chapter 29
29. You Don’t Fear Him
“Well, this is hard to call.” Zhaoyue glanced at the stage where both fighters had collapsed.
Both were clearly covered in wounds. Though this was supposed to be a sparring match that stopped at first blood, these two stubborn kids had fought with life-or-death intensity.
Especially for Han Xiangjun—this was probably the most difficult battle she’d fought so far. Many elders watching had thought this pampered young lady would give up halfway through, but unexpectedly she persevered.
A moment later, Han Xiangjun’s fingers twitched. Then, trembling, she supported herself with her hands and slowly stood up.
On the other side, Lingshuang’s hands and feet also moved as she slowly sat up, reaching for her spirit brush.
“You lost.” Han Xiangjun pulled out her long sword, deeply embedded in the ground, and pointed it at Lingshuang. “Give up.”
Lingshuang sat on the ground and smiled helplessly: “Though I’m unwilling to accept it, I did indeed lose.”
Han Xiangjun sheathed her sword and helped Lingshuang up: “I was just lucky. This victory should have been yours.”
Lingshuang was stunned, not quite understanding Han Xiangjun’s meaning, but still smiled: “Thank you for the comfort.”
Han Xiangjun turned around and walked somewhat unsteadily toward Lin Dongming.
“…” Lin Dongming instinctively wanted to go support Han Xiangjun, but just as he lifted his foot halfway, he remembered his agreement with the Grand Elder, his contract with Bai Zhiqing, and his current relationship with her. From any angle, it wasn’t appropriate for him to go over.
Little junior sister Zhong Ziyu, seeing Lin Dongming’s indifferent behavior, complained: “Blockhead senior brother.”
Then she quickly rushed to Han Xiangjun’s side to support her. Originally this should have been done by someone from Heavenly Sword Peak, but today only Yuan Jianyi and Han Xiangjun had come from Heavenly Sword Peak, and the former was completely unreliable.
Before Han Xiangjun could take a Recovery Pill to heal her injuries, she saw the Grand Elder standing across from her, waiting.
“…Mother.” Han Xiangjun lowered her head slightly.
The Grand Elder waved her long sleeve, and a stream of green light fell on Han Xiangjun, instantly healing most of her injuries.
“Thank you, Mother.” Han Xiangjun nodded.
“I don’t know why, but you’ve finally grown up a little.” The Grand Elder sighed deeply and smiled: “Congratulations on winning the match, Xiangjun. Don’t slack off in your future cultivation.”
She paused, then continued: “The forbidden land trials are full of difficulties—train harder. Xiangjun, never accept charity in this world. If you want something, you must fight for it yourself. Even your master can’t solve everything.”
The Grand Elder spoke meaningfully, then turned and left.
Han Xiangjun thought the Grand Elder was referring to Senior Brother Yuan Jianyi’s situation, but she couldn’t understand why the Grand Elder would say this about that matter. So she complained about her aching body and had little junior sister help her to her seat.
“Damn you, Lin Dongming. You wouldn’t even help me up.” As soon as Han Xiangjun sat down, she punched Lin Dongming hard.
Lin Dongming smiled bitterly: “Don’t you have plenty of energy? You’re in perfect condition—no need for anyone’s support.”
Han Xiangjun grew angrier and punched him several more times: “That’s because the Grand Elder healed me! By the time you came over, I’d have been dead!”
The two made a commotion while little junior sister watched with very subtle expressions, but Zhaoyue just smiled like an aunt watching—the joy of seeing her own pig going after someone else’s cabbage was too comfortable.
But soon, Lin Dongming felt a cold, highly aggressive gaze.
Looking up, it was indeed Yuan Jianyi. Han Xiangjun was right—Yuan Jianyi had already considered her his fiancée. This was troublesome.
However, Lin Dongming had no romantic feelings for Han Xiangjun, and his contract with her mother had long ended, so he naturally didn’t want to provoke a fierce god like Yuan Jianyi. He simply blocked Han Xiangjun’s playful attacks to avoid bringing trouble on himself.
Han Xiangjun naturally also noticed Yuan Jianyi’s gaze. But she thought Lin Dongming was being too cowardly, so she directly glared back. Yuan Jianyi wasn’t afraid of her at all—after noticing her gaze, he looked her over with interest, as if examining a toy.
Han Xiangjun became even more annoyed, but this was a public setting and she couldn’t beat Yuan Jianyi anyway, so she could only snort and turn her head away.
Next match: Tianji Sword Sect’s Yuan Jianyi versus Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s Su Li.
This match had no suspense—Yuan Jianyi would definitely win. Forget Su Li, even Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s top disciple Mo Qingxue wasn’t Yuan Jianyi’s match. What everyone cared about was how much Yuan Jianyi’s cultivation had improved and how many moves Su Li could survive under Yuan Jianyi’s sword.
“Little senior brother, if you were Senior Sister Su Li, what would you do?” Zhong Ziyu blinked at Lin Dongming.
“If she just wanted to last longer, she could use all her defensive measures and probably hold out for two or three moves.” Lin Dongming thought for a moment. “But Senior Sister Su Li won’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because she’s Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s prodigy. All prodigies are proud—they won’t be satisfied with just surviving two or three moves under their opponent. Even if they can’t win, they’ll aim for victory, for that imperceptible chance of success.”
Zhong Ziyu’s expression stiffened: “So Senior Sister Su Li will attack?”
Lin Dongming shrugged: “Yes, even with absolutely no chance of winning. Wenxin Heavenly Sect probably has healing medicine ready. Even their sect master and elders are prepared to intervene, fearing Senior Brother Yuan Jianyi might accidentally destroy Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s prodigy.”
Looking across the entire Eastern Domain Cang Province, both Yuan Jianyi and Bihai Blade Sect’s Qin Feng possessed talent in a tier of their own. Cultivators who could compete with them in talent and cultivation could be counted on one hand.
Suddenly Han Xiangjun leaned close to Lin Dongming’s ear: “If you fought Yuan Jianyi, would you have a chance?”
Obviously little junior sister also heard this question. Though pretending not to listen, she was already all ears.
Lin Dongming rolled his eyes: “No chance. Don’t drag me into this kind of trouble. And little junior sister beside us, don’t pretend to look elsewhere while eavesdropping!”
“Tell me the truth!” Han Xiangjun said indignantly.
“I am telling the truth!” Lin Dongming looked aggrieved.
“But I don’t think you are.” Han Xiangjun had seen Lin Dongming fight, so she somewhat knew his strength wasn’t as pathetic as he appeared on the surface. But she didn’t know exactly how capable Lin Dongming was.
“Why?” Lin Dongming asked, puzzled.
“Because your eyes are different.” Han Xiangjun looked seriously into Lin Dongming’s eyes. “Everyone fears him. So when junior brothers and sisters look at him, their eyes carry fear. But yours don’t.”
Lin Dongming was speechless.