59: Chapter 56 Rules 59: Chapter 56 Rules Chu Yunyun’s bandage was wrapped extremely tightly, causing Chu Xisheng to grimace in pain.
However, once the bandage was on, Chu Xisheng could no longer feel the hidden pain in his arm.
The previously sore and powerless right hand could now exert strength again.
“Your arm muscles have suffered hidden injuries, and your arm bones are fractured,” said Chu Yunyun, looking up at Chu Xisheng, “After you go back, you need to recuperate for a few days and avoid fighting with others.”
This was all because of Chu Xisheng’s low cultivation level.
He had awakened several powerful Bloodline Talents, but his Nourishing Essence Skill was only at the Second Level, making his body overly fragile.
Chu Xisheng wasn’t too concerned; he had been hiding behind the stele, constantly watching the fight between Tie Xiaosheng and Long Heng.
Although Long Heng seemed to be at a disadvantage, Tie Xiaosheng was clad in Heavy Armor, and each of his moves was heavy and fierce, obviously consuming more physical strength and True Yuan than Long Heng.
This caused Chu Xisheng some worry.
Lu Luanti leaned her little head close to Chu Xisheng to watch, saying, “Tsk tsk, the Cultivation Technique practiced by Tie Xiaosheng is indeed the ‘Mixed Element Iron Armor Skill’ from the Heavy Armor Sect.
It’s said to be very miraculous—the thicker and heavier the Iron Armor he wears, the stronger his strength becomes, and his agility increases, along with his Endurance.
Also, I just saw his suit of Iron Armor is inscribed with Elixir Talismans specially for ‘Light Body’ and ‘Flying’, so Long Heng’s plan to lure him into the air to exhaust his strength may have been the wrong strategy.”
As Lu Luanti said this, she let out a sigh of admiration, “Both of these men are quite formidable; although their True Yuan Cultivation is only at the upper Sixth Grade, their combat power has already entered the Fifth Grade.”
Chu Yunyun couldn’t help but give Lu Luanti a fixed look.
The words of this young woman held considerable insight.
At this moment, Lu Luanti paused, her voice filled with doubt, “A month ago, the reason Long Heng was able to severely injure Tie Xiaosheng was that a traitor in the Iron Banner Gang had stolen Tie Xiaosheng’s Iron Armor before the fight.
In truth, his strength is actually a notch below Tie Xiaosheng’s.
Fully aware that he is no match for Tie Xiaosheng, why would Long Heng dare to cross the river and come to the Ancient Market to trouble you?
Isn’t that akin to seeking death?
I bet that the Iron Banner Gang has already surrounded the Ancient Market from the inside out.”
Chu Xisheng’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.
This was one of the concerns he had.
The Eldest Young Master Long of rumors was ruthless and cunning, with many strategies up his sleeve—how could he do something so unwise?
It was at this moment that a voice interjected, “The lady has quite the insight!”
Chu Xisheng turned his head to see Zuo Ya approaching with a folding fan in hand.
He had changed into a new set of clothes at some point and also groomed his hair, regaining his previous calm and debonair appearance.
“I also wonder why that Ice Snake would dare to make trouble in the South Street Temple Market at this time.
That guy must be desperate.
The Tie Xue Futu, the ‘Iron Madman’, remains immovable as a mountain, cutting off the Long Family’s river transport for an entire month.
There’s now no telling how much goods are piling up in the Long Family’s warehouses, losing at least a thousand taels of Silver Coin per day.”
Just then, a stray Sword Energy swept over from the distance.
Zuo Qingyun maintained his elegant posture, unmoving, while the cloaked woman next to him drew her sword and shattered the Sword Energy with a single strike.
Chu Xisheng’s eyes lifted slightly, and he bowed his head with gratitude, “I thank Zuo Ya for his protection.”
Zuo Qingyun laughed heartily, walking over to help Chu Xisheng up, “I didn’t particularly intend to save you; I just couldn’t stand to see that Long fellow rampant in my South Street Temple Market.”
He glanced sideways at the two figures fighting fiercely in the sky, his eyes twitching slightly before he pointed with his folding fan towards the pavilion, as if nothing had happened, “Moreover, today, young brother helped me earn a big sum of Silver Coin.
The amount wagered over there is a good seventeen thousand demon silver.
After deducting the payouts and the various bits and pieces destroyed by those two fools in the sky, this time netted me seven thousand three hundred taels.”
So even if the arena was smashed to pieces by those two, it didn’t bother him in the slightest—how much could a stone-built arena cost?
