Chương 161: The Duel Wager

Time ticked by slowly. As the Hour of the Sheep approached, the atmosphere in Qinghe County grew increasingly restless and irritable. By this time, the crowd gathered outside the East Gate had completely packed the official road and the open ground outside the city. Unless you were a figure of considerable status in the county, even squeezing in to find a place to stand was impossible right now. About a hundred meters from the city gate was an open space with a radius of no less than thirty meters.

It was tightly surrounded by a circle of martial artists, leaving room for the two main characters of today's duel. After all, the impact of this battle on Qinghe County was too massive; any amount of caution was not excessive. Even before the Hour of the Sheep arrived, the big shots in the city had all gathered, standing together on the city wall and waiting silently. Lu Tianxiong was also present, currently sitting expansively amidst a group of Fierce Tiger Gang members.

He rested with his eyes closed, looking calm and collected, exuding an air of absolute certainty. Standing beside him were quite a few faces Boss Song would find familiar. That Young Master Hu, whose arm had been chopped off by him, was also present, eagerly waiting for the show to start despite his injuries not being fully healed. Hearing him incessantly muttering and cursing him, Boss Song truly wanted to throw the 'big picture' out the window, slap this guy, and stuff his head up his own ass!

Fortunately, Boss Song's self-control was quite good right now, preventing a tragedy from occurring. But he firmly memorized this grudge. As time ticked by, minute by minute, the hour of the duel drew closer, yet one of the main characters, Young Hero Song, still hadn't appeared. The crowd began to grow impatient and noisy. On the city wall, Wu Tian and Yun Shan couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. After all, today's events seemed far too bizarre.

Not to mention the absurdly strange wager, they had sent people to Plum Manor several times today to look for Song Que, only to return empty-handed. Up to this moment, they still hadn't heard any concrete news directly from him. Furthermore, everyone from the Shunfeng Escort Agency and Li Xin's family was present, looking anxiously toward the distant official road. Boss Song wanted to perform a full set today, so he had hidden his people since last night.

Even his closest companions, like Li Xin, hadn't received the slightest bit of news.

"He's here!" Someone shouted, and everyone's spirits jolted as they looked toward the distant official road, where four figures gradually appeared. Leading the group was precisely the 'African Tribal Chief Alexander'—Boss Song! The Wu family, Yun Shan of the Sea of Clouds Pavilion, and the Li family group all revealed joyful expressions. Relying on their high cultivation, Wu Tian and Old Yun fearlessly leaped directly down from the city wall to welcome him. The others also hurriedly followed in succession.

In contrast, the Fierce Tiger Gang side was in an uproar. After all, the script hadn't included an actual battle! We didn't receive news of his death, and now he's right at our doorstep! Gang Leader! What do we do now?! Many people looked at Lu Tianxiong with anxious and doubtful expressions. Unfortunately, their 'Fake Gang Leader' was destined not to bother explaining anything to them! Old Lu's face remained placid and undisturbed.

He unhurriedly stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and, exuding the aura of a peerless expert, spoke indifferently:"Hmph! Song Que, you finally dare to show your face! This old man thought you were too scared and acted like a turtle shrinking its head, having long since fled and vanished!"

"Haha! A defeated opponent like you isn't qualified to scare this Young Master!" Even before Song Que arrived, his voice rang out like a great bell by everyone's ears, instantly lifting the spirits of the observing crowd. All eyes focused on him, eager to witness the peerless grace of this highly renowned young talent! As the distance closed, the crowd below could finally clearly see the legendary 'face as beautiful as jade' Boss Song! Tall, big, black, and shiny! Crack... crack...

A group of young ladies from wealthy families, who had come out of admiration, had just peeked through the bead curtains of their carriages when they felt a severe pain in their chests! Their hearts shattered into pieces, sorrow scattering all over the ground! They truly wanted to scream:"Return to the manor!" They didn't want the thing in front of them to pollute their pure eyes!

Unfortunately, seeing the streets packed so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through, they could only sorrowfully close the curtains, bury their faces in their carriages, and weep until they fainted. At the same time, they couldn't help but admire that girl, Tie Yuniang. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Her tastes are truly salty!...

Looking at the few people running over, Song Que smiled cheerfully, cupped his hands, and greeted them:"Uncle! General Manager Yun! Brother Yi!..."

"A'Que, where have you been today?! You had everyone worried sick! We went to Plum Manor several times, but the servants couldn't explain clearly either!" As soon as they met, Wu Yi voiced the questions in everyone's hearts. Hearing this, Grandee Song felt immense warmth inwardly and answered unhurriedly:"My martial arts showed signs of a breakthrough these past few days, so I found a secluded place to enter closed-door cultivation. If it weren't for this Fierce Tiger Gang matter, I wouldn't have come out.

The matter was sudden, and I didn't have time to inform you. I hope you can understand."

"Mhm, as long as you're fine, that's what matters," Wu Tian said at this moment.

"Worthy Nephew, I know this person Lu Tianxiong. He is as cunning as a fox; he wouldn't dare do anything without absolute certainty. There must be some hidden conspiracy behind today's matter. You need to be extra careful."

"Exactly! Beware of a trap! It's impossible for Lu Tianxiong to know he's no match for you yet foolishly offer his face to be humiliated! This is definitely a massive conspiracy! You must be highly vigilant, Young Master Song!" Yun Shan also couldn't help but frown and warn him. This was naturally a massive conspiracy, but it wouldn't be aimed at Boss Song! Song Que smiled and nodded:"Thank you, Uncle! Thank you, General Manager Yun!

