The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 172 - 130 Duel Agreement

Chapter 172: Chapter 130 Duel Agreement

Listening to her son’s complaints, Madam Li did not get angry.

Putting down her chopsticks, she shook her head slightly and said, "Nowadays, there are more and more officials in the court, and not enough vacant positions. You, without the title of a scholar, were able to get this study companion position is something many would envy."

"But I know your character, honest and tolerant. If it weren’t for being pushed to the limit, you wouldn’t have said such words. Were you ostracized at the Prince Mansion?"

Li Kongqing glanced at Li Yan, who was silently eating beside him, and seeing that his mother was not speaking, he opened his mouth and said, "The Prince is generous and I have not been ostracized. It is all because of the Princely Heir."

"I had heard before that the Princely Heir was young and intelligent, but ever since you became his study companion, the Princely Heir has become more and more profligate day by day."

"Not studying, not cultivating virtue, immersed in martial arts training, horse riding and falconry all day, ignoring your advice."

"Living off people’s taxes, not fulfilling my responsibilities, my heart is truly disenchanted..."

"I see."

After listening, Madam Li hesitated and said, "Why don’t we ask your father to think of a way to take up a post in Chang’an Prefecture?"

Li Yan, who was eating, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly spoke up: "Perhaps Brother has misunderstood."

"Oh?"

Li Kongqing looked at Li Yan, feeling somewhat unexpected.

They all knew about this new disciple their mother had taken in; even on the day he formally became a disciple, he had shared the induction feast with his elder brother.

His father and elder brother were busy in the medical clinic all day, treating and healing people, and he himself held a position in the Prince Mansion and only came back occasionally.

They didn’t care about learning boxing; they just wanted their mother to have company, and they were pleased to see a young hero join their ranks.

But what do you, a martial artist, understand about the matters of officialdom?

You are young, after all, and don’t quite understand propriety...

Although displeased, Li Kongqing still kept a normal expression and smiled warmly, "Brother Yan, what advice do you have?"

Li Yan said in a deep voice, "The matter is actually very simple."

"What is the Prince’s status?"

"That needs to be asked? The Prince is the Emperor’s own brother, deeply favored. Chang’an holds significant strategic importance, and for a princely territory to be granted in this place speaks volumes of his status."

Li Yan calmly said, "Those who work hard must seek something."

"The commoners work hard to learn crafts, in order to make a living."

"Confucian scholars study poetry and books diligently, to seek an official position."

"With the Prince’s status so high, the Princely Heir could simply idle away his life, but he studies diligently and cultivates virtue to make a name for himself..."

"Could it be that he still wants to seek higher?"

"This..."

Li Kongqing’s face turned pale, and he no longer spoke.

Li Yan shook his head and said, "This principle, the Princely Heir understands, and the Prince understands even better, it’s just Brother Kong Qing feigning confusion."

"This study companion position comes with status and leisure, and in the future, it will surely be an important position in the Prince Mansion, and you don’t even have to put in too much effort. It’s truly a top-notch position."

To tell the truth, if it weren’t for the relationship with his master, he wouldn’t even bother to explain.

His master, after all, is a woman, and she rarely sees outsiders. Li Kongqing is a stubborn scholarly type, temporarily blinded by the principles in books.

If he didn’t clarify, who knows how many detours would be taken.

At this moment, Madam Li also realized the point and shook her head, "Yan’er is right, Kong Qing, you are simple-hearted. Going to Chang’an Prefecture would inevitably involve you in disputes with others, and it would be better to stay in the Prince Mansion."

"Mother does not ask for you to be prominent, just to be safe and sound."

Li Kongqing was silent for a while and then sighed softly, "Mother is right. I prided myself on having read a hundred books but failed to see through this layer, truly a bit foolish."

"Thinking of the past few days, the Princely Heir has become increasingly impatient with me, and I guess it won’t be long before this position can no longer be kept..."

Madam Li advised, "My son, there is no need to be saddened if you lose the position. With your temperament, coming back to be a teacher is quite suitable."

