"That good-for-nothing duke has long since hollowed himself out with wine and women. Forcing his cultivation higher with a few pills was practically courting death... I'll make him pay in this tournament!"
Cui Zhixia's smile gradually vanished, his expression turning icy. Glints of cold light shone at the corners of his narrow eyes, and even his voice grew chilling.
"You mustn't act rashly. If you actually take his life in front of everyone, he is still a duke, after all. We cannot disregard the court's dignity. Besides... it would be difficult to explain to His Majesty!"
Cui Yizhong shook his head worriedly and tried to dissuade him.
"Rest assured, Father. I know where to draw the line. We can work something out with the tournament rules when the time comes. Ideally, we should arrange for one of the Dragon Gate Academy's powerful experts to face Gu Qingzhou and pretend to slip up... Even if Gu Qingzhou survives, he'll be crippled. At most, His Majesty will scold us a little. After all, blades have no eyes. He'll have only his own inadequate skills to blame..."
Cui Zhixia clenched his hand so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He exhaled a stale breath, anger surging through him as he recalled the humiliation Gu Qingzhou had inflicted on him.
Cui Yizhong wanted to say more, but before he could speak, Cui Zhixia stood, picked up the teapot, and refilled the cup in his father's hand. A faint smile appeared on his handsome face. "I understand your concerns, Father. I've just examined the confidential report carefully. Of the five people selected by the Knowledge and Practice Institute this time, aside from Gu Qingzhou, the others are He An, Qiu Fengqi, Feng Chun, and Fan Dazhi!"
"This Qiu Fengqi actually belongs to the True Martial