Qiao Lin momentarily couldn’t fathom the depth of his own words, yet since the Marquis had bestowed praise, how could it possibly be amiss?

After a brief contemplation, he ventured cautiously, “Your Lordship has graced the grasslands with your presence, your official duties surely weigh heavily. It is uncertain if you will find the time to accept this challenge… How should your subordinate respond?”

These words were crafted with exceeding finesse.

Yet, Jiang Wang was entirely devoid of Qiao Lin’s myriad considerations.

Before their departure, Emperor Qi Tian Zi had instructed that, if victory was assured, more spars would not be discouraged.

Against Dou Zhao, who dared to claim certainty of victory?

But presented with the opportunity to face Dou Zhao, who would be willing to let it slip by? “Upon hearing Dou Zhao’s name, my heart already burns with an unyielding will to battle!” Jiang Wang declared. “However, I have just returned from the borderlands and require a few days to adjust, to recover my peak state.”

He mused, “Draft a reply for me, and set the duel for the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month. The location shall be decided by him.”

“I, I, I!” Huang She Li eagerly interjected, “I shall arrange the location for the duel, guaranteeing fairness, impartiality, safety, and secrecy, so that you may both fully display your prowess!”

Jiang Wang smiled, “The time is set by me, the location by Dou Zhao. Only then can it be considered fair.”

“Then I shall apply to spectate!” Huang She Li said, batting her eyes. “You wouldn’t leave me out, would you?”

The imperious aura of this self-proclaimed elder sister, coupled with her current display of delicate vulnerability, was truly difficult to resist.

“If Young Lady Huang finds herself free…”

“I am free at any time,” Huang She Li replied with a strange coyness. “The envoy delegation is entirely managed by Murong; I am no trouble at all…”

“Then it is certainly possible,” Jiang Wang said.

“That is truly excellent!” Huang She Li, seated beside Jiang Wang across a tea stool, leaned forward slightly, her beautiful eyes brimming with emotion. “Perhaps, you might require a sparring partner… hmm…”

A sudden loud shout interrupted her words, shattering the delicate mood.

“Is Jiang Wang within?!”

Huang She Li turned towards the sound, only to see a short-bearded man with sharp eyes striding in. She immediately frowned. This appearance at a glance did not inspire confidence… regardless of the specifics, she mentally assigned him a negative review.

Objectively speaking, this person was not unsightly. But to possess an insufficiently superior appearance and dare to interrupt her delightful moment with Jiang Immortal, he was deserving of significant demerits.

“Brother Zhong Li!” Jiang Wang rose from within the hall to greet him. “What wind brings you here?”

“No need for excessive courtesy, sit and speak.” Zhong Li Yan walked directly inside, speaking with bluntness, “I have come seeking you several times already!”

“So I heard from those below,” Jiang Wang’s demeanor was excellent. “Indeed, I have only just returned. I haven’t had time to pay my respects… Does Brother Zhong Li have a matter of importance?”

Zhong Li Yan’s gaze briefly swept over Huang She Li before settling on Jiang Wang. He casually found a seat, sitting down with a sprawl. He laughed heartily, “I heard you made a grand display on the Qi-Xia battlefield, proving your divine arrival, consecutively felling several Xia country Marquises! Your progress is not insignificant!”

Saying this, he gave Jiang Wang a look that clearly said, “You understand.”

Jiang Wang didn’t quite understand, and said humbly, “It was merely good fortune.”

“Luck is also a part of strength,” Zhong Li Yan again offered a meaningful glance.

Jiang Wang was a little slow to catch on. “So?”

Zhong Li Yan raised his chin. “So I have decided to grant you an opportunity to challenge me!”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment.

He divided a wisp of his consciousness and submerged it into the Taixu Illusion Realm, quickly drafting a letter to Zuo Guang Shu, asking, *Zhong Li Yan has come to my door seeking a beating, how do you intend to proceed?*

On this side, Zhong Li Yan was laughing to himself again. “That time in the Mountain Sea Realm, you fled at the mere sight of me. You must have yearned to prove yourself for a long time. It is fitting that we meet again here in the grasslands!”

