Which Is More Beautiful?

The sunlight gradually turned orange, and the Lotus Leaf swayed in the breeze.

The Ta Ta Kai on the pond rock, its blue nose on its head, and raised a claw. It circled around once, showing off its heroic deeds to the Water Beast general.

Just one breath away, just one more breath.

Bronze medal in hand.

The Little River Otter clasped its paws together, its eyes filled with adoration, regarding the Ta Ta Kai's blue nose as a symbol of power.

The Great Beaver wasn't interested in what brand of Ta Ta Kai; gold, silver, and bronze were things it used to find and collect in the Great Marsh. It patted its tail, hugged the square block of wood, and looked it over, wondering where to start gnawing.

The Fat Catfish's eyes gleamed; it was greatly tempted and wanted to claim the title of strongest.

I glanced furtively at the "Cannot Move" one who had climbed out of the shadows of the wall to bask in the sun.

This treacherous villain, who pretends to be loyal, is full of slander and is even more despicable than the eunuch Awei!

Once again, he surpassed himself and received divine guidance!

If I were to win the title of the strongest, I would surely take the lead and earn the respect of the gods!

Unfortunately, without hands or feet, they could not Shang An to reach the pillar.

What a missed fortuitous opportunity!

The Fat Catfish sighed, its whiskers curling up from the dandelion growing between the pond rocks, leaving only bare stalks.

A faint sadness.

It drifted away with the wind.

"Touch the pillar and take the jade token?"

The Old Toad squatted on a round stone, its round belly protruding as it fell into deep thought.

"What is the value of this jade pendant?"

Ta Ta Kai was stunned, clutching its whiskers with its paws as it tried to recall.

While queuing, I remember the villagers having some conversation.

seemingly.

Tens of thousands of taels? "Tens of thousands of taels!"

The Old Toad was startled and hurriedly moved its webbed feet.

"Liang Qing said that a single Treasure Fish costs a thousand taels of silver, and a jade pendant costs tens of thousands of taels of silver. Dozens of Treasure Fish are worth that much?"

I've been searching for him for days! "Where's the pillar? Lead the way quickly!"

On the Jiang Huai River, on Flowing Light Boat.

"It's almost time."

Zhang Xu gazed at the sky.

The duel was scheduled for dusk, and it's currently around late Shen Time or early evening, so I should go and pay my respects beforehand.

A servant went to deliver the message.

People emerged from the cabins of the three Flowing Light Boat and gathered on the deck, some with gold, some with silver, and some with bronze medals.

Ma Shaobai, Jie Yan, Pei Yunkun... Gold Medal.

Bian Yuanchong, Zhai Yunsu... Silver Medal.

Lin Yanjiang... Bronze medal.

There were dozens of people in total!

In a single prefecture, there might be a few gold medals, a few Silver Medal, and a dozen or even several dozen bronze medals.

The total number is actually quite large, and those present were far from all of them; they were only those who were relatively interested in the comparison.

Zhang Xu raised his arm and waved.

"Walk!"

The Yang Residence.

Zhang Xu and Yang Dongxiong, two Great Martial Master, gathered in the hall, chatting and exchanging ideas.

Xu Shi had made preparations in advance, sending people to retrieve the frozen watermelons from the well, cut them up, and serve them to the guests, so that everyone could relax.

Strolling around the garden, the Martial Arts Field, and the courtyard at your leisure.

A separate courtyard.

Lu Gang and Xu Zishuai helped to level the Yellow Earth of the Martial Arts Field, spreading Solidifying Agent and tamping it down with a wooden mallet.

"Why are there so many people?"

Xu Zishuai wiped away his sweat, leaned on the hammer handle, and looked up at the crowd coming and going. He hadn't expected that his junior brother's duel would attract so many people.

Lu Gang calmly said, "Grandmaster seeds are common, but Grandmaster are not. Even if we assume one Grandmaster per prefecture, there are many prefectures along the King of Yue's route, so the number of people boarding the ship is naturally much greater than we imagine."

"A gold medal is a seed of Grandmaster, so wouldn't a jade medal be a seed of Martial Saint?"

Lu Gang remained noncommittal.

Judging from the King of Yue's attitude, it's safe to assume that his junior brother is protecting the Grandmaster and that the title of Martial Saint is genuine.

Not just anyone can be the grandson's Master.

"I told you A Shui had the makings of Martial Saint," Xu Zishuai said smugly. "Who knows, he might even be made the Jiang Huai King someday?"

"Hurry up and get to work. Great Martial Master is here. A Shui and Guan Congjian won't be too slow." Lu Gang grabbed the hammer handle and swung it.

The sunlight gradually turned red.

Bian Yuanchong and the others had already toured the garden and the Martial Arts Field, and were bored.

None of the main fighters showed up, but the group of people who came just to join in the fun arrived early.

He was eating a watermelon.

