"No wonder Fellow Daoist Huang Que reminded me time and again. He was acting at Second Senior Brother's request."
The doubt in Xu Taiping's heart about Huang Que was finally resolved, and an inexplicable warmth filled him.
"Thank you, Second Senior Brother. Thank you, Brother Huang Que."
He bowed toward Huang Que's retreating back, silently thanking them both.
Even so, he would still challenge Fan Qi with martial arts tomorrow.
It was not only for Eldest Senior Brother Su Chan's sword scabbard, but also because he wanted to use this chance to hone his martial arts further. After all, opportunities like this were exceedingly rare.
"With Second Senior Brother's good friend watching, I have all the more reason not to disgrace our Seventh Peak or Second Senior Brother tomorrow."
With that thought, he turned and returned to the inn as well.
He would continue cultivating tonight.
The next day.
By the reckoning of time outside the mountains, it should have been the fifteenth day of the fifth month.
Huangmei Town was shrouded in steady drizzle, just as it had been yesterday, but that did nothing to dampen the townspeople's enthusiasm for watching the Life-and-Death Arena.
Fortunately, Furious Fist Manor was large enough and generous enough to throw its gates wide open that day, turning no one away.
"Your Highness, I just saw Fan Zhong."
In the stands Furious Fist Manor had built for the Life-and-Death Arena, General Chu spoke quietly, his expression grave, to the Sixth Princess, who had already taken her seat.
"Why is he here?!"
The Sixth Princess looked astonished.
"He knew you would have to pass this obstacle on your journey, Your Highness, so he has been waiting here for days, solely to fight on your behalf."
There was a measure of respect in General Chu's