Numerous gazes turned toward Li Daoqiang with newfound confidence.
Li Daoqiang’s expression remained unchanged as he looked at the figure, clasped his hands in a polite salute, and said calmly, “Li Daoqiang greets Young Master Murong. I’ve long heard of your reputation, and seeing you today, it’s truly as they say—well-deserved.”
“Overlord Li flatters me,” Murong Fu replied with a courteous smile.
There was no hint of hostility in his tone or demeanor.
Li Daoqiang noticed this, his mind stirred, and he fell into thought.
After a moment, a slight smile appeared on his face as he asked directly, “May I ask why Young Master Murong has come here?”
“To be honest with the Overlord, Murong Fu has been traveling far and wide. Hearing news of the Blood Saber Old Demon, I thought to rid the martial world of this scourge.”
Murong Fu spoke smoothly, and the confidence of the martial artists present grew even stronger. The Blood Saber Old Demon’s face darkened as he cursed inwardly.
Li Daoqiang’s expression stayed steady. Murong Fu paused briefly before continuing, “So I came to Floating Cloud Mountain, never expecting to encounter this matter.”
“Oh,” Li Daoqiang responded indifferently, playing along. “Then Young Master Murong has some advice to offer now?”
“Advice is too strong a word.” Murong Fu’s face turned serious. “But the Blood Saber Old Demon is a blight on the martial world. I ask the Overlord to reconsider.”
As he spoke, feeling the increasingly fervent gazes behind him, he was quite satisfied.
“To be frank with Young Master Murong, Blood Saber is now a man of my Black Dragon Stronghold. No matter what he was before, he is now one of my people. I ask you to say no more.” Li Daoqiang refused without hesitation, his tone firm.
Murong Fu wasn’t angered; he had anticipated this. A grandmaster wouldn’t bow so easily.
This suited his plans even more.
He furrowed his brow, fell silent in thought, as if deeply troubled.
The martial artists dared not interrupt the exchange between two grandmasters.
One was the bandit who had just cowed them into silence, the other a savior descending like a celestial being.
Under such circumstances, no one dared speak, only offering silent support to Murong Fu with their determined looks.
After a few breaths, Murong Fu said solemnly, “In that case, though Murong Fu is reluctant to disturb, to rid this scourge, I must offend the Overlord. Overlord, would you be willing to make a wager with me?”
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow, continuing to play along. “What wager?”
Behind him, the Blood Saber Old Demon’s heart trembled, sensing trouble.
He wanted to stop Li Daoqiang from betting but knew he had no say here.
He could only glare darkly at the figure opposite.
Damn Murong Fu, one day your Blood Saber grandfather will show you what’s what.
Murong Fu said gravely, “We are all martial artists, so naturally, we settle things with martial skill. Let us spar. If the Overlord wins, Murong Fu will withdraw immediately. But if I happen to gain the upper hand by a move or two, I hope the Overlord will hand over the Blood Saber Old Demon. What do you say?”
Before he finished, the atmosphere grew even more heated.
Even the Four Fallen Flowers and Flowing Water men looked on with anticipation and excitement.
Not only was Murong Fu standing up for them, but the clash of two grandmasters was a rare opportunity.
Though they were top-tier innate masters, they had witnessed few grandmaster battles in their lives.
In this world where martial arts reigned supreme, no martial artist could resist watching grandmasters fight.
“Hahaha!”
Amid the crowd’s excitement, Li Daoqiang laughed, a clear note of displeasure in his voice. “Young Master Murong, isn’t this a bit unfair?”
“Where is it unfair?” Murong Fu gestured for Li Daoqiang to speak freely.
“If we spar and you win, you take my man. If you lose, you just walk away with no loss at all. Young Master Murong, are you taking me for a fool?” Li Daoqiang’s tone turned slightly cold.
Behind him, the Blood Saber Old Demon nodded vigorously, glaring angrily at Murong Fu.
Murong Fu frowned.
He had never considered losing; saying he’d withdraw was mere courtesy.
But Li Daoqiang had a point, and he had no grounds to argue.
He wouldn’t resort to preaching about justice and righteousness.
Li Daoqiang was a true grandmaster. Murong Fu was confident he could defeat him but had no certainty of killing him.
All he wanted was fame, not a fight to the death.
Besides, he had designs on Li Daoqiang, who might become a valuable ally in the future.
After a moment’s thought, he clasped his hands in apology. “I spoke carelessly. Overlord, please state your terms.”
Seeing Murong Fu admit fault, Li Daoqiang’s expression softened. After a pause, he said, “A sparring wager is fine, but I, Li Daoqiang, value fairness in transactions. This bet must be fair too.”
