Chapter 4167 — A Fair Duel
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
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?"