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Chapter 91: Chapter 75: You Broke His Hand, I Broke Yours. Fair Enough, Right?

Bao Longtao’s glance wasn’t particularly obvious.

But a chill still ran down Zhao Yong’s back. The moment the Wine Refining Equipment appeared, he knew Zhao Ci already suspected him and was surely watching Bao Longtao’s every move.

That glance.

It all but confirmed his status as the mastermind.

Given Zhao Ci’s vengeful nature, this matter certainly wouldn’t end well.

And this series of actions from Zhao Ci made his attitude perfectly clear.

He didn’t want the infamy of forcibly cutting off someone’s hand.

This was a wagered duel.

Blades have no eyes!

Once you accept the duel, even death is your own responsibility.

You could choose not to fight—but only if you had the heart to give up the chance to obtain the Wine Refining Equipment.

Could he give it up?

Obviously not!

Zhao Yong’s eyes were filled with craving, practically glued to the bronze casing as his heart pounded in his chest.

It was a temptation he clearly couldn’t resist.

Given the current situation, the merit debt Yonghe Pill Workshop carried would likely take three years to pay off. In other words, his entrepreneurial venture was all but finished. Even its ability to provide funds for the Ninth Prince’s Mansion had been severely crippled.

But with the Wine Refining Equipment, everything would change. Not only could he pay back the merit he owed, but the entire Pill Workshop could be revitalized.

He never imagined Zhao Ci would be so reckless as to wager it.

’He’s so focused on establishing his authority with the new Mansion Officials that he’s forgotten his own place!’

He had to admit it.

’Zhao Ci must have had some kind of breakthrough. He can’t be the same good-for-nothing he used to be. After all, that spear throw was steady, accurate, and ruthless. A good-for-nothing could never have made a throw like that.’

But this Pang Longtao was no pushover. Even among the younger generation of the Zhu Family, he was considered a prime candidate for cultivation.

’Fourth-Grade Flesh Soul, Fourth-Grade Tendons and Meridians, and already accomplished in his martial arts. With the right training, a man like that is destined to become a pillar of his clan.’

’Even I wouldn’t dare to be arrogant or hold back against him.’

Zhao Ci...

’What gives him the right?’

And so, Zhao Yong gave Bao Longtao a firm nod.

Bao Longtao hesitated no longer. He gave Zhao Ci a cupped-fist salute and said, ”Since Your Highness insists, it would be rude of me to refuse. After you!”

With that,

He took a few slight steps back.

He turned his body to the side, the tip of his Long Sword pointing diagonally downward.

It was a stance ready for both offense and defense. He was clearly taking this seriously now.

With such a great prize on the line, he couldn’t possibly hold back, not even against Zhao Ci.

The rivalry between the mansions was cruel.

Defeating Zhao Ci would, on the one hand, ruin his chance to establish his authority, and on the other, win the Wine Refining Equipment.

Either outcome would be a great service to the Ninth Prince’s Mansion. In the future, Zhao Yong would surely not be stingy with his Cultivation Resources.

”Tsk!”

Zhao Ci’s blood began to race, as if a deeply buried, violent instinct had been ignited within him. His body even began to tremble slightly.

Though he hadn’t activated his Celestial Demon Body, it still called to him from a distance, stirring an irrepressible urge to destroy.

With a flick of his spear, he bounded forward, charging straight at Bao Longtao.

”Pfft!”

On the high platform, Zhao Yong couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhu Yan couldn’t help but shake his head. He knew Zhao Ci practiced the Xiang’s Spear Technique, a style unbeatable in military formations and one that prioritized bravery. But whether one should be brave or not depended on the opponent.

To be at a disadvantage in strength, yet still dare to strike first... and with such obvious offensive intent, not holding anything back.

Judging from the spear he’d thrown to stop Bao Longtao, it weighed at least a hundred pounds. To attack like this left him no room to alter his move.

He was just asking to be toyed with!

Sure enough.

The thrust was swift and fierce, but Bao Longtao easily dodged it. True Qi had already gathered in his palm as he slapped toward Zhao Ci’s shoulder.

Given the properties of the Bao Family’s inner energy, a strike to the joint was guaranteed to dislocate Zhao Ci’s arm.

