Chapter 117: You Are Too Weak

Chapter 117: You Are Too Weak

At this thought, everyone realized that Zhao Changhe was quite intriguing... He risked potentially severe injury or worse, yet chose to intervene by separating the two sides in a mediating manner, rather than taking Yue Hongling's side.

Recall that earlier, Xuan Chong had saved Tang Buqi by charging straight at Batu's face, and no one thought Xuan Chong's actions were inappropriate—when saving someone, who cares about such niceties? With the national conflict at stake, not ganging up on you was already a sign of grace.

But Zhao Changhe had not chosen to hurl his blade at Chili's head; instead, he struck it down between them, interrupting the duel before the two combatants lost control and risked mutual destruction. This was exactly what any proper referee should do, leaving no room for criticism.

What the parties involved thought was anyone's guess. Even if you were willing to sacrifice yourself for righteousness, or confident you could trade your own severe injury for the enemy's life, your friends and family wouldn't see it that way. At this point, even the foreigners behind Chili might feel indebted.

Could anyone find this more inappropriate than Xuan Chong's actions? Even the foreign villains couldn't manage that—perhaps only someone from another world could.

Yet this method was clearly several times more dangerous than siding with Yue Hongling. The role of a referee wasn't something just anyone could take on; if anything went wrong, you'd be the one lying on the ground. Was it really necessary?

No one believed that Zhao Changhe was so fair-minded as to be pedantic. It was obviously to prevent Yue Hongling, who had fought to a draw, from being seen as having "joined forces with someone to gang up." How unfair would that be for her? So he chose to bear the greater risk himself.

Just how much did he like Yue Hongling...

People couldn't help stealing glances at Yue Hongling, who was silently applying medicine and bandaging her wounds. They thought, Miss Yue, this secret crush is practically an open confession. Oh, and he even found a girl who looks like you to be his "mountain stronghold wife"—such desecration! Shouldn't you say something?

We've been waiting for some drama for a long time...

Yue Hongling made no comment about that "mountain stronghold wife," nor did she say at this moment whether she was confident in trading her life for the enemy's. Instead, she said: "Brother Zhao, I appreciate your stopping the fight. But don't you know how dangerous this was for you?"

Zhao Changhe laughed, "Ha! My life was saved by you in Zhao Cuo."

Yue Hongling was silent.

Zhao Changhe continued, "Tossing a blade from afar—what's so dangerous about that? It's only because throwing the knife was faster. If I needed to charge in with the blade, I would have done that too! When you see your savior about to die together with an enemy, and you still hesitate and weigh options, what kind of martial arts are you practicing? What chivalry is that? Why not just go home and drink milk!"

Xuan Chong nodded slightly: "A true brother of our path."

Then from the crowd, someone muttered: "Is it really just about repaying a debt... I'm afraid something else grew from that debt..."

Yue Hongling turned her head away.

Well, a heroic act had been twisted like this; she felt sorry for Zhao Changhe.

Zhao Changhe scanned the crowd, unable to find who said it, and gave up searching. He shouted, "So what if it is! Zhao Changhe wants to make Yue Hongling his mountain stronghold wife—everyone knows that! What of it? This foolish woman thinks she's a hero and wants to die together with someone. I can't stand it, so what!"

Here it comes!

Sure enough, a bandit's straightforwardness!

Zhao Changhe directly asked Yue Hongling, "You've probably heard by now... well, that's how it is. Give me a chance or not—just say the word."

Countless people eagerly turned to Yue Hongling, as if this was more captivating than the decisive battle between the top two of the Hidden Dragon List. Even Chili, who was also applying medicine and bandaging his wounds, had a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Endless trials, eternal life-and-death struggles—how tedious.

Watching the loves and sorrows of mortals was a pleasant diversion.

Yue Hongling looked at Zhao Changhe. Both of them recalled their recent discussion: In public, how should we act? I'll pursue you. I'll reject you. That's it.

His words now followed the plan... This could indeed put an end to all the gossip that had entangled them for so long. But when it came to Yue Hongling's part, the words stuck in her throat.

In front of so many people, if she refused him publicly, he would be like a defeated dog, laughed at by the crowd.

But if she agreed... she truly didn't have such feelings for now.

Looking into his eyes, they were still clear, with a hint of a smile, as if saying, "How's my script? Pretty impressive, fits the character, right? Your turn, hurry up."

No one knew how long passed—perhaps just a few breaths. Amid the eager anticipation of the crowd, Yue Hongling finally spoke: "Hongling's heart is set on the horizon; I have no intention of choosing a mate for now."

He knew this would be the answer, yet Zhao Changhe still felt a slight sigh. "Mm," he said, "I know..."

But before he could finish, Yue Hongling suddenly said, "However..."

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Everyone pricked up their ears.

"If Hongling were to choose a mate, he need not be extremely powerful, but he must have a chivalrous heart, a desire to protect the realm and pacify the people, and a will to aid the weak and strike down the strong in the martial world. With such a kindred spirit, we could journey together across the horizon."

The onlookers let out a satisfied "Oh~" sound. Indeed, that was very Yue Hongling—at least she wouldn't ask how much bride price you could offer.

