Xue Ren was startled for a moment, then lowered his head and pressed his fingers on his forehead, rubbing it vigorously.
“Is that all? Nothing else.”
“That’s all.”
Ning Yue smiled somewhat shyly, but his purse was even shyer.
“The bets are open, the bets are open! Will our peerless Ning Xiaoqi be superior, or will Lin the Son-in-Law have the last laugh? Who is stronger, who is weaker? Everyone is welcome to place your bets.”
“Bet on Ning Yue, place it to the north. Those betting on the Son-in-Law, place it to the south.” The onlookers, seeing that the battle was decided, had already been discussing animatedly. Now, someone opened a betting pool, attracting all the military officers who gathered around, eagerly placing their bets.
However, Lin Shanhe’s expression turned ugly upon hearing this, as if a blood-soaked wound had been torn open. He was enduring the pain, only to have someone rub salt into it, filling his heart with shame and indignation.
Learning that his opponent was Ning Yue, Lin Shanhe felt somewhat disappointed. He guessed Xue Ren’s intention: to sacrifice a pawn to save the king.
But he would still not let his guard down; he did not wish for, nor would he allow, something like capsizing in a ditch to happen to him.
When a person has few opportunities, he cherishes them all the more.
Tonight, he would use an undeniable performance to shed his shameful label!
It was a pity; his opponent didn't seem to be very strong.
The arena was set, the audience was in place, and Han Qianhu had returned to his central throne, looking down upon everyone.
The hall was still a noisy mess, with people watching the excitement, waiting to bet, chatting, and ridiculing the Son-in-Law.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Shanhe walked to the front of the stage. He drew his blade and stood silently alone.
But Ning Yue, where was he?!
Everyone suddenly realized that Ning Yue had disappeared at some unknown point?
“He’s probably scared stiff and ran away, isn’t he?” Mo Yingshuo sneered, while Lin Shanhe was even more disdainful. How could such a coward be his opponent?
“Hey? He was just preparing nearby, how did he disappear in the blink of an eye?!” Xue Youwei was a bit flustered. This brat couldn’t have really run off, could he? If so, he would have to step in.
Xue Ren also frowned, although he didn’t believe Ning Yue was that kind of person.
But under immense pressure, retreat is a human instinct.
Just as everyone was bustling and chaotic, Zhao Silu's gaze followed the 'Double Peerless' all the way to the betting table.
He saw him pull out a hundred taels of silver notes and over thirty taels of broken silver from his in arms, slamming them onto the table with a 'bang', saying, “One hundred and thirty taels, I’m betting on myself.”
Competing in the same arena, betting on the opponent would be a fixed match, but betting on oneself—that was within the rules.
The bookie was also a young man, who chuckled as he pocketed the money, saying, “I didn’t expect Ning Xiaoqi to be so confident in himself. The odds are one to nine right now, so don’t overexert yourself later.”
He also didn't think much of the Xiaoqi in front of him.
Just by looking at the odds, one could tell that while people might curse Lin Shanhe, they all had a clear understanding in their hearts. Even if Lin Shanhe was somewhat opportunistic and looked down upon, he was still genuinely among the top hundred in the Three Thousand Xiaoqi Grand Competition, with verifiable achievements.
As for Ning Yue’s achievements...
Ning Yue had no achievements!
Zhao Silu looked at Ning Yue, who was still swaying leisurely and unhurriedly, and couldn't help but let out another giggle, her smile blossoming like pear blossoms, causing Zhao Zhige, who was beside her, to frown.
He followed his sister's gaze and immediately understood the reason. He then turned his head and asked, “What’s wrong, Silu? Do you know that Xiaoqi?”
Zhao Silu smiled and replied, “It was just a chance encounter today, Second Brother, don’t misunderstand. I just find this person quite interesting.”
A chance encounter, that’s fine. His sister came from a prominent family, and naturally, in the future, she would marry into a family of equal standing.
After all, his sister, whether in status, cultivation, or even the least important aspect of appearance, was incomparable to a concubine-born second young lady from the Mo Manor.
It's good that she doesn't know him, Zhao Zhige settled down, ready to watch the show. He turned his head and saw his sister instructing her maid, Qiushi, beside her: “You, go and bet two hundred taels on Ning Xiaoqi for me.”
Zhao Zhige’s heart sank immediately, feeling as if he had gone out to hunt, only for his own crystal to be targeted by a cunning thief.
Zhao Zhige gently advised, “Since you’re not familiar with him, why bet so much? This is almost half a year’s worth of your monthly stipend, isn’t it? Be careful not to draw water with a bamboo basket.”
