Buying and Selling, Winning and Losing

In the afternoon, the second round of matches began.

Lots were drawn first, then the matches proceeded from lot number one to lot number twelve in order.

Cheers rose from the surrounding stands as everyone rooted for the disciples of their own martial halls.

After the first round of elimination, those remaining in the second round were all strong fighters.

Thus, the second round was even more spectacular.

Zhou Muyun had drawn lot number twelve, the final match.

He did not idle about. Instead, he sat in the stands and carefully observed every battle.

Only by grasping more information about others could he secure victory more effectively.

Time passed, and the eleven matches ended in the blink of an eye, leaving Zhou Muyun with much to gain.

Zhang Chong, Shui Yunyue, and the others once again displayed their strength, defeating their opponents without suspense.

There were also outstanding participants from the Chamber of Commerce and the four Lineages, who won cleanly and decisively.

The final match arrived quietly.

Zhou Muyun stepped onto the arena.

His opponent was unexpectedly a woman. She wore a water-blue training outfit and had a fine figure, though her appearance was ordinary.

"A martial artist from Bright Mirror Martial Hall!" Zhou Muyun recognized her at once.

"Bright Mirror Martial Hall, Jiang Yan."

"Greenwood Martial Hall, Zhou Muyun."

The two clasped their fists in salute, and the match officially began.

Jiang Yan gave a soft shout. Wind stirred beneath her feet as she shot forward like an arrow loosed from the bow.

Bright Mirror Martial Hall specialized in palm techniques. Its martial art, the Hundred Flowers Palm, was ever-changing and impossible to guard against.

Jiang Yan's palms fluttered through the air, palm winds whistling as they enveloped Zhou Muyun from all directions. It was the move Hundred Flowers in Disarray.

This move blended the real with the false. One moment of carelessness, and one would be struck.

Zhou Muyun's expression did not change. His footwork shifted slightly as he weaved through the palm shadows like willow catkins, using Dry-Clothes Touch.

This move evaded every incoming palm wind, then turned defense into offense, striking straight for Jiang Yan's waist.

Jiang Yan was horrified. In her haste, she could only raise her palm to meet it head-on.

Bang!

Fist and palm collided with a crisp crack!

"What tremendous force!"

Jiang Yan felt an immense force surge in through her hand, numbing half her arm and driving her back several steps in succession.

Seeing this fine opportunity, Zhou Muyun quickened his footwork and arrived before Jiang Yan in an instant.

Myriad Catkins Obscure the Sky.

His fists swung out fiercely, carrying both real and illusory fist shadows as they swept toward Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan had no time to react before the fist shadows knocked her from the arena.

"Thank you for yielding!"

Zhou Muyun withdrew his fists and stood tall, speaking calmly.

With that, the final spot went to Zhou Muyun.

It was worth mentioning that Yunlin Chamber of Commerce now had only Qian Bao remaining, while the four great Lineages had only Song He left.

In other words, whichever side advanced to the next round would win West Market.

At that moment, Long Teng and Song Changsheng sat in the grandstand with grave expressions, frowning in thought.

Both secretly prayed in their hearts.

They must not draw Zhang Chong and the others—and at the same time, they hoped their opponents certainly would.

The other hall masters were exchanging compliments and discussing their disciples.

Soaring Cloud Martial Hall had three remaining contestants, Greenwood Martial Hall had two, while the other martial halls had only one left—or none at all.

Feng Tengyun and Li Qingliang naturally became the targets of everyone's praise.

"Brother Feng truly knows how to teach disciples. Look at these twelve—three of them are actually your disciples."

"Indeed. Zhang Chong's Cloud-Climbing Leg has reached the point of consummate mastery. If this old man is not mistaken, he must be close to major accomplishment already, no?"

"You flatter me, everyone. My disciples have worked hard; it has nothing to do with these old bones of mine."

Feng Tengyun smiled faintly, yet the joy in his eyes could not be concealed.

When one's disciples performed well, their master naturally basked in the glory.

