Arena Duel

Li Xuanfu deliberately drew out his words, causing a fresh wave of commotion beneath the stage. Satisfied, he glanced around and spoke unhurriedly, “If I were to let all you good folks and elders simply step up to the stage to court my daughter, that would be most disrespectful, wouldn’t it?” He stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“Hey, old man, stop beating around the bush and spit it out!” someone in the crowd couldn’t contain himself.

“Alright, alright,” Li Xuanfu smiled kindly, “after discussing with my daughter, we’ve decided to let everyone first have a glimpse of her beauty. If anyone is interested, you may then compete in a martial contest for her hand. What do you all think?”

“Fine! Let’s see what your daughter looks like. If she’s a fat lady, I wouldn’t want her even if you gave her to me for free!” jeered someone below.

“Haha, and if she’s lame or pockmarked, would you want her then?” The crowd burst into laughter and teased each other.

“My daughter is, of course, a beauty beyond compare,” Li Xuanfu declared confidently.

“In that case, how come I’ve never heard of a Li Xuanfu at the World’s Greatest Manor?” asked the same man dressed in rags.

Li Xuanfu shot him a look but said nothing; such a person wasn’t worthy of competing anyway. “But, naturally, my daughter is precious. For her to show her face in public, there must be some sincerity. After all, I am a businessman—I don’t do unprofitable trades.”

Shameless merchant!

Everyone had expected there’d be no free show. Still, their curiosity had been piqued, and since they reasoned they wouldn’t actually go up to compete, they decided to see how this sly merchant would go on.

Li Xuanfu’s remark about not making a loss silenced the crowd, until suddenly, someone shouted, “If you’re so confident your daughter’s that beautiful, then say what you want!”

“Hahahaha! Anyone who steps onto the stage must first pay a registration fee of twenty taels of refined silver,” Li Xuanfu quickly flashed a hand signal.

Before the crowd could begin to grumble, two red silk ribbons were suddenly thrown from either side of the stage. Accompanied by music from who-knows-where, the platform was instantly draped with a sheer red veil that fluttered gently in the breeze.

Ruirui appeared, resplendent in scarlet. Her hundred-fold pleated skirt swayed with her steps, her forehead adorned with a plum blossom ornament, lips tinted red, her entire ensemble in perfect harmony.

With her arrival, the crowd fell silent, the dramatic entrance adding an air of mystery to her beauty.

As the red gauze was drawn aside and Ruirui stood poised, every eye widened to take in the sight.

“My name is Moqing. I pay my respects to all the elders and villagers,” Ruirui said, bowing gracefully. Without glancing at the crowd again, she turned with small, measured steps and seated herself at the edge of the stage.

“Well, everyone? Are you satisfied with my daughter?” Li Xuanfu made his timely reappearance.

Satisfied, very satisfied.

Wow, she’s more enchanting than Lady Huahong from the Red Moon Pavilion.

Nonsense! She’s the daughter of a great family—how can you compare her to Huahong from the Red Moon Pavilion?

Another round of banter erupted below the stage.

“Silence, please! My daughter has long awaited her future husband—who wishes to sign up?” Li Xuanfu was inwardly delighted at the thought of all the silver he’d soon collect.

Seeing how beautiful the old man’s daughter was, and her grand, star-like entrance, the crowd recalled he’d claimed to be the master of the World’s Greatest Manor, with only this one daughter. Whoever married her would inherit all his vast wealth—what was twenty taels of silver compared to that?

Immediately, the number of people registering and paying the fee soared, even leading to scuffles as everyone fought for a chance.

Wanwan, standing on tiptoe and craning her neck, was filled with excitement. “Wow, a martial arts contest for a bride—how grand!”

Pan Yueyang had been quietly following behind Wanwan. Watching her so intently absorbed was utterly charming. While most people gawked and drooled over the beauty on stage, Wanwan herself was so amazed she was nearly drooling, completely unaware that she was at least ten times more beautiful than the woman on the platform.

Xueqing was curious too, though not about who would win the contest or claim the maiden.

Pan Yueyang, Xueqing, and Baili Mubai exchanged glances. They simply had to see how this event unfolded—who in the imperial city would dare such a brazen act?

“One of you should enter the contest!” Wanwan suddenly turned around, anxiously urging them.

“Enter the contest? We’re just here to watch the fun, why should we compete? I’m still young, I’m not going!” Baili Mubai immediately shrank back.

The other three burst out laughing—it was ludicrous for someone his age to act so childish.

Wanwan glanced at Xueqing. Her sister was a woman and couldn’t participate.

“Yueyang!” Wanwan quickly turned to her master at her side—he was the most suitable!

“Do you know what you’re asking?” Pan Yueyang lowered his head to warn her.

