Chapter 137:137. Duanmu Che also came (Second update)
Translator: 549690339
Su Liang couldn’t tell if Ning Jing’s words were insulting or not.
Because she did have a long stick as a weapon, which Ning Jing made by hand.
At that time, she casually named it, saying “Let’s call it Dog Beating Stick.”
Using stick techniques to deal with Nian Ruxue’s swordsmanship, Su Liang thought about it and found it quite interesting, so she accepted Ning Jing’s suggestion, “Alright, I’ll use the stick when I fight Nian Ruxue.”
Within two days, after four rounds of one-on-one elimination matches, thirty-six people were selected.
The ranking matches followed, where the top thirty could attain the title of Martial Arts Scholar, and the last six would be eliminated.
According to the rules of previous years, those who had been eliminated in these two days would have to wait another three years to participate in the Military Exam. If they were over the age of thirty-five by then, they would have no more chances.
In the restaurants and inns, there were quite a few who thought it was bad luck that led to their early elimination. Among them were those who had practiced martial arts diligently for many years, traveled thousands of miles to the capital city, and were strong but did not gain anything.
The burly man that Su Liang encountered in the first round and Luo Rong whom she encountered in the fourth round were such cases.
But no matter how upset or unwilling they were, the rules were there, and the results were set.
Just as quite a few of the eliminated martial artists were planning to leave the capital city, sudden news spread:
The emperor decreed that after the end of the ranking matches, a Challenge Contest would be added, giving all the eliminated participants a chance to challenge the winners of the Military Exam. If they succeeded, they could replace the original winner.
If multiple people challenged the same martial artist, they would be grouped together and compete to find the strongest challenger, who would then have the only chance to challenge their target.
Luo Rong’s master was overjoyed, “That’s great! With your strength, as long as you choose your opponent well this time, you should at least be able to achieve the title of Martial Arts Scholar!”
With his spirits lifted, Luo Rong, who had been disheartened, put down his luggage and decided to seize this last opportunity.
The entire capital city was buzzing with discussions about this unexpected news.
For those martial artists who were genuinely skilled but had poor luck, it was good news indeed.
However, for some martial artists who had managed to enter the ranking matches by luck, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of crisis.
The title of Martial Arts Scholar that originally only needed another six eliminations was now uncertain.
As Su Liang finished making dinner, Chang’an arrived, informing her that Duanmu Chen had already persuaded the emperor to adopt her proposal, and the rules of the Challenge Contest had been announced to the public.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for speaking up for fairness,” Su Liang said with a smile.
Chang’an’s mouth twitched slightly.
Before coming, Duanmu Chen had instructed that if Su Liang thanked him, he should take the opportunity to ask for some good food.
But Su Liang did not thank Duanmu Chen for helping her, instead elevating him to a noble and righteous level. It sounded very reasonable but also made it clear that this wasn’t Duanmu Chen helping her.
It was just a suggestion, and it was up to Duanmu Chen whether to mention it or not. He had the right to choose. His actions showed that it was beneficial to him rather than for Su Liang or the civilian martial artists.
This point, Su Liang was very clear about.
Since Chang’an had come all this way and even smelled the aroma of the food, he couldn’t return empty-handed, so he chuckled, “What delicious food has
Miss Su made? It smells so good.”
Su Liang instantly understood Chang’an’s hint.
Out of gratitude for Duanmu Chen’s good deed, she generously let Chang’an take one of the meat buns she had made back with him.
Not long after, Duanmu Chen, who tasted the delicious meat bun, expressed that his overall cooperation with Su Liang was very pleasant.
After finishing the meat bun, Duanmu Chen mentioned Nian Ruxue.
“It’s strange that if she’s really that good, with her personality, how could she possibly hide her strength without showing off?” Duanmu Chen had some understanding of Nian Ruxue.
She was once Gu Ling’s fiancée, rumored to marry into the Crown Prince’s Residence as an Imperial Concubine, but later seduced the emperor and was now granted marriage to the Second Prince.
Just from these events alone, she could be determined as absolutely not simple.
After thinking for a moment, Chang’an said, “She has never encountered any troubles, so she can’t just blatantly show off her martial arts skills for no reason, right? If she practices martial arts in secret and wants to shine during times like this, it would make sense. Hasn’t Master said before, the more capable one is, the more they should hide it? Being seen through by others is both foolish and dangerous.”
Duanmu Chen scoffed, “That was my evaluation of Su Liang. If Nian Ruxue were as strong as Su Liang, she wouldn’t have been granted marriage to
Duanmu Ao.”
“This subordinate was wondering, if Miss Nian Ruxue were to become the Martial Arts Champion this time, or even just place in the top three, would her marriage arrangement with the Second Prince change?” Chang’an asked.
Duanmu Chen’s eyes sparkled with wisdom, “As long as they are not married, anything is possible. If she is truly that capable, Father will certainly look at her differently.”
“This subordinate still believes that Miss Su Liang has a greater chance of coming out on top.” Chang’an said.
