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Chapter 97: Chapter 95: Defeated Again
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The setting sun hung low, painting the sky red.
Outside the Da Zhen Pavilion
Chu Zhiyuan stood at the foot of the stairs, surveying the layout of the Da Zhen Pavilion.
The main gate was wide open, with six white-clad guards standing on either side of the majestic stone lions.
These six young white-clad guards stood lazily, but with their right hands resting on the hilts of their blades, they exuded a chilling aura, like tigers napping.
Through Super Sense, the briskly walking doorman moved inside, crossed the front yard, went through two moon gates, and arrived at a small courtyard at the third entry.
In the courtyard, Cheng Tianfeng was practicing swordsmanship.
The petite old man, Mo Chunyu, watched from the side.
The doorman entered cautiously and announced the visitor’s name.
Upon hearing the title of the Princely Heir of Prince Qing, Cheng Tianfeng abruptly stopped, fiercely turned, and pointed his sword at the door: "Who?!"
The doorman, an old man with white hair and beard, quickly clasped his fists: "Reporting to the Young Princely Heir, it is the Princely Heir of Da Jing’s Prince Qing, the Assistant Minister of Rites."
"Chu Zhiyuan?!" Cheng Tianfeng gave him a cold glare.
The doorman saw the usually calm and composed Cheng Tianfeng suddenly appear somewhat ferocious and terrifying, and he was struck with fear. He hurriedly nodded: "It is indeed him."
"What is that bastard here for?!" Cheng Tianfeng gritted his teeth: "To flaunt his might?"
"Let him in, have him wait in the front hall." Mo Chunyu said.
Cheng Tianfeng looked at him.
Mo Chunyu said, "After all, he is the Assistant Minister of Rites and a Princely Heir; we can’t shut him out, can we? That would be too discourteous."
"Uncle Master, dealing with this bastard reasonably?" Cheng Tianfeng grumbled through clenched teeth.
This despicable Chu Zhiyuan, who destroyed the Heavenly Hidden Pendant and stole the Heart Inquiry Blade, still dares to show up?
Mo Chunyu waved his hand.
The doorman looked towards Cheng Tianfeng, offered an apologetic fist salute, and retreated.
"Uncle Master, you go. I won’t!"
"Don’t you want to hear what he has to say?"
"It’s unnecessary!"
"Alright then." Mo Chunyu noted his attitude and frowned secretly.
Is he really afraid to face Chu Zhiyuan? Is he scared?
If he truly is afraid, it’s a bit troublesome; he might have developed a Heart Demon, which could hinder his advancement, not just as a Great Grandmaster, but even as a Grandmaster.
He frowned secretly as he walked forward.
Halfway through, he noticed Cheng Tianfeng following, walking alongside him, which brought a smile to his face.
Cheng Tianfeng snorted: "Let’s hear what rubbish this guy spews."
Mo Chunyu said, "A spar is just a spar, no need to treat them as mortal enemies, especially since we’re allies now."
"Heh." Cheng Tianfeng shook his head, sneering coldly.
Me becoming friends with Chu Zhiyuan?
It’s the biggest joke on earth!
We are mortal enemies—only because of our statuses and the presence of Great Grandmasters, we can’t make a fatal move.
If both of us ascend to Great Grandmaster, a killing blow would be inevitable.
"Even if we can’t become friends, let’s not appear hostile outwardly; it makes us seem petty and narrow-minded."
"...Alright."
Cheng Tianfeng quickly composed his expression.
Taking a deep breath.
It’s strange, really; typically, he stays emotionally stable, calm as still water, hardly shaken.
Even surrounded by beauty, he can remain mentally active while serene.
But whenever encountering Chu Zhiyuan, he immediately loses composure, overwhelmed with uncontrollable fury.
Could they be naturally destined rivals?
...
The two arrived in the front yard with calm expressions and saw Chu Zhiyuan and Zou Fang leisurely turning the corner of the shadow wall, then facing them directly.
Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists, smiling: "Mr. Mo, Brother Cheng, how have you been?"
He noted Cheng Tianfeng’s steady aura and stable demeanor, quite impressed. Being able to adjust one’s mindset so quickly is remarkable.
This Cheng Tianfeng is indeed extraordinarily gifted and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Mo Chunyu smiled silently.
Cheng Tianfeng snorted: "Quite well. Chu Brother, you’re well too, right?"
"I’m alright," Chu Zhiyuan smiled.
Cheng Tianfeng said: "Having defeated me, you must be delightful this spring, attending countless banquets; how did you find time to come here?"
Chu Zhiyuan replied: "I specially made time to visit Brother Cheng. Sparring with Brother Cheng has brought me great benefits."
Upon hearing "benefits," Cheng Tianfeng immediately thought of his own losses—the Heavenly Hidden Pendant and the Heart Inquiry Blade.
Having stolen his Heart Inquiry Blade, the gain is indeed immense!
That blade is one of the world’s top treasures, a divine weapon capable of breaking gangs, his trump card for survival.
This bastard seized it during the duel, utterly disgraceful!
Chu Zhiyuan sighed: "Victory and defeat are common. I won by luck—Brother Cheng shouldn’t dwell too much on it. The outcome of the next spar can’t be predicted."
Cheng Tianfeng sneered coldly.
Chu Zhiyuan continued: "Moreover, Brother Cheng, you hadn’t been able to give your all—you felt aggrieved and unconvinced, didn’t you?"
"Good that you know."
"How about we spar again?" Chu Zhiyuan suggested with a smile.
