“Wu Wei! You’re really begging for a fight!” Chu Zhongtian took a deep breath as he clenched his fists tightly together.

“The two of you should calm down.” Sang Hong rushed to interpose himself between the two of them. “The focus today should be the Clans Tournament, so the two of you should stop stealing the limelight. Brightmoon Duke, allow me to speak some words of reason. It’s clear that Yuan Wenji held himself back in the duel earlier. If he hadn’t, your daughter would have been in real danger.”

“In real danger?” Chu Zhongtian echoed furiously. “He dares threaten her life?”

Sang Hong brushed his response aside and continued, “Patriarch Yuan, even though Yuan Wenji didn’t intend for this to happen, he did go too far this time around. Why don’t we have the Yuan clan fork out Chu Second Miss’ medical fees as compensation?”

Yuan Zhengchu was more than agreeable to Sang Hong’s suggestion. “Of course, that’s only to be expected. I’m willing to fork out ten thousand silver taels to ensure Chu Second Miss’ swift recovery.”

“There’s no need for that. Our Chu clan can at least pay for our own medical fees!” With a cold sneer, Chu Zhongtian carried his younger daughter back to the Chu clan’s holding area.

With Sang Hong siding with the Yuan clan, Principal Jiang taking a neutral position, and City Lord Xie opting for an ambiguous stance, Chu Zhongtian was left in a disadvantageous position whenever a conflict broke out.

Somewhere in the crowd, Ji Dengtu shook his head. Dumb Chu, you’re simply too tolerant. Even in the eyes of an outsider, you look nothing more than a coward. Why did Qin Wanru choose you of all people back then? Wouldn’t it have been great if she had chosen me instead? She would have been able to live a carefree life right now.

Wu Wei exchanged triumphant glances with the patriarchs of the Yuan clan and Zheng clan. It looks like the Chu clan’s era has come to an end!

Shi Kun also had a smile on his face. Taking away the arms market is the first step to unraveling the Chu clan. Before long, Chu Chuyan will fall into my embrace.

Unable to stand the situation, Xie Xiu whispered softly, “Father, are we really not going to back the Chu clan up?”

“Of course we’re going to help them,” said Xie Yi. “But when we should do so is a question worth pondering over.”

Jiang Luofu was uninterested in the factional war playing out in front of her. Right now, she was just curious to see what Zu An would do next. He had transcendent-class aptitude, but that was only a reflection of his potential. He had wasted far too much time in his younger years, and so he was only at the third rank at the moment. He stood no chance at all against Yuan Wendong, who was at the fifth rank.

While she had advised him to stop concealing his abilities and reveal his true worth, this situation was clearly not the right situation. He was simply too outclassed to be able to prove himself adequately.

Chu Zhongtian’s face was a mask of barely-controlled rage. He was just about to lead the Chu clan contingent away with him when Yuan Zhengchu’s voice interrupted him. “Brightmoon Duke, the tournament isn’t over yet. Why are you leaving?”

Yuan Zhengchu would have never dared to speak to Chu Zhongtian in such a manner in the past. However, with the backing of the Sunspring Duke and Governor Sang Hong, as well as the imminent victory right before him, he was feeling more confident than ever.

“What is there left to compete for?” replied Chu Zhongtian angrily.

The only one left in the Chu clan’s lineup was a good-for-nothing wastrel, and yet the Zheng clan was insisting for the fight to go on. Wasn’t this obviously an attempt to further put down the Chu clan?

Have I been too tolerant over the years? Now, even these small fry dare to climb all over me!

Wu Wei chuckled softly and said, “The tournament has to go on. Right now, the score between the two clans is tied four-to-four. The final match is required to decide the allocation of the arms market.”

Sang Hong nodded in agreement. “Indeed. It’s still a tie at the moment. Since we have been invited here to referee the tournament, we must ensure fairness in the proceedings. If the Chu clan leaves in advance, I’m afraid that it’ll make it hard for us to decide the allocation of the arms market.”

He was worried that, if the Chu clan walked away without competing in the final round, the results of the tournament would be open to dispute. The Chu clan might choose to disregard the results by arguing that the tournament hadn’t been completed. At the same time, he was also quite curious about the notorious drafted son-in-law of the Chu clan. Based on the reports he had received recently, while Zu An tended to act in a bizarre manner, he didn’t seem as inept as his reputation suggested.

