Chapter 13

Zhuo Feiyang's residence is a small, independent courtyard, close to a pine forest. There are about a dozen such courtyards in the forest, all inhabited by Seventh-Rank Guards.

He used to live in a large courtyard with over a dozen rooms, each occupied by a different person, making it very lively. But once he became a Seventh-Rank Guard, he moved into the small courtyard.

If he were to be promoted to a Sixth-Rank Guard, he would be able to live in a courtyard by the lake, where he could see the lake view from his window, with a gentle breeze and breathtaking scenery.

After a restless discussion with Zhao Ying, Zhuo Feiyang returned to his small courtyard and saw Li Yue standing at the entrance, smiling at him.

He walked up and said rudely, "What are you doing here?!"

Li Yue smiled and clasped his hands, "Brother Zhuo, I'm here to deliver a challenge letter."

"Is it from someone surnamed Chu?" Zhuo Feiyang frowned.

Li Yue handed him the challenge letter and smiled, "Can Brother Zhuo give an immediate response?"

Zhuo Feiyang opened it and his face darkened. He sneered, "That Chu fellow is truly a fickle and despicable person!"

He had challenged Chu Li in person, who refused, and now the challenge letter was delivered right after he returned. The change was too quick; this was clearly a mockery!

"Will Brother Zhuo accept the challenge?"

"Of course!"

"Very well, tomorrow at noon, we'll be waiting for you both at the East Garden!" Li Yue smiled and said, "I still need to deliver an invitation to Miss Zhao, so I'll take my leave!"

"Goodbye!" Zhuo Feiyang grunted, pushed open the courtyard gate, and went inside, ignoring Li Yue.

Li Yue shook his head and laughed. He was really angry, but did Zhuo Feiyang have to be so agitated?

Zhao Ying lived in a large courtyard, where the air was filled with the laughter of women. Li Yue called out to Zhao Ying from outside the courtyard, and she took the letter with a look of surprise.

"Big Brother Li, what is this?" Zhao Ying's almond eyes widened.

Li Yue chuckled, "Brother Chu has issued a challenge to Brother Zhuo, who has already agreed. Tomorrow, we'll be waiting for both of you."

"Another challenge?" Zhao Ying exclaimed in surprise.

Li Yue smiled bitterly, "Sigh... To be honest, I don't know what Brother Chu is up to. But Miss Zhao, you can come to watch the spectacle."

"Doesn't Brother Chu know that Brother Zhuo is already a Seventh-Rank Guard?" Zhao Ying frowned, somewhat angry, "Isn't Brother Chu just asking for trouble?"

"Ha ha..."

"... Alright, I'll go," Zhao Ying said, frowning with worry.

"Thank you, Miss Zhao!" Li Yue clasped his hands in a bow and left.

---

Zhuo Feiyang and Zhao Ying arrived at the East Garden by boat, and Li Yue was waiting for them under a willow tree by the shore.

"Where's the one surnamed Chu?" Zhuo Feiyang looked around cautiously.

Zhao Ying, wearing a light green robe, looked beautiful and gentle, but was somewhat worried.

The East Garden belongs to Miss Xiao Qi, the third daughter. Those not invited cannot enter without permission. Entering the island without Chu Li and Li Yue's consent would have serious consequences.

Chu Li could use this to his advantage; even if he killed Zhuo Feiyang, it wouldn't be a major offense.

Zhuo Feiyang shouted loudly, "Chu, your Lord Zhuo has arrived, why don't you come to greet me!"

As he spoke, the small boat approached the shore.

Li Yue clasped his hands and smiled, "Brother Zhuo, please be patient. Brother Chu is making tea and waiting for you both. Please follow me!"

Zhuo Feiyang grunted and turned his head, "Zhijie, stay here."

Bai Zhijie nodded solemnly, "I understand, Young Master!"

Zhuo Feiyang and Zhao Ying leaped onto the shore and followed Li Yue inside. They soon arrived at their small courtyard. Zhuo Feiyang's eyes were sharp, looking around with caution.

Zhao Ying curiously observed the surroundings. The East Garden was indeed famous for its beautiful flowers and stunning scenery!

Inside the small courtyard, Chu Li was sitting by a stone table, lost in thought. Four cups of hot tea were on the table, steam rising and the aroma of tea floating in the air.

