Suppressing the North and Manifesting Might: Chapter 125 - Accepting the Challenge

Early in the morning, Li Qiutong achieved the feat of rising early yet again; ever since Qin Shouyu arrived, this habit of his had been nearly overhauled.

After freshening up, Li Qiutong walked into the dining room and found Lin Ai already seated there, eating breakfast.

"Up so early?"

Lin Ai cast a sidelong glance with her beautiful eyes. "It is you who are up too late."

After finishing their meal, the two set off for the Northern Garrison Prefecture. They had intended to visit yesterday, but because Li Qiutong had drunk too much, they were forced to rush over this morning.

Upon arriving at the council chamber of the Northern Garrison Prefecture, Li Qiutong was surprised to find that almost everyone had already arrived.

"Brother Tong, you’ve finally come. If you hadn't arrived, I would have sent someone to urge you." Seeing Li Qiutong, Ren Xingtian finally let out a sigh of relief. He had been worried that the two had played too hard last night and overslept.

"Why is everyone here? Is there something urgent?"

Ren Xingtian nodded and said, "News has come from the Qin State."

"Is that so? Do they intend to go to war?" Li Qiutong became interested.

"Not exactly. They intend to use the Way of Heaven Martial Duel to decide the ownership of Northern Garrison Pass. This is the letter of challenge sent by the Emperor of Qin." As he spoke, Ren Xingtian handed over a scroll.

"Way of Heaven Martial Duel?" Li Qiutong opened the archaic-looking scroll in confusion.

Ren Xingtian, guessing that Li Qiutong did not understand, explained directly: "The Way of Heaven Martial Duel is the most orthodox and classical method of dueling among martial artists on the Eastern Martial Continent. It is a best-of-three contest involving blade, sword, and fist. From minor disputes between fellow disciples to major conflicts between nations, as long as both sides agree, they can settle matters this way. Conditions are set before the battle, and after the battle, regardless of victory or defeat, neither side may ever violate the terms of the agreement."

"So, the Qin State wants to gamble with the safety of Northern Garrison Pass," Li Qiutong remarked after reading the terms, having grasped the situation.

"Exactly. If we win, the Qin State will never interfere in any affairs of Northern Garrison Pass. If we lose, we must pledge our allegiance to them. Of course, the prerequisite for all of this is that we must hold the north and not allow foreign enemies to invade. It seems the war between the Qin State and the Chu State is likely imminent."

"Then aren't we guaranteed a win? I will fight with my fists, and General Guan will use his blade. We are sure to win two out of three matches; there is no need to even fight the third one," Li Qiutong said, suddenly feeling relaxed.

"Little Tong, do not take this lightly. The average strength of the Qin State's martial artists is the strongest on the continent. They will certainly send their most formidable warriors. Although your current strength is impressive, you cannot claim to be invincible under the heavens," Long Tianya warned solemnly from the side. "Moreover, if I am not mistaken, the greatest blade master of the Qin State is the Blade Saint, Zhang Lietian. He is at the Three-Star Saint Martial realm; it is rumored that with a blade in hand, he can sever all things. His strength is terrifying. The master of the fist should be the War Saint, Wu Shan, also a Three-Star Saint Martial artist. His 'Sacred Ape Fist' is supernatural—it can be both fast and heavy, truly a grandmaster of his art. As for the sword master, I fear the Sword Saint, Ming, will take the field himself. You must have heard of his reputation; to call him 'the first person beneath the pinnacle of martial arts' is no boast. I once crossed blades with him and could not withstand a single move. Ever since the Sword God, Lan Ren, went into seclusion, his sword has been the finest in the world."

"On that point, you may rest assured, Elder. With General Guan and me taking the field, as long as the Qin State does not possess a master at the pinnacle of the Martial Way, we are certain to win," Li Qiutong said confidently.

Guan Yu, who had been silent, spoke up: "That Blade Saint will not be a match for my blade."

Only when Guan Yu spoke did Long Tianya notice this peculiar man. One look shocked him; as the saying goes, one cannot judge a book by its cover. The aura emanating from this bearded, red-faced man actually caused even him, a Three-Star Saint Martial artist, to tremble.

"May I ask who you are?"

"Guan Yunchang of the Han State."

Upon hearing this, Long Tianya realized, "Guan Yunchang, who slew Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm? You indeed have the capital to be arrogant."

"But Brother Tong, you have overlooked one problem," Ren Xingtian interjected.

"What problem?"

"The Way of Heaven Martial Duel does not allow one to admit defeat. All three matches must be fought, and one cannot surrender or concede—unless, after the time of one incense stick has passed, the outcome remains undecided, only then may one withdraw. Furthermore, the battle must be fought with swords, and none of us are adept with the sword."

"Who set such a ridiculous rule?" Li Qiutong couldn't help but grumble.

"The problem now is, who will face the Sword Saint for the duration of one incense stick?" Ren Xingtian looked around. From a strategic standpoint, one could simply send anyone, as it would inevitably result in a swift death. But he knew Li Qiutong would not make such a choice. In this day and age, how many people dare to say they could survive a sword fight against the Sword Saint for an entire incense stick?

"When I was young, I studied swordplay. I can take this fight for you."