Murong Fu nodded, signaling him to continue.
“Blood Saber is now a man of my stronghold, owing me 9,150,000 taels of silver, to be repaid slowly. If Young Master Murong wants his life, the stakes must match his worth. 9,150,000 taels is his debt to me. As a brother of my stronghold and a top innate master, he’s worth 3,200,000 taels. Together, that’s 12,350,000 taels—not a single tael less,” Li Daoqiang stated seriously.
Murong Fu’s brow twitched. Though he never imagined losing, hearing that figure made his blood boil with anger.
Truly black-hearted!
Even the Blood Saber Old Demon, now the stake, felt his tension ease somewhat.
A grin crept onto his face as he looked at Li Daoqiang, feeling admiration for the first time.
Damn, that’s black. A true bandit.
12,350,000 taels—was he worth that?
He himself didn’t think so.
For that sum, he’d almost be tempted to chop off his own head.
Of course, only for a fleeting moment.
The martial artists erupted in murmurs.
12,350,000 taels of silver was an unimaginable fortune to everyone present.
Murong Fu took a light breath, suppressing his emotions. “Overlord, isn’t that a bit too much?”
He couldn’t agree outright, even with his confidence in victory.
It involved many issues. Agreeing too readily would make him seem insincere and suggest the Murong family could easily produce such wealth—a bad impression.
He wouldn’t agree lightly.
“Young Master Murong, I, Li Daoqiang, have always been honest and value my reputation. I’m not cheating you. Blood Saber’s debt is exactly that. And if someone kills a brother of my stronghold, compensation is based on their strength. I won’t go into the lower levels, but as everyone knows, innate masters have four tiers: 400,000, 800,000, 1,600,000, and 3,200,000 taels. Blood Saber is at the fourth tier, so 3,200,000 taels. Total: 12,350,000 taels, not a tael more or less. There’s no extortion here,” Li Daoqiang said with righteous sincerity.
The martial artists were left speechless.
It was clearly Li Daoqiang twisting logic to suit his own rules because he had the power to enforce them.
Otherwise, a bandit was just a bandit, killed and done with.
Murong Fu snorted inwardly. If that wasn’t extortion, what was?
He felt Li Daoqiang was treating him like a fool.
But he couldn’t lose his temper.
Frowning, he said, “Overlord, this sum is still too large. My Murong family simply doesn’t have that much silver.”
Hearing this, Li Daoqiang’s brow showed dissatisfaction. After a moment, he said solemnly, “Very well, Young Master Murong. It seems today’s matter can’t be resolved without a spar. I’ll trust your and the Murong family’s reputation. If you swear before everyone here to acknowledge this wager, and if you lose, I’ll let you pay in installments. I believe a grandmaster can repay this debt.”
Before he finished, the Blood Saber Old Demon grew anxious again, cursing Li Daoqiang inwardly.
If the other party couldn’t even produce the stakes, why bet?
But he could only curse in his heart, fretting helplessly.
He hoped that bastard Murong Fu wouldn’t agree.
Unfortunately, Li Daoqiang’s words dispelled Murong Fu’s concerns. After feigning thought for a moment, he said with righteous resolve, “Fine. Though my Murong family lacks such wealth, for the sake of ridding the world of a villain, I, Murong Fu, am willing to take this bet.”
Immediately, the crowd erupted.
“Young Master Murong, your righteousness is admirable!”
“Well said! I’ve long heard of your devotion to justice—truly well-deserved.”
“Young Master Murong, I, Han San, salute you!”
...
A wave of praise washed over Murong Fu, casting him as a savior and Li Daoqiang as the villain.
Murong Fu felt a surge of joy. His goal was achieved.
Li Daoqiang was even more pleased, his gaze toward Murong Fu tinged with fondness.
Youth was wonderful.
He liked this kind of person—rich and young, easy to fool.
Such a man was worth befriending. No, worth calling a brother.
Standing at the front of the crowd, Deng Baichuan, the head of the Murong family’s four retainers, frowned.
He transmitted a message to another retainer, Gongye Qian: “Something feels off.”
“What’s off?” Gongye Qian replied.
After a pause, Deng Baichuan said gravely, “The young master agreed too rashly. Remember, every victory carries the risk of defeat.”
Gongye Qian was startled. “You think the young master might lose?”
“No, I’m just saying he shouldn’t have agreed so lightly,” Deng Baichuan shook his head.
Ignoring their exchange, Murong Fu began to swear his oath.
(Thank you for your support.)
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