Chapter 20

Damn! 2.25 million gold coins, Pang Da's heart was pounding with excitement. No one could remain calm when faced with such a large sum of money, especially not Pang Da, a young man. Although his face was flushed with excitement, due to his disguise, his skin was dark, and no one could tell.

"Hmm." On the surface, Pang Da maintained his composure, checking the amount on the prepared card stone. The numbers were accurate and correct.

After receiving the money, Pang Da got up to take his leave. Boss He said he hoped to cooperate again in the future, but Pang Da neither confirmed nor denied it, just hummed a few times and left.

As soon as Pang Da left the room, Boss He pursed his lips at his back. A black shadow darted out from the darkness and quietly followed behind Pang Da.

Not long after, the black shadow returned, dejected, and reported to Boss He that he had lost the target. Boss He didn't say anything, but he became even more convinced that the Fire Seed came from a mysterious and powerful force. The "Shadow" under his command was an expert in tracking, lying in wait, and assassination. If even they lost the target, it was certainly not an ordinary person.

In fact, Pang Da had just slipped into a toilet, removed his disguise, changed his clothes, and restored his original appearance. Even if he walked past the "Shadow" with a youthful and lazy demeanor, the "Shadow" wouldn't associate this young man with the deep and mysterious bearded man.

Pang Da successfully completed his mission, carrying a million gold coins, and fantasized about a life of luxury with wine and women. He was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling, humming a tune as he walked toward the main entrance of the Mandala Auction House, knowing that Song Li would be waiting for him there.

From a distance, he saw a large crowd gathered at the square in front of the auction house, all excited and whispering to each other. With his keen eyesight, Pang Da spotted Song Li in the crowd. He hurried over and used all his strength to squeeze through. He saw Song Li and Song Moran standing face to face, like two roosters, their feathers bristling, ready to fight. The guards stood in a circle, cheering for their masters.

When Pang Da squeezed in, Song Li caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye and glanced at him. Pang Da made a gesture that only Song Li could understand, and Song Li knew that Pang Da had completed his mission. He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Song Moran, who was smirking at him. Song Li smiled inwardly, the more arrogant the enemy, the happier he was.

When the two groups came out of the auction house, they met on the square in front. Song Moran was no fool. The two treasures he bid on were both disrupted by Song Li. No one would believe it was a coincidence. Why did Song Li only bid against him and not others? Moreover, Song Li was very ruthless, always bidding just a little more than Song Moran could bear, making it impossible for him to stop. In the end, although he won the two treasures, he estimated that the price was at least 50% higher than the market price, meaning that due to Song Li's interference, Song Moran had to pay twice as much.

Although the Seventh Prince's Mansion was wealthy, there was a difference between spending money willingly and being forced to spend it.

Song Moran had never thought highly of Song Li. After Song Li crippled Cheng Zhengxiang and Xiao Liweisi in front of him, the two had already become enemies. Now, Song Li had disrupted the auction, making him spend twice as much. If Song Moran continued to tolerate this, he wouldn't be the arrogant young prince of the capital.

So as soon as Song Li came out of the main gate, Song Moran stopped him. He had been outsmarted by Song Li twice in the auction hall and wanted to get even here. Song Moran decided that since he was going to act, he would cripple Song Li completely, just as Song Li had done to Cheng Zhengxiang and Xiao Liweisi.

In Song Moran's mind, Song Li was four levels below him. He was at the peak of the tenth level of Body Tempering, while Song Li was only at the sixth level, and even that was due to the effects of medicine, making his foundation unstable. With such a low level and a weak foundation, how could Song Li stand a chance against a genius like Song Moran?

Song Moran felt that when Song Li would be crippled was entirely up to him. When he decided to act, Song Li would be in trouble, and now was the time.

"Are you feeling pretty smug right now? Do you think you got the better of me?" Song Moran sneered, "But I guarantee, you'll soon understand the consequences of angering me."

Song Li waved his fan and laughed, "Ha ha ha, actually, I didn't get the better of you. I just feel very, very happy when I see you lose." His expression then turned serious, and he said coldly, "Song Moran, don't think I don't know that you were the one who ordered those scum to beat me up last time. I might as well tell you now, I have a very small heart. I remember every wrong done to me. Whoever stands in my way, I'll break their legs. Whoever slaps me, I'll destroy their face!"

