After refusing the task to clear out the troubleso folk outside the city, two more shops ca to the door seeking the protection of the martial arts hall.
They would pay the protective fee on ti, only asking for Liao Ya's aid at critical monts.
This was just a standard affiliation, essentially like picking up money for nothing. Yet, Lu Yao still refused them all.
"We have enough resources. We will slowly cultivate and improve our strengths. By remaining unchanging, we can handle any changes that co our way, and there is no need to trouble ourselves for a tiny bit of insignificant gain."
He wanted to keep a low profile and level up, and then co out of seclusion to crush any opposition. The idea was good, but sadly his adversaries wouldn't indulge him.
Early the next day, a group of people made a beeline for the martial arts hall.
The man at the front, wearing yellow clothes and walking on tiptoes, had a frivolous expression: "If the Liao Family's cheap wretches don't know their place, then let's have them die miserably in front of a crowd!"
~~~~~~~
anwhile, Lu Yao and the three others were practicing as usual in the courtyard.
It was the third day of their dicinal bath, and after soaking three tis, Lu Yao and the Liao Family Sisters had reaped huge benefits.
Lu Yao's Carp Stance was becoming increasingly skilled, and he could now practice it in a ditative state. His spine energized his entire body, making him more agile. His ability to dodge and weave in close quarters had beco incredibly deft.
When Liao Ya was refining her organs, it was as if thunder rolled inside her, and her occasional "huffs and puffs" started carrying the montum of thunder.
Liao Qe could create an explosive sound with her punches and kicks without needing to build up force. As the saying goes, a resonant strike is priceless; the girl's kung fu had penetrated deep into her bones, and the power coming straight from her bones could tear through the air to create that sound.
This was a sign of mastery in the Bone Tempering Realm! After stabilizing her progress, she could consider making a breakthrough in Organ Refining.
All three were quite satisfied with their progress.
Liao Qe's excited face glead, and her braids bounced energetically.
Out of every 20 martial practitioners, only one could succeed in Organ Refining. Martial masters held a prestigious status, enjoying special privileges. With two martial masters, the Liao Family Fist would have truly secured its foundation.
But just then, a familiar voice rang out: "Master Liao, Ninth Grade Official Wang Yuan of the Ard Forces Authority requests an audience!"
The visitor was the very Ninth Grade Official of the Ard Forces Authority whom they had just t the day before.
~~~~~~~
"Master Liao, we et again."
"Official Wang, what brings you here?"
Wang Yuan's eyes shifted as he feigned composure, "The Ard Forces Authority received an official challenge. Soone wants to compete with you in a duel."
Having said this, he stepped aside swiftly to reveal the man in yellow behind him.
This man had a bizarrely shaped waist like that of a male dog, and his extrely long legs ant he only used the front part of his foot to tread, indicating he practiced formidable footwork.
Liao Ya recognized him and her expression turned icy instantly: "Gu Li from the Haoran Martial Arts Hall!"
Gu Li nodded: "Yes, it's . Let's make it quick and sign the life-and-death agreent! Or just get out of Yunzhou to save the trouble."
Wang Yuan unfolded a piece of official paper, a formal life-and-death agreent, penned in regular script with the nas of the duelists, reasons for the duel, thods, timing, venue, and most importantly—no liability for death!
Liao Ya sneered. She had been steadily strengthening herself lately, making great strides in her power. This guy was just asking for death!
She was about to accept the challenge, but subconsciously glanced back at Lu Yao, wanting to hear what her junior brother had to say.
Lu Yao had swiftly read the life-and-death agreent and said earnestly,
"There's a problem with this thing. It says here that if we lose, we have to hand over the martial arts hall to this guy. But he's not representing the Haoran Martial Arts Hall; he's challenging us in a personal capacity. If he loses, there's no loss to him at all."
Gu Li, with a frivolous deanor, laughed nonchalantly, "The literate ones are here indeed. Zhu Jiaxiu and I are sworn brothers. Seeking revenge for him in my personal capacity makes perfect sense."
Liao Ya scorned, "Stop pretending. Who doesn't know that your Haoran Martial Arts Hall is in cahoots with Hailong Gang, opening opium dens and harming people! My Liao Family certainly wouldn't be scared of you shaless scoundrels!"
Gu Li couldn't deny it and rely pressed, "Enough with the talk, are you taking on this duel or not!"
