Long Feng was a youth barely reaching five feet eight inches, appearing frail and sickly. His face was ashen, and he was already out of breath by the time he reached the arena.
In stark contrast, his opponent, Ma Feng, was a typical northeastern giant, nearly six feet three inches tall. His eyes were sharp, radiating an intimidating aura like a killing god.
"Brother Qin, who do you think will win?" Shen Lang asked Qin Long with a smile, observing the obvious disparity between the two fighters.
"Ma Feng, of course," Qin Long replied without hesitation.
"What? Just because of their physical difference, you're certain he'll lose to Ma Feng?" Shen Lang asked, surprised by Qin Long's swift certainty.
"Brother Shen, it's not just a matter of physical difference. Ma Feng's strength is simply terrifying," Qin Long said, taking a sharp breath. "This is your first Grand Competition, but we participate every year, so we know Ma Feng's power all too well."
"Ma Feng is known as 'Ma Feng' – the Madman. He's a typical lunatic. When he fights, it doesn't matter if his opponent is a vicious criminal or a colleague; he loses control, like a possessed demon. No one can match him."
"He's been in the Xiling Martial Guard Department for three years, and the individual skill championship trophy in the Grand Competition has been his for all three years. No one can shake him."
"Is that so?" Shen Lang smiled. "It seems this year I'll have to let him taste defeat."
"Haha, Brother Shen, if you're fighting, I have no worries. After all, even the maddest demon can only find defeat when facing an opponent like you. I just hope you'll show mercy and not kill him," Qin Long said. "Although the rules state it's a point-based match, we all know how difficult it is for people to control themselves once the fight starts. There are casualties every year. Still, I hope you can control yourself; we're all colleagues."
"Don't worry, I won't go too far. It wouldn't look good for anyone."
"However..." Shen Lang's tone shifted. He smiled and said, "I suddenly feel that perhaps Long Feng on the stage might not lose to Ma Feng. I don't know why, maybe it's just intuition."
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. He's already lost to Ma Feng three times. The gap in their strength is too vast," Qin Long insisted. "Ma Feng was his opponent every year. The first year, Ma Feng accidentally broke his right arm, which took over a year to heal. The second year, Ma Feng broke his left arm, which again took over a year to mend. Then, in the third year, Ma Feng punched him in the lungs, leaving him with an incurable lung disease. Now, even a few steps will leave him gasping for air, terrified of passing out."
"Brother Shen, I believe in your strength, but the idea that Ma Feng would lose to Long Feng, I wouldn't believe it even if you beat me to death."
"How about a bet?" Hearing Qin Long's disbelief, Shen Lang's interest was piqued. He smiled, "I bet Long Feng will defeat Ma Feng, and do so cleanly and spectacularly, amazing the entire audience."
"Haha, what's the stake?" Qin Long, spurred by a competitive spirit, asked excitedly.
"If I lose, I'll give you a Hundred Poisons Pill. No matter what kind of venom you ingest, it can be cured after taking it. Even if it's a top-tier, rare poison, it can at least suppress the toxicity and keep you alive for three hours," Shen Lang said with a smile. "Do you dare to bet?"
"Since Brother Shen is offering such a generous stake, what reason do I have not to bet? Since you're being so magnanimous, I won't be stingy. I'll bet an article of clothing," Qin Long replied. "Brother Shen, I know you've been wanting to find the 'Nishang Yuyi' to give to Director Gu, right?"
"You know that too?" Shen Lang was astonished. "Do you know where the Nishang Yuyi is?"
Earlier, Gu Qinghan had shown Shen Lang a red Hanfu, which had left him mesmerized. He had then told Gu Qinghan that he would find the Nishang Yuyi for her. If Shen Lang could present it to Gu Qinghan on their wedding day, she would surely be delighted. And if Gu Qinghan was happy, then as her husband, Shen Lang would naturally be happy too. Therefore, hearing Qin Long mention the Nishang Yuyi, Shen Lang's interest surged, as it was of immense importance to him.
"Haha, this Nishang Yuyi was prepared by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang for Yang Yuhuan. However, it was only sewn after Yang Yuhuan's death, so Imperial Consort Yang never got to wear it. Later, this garment fell into the hands of my ancestor, who passed it down as a family heirloom for generations," Qin Long explained. "You haven't seen the Nishang Yuyi, but you must have heard how beautiful it is. I believe no woman in this world could resist such a stunning garment. If you truly give it to Director Gu, she'll surely beam with joy."
"You understand me, Brother Qin. You really understand me," Shen Lang looked at Qin Long and smiled. "Since you're being so generous, I'll raise the stakes too. If I lose to you, I'll give you ten Hundred Poisons Pills. But if I win, you still get the Hundred Poisons Pills, and the Nishang Yuyi belongs to me."
"Haha, it seems you're confident of victory, so you're prepared to give me Hundred Poisons Pills as consolation. But I trust my judgment. Ma Feng will absolutely not lose to Long Feng," Qin Long said confidently and calmly. "My judgment is never wrong, especially since I know Long Feng's strength so well."
"No, Brother Qin, you know his strength, but you don't understand his fighting spirit. He's the type who won't accept defeat. This time, he will win," Shen Lang said, his gaze fixed on Long Feng on the stage, a smile gracing his face.
At that very moment, Shen Lang noticed the other teams looking at Long Feng on the stage with mocking smiles, seemingly unable to comprehend why someone would dare to step onto the stage to face an opponent who had defeated him three times. Was Long Feng out of his mind? They didn't need to think to know that Long Feng was about to lose to Ma Feng once again.
"Long Feng, I truly don't understand why we're opponents every year. Honestly, it's not something I want, but there's no choice. Since we've been drawn, let's begin," Ma Feng declared arrogantly from the high platform, looking at Long Feng with disdain and contempt. "This time, I'll go easy on you, won't let you be crippled."
"Ma Feng, you will lose this time, and you will lose miserably," Long Feng retorted. Facing Ma Feng's disdain and contempt, Long Feng scanned everyone below the arena and shouted, "Everyone, I have lost to Ma Feng three times, each time suffering severe injuries or even permanent disability, losing all my dignity. Today, I stand on this stage again. I don't want to say that revenge is sweet after ten years. I just want to tell everyone that the dignity I lost, I will reclaim with my own hands."