Although Li Cheng had grasped the basics of the Seven Forms of Settling Solitude, he had not been practicing it for long.
The Seven Forms of Settling Solitude sought openings between an opponent's moves. But Song Que's saber shadows were a shifting mix of real and false. If Li Cheng could hardly tell which slash was real, how could he find an opening?
Sure enough, an expert could see what lay beneath the surface.
For the first few exchanges, Li Cheng barely held on with the Sword Techniques he had practiced so hard these past days.
But Song Que's saber grew faster and faster. Saber shadows pressed in from every direction, forcing Li Cheng back again and again.
After a dozen or so exchanges, Li Cheng misjudged a strike and thrust his sword at a phantom.
Song Que's gaze turned cold. The real blade slashed in from the side and struck the sword with a heavy blow.
Clang!
Li Cheng's arm jolted violently, and his sword flew from his hand.
The next instant, Song Que's blade stopped before his chest.
Li Cheng's face darkened.
Song Que lowered his saber and sneered. "The Seven Forms of Settling Solitude? What a joke."
Li Cheng did not argue. He bent to pick up his sword and stepped aside.
At once, cheers rang out from Dongting County's side.
"What incredible saber work!"
"I'd long heard that Song Que of the Golden Saber Sect had mastered all eighteen kinds of weapons. Now that I've seen him, he truly lives up to his reputation."
"The young master of the Golden Saber Sect really is formidable."
"..."
Amid the cheers, Song Que stood unmoved, his cold gaze fixed on Deng Qing.
Deng Qing pretended not to notice, lowering his eyes and minding his own business.
Li Dashan turned to Deng Qing. "Song Que is clearly provoking you. What do you think?"
Deng Qing cupped his hands. "He's at the Skin Tempering Fourth Layer, while this disciple is only at the Skin Tempering Third Layer. I'm no match for him."
Li Dashan raised an eyebrow. "The Third and Fourth Layers aren't separated by a chasm. You won't go up and try?"
Deng Qing shook his head. "This disciple knows his own limits."
Li Dashan smiled faintly and pressed him no further.
Ding Yuan gave a cold snort and cupped his hands. "This disciple is willing to fight."
He had worked it out clearly. This was a contest among the best. Even if he lost, surviving a dozen or so moves against Song Que would be enough to make everyone remember him. If he won by some stroke of luck, he would rise to the heavens in a single step.
Li Dashan glanced at him. A chill ran down Ding Yuan's spine, and he fell silent.
Li Dashan had seen Ding Yuan's "heroic bearing" in battle against the mountain bandits. He knew exactly what Ding Yuan was capable of, and sending him out could only end in defeat.
Zhang Yan could no longer sit still. He rose and asked to fight, but Li Dashan waved him down. "You've been at the Skin Tempering Fourth Layer for years. Winning would be expected, and losing would make you a laughingstock. Let the Golden Saber Sect have its moment."
Deng Qing knew Li Dashan wanted him to go, but he had his own considerations.
He had come to Dongting County with Li Dashan today to make a good impression on him and contend for a place as an Initiate Disciple.
Li Dashan now knew his name. He knew how Deng Qing had gone from a poor boy who could not even afford food to the Skin Tempering Third Layer, step by step. And when Zhao Tang fought Sun Hui earlier, Deng Qing had shown his eye for combat.
That was enough.
At the very least, the impression he had left on Li Dashan would not be worse than Ding Yuan's or the others'.
He had never been after the title of young genius.
All he needed was to surpass Ding Yuan and the others.
As for Song Que's provocation, Deng Qing let it pass like a breeze against his face.
He knew perfectly well that staying in the shadows and quietly building his strength was the path he needed to take.
He would leave the heavy burden of a reputation for genius to "talents" like Song Que.
Just then, Song Que strode toward them.
Saber in hand, he looked past row after row of banquet tables and fixed his gaze on Deng Qing.
He wanted to shout, Deng Qing, you cur, do you dare fight me?
But he did not dare.
