A Fine "Not Necessarily"

Within the dueling ring, two zhang across.

A low shout rang out.

The shaft of Lu Cheng's halberd snapped in half with a crack.

A powerful residual force surged relentlessly up along the halberd shaft.

In an instant, it passed Lu Cheng's wrist and charged straight into his shoulder and back.

Lu Cheng's entire body jolted as though struck by lightning, every bone in his body shaken like a whip.

Numbness and pain erupted at once.

He could no longer hold the remaining half of the halberd shaft. With a clang, it fell to the ground.

Before Lu Cheng could react, a gray blur flashed before him.

Feng Qi appeared in front of Lu Cheng and said coolly to Lin Wanxiong,

"Senior Lin, isn't it somewhat inappropriate for you to strike at a junior?"

As he spoke, he patted Lu Cheng's shoulder.

Lu Cheng only felt a gentle force spread from his shoulder throughout his body in an instant, dispersing every last trace of that destructive force.

Lin Wanxiong first stared intently at Lu Cheng for a moment. Seeing that Lu Cheng was indeed unharmed, he finally confirmed his suspicion.

Feng Qi had indeed reached the middle stage of the Body Refining Realm!

He sighed inwardly, while his lips voiced an indifferent apology.

"In my haste, I forgot to control my strength. I hope Chief Escort Feng will not take offense."

He reached into his robes, withdrew a porcelain bottle, and poured out two pills the size of soybeans.

He stuffed one into Yang Xiong's mouth and flicked the other toward Feng Qi.

"A Small Restoration Pill. It works wonders on both internal and external injuries. This boy suffered the backlash of my force, and his muscles and bones have been shaken. With this pill, no hidden injuries will remain."

Old bastard, truly shameless!

Lu Cheng cursed inwardly.

He had no idea how many times he had cursed the people of the Lin Martial Arts Hall by now.

Haste, his ass. Only a ghost would believe that.

A dignified middle-stage Body Refining Realm martial artist had forgotten to control his strength while stopping someone in the Force Refining Realm?

Had Feng Qi not arrived in time, or had he failed to notice anything amiss, Lu Cheng would have suffered a terrible loss!

Still, this so-called Small Restoration Pill was truly excellent. The moment it entered his stomach, it melted like a mouthful of warm spring water, instantly spreading into his limbs and bones, nourishing Lu Cheng's muscles, bones, and meridians.

It was far more comfortable than Feng Qi's force just now.

A Small Restoration Pill?

That was quite a good thing.

Why was there nothing like this among Shen Yi's duel stakes?

Lu Cheng looked at Lin Wanxiong, wondering whether he could ask for a few more from him.

That old fellow was holding an entire bottle.

As Lu Cheng looked at the pills in Lin Wanxiong's hand, he caught Lin Wanxiong staring intently at him from the corner of his eye.

"As expected of a Human Hero of a generation. Truly extraordinary. What a pity."

"If you were given a year, I fear Shen Yi would wake up crying even from his dreams."

A year?

That old fellow really looked down on him.

Thinking this, Lu Cheng suddenly found it rather regrettable as well.

If only the Lin Martial Arts Hall had joined the duel.

Not much was needed. Even half of what Shen Yi had demanded would have been fine.

Feng Qi shook his head slightly.

"Senior Lin, you jest. The soldiers of the Martial Suppression Battalion are highly skilled. Their three Centurions have long since reached Perfected Strength Refining, and each possesses different martial arts. I fear the outcome of the duel is beyond doubt."

Lin Wanxiong neither confirmed nor denied it. After a moment of silence, he suddenly pointed toward the hall north of the Training Ground.

"It has been a long time since I last caught up with the three chief escorts. I wonder whether the three of you have time today to allow this old man to borrow the Long Wind Escort Agency's hall and host a banquet for you?"

Lu Cheng shot Lin Wanxiong a swift glance, unable to tell what medicine the old fellow was selling in his gourd.

Yet Feng Qi actually turned first to look at Feng Ji and Feng Zhan.

After the three exchanged glances, Feng Qi nodded.

"How could we let a senior host us? Please, come into the hall."

Lin Wanxiong laughed heartily and took the lead.

As he walked, he instructed the disciples of the Lin Martial Arts Hall to return first.

With a bang as the doors shut, the figures of Feng Qi and the other three were blocked from view as well.

Lu Cheng withdrew his gaze, countless thoughts turning through his mind.

Lin Wanxiong's words, "What a pity," seemed to refer to the deficiency in his origin blood and vitality.

