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Chapter 204: The Martial Arts Competition for Marriage - Overcoming Challenges (3)
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Once a teacher, always a father. Ye Huan deeply engraved this saying in his heart after receiving traditional education. However, the phrase "recognizing a thief as a father" had also appeared in Ye Huan's second-grade textbook. Whether Durei IV was a 'thief' remained uncertain, but if it came to opposing him, Ye Huan was not afraid. Loyalty and righteousness were paramount to him; if Durei IV truly intended to destroy the country that Ye Huan fought so hard to protect, he would not hesitate to eliminate him. Moreover, Durei IV was not even his biological father.
With a swift motion, Ye Huan plunged Frostblade into Zhao Ming's chest and then slowly withdrew it. A torrent of blood instantly stained the arena red. Ye Huan surveyed his surroundings, took a deep breath, and called out to the referee, "Let Dongfang Ling come up!"
The referee stared at Ye Huan as if he were a ghost, trembling so much that he could barely hold the list. However, when their eyes met, he involuntarily shouted, "Next, Dongfang Ling!"
"Dongfang Ling? Dongfang Ling?!"
After a long silence without any response, the referee called out twice more, but still no one answered. It was understandable; killing Iron Er Zhu might be attributed to Iron Er Zhu's lack of strength, but Zhao Ming was a genuine Ninth-Level Practitioner. With him dead, any outer member of the Eastern Family would be walking into their own demise.
The referee understood this well and sheepishly glanced at Ye Huan, stammering out two words: "Not here..."
"Then let's move on to the next one!"
Standing confidently in the center of the stage with one hand on his sword and a smile on his face, Ye Huan's response was simple and straightforward. However, to the referee, it felt like death itself beckoning him. In a panic, he flipped through the list and shouted again, "Next up, Guangyao!"
Guangyao?!
Ye Huan's expression turned peculiar as he questioned whether he had misheard. According to the agreement between him and Yang Guangyao as well as Lo Shaobin when they signed up, one was named Guangyao while the other was named Shaobin!
Before Ye Huan could determine whether this Guangyao referred to Yang Guangyao or not, there was a loud thud as Yang Guangyao appeared in the arena—clearly thrown in by someone.
Seeing Yang Guangyao sprawled on the ground, Ye Huan rushed over to him and asked, "Yang Guangyao, how did you end up here?"
"Young Master, I didn't want this either! It's just that Lo Shaobin is such a scoundrel; he took advantage of my unpreparedness and threw me up here..."
With a mournful expression on his face, Yang Guangyao looked particularly aggrieved—clearly having been set up by Lo Shaobin.
"Just as Yang Guangyao finished speaking, the referee chimed in, 'Alright, Guangyao has taken the stage, White Impermanence, you may begin the match...'
With a resentful glare directed at Yang Guangyao, Ye Huan found himself at a loss for words. He finally said to Yang Guangyao, 'Forget it, the first two are dead; you handle it yourself!'
Handle it himself?!
A flicker of confusion crossed Yang Guangyao's face. He still couldn't grasp what Ye Huan meant. After all, he couldn't really be expected to die, could he? Just then, an idea sparked in his mind, and he shouted loudly, 'White Impermanence, I’ll fight you!'
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Guangyao leaped into the air like a dragon emerging from the sea. However, just as the audience, who had just sharpened their focus for an exhilarating battle, prepared to witness a fierce clash, Yang Guangyao suddenly plummeted without warning and crashed heavily onto the ground. Blood even trickled from his mouth as he struggled to speak with a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, 'What... a fast sword...'
'What a talent!'
Internally praising Yang Guangyao's performance to the skies, Ye Huan struck a casual pose and planted Frostblade into the ground where Yang Guangyao lay. He declared in a deep voice, 'Next!'
Without even witnessing Ye Huan's strike, nearly everyone in the audience was left dumbfounded. The referee continued to call out the names of those participating in the match, but no one stepped forward. Clearly, this competition could no longer proceed smoothly.