After all, only a few people knew that Deng Qing had soundly defeated him at Blackwind Ravine.
If he openly challenged Deng Qing now, others would surely dig to the roots of their grudge.
Then he would never be able to keep his crushing defeat at Blackwind Ravine under wraps.
Deng Qing could tell Song Que dared not say anything. So he simply acted as though Song Que were looking at someone else, even turning to glance behind him along Song Que's line of sight.
Song Que nearly exploded with rage.
Li Cheng saw the whole thing and felt a sudden rush of delight.
He had not taken part in the battle at Blackwind Ravine, but Wang Wei had told him about it.
Zhang Bo, standing behind Li Cheng, saw him smiling and quietly asked why. Li Cheng told him the truth.
Zhang Bo frowned. "Remarkable."
Li Cheng blinked. "Zhang Bo, do you think Deng Qing could beat Song Que?"
Zhang Bo said quietly, "In Deng Qing's eyes, Song Que's Shadow Saber is nothing but a joke."
He had crossed swords with Deng Qing. He knew how sharp Deng Qing's Swordsmanship was.
Li Cheng was astonished. "Then Deng Qing is... This is such a good chance to make a name for himself!"
Zhang Bo snorted. "That's why I said he's remarkable. How many people can resist the vanity of fame spreading in every direction?"
Li Cheng fell silent. If it were me, I'd probably find it hard to turn down the temptation of becoming famous across two counties.
While Zhang Bo and Li Cheng were talking, Song Que's face had swollen to the color of pig liver.
After losing to Deng Qing at Blackwind Ravine, he had trained day and night, sparing no expense to reach the Skin Tempering Fourth Layer. He had also mastered Shadow Saber, all so he could defeat Deng Qing and reclaim both the face he had lost and the Blacksteel Soft Sword.
Today, he had defeated Li Cheng first and claimed the position of champion. He had gone to all that trouble to set the stage for a grand public performance of revenge, only for Deng Qing, the other leading player, to refuse to step onto it.
No matter how strong his saber work was or how thoroughly he had prepared, he could hardly charge straight to the Celebration Hall's seats and force a fight.
Today was meant to be a celebratory banquet. Xia Chun, seated in the place of honor, had already begun to frown at Song Que's lack of tact.
Song Wuliang had been watching Xia Chun closely. The moment he saw that frown, his heart sank, and he hastily barked at Song Que to return at once.
Song Que was unwilling in every way, but he could only retreat dejectedly.
Even after returning to the Golden Saber Sect's seats, his gaze remained nailed to Deng Qing.
With Song Que gone, the martial demonstrations continued.
Several more young Martial Artists stepped into the arena to spar, displaying their fists, feet, and weapons. Some, carried along by the wine, even recited poetry to enliven the occasion.
But after such fine jade had come before, the later matches seemed lackluster.
The banquet went on for nearly another hour before finally coming to an end.
Li Dashan's group would stay at the city's relay station that night and return to Everjoy County after daybreak.
By the time the gathering ended, it was nearly the hour of the pig.
But today was one of the rare days when Dongting County had no curfew. Lanterns hung along both sides of the streets, most shops were still open, and taverns and food stalls were still calling for customers. The streets remained lively.
Deng Qing and the others followed Li Dashan toward the relay station.
As they crossed a stone bridge, Fan Sheng suddenly patted Deng Qing on the shoulder and pointed toward the lakeside.
A noodle stall stood there, with a few low tables set beneath a willow tree. Steam from the stove drifted on the breeze, carrying the faint aroma of bone broth.
Deng Qing understood.
Fan Sheng let Zhang Yan know, then left the group with Deng Qing. At the stall, they each ordered two bowls of noodles with generous portions of meat and chose a table away from the other diners.
Before long, the stall owner brought over the steaming noodles.
The noodles sat in bone broth, topped with several slices of fatty meat and sprinkled with scallions and pepper. Their aroma filled the air.
Fan Sheng lifted a mouthful of noodles with his Chopsticks and asked as he ate, "Why didn't you step in earlier?"