Chapter 47

"Buqi, shouldn't you thank Manager Wang Jianglong?" Wang Yingfu's face was twisted with a strange smile.

Then, with Wang Jianglong's odd expression, Lu Buqi really did thank him, making Wang Jianglong look extremely unhappy: "We haven't even started, what are you thanking for?"

Wang Yingfu's small eyes focused as he grinned, saying a sentence that almost made Wang Jianglong fall over the threshold: "Okay, I'll thank him after the match!"

From Wang Yingfu and Lu Buqi's performance, Wang Jianglong increasingly felt that he had fallen into a well-planned trap. However, what was said was like water spilled, and it was hard to take back... Using the phrase "water under the bridge" might aptly describe Wang Jianglong's current feeling.

So, Wang Jianglong could only say fiercely to Wang Zhimin as he walked out of the hall: "If you lose, I'll throw you into the Fifth Camp!"

The residence of the Chief Steward occupied a quarter of Guojian Town. In this world where martial arts were prevalent, it naturally did not lack facilities like training grounds, and they were not only present but also very professional and grand.

Standing opposite Lu Buqi, Wang Zhimin's eyes were full of determination. Although being a private soldier in the Fifth Camp was not bad, without the chance to participate in the Wu Ding selection, he would have no opportunity to enter the core circle of the Wang family and would find it hard to rise to prominence.

As for Lu Buqi, he had always kept his eyes lowered, appearing submissive, without any intimidating aura. However, the more he did this, the more pressure it gave Wang Zhimin.

"Let me explain the simple rules: no weapons, no attacks to the head, and stop when the point is made!" This was said by the old steward, Lao Bu, who seemed even lower than Lu Buqi. Even when announcing the rules, it was hard for others to notice his presence.

Wang Zhimin took the initiative, attacking with full force, and without any feints, he launched a straight punch directly at Lu Buqi's chest, a very standard opening attack.

Wang Zhimin had thought of at least three possible reactions from Lu Buqi, but he never expected Lu Buqi to take the punch and simultaneously slap him, a typical trade-off of injury for injury!

Lu Buqi simply sidestepped, using his left arm to protect his chest and block Wang Zhimin's heavy punch, then delivered a simple slap with his right hand, striking Wang Zhimin's left shoulder.

A slight crack of bone, accompanied by Wang Zhimin's pained groan, sounded, and then Wang Zhimin staggered back, fell to the ground, and could not get up for a while!

"Useless thing!" Wang Jianglong's face was ashen. He had mentally prepared for Wang Zhimin to lose, but he never expected him to lose so miserably, leaving the onlookers unable to gauge Lu Buqi's true strength.

Wang Yingfu, however, was delighted. Although he knew from Wang Lishou's description that Lu Buqi was strong, he never expected Lu Buqi to be so powerful, capable of nearly killing a person with a single slap.

"Left shoulder comminuted fracture!" The black-clad man who carried Wang Zhimin away had a gloomy expression: "That kid's attack was very fierce, with a natural killing intent. This might even be a result of holding back."

"What about his strength..." Wang Jianglong frowned.

"Absolutely at the level of Eighth Rank Bravery, and with very high combat skills, the kind that can only be achieved through multiple life-and-death battles and killings!" The black-clad man replied: "It's hard to imagine that he is only thirteen years old."

"Buqi, why did you hit so hard?" On the other side, Wang Yingfu was pretending to scold Lu Buqi: "Even if you wanted to get a heart core, you shouldn't have been so ruthless. One slap nearly killed him. Couldn't you have shown some mercy? Two or three slaps would have been better, right?"

This was a blatant slap in the face. Wang Jianglong's face was so dark it almost dripped water, but he still said: "Yingfu, in a martial arts competition, how can there be no injuries? Don't scold him. But... is he really only thirteen years old?"

Wang Yingfu frowned and looked at Lu Buqi seriously: "Right, Buqi, were you really only twelve last year?"

Lu Buqi responded with an innocent look: "If twelve months really only make up one year, then I have indeed only lived for thirteen years!"