"Grandpa Long!" Lin Ai wanted to say something, but was stopped by Long Tianya.

"Grandpa Long, how much confidence do you have?" Li Qiutong asked solemnly.

Long Tianya laughed, "In this world, where is there ever absolute certainty? Don't we only find out after trying? Besides, apart from me, is there anyone else here who can step up? The young masters of the Yang and Deng families are not here."

"Master Long, you cannot hold out against the Sword Saint for an incense stick," Ren Xingtian stated bluntly.

"Mr. Ren, why do you say that?"

"When the Sword Saint once ascended Jietian Mountain seeking a duel, several of my senior brothers fought him. Only my eldest senior brother, Yang Jian, using the power of the Heavenly Eye, managed to gain a slight advantage. In the end, he also challenged my master—the Daoist of Jietian Mountain. Although he was defeated, after he left, my master admitted that his sword was the fastest ever born of the Martial Way. It is no less than that of the Sword Immortal from a thousand years ago."

Ren Xingtian's words silenced Long Tianya. If even the Daoist of Jietian Mountain considered that sword fast, could he truly withstand it?

"Brother Li, if it is as you say, and you and General Guan can certainly win, then can't we just find someone random to take the field?" Lin Ai suggested.

"This..." Li Qiutong hesitated. Who should he send to their death? To him, if these generals were important, were the soldiers not equally so? To win, should he force someone who could live a full life onto a path of certain death, just to shoulder a responsibility that was his to bear? Even if that person had no complaints, Li Qiutong did not want to make such a choice.

Ren Xingtian looked at the silent crowd. "In that case, I will go."

Ren Xingtian's words fell among them like a thunderclap.

"Xingtian, you must be joking. You aren't even a martial artist; isn't going up there just throwing your life away?"

Ren Xingtian looked around and smiled. "This humble person has a clever plan. Although I cannot win, I am confident I can survive. Therefore, Brother Tong, you and General Guan must win; otherwise, we will lose."

Li Qiutong could sense Ren Xingtian's confidence. In the past, whenever he displayed this kind of certainty, it was something he was sure of.

"Then I will leave it to you with peace of mind."

"Of course, everyone rest assured; we will win this battle."

After the meeting dispersed, Ren Xingtian returned to his current home, seemingly preoccupied. Because of Li Qiutong’s hands-off policy, Ren Xingtian had an enormous amount of work every day. He had bought a house near the Northern Garrison Prefecture with his own money; although it wasn't the mansion Li Qiutong lived in, it was a three-story pavilion with a pleasant environment. Additionally, as Lady Hongyu wished to live in a thatched cottage, the Yu sisters and Ren Xingtian all ended up living together.

As soon as Ren Xingtian reached home, he went straight to his room. A moment later, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in." Ren Xingtian looked toward the door, puzzled.

It was Yu Ying who pushed the door open. Although the sisters looked identical, having spent so much time together, Ren Xingtian could tell them apart.

"Yu Ying, is something the matter?"

"I noticed you were not like your usual self. Did something happen?"

"No, I’m always like this, aren't I?"

"Are you usually this serious when you come home? I’m not as silly as my sister."

Ren Xingtian didn't know what to say; indeed, he had been preoccupied with the Way of Heaven Martial Duel all day.

"The Qin State has challenged us to a Way of Heaven Martial Duel, and I have to take the field," Ren Xingtian said simply.

"How could they make you take the field? You aren't even a martial artist."

"If anyone else goes, it is a dead end. But if I go, there is a glimmer of hope, so I must go." Ren Xingtian’s tone was firm. In truth, he didn't have as much certainty as he had led Li Qiutong to believe; it was truly just a slim chance of survival. But Ren Xingtian knew well that Li Qiutong did not want to sacrifice anyone, so he was willing to gamble that slim chance just to keep his confidant from being troubled.

Yu Ying did not press him further but changed the subject. "Daoist Ren, tell me, do you really like my sister?"

"Why do you ask that?" Ren Xingtian felt strange inside.

"To be honest, I always felt you were just playing around with my sister, that you weren't serious about her at all. But that night, the things you said were truly moving."

"What did I say?" For some reason, everyone had tacitly agreed not to tell Ren Xingtian about that night, so he still did not know that he had proposed to Yu Ling, but had proposed to the wrong person.

"You proposed to my sister."

"What? Why didn't I know? Is this true?" Ren Xingtian was startled.

Yu Ying nodded silently. "If you truly like my sister, I hope you will be serious with her. She is a good woman, just occasionally a bit silly. So, please, you must win. She is still waiting for you to marry her."

Before Ren Xingtian could respond, Yu Ying left his room.

Ren Xingtian smiled helplessly. "It seems that as long as I don't die this time, my happy days are almost here."

After leaving, Yu Ying went to the kitchen.

"Ying'er, did you call him for dinner?"

"I did, but he is busy. Why don't you take it up to him?"

Yu Ling sighed and said, "I suppose I have no choice. He did seem a bit off today. I'll ask him when I go up."

Watching her sister, Yu Ying felt a pang of guilt for reasons she couldn't explain. Perhaps, starting from that night, she had begun to develop some different feelings for Ren Xingtian.

With a sudden sense of urgency, Northern Garrison Pass began its long journey of transformation.