But Lu Cheng's instincts told him that was not all.

Especially since he had suddenly proposed catching up with Feng Qi and the other two—it was even more abrupt.

Lu Cheng vaguely felt that the old fellow was plotting something else.

"Could he be setting his sights on the duel?"

"Lu Cheng, what are you muttering about?" Fatty waved a hand before his eyes. "That bunch of... those people. I knew they had no credibility."

The Lin Martial Arts Hall had not brought the fifty packets of Blood-Activating Powder that were meant to be the stakes.

Fatty was rather furious over this, but he did not dare curse them anymore.

"Nothing." Lu Cheng shook his head, withdrew his gaze, and picked up the half of the halberd shaft that Lin Wanxiong had shattered.

The break in the shaft was remarkably smooth, yet rings of spiraling patterns extended from the fracture.

They ran all the way down to the bottom of the shaft.

This had not been caused by brute force alone. Rather, force had been driven into it and twisted apart with a special technique.

A middle-stage Body Refining Realm martial artist's control over force had truly reached an inconceivable level.

Lu Cheng picked up the half with the halberd head and examined it, only to find that both the fracture and shaft were perfectly smooth.

Lu Cheng sucked in a breath of cold air.

He cursed inwardly.

That old bastard had done it deliberately after all!

There was not the slightest sign that force had been transmitted through Yang Xiong's half!

Lu Cheng lightly rubbed the cracks on the halberd shaft with his fingertips. Not only did he feel no fear, but excitement instead rose within him.

Was this the strength of a Body Refining Realm martial artist?

"Lu Cheng, is your hand all right?" Liu Wan'er's sharp eyes spotted the blood seeping from the web between Lu Cheng's right thumb and forefinger.

When Lin Wanxiong's force had crashed about inside the halberd shaft just now, it had torn open Lu Cheng's tiger's mouth.

Lu Cheng shook his head unconcernedly.

"It's nothing serious. Just a superficial wound."

"You should still bandage it." Liu Wan'er took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it over.

Lu Cheng had wanted to refuse, but when he saw that her arm was still wrapped in bandages, he ultimately did not decline.

As he wrapped it, he suddenly froze.

He picked up the halberd shaft again and examined it closely.

After looking it over, he smiled.

The so-called "patterns" had merely been force that had failed to fully converge and spread outward.

So the so-called middle stage of the Body Refining Realm was nothing more than this.

Inside the hall of the Long Wind Escort Agency.

Lin Wanxiong sat facing Feng Qi and the other two.

Fruit, tea, and refreshments had been set before the four. The moment Lin Wanxiong sat down, he began eating without the slightest ceremony.

Only after juice dripped everywhere and fruit peels piled before him did he raise his teacup and drain it in one gulp.

After casually wiping his mouth, he finally spoke.

"Three chief escorts, the halberd technique Lu Cheng used today was indeed marvelous. Yet in my view, it is at most on the same level as the Seven Strikes of the Black Hawk."

"With these two martial arts, surviving two months from now will not be difficult. But if you wish to take the duel, I fear it will be somewhat difficult, no?"

Feng Qi remained expressionless.

Feng Ji lifted the tea bowl before him, took a sip, and smiled.

"Senior Lin, if you have something to say, please speak plainly."

Lin Wanxiong laughed heartily and pointed outside.

"Though this duel arose because of that Lu Cheng, everyone knows it is merely an excuse."

"Besides, with that boy's strength, those pieces of trash from the Vermilion Bird Martial Arts Hall cannot do anything to him."

"So the main factor in victory or defeat falls upon the Martial Suppression Battalion."

"The Lin Martial Arts Hall is willing to send someone to help reclaim the slots. What do the three chief escorts think?"

As expected.

Feng Qi and the other two did not need to look at one another to know what the other two were thinking.

Before Feng Qi could speak, Feng Ji spoke first.

"Senior Lin, the duel is limited to Force Refining Realm martial artists. Apart from having reached the limit of the Force Refining Realm, the Martial Suppression Battalion's three Centurions are said to have each mastered a mid-grade martial art."

"I know that your hall's young master, Lin Yuan, is quite capable. He might be able to defeat one of them, but against all three..."

Feng Ji did not continue, but his meaning was already clear.

Lin Wanxiong was not offended in the slightest. Instead, he nodded in agreement.

"That is right. Lin Yuan is indeed as Chief Escort Feng has said, but I never said I would have him fight all three matches alone."

Feng Ji said,

"Then what do you mean, Senior Lin?"

