Chapter 243: Chapter 115: Fist Duel
Li Haitao’s attitude made Sun Yong all the more certain that the Li Family already knew they were going to lose. They were simply offering those precious elixirs, five hundred pounds of Exotic Beast Meat, and the silver as an apology.
"Since we’ve reached an agreement," Li Haitao said, standing up, "I’ll make a trip to the County Government this afternoon and ask the Lord County Magistrate to witness this duel. Regardless of who wins or loses, the grudge between our families will be completely wiped away."
Sun Yong gave a noncommittal hum, his expression still serene.
"When shall we set the duel for?" Li Haitao asked.
"Any time. My Martial Arts Hall is always ready," Sun Yong replied.
"Then I will discuss it with the County Magistrate and send word to you, Hall Master Sun," Li Haitao said.
"Very well."
Without another word, Sun Yong turned and walked out of the hall.
His stride was steady and his back straight. The fury he had arrived with was gone, replaced by an air of calm self-assurance.
Once Sun Yong had left, one of the Li Family Elders couldn’t hold back. "Patriarch, Grand Elder, isn’t Sun Yong taking too much of an advantage? The stakes we offered..."
Li Haitao cut him off with a wave of his hand. "It’s of no concern."
He gazed out the window, a sharp glint in his eyes. "My son, Meng Chao, is already at the Half-Step Huajin realm. Is it possible for him to lose to a Dark Energy Martial Artist? The Li Family is certain to win this fight!"
The Grand Elder stroked his beard and chuckled. "This duel will put the matter of Lin Yue behind us. After the duel, that old scoundrel Sun Yong will have no reason to point fingers anymore. And we’ll even win a Medium-grade Meat Lingzhi and two Three-Colored Treasure Fish."
In their eyes, this battle was a guaranteed victory for the Li Family.
No matter how invincible that Yang Jing from Sun’s Martial Arts Hall might be among Dark Energy Martial Artists, against an expert with one foot already in the Huajin realm, his only option would be to admit defeat.
Not long after Sun Yong’s departure, Li Mengchao strode in from the rear hall.
He had been in the study, having someone monitor the activity in the main hall. He only dared to appear after learning that Sun Yong had left.
The moment he entered the hall, he saw his father clutching his chest, his face still pale. "Father, what happened?" he asked urgently.
Li Haitao waved his hand, signaling him not to worry.
An Elder standing nearby quickly explained, "Just now, that old scoundrel Sun Yong launched a sneak attack. The Patriarch had to respond in haste and was shaken by the blow."
"How dare he!" Li Mengchao’s face instantly flushed crimson. His fists clenched, knuckles turning white. "That Sun Yong is utterly shameless! To dare attack someone in the Li Family’s own hall! If I, Li Mengchao, don’t get revenge for this, I swear I’m not a man!"
"Silence," Li Haitao commanded in a low voice. He slowly straightened up, rubbing his chest. "I wasn’t actually injured. I was merely putting on an act for him."
Li Mengchao was stunned. "Father?"
"Sun Yong arrived full of fury. If I hadn’t let him blow off some steam, do you think he would have so easily agreed to a duel?" Li Haitao said lightly. "I feigned injury to make him feel he’d gained the upper hand, which would help quell his anger. Otherwise, given his temper at the time, I’m afraid we would have ended up settling this on the Luoying Platform today."
Only then did Li Mengchao understand, though he still felt a surge of indignation. "But he had no proof! To just barge in here like that... he’s far too arrogant!"
"Huajin Powerhouses don’t always need evidence to act," Li Haitao sighed. "He’s decided that the Li Family was the one who injured Lin Yue, and he’ll use that as a pretext to make trouble. Rather than argue, it’s better to just go with the flow and agree to the duel to settle things once and for all."
With that, he recounted the details of the agreement he had made with Sun Yong regarding the disciples’ duel.
After listening, the anger on Li Mengchao’s face gradually faded, replaced by a look of pride. "So that’s how it is. Father, rest assured. With me here, I can defeat every disciple from his Sun’s Martial Arts Hall and utterly humiliate that old scoundrel Sun Yong!"
He paused, a vicious glint in his eyes. "I’ve heard that Yang Jing has been making quite a name for himself lately, even daring to call himself invincible among Dark Energy Martial Artists. Sun Yong must have placed great hopes in him. When the time comes, I’ll teach him a harsh lesson on the dueling platform and get some payback for you, Father!"
"Don’t," Li Haitao said, shaking his head, his tone grave. "You only need to defeat him. There’s no need to use a heavy hand."
Li Mengchao frowned. "Father?"
"The main goal of this duel is to quell Sun Yong’s anger and resolve this trouble concerning Lin Yue," Li Haitao said slowly. "Winning the wager—getting back the Meat Lingzhi and the Three-Colored Treasure Fish—is enough. If you injure Yang Jing too severely, I’m afraid Sun Yong will genuinely lose his mind."
A calculating look flashed in his eyes. "Besides, when he finds out you’ve reached the Half-Step Huajin realm, it will make him reconsider the Li Family’s strength. Even if he senses something is off later, with the County Magistrate and the city’s prominent figures as witnesses, he’ll have no choice but to swallow his pride and accept the outcome."
Li Mengchao frowned. "But what if... what if that old scoundrel refuses to accept the loss and won’t let the matter drop?"
Li Haitao’s expression turned cold, killing intent flashing in his eyes. "The Li Family has stood firm in Yuhe County for a hundred years. We are not ones to be trifled with. If it truly comes to that, then at worst, we will pay whatever price is necessary to make him disappear... permanently."
But as soon as the words were out, he shook his head, his tone softening. "However, we shouldn’t take that step unless we have no other choice. After all, Sun Yong is a Huajin Powerhouse who made his name years ago, and he has connections in the Prefecture City. If we were to fight to the bitter end, our Li Family would be severely weakened even in victory. That would only benefit our rivals, the Xiao Family."
He looked at Li Mengchao and said gravely, "Furthermore, knowing Sun Yong, he won’t easily go back on his word now that he’s agreed to the duel. The County Magistrate and the heads of all the major families and Martial Arts Halls will be there to witness it. If he loses and refuses to honor the outcome, he’ll be destroying his own reputation. He’d find it impossible to maintain his standing in Yuhe County after that."
Only then did Li Mengchao nod. "I understand."
"Good." Li Haitao nodded. "Now go and prepare. You must ensure victory in this duel. It’s not just about the Li Family’s honor, the Elixirs, or the Exotic Beast Meat. It’s also about building your reputation for your own future breakthrough to the Huajin realm."
