Curbing Desire

Although Li Cheng had already grasped the threshold of the Seven Forms of Settling Solitude, he had ultimately trained for too short a time.

The Seven Forms of Settling Solitude sought flaws between an opponent's moves, but Song Que's saber shadows shifted between substance and illusion. It was hard even to tell which strike was real, let alone find any flaw within them.

Sure enough, experts saw the way beneath the surface.

During the first few exchanges, Li Cheng could still barely hold on with the sword forms he had painstakingly practiced these past days.

But Song Que's saber grew faster and faster, countless saber shadows pressing down one after another and forcing him back repeatedly.

After more than ten moves, Li Cheng misjudged and thrust his sword at an illusion.

Song Que's gaze turned cold. The true blade suddenly slashed out from the side and smashed heavily against the sword.

Clang!

Li Cheng's arm shook violently, and his sword flew from his grasp.

The next instant, Song Que's blade had stopped before his chest.

Li Cheng's expression turned incomparably ugly.

Song Que sheathed his saber and sneered. "What Seven Forms of Settling Solitude? It's nothing but a joke."

Li Cheng did not argue. He bent down to pick up his sword and retreated to one side.

In an instant, cheers thundered from Dongting County's side.

"What formidable saber arts!"

"I had long heard that Song Que of the Golden Saber Sect had mastered all eighteen martial arts. Seeing him today, his reputation truly was well deserved."

"The Golden Saber Sect's young master really is impressive."

"..."

Amid the cheers, Song Que remained unmoved by wind from all eight directions, his cold gaze fixed on Deng Qing.

Yet Deng Qing pretended not to see him, his eyes watching his nose, his nose watching his heart.

Li Dashan turned back to Deng Qing. "Song Que is clearly provoking you. What do you think?"

Deng Qing cupped his hands. "He is at the Skin Tempering Fourth Layer, while this disciple is only at the Skin Tempering Third Layer. I am not his match."

Li Dashan raised an eyebrow slightly. "There isn't some impassable heavenly chasm between the Skin Tempering Third Layer and Fourth Layer. Won't you go up and give it a try?"

Deng Qing shook his head. "This disciple knows exactly how much he weighs."

Li Dashan smiled faintly and did not urge him further.

Ding Yuan gave a cold snort and cupped his hands. "This disciple is willing to fight."

He had calculated it clearly. This was a high-end match; even if he lost, as long as he could endure more than a dozen moves beneath Song Que's saber, it would be enough for everyone present to remember him. If he won by some stroke of luck, he would rise to the heavens in a single step.

Li Dashan shot him a glance. Ding Yuan's back went cold, and he did not dare say another word.

It turned out Li Dashan had seen Ding Yuan's "heroic bearing" in battle against the mountain bandits. He knew exactly what Ding Yuan was worth and understood that sending him out would only lead to defeat, never victory.

Zhang Yan could no longer remain seated. He rose and asked to fight, but Li Dashan waved a hand. "You're an established Skin Tempering Fourth Layer martial artist. If you win, it's only expected; if you lose, you'll leave behind a joke. Let the Golden Saber Sect have their moment of pride."

Deng Qing knew Li Dashan wanted him to take the field, but he had his own considerations.

He had accompanied Li Dashan to Dongting County today precisely to leave a good impression on him and contend for a place as an Initiation disciple.

Now Li Dashan already knew his name and knew how he had climbed step by step from a poor boy who could not even afford a meal to the Skin Tempering Third Layer. Earlier, when Zhao Tang and Sun Hui had fought, he had also displayed his discerning eye.

That was already enough.

At the very least, compared to Ding Yuan and the others, the impression he had left on Li Dashan could not possibly be poor.

What he sought had never been the title of youthful genius.

Rather, it was enough so long as he surpassed Ding Yuan and the others.

As for Song Que's provocation, to him, it was like wind brushing his face!

He understood it clearly in his heart: hiding in the shadows and slowly accumulating strength was the path he needed to walk.

Let Song Que and other such "talents" bear the heavy reputation of genius.

Just then, Song Que actually strode toward them.

With his long saber in hand, his gaze passed over row after row of banquet tables and landed on Deng Qing.

He truly wanted to shout, "Deng Qing, you dog-thief, do you dare fight me?"

But he did not dare.

