Free Web NovelChapter 180: Chapter 125: Sun Yuzhi: Chen Sheng, You Wouldn’t Want...
If there had been even the slightest opening, Lu Qingsong would never have appeared to admit defeat.
He knew full well that once word of today’s events got out, the blow to the Iron Sword Sect’s reputation would be devastating.
All the praise they had garnered over the past month because of Xiong Lie would instantly turn into jarring mockery.
Their so-called "number one below the Earth Fiend Realm" had been defeated in public. Worse, his opponent had come straight to their gates, blocking the entrance to challenge them—it was an unprecedented humiliation for the Iron Sword Sect!
However, even knowing all this, Lu Qingsong was still helpless.
Seniors stepping in to bully juniors was absolutely out of the question. The Jingwu Bureau was no ordinary agency, and Chen Sheng was not some Loose Cultivator with no backing.
In a situation like this, trying to use their authority to suppress him would be tantamount to inviting their own humiliation.
This duel was, from the start, a contest between the younger generation—just as Xiong Lie’s had been a month prior.
Did the Jingwu Bureau not have any Earth Fiend Martial Masters? They did, but they were constrained by the rules and couldn’t make a move.
The Iron Sword Sect was now bound by the same constraints. No matter how enraged the other Earth Fiend and even Profound Gang Realm elders were, they would never dare to act rashly. To do so would be to completely shatter the rules and make themselves a laughingstock.
Left with no other choice, he could only step forward himself and swallow this bitter pill.
Hearing this, Vice Governor Sun Yuzhi’s lips curled into a faint smile, yet her tone carried a subtle, sharp edge:
"Sect Leader Lu, you overstate things. What’s all this talk of admitting defeat? It’s merely a friendly spar between disciples. Why take it so seriously?"
Though her words were polite, the look of triumphant satisfaction on her face was plain to see.
Especially when she recalled the scene of Chen Sheng’s spear striking like a dragon, decisively taking down one Iron Sword Sect disciple after another. The month of pent-up frustration in her heart vanished in an instant, leaving only a feeling of pure, exhilarating satisfaction.
Lu Qingsong forced a smile. Though he struggled to keep his composure, the depths of his eyes betrayed his unconcealable embarrassment and humiliation.
"Sect Leader."
Just then, a figure stepped out from the ranks of the Iron Sword Sect disciples, seeming to tread on the air itself.
This man had a heavy, composed aura. His features bore a slight resemblance to Li Xuanche. It was none other than the eldest son of the Li Family’s main branch, the lead True Inheritor of the Iron Sword Sect, and one of the Ning’an Ten Heroes: Li Xuance.
"What is it?"
Lu Qingsong glanced at him, his brow furrowing. He had already guessed the young man’s intention.
’Making threats now will only make us more of a laughingstock.’
"I have a few words I wish to say to Deputy Captain Chen," Li Xuance said, his gaze as sharp as a sword locked on Chen Sheng.
"Stand down," Lu Qingsong said, his voice sinking.
"It’s quite alright."
But Sun Yuzhi let out a soft laugh, her sharp eyes narrowing with a playful glint.
"Young men are so hot-blooded. If he has something to say, by all means, let him speak."
She of course recognized Li Xuance and was curious to see what this member of the Ning’an Ten Heroes had to say for himself.
Lu Qingsong glanced at Sun Yuzhi, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not try to stop him.
Li Xuance turned to Chen Sheng, his voice heavy with an air of indisputable resolve:
"Deputy Captain Chen, you were the better man today, besting all my peers in the Iron Sword Sect. I have nothing to say to that. But the day you succeed in Condensing Evil, I will personally come to the Jingwu Bureau to challenge you.
I trust you will not refuse me then!"
Chen Sheng met his gaze and smiled calmly, his tone placid but brimming with powerful confidence.
"Very well. I’ll be waiting for you at the Jingwu Bureau."
"Then it is settled!"
Li Xuance gave a sharp nod. Without another word, he turned and dropped back into the Iron Sword Sect’s formation. His posture was as straight as a pine, but his tightly clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.
"Sect Leader Lu, since the spars for today are concluded, I shall not overstay my welcome."
Sun Yuzhi’s tone turned cold as her gaze swept over Li Xuance. "Should the Iron Sword Sect have any further interest in sparring, the gates of the Jingwu Bureau are always open. As it happens, I’m quite curious myself to see the skills of your lead True Inheritor."
"Xuan Ce is young and rash. If his words caused any offense, I hope Governor Sun will forgive him," Lu Qingsong said with a cupped-fist salute, his expression growing even more grim.
"Let’s go." Sun Yuzhi said nothing more, glancing at Chen Sheng to signal their departure.
"Chen Sheng—!!!"
Just then, a hoarse roar filled with bitter resentment erupted from behind the crowd. freeweɓnovel.cøm
Xiong Lie had somehow struggled to his feet. Supported by two disciples, he stared daggers at Chen Sheng and bit out each word:
"I will never forget today’s defeat. Once my wounds have healed, I will enter seclusion to succeed in Condensing Evil! When that time comes, I will personally visit the Jingwu Bureau to wash away the shame of this day!"
Chen Sheng gave a dashing smile and twirled the Earth-shaking Treasure Spear in his hand with a flourish before announcing loudly:
"I’ll give you time to catch up, right up until I’ve left you so far behind you can’t even hope to see my back. I will keep this spear with me and use it always. When you—or Li Xuance—are capable of taking it from my hands, then we can talk about other matters."
"Fine!"
Xiong Lie gritted his teeth, forcing out the single word.
This was not just a humiliation; it was a driving force.
He had already made up his mind. As soon as his injuries healed, he would immediately enter seclusion to cultivate the sect’s secret art: the Guardian Earth Evil Qi, ranked sixty-third on the Earth Fiend list. When he emerged, he would personally defeat Chen Sheng, reclaim the treasure spear, and avenge this day’s shame.
Once he finished speaking, silence fell over the field.
Chen Sheng’s figure drifted gracefully back onto his horse. The Earth-shaking Spear cut a cold arc through the air as his voice thundered across the plains:
"Back to camp!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
The hundred-odd Jingwu Guards roared their assent, the sound wave thundering so powerfully that the mountains themselves seemed to echo in reply.
With perfectly synchronized movements, they vaulted onto their mounts. Iron hooves thundered on the ground as they fell in behind Chen Sheng, departing like a black torrent of steel.
The remaining members of the Jingwu Bureau, whether Peacekeeper Envoys or Deputy Captains, said nothing, but the unconcealable looks of excitement and pride on their faces spoke volumes.
Today had been immensely satisfying!
All the frustration that had built up over the past month was completely swept away by Chen Sheng’s overwhelmingly dominant victory streak. The secret criticisms and disdain once directed at him had vanished, replaced by heartfelt admiration and a deep sense of satisfaction.