Even Jiang Luofu spoke up in agreement. “Indeed. No matter what the situation is, we should still hold the final duel to conclude the tournament properly.” 

She was curious as to what Zu An would choose to do. Would he continue to keep a low profile, or would he attempt to rise up and awe the crowd?

It was unfortunate that he had to face Yuan Wendong. With such a difficult opponent, it would be hard for him to do anything.

As she spoke, she uncrossed her legs and crossed them again the other way around. Her stockinged legs were once again put into the spotlight, drawing the eyes of almost all of the men present. Of course, one might dismiss them as just a pair of legs, but that didn’t hinder these men from using their vivid imagination to fantasize further.

With the other two judges making their stances clear, Xie Yi finally nodded in agreement. “Since this is the Clans Tournament, we should see it to the end. Even if you wish to admit defeat, the proper procedures should be respected.”

Alarmed by Jiang Luofu’s sudden show of support for Sang Hong, Xie Yi subtly hinted to Chu Zhongtian that he could admit defeat and resolve the situation.

Shi Kun immediately became anxious. If the Chu clan were to admit defeat just like that, all his planning would have been in vain! He quickly joined in the discussion. “From what I know, young master Zu of the Chu clan has already agreed to fight it out with young master Yuan in order to settle their personal conflict. In fact, it seems like they have made such an agreement more than once?”

Wu Qing also took this opportunity to gloat at Zu An. “Indeed, I can testify to that. Zu An has challenged Yuan Wendong multiple times in the academy, and said that he would teach him a lesson in the Clans Tournament. I have been looking forward to it for some time now.”

Zu An immediately shot a glance at Wu Qing. You must be dying to fail my arithmetic class, huh? He was indeed intending to fight it out with Yuan Wendong, but Wu Qing had obviously said those words with malicious intentions in mind.

Yuan Wendong spoke up as well, “Indeed. Brother Zu, you have challenged me multiple times, and I was looking forward to testing out your skills. Since the opportunity is before us, I hope that you won’t let me down.”

Those from the Wu clan and Yuan clan quickly chimed in, “Everyone should have heard how Zu An challenged Yuan Wendong earlier, before the commencement of the tournament. How could he possibly back down now?”

“Fight! Fight!”

The crowd was always up for a good commotion, and many among them still harbored grudges toward Zu An for blatantly flaunting his wife earlier on. It was clear whose side they would be on.

Chu Zhongtian frowned at the sight. He felt sorry for Zu An. They had intentionally told Zu An to provoke Yuan Wendong, with the intention of having him tie down the strongest expert of the Yuan clan. Unfortunately, the crowd had no inkling of this, and there was no good way to explain this to them at this juncture. As a result, they could only leave Zu An to face the backlash on his own.

There’s no way we can put Zu An’s life in danger just to appease the crowd. 

With a deep sigh, Chu Zhongtian chose to surrender. “We’ll be admitting…”

Before he could finish his words, Zu An quickly cut him short. “Father-in-law, there’s no need to admit defeat. Allow me to fight this round.”

Chu Zhongtian was stunned. He hadn’t expected Zu An to want to fight, especially given the current circumstances. Qin Wanru’s fiery temper was set off once more. Standing next to her husband, she glared at Zu an and said harshly, “What do you mean, ‘allow you to fight this round’? Shouldn’t you be the best judge of your own capability? Can’t you see just what occasion this is? This is not the time for you to boast!”

Chu Zhongtian hastily backed his wife up. “Indeed. Yuan Wendong hates you down to the core. It’ll be too dangerous for you to fight him in the dueling ring.”

Chu Chuyan walked over to Zu An’s side and advised him, “I know that you hope to contribute to the Chu clan, but this is not the time for you to get reckless. Yuan Wendong clearly seeks to exact vengeance in the dueling ring. You’ll just be falling for his ploy if you face him right now! You need not care about how others view you. At the very least, all of us here know that you’re doing this for the Chu clan.”

Even Chu Huanzhao opened her eyes. “Indeed, brother-in-law. It’s too dangerous for you to accept this duel!” she uttered feebly, trying to dissuade him.

Zu An squatted down by Chu Huanzhao’s side and said, “I was initially fine with backing down, but the Yuan clan has truly gone too far. They viciously dealt you such a severe injury. It wouldn’t do not to teach them a lesson!”