He was practicing the Boundless Sea Technique, a carefully selected internal cultivation method.

It was powerful and domineering, like a giant wave, and each cycle of cultivation added a layer of strength, up to a maximum of nine layers, multiplying his strength by nine times.

Such a powerful technique had a fatal weakness: it would damage the user before the opponent, destroying the meridians in an instant.

He dared to choose this technique because the Small Meridian Cleansing Formula was a superior method for strengthening meridians, and the essence of plants had a strong healing ability.

The Small Meridian Cleansing Formula and the Withering and Flourishing Sutra had improved his meridians, making them far stronger than those of ordinary people. The Boundless Sea Technique could maximize his strengths.

He also chose the Self-Sacrificing Death Blade technique and a flying knife technique, which concentrated all his internal energy into one strike, deciding life and death in an instant—either the opponent dies, or he dies.

The combination of the Boundless Sea Technique and the Self-Sacrificing Death Blade could multiply his strength several times.

Hearing footsteps, he dispersed his internal energy, and his eyes lost their sharpness, appearing no different from someone who hadn't practiced any internal cultivation.

The three of them entered the small courtyard, and Chu Li stood up, clasping his hands and smiling, "Sister Zhao, your presence brightens my humble abode. Please sit down and try the tea Brother Li has prepared!"

Zhuo Feiyang grunted, "Chu, did you put something in the tea?"

Chu Li shook his head and laughed, "You are judging a gentleman by a scoundrel's standards, thinking I'm as despicable as you."

"Chu, stop playing with words and get on with it!" Zhuo Feiyang didn't want to argue, knowing it would only lead to his own frustration.

Chu Li handed a cup of tea to Zhao Ying, "Zhuo Feiyang, how about we make a bet this time?"

"Cut the nonsense, if you want to fight, just fight, or admit defeat!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "Stop with all these schemes!"

Chu Li tilted his head and laughed, "Learn from your mistakes, you've become smarter!"

Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "Chu, you're unsure and afraid, aren't you?"

"Oh—?"

"Really, if you're going to fight, why all this talk?"

"That's true."

Zhuo Feiyang grunted, "If not, just admit defeat now, so you don't end up crying and begging for mercy later!"

"Ha ha..."

"Chu, if you agree to one thing, I won't make it hard for you!"

"What is it?"

"Cancel the previous bet!"

"Ha ha..."

"Chu, don't wait until it's too late, if we really fight, I'll definitely cripple you! This is your challenge!" Zhuo Feiyang glared at him with clenched teeth.

Chu Li pulled out the sword from the table, stood in the center of the courtyard, and said, "Then let's go!"

"Wow, what a lively scene!" A clear voice suddenly rang out.

Zhuo Feiyang turned his head sharply, his face changing instantly. He clasped his hands and bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Chief Steward Su!"

Chu Li and Zhao Ying and Li Yue followed suit.

Su Ru stood at the courtyard gate, wearing a light yellow robe, her smile brightening the small courtyard.

"What's going on here?" Su Ru asked with a smile, looking at Zhuo Feiyang.

Zhuo Feiyang glanced at Chu Li and said respectfully, "Chief Steward, Chu Li issued a challenge to me, so I had to come to accept it!"

"A challenge? Chu Li issued a challenge to you?" Su Ru's eyes widened.

"Yes," Zhuo Feiyang nodded respectfully, "I dare not deceive Chief Steward!"

"Chu Li, are you being foolish?"

"Chief Steward, I just wanted to see the talent's prowess!"

"You are a guard!"

"I like practicing martial arts."

"You haven't practiced internal cultivation, why challenge someone, just asking for trouble!"

"It's fine even if I lose."

Zhuo Feiyang looked at Chu Li and then stole a glance at Su Ru.

Su Ru was stunningly beautiful, and he didn't dare to look directly at her, but he could tell she was more concerned about Chu Li, making him even more jealous and angry. He raged inwardly: I must cripple him, I must!

No wonder Chu Li dared to challenge him; he must have some protection!

This made him even more confident of his victory. He glared at Chu Li and turned to Su Ru, "Chief Steward, weapons have no eyes, and it's easy to lose control during a fight."

Chu Li said, "If you can really kill me, it's your skill, and Chief Steward won't hold you accountable!"

"Nonsense!" Su Ru's face turned serious.

