Chapter 253: Chapter 118: All Parties Gather (3)
She paused before continuing, "The Li Family has always been shrewd. Last time, during their duel with the Xiao Family, the prize was nothing special. This time, they know full well that Yang Jing is a tough opponent. Why would they wager so much?"
Zhou Wenbin set down his teacup, tracing the rim with his finger. "The Li Family wouldn’t wager so much," he said faintly, "if they weren’t absolutely confident about this duel."
His wife was stunned, her eyes filled with confusion. "Confidence? But Yang Jing clearly has the upper hand. Didn’t you say yourself that he’s already invincible among Dark Energy Martial Artists?"
Zhou Wenbin shook his head, his gaze drifting through the carriage window toward the rows of houses in the distance. "Yang Jing is invincible at the Dark Energy realm, that’s true. But Li Mengchao... is no longer a Dark Energy Martial Artist."
"Not a Dark Energy Martial Artist?" his wife asked instinctively. "Then what is he?"
Zhou Ling’Er’s ears perked up as well, her wide eyes full of curiosity.
"Half-Step Huajin." Zhou Wenbin’s voice dropped. "I received a private message yesterday. Li Mengchao’s last attempt to break through to the next realm wasn’t a complete success, but it wasn’t a complete failure, either. He got one foot through the door to the Huajin realm. After recovering from his injuries and replenishing his vital energy, he has now reached the level of a Half-Step Huajin."
He paused to explain, "A Half-Step Huajin hasn’t truly entered the Huajin realm, but they’ve touched the threshold. The quality of their Inner Strength far surpasses someone at the Peak of Dark Energy, and their body has undergone a preliminary tempering from that Inner Strength. They’re far beyond what any Dark Energy Martial Artist could hope to defeat. No matter how strong Yang Jing is, he’s still just a Dark Energy Martial Artist. Against a Half-Step Huajin, I’m afraid... his chances of victory are slim."
His wife gasped. "Is that true? Is this information reliable?"
"It is." Zhou Wenbin nodded. "The Li Family buried this secret deep. Other than their core members, almost no outsiders know. They’re planning to use this to catch Sun Yong completely by surprise. If not for the informant I planted among the servants born into the Li Family household, I would have been kept in the dark as well."
Zhou Ling’Er grew nervous as she listened. "Then... doesn’t that mean Yang Jing is going to lose?" she whispered.
’She found herself inexplicably fond of that heroic Martial Artist who was always stuffing his face with meat.’
His wife paid her daughter no mind, her thoughts already in turmoil. "A Half-Step Huajin... Such a realm is rare in Yuhe County, but there are a few across Jintai Prefecture. For Li Mengchao to reach this level at his age, however, means his future breakthrough to the Huajin realm is a certainty."
She looked at Zhou Wenbin, her tone turning grave. "The Li Family already has two Huajin Powerhouses, Li Haitao and their Grand Elder. If Li Mengchao breaks through, they’ll have three. Furthermore, the Vajra Hand Seal they cultivate is a top-tier martial art, giving them superior combat strength among peers of the same realm. When that happens, the Li Family will likely secure its position as the head of the six great families, leaving even the Xiao Family in the dust."
Zhou Wenbin remained noncommittal, simply gazing out the window with a profound look in his eyes.
’The balance of power in Yuhe County is about to be completely shattered by this duel.’
’After today, all of Yuhe County will know that the Li Family is about to produce a young Huajin Powerhouse. Their prestige is bound to soar.’
Seeing the deep, complex look in her husband’s eyes, his wife felt a pang of unease. "The Li Family’s rise... it will affect you as the County Magistrate, won’t it?" she asked softly.
Zhou Wenbin pulled his gaze back, raised his cup, and took a sip. The clean, bitter taste of the tea spread across his tongue.
He sighed softly. "In this day and age, the Court’s control over the regions is already weak. Compared to the sects with their centuries-long legacies and the powerful clans who rule their own territories, the Court’s authority has long been diminished. The stronger the Li Family becomes, the more say they will have in the county. For me, that is naturally not a good thing."
He paused, his tone softening slightly. "But there’s no need to be overly concerned. I am, after all, the County Magistrate appointed by the Court. I have the Court’s legitimacy behind me. No matter how strong the Li Family gets, they wouldn’t dare to openly oppose the Court. They still have to follow the rules."
"Besides," a flicker of understanding crossed Zhou Wenbin’s eyes, "the powers in Yuhe County have never been a monolith. The Li Family and the Xiao Family have a long-standing feud, and now their relationship with Sun’s Martial Arts Hall is just as tense. And that’s not to mention the other major families, who all have their own agendas. If the Li Family truly produces a third Huajin Powerhouse, the Xiao Family and the others certainly won’t just sit back and watch. They will undoubtedly join forces behind the scenes to keep them in check. When the snipe and the clam fight, it’s the fisherman who benefits. As long as they are all counterbalancing each other, the county won’t descend into chaos."
Only then did his wife relax slightly. She said no more, simply gazing out the window at the approaching Celestial Blessing Square, from which the clamor of a crowd was already clearly audible.
...
「Outer City, Pingkang Square.」
An elegantly simple carriage was making its way slowly toward Celestial Blessing Square.
Inside, Zhao Yuman held up an exquisite little mirror, carefully studying her reflection.
She wore a moon-white dress today, its collar embroidered with a few delicate orchid fronds. She had applied a light layer of powder to her face and subtly accentuated her eyes and brows, lending an air of gentle grace to her already lovely features.
But no amount of makeup could completely conceal the deep, lingering weariness in her eyes.
’These past few days, she had been constantly on edge.’
’Business at Zhao’s Escort Agency had been steadily declining. Her father and older brother were perpetually worried, and she herself had gradually withdrawn from the social circles she used to frequent.’
’She used to be a social butterfly, popular in every circle, but now she found the hollow pleasantries and feigned interest utterly exhausting.’
Her fingertips gently traced the edge of the mirror. Zhao Yuman felt a sense of bewilderment.
’She couldn’t quite explain why she had taken such care to dress up. Perhaps, subconsciously, she felt she might see Yang Jing today.’
’The man she had once scorned, the one she’d thought had no potential, was now one of the most talked-about figures in Yuhe County. Slaying Li Qianxiong, wiping out the Flying Horse Thieves... each of his accomplishments was enough to leave his peers in the dust.’
