But Valley Master Nie still tried to persuade him. "Martial Nephew Tong, your strength is acknowledged throughout our alliance. Why care about some empty reputation? Besides, Young Hero Ren is a guest of Hui Chun Valley. If either of you is injured in this contest of strength, it would be no good. Don't let others laugh at us."
Then he waved a hand. "That is enough. Do not mention this again."
Tong Ba glanced at his master and said with a smile, "Martial Uncle Nie, do not worry. It is only a test of strength, not an arena match. My future brother-in-law did not suffer the slightest loss even in the arena. How could he come to grief in a contest with one of our own?"
Valley Master Nie looked at Tong Ba in surprise, then at Si Yakong. "Why must you insist, Martial Nephew? Hui Chun Valley now wishes we could put Young Hero Ren on an altar. How could we let him take such a risk?"
Tong Ba still refused to back down. "Martial Uncle Nie, you are mistaken. Those of us who roam the martial world must face storms of blood and wind. Besides, this is only a contest of strength, not martial arts. What risk could there be?"
Valley Master Nie hesitated. The last time he had asked Zhang Xiaohua to act had been for Hui Chun Valley and Nie Qianyu. He had been furious over what happened with Lu Meng last time. If not for the fact that some family shame could not be aired abroad, he would have flown into a rage long ago. Yet Tong Ba was now openly challenging Zhang Xiaohua before him. What exactly was going on?
Moreover, Si Yakong, the head of the Weapon Forging Gate, was also present. Was