Chaotic World Book
Chapter 209 - 204: Assisting Wine with a Sword

Chapter 209: Chapter 204: Assisting Wine with a Sword

Wang Zhaoqing’s expression was somber.

They really couldn’t intimidate Zhao Changhe, and they couldn’t just kill him.

Although they hadn’t figured out the real relationship between Zhao Changhe and Cui Yuanyang, no matter what, Zhao Changhe was Cui Yuanyang’s benefactor. The Cui Family had gifted the Dragon Sparrow, their intention was clearly written on their face, "Our family recognizes his status." If it weren’t for the Cui Family’s acknowledgement, who would recognize Zhao Changhe’s status? If killed secretly, it would be done, but not now.

The Dragon Sparrow brought Zhao Changhe many inconveniences, but the advantages were equally significant; everything has two sides.

Now, Cui Wenjing’s attitude was like a hanging sword; the Wang Family would absolutely not wish to offend such an ally like the Cui Family. If that happened, what big plans could they pursue? They may as well go home, wash up, and sleep.

Not to mention Cui Wenjing, the countless forces and old associates related to the Wang Family, it was hard to say how many would support the killing of a Prince. If word got out, the Wang Family’s power could potentially destabilize and wither overnight.

The biggest difference between Aristocratic Families and Demon Sect followers is exactly here; whatever they do, they need legal and moral justification. Once they deviate from this, history teaches them the consequences can be severe. But if handled well, succeeding is much easier than those Demon Sect rebels; just changing a flag would do...

Wang Zhaoqing glanced at Cui Yuanyang with vexation, and Cui Yuanyang blinked innocently, the picture of a clueless rabbit. Wang Zhaoqing knew not to expect any stance from him; him just showing up was already a friendly gesture from the Cui Family.

Cui Yuanyong wasn’t absent because of "not seeing the bride before the wedding"... It was purely because the significance he represented differed from Cui Yuanyang’s, and it was intentional avoidance. Bringing only an innocent rabbit, the Cui Family could feign ignorance regardless of what happened.

All cunning as thousand-year foxes.

After a long silence, Wang Zhaoqing decided to give up on seeking Zhao Changhe’s stance.

After all, as long as Zhao Changhe just sat here and didn’t storm off, causing a ruckus, the outsiders wouldn’t know the situation, and it could be assumed that he supported and participated. Thus, there was no need for unnecessary complications.

Having thought this, Wang Zhaoqing once again put on a smile and clapped his hands, "That’s settled then, whether you participate in the duel challenge or not, I appreciate everyone coming to celebrate my birthday. Everyone should eat and drink their fill; only then will there be strength for the duel challenge... Servants, bring the dishes, play the music!"

"I won’t eat." Situ Xiao stood up swaying, stretching languidly, "Situ has drunk his fill, now the only thing missing is a sword to accompany the wine."

Wang Zhaoqing was stunned, "Brother Situ, what does this mean...?"

Situ Xiao chuckled, "Old Wang, don’t overthink things, forget the root of the matter. Earlier on, everyone speculated that under the pretense of celebrating your birthday, you sought to invite all Hidden Dragons to a test of swordsmanship. Honestly, although it’s arrogant, it’s to my liking; challenging heroes across the land is the spirit of a Martial Artist. I’m willing to join you for this sword test, and for my own comparison and verification, to gain some insight. Do you think I came all the way from Huguang to this banquet just to eat your meal?"

Wang Zhaoqing’s expression turned serious.

Situ Xiao said lazily, "Wang Zhaoqing, you claimed that training is difficult, inviting heroes here, yet you’re also doing some trashy and dirty business, missing the opportunity? Looking back, do you have no regrets at heart?"

He slowly unsheathed the Heavy Sword from his back, "Divine Brilliance Sect’s Situ Xiao, challenging all Hidden Dragons, to join me in a drink! Who will fight?"

The arena fell silent, and Wang Zhaoqing took a deep breath.

His stage had become Situ Xiao’s Martial Arts Arena.

But this was the original intention, wasn’t it?

Even Wang Zhaoqing himself, deep down, wasn’t there a bit of martial fervor stirring in his heart?

But where has there ever been a duel challenge that hadn’t yet started, where the two strongest contenders just stepped down and finished fighting in such a flurry? What would become of the subsequent Hidden Dragons duel challenge? Wouldn’t it turn into a joke?

To truly elevate the status and level, one should sit in the main seat, watching others compete, waiting for the victor to challenge him, and then fight and win; that would be a perfect close.

Wang Zhaoqing forcefully suppressed his own Martial Artist’s desire to step into the arena, turning it into a smile, "Since Brother Situ wishes to test his sword, I presume you won’t use your power to press others. Who would like to enter the arena to accompany Brother Situ and verify techniques?"

For a moment there was silence; who the hell would go and serve themselves up? Situ Xiao didn’t say he wouldn’t use his power to press others, and even if he didn’t, nobody had the confidence.

Just like Chi Li in the past, the only one who could fight him was Yue Hongling. With Situ Xiao standing here now, the only one who could really fight him was Wang Zhaoqing himself.

Situ Xiao, holding the sword, stood in the center and, for a long moment, no one responded. The ragged drunkard’s eyes started to show clear disappointment and disdain.

Yue Hongling had climbed the Human List, and Cui Yuanyong abstained out of avoidance, with no one else present, what did it mean to be a Hidden Dragon!

Suddenly, laughter came from the side of the arena, "A toast to Brother Situ!"

Everyone turned their heads, only to see Zhao Changhe throw his wine cup from his hand, flying straight towards Situ Xiao in the center of the arena.

Situ Xiao’s eyes instantly lit up.