Jiang Wang suspected his memory was flawed.

Clearly, at that time in the Mountain River Realm, he and Zhong Li Yan had exchanged several moves before mutually exercising restraint. And the second time they met, with the lineup of himself, Zuo Guang Shu, Qu Shun Hua, and Yue Tian Nu, they had directly scared Zhong Li Yan and Fan Wu Shu away… But why did Zhong Li Yan speak with such certainty now?!

Could it be that I, Jiang, truly fled in front of Zhong Li Yan? I did indeed retreat on several occasions; I’m truly not sure if I’m mistaken…

Zuo Guang Shu’s reply arrived at this moment. This heavy user of the Taixu Illusion Realm, indeed, was always present, even late into the night. His reply was so timely… I wonder if he has time to engage in romantic conversation with Qu Shun Hua?

The reply from the young prince of Great Chu was concise, containing only four words:

Beat him to death.

“Good!” Jiang Wang then said, “Since Brother Zhong Li has this intention, there is no better day than today. We can just…”

“Eh!” Zhong Li Yan interrupted him. “I hear you’ve just returned from the borderlands. I, Zhong Li Yan, will not take advantage of you. You rest for two days; when you are well rested and it will not affect the fight, then come and exchange blows with me.”

“No need,” Jiang Wang said with a serious expression. “This trip to the borderlands was merely to observe. I have not the slightest injury, and no need for rest whatsoever. It is merely a spar. Brother Zhong Li’s affairs of state are pressing; I would not delay you too much.”

Zhong Li Yan’s eyebrow twitched. This kid was quite skilled at talking. Becoming a Marquis had indeed changed him; he was much more sensible.

“Since you are so eager…” He looked left and right, feeling that this courtyard was not conducive to a proper fight. He feared that if they fought wholeheartedly, they might tear down the Min He Temple, which would be difficult to explain.

“I’ll arrange the venue!” Huang She Li again jumped out at this moment, taking charge. “I have people in Mu country; you need not worry at all.”

She looked at Zhong Li Yan. “Little mustache, one hour from now, we’ll exchange blows at the Cang Wolf Fight Field in the western area. What do you think?”

Wolf, eagle, horse – these three totems held sacred meaning in the grasslands.

Thus, names containing these three words were never simple. This Cang Wolf Fight Field was one of the highest-specification fight fields in the highest royal court. It was unclear how Huang She Li had secured it.

However, Jing and Mu countries, both in the Northern Domain, had jointly resisted the demon tide for so many years. Some exchanges at the highest levels were normal.

Jiang Wang remained indifferent.

Seeing that Jiang Wang had no objection, Zhong Li Yan also nodded and said, “Then we shall meet in an hour.”

He turned and left, simply and neatly.

To speak of the most profitable business in the Northern Domain, it was undoubtedly the fight fields.

Brothels, casinos, and other money-burning establishments could not compare to the fight fields in driving the Northern Domain people to frenzy.

Exotic beast death matches, demon beast cage fights, demon race gladiator battles, and specialized cultivator death matches… In short, every fight you could imagine, and every unimaginable thrill, was wonderfully displayed here. From bloody battles that ceased only with death to spars that concluded with a single point, betting could be opened on all of them.

Zhong Xuanying also had an “Invincible Martial Field” in Lin Zi, but its business was far from good. The people of Lin Zi only watched fights involving famous individuals and renowned matches. They wouldn’t even glance at a random duel between Zhang San and Li Si. With so many places to spend money, the people of Lin Zi were simply unwilling to waste time in a martial field. Were the four great famous halls not enchanting enough, or the eight-sound famous tea not elegant enough?

The people of the Northern Domain were different.

They craved the raw impact of flesh against flesh, the sight of blood splattering on the spot, the pursuit of wild stimulation.

The long death line stretched across the borderlands. Although the allied forces of Jing and Mu guarded it as solidly as a golden soup, and for many years, this line had not moved a single step south, the people of the Northern Domain always lived with a sense of impending crisis, as if each day were their last. This made the element of adventure in their blood far surpass that of people in other regions.

