Chapter 55 Showing its edge V

　　Dang Liaoze sized up the two fortress leaders and felt uneasy. He weighed his own abilities and didn't dare to step onto the arena to seek honor.

　　On the arena, Yu Huawen had won three consecutive battles but still had no intention of seeking a spouse. He began to pack up his things, preparing to leave the arena.

　　Unbeknownst to him, many pairs of eyes were fixed on him from below the arena.

　　One of them felt particularly averse to his words about "thieves" and "those in the cult who are not good people."

　　As he was bidding farewell to the audience on the arena, that person slowly walked from the entrance to the arena.

　　Yu Huawen turned to look and saw a young man standing before him, aged between 20 and 25, with slightly tanned skin, a tall and straight figure, and a face full of vitality, exuding strength and valor.

　　A small mustache on his lips added a touch of maturity.

　　His clothes were ordinary, the attire of a common martial artist.

　　In his hand was a bright silver spear, with a dragon carving on its shaft. The spearhead and shaft were polished to a bright shine, glinting in the sunlight.

　　It was obvious to the discerning eye that this man was not to be trifled with, and Yu Huawen was no exception.

　　"Brother, as I just said, I have no intention of seeking a spouse," Yu Huawen said.

　　The young man planted his spear on the ground and said, "Let's put the matter of seeking a spouse aside for now. I want to inquire about something first. Why do you look down on Fortress Leaders Qi and Long?"

　　The two men below exclaimed in unison, "Do you know them?" before shaking their heads at each other.

　　Qing Hu had no impression of this man and wondered why he was sticking up for the two fortress leaders.

　　He asked Wen Yan, "Fifth Junior Brother, do you know him?"

　　"Senior Brother, I just arrived here," Wen Yan replied.

　　Yu Huawen was taken aback by the question. "Brother, is it wrong for me to hate thieves?"

　　"You're from Yue, so you should know that Yue is a mixed bag. Elsewhere, there are rules and laws, but what is there in Yue? Occupying a mountain for shelter, what's wrong with that? Besides, they have another identity. They are disciples of Bai Liang, the eighth disciple of the West Peak Holy Monarch. They are not considered to have gone astray, and if they have the opportunity to make meritorious contributions in the future, they will be rewarded. Why do you insist on calling them thieves and claiming that the cult members are no good?"

　　Yu Huawen saw that he was being unreasonable and anger welled up within him. "So, you're a thief too! Reveal your name!"

　　"I live outside Dongjia Village, in the Nan Ying Town of Yue Region. I am Dong Er, a villager there. Yu, today I will not rest until I teach you a lesson for your insolent words!"

　　Yu Huawen had already fought three consecutive battles and was feeling tired. However, his opponent had challenged him, leaving him with no choice but to fight.

　　The two were unable to communicate and drew their weapons.

　　Dong Er shook his spear, and with its six or seven spearheads, he engaged in battle with Yu Huawen, who wielded his sword. Soon, they were locked in combat.

　　After just a dozen exchanges, Yu Huawen found himself unable to hold his own and was on the verge of defeat. Looking at Dong Er, it seemed as if he was effortlessly plucking dates from a tree.

　　"With these skills, you still dare to speak arrogantly? Prepare to meet your end!" Dong Er's bright silver dragon-carved spear glinted menacingly, aiming straight for Yu Huawen's heart.

　　Seeing that Yu Huawen would not be able to dodge in time, Ji Yanshi leaped onto the arena and knocked aside Dong Er's spear with his sword.

　　"Second Senior Brother, please forgive him," Ji Yanshi pleaded. "He has already fought three people, and you just arrived on the arena. If you harm him now, others might say that you're bullying him, and it wouldn't sound good."

　　Dong Er looked askance and said, "So, it's you, Seventh Junior."

　　"Yes, Senior Brother. I've been here all along, but I just recognized you now. Please forgive me," Ji Yanshi apologized.

　　Dong Er narrowed his eyes and asked, "Where is the Sixth Junior?"

　　"She's coming. Senior Brother, if you have any grievances against her, please wait for her to arrive before settling them," Ji Yanshi said.

