Chapter 7: Fighting for the Sake of Money (Part 1)

  The sky was still dark, but the willow garden was ablaze with lights, and everyone was packed up and ready to depart. The streets outside the gate were silent as a tomb, with tension and solemnity etched on every face, as if even the chilly morning breeze had become heavy as lead.

  "Linglong and Wanyu went to invite Chief Diao, why haven't they come yet?" Xia Peiheng sat on his horse, anxiously raised his eyes to gaze at the eastern horizon, saying: "If we don't leave now, we'll be late."

  "Wait a bit." Geng Nan Yi said in a low voice: "I went to see Xiao Si brothers three times yesterday, and he was always practicing talismans in the house."

  "I hope it's useful," Yi Bo said with a bitter smile: "Last night when the market closed, the odds of Zhaojin Building were 1 to 55, and I don't know what Fourth Master is thinking."

  Yu Linglong and Wan'er accompanied Xiao Si, who was yawning continuously, to walk over slowly.

  His eyes were red and swollen, tears streaming down his face in the wind. His hair was disheveled and tied back with a pin, his clothes rumpled and worn, giving him the air of a cunning old thief.

  Looking at Xiao Si's listless appearance, Xia Peiheng and Geng Nan Yi exchanged a glance, shaking their heads helplessly.

  "Fourth Master, it's really can't be done, let's just give up." Madam Geng couldn't help but persuade: "It's still possible to withdraw now."

  "What a joke?" Di Xiao Si glared and said: "I just got Yi Yang to help me add 19,000 taels of silver as a bet yesterday. If I admit defeat, wouldn't it all be thrown into the pot?"

  Everyone looked at each other in dismay, not knowing where Xiao Si's confidence came from. Could it be that he really thought that with the hidden weapons and talismans sent by Li Jing and Chai Shao, he could withstand a single incense stick under Duan Zhen Tian's knife? If so, then Duan Zhen Tian would not be a top-notch figure in the Guan Luo Orthodox School.

  Xiao Si had just mounted his horse when a crisp "crack" sound came from the garden, caused by someone hitting the ground with a black bamboo stick.

  Ba Suanzi walked slowly, her four small eyes shining brightly as she looked at the pale and haggard old blind man and said: "Apprentice, are you going to accompany Master to Shi Zi Slope?"

  "This is a 'Nine Underworld Array Symbol', which can sustain the operation for about half an incense stick. " Bu Suanzi handed a palm-sized black jade slip to Xiao Si, his voice hoarse and said: "This is all I can do."

  Xiao Si stared blankly and asked: "Aren't you going with me?"

  Bao Suanzi shook his head, leaned on a black bamboo stick and slowly walked away along the way he came.

  Xiao Si looked at his back, a bit thin and a bit lonely, and suddenly felt a little stifled.

  Suddenly, he shouted: "Hey, what's wrong with you? Why do I have to lose?" With a fierce whip crack, the horse let out a long, shrill whinny, shattering the silence of the dark night, and shot out like an arrow onto the empty streets.

  The crowd looked at each other in dismay, and then shouted and whipped their horses to chase after them.

  The ancient city, quietly asleep, was suddenly shattered by the chaotic sound of hooves. The distant and majestic city walls were dyed in the dark night sky, with a few stars twinkling in the far distance.

  A group of people arrived at the Qi Xia Gate, and saw that Hong Bu, Li Jing, Chai Shao, Li Xiu Ning, Fang Ming Zu and others were already waiting there. The two groups merged into one, and with a loud noise they left the city and headed straight for the Ten Mile Slope in the east of the city.

  Around dawn, the Cross Slope was in sight. Two small earth mounds intersected each other on the west bank of the Ba River, forming a cross-shaped highland. Many people had already gathered around, including masters from both the Orthodox and Devil Sects of the Guanluo region, as well as many gamblers who had risen early to watch the excitement.

  On the high ground, Duan Zhen Tian had arrived. Behind him were dozens of escorts and guards from the Guan Luo Escort Agency, as well as some relatives and old friends, all of whom were renowned figures in the jianghu.

  As expected, the Right Guard General of the Imperial Army, Yuwen Chengdu, was invited by Duan Zhentian to serve as one of the witnesses for this duel. Representing Xiao Si was the Right Wuwei General, Qu Tutong.

  "The old guy arrived pretty early." Fang Mingzu raised his head and gazed at Duan Zhentian, humming: "Fourth brother, I've put some money on you, whether it's a win or a loss is all up to you!"

  Xiao Si didn't respond, his gaze passed over Duan Zhen Tian's head and looked towards the eastern horizon, where a hint of dawn's pale light was visible. His mind suddenly felt a little dazed, and he inexplicably felt that the flow of energy in his body seemed to be communicating with the surrounding heaven and earth in this instant.

  At this moment, he had already touched the threshold of the Micro Realm, and his whole body was adjusted to its best state. He couldn't help but say in a low voice: "The old blind man's words seem to have some truth to them - cultivating symbols is cultivating the Tao. I didn't sleep or rest for a day and two nights, cultivating the Tao symbol, and now the feeling is indeed somewhat different."

  Unfortunately, this was what he thought in his heart, and outsiders had no way of knowing. In the eyes of Xia Peiheng and others, they only saw that guy stretching lazily on horseback, clamping his legs on the horse's belly to urge the mount to ascend the cross slope with a gentle gait.

  "You actually dare to come, I'll give you credit for having guts." Duan Zhen Tian slowly stood up from his chair, gazing at Xiao Si who was walking towards him.

