"..."
Luo Hongyun's face darkened.
At first, Xia Xu's argument sounded a little like sophistry, but on closer thought, it did seem to make some sense.
External equipment really should not count as part of an individual's strength.
Since they had agreed to fight with equal physical capabilities, those capabilities should truly be equal.
Having the Mechanical Centipede Spine was Xia Xu's advantage. If Luo Hongyun wanted to win, he should demonstrate his own advantages rather than raise his strength enough to negate his opponent's advantage.
There was no denying that the strength he had just used was indeed what Xia Xu had displayed while wearing the Mechanical Centipede.
In truth, that distinction had never even occurred to him. When Xia Xu said he could only use the same amount of strength, he had naturally used Xia Xu's strength as his reference.
"So? Uncle Luo, doesn't that mean I won? You're not going to go back on your word, are you?"
Xia Xu grinned as he needled him.
"Fine, fine. If you say you won, you won. We didn't bet anything anyway, so winning gets you nothing."
With a dark expression, Luo Hongyun waved a dismissive hand.
"Who says it gets me nothing? I can brag about this for a whole year," Xia Xu said with a grin.
"There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, but don't take it seriously."
Seeing how full of himself Xia Xu looked, Luo Hongyun could not help frowning and reminding him, "You won this time because of the rules, but in a real fight to the death, no one's going to care about rules or a fair duel."
"Don't worry, Uncle Luo. I was only joking. I do have that much self-awareness."
Hearing Luo Hongyun turn serious, Xia Xu immediately reined himself in as well.