　　At this moment, Qing Hu and Wen Yan also realized the situation. They walked onto the arena together and said, "We didn't know that Second Senior Brother was in Beici County. We apologize for not greeting you earlier."

　　"Third Junior, what happened to your face?" Dong Er asked, noticing Qing Hu's injury.

　　"It was... scratched by a piece of iron," Qing Hu replied awkwardly.

　　"You need to be more careful. The Sixth Junior is coming too, right? Tell her that I don't want to see someone who has no sense of shame," Dong Er said coldly.

　　Qing Hu was delighted and quickly ran down the arena to the entrance of the tavern, where he happened to meet He Muxian as she was coming down.

　　He relayed Dong Tianzhen's words to her exactly as they were, and the helpless He Muxian had no choice but to return to the tavern.

　　Qing Hu returned to the arena and said, "Senior Brother, the arena is not the place for conversation. Let's talk below."

　　Dong Tianzhen agreed, "Alright."

　　Ji Yanshi thought to himself, "I can't let Third Senior Brother take Second Senior Brother away. If I do, who knows what might happen?"

　　"Senior Brother, you forgot one thing," Ji Yanshi said.

　　"What is it?" Dong Tianzhen asked.

　　"We're still on the arena. This is the arena for Sixth Senior's spouse-seeking competition," Ji Yanshi reminded him.

　　Dong Tianzhen spat and said, "Who wants to marry her?" As he spoke, he looked down and saw that everyone was discussing the reason for the suspension of the competition.

　　"Alright, I'll fight a few more rounds. Later, I'll deliberately lose to someone with good martial arts. That way, it won't be too embarrassing. You guys go ahead first," Dong Er said.

　　Qing Hu thought to himself, "You think you can just come and go as you please? It won't be that easy."

　　"Senior Brother, since you're here, do you really need to compete? I declare that Dong Tianzhen has won four consecutive rounds," Qing Hu announced.

　　Ji Yanshi was stunned and asked, "Qing Senior Brother, what do you mean by that?"

　　His words left everyone else puzzled as well. How could Dong Tianzhen have won four consecutive rounds?

　　Qing Hu explained to the crowd, and after his explanation, people finally understood that the man standing on the arena was Dong Tianzhen, the descendant of the West Peak Holy Monarch and a disciple of the Dong family in Nanying Peak, Snow Mist Mountain.

　　With such a formidable figure on the arena, who dared to step forward and compete? Moreover, it would be embarrassing for a Dong family member to compete on the arena for their own junior sister's spouse-seeking competition.

　　Dong Tianzhen said, "Third Junior, do you expect me to marry He Muxian?"

　　"No, Senior Brother. I wouldn't dare to ask that of you. It's just that she secretly held this spouse-seeking competition behind the family's back. Who would want her?" Qing Hu replied.

　　"That's right. Whoever wants her can win the martial arts competition and show off their skills. As for the person they marry, they can just discard her. There are many virtuous women in the world. Why bother with her?" Dong Tianzhen agreed.

　　Wen Yan, who was nearby, felt that this was an unjust portrayal of the Sixth Junior. He began to regret being easily swayed.

　　On the second floor of Zhou's Tavern, the He sisters were extremely anxious. He Muyu wondered what to do and said, "Sister, can you defeat him? Our father's family business is all in Shaowen. You can't marry into the Yue region."

　　He Muxian was also unsure of herself. If Second Senior Brother really won five consecutive rounds and defeated her, there would be no more opportunities to turn the situation around. If she refused the marriage proposal, she would humiliate Senior Brother Dong's face. If she accepted, she would betray herself and her father.

　　After much deliberation, she decided to end it all.

　　"Little sister, don't worry. I have a plan," He Muxian said.

　　On the arena, Qing Hu continued to taunt, "Is there anyone else who dares to step forward? Is there anyone who still dares to come? If no one dares to come forward, He Junior Sister, don't just stand there watching. It's your turn.

　　Shen Huan glanced at the people around him and said, "Prefect He has been kind to me. I cannot stand idly by when his family is in trouble. From now on, in case of any unexpected events, I will rely on Zhou Ge."

　　Zhou Ge spoke in a low voice, "Take care, Brother Shen."