Chapter 52 Showing its edge Ⅱ

　　Early one morning in the twelfth lunar month, Yu Pingnian led a group into the Prefect's Mansion, but they didn't meet with Prefect He Xin. Instead, they only saw the eldest Miss He Muxian and the second Miss He Muyu.

　　After being informed that it was time to head to the Zhou Family Tavern for the bride-seeking competition, He Muxian led the crowd there. As the mansion's procession exited the gates, they immediately became the focus of the town. People lined both sides of the road, all eager to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. Once the entire procession had left, someone shouted out into the distance, "The eldest miss has left the mansion!" Following this, someone ran off to inform the Zhou Family Tavern.

　　At the front of the procession walked the martial arts master Huang Qin and his team of martial artists, clearing the way. Closely following them were He Muyu and Ji Yanshi, who also served as vanguards. Although this was supposed to be a genuine bride-seeking competition, with drums and gongs announcing their arrival and an atmosphere, it was all just for show. There was no need for such extravagance.

　　Yu Pingnian and Qing Hu had thought of everything. They had hired a troupe of musicians early in the morning, and as they walked, the troupe played, filling the air with jubilant sounds. In addition to the musicians, Qing Hu and Yu Pingnian had made other preparations. They had laid a red carpet along the road leading to the Prefect's Mansion and the Zhou Family Tavern, making it look like a real celebration.

　　In the middle of the procession was He Muxian herself. There was not a trace of happiness or a smile on her face, and the same could be said for the four maidservants attending her. Behind her, ten sturdy mansion guards followed, with Shen Huan and Zhou Ge blending in with them, escorting her.

　　The distance from the Prefect's Mansion to the Zhou Family Tavern was not too far, just a few streets away. The area around the competition stage at the tavern was packed with people, some eager to see He Muxian's beauty, others there for the excitement, and still others hoping to participate in the competition.

　　Suddenly, someone shouted, "Begin!" The area around the stage erupted in a flurry of fireworks and confetti. Two teams of people holding lanterns lined the railings of the stage, making it look like they were truly selecting a husband for the eldest miss.

　　After the welcome ceremony, someone began to clear the area. Qing Hu approached the procession and said to He Muxian, "Miss He, you're really punctual." He Muxian ignored him and turned her head away.

　　Shen Huan stepped forward and asked, "Aren't you Qing? Is the area prepared for Miss He?" Seeing him, Qing Hu felt a surge of anger. Their feud had started when they clashed in Xu Yi, and it had escalated when Qing Hu's smoke formation was broken twice on Crossroads Hill, and He Muxian had scratched his face. Now, seeing him here for the bride-seeking competition, he felt even more frustrated.

　　Despite his anger, he had to answer the question. "Yes, the second floor has been prepared since early morning. Please, junior sister, come upstairs," he said.

　　"Wait, is there nothing else you want to say before we go upstairs?" Shen Huan asked.

　　"Junior sister, do you have something to say?" Qing Hu asked, looking puzzled.

　　"She's an unmarried lady. Would she have anything to say?" Shen Huan retorted before leaping onto the arena. "Everyone, listen up," he shouted, and the crowd immediately fell silent. They all knew that he was the leader of the police and represented the Prefect's Mansion, so his words carried weight.

　　Shen Huan began his speech politely, bowing to the crowd. "Guests from afar, citizens of our prefecture, lend me your ears. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shen Huan, a police officer within our prefecture. The place where I stand is the competition stage, known as the Bride-seeking Stage, where Miss He will select her husband through martial arts."

　　"That's obvious," someone shouted from the crowd.

　　Shen Huan continued, unfazed. "Please, bear with me as I explain. It's important to clarify the rules. Only those who are unmarried and have no wives at home are eligible to participate. The first rule of our competition is that the bride-to-be cannot be a concubine. Miss He is the eldest daughter of the Prefect's Mansion. How could she possibly be a concubine? Am I right?"

　　Many in the crowd nodded in agreement. Indeed, how could the eldest daughter of the prefecture's governor become a concubine? Heck, even the second daughter wouldn't stoop to such a level.

　　Shen Huan continued, "Therefore, those who are already married or have arranged marriages should refrain from participating. As for the second rule, the participant must be presentable. If you think you're too ugly to step onto this stage, then please don't bother. Miss He is here, and her beauty is for all to see. inquisitor for yourself if you measure up."