After all, only a few people knew about his crushing defeat at Deng Qing's hands in the battle at Blackwind Ravine.

If he openly challenged Deng Qing now, others would surely dig to the root and pry into the source of their grudge.

When that happened, the matter of his disastrous defeat at Blackwind Ravine would no longer be containable.

Deng Qing could tell that Song Que did not dare make it public. He simply acted as though Song Que were looking at someone else, even following Song Que's gaze and turning around to glance behind him.

Song Que nearly exploded with rage.

When Li Cheng witnessed this scene, he felt indescribably delighted.

Though he had not taken part in the battle at Blackwind Ravine, he had heard Wang Wei speak of it.

Zhang Bo, standing behind Li Cheng, saw the smile on his face and quietly asked what he was laughing about. Li Cheng told him truthfully.

Zhang Bo frowned. "Remarkable."

Li Cheng froze for a moment. "Zhang Bo, do you think Deng Qing can defeat Song Que?"

Zhang Bo said quietly, "Song Que's Shadow Saber is nothing more than a joke in Deng Qing's eyes."

He had fought Deng Qing before and knew just how sharp Deng Qing's swordsmanship was.

Li Cheng was greatly shocked. "Then Deng Qing... this is such a fine chance to make a name for himself and establish his standing!"

Zhang Bo snorted. "That is why I said he is remarkable. How many people can restrain the vanity of becoming famous in all four directions?"

Li Cheng fell silent. If it were me, I'm afraid I would find it difficult to reject the temptation of becoming renowned across two counties.

While Zhang Bo and Li Cheng discussed this, Song Que's face had already swollen the color of pig liver.

After losing to Deng Qing at Blackwind Ravine, he had trained day and night. He had spared no expense in resources to break into the Skin Tempering Fourth Layer and had mastered the Shadow Saber, all so that he could defeat Deng Qing and reclaim the face he had lost, along with the Blacksteel Soft Sword.

Today, he had first defeated Li Cheng and seized the position of arena champion. After painstakingly setting the stage, he had been ready to perform a grand show of washing away his shame before everyone's eyes—yet Deng Qing, the other lead actor, would not even step onto the stage.

No matter how powerful his saber arts were or how thoroughly he had prepared, he could not exactly charge into Celebration Hall's seats and force a fight.

Today was meant to be a celebratory banquet. Song Que's utter lack of tact had already made Xia Chun, seated in the place of honor, frown.

Song Wuliang had been watching Xia Chun all along. Seeing him frown, Song Wuliang's heart sank at once, and he hurriedly barked at Song Que to return immediately.

Though Song Que was unwilling in every possible way, he could only withdraw dejectedly.

Even after he returned to the Golden Saber Sect's seats, his gaze remained nailed firmly to Deng Qing.

After Song Que withdrew, the martial exhibition continued.

Several more young martial artists entered the arena to exchange pointers, each demonstrating their fists, kicks, and weapons. Some even recited poems in the flush of wine to add to the festivities.

But with jade and pearls already displayed before them, the contests that followed seemed bland and unremarkable.

The banquet continued for nearly another hour before finally dispersing.

Li Dashan's group still stayed at the city's inn, intending to return to Everjoy County after daybreak tomorrow.

By the time the gathering ended, it was already close to the hour of the pig.

Yet today was one of Dongting County's rare nights without a curfew. Lanterns hung along both sides of the streets, most of the storefronts remained open, and taverns and food stalls still called out for business. The city remained lively.

Deng Qing and the others followed behind Li Dashan, heading toward the inn.

As they crossed a stone bridge, Fan Sheng suddenly patted Deng Qing on the shoulder and raised a hand to point toward the lakeside.

A noodle stall had been set up there, with several low tables beneath the willow trees. Steam from the stove drifted away on the breeze, carrying the faint fragrance of bone broth.

Deng Qing understood.

Fan Sheng gave Zhang Yan a word of explanation, then led Deng Qing away from the group to the noodle stall. They each ordered two bowls of pork noodles and chose a table far from the other diners.

Not long afterward, the stall owner brought over the steaming bowls of noodles.

The noodles soaked in bone broth, topped with several slices of fatty pork and sprinkled with chopped scallions and pepper. Their fragrance struck straight at the nose.

Fan Sheng lifted a chopstickful of noodles and asked as he ate, "Why didn't you make a move earlier?"