Yuan Wendong wasn’t the only one infuriated by his remarks. Quite a few people from the Yuan clan also kindly contributed a substantial amount of Rage points to Zu An. In fact, some of the bystanders were visibly affected by his remarks as well.

Even Ji Dengtu had stopped ogling at all of the married women around him to look at Zu An.

This fellow is surely asking for a beating. I must keep my daughter away from this fellow. It’s only a matter of time before she gets implicated in his shenanigans.

Then again, that fellow did give me quite a lovely book. I wonder how many more of such books he has. If Yuan Wendong beats him to within a sliver of his life, should I step in and save him on account of the book he gave me?

Seated on the viewing platform, Snow snorted softly. “That man is as hateful as ever.”

In front of her, Shi Kun gave a surprising nod of agreement. He could relate deeply to those words.

“He’s a scoundrel through and through. He’ll never achieve anything great,” sneered Sang Qian.

Sang Hong, who was sitting in front of him, transmitted a reminder to him via ki. “The fact that he was able to earn seven-and-a-half million silver taels from the Silverhook Casino and also become an arithmetic teacher in the academy shows that he’s no ordinary individual. Don’t be fooled by his exterior appearance. I’ve told you many times not to judge another superficially. You need to go deeper and uncover the true nature of each matter.”

“I understand,” replied Sang Qian, though he actually thought nothing of what his father had just said.

Meanwhile, Xie Yi asked Xie Xiu via ki, “Is that the man you spoke of?”

“Indeed. That’s Zu An,” replied Xie Xiu.

His older sister, Xie Daoyun, remarked with a frown, “This man is incredibly crude. I don’t like him.”

Xie Xiu was just about to defend him when he recalled the Legend of the Moochlord from the academy. He seemed to recall Zu An asking him about his older sister once. All of a sudden, he felt compelled to keep his older sister safely away from that dangerous man.

The Sunspring Duke, Wu Wei, guffawed. “So this is the drafted son-in-law of the Brightmoon Duke? It looks to me like the Chu clan is bound to fall into decline!”

Wu Qing was overjoyed to hear her father putting down Zu An. Hah, we aren’t in the academy today. I’ll watch how you embarrass yourself through and through, Zu An!

The only one on the platform who really knew Zu An’s true background was Jiang Luofu. She looked at the young man who was calmly bearing the criticisms of the crowd, and fell deep into thought. 

Just what compelled him to lie low all this while? Is he planning to announce his name through the tournament today?

Sang Hong cleared his throat and announced, “The Clans Tournament between the Chu clan and the Yuan clan is about to begin. First and foremost, allow me to reiterate the rules. Both sides are to confirm the sequence of which their fighters are going to enter the dueling ring, and submit it beforehand. The sequence cannot be changed anymore afterward. Whichever side wins more duels will be granted an eighty-percent share of the Linchuan Commandery’s arms market, with the remaining twenty percent going to the losing side. In the course of the battle, you are forbidden from intentionally executing fatal blows that could potentially lead to deaths. If you do so, your rights as a fighter will be revoked. Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes!”

The fighters on both sides replied in unison.

Zu An, however, had much to say about the rules. While they were ostensibly restricted from killing one another, the use of the term ‘intentionally’ opened up room for contention. A fighter could claim that they were too fired up during the duel and failed to hold back at the critical moment. As long as it wasn’t done in an obvious way, no one could say for sure whether it was an intentional act.

“Now, submit the sequence. When this incense stick has finished burning, the tournament will officially commence!”

After making the announcement, Sang Hong returned to his seat. The previous tournaments had been presided over solely by the city lord. However, the nature of this tournament was different. It wasn’t a straight fight between the Chu clan and the Yuan clan anymore. Instead, the Wu clan had joined the fray against the Chu clan. Naturally, someone with more authority was needed.

The two clans had already decided on the sequence of their fighters in advance. Chu Chuyan walked up to submit the sequence to the judges. At this time, Hong Xingying walked by Zu An. He was the first fighter to be sent out by the Chu clan.

While it looked like he was earnestly making preparations for the fight, he was actually speaking in a voice so low that only Zu An could hear. “Are you proud of how you acted earlier on?”

“What?” Zu An was baffled. Is this fellow trying to provoke me right before his fight?