Just when everyone was puzzled about what was happening, someone slowly stood up from the crowd. Dressed in the robes of the Huaxia Royal Family, he walked steadily toward the arena.
'Is it really him, Nine Dragon Robe? Durei IV, you truly know how to manipulate things; no wonder this Martial Arts Competition for Marriage has unfolded like this. Zhao Ziyu has long been under your control?'
Fixating on this person, Ye Huan understood that the real power holder in Huaxia Imperial Capital had likely shifted from Zhao Ziyu to Durei IV. After all, everyone harbors ambition; even Ye Huan had thought about becoming emperor upon returning to Huaxia Nation. How much more so for Durei IV, the last remaining Ninth-Level Practitioner of Huaxia?
Easily ascending to the arena, Durei IV seemed unaware that before him stood not White Impermanence but Ye Huan! Yet upon seeing Ye Huan's unwavering gaze fixed on him, Durei IV appeared quite pleased and smiled as he nodded at Ye Huan, saying, 'You’ve won...'
'Won? Then can I meet Your Majesty?'
Feigning ignorance until the end, Ye Huan did not rush into action upon realizing that everything was part of Durei IV's scheme. Instead, he asked him a question. Given his altered voice and Durei IV's strength, it was unlikely he would recognize Ye Huan’s disguise. In fact, Durei IV did not identify Ye Huan by voice; instead, upon hearing Ye Huan's inquiry, he revealed a bright smile and said, 'Of course! Someone bring Your Majesty out!'
Perhaps it had been prearranged; as soon as Durei IV spoke, the eastern gate of the palace slowly opened. A throng of armored soldiers rushed out from within. At their center was a carriage adorned with nine dragons...
Soon enough, under everyone's watchful eyes, the carriage arrived at the center of the arena and lifted its curtain. With assistance from a maidservant after two months apart, Zhao Ziyu finally reappeared before Ye Huan.
To the naked eye, it was evident that compared to two months ago, Zhao Ziyu had lost considerable weight; her complexion was pale and she walked lightly as if she might fall over with a gust of wind. This sight caused a pang of pain in Ye Huan’s heart. Without thinking twice, he leaped down from the arena and hurried toward Zhao Ziyu. To others watching, it appeared as though a victor in the Martial Arts Competition for Marriage was eagerly rushing to meet his beloved goddess."
Upon first seeing the current Ye Huan, Zhao Ziyu was momentarily stunned by his appearance. In her impression, perhaps even Ye Huan himself could not compare to the handsome man approaching her. However, when she noticed the deep worry etched on Ye Huan's face, she felt something strange and couldn't help but glance up at Durei IV above the Arena.
Noticing Zhao Ziyu's expression, Durei IV chuckled and swiftly made his way toward her, arriving just as Ye Huan did. This made Ye Huan regard him with a bit more respect, as he knew that Durei IV, like him, was a summoner. Maintaining such physical prowess at their age was no easy feat. However, as soon as Durei IV opened his mouth, the slight goodwill Ye Huan had just formed vanished entirely. He heard Durei IV addressing Zhao Ziyu: "Your Majesty, after a round of the Martial Arts Competition for Marriage, this is the man chosen for you. I wonder if you are satisfied?"
"What?! Martial Arts Competition for Marriage?!"
Clearly unaware of this event, Zhao Ziyu gasped upon hearing Durei IV's words, nearly stumbling in shock. It was evident that her past two months had been quite difficult; as a Third-Rank Practitioner, her physical condition was worse than that of an ordinary person.
Ye Huan observed everything and understood that this was all due to Durei IV's machinations. When he looked at Durei IV again, his eyes were filled with hostility. Yet, Durei IV seemed oblivious and turned to him instead: "White Impermanence, why don't you introduce yourself?"
‘Is Durei IV really trying to arrange a marriage between me and Zhao Ziyu? Fine, I'll keep playing along and see how it unfolds!’
