Chapter 74

Everyone was at a loss as to what Xiao Bing was up to, who Zhang Gui and Sakura were, and everyone had a puzzled look on their faces.

It was just that everyone could sense one thing: Xiao Bing was definitely not preparing to apologize, but rather choosing... to declare war?

Xiao Bing refilled his cup with wine, then raised it, his face solemn and serious, and said, "Uncle Ye, Lord Hou... I, Xiao Bing, must disappoint the two of you..."

Ye Ban Cheng's expression changed slightly, and Lord Hou's smile faded, but he remained calm, his eyes gleaming.

"Fairy Peony, you and I can resolve all grievances with a cup of wine, but what about the spirits of Zhang Gui and Sakura? Can their lives be resolved with just a cup of wine?"

Fairy Peony's voice turned cold, and a chill emanated from Zhu Mingyu behind her. She said coldly, "I don't know who Zhang Gui and Sakura are."

"Of course you don't," Xiao Bing sneered. "A casual order from you, and countless people rush to their deaths. You don't even know who died for you, or who was implicated and died because of you. Zhang Gui and Sakura were originally a pitiful couple, but in your plan, they became scapegoats. You must have heard of Julia, right? The man who pretended to be her husband was Zhang Gui, and Zhang Gui's true lover was Sakura."

"Oh," Fairy Peony looked at Xiao Bing with disbelief and asked, "You're willing to break ties with me over these two unrelated people?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because they loved each other, because I saw true feelings in them, because there are so few people in this world who love as purely and passionately as they did..." Xiao Bing's eyes were fixed on Fairy Peony. "In them, I saw hope for the relationship between men and women, and you have shattered that hope with your own hands!"

"Because love is an unrealistic fantasy, like a bubble. I just burst their bubble early. When they realize that their love was just an illusion, they might suffer more than death." Fairy Peony stood in front of Xiao Bing, her eyes flashing with a strange madness. "They are dead, and you want to seek justice for them, is that it?"

"Yes!"

"How do you plan to seek this justice?"

"Very simple." Xiao Bing looked at Ye Ban Cheng, whose expression was uneasy, and Lord Hou, whose thoughts were inscrutable. "In the world of martial arts, we have our own way of doing things. In front of the two seniors, I formally challenge the Northern Heavenly King to a duel. If I lose, I die! If she loses, she must leave Jiangcheng City. Fairy Peony, do you dare to accept?"

Ye Ban Cheng said sternly, "Child, don't be foolish."

In the eyes of others, Xiao Bing's move was considered foolish, as a smart person would never make an enemy of the ruthless underworld. However, in Xiao Bing's view, this was a smart move because it would nullify the opponent's numerical advantage. Moreover, the opponent couldn't easily refuse, as refusal in the martial arts world would mean losing face, which is sometimes more important than life in the underworld.

Xiao Bing smiled without a word, his gaze fixed on Fairy Peony. Fairy Peony's chest rose and fell slightly, as if she was truly angry. She suddenly laughed, "Excellent, excellent... Mr. Ye, there's no need to say more. Xiao Bing, as a woman, I have managed to stand my ground in Jiangcheng and be recognized as one of the Four Heavenly Kings. Do you know why?"

Hearing Fairy Peony's words, Xiao Bing's eyes suddenly showed a hint of seriousness. "I often hear that in the world of assassins, the most terrifying are women and children, because they must have exceptional qualities to survive in that world. I believe the same applies to the underworld."

Fairy Peony's eyes gleamed with a strange light. "Do you think I, Peony, would be afraid of you? Fine, I accept..."

Before Fairy Peony could finish, Zhu Mingyu, standing behind her, interrupted coldly, "I will accept the challenge!"

Zhu Mingyu cut off Fairy Peony's words, and she frowned. Xiao Bing sighed, "More terrifying than women and children are the determined and disabled, especially a blind man..."

Zhu Mingyu's face remained cold, and he said, "All previous conditions are null and void. I am willing to stake my life against yours."

Fairy Peony's eyes flashed with anger. Xiao Bing considered for a moment. Zhu Mingyu seemed to be Fairy Peony's right-hand man. If he couldn't kill Fairy Peony, at least he could cripple one of her arms, which was worth it. So he agreed generously, "I accept!"