"Oh, and Brother Li as well. It would be one thing if your disciple Bai Yu were impressive, but where did this extra Zhou Muyun come from?

Could it be that you have been hiding your true abilities? Did your closed-door disciple fail to stay behind closed doors?"

"Exactly, exactly. Brother Li, that is rather unfair of you."

Bai Yu's performance had greatly satisfied Li Qingliang, while Zhou Muyun had brought him a measure of pleasant surprise.

To train diligently in silence and still reach such a level was truly no easy feat.

Yet Li Qingliang did not answer. He merely smiled and nodded.

Could he tell them that Zhou Muyun had grown wildly on his own? That he had not actually given him much care at all?

Would that not simply make him a laughingstock? Of course he would not do such a thing.

Still, he thought to himself that after the tournament, he ought to properly compensate Zhou Muyun.

An hour later, the third round began.

Like the second round, the third round also used a drawing system.

Only this time, there were just six lots.

Everyone quickly finished drawing lots and waited for the matches to begin.

In the first match, Zhang Chong faced Xiang Yang. Both were favorites to win the championship.

The moment they stepped onto the arena, both went all out. The battle raged like a blazing fire, and cries of astonishment rang out from every side of the stands as the spectators shouted their delight.

Yet Zhang Chong was ultimately a move better, defeating Xiang Yang.

Afterward, Yang Qi defeated another disciple of Soaring Cloud Martial Hall and claimed a spot.

Shui Yunyue and Bai Yu followed close behind.

In the fifth match, Qian Bao of the Qian Household faced Lin Yun of Shaking Mountain Martial Hall.

The two were evenly matched, trading blows back and forth in a battle too tangled to unravel. For a long while, neither could determine the victor.

At the same time, the lineup for the sixth match was already obvious: Zhou Muyun versus Song He.

Song He stood in the stands, his eyes fixed on Zhou Muyun as countless thoughts churned through his mind.

*My strength is on par with Long Qian's. Naturally, I cannot beat Zhou Muyun.

But if Qian Bao wins while I lose, would that not mean I lose the wager?*

At this thought, a cold sweat broke out across Song He's back.

He did not dare imagine how furious Song Changsheng would be if he lost.

Swallowing hard, Song He felt that he had to think of something.

At that moment, he noticed Leng Ni beside Zhou Muyun.

His eyes shifted, and an idea immediately came to him.

While Qian Bao was still fighting, he hurried over to Leng Ni, quietly calling her aside.

"Little sister Leng, your Leng Household is supporting Zhou Muyun. Are you two close?"

Leng Ni was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this, but after giving it some thought, she nodded. "We get along fairly well. What is it?"

A hint of delight appeared on Song He's face. He leaned closer and said in a low voice, "It is like this. He is stronger than I am, and he is my next opponent. I am afraid of losing, so I would like to ask you to discuss it with him. My Song Household will pay him one thousand taels of silver if he lets me win. What do you say?"

Song He was certain that even if Qian Bao won the next round, he would not be able to defeat the others, and Song He himself was much the same.

Then it would naturally count as a draw. But if Song He won while he himself lost, that would absolutely not do.

After hearing him out, Leng Ni frowned, displeasure appearing on her face. "You want Junior Brother Zhou to falsify the match? How could that be acceptable?"

"Little sister Leng, do not forget that we are all in the same boat now. If I lose and Qian Bao wins, West Market will be lost. How will we face the members of our Lineages?"

Seeing that Leng Ni was unwilling, Song He invoked the greater good.

At those words, Leng Ni instantly fell into a dilemma.

On one side was her Lineage; on the other was her own principle.

In the end, she compromised.

She could only nod. "I can convey the message for you, but I cannot guarantee whether Junior Brother Zhou will agree."

Just then, cheers rose from both sides. Qian Bao stood in the center of the arena, clearly having won.

Song He's expression shifted, and he raised the stakes once more.

"Tell your Junior Brother Zhou that if he loses to me, I will give him three thousand taels of silver."