"Indeed, the last time you were beaten to a pulp, it was because I ordered them to do it. I found you unbearable, a useless piece of trash, trying to form some so-called Justice Alliance and stand up for others. I can't stand arrogant trash. In my eyes, trash should know their place and stay in their doghouse. Coming out to cause trouble is just a waste of time. Since you refused to stay at home, I had you beaten until you couldn't stand. Isn't that better?"

Song Li had already expected Song Moran to admit it. He was so quick to admit it because he felt he had the absolute advantage, the mindset of a strong person towards a weak one: "I did it, what are you going to do about it?" That was the gist of it.

"Since you admit it, that makes things easier," Song Li said with a smile, "I told you, I always seek revenge for even the smallest grievances. So today, you're going to have a bad time. I'm going to break all your bones and make sure you can never stand again."

"Ha ha ha ha, this trash is really full of hot air!"

"If it weren't for his mother who can refine pills, he would probably be as weak as a slug!"

"How dare he challenge the young prince, doesn't he know the young prince is a famous genius in the capital?"

"Overestimating himself, like a mantis trying to stop a cart!"

"I bet all my possessions on the young prince winning. Who wants to bet against me? I'll give ten to one odds!"

"Idiot, even a fool knows the young prince will win. Who would bet against me?"

"......"

When Song Li said this, Song Moran's followers burst into laughter, their disdain obvious. They would rather believe a donkey could climb a tree or a man could resist temptation than believe Song Li could defeat Song Moran.

"Do you believe, like them, that you will definitely win?" Song Li asked, smiling at Song Moran.

"Do you think you have a chance of winning me?" Song Moran glanced at him arrogantly, scoffing at Song Li's blind confidence. A trash who relied on pills to boost his level, who had been a waste for so long, thought the sixth level of Body Tempering made him a great expert. Did he not understand the gap between four levels? It was like the difference between heaven and earth. He could crush Song Li with just a finger.

"I don't have a chance; I will definitely win," Song Li's smile deepened. "Do you have the courage to bet with me? If I win, the Fire Seed you bid on will be mine. Dare you?"

"Fine, no problem. Since you like to daydream, I don't mind indulging you. But since I'm putting up such a big prize, I have one condition. This is a private duel, and in a fight, anything can happen. So whoever dies or gets injured, neither side can hold the other responsible." Song Moran looked at Song Li with the same mindset as a cat playing with a mouse. He was already planning to kill Song Li, and with this condition, even if he killed Song Li, the Holy Emperor couldn't do anything. As for the possibility of him getting injured, the overconfident young prince hadn't even considered it.

Song Li smiled and shouted to the crowd, "Everyone, listen up. I am Song Li from the Haijun Mansion, and this is Song Moran, the young prince of the Jingwang Mansion. We are going to have a fair duel, no holds barred! If I lose, the Purple Heart Crystal Fire will be mine. Please bear witness."

Pang Da was stunned. He hadn't expected Song Moran to use the "Purple Heart Crystal Fire" as the stake. He must be confident of winning. Especially since he didn't ask for any stake from Song Li and only proposed the "no holds barred" condition, his intentions were clear. Damn, this guy wants to cripple the boss. Pang Da's eyes blazed with anger as he looked at Song Moran.

"Damn! He can't be serious, using the Fire Seed as a stake! This is a joke!"

"Do you think Song Moran is stupid? If he's willing to put up the Fire Seed, he must be sure he'll win!"

"Of course, he even proposed 'no holds barred.' Who would get injured or die? It can't be him!"

"Song Li is in danger now. Song Moran is going to use his ultimate move to cripple him!"

"Who asked him to overestimate himself? He's asking for it!"

"......"

The crowd murmured, and no one was a fool. They easily guessed Song Moran's intentions. By putting up the Fire Seed as a stake, he was offering a huge temptation.

This was just one aspect. By using the Fire Seed as a stake, even if he severely injured, crippled, or killed Song Li, he could claim that Song Li had brought it upon himself, trying to win the Fire Seed in a fair duel.

What a ruthless plan. This wasn't a conspiracy; it was an open scheme, a clear intention to cripple or even kill Song Li.

The crowd discussed, and a chill ran through their hearts. They had seen many conflicts among the rich and powerful before, but they usually had limits. This time was different; Song Moran was clearly going to use lethal force.

This was going to be a big deal.