Given Lu Cheng's strength, even Feng Qi and the other two did not think he could win.

Their goal from the start had been simply to preserve his life.

Even if Lin Yuan won one match, could he win another with an exhausted body?

Lin Wanxiong shook his head. Before he could speak, a refined voice came from outside the hall.

"What if you add my Chen Family's Chen Heng to the equation?"

The expressions of Feng Qi and the other two changed. They had not even known when someone had appeared outside the door.

Feng Qi said in a deep voice,

"Could it be Third Master Chen Chongxin?"

The hall doors were pushed open with a whoosh.

A scholarly middle-aged man in his forties appeared outside.

Once the doors had fully opened, the newcomer clasped his hands and bowed toward Feng Qi and the other two.

"This Chen came uninvited. I hope the three chief escorts will not blame me."

The newcomer had a fair, beardless face, wore a green robe, and had a warm, pale-green jade pendant hanging at his waist.

Both his appearance and bearing were exceedingly refined.

He looked less like a martial artist than a schoolteacher.

He was none other than the Chen Family's third son, Chen Chongxin, a late-stage Body Refining Realm martial artist.

The Chen Family's Wind-Piercing Falling Leaf Palm was likewise a Mid-Grade Human Tier martial art.

It was also renowned throughout Yang City.

Feng Qi and the other two rose and returned Chen Chongxin's salute.

"You overstate it, Third Master Chen. Your presence honors the Long Wind Escort Agency's humble hall. Please come in, Third Master."

Chen Chongxin entered with a smile. Feng Zhan stepped out of the hall, summoned a disciple, and instructed him to clear the table and bring fresh fruit, tea, and refreshments.

Once everything had been cleaned up, the five sat down again.

Chen Chongxin spoke first.

"Three chief escorts, what do you think of Senior Lin's proposal?"

"Chen Heng is currently the strongest among my Chen Family's younger generation. He has been at Perfected Strength Refining for a year already, and like Lin Yuan, he is only a thread away from entering the Body Refining Realm."

"He has also achieved minor mastery of the Wind-Piercing Falling Leaf Palm. With the Chen Family heirloom, the Black Sun Gold Silk Gloves, dealing with the Martial Suppression Battalion's Centurions will not be a problem."

"Lin Yuan will take one match, Chen Heng another. If they win two out of three, then with Lu Cheng's strength, even if he cannot defeat one opponent, he can still drain a considerable amount of that opponent's stamina."

"Though the Martial Suppression Battalion's martial arts are formidable, they are all battlefield arts for charging and killing in formation, not suited for one-on-one duels."

"At that time, Lu Cheng will go first and wear down one opponent. Lin Yuan will follow and exhaust the second to the point of collapse. Chen Heng can then seize victory in a single stroke."

Feng Qi stared unblinkingly at Chen Chongxin, his tone utterly even.

"Third Master Chen means to form an alliance?"

Chen Chongxin nodded.

"Precisely. With our three families joining forces, our chances of victory will be quite high."

Feng Qi said,

"Indeed. If we can receive Young Hall Master Lin's and Young Master Chen's assistance, we may truly be able to best the Martial Suppression Battalion."

"In that case, what do Third Master Chen and Senior Lin need the Long Wind Escort Agency to do?"

Chen Chongxin smiled and exchanged a glance with Lin Wanxiong.

"If we win the duel, our two families will not take a single coin or pill. We only want those three East Sun Sect slots."

The expressions of Feng Qi and the other two changed.

The three had long known that Chen Chongxin and Lin Wanxiong were surely after the East Sun Sect slots.

Yet they had never imagined those people would be greedy enough to demand all three.

Feng Qi shook his head.

"Third Master Chen, you jest. Three matches, three slots—if we win, naturally each family should get one."

Chen Chongxin shook his head as well.

"Chief Escort Feng, that is not right. Of the three matches, only the Chen and Lin families can win two. The stakes will also be won back by our two families."

"Besides, this will inevitably offend Shen Yi. It is not excessive for us to take all three slots."

"So there is no room for discussion?"

"None."

"..."

The hall fell silent for a time.

After a long while, Feng Qi sighed.

"Since that is the case, I appreciate Third Master Chen's goodwill."

Chen Chongxin frowned, set down his teacup, and looked at Feng Qi.

"Chief Escort Feng, are you... refusing?"

"This is not a refusal." Feng Qi shook his head, his tone calm. "It is simply that I believe the Long Wind Escort Agency's affairs should be borne by the Long Wind Escort Agency itself."

At that, Chen Chongxin's gaze sharpened, and his tone became inscrutable.

