Chapter 59

"Lord of the city, dare you?"

Han Ming's voice was resounding, and the pent-up frustration in his heart was unleashed in one roar.

"Dare you?"

Yuwen Hao smiled faintly and stood shoulder to shoulder with Han Ming.

Yan Tianfeng had already taken his seat.

He said nothing, pouring his own drink, his demeanor clearly conveying a message: go ahead, keep going, and once you're done, I'll finish you off.

He did not intervene.

He merely wanted to see how much the man his daughter called her husband was worth, what his background was, and what he looked like under the mask.

As for dealing with the two city people, he was not in a hurry at all.

In the city lord's residence, it would only take one command to subdue them all in a few moments.

Go? Not a chance.

The two old men of Wugu City folded their hands, clearly not intending to intervene. The steps had been removed; there was no point in worrying about it. They were content to watch the show.

There was still more to come.

To be honest, they also wanted to see what the city lord's son-in-law was capable of. At the first level of True Spirit, to gain Qingyao's favor, he must have something special. Most importantly, they wanted to see Zhao Yun's background. Once the battle started, his moves would reveal his origins. Just a glance would be enough to tell which family he belonged to.

Similarly, Liu Ruyue had the same hope.

From start to finish, she was the calmest, both a spectator and an observer. There was no such thing as a husband; he was just a stand-in for Qingyao.

This, however, was not important.

What was important was that the challenge had been issued. To maintain the city lord's reputation, they had to accept it.

The two old men from the city were the most agitated.

They were not afraid of a god-like opponent, but they were afraid of a pig-like one. Having such a young city lord was truly a disaster. This was going to ruin them!

Looking around the small garden, true essence was already surging. Who knew how many martial cultivators were present? Even at the peak of Profound Yang, or even the Earth Concealment realm, they would be suppressed.

Zhao Yun's eyes darted around.

The young master of the Zhao family was looking for a way out, trying to figure out where to run. To fight two True Spirit eighth-level cultivators, he would need to use explosive talismans, but without them, he could not win. Despite his lack of intelligence, his strength was formidable, as he had seen the day before.

Damn it.

He hadn't even had a drink before being pushed to the forefront.

Most importantly, he did not want to get involved in this mess.

He was not a lone wolf. Once the battle started, his moves would reveal his origins, potentially causing trouble for the Zhao family.

"Please, help me."

Qingyao transmitted a message, still holding Zhao Yun's hand with a grip that was unusually strong. This challenge had to be accepted, for the sake of the city lord's reputation.

"Don't mess around, I can't win."

"Nonsense. You can block my Azure Lotus Lute, so you're not an ordinary martial cultivator. Just help me hold one of them, and I'll take care of the rest." Qingyao whispered, indicating that she would also join the battle.

Zhao Yun's lips twitched.

I came here to eat.

I didn't even get to eat.

You've already arranged everything for me!

"What are they whispering about!"

Seeing Zhao Yun and Qingyao whispering, the two old men of Wugu City whispered.

Yan Tianfeng only smiled.

He had to watch this battle. He knew his daughter was innocent and that the young man was a stand-in, which made him even more curious.

"Lord, let's go."

The two old men from the city were desperate, trying to persuade him.

"Do you dare?"

Han Ming and Yuwen Hao ignored them, their voices full of dominance.

"If you don't dare, just say so."

Yuwen Hao smiled faintly, his eyes filled with malice and cruelty.

"What do I fear?"

Qingyao said calmly, stepping forward. The unwilling young master of the Zhao family was dragged along. This play had to be performed to the end, not only to save the city lord's reputation but also to cripple the two opponents. She had never been so angry in her life.

"So, a husband and wife team?"

Han Ming smiled mockingly.

"If you don't dare, just say so."

Qingyao repeated Yuwen Hao's words.

"I dare, why not?"

Yuwen Hao stepped forward, his smile full of intrigue. Two against two! Two True Spirit eighth-level cultivators, there was no reason they couldn't take down Qingyao and Zhao Yun, a True Spirit first-level cultivator. As for Qingyao, she would be hard-pressed to take on two.

"Let's add some stakes."

Han Ming waved his fan, smiling at the two.

"Sure."

"If we win, we want your ancient lute; if you win, this pill is yours."

Han Ming said, holding a jade box. Though sealed, the pill's fragrance could still be detected. It was a high-quality pill, and its grade was not low.

"I accept."

Qingyao said calmly, her demeanor unchanged. She had absolute confidence in Zhao Yun. She did not expect him to do much, just to hold one of them. Once he dealt with the other, everything would be over.

"Pushing me into this?"

Zhao Yun coughed.

The battle was set, and the crowd stepped back, clearing a battlefield.

On one side, Zhao Yun and Qingyao.

On the other, Yuwen Hao and Han Ming.

Two against two.

"Come."

Han Ming roared, charging at Zhao Yun. They had already planned to split up, with Han Ming taking Zhao Yun first, then dealing with Qingyao together.

Clang!

Yuwen Hao, without waiting, instantly drew his sword, attacking Qingyao.

