Chapter 21

The atmosphere in the ferry cabin instantly became almost suffocating. Dozens of passengers held their breath, not daring to exhale even slightly.

This place was only half a li away from the North Hall family's troubled dock. The commotion there was more or less visible to those on the boat, and they all feared being implicated.

Fortunately, after the woman in the green dress carefully examined the cabin, she slightly shook her head and said to the red-clothed girl, "Miss, there are no suspicious people on the boat, no smell of blood, and nothing unusual under the boat. Those two should not be on this boat, nor have they likely come into contact with it."

The passengers in the cabin all felt a great relief. If they were involved in an incident like the assassination of the city lord, they would likely suffer greatly, even if they didn't die.

However, the red-clothed girl had no intention of leaving. Her gaze swept around and finally settled on Zhuang Wudao and his two companions. She first looked somewhat surprised, then smiled charmingly.

"This ferry has been requisitioned by the North Hall family. Unrelated people, please leave quickly!"

The faces of the passengers in the cabin turned green again. From the tone of this North Hall Miss, it seemed she wanted them to leave the boat as soon as possible.

The problem was that they were already almost in the middle of the Song River, about fifty zhang from the shore, surrounded by water. How were they supposed to get off?

The voice of the woman in the green dress then echoed in the cabin, coldly, "Miss told you to get off. Didn't you hear? Are you planning to make her repeat herself? Or do you want me to personally force you off?"

Her icy gaze swept through the cabin. In no time, one person clenched their teeth and jumped over the railing into the water.

With this person leading the way, the others no longer hesitated, jumping out one after another, splashing water. In an instant, the cabin was empty.

Zhuang Wudao was not surprised at all. The North Hall family, the first family of Yue City, had such authority! The North Hall family's children were always lawless, never caring about the lives of others.

In Yue City, if they wanted something, they could simply take it by force. As for those who jumped off the boat, whether they could swim or survive to reach the shore, the North Hall family would not care at all.

Zhuang Wudao inwardly criticized but had no intention of resisting. He was about to jump off the boat with Ma Yuan and Lin Han when North Hall Wan'er looked at him again, "Please stay, Senior Brother Zhuang. I asked everyone to leave so I could talk to you. Having these idle people around is too distracting. The cabin is crowded, and it's hard to move freely."

Senior Brother?

Zhuang Wudao was somewhat flattered. This North Hall Miss actually knew him? He felt a chill of fear.

Distracting, hard to move freely? What did she mean?

Ma Yuan and Lin Han were also shocked. As they were still in a daze, North Hall Wan'er walked over as if no one else was there.

"Senior Brother, don't you recognize me? We met at the academy not long ago. I'm North Hall Wan'er, and I'm also studying at the Lichen Academy. You could say I'm your junior."

Zhuang Wudao frowned, unsure of North Hall Wan'er's intentions. Could it be about the academy's quota? But that was unnecessary. With her status as a North Hall family member and her strength of breaking through the Jiajian Sharp Finger at sixteen, who would dare to compete with her? That would be courting death.

Then North Hall Wan'er stopped three zhang away, "Ever since I returned from the East Sea, I've heard much about Senior Brother. Your Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Fist is renowned in the northern city. I, an inferior student, wish to learn from Senior Brother!"

As she spoke, she twisted her body and limbs, stretching her muscles and bones.

"I've always been obsessed with martial arts, considered a martial fanatic by my relatives. Unfortunately, there are very few experts my age who can match me, and I've never had a suitable opponent. I heard that a few days ago, you single-handedly killed four Bone Marrow Cultivators, one of whom had practiced the Golden Armor Profound Gang for thirty years. Your Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Fist must be impressive. I believe it will surprise me."

Zhuang Wudao felt a chill. He remembered he had never offended North Hall Wan'er. Why was she targeting him? Was it just her obsession with martial arts, as she claimed?

He sensed a faint killing intent. The Light Cloud Sword on his back seemed to sense it, heating up, and a warm current flowed into his body.

Zhuang Wudao took a deep breath and shook his head apologetically, "Miss North Hall, you're joking. You are of noble status, while I'm just a street thug. How dare I lay a hand on you? Besides, you have both internal and external cultivation, and your Jiajian Sharp Finger is at the first level. Even ordinary cultivators at the second or third level might not be your match, let alone me, Zhuang Wudao."

North Hall Wan'er was pleasantly surprised, "You actually know I'm both internally and externally cultivated and that my Jiajian Sharp Finger is at the first level? Few people can see that. But you're wrong. Since you know you're a street thug, you should know your place. What is your status? Why would I, North Hall Wan'er, joke with you?"

Before he could respond, her red, graceful figure was already in front of him, pointing at his forehead.

