Martial Dao etiquette-the highest courtesy in the Martial Dao, the greatest respect one could show an opponent.
No matter who it was, anyone receiving a Martial Dao salute had to return it.
Moreover, Tang Qianshou was still his senior. If Zuo Xiaoduo showed the slightest negligence in his response, then regardless of the final outcome of this battle, Zuo Xiaoduo would have lost!
Zuo Xiaoduo's words immediately set off another burst of laughter all around.
Tang Qianshou laughed nonstop at his joke as well. Only after a good while did he call out, "Monitor Zuo, I hear you're also renowned for using hidden weapons. I received my family's instruction from childhood and likewise began with hidden weapons. Today, I've been ordered to come seize a table, so I hope you won't hold back in giving me pointers!"
Zuo Xiaoduo narrowed his eyes. "Hidden weapons? Senior Tang, do you intend to settle this round's victory or defeat with a hidden-weapons duel?"
"Yes," Tang Qianshou said.
Zuo Xiaoduo nodded solemnly. "Very well!"
Everyone understood the rules of a match perfectly. With that "very well" from Zuo Xiaoduo, the terms of this contest were essentially set in stone!
Hidden weapons!
Nothing else could be used. If either employed other means during the match, even a victory would count as a defeat!
You could simply refuse to agree, but once you agreed, you had to follow the rules. Break a prohibition, and naturally you would be declared the loser.
Tang Qianshou took five steps forward. "Monitor Zuo, may I look at your hands?"
"Oh?" Zuo Xiaoduo said.
After a pause, he added, "Sure."
As he spoke, he displayed both hands, openly and generously.
Tang Qianshou looked down. Zuo Xiaoduo's hands were long and finely formed, with broad, thick backs and faint calluses near the