Just at that mont, Qu Feng had already clasped his hands, bowing deeply to Chen Ku. His voice was tinged with difficulty as he said, "No need, Brother Chen. Your skills are astonishing. I, Qu, am sincerely convinced and admiring."
After speaking, he turned to Xie Qingfeng, filled with sha and regret. "I, your disciple, am incompetent and have caused the Firewood Iron Shop to suffer losses."
He hadn’t forgotten what the Thirteenth Young Master had agreed to lose to Chen Ku just now.
Xie Qingfeng, however, didn’t say much. He waved his hand and said, "If one’s skill is inferior, one should admit defeat when gambling. Besides, with Young Brother Chen’s Fire Avoidance technique, it’s not just you; even I wouldn’t be a match for it. Losing is no disgrace."
After he finished speaking, he turned to Chen Ku and said, "I believe I agreed to twenty thousand jin of Iron Essence and eighty thousand taels of silver, correct? The silver note can be sent over today. As for the Iron Essence... I’ll write an IOU for Young Brother Chen."
Saying this, he instructed Huang Muxia to fetch paper and ink.
Witnessing Thirteenth Young Master Xie admit defeat so readily, everyone couldn’t help but feel genuine admiration for the future Sect Leader of the Firewood Iron Shop.
"This amount of silver is trivial. Thirteen Young Master Xie wouldn’t lose his composure over such a sum and lose sight of the bigger picture," Sui Qingfang comnted.
And while Xie Qingfeng was writing the IOU, Chen Ku, still waiting for Zhao Chuanzu’s response, chuckled lightly and asked, "So, Brother Zhao, do you still want to compete?"
He could continue to climb Blade Mountain as well. He hadn’t forgotten about his ’Blood Blade Arm,’ which was as indestructible as fine steel. It would only an performing a few backflips upon reaching the top.
Zhao Chuanzu was now pushed to the brink, left with only two choices: grit his teeth and attempt to Climb the Knife Mountain or descend into the sea of flas, or...
"I admit defeat."
Zhao Chuanzu took a deep breath and clasped his hands towards Chen Ku, saying, "I, Zhao, am sincerely convinced and admiring. There’s no need to compete any further."
After saying this, he looked up at Chen Ku, his face full of sincere conviction, his eyes even showing a hint of respect and adoration.
Chen Ku slightly lowered his eyes, let out a soft chuckle, and said, "Well said. Since Brother Zhao is willing to admit defeat, then... I don’t need to say more, do I?"
Zhao Chuanzu looked up in admiration, sincerely saying, "Of course. Uncle Liang, bring out my private seal. With so many witnesses here today, let’s write the docuntation right here, sign and stamp it. From today onwards, our Four Directions Iron Bank at Number Eighteen, Guangyun Street, Qiu Dragon Mansion, will be under Brother Chen’s ownership."
Chen Ku watched as an old man was called to Zhao Chuanzu’s side. The man took out writing materials and began drafting the property transfer docunts.
The crowd watched as the day’s competition concluded with such a legendary, story-like ending.
"Today was truly worthwhile!"
"Climbing Blade Mountain, descending into a sea of flas, surviving poison ingestion! To speak of this... it’s just like a Grandmaster from the plays!"
「In a corner on the second floor.」
Mingsheng Nan, having witnessed everything that day, turned to an elder by her side and said, "Aunt Lan, what do you think... what bloodline might Chen Ku possess?"
"The Irresistible Power of Four Elephants, yet he’s not afraid of fire... Plus, he ingested Break Intestine Grass earlier without using Acupoints Striking to seal his veins, yet the poison didn’t take effect..."
The one referred to as Aunt Lan was a woman with a black veil over her face, her entire deanor as ethereal as smoke. She was Mingsheng Nan’s Taoist Protector.
The Ming Family, through their writings and lists, had offended many. How could they travel without a protector?
Mingsheng Nan, accompanied by Aunt Lan, dared to venture into the murky waters of Baojiao County as a woman primarily because Aunt Lan possessed Five Realm Cultivation.
Aunt Lan summarized the abilities Chen Ku had displayed, pondered, and then said, "It’s not easy to judge. Matters of bloodlines are uncommon only in Qiu Dragon Mansion. Spanning the vast world, there are actually many special bloodlines. So are related to powerful experts of the Human Clan, so to world-surpassing Demons. It’s also possible they are due to an innate Root Bone."
"I didn’t expect to misjudge him so badly, ranking him only ninth..." Mingsheng Nan muttered to herself, tapping her paper fan against her palm. "With soone like him in Baojiao County, things will get interesting when Dugu Wuer and the others arrive."
「By the front gate.」
Chen Ku watched as Zhao Chuanzu seriously stamped and sealed the transfer docunts, then respectfully handed them over with both hands.
"Brother Chen, I must say, today has truly been an eye-opener for . I, Zhao, never imagined that a place like Baojiao County could have soone as special as you. I truly brought this humiliation upon myself."
Zhao Chuanzu shook his head, regret apparent on his face. "I brought today’s events upon myself and made a fool of myself before Brother Chen. I hope you will not hold it against . In the future... if Brother Chen is willing, please honor with your presence so that I may properly apologize and make ands."
Chen Ku, looking at the man before him apologizing so earnestly, smiled and replied, "Brother Zhao, you’re being too formal. This counts as ’no discord, no concord.’ Alright, with your word, one day we shall drink to our hearts’ content, not stopping until we’re happily drunk."
The crowd observed the two n, previously at odds, now shaking hands and reconciling in good spirits. One couldn’t help but admire Chen Ku’s magnanimity, as well as Zhao Chuanzu’s flexibility and willingness to concede.
Otherwise, if either man had been more stubborn, today’s events could not have ended so peacefully.
After a while, Xie Qingfeng’s IOU was also completed.
Chen Ku took the two IOUs, clasped his hands towards Zhao Chuanzu, and said, "Many thanks to Brother Zhao, Brother Qu. When you have the chance, feel free to visit dicine King Hall."
"Alright," Qu Feng replied with a wry smile.
"Certainly!" Zhao Chuanzu said earnestly.
Finally, Huang Muxia ca forward and said, "Today, we have also witnessed a wonderful tale involving Nephew Chen. There’s indeed no issue with him being ranked ninth on that list..."
While he was speaking—
"Huang!" a thunderous roar ca from not too far away, interrupting him.
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