him as well?
Seeing his daughter defend Lu Chen so wholeheartedly, Huang Yaoshi's anger surged. But with Huang Rong's previous flight from home in anger as a warning, he did not dare lose his temper as he pleased. What if he angered Rong'er again?
It was not as though he could break Rong'er's legs, lock her up, and watch over her day and night.
Given the chance, she would probably still run away.
In that instant, Huang Yaoshi came up with an idea.
"Rong'er, since you value Lu Chen so highly, how about Father makes a bet with you?"
"A bet?" Huang Rong blinked. "What kind of bet?"
"You know about Father's two traitorous disciples."
Huang Yaoshi said mildly:
"Let us bet that within one year, Lu Chen finds Father's two traitorous disciples, captures them, and brings back what they stole. If he can do so, Father will grant your wish and accept him as my final disciple. If he cannot..."
Huang Rong pursed her lips in dissatisfaction.
"Father, this bet is far too unfair! Those two traitorous disciples of yours have vanished from the martial world for years. In just one year, Lu Chen may not even be able to find a trace of them.
"Besides, they were both disciples you personally taught. Their martial arts are so formidable that even the Seven Freaks of Quanzhen might not be able to deal with them. No matter how gifted Lu Chen is, he still needs time to grow. In one short year, even if he finds them by luck, how could he possibly capture them?"
Huang Yaoshi said mildly:
"To become the final disciple of Huang Yaoshi, one must accomplish what others cannot. If he does not even dare accept such a minor test, how is he worthy of inheriting the legacy of Peach Blossom Island?"
By the time the father and daughter reached this point, Lu Chen was completely dumbfounded.
Rong'er and I are close, and we do have an important pact, but I never wanted to become your disciple!
Teacher Huang, your temperament is extreme and stubborn, your emotions are too unstable, and you are moody and prone to taking your anger out on others. Apart from the Black Wind Double Fiends, none of your disciples escaped your infamous leg-breaking technique. These legs of mine can't take that!
Lu Chen grumbled inwardly, but when he looked at Rong'er, who was defending him with all her might, he remembered that she had personally introduced him to swordsmanship. Sword One had also only been unlocked and comprehended through her careful instruction. Even his daily food, clothing, and expenses had all been arranged by Rong'er. Thinking of the expectation in her eyes when she proposed that Huang Yaoshi take him as his final disciple, he finally stepped forward, cupped his hands toward Huang Yaoshi, and said:
"Senior Huang, this junior is willing to accept the bet."
Huang Rong said anxiously:
"Lu Chen, don't fall for it. My father's wager is completely unfair to you..."
Lu Chen smiled.
"Don't worry, Rong'er. I'm confident."
First, he knew where Mei Chaofeng was hiding, so he would not need to wander around relying on luck to find her.
Second, he knew where to find fortuitous opportunities to increase his inner power. One year—or perhaps not even a full year—would be enough for him to raise his inner power to a level capable of contending with Mei Chaofeng.
Third, he had comprehended Sword One. Though he did not dare claim that he had attained enlightenment, he had touched upon the principles of the sword. New insights emerged every day, and his swordsmanship was currently advancing by leaps and bounds. His rapid improvement during the past seven days of sparring with Huang Rong was proof enough.
At his current rate of progress, as long as his inner power became sufficient to contend with Mei Chaofeng, combined with his swordsmanship, capturing her alive was not beyond hope.
Lu Chen knew what he was capable of, so naturally he dared accept Huang Yaoshi's wager—he would fulfill what he had promised Rong'er, and he would fulfill Rong'er's expectations as well!
Seeing that Lu Chen truly dared accept the wager, Huang Yaoshi found him slightly more pleasing to the eye.
"You have some courage. Since that is the case, this old man will make an agreement with you. Within one year, find the Black Wind Double Fiends, Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng, and bring them back to Peach Blossom Island. If you succeed, you will become the final disciple of Huang Yaoshi. If you fail... you need not go to Peach Blossom Island at all."
"Ah?" Huang Rong froze. "Father, do you mean that he has to find Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng all by himself?"
Huang Yaoshi said, "If not him alone, do you intend to accompany him?"
"But..."
"No buts. You will return with Father to Peach Blossom Island and wait there. If he values you as highly as you value him, he will naturally do everything in his power to fulfill the wager."
"Father, you're too crafty! This is completely different... Not only has he only just begun training in martial arts, he doesn't have any experience in the martial world either..."
"You have no experience in the martial world either. You are a girl, younger than him, and yet didn't you come out to make your own way alone?"
"But Rong'er is clever!"
"So Lu Chen is very foolish?"
"He, um, Lu Chen... It's not a question of whether he's foolish or not. He's the kind of..."
He's a visitor from beyond this world. He doesn't understand our world at all, does he?
But she had already promised Lu Chen that she would keep the secret of his being a visitor from beyond this world. Even before her father, she did not wish to reveal it.
"What kind?"
"Anyway, I can't explain it to you!"
Huang Rong puffed out her rosy cheeks, turned away angrily, and ignored Huang Yaoshi.
Could not explain it to her father?
In his view, Rong'er simply did not want to separate from him!
Huang Yaoshi did not expose his daughter's thoughts. He only looked at Lu Chen and said:
"Can you complete the wager alone? Any problem?"
Lu Chen naturally did not want to part with Rong'er either.
However, his current abilities were not enough to defy Huang Yaoshi's will. Besides, he now had some ability to survive on his own. What was there to fear about traveling the martial world alone?
He answered in a deep voice:
"No problem. This junior can complete the wager alone."
Huang Rong actually knew that her father was stubborn by nature. Once he truly made up his mind, neither coaxing nor throwing a tantrum would make him change it.
This wager was already a concession Father had made because she had run away from home in anger this time.
But even so, she could not possibly let Lu Chen undertake such a dangerous task alone. Since her father's wager was so unfair, he could not blame her for playing a few tricks.
Of course, confronting him head-on was not the answer. She had to proceed gradually...
After thinking briefly, Huang Rong came up with an idea. She turned back to Huang Yaoshi and said with a serious expression:
"Father, if you want to take me back, you must agree to one thing."
"What is it?"
"Allow me to teach him for another ten days!"
Huang Rong's tone was resolute.
"And allow me to teach him Falling Blossom Swordplay and Jade Flute Swordplay! If you refuse, then unless you break my legs, don't even think of taking me back."
Before you continue