“But there’s no way for Xueqing or me to compete, and Mubai is too weak…” Wanwan watched the contestants on the stage, growing more anxious by the minute.

“Let’s find a place to sit.” Pan Yueyang looked around. Directly opposite was a small two-story tavern.

Dragging a very reluctant Wanwan, the four of them entered. “Boss, are there any seats on the second floor?”

Xueqing was shrewd. With all these crowds, the tavern across from the stage would be packed with people wanting the best view, not just those competing, but also those just here for the spectacle. Surely, seats upstairs would be hard to come by.

“Sorry, sirs, the second floor is full today, only empty seats on the ground floor,” the tavern keeper replied cheerfully. The impromptu contest had brought him a windfall, with many customers flocking upstairs to drink and watch.

Pan Yueyang said nothing and headed straight up to the second floor. The others could only follow—such commanding presence, truly the makings of a leader.

When they entered the second floor, Wanwan was dumbfounded—every table was occupied.

With a snap, Pan Yueyang walked to the spot with the best view, tossed a silver note onto the table, and declared, “This table—we’ll take it.” His face was expressionless as he addressed the three scholarly-looking men seated there.

“Sir, there are things money simply can’t buy,” the man on the left replied first.

Pan Yueyang remained silent, standing his ground and staring coldly at them. What he wanted, he would have.

“If someone is offering silver, why not accept it? Let him have the table,” the middle man said, never once glancing at them, eyes closed as he spoke languidly.

The three rose with easy grace and left, not even taking the silver note.

Apart from Wanwan, the other three in Pan Yueyang’s group could sense the powerful inner strength of these men.

Soon, the sounds from the crowd around the stage drew the four back to the unfolding drama, their earlier encounter forgotten. Aside from Wanwan, who was genuinely here for the excitement, the other three each harbored their own thoughts.

“Look at that! What should we do? That man seems unstoppable—he’s been on the stage this whole time!” Wanwan watched the contest with growing anxiety.

The other three remained composed, quietly observing the stage.

Round after round, with Wanwan growing increasingly nervous, one man remained on the platform at the end, wearing a relaxed smile. No one dared challenge him further.

He was enormous, as tall as Pan Yueyang but far more robust, his massive muscles bulging from his short-sleeved shirt—a sheer display of brute strength. He had swept the competition with ease.

The stage was entirely under his control. Whether those thrown off or the rowdy bystanders, all fell silent, waiting for Li Xuanfu to announce the result. It was clear the burly man had won.

“Wait!” Just as Li Xuanfu was about to declare the winner, a sweet, melodious voice rang out from above. Everyone looked up to see a beauty surpassing the one on stage by leagues, gazing anxiously at the contest.

Li Xuanfu saw Wanwan as well—what a goddess! How had he missed this one? The woman below was beautiful, but the one above was ethereal.

“Young lady…” Li Xuanfu composed himself—this was not the time to make a move.

“Oh, Manor Master, we haven’t entered yet!” Before Pan Yueyang could stop her, Wanwan blurted out.

“Oh? Young miss, I’m seeking a son-in-law for my daughter. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to compete, would it?” His words immediately drew laughter from the crowd.

“Manor Master, I can’t, but what about these two gentlemen beside me?” Wanwan said, pulling Baili Mubai and Pan Yueyang forward.

Since Wanwan had already spoken, the two had no choice but to stand.

“Very well,” Li Xuanfu said, sizing up the two striking gentlemen on the balcony.

The four descended from the tavern, the crowd making way for them. Pan Yueyang led, followed by Wanwan and Xueqing, with Mubai at the rear.

Their refined attire and noble bearing stood out, marking them as wealthy. The commoners below could only look at themselves in dismay—such people were truly of another world.

“Which of you gentlemen will go first?” Li Xuanfu’s gaze shifted between Pan Yueyang and Baili Mubai.

“Him!” They both spoke simultaneously, pointing at each other.

“This…” Li Xuanfu was at a loss.

“Manor Master, let them both go together,” Wanwan chimed in brightly—what a clever idea!

Her suggestion earned her four murderous glares. Pan Yueyang’s cold, aloof demeanor was nothing new to Wanwan, but Baili Mubai, usually a bit of a fool, suddenly looked so serious that it caught her off guard.

“Wanwan, come down from the stage,” Xueqing interjected, smoothing things over. The contest was inevitable now.

At that moment, sitting in the corner of the stage, Ruirui observed Pan Yueyang and Baili Mubai. With their commanding presence, she felt a glimmer of hope.

With a sweep of his palm, Pan Yueyang sent the burly champion flying off the stage and straight into the tavern.

The crowd gasped in awe. This man was like a deity! The giant must have weighed at least two hundred pounds, yet the man in purple had dispatched him with a casual gesture—without so much as glancing his way, and sent him flying that far…