Zhuo Feiyang quickly said, "Then let's call it off. This kind of competition has no real meaning, it's not the same as a real fight!"

Su Ru was clearly favoring Chu Li; if they really fought, he might not have a good outcome!

Chu Li smiled, "Scared, Zhuo Feiyang?"

Zhuo Feiyang was immediately angry, "Ridiculous!"

"Chief Steward, please watch over us!" Chu Li clasped his hands and smiled at Su Ru.

Su Ru gave him a cold look and said, "I don't want to get involved in your trivial matters!"

"Zhuo Feiyang, come on, don't make excuses if you lose!"

"Here's my punch!" Zhuo Feiyang roared, turning his jealousy and anger into a furious punch, like a meteor, instantly rushing forward.

Chu Li stepped back diagonally, raising the tip of his sword.

Zhuo Feiyang twisted his body to avoid the sword and threw a left punch, which was faster and more cunning.

Chu Li's sword tip moved horizontally, waiting for the punch to land. Zhuo Feiyang had to change his move, losing his advantage. Chu Li's sword moves were always ahead, forcing Zhuo Feiyang to keep changing his tactics.

After a dozen moves, Zhuo Feiyang was so frustrated he wanted to roar, even considering taking a hit from the sword to land a punch on Chu Li.

Su Ru narrowed her eyes.

She had heard that Chu Li was skilled in swordsmanship, but she didn't expect him to be so good. Zhuo Feiyang's punches were like a storm, faster than a normal person's reaction, yet Chu Li, without internal cultivation, could still suppress him with his swordsmanship. He was truly a swordsmanship prodigy!

If he practiced internal cultivation, his speed and strength would greatly increase. She estimated that he could even match a Sixth-Rank Guard.

Such a prodigy couldn't practice martial arts, what a pity!

She couldn't help but shake her head.

Zhuo Feiyang suppressed his urge to roar and pushed himself to the limit, his punches getting faster and faster.

"Ah!" He suddenly screamed, his movement slowing down as the sword tip stopped in front of his throat, the coldness penetrating his neck.

Zhuo Feiyang's neck stiffened, his face dark and ugly, staring at Chu Li.

Chu Li smiled and sheathed his sword, "Zhuo Feiyang, you lost!"

"You..." Zhuo Feiyang glared at him.

"Unconvinced? Want to continue?"

"Again!"

Chu Li smiled, "How shameless!"

"I was careless, dare you to fight again?" Zhuo Feiyang roared.

Su Ru frowned.

Zhao Ying quickly scolded, "Brother Zhuo!"

"But..." Zhuo Feiyang couldn't swallow his pride.

He had worked hard, practicing in seclusion, finally breaking through to the third floor and becoming a Seventh-Rank Guard, finally able to stand tall and deal with Chu Li!

But he never expected Chu Li to be so difficult to handle, even as a Seventh-Rank Guard, he couldn't beat him!

He thought Chu Li must have taken some kind of potential-boosting pill; otherwise, he couldn't be so fast without internal cultivation!

Once the effects of the pill wore off, Chu Li would revert to his original state and be easily defeated by him!

Chu Li said, "If you're not convinced, let's go again!"

Zhuo Feiyang grunted, "Let's take a break first. You don't have internal cultivation, so don't say I'm bullying you with a continuous attack and refuse to admit defeat!"

"I'm not that shameless!"

Zhuo Feiyang, thick-skinned, said to Su Ru, "Chief Steward, I apologize for the disturbance!"

Su Ru said, "Zhuo Feiyang, today's incident must be kept secret, don't tell anyone!"

"..." Zhuo Feiyang was puzzled but didn't ask more.

Su Ru looked at Zhuo Feiyang, "To reach the Seventh Rank at your age is rare!"

"I'm ashamed," Zhuo Feiyang smiled bitterly.

Su Ru said, "A single victory or defeat means nothing. You have great talent and will become stronger. There's no need to be so concerned about winning or losing!"

"Yes," Zhuo Feiyang nodded obediently.

Su Ru stopped talking to him and turned to chat with Zhao Ying.

The Duke's residence has many female guards, most of whom protect the women in the residence. Even when they go on missions outside, they often face less danger.

Zhao Ying is skilled in martial arts but lacks the ruthlessness needed for offensive missions, so she has always stayed in the residence and rarely goes on missions.