Wang Zhaoqing twitched the corner of his mouth, "Brother Zhao, you said you wouldn’t participate?"

Zhao Changhe asked in surprise, "I encountered Brother Situ at the banquet, and our hands itch to exchange a few techniques. I’m not competing for the prize, so what does it have to do with the Wang Family’s duel challenge?"

Wang Zhaoqing: "..."

Xia Chichi chuckled, her grip on the sword handle gradually relaxed.

She too wanted to step into the arena but hesitated due to the implications of her status. It never crossed her mind that Zhao Changhe would be so shameless.

Bystanders had no mind to think too much; their eyes were glued to the flying wine cup.

The cup was full, nearly level with the brim, but as it flew toward the center of the arena, not a single drop of wine spilled out, showcasing an exquisite level of control.

"Yue Hongling’s Sun Shooting Flying Feather Dark Weapon Magic, combined with the Tang family’s Bibo Qingyi’s gentle intent—merged into one, it’s indescribably wonderful," Wang Zhaoqing murmured under his breath, the fighting spirit in his eyes growing increasingly agitated, nearly forgetting the true purpose of hosting this banquet.

Situ Xiao’s eyes were also full of delight as he suddenly raised his heavy sword.

With a "snap," the bottom of the cup just grazed the blade, slid along it, and as it reached the hilt, it was momentarily blocked. Yet surprisingly, instead of falling backward, the cup lurched forward and the wine jetted out like an arrow.

Situ Xiao opened his mouth to catch it— not a drop was missed—and the cup landed steadily on the blade, as if someone had poured the drink for him.

"Wonderful wine!"

Situ Xiao laughed loudly, slapped his wine pouch at his waist, and popped open the stopper; a stream of wine squirted out, landing precisely into the cup. Once the flow stopped, the cup was just full again.

Then, with a sweep of his heavy sword, he declared, "Returning the favor to Brother Zhao!"

Though the heavy sword, weighing dozens of pounds, swept through with a whistling sound, it only made an extremely faint "ding" against the cup, which gently floated back, its contents remaining unspilled.

This move was much trickier than Zhao Changhe’s earlier toss; purely as a contest of skill, it was a notch above Zhao Changhe’s.

Zhao Changhe had no fancier tricks up his sleeve and simply reached out to catch the wine cup, downing it in one gulp, he exclaimed with great joy, "Excellent, excellent swordsmanship, excellent skill!"

After finishing his sentence, the cup was placed on the table, and the Dragon Sparrow was drawn from its sheath!

A dragon’s cry sounded, and a dim blood light crossed the several zhang-wide hall, heading straight for Situ Xiao at the center.

Situ Xiao casually swung his sword to counter thrust, but the sword light’s bloody hue changed mid-flight. Zhao Changhe’s figure shifted in mid-air as if stepping on clouds, elegantly sidestepping by half, transforming a slash into a thrust, and piercing toward Situ Xiao’s chest.

Situ Xiao’s expression finally turned solemn to dodge the thrust, and with equal fervor, he exclaimed, "Good! Good swordsmanship! Good body technique!"

Good swordsmanship...

Many onlookers were utterly baffled. Zhao Changhe’s weapon was a saber, and moreover, a very peculiar Big Broadsword...

But that thrust just now was truly imbued with Sword Intent. Where did he learn such swordsmanship, and how did he incorporate it into his saber technique? Could a rising star in the Worldly Society manage something like this?

"The Tang family’s Water Stepping..." Wang Zhaoqing whispered to himself: "That sword technique is unrecognizable, likely it’s Tang Wanju who helped him integrate it into his saber. His relationship with Tang Wanju..."

Cui Yuanyang pursed his lips, sniffing.

"Shing!" The first clash of saber and sword in the arena wasn’t the brutal collision of heavy sword and broadsword that people had imagined, but rather a screeching friction of blade sliding on blade.

As they passed by each other, in an instant, they each slapped their left hand toward the other’s chest and ribs, followed by a rapid exchange of moves.

Zhao Changhe’s fingers brushed under Situ Xiao’s ribs, feeling as though they had hit iron, with absolutely nothing happening and leaving his fingers a bit sore. Situ Xiao’s finger tapped Zhao Changhe’s Jade Hall acupoint, again with no consequence.

After passing one another, they turned to look back.

Zhao Changhe rubbed his chest at the Jade Hall, feeling he had lost. The opponent’s Horizontal Training left him unharmed, while his own displacement merely gave him pain— a loss indeed.

A look of peculiar delight appeared on Situ Xiao’s face, "Brother Zhao..."

Zhao Changhe: "Ah?"

"You’re a big man, playing Grappling with me! What, were you also planning to sneak in a feel?"

"...I’m not good at Gang Meng fists and palms; I’ve been troubled looking for that. Why don’t you teach me?"

Situ Xiao’s face took on a bittersweet look, "You really don’t beat around the bush."

Having spoken, he held the sword with both hands, slightly bowed his body, and stared intently, "My sect’s fist and palm techniques, I wouldn’t say they’re particularly Gang Meng, but they are indeed notably ironclad. If Brother Zhao gains something from this battle, then gifting him a set of fist and palm techniques is no big deal, right?"

Zhao Changhe stood with his saber held crosswise, his feet shifted slightly, and Blood Evil roared upward, "Compared to that, Zhao is more curious to see how this edgeless Heavy Sword achieves its clever without being ingenious."

Wang Zhaoqing: "..."

Was this the sought-after Langya Debate of Swords?

On the surface, it indeed seemed to be.

But somehow it just didn’t feel right...

Before this dazzling display of saber and swordsmanship, he, Wang Zhaoqing, seemed to have become a mere passerby, no longer the center of attention.