A Little Black, its fur still intact, peeked out from behind a corner, its eyes fixed intently on the melon rind at its feet.

Bian Yuanchong's playful nature was aroused, and he made a series of moves with his right hand.

"Suckling sound~"

If you don't call out, it'll cause a stir. As soon as you do, a whole bunch of puppies wag their tails and rush into the hall, surrounding you at your feet.

All eyes turned to him, Bian Yuanchong, feeling extremely embarrassed, managed to stammer out, "This black dog is really black!"

Yang Dongxiong laughed, "If you like it, you can take it away."

"Take it away?"

Upon hearing this, not only Bian Yuanchong, Ma Shaobai, and Jie Yan became somewhat interested.

Moving to a new home in Ning Jiang Prefecture, having a strong guard dog would be a good idea.

Everyone has seen Black Fang in the garden; it's no different from Little Spirit Monster. If its bloodline and offspring are well-bred, it won't be too bad.

"Wouldn't that be too abrupt?" Zhang Xu asked.

"It's alright." Yang Dongxiong waved his hand. "Every year there are a few broods. Apart from those kept for breeding, the rest are all given away. It's just a matter of who to give them to. My disciples all have the manpower."

I want this one!

Bian Yuanchong reacted quickly, picking up the first, boldest puppy. The others followed suit, and in a short while, more than a dozen puppies were divided up.

Just then, the old doorman led the people in.

"Brother Zhang, Brother Yang, I have long admired your names. It is my first time visiting today. I am sorry to trouble you."

He Liannianci walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, raising his hands in a gesture of respect.

He Liannianci had a gentle and even feminine name, but he was actually a burly man, over five feet four inches tall, with a leopard-like head, piercing eyes, and a short black beard below his cheeks.

Behind his imposing figure followed a man and a woman.

Guan Congjian, Zong Lichan!

The two came together, looking like a perfect couple.

"The two really do have a relationship."

Xu Zishuai rubbed his chin. He had met Zong Lichan before when he went to see the Guan Congjian phenomenon. They were not strangers. He knew that there were rumors of an ambiguous relationship between the two. He did not expect it to be true.

After exchanging greetings with several elders, Guan Congjian took the lead in arriving at the Martial Arts Field to observe the terrain and familiarize himself with the environment.

"Here, have some watermelon." Lu Gang handed over a watermelon.

Guan Congjian squatted on a stool, holding half a bag of watermelon, looking around. "Liang Qu didn't come?"

"I'll be home after the auction, it should be soon," Lu Gang replied. "I wonder how Brother Guan plans to fight—armed combat, or bare-chested?"

"Bare-chested," Guan Congjian said. "Before I was eighteen, I had a fight with other people. Once, I accidentally injured someone and crippled the other person. After that, my Master always made me wear shirtless so that I wouldn't lose control."

What does winning or losing matter?

"One side falls to the ground or admits defeat."

Xu Zishuai asked with a grin, "What if you lose?"

"Winning or losing is all the same." Guan Congjian were surprising. "I just want to fight. If I win, he's not as good as me, and I'll be at peace with myself. If I lose, I'm not as good as him, and I'll still be at peace with myself. Otherwise, I'll feel stuck, unable to get up or down, and it'll be painful!"

"What a pure and clear heart for martial arts your student possesses!"

Zhang Xu, who was in the hall, heard the conversation and praised it.

He Liannianci looked smug.

"To be regarded as a rival by Brother He Lian's esteemed student, Brother Yang's son is truly remarkable." Zhang Xu turned and praised again, sharing his praise equally.

Yang Dongxiong nodded silently.

In the past two days, Liang Qu has been taking out the jade pendant and people have been bragging about their apprentices everywhere, so he is no longer very emotionally agitated.

Pei Yunkun, Jie Yan, and the others felt a sense of admiration and secretly observed Guan Congjian and Zong Lichan.

Martial Artist who cultivate themselves, having passed through the Nine Apertures of the Galloping Horse, gain power and strength, and generally possess outstanding temperament, are not particularly ugly; they are indeed handsome men and beautiful women.

"Two Innate Martial Bone, will their child also be one?"

"It's not impossible."

"Damn it, this kid is so young and already has a wife. I bet Liang Qu will win!" Ma Shaobai indignantly.

"Why is that?" Bian Yuanchong, puzzled.

"A man should focus on cultivating himself. How can he move forward if he is indulging in lust during the prime of his life?"

What a pity that Innate Martial Bone; such talent was given to the wrong person!

The words had barely left his mouth.

The doorman reported it again.

"Master, the Ninth Young Master has arrived."

Below the hanging flower gate.

Liang Qu stepped across the threshold and entered with Long E Ying, Long Yao, and Long Li, who surprised everyone with their stunning beauty.

"???"

"I bet on Guan Congjian to win!"

Ma Shaobai gritted his teeth.