Her move was like a thunderbolt. Just the finger wind left a blood mark on his forehead.

Zhuang Wudao instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. He was filled with shock, anger, and hatred. North Hall Wan'er had clearly intended to kill him! If he had been a bit slower, he would have died on the spot.

He was a desperate man, fearing the North Hall family's power, and had been tolerant. Now, his inner ferocity was rekindled, and his heart filled with killing intent, but he suppressed it, glancing warily at the expressionless woman in the green dress.

After cultivating the Bull Demon Tyrant Body yesterday, with the help of Ma Yuan and Lin Han, he would have attacked and killed the girl in a secluded place. But with this woman here, if he had any intention of harming North Hall Wan'er, she could easily kill him. Not to mention the second strongest person in Yue City, North Hall Cangjue, who was only half a li away.

North Hall Wan'er seemed to misunderstand. She shook her head lightly, "Don't worry, Aunt Qin won't interfere. If you win, I'll be even happier and won't blame you. Of course, if you lose, the three of you won't need to live in this world—"

She paused, realizing her mistake, and smiled charmingly, "I'm wrong! It's unfair. You only practice the Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Fist, how could you be a match for the Jiajian Sharp Finger? How about this: if you can last ten rounds against me, I'll spare your life. If you last thirty, I'll spare your two friends. If you last forty, I'll give you three hundred taels of silver. If you win, the North Hall family will guarantee you a place in the Lichen Sect."

Ma Yuan and Lin Han were now pale with anger, their eyes bloodshot. The red-clothed girl was beautiful and seemed innocent, but in their eyes, she was no different from a female demon.

Zhuang Wudao's mind, however, calmed down. His feet seemed rooted to the deck, standing steadily.

Years of practicing martial arts in turbulent streams had made his lower body exceptionally stable. Even on this rocking boat, he could stand as if on solid ground.

The only problem was the imbalance caused by the sudden increase in strength. He could easily overpower someone like Zhuang Tong, but against a true expert like North Hall Wan'er, the increased speed and strength from the Bull Demon Tyrant Body could become a fatal flaw.

At this moment, the power flowing from the Light Cloud Sword became stronger, and Yun's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Master, your body is inconvenient. Would you like Yun to take over this battle?"

Although she was speaking to Zhuang Wudao, North Hall Wan'er and North Hall Qin showed no reaction, clearly unaware.

Zhuang Wudao hesitated. He wanted to fight North Hall Wan'er himself to experience her renowned Jiajian Sharp Finger. He also disliked being controlled, even by the Light Cloud Sword Spirit who had given him great benefits!

If it were just about himself, he would have fought personally. But North Hall Wan'er had clearly used Ma Yuan and Lin Han's lives as leverage, and he couldn't be so reckless.

"Master, if you're unwilling, you can try attacking her left side. Her left shoulder seems to have been severely injured and hasn't healed, which is a weakness. The Jiajian Sharp Finger is sharp and piercing, and your Bull Demon Tyrant Body isn't fully mastered, so you can't resist. The best strategy is to fight to the death, attacking head-on!"

Yun seemed to think Zhuang Wudao wouldn't agree and began to give detailed advice on fighting North Hall Wan'er.

"Also, be careful of her legs! Her leg techniques are probably as advanced as her finger techniques. However, those skilled in leg techniques usually have less stable lower bodies."

Those who practice leg techniques focus more on their lower bodies and balance, making their lower body skills more solid. However, they need to constantly maintain their strength, which can be a weakness.

Zhuang Wudao listened and asked in his mind, "How long do you think I can last?"

Yun was silent for a moment, "About fifteen to twenty rounds."

Only fifteen rounds?

Zhuang Wudao felt bitter, but it was expected.

"Then, if you were to fight, using only the Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Fist, what would the outcome be?"

"She has an old injury, so you should win within 150 rounds!"

Zhuang Wudao was taken aback. Yun's tone was flat, but it conveyed absolute confidence, as if she didn't take the battle seriously.

"Then you take over!"

After saying this in his mind, Zhuang Wudao hesitated and added, "Try not to win, lose within seventy rounds—"

Winning might anger her, and losing too quickly might make her underestimate him. Seventy rounds seemed the best compromise.

He completely relaxed his body, allowing the warm current from the sword to flow through him. He lifted his eyelids and looked at North Hall Wan'er.

"After thirty rounds, you must let us go. If I, Zhuang Wudao, win, guarantee me a place as an inner disciple in the Lichen Sect. I remember these words. Is it a deal?"

North Hall Wan'er smiled but said nothing. The woman in the green dress, however, sneered, "My lady always keeps her word. Why would she deceive a mere commoner?"

As she said "commoner," Zhuang Wudao's foot suddenly stomped down. The burst of qi made the entire ferry tremble.