"Mother is right."

Li Kongqing seemed to have come to terms with it as well, nodding in agreement.

Madam Li’s mood greatly improved, and looking at Li Yan, her expression became more and more kind, "Yan’er, have you found a house yet?"

"Your Great Cloud Thunder Sound is quite extraordinary. Practicing martial arts is like rowing against the current; it’s best to find a house soon to practice your Thunder Sound in combination with your boxing, for better results."

Li Yan also felt somewhat helpless, "I’ve looked at two places, both in the remote areas of Chang’an City, and the prices were also quite reasonable."

"But either there is a Beggar Gang nest nearby or a Fire Bear Gang stronghold. If bought, I’d probably have to fight every day."

"The markets closer by are not only expensive but can easily disturb the neighbors, and I might even be driven away by the market officials."

"If there’s no other choice, then I’ll just live outside the city."

Madam Li frowned slightly, "It’s always a bit inconvenient."

Li Kongqing laughed upon hearing this, "Brother Yan, seeking a broker to buy a house is a big mistake."

"You are unaware, Chang’an City seems to have few and expensive houses, but in reality, there are not a few quiet mansions, mostly in the hands of wealthy families, as a form of family assets."

"These houses, they can’t live in, half of them are empty, and they need to send servants to clean and maintain them periodically, and they don’t want to rent them out to outsiders easily, for fear of causing a mess."

"I will inquire about it for you. Using the excuse of helping to look after the house, you might be able to move in and potentially save on rent altogether."

Li Yan, hearing this, was overjoyed and said with a salute, "That would trouble you, Brother."

.......

According to Madam Li’s rules, Li Yan practiced boxing at the Li mansion for half a day every day, and although they would occasionally keep him for lunch, it was not good to disturb them too often.

After the meal, Li Yan took his leave.

With guidance from a renowned teacher and prospects for a house on the horizon, Li Yan’s mood was indeed quite good. After leaving Lanling Square, he hummed a tune as he hurried to the inn.

Back at Fenglai Inn’s small courtyard.

"Oh, quite lively today..."

Before entering, Li Yan laughed heartily.

He could already smell the presence inside, beyond Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan, Crimson Yaksha and the innkeeper Feng Feiyan were also there.

But as he entered, he realized the atmosphere was off.

Crimson Yaksha’s face looked awful, Sha Lifei was visibly indignant.

Upon seeing Li Yan enter, Sha Lifei immediately stood up and exclaimed, "Brother Yan, Crimson Sister has been bullied, we can’t just sit by and do nothing."

"Bullied..."

Li Yan looked at Crimson Yaksha, somewhat startled.

Innkeeper Feng Feiyan gave him a glance and said with annoyance, "Your mind’s wandering to the wrong places, where are you thinking of going?"

"It’s about something stolen from Crimson Sister, she was forced into a duel. She was embarrassed to mention it, so I dragged her here to seek help from you guys."

"A duel?"

Li Yan said solemnly, "Don’t rush, what exactly happened?"

Crimson Yaksha sighed, "You guys have just arrived in Chang’an, I didn’t want to trouble you, but it’s about my sect’s heirloom, we must retrieve it."

"My master took on a job ten years ago, said the reward was generous, but it required covert operations, and after he left, he never returned..."

"Over the years, I’ve been searching for his whereabouts, but there has been no news, until a few days ago."

"On Winter Solstice, near the old ruins outside Chang’an City, someone blasted open a tomb of a Fangshi from Ancient Zhou, strange incidents occurred, and many died. It was quite a stir in the pugilistic world."

"What Ancient Zhou’s great tomb? It had nothing to do with me, but someone brought out our lineage’s treasure from within, the Demon-slaying Sword at midnight."

"It’s an inheritance of my sect, and more so, it’s connected to the reason behind my master’s death that year, so I’ve been secretly investigating these days."

"Did you find it?"

"Mhm, the item ended up in the hands of someone named Liu Wenchen, he’s also a demon hunter, but with an extremely detestable character, who has also made connections with many black-hearted figures and side door magicians in the pugilistic world."