Fairy Peony said coldly, "Then it's settled. In two days, at the underground arena in the north of the city, you and Mingyu will fight to the death!"

Fairy Peony looked at Ye Ban Cheng and said indifferently, "Mr. Ye, I'll take my leave now. I hope you can join us then."

With that, she nodded to Lord Hou and left.

Lord Hou also stood up slightly. Seeing that Ye Ban Cheng wanted to retain him, he waved his hand and smiled, "The young are to be feared, truly to be feared. I will witness the fight at the arena. Mr. Ye, I'll take my leave now. Thank you for your hospitality."

Everyone left, and Ye Ban Cheng's eyes showed a hint of unease. He sighed, "Xiao Bing, why do you do this? For two completely unrelated people, you have offended the true power in the underworld of Jiangcheng's three districts. Do you think it's worth it?"

"I do what I do to be true to myself, not to consider whether it's worth it. I apologize to Uncle Ye and Yezi for today's incident. I have let you down. But if I had reconciled with them today, I wouldn't be Xiao Bing anymore."

Erlang put down his bowl, his mouth full of grease, and burped, "My mother said, don't care what others think, just do what your conscience tells you."

Erlang patted his chest, and Xiao Bing said, "That's not your conscience, that's your breast."

Ye Ban Cheng sighed, and Yezi's eyes sparkled. She stood up and smiled, "Bingge, no matter what you do, I support you, because you are my boyfriend."

Xiao Bing looked at Yezi's playful smile and her supportive gaze, feeling warmth in his heart. He gave her a look and then said to Ye Ban Cheng, "Uncle Ye, thank you for your hospitality today. My friend and I will take our leave."

Ye Ban Cheng's mood wasn't good, and he had no heart to retain Xiao Bing, so he nodded and let Xiao Bing leave. Yezi followed, and the restaurant was left with Ye Ban Cheng alone.

After leaving the Ye family's estate, the Ye family's car caught up. Yezi opened the window and laughed, "Bingge, get in."

Xiao Bing looked at Erlang and laughed, "What are you standing there for? Get in."

Getting into the car, Xiao Bing patted his stomach and laughed, "I'm not really full yet. Let's drop Erlang off at the shop first, then you can accompany me to eat something."

"Sure, do I get a tip?"

"Accompanying me to eat requires a tip?" Xiao Bing gently held Yezi's hand and looked at her affectionately, "The tip is a kiss."

Yezi playfully rolled her eyes and said, "You're getting more shameless."

Erlang looked out the window, not sure if he was being smart or just coincidentally so, as he let Xiao Bing and Yezi flirt.

As they approached the noodle shop, Erlang said, "Bingge, are you really going to fight that blind man?"

Xiao Bing nodded, "Of course."

"I think that blind man is very strong. I have no chance against him."

"Oh? How can you tell?"

"Intuition... My mother said that people like me, who are straightforward, have sharper intuition than others."

Xiao Bing asked curiously, "So, what do you think? If I fight him to the death, do I have a better chance of surviving, or does he?"

"I don't know," Erlang shook his head like a rattle drum. "I just know that if it were me, I'd probably just get beaten up. Should I replace you, Bingge?"

Xiao Bing was surprised, "Why? You know you're not a match for him, why volunteer?"

"Because I can take a beating... usually, it doesn't kill me."

Xiao Bing felt a strange sensation and suddenly punched Erlang's solid chest, laughing, "Good, Erlang, from today on, you're not just my friend."

Erlang's mouth dropped open in surprise, and Xiao Bing smiled, "You're my brother."

Erlang pointed at Xiao Bing, "You... you... you're copying me."

Xiao Bing widened his eyes, "What am I copying?"

Yezi giggled, covering her mouth.

After dropping Erlang off at the noodle shop, Yezi said to the driver, "Find a good restaurant."

Xiao Bing gently held Yezi in his arms and said softly, "Do you know... I used to just see Erlang as a simple friend, but now he's my brother. What does the word 'brother' mean to me?"

"What does it mean?"

"Sharing the same heart and soul, willing to risk life and limb for each other!"