I thought the same, but no matter what conspiracy he has, if he dares to duel me, Lu Tianxiong will undoubtedly lose! You don't need to worry." Thinking of the astonishing martial prowess of the young man before them, Wu and Yun's minds settled somewhat. They exchanged a glance, smiled, and nodded.

"That's true, but you still shouldn't be careless. Beware of traps."

"This junior understands!"

"Song Que! What are you dawdling for?! Do you dare accept the challenge?!" At this moment, as if unable to endure his thirst for revenge any longer, Old Lu shouted loudly. Boss Song naturally couldn't show weakness. Nodding to reassure the others, he let out a long laugh and leaped up:"Haha! Since you want a beating so badly, I will satisfy you! Come down here!" Without a second word, Lu Tianxiong leaped down from the city wall.

Dexterously stepping on someone's shoulder to borrow force, he flew into the circle, facing Song Que. Even at this moment, Old Lu didn't panic in the slightest. With a calm expression, he shouted in a deep voice:"Song Que, do you have any objections to the terms of the duel wager?!"

"Haha! Since you, Lu Tianxiong, are so determined to hand the Fierce Tiger Gang over to me, how could this Young Master bear to refuse?! Naturally, I agree to everything!"

"Good! Since that is the case, let us draw up the contract right now! I request everyone present to bear witness to this matter!"

"Good!"...

"Rest assured, we can all bear witness!" Following Lu Tianxiong's loud shout, the surrounding crowd, unable to contain their excitement, responded with flushed, enthusiastic faces. Several people on the city wall frowned tightly, their minds still baffled. They truly didn't know what kind of nerve medicine Old Lu had taken today! It was incredibly f*cking bizarre! Could it be he recently discovered he likes being abused and can't stand it if he isn't beaten?

These people all knew clearly that in a pure duel, Lu Tianxiong's chances of winning were practically zero. After all, Song Que had just recently pressed him into the ground and rubbed him raw! Even using the excuse of 'martial arts progress' shouldn't make him shoot up like a rocket! Yet he still blindly charged headfirst into it. What was the reason?! The little friends of the Fierce Tiger Gang were all uneasy, not understanding what was happening.

County Commandant Dong was equally bewildered, unclear on what kind of medicine his underling was selling in his gourd today. Weng Hong, also standing in the crowd, had her brows tightly knitted, feeling waves of unease washing over her.... In the arena below, Song Que and Lu Tianxiong didn't care what the people around them thought. With methodical precision, they drew up the contract and invited County Magistrate Xu Qing, County Commandant Dong Zheng, and Head Constable Wu Tian to sign and confirm it.

Both sides simultaneously handed over their land deeds, property documents, and various other assets for the three to hold in custody. During this process, Dong Zheng constantly winked at Old Lu in inquiry, but all he received in return was an unfathomable smile and a reassuring nod. Song Que's assets were relatively simple and clear.

The Fierce Tiger Gang's side was slightly more complicated, but the asset transfer documents had already been signed and thumb-printed by all the elders and high-ranking members of the gang this morning, so there were absolutely no issues! The contract was established! Xu Qing, representing the government, loudly announced the matter! The surrounding atmosphere instantly reached a climax! It seems they are really going to fight this time!

The little friends of the Fierce Tiger Gang looked at each other, almost wanting to cry! Did I fall asleep during the meeting this morning?! Why is reality deviating further and further from the plan?!... Whatever others thought couldn't change the fact that the contract had been established. After Xu Qing and the other two stepped back out of the arena, only Song Que and Lu Tianxiong were left facing each other from a distance of ten zhang.

The aura on both of their bodies gradually rose, and the surrounding crowd began to feel an invisible pressure descending. The situation was incredibly tense! The wind and clouds changed color, the sun and moon dimmed, the earth emitted killing intent, and dragons and snakes arose from the land! A strong wind howled, and the air carried a faint, chilling killing intent that made everyone's expressions turn grave!

Lu Tianxiong: (Clasping his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky with an attitude of 'if not me, then who in this world?'): "You shouldn't have come!" Boss Song: (Looking down affectionately at the saber in his hand, cherishing it as the most precious thing in his life): "But I still came." Lu Tianxiong: (Sighing with regret): "By coming, there is no way back. This is your destiny."

Boss Song: (Slowly raising his head, eyes filled with determination): "I have no destiny, I only believe in the saber in my hand!" This aura! This tone! Truly the demeanor of experts! How could the small-time martial artists of Qinghe County have ever experienced such a majestic and poetic battle scene?! All of them couldn't help but flush red with excitement, their eyes wide open to witness this peak duel! The atmosphere at the scene instantly reached a fever pitch! Director Song A'Niu: Perfect! Props in position!

Actors in position! Action!

"Gang Leader Lu, after you!"

"Young Hero Song, after you!"

"Bang!"...

"Clang!" The crowd only saw a flash of afterimages. In the spot where the two had just stood, two large craters exploded in the ground! The two were already tangled together, exchanging dozens of moves! The sound of clashing weapons rang out incessantly! Today, Boss Song was naturally using his saber! He had also generously allowed Old Lu to use a pair of gauntlets. The fingertips were fitted with sharp claws, looking no different from actual tiger claws.

Those familiar with Lu Tianxiong weren't hard-pressed to discover that Old Lu was truly overperforming today! The speed and power of his moves had progressed by leaps and bounds! He was actually vaguely fighting Song Que to a draw! The Fierce Tiger Gang members, whose hearts had originally sunk to the bottom of the valley, felt like they had grasped a life-saving straw! Erupting with uncontrollable excitement, the whole group began to shout themselves hoarse to cheer for their Gang Leader!