Yue Hongling continued slowly, "Brother Zhao has the chivalrous heart... But with the foreigners beside us, bullying the weak with their strength, Brother Zhao couldn't defeat Chili, that's one thing. But why didn't you strike at Batu? Could it be that you saw his strength was greater than yours and feared him?"

Batu: "?"

How did I end up in this melon-eating drama? What does this have to do with me...

Oh, it does have to do with me. We came to show off our might and trample the Central Plains' Hidden Dragon underfoot. Of course, we're enemies. I almost forgot while watching the show...

Zhao Changhe looked at Yue Hongling in confusion, as if to say, "Our script wasn't like this—what are you doing?"

Yue Hongling met his gaze calmly, revealing nothing.

Zhao Changhe shook his head slightly, then turned to look at Batu, letting out a "Ha" of laughter. "I didn't strike, of course, for a reason."

Yue Hongling asked, "And what reason is that?"

Zhao Changhe took a few steps, reached out and gently stroked the Dragon Sparrow blade embedded in the ground, and said slowly, "He's too weak. He's only fit to bully my big nephew. He's not worth the effort for my training—I have no interest in fighting him."

Tang Buqi: "..."

Batu: "?"

The onlookers exchanged glances.

Hey, don't think that just because Batu is ranked ninety-ninth on the Hidden Dragon List, eleven places below you, you're stronger than him. He's already shown his strength—he's at the fifth level of Xuan Pass, while you're still at the fourth, not yet broken through. You might have higher potential, but not now.

And you're both in the same style—this kind of cross-level challenge is even harder. Winning would be an achievement, yet you dare call him weak! Do you think this is like when you fought Fang Buping and could throw lime powder?

Zhao Changhe's words were indeed a bluff. His original intention for not striking was to observe Wan Dongliu's moves, but the chain of events had disrupted that. Batu had been sidelined, and his plan to watch Wan Dongliu had completely evaporated. Now, with the situation as it was, he couldn't show any weakness.

The Dragon Sparrow had long wanted to fight Batu... Aren't you happy?

Zhao Changhe slowly grasped the hilt: "Zhao Changhe of the Central Plains requests Brother Batu's instruction."

"Clang!" The dragon's cry resounded, and the Dragon Sparrow sang with excitement.

Batu, already veins bulging with anger, drew his blade and stepped forward: "Fine, fine! Let me see what right you have to say I'm too weak!"

Zhao Changhe glanced at him sideways and chuckled lightly, "But you really are too weak. I'll let you make the first move."

Chili coughed lightly, "Batu, be careful. This is a provocation—don't fall for it..."

But it was too late. Batu was fuming: "Just because you deflected my blade when you saved your nephew earlier, you think you're stronger than me? Take this!"

His loud voice drowned out Chili's warning. He raised his heavy blade and slashed diagonally from upper right to lower left.

The whistling of the blade was like a gale sweeping through, its terrifying power enough to split mountains and crack stones!

Even Xuan Chong, watching from the sidelines, was secretly startled. He thought that if it were him, he would first dodge to avoid a direct clash. This was not a weapon that could be easily blocked. No wonder Zhao Changhe's thrown blade could separate the two in their death struggle—it was truly difficult to withstand such a blade head-on. Of course, at their level, victory wasn't hard; with the flexibility of swordsmanship, it was easy to toy with such an opponent.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, a gasp rose from the crowd.

Zhao Changhe also raised his blade, sweeping diagonally from lower left to upper right, meeting Batu's strike head-on!

Indeed, the same style!

This single strike ignited everyone's blood. The battle between Chili and Yue Hongling had been too profound for many to understand, but this clash of pure strength was the most thrilling and exciting confrontation!

Fourth level against fifth! Could Zhao Changhe's strength hold?

"Clang!"

A deafening explosion came as expected, but to everyone's surprise, there was no stalemate, nor did Zhao Changhe get forced down. Instead, Batu's blade was heavily knocked aside, leaving his entire front wide open!

Zhao Changhe's Longque needed only a casual thrust forward to easily pierce through Batu's chest!

"Swish!" A flying knife suddenly shot in, knocking aside Zhao Changhe's blade—it was Chi Li, despite his injury, making a move to save his comrade.

Zhao Changhe did not pursue. He stared at the side of his blade where the flying knife had struck for a long moment, then suddenly smiled. "We're even."

Chi Li said calmly, "You are very skilled. I take back my earlier assessment—the Central Plains has not only that sword, but also this blade."

Zhao Changhe turned and glanced at him. "I hope you don't die too quickly in the Central Plains... The next person to face your scimitar will be me."

Chi Li said calmly, "I await you anytime. Let's go."

The group of foreign hidden dragons who had arrived with such ferocity now left the Bright Moon Pavilion in a rather disheveled state—Batu dazed and confused, Chi Li wounded beneath his ribs.

One had fought Yue Hongling to a standstill, the other was taken down by Zhao Changhe in a single stroke—given the relationship between the two, it was like a husband-and-wife mixed doubles match.

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, none of them understanding how a Fourth Realm could triumph over a Fifth Realm—truly confirming his words, "You are too weak"...

Even if you had won by guerrilla tactics, no one would be this baffled... What kind of reasoning is this?