And just like that, the match would be decided.

The corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smirk. He hadn’t expected to win so easily.

But he never imagined that the powerful, heavy spear would suddenly change its course. The thrust became a sweep, the shaft arcing directly toward his temple.

It moved so fast it tore through the air with a sharp whistle.

Bao Longtao was horrified. The hair on his body stood on end. He knew Zhao Ci was strong—otherwise, he couldn’t have blocked his earlier attack—but how could a spear weighing over a hundred pounds change direction on a dime?

’Just two basic spear techniques, yet he used them with such deadly, terrifying skill?’

He didn’t dare be careless. If that sweep connected with his head, he’d be severely injured, if not killed outright.

His left hand, which had been aiming for Zhao Ci’s shoulder, abruptly changed course to intercept the sweeping spear shaft. He twisted his body with the shaft’s momentum, preparing to press in close, neutralize its energy, and forcibly seize the weapon.

But the moment his hand closed around the spear shaft, he knew something was terribly wrong.

The Bao Family’s Inner Strength blended hardness and softness; even at a basic level, it could neutralize twice an opponent’s force. He’d used it against peers countless times without fail. Neutralizing their energy was as simple as eating or drinking.

But now, it felt like a thick, heavy wooden club was being rammed down his throat.

The force was so savage and overwhelming that he couldn’t possibly absorb it. It felt like it was going to tear his body apart.

’This is bad!’

Bao Longtao knew this was bad. He tried to pull back his strength, but it was too late. The thought had barely formed when a sharp pain and the sound of cracking bone shot through his left arm. His entire body was sent flying sideways, his arm hanging limp, the bone clearly shattered.

”HISS!”

Everyone present was completely dumbfounded.

Zhao Yong and Zhu Yan’s eyes went wide. They couldn’t believe the scene before them.

A hundred-plus-pound spear changing direction on a dime, a single sweep breaking Bao Longtao’s arm... ’What kind of monstrous physique is this?’

’He must have a Second-Grade Flesh Soul, right?’

Zhao Yong’s heart clenched. ’Father said he gave both of us a Low-Grade Imperial Extreme Pill. Was the one he gave Zhao Ci *really* a low-grade one?’

’Father!’

’You played favorites!’

Zhao Ci couldn’t help but smile. ’This Bao Longtao was far too arrogant. My own tendons and bones are still relatively weak, so I have to be careful using any moves beyond the basics. If he had just focused on staying mobile, I wouldn’t have won so easily.’

’But the fool actually thought he could win by seizing my spear. He basically served himself up on a platter.’

The instant he sent Bao Longtao flying, he showed no signs of stopping. He charged forward, spear raised, before his opponent even hit the ground.

Bao Longtao was horrified. He wanted to dodge, but with nothing to push off of, he was helpless. Seeing Zhao Ci’s foot coming down on his chest, he hastily raised his Long Sword to parry, but he never expected the tip of Zhao Ci’s spear to suddenly pivot.

SCHLICK!

A spray of blood arced through the air.

Bao Longtao landed hard on the ground. A moment later, the forearm severed by the tip of Zhao Ci’s spear thudded onto the Martial Arts Arena.

He was stunned. Eyes wide, he stared blankly at his own right arm.

A moment later, the searing pain finally registered. His face went white as a sheet, and he began to writhe on the ground, screaming.

A wave of sharp gasps rippled through the onlookers, followed by a dead silence.

Though it seemed like many moves had been exchanged, the action had been so fast it was over in the blink of an eye.

In an instant, Zhao Ci had made good on his ”arrogant boast” and sliced off Bao Longtao’s right forearm.

No one could have imagined that Bao Longtao, so arrogant and domineering just moments before, would be defeated so quickly.

And so brutally, at that!

His screams were incessant, their sound alone enough to convey his agony.

Zhu Li: ”!!!”

Yang Mo: ”!!!”

Feng Kucha: ”!!!”

The three Mansion Officials from the Tenth Prince’s Mansion were stunned. It was the first time any of them had seen Zhao Ci in action. They had thought he was just a shrewd merchant, but they never imagined...

