Returning Home

The two of them promptly drew up a duel agreement before everyone present. They agreed that in the arena battle a few days later, they would settle victory and defeat with their fists and kicks. The loser would pay the other one million taels of silver, and several seniors present were invited to serve as witnesses.

Once the agreement was set, Sima Kai left first under the old man's escort.

Liang Wen came over then and lightly patted his shoulder. "Bo'er, you've got far more nerve than I did back then. When I was your age, forget one million taels of silver—even ten thousand taels, I wouldn't have dared spend so freely." Without waiting for Liang Bo's reply, he headed outside.

Right afterward, Zhao Zhao's aunt, Zhao Rong, also came over. Smiling, she said to Liang Bo, "Young friend Liang Bo, you truly are generous. What I said earlier—won't you consider it?" She likewise walked out without waiting for his answer.

After most of the people nearby had left, Zhao Zhao finally complained in a low voice, "Liang Bo, how could you make such a huge bet with him? Sima Kai can defeat a fifth-rank demonic beast. His strength is no small matter. You may be better than him with the blade, but if it's fists and kicks, you might not be stronger than him. Now look at this—if you really lose to him, it'll be over. One million taels of silver!"

Zhao Zhao patted her forehead, looking thoroughly troubled.

Liang Bo rolled his eyes. "Wasn't it because of you?"

Zhao Zhao's face reddened, and she said somewhat awkwardly, "Fine, this time I really did wrong you. This Sima Kai has been pestering me nonstop, and aside from my aunt, everyone else in my family hopes I'll end up with him. But I don't like him at all. I had no choice but to ask you for help. Who could have imagined that you'd make such a massive bet with him? Forget it. If you lose this wager, I'll pay it for you!"

"You'll pay?" Liang Bo looked her up and down. He had not expected this girl to be so wealthy.

Zhao Zhao snapped, "Then will you pay it yourself?"

Liang Bo smiled. "We haven't even fought yet. Why do you already think I'll definitely lose?"

"Could it be that you're certain you'll win?"

"Of course! All right, don't worry about this matter. But if something like this happens again, don't come looking for me!"

Zhao Zhao wore a suspicious expression, but Liang Bo stubbornly refused to say where his confidence came from. In the end, she could only say, "All right. As long as you're confident."

Liang Bo asked, "By the way, you still haven't told me Sima Kai's exact background."

Zhao Zhao stared at him wide-eyed. "You dared challenge him and place such a huge wager without even knowing his background?"

"What does that matter? With my strength, I can definitely beat him. I only asked about his background to better understand my opponent." Liang Bo spoke with a face full of confidence.

He truly was confident of victory. In terms of inner strength cultivation, he had already reached the fourth rank, and Sima Kai's inner strength could be no higher than that. As for fist techniques, as long as Liang Bo raised his proficiency, he would immediately reach the perfected level of the basic grade. Sima Kai's main efforts should be focused on weapons, so he could not possibly have achieved too much in unarmed combat, much less surpassed Liang Bo.

Therefore, he had absolute confidence in this duel, which was why he dared wager one million taels of silver.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Zhao said, "Sima Kai is a rather distant branch descendant of the Ruyang Prince's Residence and is not valued by the current Prince of Ruyang, so you needn't worry that he will affect your Liang Clan. However, his cultivation talent is quite good. His cultivation has already reached the peak of the fifth rank, and he may break through to the fourth rank at any time. His swordsmanship has reached the major attainment stage of the basic grade, close to perfection. As for his fist techniques, I don't know."

Liang Bo nodded slightly. Such strength did not exceed his expectations.

Zhao Zhao continued, "By the way, is the fist technique you cultivate human-grade, or ordinary-grade?"

"Ordinary-grade. Why?"

Zhao Zhao warned him sternly, "Then you need to be careful. The Ruyang Prince's Residence is part of the imperial clan, after all. Among the martial arts techniques they possess, there are certainly fist techniques of the human grade or even higher. He may not necessarily be able to cultivate them to a profound level, but the power they display will certainly exceed ordinary martial arts techniques."

"High-grade martial arts techniques?" Liang Bo stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Other than the Purple Lightning Blade, all the martial arts techniques he currently cultivated were ordinary techniques. He did not know whether the Liang Clan's collection contained any human-grade fist or palm techniques. Once he returned, he would have to ask the clan head about it.

"Do you still have confidence in defeating him now?" Zhao Zhao asked.

"Of course!"

This time, Zhao Zhao was truly somewhat shocked. She had already explained Sima Kai's strength, yet Liang Bo was still so confident. Could his unarmed combat truly be at the same level as his blade techniques?

"All right, Zhao Zhao, it's getting late. My uncle and your aunt should both be waiting outside. Let's head out first!"

"Fine. Since you're so confident, I'll go watch how you win when the arena battle begins in two days." Zhao Zhao smiled.

After parting ways with Zhao Zhao, Liang Bo returned to Liang Mansion with Liang Wen. Liang Wen did not speak the entire way, his emotions unreadable, and Liang Bo offered no further explanation.

Only after they returned to the residence did Liang Wen ask, "Bo'er, how confident are you of winning this duel against that boy from the Ruyang Prince's Residence?"

"This nephew is certain to win!"

Liang Wen shook his head. "Unless there is an enormous gap in strength, how can there be such a thing as certain victory? I will not ask why you are so confident, but remember this: no matter when, never underestimate your enemy! When you think victory is assured, that may be when you lose the duel."

Liang Bo's heart tightened, and he immediately said, "Yes, Uncle. This nephew will not be careless."

Liang Wen nodded and handed Liang Bo a token. "Good. This is the token for our Liang Clan's library pavilion. With it, you may enter the library pavilion and choose any martial arts technique you wish. Although there is little time left before the arena battle, and you may not have time to learn those techniques, it is always beneficial to read more."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Liang Bo sincerely bowed to Liang Wen.

Whether it was his spending one hundred thousand taels of silver to buy that fragment earlier, or his duel with Sima Kai, Liang Wen might not have approved of either matter in his heart. Yet he had not opposed him. Instead, he had supported him throughout and had not even asked for the reason.

That trust alone was enough to earn Liang Bo's gratitude.

After returning to his own courtyard with the token, Liang Bo instructed Xiao Qing not to disturb him. Then he plunged into his room, took out the bronze fragment he had bought earlier, and examined it.

[Spirit-Nurturing Treasure Fragment discovered. Begin fusion?]

"Fuse!" Liang Bo tried replying in his heart.