Chen Ping's Sword

Chapter 396: Chapter 187: A Heartfelt Sword, An Earthshaking Wager (Part 2)

"Sensationalizing fear and influencing hearts, you must know, victory or defeat is not spoken by the mouth, but depends on the sword in hand, the army at command..."

Cui Huchen refrained from acting, his anger revived, watching as lightning-like attacks were about to strike, Chen Ping spoke again.

"It’s not that there’s no need to fight. I simply pity Mr. Cui’s talents and the Cui Family’s strength; unable to go to battle against the Hu, but rather dying at my hands, it holds no meaning at all.

How about this: Mr. Cui and Brother Bo Yu, one of the Cui Family’s two tigers, attack together. If you can withstand three swords from me, this time will count as your victory. My head is here for you to take, and the Xingqing Prefecture will entirely belong to the Cui Family. How about that?"

Cui Huchen was at a loss for words.

Only withstand three swords and you win, no desperate struggle?

He was skeptical, but his emotions were unmoving as he asked, "What if I’m defeated?"

"If by some chance I am lucky enough to win within three swords, defeating Mr. Cui and Brother Bo Yu, then let the Hexi Cui join my Grand General’s Mansion, helping me to sweep Jiangnan and resist Beizhou."

Chen Ping did not care whether he believed or not, facing six Innate Realm, two Grandmasters, and at least one Unity Realm Grandmaster and two or three Innate Elders back in the Cui Family’s stronghold, this group of experts was far stronger compared to his own Xingqing Prefecture forces.

Not to mention, this thousand-year-old noble family holds hidden powers and wealth that a commoner like himself, who in two lifetimes never reached the true upper echelons, cannot imagine.

Sometimes, in past lifetimes, people speak of the richest, this or that richest person.

But no matter how rich, can the wealth compare to that of a large city, with land resources, minerals, manpower, etc.? Just a portion of a city block equates to astronomical wealth.

Like the Cui Family before him, holding one district, one prefecture, five counties, eight cities.

All fertile lands.

Capable of raising troops and horses, with private army reaching over ten thousand.

Rather than a family, more like a nation within a nation.

Wealth at this level exceeds mere riches; it’s primarily about war resources and manpower.

If it were him, of course, Chen Ping considered swallowing the Cui Family’s resources whole, but the Golden Eagle sent by Divine Master Duran earlier reminded him.

Some matters are urgent.

This time, there isn’t much time to overturn everything and remake it all anew.

By the time he spends a year or two fully absorbing the Cui Family’s resources and wealth, reorganizing, gaining strength against Beizhou, and stepping onto the global stage, the opportunity will be gone.

Overthrowing everything is one path.

Integration, gradual influence is another.

For the world, it makes little difference, just a matter of quick or gradual action.

As long as a good order is established, ensuring people have food and clothing, some matters can be delayed.

Otherwise, before learning to walk, thinking of running; fear is not having the world as enemies, but the true enemy laughing last and longest, making the time of unifying Jiangnan and expelling Beizhou indefinitely long.

Once securing Hexi Cui, instantly standing on equal footing with the hundred thousand Rushing Wolf Cavalry.

No longer as now, teetering on the edge, always at risk of irreversible harm.

A lifetime does not disallow risks, but there’s no need to take them everywhere.

Past the hardest beginning ride, everything should become smoother.

As for whether the Cui Family would become unwieldy and unyielding, that wouldn’t happen—so long as they go to battle, provide money and men, everything else is fine.

When these elders and disciples of the Primordial Sect fully grow, bringing out dozens of Grandmasters, hundreds or thousands of Innate Realm, even ten Cui Families won’t suffice.

Various thoughts flashed through Chen Ping’s mind.

In just three blinks of an eye.

From slaying to subjugation, it was merely a spontaneous shift in thinking.

Mainly because Chen Ping didn’t anticipate so many experts in the Cui Family.

Killing would’ve been such a waste; making them useful would only strengthen himself.

"Wanting to swallow my Cui Family whole, young one, aren’t you afraid the wind will whip your tongue?"

Cui Huchen suddenly laughed.

The tense atmosphere eased somewhat.

This young man before him, whether deceit or an ambush, at least standing there completely defenseless, conveyed a sense of sincerity and grandness.

Vaguely, he seemed not to see just a skilled general, an extraordinary hero.

But rather a dragon swallowing miles, emitting smoke and mist.

A true dragon.

Moreover, after killing so many from the Cui Family, he even proposed a wager, not just this level of temperament, but the thickness of his face.

It’s commonly said, the thicker the face, the darker the heart.

If his words are not followed, should this battle be lost, possibly the Cui Family would be cut off without a chance for recovery.

Though there’s only a slight chance, one cannot gamble.

Thus, the wager is a good proposal.

Winning would be great; losing just means the Cui Family changes masters, although this young man started too late, the territory is not ideal, and he’s of humble origin, and time is late.

But should he receive the full support of the Cui Family, coupled with his rapid growth, there might yet be a slim possibility.