　　These two rules filtered out many unqualified candidates. Shen Huan then proceeded to the third rule. "As we all know, Miss He is a descendant of the West Peak Holy Monarch. She must be proficient in martial arts. If you can defeat five opponents, Miss He will step onto the stage and compete with you. Only if you defeat her will the marriage be arranged. If you're not confident in your abilities, please don't waste our time."

　　After finishing his speech, Shen Huan glanced at the procession, and He Muxian nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

　　"One more important point," Shen Huan continued. "On the competition stage, weapons are sharp and injuries are unavoidable. If you're afraid, don't participate. We don't want any trouble. If you're here to settle personal vendettas, think twice. We're all witnesses, and the mansion guards and police are not blind."

　　"Well said!" Ji Yanshi exclaimed, echoing his sentiment.

　　Shen Huan took a few steps forward and asked, "Qing Hu, do you have anything else to add?"

　　"No!" Qing Hu replied impatiently.

　　"Very well, then the competition will commence in an hour," Shen Huan announced before jumping off the stage and rejoining his group. He and Zhou Ge then led the way to the second floor of the tavern.

　　The second floor was spacious, with many tables laden with fruits, pastries, and other refreshments. The windows overlooking the competition stage had been repaired, providing a clear view of the proceedings.

　　Everyone took their seats, and Ji Yanshi approached Shen Huan. "Shen, what's our next move?" he asked.

　　"Let's wait and see," Shen Huan replied calmly.

　　Somehow, the an hour passed quickly, and soon it was time for the competition to begin. Shen Huan and Ji Yanshi rose from their seats and made their way downstairs.

　　At the competition stage, Yu Pingnian was already waiting. "Junior Ji, Shen, shall we begin?" he asked.

　　Ji Yanshi felt a little awkward when the young man addressed him as "Junior Ji." He cleared his throat and said, "Let's begin."

　　A small servant ran onto the stage and announced the start of the competition by banging a gong. Immediately after, a young man stepped onto the stage. He looked to be in his early twenties, with an average appearance and a sturdy build. He held a wooden spear and planted it firmly on the ground.

　　"Allow me to introduce myself," he began. "I'm not from Beici County but from Dongwa, Nanci County. I happened to be passing by and couldn't resist joining in on the fun. I'm aware of my limitations and don't expect to win, but I'd like to test my skills..."

　　"Who are you? State your name!" someone shouted from the crowd.

　　"My name is Sun Ansheng," the young man replied. "I'm from the Da Dou Zi Mill in Nanci County. To be more precise, I'm the owner of a tofu shop. I've learned a few moves here and there but never had the chance to use them. Today seems like the perfect opportunity."

　　Before he could finish his sentence, the crowd erupted into laughter.

　　Another young man stepped onto the stage. "If even a tofu shop owner dares to participate in this competition, no wonder there are so many thieves in Shaowen," he quipped.

　　"What's your line of work? State your name," Sun Ansheng challenged.

　　"I'm Wu He from Hongdu County, Jade Town. My family runs a security agency," the young man replied, wielding his spear and revealing his martial arts style.

　　Looking at Wu He's spear technique, Sun Ansheng estimated that his skills were superior to his own. After all, he had learned his spear moves from the blacksmith next door to his tofu shop, while Wu He came from a family of martial artists. Feeling intimidated, Sun Ansheng's heart quaked.

　　After a dozen rounds, Sun Ansheng was stabbed in the buttocks, let out a few wails, and tumbled off the stage.

　　Wu He triumphed and was quite pleased. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, I haven't even warmed up yet and he's already rolled off the stage. Is there anyone else who wants to come up?"

　　As soon as the words left his mouth, a man wielding a stick climbed onto the stage. "Li Lei from Qiaoyan County, here to ask for a match."

　　After announcing his name, the two engaged in battle. After thirty rounds, Wu He kicked him off the stage with one foot. "Get down there!"

　　Delighted with his two consecutive victories, he returned to the center of the stage. "Folks, those two were just useless eaters with no real skill. Can someone with better martial arts come up?"

　　As soon as he finished speaking, a man jumped onto the stage with a single mace in hand.