  Xiao Si drove his horse straight to the front and stopped, saying: "Sorry to keep you waiting, who made a master like me have to make a grand entrance under everyone's attention until the last moment?"

  "Huh?!" Duan Zhen was shocked to realize that although he had already stood up straight, he was still noticeably shorter than Xiao Si, who was sitting on the tall horse. He couldn't help but say angrily: "You're a sly little brat!"

  At this time, Kuai Tong said: "Director Duan and Director Xun, since both of you have arrived, please come over to sign the life and death warrant."

  Duan Zhen Tian strode to the desk, pen in hand, and signed his name without hesitation. He turned back to face Xiao Si and said, "If you're afraid of death, then hurry up and admit defeat!"

  Xiao Si slowly and carefully pulled out two crutches from the bundle of dragon waistbands, then cautiously dismounted from the horseback, and as soon as his feet touched the ground, he suddenly twisted his brow.

  Yuwen Chengdu furrowed his brow and said: "Diao Zongbiao, can you still participate in the martial arts competition in this state?"

  Xiao Siyu used both hands to support his body, gasping slightly, and took the opportunity to size up Yuwen Chengdu. He saw that he was over thirty years old, with a straight figure and a cold expression, sitting there like an immovable iceberg.

  "No choice, I'd rather die than accompany a petty person." Xiang Xiao Si took a deep breath, as if to swallow all the pain, and then supported himself with both hands, his legs trembling as he walked to the table.

  The crowd around began to lose its original quiet order, and they whispered to each other, speculating about Xiao Si's injury.

  The upper half of the life-and-death board was a rectangular grid, and although Xia Pei-Heng had introduced it to him before, Xiao Si still carefully read it from top to bottom in silence, using up half a cup of tea's worth of time.

  Duan Zhen Tian sneered coldly in his heart: "This kid thinks he can take advantage of the rules to muddy the waters, but he's miscalculated!"

  After reading the rules, Xiao Si glanced at the various betting odds related to this match below and finally nodded with satisfaction, twisting and turning to sign his name.

  Kui Tu Tong's identity at this moment was that of a notary, so he naturally couldn't say much. He put away the life and death certificate and said: "Now give you two a moment to prepare."

  He then looked at Xiang Xiaosi and said, "During this period, if you feel that your injuries are too severe and you cannot hold on, you have the right to ask me and General Yuwen to postpone the duel date."

  Xiao Si saw a hint of warmth and concern in Qu Tui Tong's eyes, and secretly smiled: "My silver wasn't spent in vain, this cheap brother is actually quite good to me."

  He limped back into the camp of the Hui Tong Bureau, and with Yi Bo's support, he pretended to be in agony as he sat down on the ground.

  Yu Linglong and others watched with a smile in their hearts: "It's just that the fourth brother is so clever and cunning, he actually thought of taking advantage of the situation to pretend to be injured and stun Duan Zhentian. It's just a pity that the two people's cultivation levels are too far apart, otherwise they might have been able to catch Duan Zhentian off guard and make him suffer a great loss."

  Xiao Si slowly turned over and said, "Director Xia, would you mind helping me massage my waist and back to relax the meridians and soothe the blood?"

  Xia Peiheng was stunned and thought to himself, "I am the illustrious leader of the Chang'an Branch, how can I possibly give someone a massage in front of so many people?"

  It can be thought that this battle is related to whether Chang'an Fenju can stand in the capital, and one's own face is not worth anything. At this time, he readily agreed and leaned forward to operate on Xiao Si's lower back.

  "He was saying while releasing his power: 'Chief Escort Xia, when you fight with Duan Zhen Tian later, don't try to hard-headedly confront him. This person's skills are deep and his moves are cunning, you need to use your body techniques to dodge and weave around..." Chief Escort Xia?"

  Perhaps his craftsmanship was too exquisite, and Xiaosuo listened and listened, but soon fell asleep with a loud snore.

  Xia Peiheng was both angry and anxious, thinking to himself: "At a time like this, he can still sleep? He's really young and inexperienced, I'm afraid today's competition is bound to be lost!"

  In an instant, Yuwen Cheng loudly said: "Director Duan, Director Xun, please come on stage!"

  Xia Peiheng hurriedly pushed awake Xia Xiao Si and said: "Xia, the leader of the escort team, it's your turn to take action."

  Xiao Si slowly opened his eyes, and a ray of morning sunlight was shining on his face.

  He subconsciously raised his hand to shade his eyes, and saw Duan Zhentian change into a black suit with the "Degree of Difficulty Knife" inserted on his back, walking with a majestic and powerful stride onto the high platform located at the center of the Cross Slope.

  Xiao Si patted Xia Pei Heng's shoulder and said, "Your skills are not bad, better than Lao Dao." With great effort, he propped himself up with his crutches and walked onto the high platform, stopping ten zhang away from Duan Zhen Tian.

  All sounds were gradually disappearing, and a pin could be heard dropping both inside and outside the venue.

  Suddenly, I heard Wan'er shouting loudly and recklessly under the high platform: "Don't die, you have to come back alive -"

  Xiao Si hehe smiled, raised his face to gaze at the crimson sun bursting out from behind the mountain ranges of the cloud sea, a million feet of rosy light spreading across the sky, the clear wind blowing over the hills like a tidal wave, and an unprecedented vastness unfolded endlessly before his eyes.

  He raised his cane and pointed it at Duan Zhen Tian, wanting to say a few powerful opening lines, but unexpectedly, he couldn't hold back a huge yawn and sincerely said: "Such good weather, why not go home early and take a bath...".

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