As for the restaurant and shops next door, they weren’t his property, so naturally, he didn’t need to care about them.
At this moment, next to Zuo Ya, a middle-aged man in red took out a stack of silver notes and presented them with both hands in front of Chu Xisheng, “A total of one hundred and twenty demon silver for the three Life and Death Arena matches, and the victor can also take a ten percent cut from the wagers, which is eight hundred fifty taels in total.
Chu Xisheng was taken aback, looking at the stack of silver notes and then back at Zuo Ya, his expression wavering.
Zuo Qingyun closed his folding fan with a determined expression, “I have always believed that without rules, there’s no circle to be squared.
The rules of the South Street Temple Market cannot be broken by anyone — and you, young brother, are no exception.”
Chu Xisheng’s admiration for this man grew as he took the silver note and bowed again, “The official is magnanimous!”
Zuo Qingyun smiled slightly upon hearing this, “I am merely upholding ‘justice’; as an official who has not mastered scholarship or martial arts, if I cannot even maintain justice, how can I expect so many heroes to willingly serve under me?”
He then changed the tone and looked at Chu Xisheng meaningfully, “Young brother, would you be interested in fighting a few more life and death arenas for me?
Right now, what I need most is an unbeatable warrior at the Ninth Grade, just like you.”
Chu Xisheng was taken aback, thinking that this man was indeed straightforward — extending benefits and then immediately making an offer.
After some brief consideration, he straightforwardly responded, “I indeed have such an intention!”
He had gotten a taste of it and liked it, for the life and death arena was a way to earn money and foster reputation; it was too alluring.
Even if Zuo Qingyun hadn’t made the offer, he would have fought in a few life and death arenas to gather both fame and wealth, so why hesitate?
As he finished speaking, Lu Luanti and Chu Yunyun, who were nearby, both showed a slight change in expression.
Lu Luanti thought to himself, was this guy foolish?
The “life and death arena” was a livelihood where one licked blood off the edge of a knife.
Although Chu Xisheng was indeed strong among those of the Ninth Grade, there were many other talents stronger than him in the world, as numerous as the stars in the sky.
If he encountered even one of them, he might well lose his life on the stage.
Wouldn’t it be better to cultivate in peace and stability?
He clearly had limitless prospects, yet he was insistently putting his neck under other people’s blades.
Chu Yunyun’s eyebrows knitted slightly, but she quickly returned to normal.
Chu Xisheng was a man and no longer a child.
Moreover, as martial cultivators aiming for the peak, they needed to temper their minds amidst the great terror of life-and-death experiences.
Zuo Qingyun’s eyes sparkled, and he patted Chu Xisheng on the shoulder, “Refreshing!
Little Brother Chu, rest assured, I will not treat you unfairly.
I will take on your grudge with the Long Family.”
At that moment, a roaring noise came from afar.
It was the figure of Long Heng, blasted to the ground by a sword from Tie Xiaosheng.
Half-kneeling on the ground, he transmitted Tie Xiaosheng’s sword power into the surrounding ground, causing the earth under his feet to crumble instantly, forming a deep pit about three feet in diameter.
Tie Xiaosheng, relentless, swung his giant sword as if it were a shooting star, hammering down on Long Heng above him.
Long Heng was forced to retreat once more, crashing into a green-tiled house behind him and spitting out a trace of blood from his mouth.
“Aren’t you curious why the Tianping Army stationed on the West Bank, along with the Guerrilla General of the Tianping Army, haven’t shown up?”
Tie Xiaosheng followed like a shadow, his tone mocking, “You, Long Heng, are full of schemes, but my brother’s strategies are no less than yours—” his Heavy Sword struck wildly with each slash, making the blood at the corner of Long Heng’s lips all the more vivid.
At that moment, Tie Xiaosheng frowned slightly and looked to the side.
Toward their southern direction, a full thirty men dressed in red wielding massive crossbows pointed at the two of them.
That was thirty military Rune Crossbows!
Both Tie Xiaosheng and Long Heng’s faces changed, as they searched for cover to dodge.
“Zuo Qingyun, is your head filled with shit!”
As Tie Xiaosheng cursed, the thirty Rune Crossbows fired simultaneously, thirty wolf-toothed iron arrows bursting forth and penetrating all the walls and wooden structures before them, shooting towards Tie Xiaosheng and Long Heng.
From afar, Zuo Qingyun’s lips curved up slightly.
No one was going to break his rules, no matter who they were!