Standing off to the side, Hong Xingying rolled his eyes. What is going on in that fellow’s head? Even at a time like this, he’s still running his mouth. However, he dared not speak his thoughts out loud. He had already been humiliated once, earlier. There was no need to suffer it again.

Chu Huanzhao’s face reddened upon hearing those words. She snuck a peek at her mother before hurriedly saying, “I know that you care about me, but you can’t even defeat me. You’ll just suffer a tragic defeat.”

Zu An replied with a smile, “Have you forgotten how I endured seven strikes of your Wailing Whip the other day? I’m not as weak as you think.”

Qin Wanru couldn’t stand his false bravado anymore. She quickly interjected, “Enough, enough! A man shouldn’t make promises that he’s unable to fulfill!”

There’s no way I’m going to let you seduce my younger daughter too! I’ve already warned Huanzhao to stay away, but she still continues to get close to him!

Without bothering to look at Qin Wanru, he addressed Chu Zhongtian directly. “Father-in-law, let me give it a try. Even if I don’t enter the ring, the Chu clan is doomed to lose today anyway.”

Chu Zhongtian frowned. “I’m not worried about losing. I’m worried that your life would be in danger.”

Zu An shook his head. “That Yuan Wendong wouldn’t dare to kill me in public. At most, he’ll just try to sever my hands or legs. If that were to happen, it would give our Chu clan an excuse to pressure them to renegotiate the distribution of the market shares.”

Chu Zhongtian was stunned. He hadn’t thought about such a possibility. If the Yuan clan really tried to maim Zu An, the Chu clan could argue that the Yuan clan had violated the spirit of friendly competition that the Clans Tournament was supposed to foster. This would be further substantiated by the injuries dealt to Huanzhao. That would be all the proof they needed to argue for the invalidation of the tournament, and reopen negotiations for the allocation of the share of the arms market.

Qin Wanru was equally taken aback. All along, she had just viewed Zu An to be an incompetent braggart. She truly despised him from the bottom of her heart. However, his insistence on entering the dueling ring to fight for the rights of the Chu clan to renegotiate these agreements made her suddenly regret her past actions. Have I been undermining him thus far?

The Chu clan’s Yue Shan and the other members present were also impressed by Zu An’s wits and bravery, and their impression of him improved greatly. Despite knowing that it was nigh impossible, he still dared to charge his way through in hopes of paving an impossible path. This was what true courage meant.

Only Hong Xingying sneered coldly. That guy has no capabilities at all. All he has is that sharp mouth of his. His reasoning sounds so forced.

Despite Zu An’s clear logic, Chu Chuyan still shook her head insistently, saying, “We could have considered the move if it had been on any other occasion. However, Yuan Wendong hates you to the core right now. He won’t just try to severely injure you. It’s likely that he’s aiming to cripple you for good.”

Zu An shrugged with a bitter smile, “I’m already as crippled as I can get. What else can he do?”

Chu Chuyan was taken aback by that remark. Indeed, since he isn’t a cultivator, crippling him won’t take away much from him. Besides, his equipment below is also… Recalling the previous incident from that night swiftly brought a tinge of red to her fair complexion. 

“Have you all come to a decision yet? Zu An, are you a man? Are you planning to back down at the last moment? If you want to, sure. All you have to do is to admit that you aren’t a man and apologize to me publicly. I’ll magnanimously forgive you for your offences toward me then!” said Yuan Wendong in an arrogant voice.

“If you’re so desperate to get your face slapped by me, it’s only right that I give you what you want, right?” The Chu clan members were still in a daze. Making use of this opportunity, Zu An leaped into the dueling ring.

Yuan Wendong’s eyes lit up. “It looks like you still have some guts!” Fearing that Zu An would back down, he quickly leaped into the dueling ring himself. His movements were much cooler than Zu An’s. “You want to slap me? Come on then! Try your best to slap me then…”

*Pah!*

While he was still speaking, a crisp sound rang out, and his ears began to ring. It all happened so quickly that he found himself unable to process what just happened.

Zu An looked at his own hands and shook his head lamentably. “I’ve never heard a request as depraved as that in my entire life. However, since you’re so earnestly pleading with me, I guess I have no choice but to give you what you want.”