Hong Xingying gave a disdainful snort. “I don’t know what’s going through your mind, but did you think that it was glorious of you to hurl insults about like a common street tough? Didn’t you notice how everyone was mocking you? No, they weren’t just mocking you. They were mocking all of us from the Chu clan!

“Someone like you will only become the source of the Chu clan’s humiliation. The Chu clan has already become a laughingstock for taking you in as its son-in-law, and yet, you continue to heap on more humiliation.”

Zu An was amused. “Have you forgotten how badly you got beaten up the last time?”

Hong Xingying’s gaze instinctively went towards Pei Mianman, and he gulped. However, he quickly snapped out of it and retorted, “You think you’re so incredible, hiding behind a woman! Hah, you won’t be able to get their help in the dueling ring today. Everyone will see you as the trash you are!”

“What makes you so certain that I’ll lose?” Zu An knew this was the perfect chance to make a bet with Hong Xingying. Not doing so would be a huge waste of this godsent opportunity.

“You can’t be thinking that you’ll be able to win your duel, could you?” sneered Hong Xingying. “Your job today is just to lose, and leave everything else to people like us. Only someone like me can bring glory to the Chu clan. The only thing someone like you can do is enjoy the glory the rest of us will earn through our blood, sweat, and tears!”

Zu An was ready to retort, but the referee had already declared the start of the first round. Hong Xingying straightened out his clothes, raised his head, and walked out into the dueling ring.

How exhilarating! I’ve finally managed to vent out all of my stress today. That piece of trash was so soundly put down, he had nothing left to say. Ahhh, this really feels good!

Hong Xingying had never felt so soothed before.

Hmph, just watch as I bring the first victory of the day to the Chu clan! On the other hand, that fellow will be beaten up by the Yuan clan in front of this massive crowd. Then, both Master and Madam will know who is more suited for the First Miss!

Not only must I win today, but I must win with an overwhelming advantage! Only then could I raise my head high in the Chu clan and catch the attention of Principal Jiang. I’ll let her know of my talents, and perhaps, she might take care of me in the future. Then, I’ll obtain an official position and return here to marry the First Miss!

Meanwhile, beside the dueling ring, Qin Wanru leaned toward her husband and whispered with a frown, “Who is that person facing him? Why haven’t I seen him before?” 

Chu Zhongtian shook his head and replied, “I don’t know, either. He probably isn’t from the Yuan clan but the Wu clan. Then again, is there really someone like him amongst the experts of the Wu clan?”

“Do you think that Xingying can win the duel?” 

Qin Wanru had a good opinion of Hong Xingying. He was an extremely competent man, and his father had been loyal to the Chu clan all these years. She had favored Hong Xingying over all the other candidates vying to be her son-in-law, but her daughter had chosen Zu An instead. What a pity.

Just thinking about it left her fuming, and she shot a sharp glare in Zu An’s direction.

You have successfully trolled Qin Wanru for 111 Rage points!

Zu An pressed his lips firmly together. Please, it was Hong Xingying who messed with me earlier, and I didn’t even get a chance to retort. What are you getting angry at me for? Is it your menopause? 

Unaware of his wife’s thoughts, Chu Zhongtian casually replied, “Xingying is quite talented, and our Chu clan has held him back over the years. Nevertheless, he has still managed to reach the pinnacle of the third rank. He might not be particularly powerful, but he’s definitely not weak. His opponent appears to be of the same rank as well. I think Xingying should fare well against him.”

Her husband’s words finally set Qin Wanru’s heart at ease.

In the dueling ring, Hong Xingying brandished his sword elegantly. He gazed at his opponent haughtily and said, “Name yourself! I don’t cut down nameless souls with my blade!”

“Ooh, I never thought that there would be someone like that in the Chu clan! He’s so cool!”

“Well, anyone would look good compared to their drafted son-in-law.”

… 

Hong Xingying’s cool words and handsome face stirred up a small commotion amongst the girls in the crowd. However, his attitude brought a frown to Chu Zhongtian’s forehead. This child shows off a little too much.

In return, the other party laughed softly and said, “I am the Yuan clan’s Chen Lei.”

With that, he fell silent. 

In terms of appearance and demeanor, Chen Lei was far beneath Hong Xingying. It didn’t take long for the crowd to side with Hong Xingying.

Opposite him, Hong Xingying frowned. He had never heard of this person before. However, the fact that he wasn’t one of the targets of the Chu clan’s investigation showed that he wasn’t considered to be a threat.