Zhao Silu looked back with a clear and bright smile, simply saying, “It’s fine, if I lose, I lose. Anyway, I have too much money to spend, so consider it cheering him on.”
Hearing this, Zhao Zhige suddenly felt that his usually simple sister had, at some point, developed her own thoughts, making him unable to see through her for a moment.
In the center of the banquet hall, Lin Shanhe had already drawn his blade and waited for a long time. Seeing Ning Yue approaching from the betting table, he immediately said, “I heard that Ning Xiaoqi values wealth as his life. I didn’t expect him to make a losing business today. I wonder what the odds are now?”
Mo Yingshuo smiled upon hearing this. His brother-in-law indeed had some eloquence, and his military treatises were not read in vain.
The simple question was actually meant to highlight popular sentiment through Ning Yue’s words.
If this Ning Yue were merely a timid coward, he would probably be feeling fearful in his heart by now.
With military officers gathered here and under such pressure, he would inevitably lose his composure later.
Who knew, Ning Yue didn't even take the bait, and spoke to himself, “This betting pool is just a temporary business. Once you place your bet, you’re committed; you win or lose on your own. But becoming a son-in-law is different...”
Ning Yue didn’t finish, but everyone present clearly understood the unspoken words, and they all tried hard to suppress their laughter...
Just in terms of his ability to insult others, probably no one present would dare to claim they could surpass this Xiaoqi.
Lin Shanhe finally broke. Ning Yue was practically holding a blade, stabbing him repeatedly in the heart. Though his body was unharmed, his spirit was deeply wounded.
He roared, “I’ll cut off your stinking mouth first!”
He swung his blade, cutting seven times in quick succession in the air. The blade's momentum was continuous, and then... the wind suddenly picked up all around!
The clothes of those standing in the front row fluttered, dazzling their eyes. The candlelight in the room flickered, and even the surrounding tables and chairs began to creak.
Lin Shanhe was adept at using the Wind-Slaying Blade!
A Profound-grade blade technique, it naturally possessed its might. Lin Shanhe had been in the Lian Rou Realm for many years, and his blade technique had long reached perfection and mastery.
At this moment, everyone's vision seemed to be drawn by the sudden strong wind, and their previously somewhat dismissive gazes became solemn.
No matter how much they looked down on Lin Shanhe's character, they had to admit his strength at this moment!
Facing this swift and fierce attack, everyone present couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety for the Xiaoqi who had just stepped onto the glorious stage.
If Ning Yue were to be defeated quickly, this conflict would be somewhat anticlimactic and inevitably uninteresting.
And at this moment, Ning Yue’s blade was still not unsheathed!
His hand gripping the hilt showed prominent blue veins, twisting like earthworms. His blue long robe flapped loudly, blown wildly by the wind.
And beneath his feet, a blurred cloud suddenly formed, lifting him forward against the wind, like a shark swimming upstream!
The blade was unsheathed!
In an instant, the empty room became bright, then suddenly darkened. The lights in the hall seemed to have been sucked away by this blade, leaving the already flickering candlelight on its last breath.
Immediately after, the blade's glow intensified.
Blade light overwhelming the lamplight, blade edge striking down the enemy chief!
Night Battle Eight Desolations, Third Form — Chasing Light, Pursuing Shadow!
Many of those present practiced this blade technique and were quite familiar with this move, but such an astonishing and ingenious way of wielding the blade was truly masterful, making many Zongqi and Baihu's eyes light up.
The profoundness of this blade form lay not only in its appropriate response, but also in its masterful utilization of the environment and timing of the battle, which was the true source of everyone's astonishment.
“He’s probably close to mastering this blade technique.” Zhao Zhige’s eyes flickered, and he secretly nodded, then suddenly remembered his sister’s earlier bet, feeling a bit awkward in his heart.
Did his sister know Ning Yue’s strength? Was she lying just now?!
At this moment, Lin Shanhe’s vision was inevitably obstructed by the changing light and darkness. He inadvertently lost focus, felt a shock in his heart, followed by a huge wave of confusion filling his mind.
How could a person with such blade technique have been unknown before?!
But there was no time for deep thought, because Ning Yue’s blade, with irresistible force, had already reached him!
The seven strokes of the Wind-Setting Blade shattered like phantoms, failing to stop this blade for even a second.
Those who were not directly facing this blade could not possibly understand how powerful this single strike was!
What appeared to be a light, airy strike was actually as heavy as a mountain. Just a brief parry made his tiger’s mouth turn crimson, almost cracking.
So Lin Shanhe withdrew his blade and retreated!