The Cang Wolf Fight Field itself did not lack venues for fights. Even True Lords setting up games and fighting here was not unprecedented.

But…

Why the Cang Wolf Fight Field?

Jiang Wang looked at Huang She Li.

Huang She Li spoke like pouring beans from a bamboo tube. “The owner behind the Cang Wolf Fight Field is Lord Wan Yan Xiong Lue, who controls Wu Tu Lu. He’s been friends with my dad for many years; he’ll certainly give me this much face.”

She covered her mouth, leaned closer, and lowered her voice. “Actually, my family also has a small share in it.”

Jiang Wang offered his solemn respect.

One of the managers of the Jing country’s military court’s thirteen armies, and also holding shares in the Mu country’s highest royal court’s best fight field – this was simply too wealthy…

“Additionally, would you mind if I conveniently sold a few tickets?” Huang She Li said. “Although there’s only one hour left, with your fame… they’ll be here in time!”

Jiang Wang momentarily showed a difficult expression. “This…”

“We’ll split the income, two plus one equals four!” Huang She Li was very direct.

Jiang Wang frowned. “Not two plus one equals five?”

Huang She Li looked at him, shook her head and sighed. Her expression clearly said, “Good looks are indeed exchanged for brains.” But she raised both hands in front of Jiang Wang, extended two fingers on one hand, and shook them, asking, “What does two and two make?”

“Four.”

“So two plus one equals four!”

Jiang Wang was stunned for a moment. “It seems that’s truly the case.”

“Right! Believe me!” Huang She Li seized the opportunity to pat his chest. “My math is excellent!”

Bang, bang.

The echoes rang hollowly.

Hmm… Very solid, feels quite good. If Huang She Li weren’t making money, she truly wouldn’t want to leave now.

No choice.

Beauty is precious, but making money is more valuable.

From beginning to end, the two of them simply did not discuss Zhong Li Yan’s share problem. If two plus one equals four, where was his share?

And watching Huang She Li’s rapidly disappearing back, Jiang Wang felt a mysterious sense of familiarity. Huang She Li’s routine was truly identical to Zhong Xuanying’s approach to running the Invincible Martial Field back then.

One could only say that the reasons for poverty in this world were strange and varied, while the paths to wealth were often interconnected.

Huang She Li was originally a rare beauty. She didn’t expect to also be stained with the smell of copper.

She had become even more beautiful and wealthy.

Zhong Li Yan returned to the Chu country’s envoy station with swaggering confidence. Upon his return, he went straight to Dou Zhao’s courtyard.

The Chu people who witnessed this scene quickly followed, fearing that these two might fight again and ready at any moment to intervene. On this trip to Mu country, these two had already dueled no less than twenty times on the road.

So much so that for most of the journey, Zhong Li Yan had spent his time healing…

Of course, at this moment, he was full of vigor, and with a single foot, he kicked open the door to Dou Zhao’s courtyard.

“I have news for you!”

He stepped over the door panel and entered, his gaze quickly fixing on Dou Zhao, who was sitting beside a stone table in the courtyard. “Jiang Wang has issued a challenge to me. I have decided to give him an opportunity to prove himself. In one hour, at the Cang Wolf Fight Field, we shall decide who is superior!”

Dou Zhao closed the reply Qiao Lin had just sent and said casually, “And then?”

Zhong Li Yan’s toes were high in the air. “Jiang Wang values me more, wants to challenge me more. I think this is beyond doubt.”

Dou Zhao lightly raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“Though he conceals it, though he pretends not to care,” Zhong Li Yan laughed heartily. “I don’t mind if you go and watch, to properly appreciate how I shall win honor for Great Chu.”

Dou Zhao finally lifted his head and laughed lightly. “I shall await your good news here.”

He didn’t say that Jiang Wang was unwilling to even spend time healing after beating Zhong Li Yan, certainly not out of any sympathy or tolerance for Zhong Li Yan.

Rather, he planned to say it after Zhong Li Yan lost…

Sprinkling salt on the wound was only interesting then.

Although Dou Zhao did not provoke him, Zhong Li Yan could entertain himself. After showing off a few more sentences, he turned and left. No matter what was said, winning or losing was fundamental. Before formally exchanging hands with Jiang Wang, he also needed to properly adjust his state.