"Sister, there's also this part..." Lu Yao pointed at the life-and-death agreent and continued, "The duel will have each side send out three people of the sa realm, best of three rounds, fight to the death, no surrender."
Liao Ya was taken aback, "Three people each!?" She instantly understood—by pulling in the relatively weaker Lu Yao and Liao Qe, the "best of three rounds" thod was ant to increase their chances of winning.
~~~~~~~~
"Coming to our door with this kind of trash, they're clearly not serious. Lu Yao would never agree, saying outright, 'We will not accept such an unfair challenge. You can leave now.'"
Seeing that things were about to fall through, Gu Li remained unfazed, his sinister smile undiminished, "I think it would be wise for you to accept."
Lu Yao's eyebrows rose quizzically, "Why should we?"
Gu Li, interested, slowly turned to Liao Ya, "Master Liao, your father's remains are in my possession~"
"What did you say!!!" The Liao Family Sisters, upon hearing this, showed shock and stared him down fiercely!
Gu Li continued with a cheer, "During the Opium Wars, Liao Qigong was very brave, he charged into the foreigner's cannon formation alone and with his Great Lance.
Despite being bombed, he achieved Blood-Exchange Mastery and wasn't blown to bits; instead, his remains were left intact.
And in the state of Blood-Exchange, even in death, the body won't decay for ten years, preserving enough to last until today."
Upon hearing these words, the sisters' eyes beca bloodshot, their fists clenched tightly, and their bones creaked from sheer rage to the extre.
"The beasts of the Hailong Gang! Conspiring with foreigners to harm our father and now you dare to defile his body!"
"No wonder we used every thod and couldn't retrieve it, it was hidden by you!"
Gu Li, hand on his waist, taunted, "The remains of the Blood-Exchange Realm are valuable. Even the foreigners offered a high price. If you don't want them, I'll sell them to the foreigners to dissect for fun."
Lu Yao realized he had vastly underestimated these scoundrels' depravity. The sisters, coming from a culture that greatly respects ancestors, would never abandon their father's remains.
Liao Ya signed her life away on a dueling contract, accepting the challenge.
Seeing his goal achieved, Gu Li's mouth twisted into a smile and he exclaid gleefully, "Noon sharp, I'll be waiting for the grand arrival of the Liao Family Fist at the Four Seas Tower!"
Having said that, he turned and left, unaware of the cold smile on Liao Ya's face.
~~~~~~~~
The ti was already 11 a.m. sharp, with only one hour left before the duel, the preparation seed rushed.
The sisters donned their combat gear, with Liao Ya even taking her Great Lance. The young lady showed no signs of distress; she was confident and declared,
"Haoran Martial Arts Hall has miscalculated this ti! Our strength has surged incredibly. They are courting death!"
Liao Qe also overflowed with confidence, "Eating tonics and soaking in dicinal baths every day, I've been itching to find an opponent to test my skills! This couldn't co at a better ti!"
The sisters focused on their breathing and put themselves into the best state of mind.
With nothing particular to do, Lu Yao thought about it and went to the kitchen to slip a kitchen knife into his clothing. His own attack power was too low; he needed to carry a handy tool just in case.
~~~~~~~~
The news of the duel spread through the city like wildfire.
However, many commoners were unable to enjoy the spectacle this ti, as the duel's location was set in one of Yunzhou's most luxurious restaurants—the Four Seas Tower.
Lu Yao and the others hurried over, surveying the opulent restaurant.
The Four Seas Tower boasted three floors, featuring an ancient charm. The entrance was decked with colorful wooden arches and painted in vermilion and erald.
But the most unique aspect was the central courtyard of the restaurant.
This courtyard was about the size of two basketball courts, covered in green bricks, and served perfectly as an arena. The light and angles were perfect for the guests to enjoy the fight.
At the mont, there was an eight immortals table in the middle of the arena with a man in white writing vigorously—
[Today's competitors shall pull no punches and fight with all their might, with no disputes over life and death after the match. We shall bear witness!]
The writer was none other than the master of Haoran Martial Arts Hall—Sun Haoran.
After finishing, he signed his own na on this "testimony docunt" and pressed his handprint.
Following this, two other dignified individuals of Yunzhou's Martial Faction also signed, becoming witnesses to the duel.
This was an important procedure for an official duel—the witnesses would also act as judges and were often respected mbers of the local Martial Faction.
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