A thought flashed through Ye Huan's mind as he decided not to expose his deception just yet. He shifted his gaze to Zhao Ziyu and spoke: "Your Majesty, I am White Impermanence, a Taoist from the deep mountains of Huaxia. It is a pleasure to meet you; I hope for your guidance in the future."
"You filthy Taoist, do you think you can be my husband?!" Zhao Ziyu glared fiercely at Ye Huan and questioned him angrily. She then gritted her teeth and continued, "Let me tell you, that's impossible!"
"Your Majesty, it's not that I want to be your husband; rather, I became the Ultimate Victor in your Martial Arts Competition for Marriage. Isn't that enough to qualify me as your husband?"
Knowing that speaking as White Impermanence would be futile in this situation, Ye Huan decided to pass the ball back to Durei IV while throwing out a desperate signal for help. Clearly, he was waiting for Durei IV to speak.
However, before Durei IV could respond, Zhao Ziyu was visibly furious and pointed an elegant finger at him without being able to utter a word for some time. Finally, with a frustrated wave of her sleeve, she shouted at Ye Huan: "Don't worry; I already have someone I like! I will never let you become my husband!"
‘Someone you like? Could it be me, Ye Huan?’
His heart blossomed with joy at this thought. Ye Huan didn't want to show too much excitement but continued looking at Durei IV. In this situation, it was clear to anyone with eyes that everything hinged on Durei IV speaking up; otherwise, all their words would be meaningless.
Durei IV did not disappoint Ye Huan's expectations. After a brief hesitation, he finally spoke up. To everyone's astonishment, he didn't even glance at Zhao Ziyu or Ye Huan but instead addressed the crowd loudly: "The Empress has decreed that she is very satisfied with White Impermanence. Furthermore, she may not be feeling well and needs to return to the palace for recuperation. This matter will be left entirely in my hands!"
"Durei IV, you..."
Staring in shock at Durei IV, Zhao Ziyu's already pale face grew even whiter. However, before she could say anything further, two maidservants came up on either side of her to support her and ushered her into a carriage—what could be politely called an invitation could also be seen as an abduction—almost sending Ye Huan into a rage.
Just as Ye Huan was about to reveal his identity and take action, Durei IV leaned in close and whispered: "White Impermanence, follow behind the carriage and accompany Your Majesty back to the palace."
Entering the palace?
Suppressing his anger, Ye Huan nodded stiffly upon learning of the opportunity to enter the imperial palace. He strode away, determined to ask Zhao Ziyu what had transpired over the past two months and how Durei IV could dominate the Huaxia Imperial Capital.
He quickly made his way into the palace and arrived at Zhao Ziyu's chambers. The moment Zhao Ziyu stepped down from the carriage and spotted Ye Huan following her, her movements became stiff. She bit her red lips tightly, as if she had made a firm decision.
Noticing Zhao Ziyu's unusual demeanor, Ye Huan felt uneasy after she entered her chambers. With a mindset of having come this far, he steeled himself and followed her inside. The maidservants, upon seeing him, seemed to have received orders from Durei IV, as they all chose to leave without exception.
In the empty chamber, with just a man and a woman alone together, any normal man would likely choose to be intimate with Zhao Ziyu. Ye Huan was no exception. However, before he could express his feelings to Zhao Ziyu, he saw her suddenly pull out a short blade from somewhere and press it against her neck as she turned around sharply.
"I knew someone like you would follow me. Get lost! Go as far away as you can. Otherwise, even if I die, I won't let you touch a single hair on my body..."
Coldly staring at Ye Huan, Zhao Ziyu perfectly illustrated what it meant to guard one's purity; she would rather die than allow him to lay a finger on her.
Fearing that Zhao Ziyu might accidentally harm herself in a moment of carelessness, Ye Huan had no good options left and could only step back slowly. After retreating about ten steps, he finally spoke up under Zhao Ziyu's watchful gaze: "Can we talk?"
"What is there for us to talk about?"
A flicker of disgust crossed her delicate face; it was evident that Zhao Ziyu had no interest in the handsome figure of 'White Impermanence' before her...
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