"Right, look at my stupid head, why would I doubt your age after knowing your strength?" Wang Yingfu laughed at himself, then looked at Wang Jianglong: "Manager Jianglong, I believe this kid. If you don't want to give him the reward, I'll have to find an expert to examine his bones."

"I didn't say I wouldn't give him the reward! I, Wang Jianglong, am a figure in Yangze County, and I never go back on my word!" Wang Jianglong knew he had fallen into a trap today.

What Wang Jianglong didn't know was that Wang Yingfu hadn't planned this for long. He had just been suppressed for too long and finally found a chance to turn the tables, so all his cunning cells were activated.

"Thank you, Manager Wang!" Without needing a signal from Wang Yingfu, Lu Buqi obediently thanked Wang Jianglong.

Wang Jianglong narrowed his eyes: "No need to thank me. You, a small slave, do indeed have some skills. Are you interested in competing with the other two Wu Ding in Zhutan Town?"

Lu Buqi did not respond but looked at Wang Yingfu. A subordinate must know his place and should never overshadow his superior after doing something.

"Buqi, if you think it's fun, just play along. It will save others from saying that the people of Guojian Town only talk big!" Wang Yingfu also narrowed his eyes, but he was smiling.

Lu Buqi raised his head and looked directly into Wang Jianglong's eyes: "Then... Manager Wang, if I lose, will I still get the heart core?"

The hint of mockery in Lu Buqi's eyes infuriated Wang Jianglong: "You can rest assured. Even if you lose, the heart core you won earlier won't be taken away!"

"That's good..." Lu Buqi muttered: "There was a guy before who promised me a hundred knives, but I never saw a single one!"

"What did you say?" Wang Jianglong didn't quite catch it.

"Nothing, I just want to know... Manager Wang, if I win again, will there be another reward?" Lu Buqi's expression was the same as Wang Yingfu's earlier.

Seeing this, Wang Jianglong was strangely angry: "If you can win again, I'll give you another heart core! Wang Shubao, teach this arrogant slave a lesson!"

"Manager, don't be in a hurry..." Wang Shubao, clearly also cunning, said: "I also want to ask Manager Wang, what if I win?"

Wang Yingfu waved his hand: "Small issue, the rules are the same as before. If you win, I'll give you a heart core. Since Manager Jianglong wants to win back the heart core by having an 18-year-old bully Buqi, I'll let him, to avoid any bad feelings."

"Don't talk in such a sarcastic way!" Wang Jianglong was almost losing his temper: "How am I bullying this small slave? He volunteered to compete with Wang Shubao for the reward, I didn't force him!"

Wang Yingfu smiled: "We are not inexperienced small slaves. He doesn't know the rules of gambling, but do we? A match between an Eighth Rank Bravery and a Second Rank Bone Resonance, with a clear disadvantage, yet the odds are the same. Old Bu, isn't the world changing?"

Without waiting for Old Bu to respond, Wang Jianglong coldly said: "Fine, if this small slave can beat Shubao, in addition to the heart core, I'll add... ten thousand knives!"

Clearly, Wang Jianglong regained some rationality at the last moment and did not completely fall into the trap. Otherwise, he might have said "a heart core," which is worth much more than ten thousand knives!

"Tsk tsk... Manager Jianglong is indeed generous!" Wang Yingfu looked at Lu Buqi: "Buqi, shouldn't you..."

"Thank you for what?" Wang Jianglong cut in, then looked at Wang Shubao: "Wang Shubao, you must bring me some face. If you beat this small slave, not only will you get Manager Wang's heart core, but I'll also give you ten thousand knives!"

Wang Shubao was overjoyed. This was truly a godsend, a windfall. The Chief Steward was not usually so generous.

"Right, Manager Jianglong's generosity is something I should learn from, to avoid disappointing my subordinates!" Wang Yingfu said: "Buqi, listen to me. If you win this match, not only will you get Manager Jianglong's two heart cores and ten thousand knives, but I'll also give you ten thousand knives!"

"Thank you, Chief Steward!" Lu Buqi bowed to Wang Yingfu, feeling quite happy. After all, no one ever complains about having too much money!

Wang Yingfu nodded: "Let's start then. Buqi, don't feel pressured. Even if they win, it won't be a glorious victory..."