"Chief Escort Feng, those two portions of the stakes together are worth no small sum. If used well, they would be enough to let the Long Wind Escort Agency soar in one leap to become Yang City's fifth greatest force."

"Of course, our two families will not force the Long Wind Escort Agency. But I imagine Shen Yi would also be pleased to see another portion added to the stakes."

"And for the Chen and Lin families, finding someone capable of wearing down a Centurion from the Martial Suppression Battalion would not be difficult."

Feng Qi's expression did not change. He said no more, merely reaching out to lift the tea bowl before him.

Chen Chongxin and Lin Wanxiong snorted coldly at the sight and both rose to their feet.

They cupped their hands.

"Since the three chief escorts have already made your decision, we shall say no more. Farewell."

Feng Qi and the other two rose to see them out.

"Third Master Chen, Senior Lin, take care."

When the two reached the door, Chen Chongxin suddenly stopped.

He turned back, a smile that was not quite a smile on his face.

"Chief Escort Feng, there is something I do not know whether I should say."

Feng Qi said,

"Brother Chen, please speak."

"That Lu Cheng truly is a fine seedling, but..." Chen Chongxin paused, his tone laden with meaning. "When a tree rises above the forest, the wind is bound to break it. It was not easy for the Long Wind Escort Agency to find such a good seedling. If Brother Feng insists on going his own way, I fear..."

"If the three of you change your minds, you may come find us at any time."

Before he finished speaking, he turned and hurried after Lin Wanxiong.

Watching their backs disappear, Feng Zhan snorted and cursed.

"Shameless."

Feng Ji drew a deep breath.

"What else can we do? Those two are plainly using Lu Cheng to threaten us. If we refuse, they will likely try to kill him."

"Those from the Vermilion Bird Martial Arts Hall may be nothing special, but if Lu Cheng is worn down by Chen Heng and Lin Yuan first, I fear his chances of survival will be slim."

"And Shen Yi made Lu Cheng sign a Life-Death Contract."

Feng Qi was silent for several breaths before speaking.

"Call Lu Cheng over."

After hearing the three recount the matter, Lu Cheng also fell silent.

Feng Ji looked at him, his gaze profound.

"Senior Brother means to hear your thoughts. After all, two months from now, the one taking the field will be you."

"If we agree to the Chen and Lin families' terms, we may lose the slots, but that vast quantity of pills can be brought into our hands."

Lu Cheng did not answer at once. He lowered his head in thought for a moment, then raised it, his gaze calm.

"This disciple's view is the same as Chief Escort Feng's."

"Oh?" Feng Ji raised a brow. "You are not afraid of death?"

Lu Cheng spoke slowly.

"I am afraid, but would forming an alliance with them mean I would not have to die?"

"What I signed was a Life-Death Contract. Of the person facing me and me, only one can live."

"As far as I know, among those seventeen families, the only ones worthy of notice are Zhang Rensheng and Zhou Ziwang's sons."

"No matter which one I kill, I will have to face the frenzied retaliation of a Body Refining Martial Artist."

"If we lose the East Sun Sect slot, sooner or later I will die at their hands."

"Since that is the case, what is there left to discuss?"

"Besides, given Shen Yi's temperament, if we win the matches ourselves, he will not be able to say much."

"But if we bring in the Chen and Lin families, then once we win, Shen Yi will certainly vent his fury on the Long Wind Escort Agency."

"Therefore, if we ally with them, then if we lose, I die; if we win, not only will I die, but the Long Wind Escort Agency will suffer as well. What would be the point?"

"Rather than that, I might as well do it myself."

"Do it yourself?" Feng Ji froze. "Are you confident?"

Lu Cheng shook his head. "Not yet."

As he spoke, he lifted his eyes. His gaze seemed to pierce through the roof and see that vast, gray sky.

"But that does not mean I will not be in two months."

"This disciple has been in the sect for only half a month, yet I have already reached the Refining Strength Mid-Stage. Give me another two months, and reaching Perfected Strength Refining may not be impossible."

"They want to suck blood from us, so they must be prepared to suffer the backlash."

At those words, a brilliant light flashed in Feng Ji's eyes.

Feng Zhan reached out and patted Lu Cheng, laughing heartily.

"Good lad! What a 'may not be impossible'!"

Even Feng Qi, who had maintained a stern bearing throughout, could not help smiling and nodding.

"Your halberd art is not bad. If you can achieve minor mastery, together with the Seven Strikes of the Black Hawk, victory may not be impossible."