Duel

The master and disciple spoke in secret for a moment before parting.

Jiang Shuo straightened his chest, his expression calm, wearing the confident air of someone with everything under control.

Feng En returned to the Hundred Flowers Sect camp. Liu Ruyan leaned closer and asked softly, "How did it go?"

"Let Jiang Shuo give it a try," Feng En said breezily, quietly watching Jiang Shuo amid the crowd, unwilling to discuss the matter further.

Liu Ruyan was curious, unsure how Jiang Shuo had persuaded Feng En. Seeing Feng En's face slightly pale, she assumed he was worried for Jiang Shuo and gave it no further thought.

"You have no more demands now, do you?" Wenren Qiang asked Jiang Shuo.

"Replying to Senior, no," Jiang Shuo said with a slight bow.

"Then let's begin!" Wenren Qiang immediately instructed the Mad Saber Sect disciples to clear out a circular space in the center, arranging the Hundred Flowers Sect and Dream Red Pavilion slightly farther outside.

Jiang Shuo stood on one side of the open ground, with Chen Xian opposite him.

Chen Xian gripped his broadsword, rage surging in his eyes. He waited only for the command to charge forward and chop Jiang Shuo to pieces.

"Senior Wenren." At that moment, Feng En suddenly called out.

"What now?" Wenren Qiang raised one eyebrow, a trace of wariness in his expression. He did not believe that Jiang Shuo's earlier conversation with Feng En had merely been about seeking advice on moves. In his view, the two had most likely secretly devised some scheme, so he remained on guard.

"Senior Wenren, Chen Xian is holding a weapon, while Jiang Shuo is empty-handed. Isn't that somewhat unfair?" Feng En said.

Only after Feng En pointed it out did everyone realize this. One side was older while the other was younger; one was tall and powerfully built while the other was ordinary. Even in terms of weapons, Chen Xian held the advantage. Naturally, it was unfair.

Jiang Shuo, standing in the open ground, narrowed his eyes. He vaguely understood Feng En's intentions, but said nothing.

"Isn't that simple? Since my Mad Saber Sect is a Martial Arts Sect, we have all kinds of weapons. Jiang Shuo can simply choose one to face his enemy with. If you do not trust us, you may provide a weapon yourselves. So long as we inspect it and find no issue, Jiang Shuo may use it as well. After all, we must prevent you from tampering with the weapon," Wenren Qiang said readily.

"Jiang Shuo has only been apprenticed to his master for a few days. He has merely learned some rudimentary fist and kicking techniques; he does not know how to use weapons," Feng En said calmly.

Shi Gangwei understood what he meant and immediately shouted, "All disciples of my Mad Saber Sect specialize in saber techniques, and Junior Brother Chen is no exception. Are you asking him not to use a saber?"

"Though this duel was proposed by our side, there is no disputing the fact that we are the weaker side. If your sect wins under such circumstances, won't you still be ridiculed by the people of the Jianghu for an unworthy victory?" Liu Ruyan spoke up.

The two sides launched into a fierce argument over the matter. Just as the scene was about to spiral out of control, Wenren Qiang suddenly turned to Chen Xian and asked, "Chen Xian, what do you think?"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried immense force, suppressing everyone's quarrel.

Chen Xian lowered his head to look at the saber in his hand, then looked toward Jiang Shuo opposite him. A chill flashed through his eyes.

"It's no matter, Martial Uncle Wenren. Even without a saber, I can still defeat him!" With a twist of his wrist, Chen Xian drove his saber heavily into the ground.

To him, this duel was no longer merely a wager—it was also a chance to wash away his past humiliation. Compared to Jiang Shuo's attempt to use this opportunity to escape his predicament, Chen Xian was even more eager to give Jiang Shuo a thorough lesson.

"Good!" Wenren Qiang agreed.

Seeing Feng Gang get his wish, Shi Gangwei let out a heavy snort. Wenren Qiang had already made his decision, so he could say nothing more.

After twists and turns of dispute, this battle watched by countless eyes finally raised its curtain.

"Come!" Chen Xian clenched his fists and shouted at Jiang Shuo. The muscles in his arms bulged high beneath his clothes.

Jiang Shuo paid him no heed. He slowly raised one hand before him, palm facing upward, and curled his fingers twice at Chen Xian in provocation.

Chen Xian's eyes widened. He stamped down fiercely with one foot, leaving a shallow pit in the ground, then clenched his fist and charged at Jiang Shuo.

Even without his saber in hand, the martial skill he had trained for more than ten years had not been practiced in vain. This punch was heavy and powerful, faintly carrying the Wind Sound. If it struck Jiang Shuo's body, it would likely break his bones at once.

Yet in the face of Chen Xian's savage charge, Jiang Shuo remained where he stood, utterly motionless.

"Heh, I'd say he's frozen with fear!" "Serves him right. Too bad he only regrets it now—whatever he says, it's already too late!"...

The surrounding Mad Saber Sect disciples jeered without pause. Hearing their words, Chen Xian secretly swelled with pride, and his punch became even fiercer.

"Before joining the Mad Saber Sect, Second Junior Brother made his name throughout the Yulin region with these very fists of flesh and blood. Even without a saber, dealing with a greenhorn like you is More Than Enough." Seeing Chen Xian make his move, Shi Gangwei could not help thinking that his junior brother's fist techniques had clearly not gone to waste over the years.

"He wants to beat Jiang Shuo to death!" Liu Ruyan saw through Chen Xian's intentions. Seeing Jiang Shuo standing motionless, she was frantic with worry and called out, "Jiang Shuo!"