Duanmu Chen sneered, “Nian Ruxue encountering Su Liang this time is not a good thing for her. As long as she loses to Su Liang, even if one gets the top spot and the other the second, she will still be overshadowed.”
Nian Mansion.
It was late at night, and all was quiet.
Nian Ruxue and the fifth miss of the Nian family, Nian Ruting, lay side by side on the bed, leaning on each other and whispering softly.
“In the future, you and Gu Ling can find a paradise and live the life you want.” Nian Ruxue said softly.
Qin Yujin had once mentioned Nian Ruting to Su Liang.
As the fifth daughter of the Nian family, her beauty surpassed Nian Ruxue by a
great extent. But three years ago, she had an accident falling off a horse, injuring her leg and disfiguring her face. She was sent to the countryside for treatment, and it seemed as if the Nian family had forgotten about her.
Now, Nian Ruting’s leg had fully recovered, and her facial scars had disappeared. Her eyes were quite similar to Nian Ruxue’s but even more delicate, her skin like congealed cream.
“That’s something I’ve always dreamed of.” Nian Ruting’s eyes sparkled with emotion. “After helping Fourth sister in the Martial Arts competition, I’ll go find him. Do you think he’ll really accept me, Fourth sister?”
“As long as he knows you saved his mother back then and that you’re the one who should have been engaged to him, he will accept you. My second brother said that he values promises above all else, ” Nian Ruxue said.
“Mhm. Does Fourth sister have someone she likes?” Nian Ruting asked.
Nian Ruxue sighed, “I have no control over my life, so I can only keep my heart and seek a good future, contributing to the Nian family. Sometimes I envy Fifth sister, although she had troubles back then, she was lucky enough to be taken as a disciple by a master and has learned great skills. Not like me…”
“Fourth sister, don’t belittle yourself. In my heart, you’re always the most beautiful and best,” Nian Ruting said with a serious expression.
Nian Ruxue embraced her and sighed deeply. “Since I can’t be free, you have to live freely and joyfully on my behalf.”
“Mhm!” Nian Ruting nodded heavily.
But Nian Ruxue’s eyes flashed with a hint of jealous light that disappeared quickly.
Su Liang was experimenting with a new poison based on the toxic scriptures given to her by Xing Yusheng. She didn’t look up when she heard a knock on the door and said one word: “Come in.’
Ning Jing had just taken a bath, her half-dried hair hanging down her back, and entered the room.
Su Liang glanced over and said, “You never took off your human skin mask? Or did you put it back on immediately after washing your face? Won’t it get dirty? How do you maintain it?”
Ning Jing sat down across from her, her expression faint: “I did wash my face.”
Su Liang nodded, “I understand, washing two faces at once. It would be interesting if you could take off the mask now and show me.”
Ning Jing shook her head, “I can’t.”
“You’re the boss, do as you please.” Su Liang showed she was curious about the other person’s real appearance but could live without it. “Did you come to me for anything?”
“I want to finish listening to Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” Ning Jing said.
“I’m not free tonight.” Su Liang’s poison experiment, which she had been working on all night, had failed and turned into a black lump…
Su Liang looked disappointed and had to temporarily give up. “As fate wills it, let’s continue the story then.”
“A walk outside under the moon?” Ning Jing suggested.
Su Liang got up, grabbed her cloak and said, “Let’s go.”
Su Liang told her story as they walked through the garden, out the back door, and wandered the quiet streets of the capital in the middle of the night.
The moon was bright, and the two shadows stretched, collided, and separated, adding a touch of silent spirituality to the moonlight.
By the time Su Liang yawned for the third time, Ning Jing said they would stop for today and continue the story next time.
The two returned home after the third watch of the night.
Su Liang went to bed immediately, thinking that if she didn’t perform well in tomorrow’s martial arts competition, it would be Ning Jing’s fault.
The third day of the Military Exam.
As expected, their friends came, and Lin Xueqing noticed Su Liang yawning, asking if she had stayed up too late reading the night before.
“It was more like storytelling too late,” Su Liang said.
Lin Xueqing was surprised. “Su sister, you can tell stories? Who were you telling stories to so late at night?”
“Who else could it be?” Qin Yujin laughed lightly, glancing at Ning Jing.
“Wow! Brother Ning, you actually kept sister Su awake to tell you stories?” Lin Xueqing glared at Ning Jing. “If sister Su loses today’s martial arts competition, it’s your fault!”
Su Liang nodded, “That’s what I think too.”
Ning Jing looked calm, “She won’t lose.”
The group arrived at the Battle Arena, where it was already packed with people.
Before the ranking matches began, they heard someone shouting, “The Crown
Prince has arrived! The Second Prince, Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth
Princess have arrived!”
Su Liang’s eyes lit up. “Duanmu Chen also came! If he sees me competing, he’ll finally meet me, right?”
Ning Jing’s brow furrowed slightly. “Su Liang.” “Hm?” Su Liang was puzzled. “What’s wrong?” Ning Jing glanced at Su Liang and shook her head. “Nothing..”
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