Feng Kucha especially felt it. ’Just like my name—Kucha, bitter tea—a bitter feeling filled my heart. The two of us were supposed to be good-for-nothings together, and everyone was perfectly happy with that.’

’My own failures are frustrating, sure, but seeing my brother succeed is even more agonizing.’

’This hurts, Zhao Ci!’

Zhao Yong was also in pain, but his was different from Feng Kucha’s. He had just suffered a triple blow.

First, the Wine Refining Equipment was gone. He was still stuck struggling to pay off his debts.

Second, Bao Longtao was crippled. Although his right forearm could be reattached, his strength would be greatly diminished. He had lost a capable Mansion Official and would now have to answer to the Bao Family.

Third, and most unacceptable of all: Zhao Ci! How did Zhao Ci gain this kind of power? True, seventy percent of the blame lay with Bao Longtao’s arrogance and carelessness, but the strength Zhao Ci had displayed proved that this once-mediocre Prince had thoroughly shed his reputation as a good-for-nothing!

This...

’Bao Longtao, that useless trash!’

Zhao Yong cursed inwardly. If Bao Longtao hadn’t been so arrogant and careless, the outcome would most likely have been different.

”I’ve won!”

Zhao Ci said coolly, then started walking in a certain direction.

But people noticed he wasn’t walking off the stage. Instead, he was heading toward...

Bao Longtao’s severed forearm.

And he showed no intention of lowering the spear in his hand.

’This is bad!’

Zhu Yan’s face fell. A terrible thought occurred to him, and he quickly looked toward Zhao Yong.

A bead of sweat broke out on Zhao Yong’s forehead. He had guessed Zhao Ci’s intention as well. If they retrieved the severed limb now for reattachment, even if Bao Longtao could never wield a sword again, he could still live a relatively normal life.

But if the severed forearm were to be damaged a second time, then...

He knew why Zhu Yan was so anxious. Bao Longtao was his cousin, after all. If the worst happened, Zhu Yan would be the one with the most to answer for back home.

But if he spoke out now, he would be openly admitting he was the mastermind.

For a moment, he was uncertain.

Just then, Zhao Ci reached the severed forearm. He even lifted his foot and began to slowly press it down.

Zhu Yan could sit still no longer. He instantly drew his Long Sword and hurled its Profound Iron scabbard at Zhao Ci’s calf.

”Your Highness! Stay your foot!”

The corner of Zhao Yong’s eye twitched, but he said nothing.

With a WHOOSH, the scabbard shot through the air. Flames flickered along its length as it flew like a meteor toward Zhao Ci’s raised right leg.

But Zhao Ci acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing, continuing to lower his foot at the same unhurried pace. The instant the scabbard reached him, he swept his spear. With a loud CLANG, the scabbard was sent flying back the way it came.

His foot, however, never paused.

A series of CRUNCHES echoed out.

The bones of the hand were utterly crushed.

Bao Longtao, still writhing and moaning on the ground, saw this. His head lolled to the side, and he passed out cold.

The returning scabbard was still wreathed in fierce flames, but its speed had increased severalfold as it shot straight for Zhu Yan’s chest.

Zhu Yan’s eyes widened in fury. He never thought Zhao Ci would be so utterly merciless. He immediately reached out to block the fiercely burning scabbard.

He never expected it.

”Hmph!”

Zhu Yan let out a sharp grunt, an expression of extreme pain flashing across his face. He silently sheathed his sword, nonchalantly placing his right hand behind his back where it trembled uncontrollably.

He was horrified. ’What kind of demonic strength is this? With just a light flick of his spear, he sent my Profound Iron scabbard flying back and nearly dislocated my right hand.’

’That spear... it must weigh more than a hundred pounds!’

’Two hundred pounds?’

’Three hundred?’

’But how can such a heavy weapon look as light as a wooden practice spear in his hands?’

’Just what grade of Flesh Soul has he achieved?’

Zhu Yan was shaken to his core, but he couldn’t let it show.

Because Zhao Ci was now looking his way.

And his tone was anything but friendly. ”Brother Zhu, you seem quite concerned for this fiend’s well-being!”

Zhu Yan: ”...”