Song Qingshu had to admit that Han Tuozhou's judgment was sound. Setting aside their respective positions, Guo Jing was more suitable than Linghu Chong in every way. Since Zhao Gou had gone to such lengths to hold a Contest for Command instead of directly appointing Guo Jing, he clearly had other intentions.
Even so, Guo Jing had cultivated the Nine Yin Manual to its pinnacle over the years. His Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms had shaken the realm, and with Left-Right Mutual Combat added to the mix, he could be called one of the foremost masters alive.
Though Linghu Chong's Nine Swords of Dugu was miraculous, he seemed proficient only in the Sword Breaking Stance. His attainments in the Palm Breaking Stance and Qi Breaking Style were likely insufficient to handle Guo Jing. Fortunately, he had practiced the Yi Jin Jing some time ago, increasing his odds by thirty percent. Even so, by Song Qingshu's estimation, Linghu Chong would still be at a disadvantage against Guo Jing—at best, a forty-sixty split.
Thinking of this, he could not help but smile bitterly. "If there truly is a Contest for Command, Ling... cough, cough, Wu Xi probably won't have much of an advantage."
Han Tuozhou nodded. "That's right. Tiande's martial arts are formidable, but Guo Jing's reputation precedes him. Our advisers have analyzed the matter, and the odds do not look favorable. I had some doubts about their conclusion before, but since Qingshu says the same, there can be no question now." A man's reputation was like a tree's shadow. Song Qingshu's achievements in recent years had been dazzling, and others already regarded him as a grandmaster. Naturally, Han Tuozhou had no reason to doubt his judgment.
"I wonder how Jiefu wants me to help?" Song Qingshu asked curiously. They had shown him