Chapter 4167 — A Fair Duel

To challenge Su Zhaohe, the strongest Foundation Establishment expert, to a ring duel—wasn't that plainly courting death? Wei Zhao, that posturing ringleader, truly had a death wish!

"Very good. Five days from now, we meet at the North Island ring!" Su Zhaohe was overjoyed. What he had feared most in coming here was that Wei Zhao would refuse, which would have made the trip pointless. But who would have thought the fellow would actually agree—he clearly had no idea what death meant.

The so-called North Island ring was a place the Threefold Pavilion of North Island had specially established to keep disciples from fighting in private, a designated ground for challenges and contests of skill, so that they might settle their disputes fairly through strength.

In this way, petty grudges could be averted to some degree, conflicts brought out into the open and kept within controllable bounds. A challenge could proceed only with the consent of both parties; once they stepped onto the ring, life and death were each man's own affair, and neither could blame the other.

If one felt unequal to the task, one could refuse to one's face—at worst, losing a little face, but at least with no peril to life.

"As you wish," Wei Zhao said with a faint, unruffled smile.

"Then wait to die." Watching Wei Zhao's calm, posturing manner, Su Zhaohe could not suppress a surge of disgust. In his eyes, only a strong man like himself could truly remain unflinching in the face of danger; as for trash like Wei Zhao, all he could do was pose. What the hell was he pretending for?

Su Zhaohe departed in grand style with Niu Qiang and the others. The onlookers drawn by the commotion pointed and whispered about Wei Zhao for a while, then dispersed. Those left on the scene were only Wei Zhao and his own people.

"Junior Brother Lin, Su Zhaohe is recognized throughout our Threefold Pavilion as the strongest Foundation Establishment disciple. Word has it he can even fight above his level against Golden Core experts—that's no idle talk. How could you agree?" The long-suffering senior brother, after days apart, had no time for pleasantries and voiced his worry the moment he opened his mouth.

"Chief, Su Zhaohe's reputation is indeed considerable. A man with fame that great must have strength to match, or else Pavilion Master Shangguan would never have taken a liking to him. This challenge is a bit risky," Xiao Che said, likewise concerned.

As for Qiao Hongcai, who had always worshipped Wei Zhao blindly, even he said nothing this time; standing to one side, he exchanged a glance with Li Zhengming, worry plain in his eyes as well.

Faced with this barrage of worry and reproach, Wei Zhao felt a surge of warmth despite himself. After more than a month on Central Island, returning to the Threefold Pavilion on North Island had at first felt a little strange—but now, in an instant, he found the feeling of coming home.

"Ha, we've known each other so long—when have you ever seen me do something I wasn't sure of? You'll understand when the time comes..." Wei Zhao laughed and reassured them.

The long-suffering senior brother and the others were about to say more when they were cut off by Shangguan Lan'er, who had suddenly walked over: "Little Junior Brother, when did you get back? Why didn't you come find me?"

"Just now. I hadn't even had time to rest my feet before this business landed on me." Wei Zhao shrugged helplessly, picked up Little Curly Bear as was his habit, and then asked, "By the way, where's Ning Xuefei? Has she gone back to West Island?"

"That's right. She's the little princess of West Island—she can't stay out playing too long. She went back more than half a month ago." Shangguan Lan'er stuck out her tongue, then paused, a little nervous: "Little Junior Brother, have you really decided to fight that thing on the ring?"

"That's right. Since I accepted the challenge to his face, then of course I'll fight it. I can't very well stand him up in front of so many people," Wei Zhao said with a faint smile.

"But my grandfather once said that thing is outstanding among the disciples of his generation in the Threefold Pavilion, whether in strength or potential. He's no simple character," Shangguan Lan'er said. Usually so carefree, this time she was unexpectedly worried for Wei Zhao.

"Oh? If even Pavilion Master Shangguan says so, then I really ought to have a proper look at him." Wei Zhao grew interested instead. Given Shangguan Tianxia's breadth of vision, anyone he appraised in such terms was unlikely to be a common sort with fame but no substance.

"Oh, come on! This isn't a friendly match of skills, it's a duel to the death! One slip and someone really could die. How can you still be so thick-skinned about it, Little Junior Brother!" Shangguan Lan'er stamped her foot in frustration, then suddenly her eyes darted about: "Forget it, I'll go talk to Grandfather about this."

With that, before Wei Zhao could speak, Shangguan Lan'er turned and left, not even bothering with Little Curly Bear, and in a blink she had vanished from sight.

Back at Hualan Residence, Shangguan Lan'er headed straight for the study, and seeing Shangguan Tianxia writing with brush in hand, she at once rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward to grind his ink.

"Go on, what is it?" Shangguan Tianxia smiled without raising his head. For the little girl to voluntarily grind his ink was a rare treat, one he hardly enjoyed once a year—unsolicited attentiveness meant a request was sure to follow.

"Hehe, Grandfather, are you about to take a disciple lately? Someone named Su Zhaohe or something?" Shangguan Lan'er giggled. She had never paid much attention to outside affairs, but lately the rumors of Su Zhaohe seeking a master had grown so loud it was hard not to hear.

"Oh? Even little Lan'er has heard the rumors abroad?" Shangguan Tianxia was a little surprised, then answered noncommittally: "Rumor only—I neither confirm nor deny."

"What's that supposed to mean? Grandfather's playing with words again, all mist and clouds!" Shangguan Lan'er pouted, then said directly: "That Su Zhaohe just went to the Welcome Pavilion and named Little Junior Brother for a challenge. Don't you think you ought to do something about it, Grandfather?"

"Wei Zhao?" Shangguan Tianxia stopped his brush and raised his head in some surprise: "Su Zhaohe went to challenge Wei Zhao? Did Wei Zhao accept?"

"I don't know what Little Junior Brother was thinking—he actually agreed." Shangguan Lan'er pursed her lips in resignation.

"Ha, the little fellow's got some spirit," Shangguan Tianxia said with a laugh.

"Some spirit! Su Zhaohe is plainly using his seniority to bully his junior. How shameless! Grandfather should give him a good scolding and make him apologize to Little Junior Brother and call off the challenge!" Shangguan Lan'er fumed.

"That won't do. The challenge is a matter between the two of them; no one else may interfere. Even if I am the Pavilion Master of the Heaven-Rushing Pavilion and an elder of the North Island Master's Pavilion, I cannot be the first to break that rule. Since Wei Zhao has already accepted the challenge, he need only prepare himself well," Shangguan Tianxia said, shaking his head slowly.

"Ah! How can that be? Grandfather, don't you think a challenge like this is not fair in the least?" Shangguan Lan'er said, suddenly angry. R1152