"Hmm—?" Cheng Tianfeng narrowed his brows, staring at him, trying to discern his intentions.
If they spar again, could he win?
He mused, comparing their strengths and weaknesses quickly.
Chu Zhiyuan has brute strength and speed, but his swordsmanship is rough—relying solely on these traits, a brute indeed.
In the past two days, he has contemplated deeply and found a method to counter him.
Fighting him requires no holding back, nothing reserved, attacking with full force for a lethal strike.
Unfortunately, the Heart Inquiry Blade was stolen, but there’s no need to mention it; he knows Chu won’t admit it.
Apart from the Heart Inquiry Blade, with the Heavenly Breaking Sword Technique and his own cultivation, he is capable of heavily injuring him.
It’s enough not to kill him, since it was his initiative.
With Uncle Master Mo present, killing him isn’t possible.
"Brother Cheng, want to try? Give your all for a match."
"..."
Cheng Tianfeng still scrutinized him frowning.
He wanted to figure out what exactly Chu Zhiyuan intended.
Mo Chunyu appeared both deaf and mute, remaining silent, merely observing the exchange between the two.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Brother Cheng, do you want a match? If not, let’s forget it."
"...Under what conditions?"
Cheng Tianfeng clenched his teeth, asking in a low voice.
"After this match, Brother Cheng should stop all the little tricks."
"What little tricks?"
"Brother Cheng, let’s not beat around the bush. It’s just us two—why pretend to be clueless?"
"I really don’t understand."
"Then let it go. Just pretend I never said that. Farewell."
Chu Zhiyuan turned to leave.
As he and Zou Fang reached the shadow wall, about to depart, Cheng Tianfeng finally spoke: "Wait!"
Chu Zhiyuan turned back.
"Alright, alright," Cheng Tianfeng shook his head, sighed: "You might not know my nature; I never hold grudges."
Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.
Not a word of that is believable.
"Whether you’re truthful or not, I promise you."
"Brother Cheng won’t deceive me, right?"
"You don’t trust me?!" Cheng Tianfeng glared coldly: "Then why come at all!"
Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Mo Chunyu, clasped his fists, smiling: "Mr. Mo, if you guarantee it, I’ll believe it."
Mo Chunyu’s gaunt face bore a slight smile: "Young Princely Heir, this matter is between you two, I won’t meddle."
"Then farewell!" Chu Zhiyuan turned to leave again.
"Hold on!" Cheng Tianfeng exclaimed impatiently: "Up to your old tricks again!"
Chu Zhiyuan smiled serenely, watching him.
"Uncle Master, you ensure it!"
"Young Princely Heir..."
"Uncle Master!"
"Sigh...You two—" Mo Chunyu eventually nodded slowly: "Fine, I’ll guarantee, the Young Princely Heir will cease with any further antics."
"Not just me, also the Prince Qing Mansion and the Duke An Mansion."
"Chu Zhiyuan, don’t push it too far!"
"Compared to Brother Cheng’s actions, it’s hardly excessive!"
"Alright, alright, I promise you, I won’t trouble Xiao Ruoling!"
Chu Zhiyuan looked at Mo Chunyu.
Mo Chunyu nodded. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
"Then, let’s have a duel!" Chu Zhiyuan drew his sword, pointing its tip at Cheng Tianfeng.
"Get ready!"
Cheng Tianfeng’s embroidered robe billowed as he drew his sword with his left hand fluidly, turning it into a flash of lightning instantaneously.
This strike surpassed any he unleashed during the Imperial Palace’s night banquet, embodying his essence’s full concentration, the most potent move.
Heavenly inquiry, questioning life and death as determined by fate; fate wants me dead, so be it; wants me alive, so be it.
The aim is to place oneself in such dire straits, unleashing power far beyond one’s intrinsic potential.
"Good!"
Chu Zhiyuan gave a short cry, his figure flicking out of sight.
The next instant, he reappeared at the forefront, clashing sword tips with Cheng Tianfeng.
"Boom!" In a muffled roar, the sword light blazed like a small sun crashing down.
Amidst the glare, Chu Zhiyuan gracefully retreated a yard, flicking the Qingying Sword.
A few drops of blood flew off, restoring the sword to crystal-clear tranquility, like an autumn water.
Cheng Tianfeng stood as if frozen, immobile.
Mo Chunyu frowned, flickered to Cheng Tianfeng’s rear, pressing a palm onto his back, swiftly sealing several large acupuncture points on his left shoulder.
The left shoulder’s white bones were ominously exposed.
This was the power of the Sword Gang, merely the sword tip skimming lightly, blasting the shoulder’s flesh and blood, leaving stark white bones behind.
From his sleeve, he then pulled out a small jade bottle, biting it open, and pressed two red pills directly onto the ominous white bones.
Cheng Tianfeng stood, lost in soul, staring skyward, confused and at a loss.
Chu Zhiyuan sheathed his sword, clasped his fists: "Brother Cheng, my apologies."
Apologetically, he glanced at Mo Chunyu: "Brother Cheng’s speed was too fast; I tried my utmost to avoid, but it was impossible."
Mo Chunyu had a grim visage, nodding: "Exquisite swordsmanship."
He could see that Chu Zhiyuan’s swordsmanship surpassed that of the other night; in just two days, it had improved by leaps and bounds—truly a prodigious talent.
The Young Princely Heir’s defeat was utterly deserved.
Chu Zhiyuan turned to Cheng Tianfeng: "Brother Cheng? Brother Cheng?!"
He sensed that this may still not be safe enough and decided further effort was needed to ensure it.
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