Meng Zhao had already weighed the pros and cons clearly. Earlier, he had not even planned to come into contact with the Li Family, precisely to avoid becoming enemies with them and putting himself in an awkward position.
But when he was truly forced to the brink, he would not hold back out of fear. Thus, he had come calmly and, within three moves, casually beaten this hidden prodigy of the Li Family until his fighting spirit collapsed and his spirits sank.
Yet this had only been a choice made when there was no other choice. If he had any alternative, he naturally would not have taken that final step, pushing the Li Family to stand against him and inviting trouble for himself.
Meng Zhao was not truly Long Aotian, nor was he some hot-blooded, impetuous youth who could not tolerate the slightest hostility or humiliation. He was a man with clear awareness, reason, and deep calculation.
Just as now, Li Ya'er had merely offered an opening and subtly conveyed his meaning, yet Meng Zhao agreed without hesitation. He even went all the way, promising to keep this matter secret forever, preserving the Li Family's and Li Xingchen's dignity.
Only those who could put on a bold face and still retreat safely were truly formidable.
Sure enough, after hearing Meng Zhao's reply, Li Ya'er, Li Xinglu, and the Sword Dao Grandmaster all let out a breath in unison. Their formerly tense and conflicted emotions eased considerably. This was good.
Even Li Xingchen, whose fighting spirit and momentum had been severely crushed by Meng Zhao, gained a little more life in his eyes after hearing the answer. His breathing quickened, clearly stirred by emotion.
Sometimes, whether one had lost or not did not truly lie in the fight itself, but in