“Adult Zhong Li and Qi country’s Marquis Wu An’s battle, are you truly not going to watch?” After Zhong Li Yan left, an attendant in the courtyard asked.

Dou Zhao’s tone was casual. “What is there to watch? This…” The attendant hesitated and said, “Do you feel that Adult Zhong Li is not strong enough, or that Qi country’s Marquis Wu An is not strong enough?”

Dou Zhao glanced at him askance. “What makes you so arrogant? Zhong Li Yan, before abandoning his technique, was the second among the younger generation in the Southern Domain. After turning to martial arts, his spine has opened twenty-one heavy heavens. How dare you say he is not strong? Qi country’s Marquis Wu An decapitated Divine Arrival realm powerhouses on the Qi-Xia battlefield, earning his title through military merit. How dare you say he is not strong?”

The attendant wiped his sweat and said, “Yes… yes.”

“But I dare. They both are indeed not much.”

Dou Zhao drew a line through the reply on the table and leisurely left the courtyard.

The news of the Qi country’s Marquis Wu An’s decisive battle against the Chu country’s heavenly proud son Zhong Li Yan, in the shortest time, spread throughout the high-level customer base of the Cang Wolf Fight Field.

And it only spread among the high-level customer base.

Three hundred VIP tickets were almost completely swept away, not a single one remaining. If not for considering the feelings of Jiang Wang and Zhong Li Yan, Huang She Li could have sold three thousand tickets.

Of course, selling a full three thousand tickets would not necessarily earn more than these three hundred tickets.

There was no such thing as reselling at a high price. Firstly, time was extremely limited; secondly, the ticket prices were already absurdly high; thirdly, those who could acquire tickets at this time were all masters who lacked no money. No one would be greedy for that little profit.

Of course, if some truly influential figures wanted to enter, they could always find a way.

The Cang Wolf Fight Field’s martial arts stages were divided into four: blue, red, black, and white.

The highest specification was called the Blue Tooth Stage.

Wolf tooth, wide feather, horse hoof represented the shadow of killing, freedom, and speed, all holding a certain sacred meaning.

For example, the superhumans of the Mu country’s security institution, the Cang Feather, were called “Flying Teeth,” which was related to this… Many cultivators within were strong individuals who had fought their way out of various fight fields.

This suddenly initiated duel, with only an hour of preparation time, in the undercurrent-filled highest royal court, attracted gazes that were difficult to imagine.

Wu Yan Lan Zhu and her good sisters Hu E Lian Zhen Yi quietly slipped into the viewing platform. As straightforward and generous as she was, her gaze inadvertently swept across the surrounding seats several times. Her heart suddenly leaped, feeling as if fierce beasts were everywhere, as if she had arrived deep within the borderlands.

Zhen Yi was also not in a good state.

The Hu E Lian department was one of the most powerful tribes below Tu Shi. As the most favored youngest daughter of the Hu E Lian department’s leader, she was a high-level customer of the Cang Wolf Fight Field, and she just happened to be strolling through the king’s court with her little sisters. The moment the news was released in the fight field, she immediately spent a large sum of money to book two tickets, bringing her little sisters to appreciate the duel between contemporary top heavenly proud sons.

Bringing her little sisters to appreciate the duel between contemporary top heavenly proud sons.

Although she had long known that the audience for this match would be either rich or noble.

But this was also a bit *too* noble.

Figures like Jin Shi’s Jin Ge and Yu Wen Shi’s Yu Wen Duo… These were all individuals no less prominent than the young masters of Tu Shi.

There were even those from the Yun Yun Hall and the Zhao Tu Hall…

Among some of the elders, there were even those before whom her own father would have to bow.

What virtue and ability did she possess, merely being a little idle and a little quick with her hands, to be able to sit in the same seats as them?

She gripped her good sisters’ hands tightly, feeling their palms also sweating.

The two little girls supported each other in this way, finding their seats and sitting down without looking sideways.

They trembled like two little lambs who had mistakenly wandered into a wolf pack.

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