All right, this Chen Lei guy shall be my stepping stone to new heights! I’ll make sure to win beautifully so that all these important figures here will notice me!

With these thoughts in mind, his fighting spirit began to surge. “Here I come!”

Without hesitation, he swung his sword and charged toward Chen Lei.

Chu Zhongtian nodded in approval. He thought that Hong Xingying had shown too much conceit before. However, it was fortunate that he wasn’t allowing his arrogance to turn into complacency. He had chosen to take a moderate offensive position in order to pressure his opponent.

Across from Hong Xingying, Chen Lei let out a furious roar as he whipped out his saber and dashed forward as well. Their weapons clashed in a shower of sparks.

The impact threw both of them five steps back. Hong Xingying was alarmed by the prowess of his enemy. He never thought the nameless Chen Lei would actually harness such great power.

“Again!” 

Not daring to get careless, Hong Xingying abandoned his initial idea of flaunting his flashy skills, and settled on a more stable fighting style.

The two fighters met, trading furious blows. The clashes of their two cold weapons sent out waves of chilling air that reached even the spectators outside the dueling ring.

“I’ve never heard of the two of them before, but they’re stronger than I expected. Do all the major clans have such powerful cultivators?”

“That Hong Xingying seems to be a student from Brightmoon Academy’s Sky class, but I’ve never heard of this Chen Lei before.”

… 

The two fighters were evenly matched. Many times, Hong Xingying appeared to gain the upper hand, only for Chen Lei to suppress him with a series of offensive strikes. The intense battle sent the blood pumping through the veins of the enraptured crowd. They tried to imagine themselves being in the ring with the fighters, being part of every moment. How awe-inspiring it would be! 

Duels were usually only fun to watch if both parties were evenly matched. One-sided duels simply lacked the tension and hype that came with an unpredictable outcome. Few spectators had been ready for such an intense first match. Many of them slowly rose to their feet, yearning for a closer look. 

The two combatants clashed furiously once more, then disengaged. They gasped for air as they tried to regulate the chaotic ki inside their bodies.

The webbing between Hong Xingying’s fingers had torn open a little, but he paid no heed. With so much riding on this battle, he couldn’t afford to lose. He had to win this battle to prove his worth to the Master and Madam, to all of the prominent figures seated around, and most importantly of all, to Zu An!

Huh? Why did I think of that fellow at a moment like this? Tsk, how inauspicious!

“Intermediate Swordplay!” 

Hong Xingying had been desperately learning everything the academy had to offer ever since his enrollment. Intermediate Swordplay was a sword art taught only to the more talented students in the academy. Despite its lackluster name, its prowess was incredible, and had very few openings. It was at least three times more powerful than the sword art he had been using.

He had been practicing it diligently day and night so that he could reveal it to everyone, especially Principal Jiang, at this critical moment!

A metallic sound reverberated through the air. The sword in his hand blurred into multiple silhouettes that pierced straight toward Chen Lei’s vitals.

Seeing this, Jiang Luofu gave a slight nod of approval. This student has a fairly high aptitude. Although he only joined the academy not too long ago, he has managed to take this swordsmanship to a decent level.

With a wet popping sound, the sword pierced right into Chen Lei’s body.

I won!

Just as Hong Xingying was about to heave a sigh of relief, his opponent’s lips curved upwards in a sinister smile. He quickly tried to retract his blade, but his opponent grabbed onto his sword and hacked his saber downwards.

“Tempestuous Saber Art!”

Chen Lei’s face was a mask of frenzy as he struck suddenly and with a terrifying momentum. His saber fell with a terrifying might onto Hong Xingying.

The ki armor Hong Xingying had manifested around him immediately cracked in the face of the Tempestuous Saber Art, causing him to spurt a mouthful of blood. He collapsed to the floor of the dueling ring like a punctured sandbag.

Chu Zhongtian immediately rushed forward to catch him. He quickly sealed off several of Hong Xingying’s acupoints to curb his blood loss, then proceeded to neutralize the saber force still raging within the young man’s body.

“The victor is the Yuan clan’s Chen Lei!” the official from the City Lord Estate declared to the crowd.

His face a mask of shame, Hong Xingying muttered, “Master, Madam, I…”

From off to the side, a mocking voice came. “Who was the one who swore proudly that he would bring honor to the Chu clan, while declaring that someone else could only bring about humiliation? Does your face hurt at all?”