Clang...

Qingyao had already set up her ancient lute, plucking the strings with a strong killing intent. Yuwen Hao's expression changed, and he spun, moving his sword with great force. The sound was deafening, and he was not Qingyao's match in a one-on-one fight.

However, he was confident.

He couldn't beat Qingyao alone, but soon it would be two against one!

He glanced at Han Ming.

Han Ming was already in front of Zhao Yun, a palm strike descending. To an outsider, any True Spirit first-level cultivator would be unable to block this strike.

Indeed, Zhao Yun had some skills, and his combat strength was formidable.

Zhao Yun did not fight head-on, using the Wind God Steps to easily dodge, reappearing several yards away. His job was to hold one of them, and he was good at it.

"You underestimated me."

Han Ming sneered, waving his fan, sending out several sword auras.

Clang!

Zhao Yun drew the Purple Dawn from his waist, using the Heavenly Thunder Sword Technique to block all the attacks.

"Interesting."

Han Ming's lips curled, moving like a ghost. His fan had been replaced with a silver hammer, adorned with strange runes, made of special mystic iron. It was not only hard but also powerful, humming as it was swung.

Clang! Bang! Clang!

The sound of sword and hammer colliding was crisp, sparks flying. It was a battle of sword techniques and hammer techniques, with one excelling in sword and the other in hammer.

Zhao Yun did not fight head-on, dodging after two exchanges.

He was skilled at holding, and even after ten rounds, Han Ming could not subdue him. Not only did he not subdue him, but he almost suffered a significant loss, his movements becoming more desperate.

"Excellent footwork."

Yan Tianfeng muttered. He had been on the battlefield for decades and had been a city lord for seven years, but he had never seen such footwork.

"Recognize it?"

The two old men of Wugu City exchanged glances, but could not identify it.

"Never seen it."

Liu Ruyue also muttered. She had never heard of Zhao Yun's footwork or sword technique, except for a familiar back, but nothing else.

"Our son-in-law is not just anyone!"

The people of the city lord's residence could not help but laugh. Regardless of anything else, his footwork was unparalleled, and in the True Spirit realm, no one could match him.

"Good kid."

The two old men from the city also narrowed their eyes, realizing they could not stop him. They were more focused on Zhao Yun, who was too mysterious.

"A True Spirit first-level cultivator, can't you take him down?" Yuwen Hao roared.

Of the four combatants, he was the most desperate, unable to resist the Azure Lotus Lute and unable to get close. His robe and body were covered in fine sword marks, bleeding. In a one-on-one fight, he could not win.

He needed support.

But where was his partner? He suspected Han Ming was plotting against him, making him take the fall. Han Ming was chatting with a True Spirit first-level cultivator, waiting for both to be weakened before making his move, making Han Ming shine more.

"Only know how to run?"

Han Ming ignored Yuwen Hao, chasing Zhao Yun with his silver hammer. Zhao Yun's footwork was beyond his expectations, making it impossible for him to land a hit.

Not being able to hit, he felt frustrated.

Zhao Yun ignored him, dodging as usual, occasionally striking back, catching Han Ming off guard.

Holding, not fighting head-on, was the smart move.

Thankfully, this was in the city lord's residence, with people watching. If it were in the wilderness, he would have used explosive talismans to finish him off.

"Choosing you was not a mistake."

Qingyao smiled, her sleeves fluttering as she plucked the strings.

The lute's sound was even more lethal, both offensive and defensive. In the True Spirit realm, few could get close to her, and she was confident in this.

However, there were exceptions.

Someone like Liu Ruyue, with special bloodline and awakened, was not in this category. If they fought, she would not be her match.

"Han Ming."

Yuwen Hao shouted, truly desperate. His robe was tattered, and the lute's sound was relentless, making it impossible to defend.

"Where are you going?"

Han Ming's roar was even more furious. He could not catch Zhao Yun, and most of his attacks missed. After dozens of rounds, not only had he not injured Zhao Yun, but he had gained several sword marks.

"Comfortable." The two old men of Wugu City stroked their beards.

To be honest, watching Zhao Yun and Qingyao was more pleasant than watching Han Ming and Yuwen Hao. Seeing the latter's desperation was oddly satisfying.

"Comfortable." Yan Tianfeng's smile was also satisfied.

At this moment, he looked at Zhao Yun as if he were his son-in-law. Though he was a stand-in, if they became a couple, it would not be bad.

After all, Zhao Yun was only at the first level of True Spirit.

Compared to Han Ming, he was seven levels weaker.

If properly cultivated, he would surely become famous one day.

"City lord, you found a good son-in-law!" The old man of Wugu City laughed.

All were sharp-eyed, and the outcome was clear.

If Zhao Yun and Han Ming were at the same level, Han Ming would lose in ten rounds.

"Alright." Yan Tianfeng smiled.

As a father, he was already imagining the future.

He would choose a good day to arrange the wedding.

If his daughter and son-in-law were quick enough, he could have a grandson next year.

Yes... a chubby little guy.