Chapter 5189 — I Protest!
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Wei Zhao had in fact given instructions about this long beforehand. Their group was neither especially large nor especially small, and once the lots were drawn, an internal match was very likely. In such a case, they would naturally go through the motions and stop short of truly hurting each other, apportioning the victories sensibly to whoever needed them most.
Just as now: Yu Bing put on a show of going through the motions, then immediately conceded. Though she too had only recently succeeded in establishing her foundation, when it came to actual strength, Yu Bing was unquestionably far above Ying Ziyu.
With the counter-strategies and the techniques tailored against specific opponents that Wei Zhao had taught her, Yu Bing was confident enough to wring plenty of victories out of those Grand Antiquity Alliance disciples. So long as her luck was not too wretched, winning three of the next four bouts would be no difficult matter.
Ying Ziyu was a different case altogether. It would not be easy for her to win bouts against outsiders—especially with a malicious Xue Jianming lurking at the sidelines, eyeing them like a hawk. Securing the Grand Antiquity trial qualification would be even harder for her. That was why Yu Bing had voluntarily handed her the victory.
"Thanks, Brother Yu Bing." Back at the sidelines, Ying Ziyu was beaming. She wished she could draw one of her own people every single time—no need for many, just two more would do, and she would be guaranteed the Grand Antiquity trial qualification.
Wei Zhao and the others exchanged smiles. Truth be told, they were all thinking the same thing. Even with all their preparations, they still could not rest easy letting Ying Ziyu and the other girls take the risk. Unfortunately, the drawing of lots was left to heaven's will; if they had secretly rigged it, Xin Yi'an would have had no way to answer to those above him—and besides, so many eyes were watching.
"I protest!" Xue Jianming suddenly shouted.
The whole arena fell silent at once. Every gaze swung to him, and people looked at one another, baffled.
"What are you protesting?" Xin Yi'an asked with a frown.
"I protest their fixed match. In that last bout, that Yu Bing was obviously going easy on Ying Ziyu on purpose—a few perfunctory exchanges and then she wrapped it up in haste. Even a fool could see the trickery in it. Surely you are not going to tell me you could not see it either, Uncle Xin?" Xue Jianming snorted.
Everyone turned to look at Xin Yi'an, only to see him nod frankly and admit, "You are right. This old man saw it."
"Since you saw them pulling this sham, you, their leading uncle and the referee to boot, actually did nothing and let it pass—you connived at it and gave it your tacit blessing. Uncle Xin, is this not favoritism carried too far? Is this not treating the rules of our Grand Antiquity Alliance with utter contempt?" Xue Jianming pressed his advantage aggressively.
Yet Xin Yi'an showed not the slightest alarm. Instead he looked at him with a half-smile and said, "Forgive this old man's ignorance, but why don't you enlighten me, Xue Jianming—just which rule of the Grand Antiquity Alliance states that one may not pull one's punches during a bout?"
"This..." Xue Jianming, who had thought he had the man by the throat, was instantly struck dumb. If one encountered relatives or friends during a bout, going easy on them was only proper; the Grand Antiquity Alliance had indeed never had any compulsory rule on the matter.
"This old man has always treated everyone alike. If you go easy on someone else, or someone else goes easy on you, I will not stop it either. Any further questions?" Xin Yi'an said mildly.
Xue Jianming could only give a cold snort and say nothing, glaring venomously at Wei Zhao and the others as he waited for the next draw.