"We’ve had conflicts before, he wants to pocket the Demon-slaying Sword, yet fears talk among our peers, so he agreed to settle this through a duel."

Li Yan asked, "What are the rules of this duel?"

Feng Feiyan interjected from the side, "It is the Heavenly Element Bureau."

Li Yan was taken aback, "They’re playing that big?"

After entering the Mystical Sect, he had also learned quite a bit from Wang Daoxuan.

When magicians duel, fighting to the death naturally goes without saying, using all kinds of methods, and only the survivors have the right to speak.

But like the pugilistic world, among Mystical Sect magicians, social intricacies couldn’t be avoided, you know me, I know him, and perhaps there’s a camaraderie between friends.

Moreover, with the laws of the Great Xuan Dynasty in place, one couldn’t simply kill each other and keep escalating grudges.

Thus, dueling became a way to solve problems.

Magicians dueling also had its etiquette.

One-on-one was called "Yin Yang Meeting," group duels, inviting friends, was called "Heavenly Element Bureau," duels between Magic Veins were called "Dragon Tiger Meeting"...

Playing "Heavenly Element Bureau," it’s all about who has the better connections.

"Isn’t that the truth!"

Feng Feiyan scoffed, "That Liu Wenchen is incompetent, only knows how to play dirty; knowing Crimson Sister is alone and vulnerable, he insisted on playing ’Heavenly Element Bureau.’ Crimson Sister was foolish and agreed outright."

Crimson Yaksha sighed, "I had no choice but to agree. If I refused, he would have immediately defiled the Demon-slaying Sword."

"My lineage has a Secret Technique that suppresses Qi Fortune, but it can’t do without the Demon-slaying Sword – I have to leave something for the children..."

"Don’t worry, Crimson Sister."

Sha Lifei’s eyes rolled with thought, "Although I don’t understand magician duels, it must be similar to arranging fights in the pugilistic world. Known as ’knowing the enemy and knowing yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles,’ first, we need to find out who he has brought with him."

"I’ve already found out."

Feng Feiyan said gravely, "That coward Liu Wenchen has made connections with many heretical and side door figures and is also on good terms with the Fire Bear Gang."

"The most likely candidates he’ll invite are those witches and wizards who specialize in Evil Technique; they mostly have at most two levels of Dao, and he simply has the advantage of numbers."

"If we find another two or three good hands, along with Crimson Sister and Brother Yan, we should have no problem."

"The Fire Bear Gang will surely send a large force to intimidate us during the duel, hmph, I’ve already notified the brothers from the Chang’an shops, foot shops, and Carriage Shops. They’ve been dissatisfied with the Fire Bear Gang for a while, and they’ll lend a hand when the time comes."

"The remaining few are difficult to find; I’m not from the Mystical Sect, I can sort out matters of the pugilistic world, but I really don’t have the face to ask for help."

"Also, they mentioned, we can’t recruit help from the Taixuan Orthodox Sect to intervene, otherwise, the duel will be immediately aborted."

Li Yan pondered for a moment, "I’ll think of a way for recruitment. What about the time and place?"

"Seven days from now, at midnight, at the former site of the Great Ming Palace."

"Mhm, I’ll think of a solution right away."

Li Yan said as he prepared to get up to leave.

Feng Feiyan quickly reminded him, "Be careful, Brother Yan, the Fire Bear Gang has also sent people, constantly watching the movements at the inn."

"If you’re looking for people, make sure they don’t follow you."

"Don’t worry."

Li Yan had a plan in mind, and turned to leave the inn.

He had to seek help from Luo Mingzi, Taixuan Orthodox Sect wouldn’t get involved, but Luo Mingzi was sure to know many peers.

Indeed, just as he stepped out, Li Yan noticed a few sneaky figures lurking among the crowd and across the inn.

He glanced at them indifferently, a cold sneer in his heart, and turned his head to walk toward Vermilion Bird Street...