Barret the Grand Lord, who managed to become the ruler of Simon State and dominate the region, was naturally no ordinary person.
Seeing Ike’s flustered expression, he immediately felt that what Natasha had said might be true.
However, the nobles still felt that Natasha was talking nonsense and was not worth believing at all.
This was because they believed that Ike was a student of Simon State's foremost sword master and could not possibly lose to an insignificant nobody. Furthermore, in Simon State, no one had ever heard of a person named Jiang Yi in the world of swordsmanship.
"Grand Lord, I suggest we don't waste any more time. It's obvious they're bragging. We still have important matters to discuss," a noble said to Barret the Grand Lord.
"No matter how important the matter, it's not as important as the competition!"
"How about this, I'll give him a chance to compete with Ike. After their match, we'll know if they're bragging!" Barret the Grand Lord said.
Seeing that Barret the Grand Lord insisted on letting Jiang Yi compete with Ike, the nobles had no choice.
As for Ike, he was completely panicked. The last time he clashed with Jiang Yi, he had been severely taught a lesson.
He simply didn't have the ability to defeat Jiang Yi. Clashing with Jiang Yi was akin to inviting humiliation upon himself!
Now, Ike didn't know what to do!
Jiang Yi was somewhat speechless! Sultan Novel Network.
He had no interest in such a competition, yet Natasha insisted he get involved.
"Teacher, this is a great opportunity!"
"You asked me to help you get the consent for the farm acquisition, and I did promise you. But this matter might not necessarily succeed. However, if you can show your skills, this matter will surely be settled!"
"Moreover, you can then negotiate with my father to find a way to get you a small lordship. Such a good opportunity cannot be missed!" Natasha whispered into Jiang Yi's ear.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled slightly.
Natasha's words did have some logic. Perhaps he could indeed get a small lordship by then.
He wanted to develop his influence in Eagle Country, deal with Jiang Wanli, and promote traditional Chinese medicine. With power in his hands, things would become much easier.
"Alright, I'll show them what I've got!" Jiang Yi said.
Seeing Jiang Yi agree, Natasha chuckled, feeling smug as if her scheme had succeeded.
"Snap!"
Natasha broke off a branch about the thickness of a thumb from a nearby ornamental tree and handed it to Jiang Yi, chuckling, "Teacher, use a branch to replace the rapier. You defeated Ike with a branch last time. Today, let the Grand Lord and everyone else see your skill and know what true swordsmanship is."
Jiang Yi smiled slightly and took the branch.
"By the way, you said before that your sword technique is called the Dog Beating Staff Technique. I think it should be renamed to Dog Beating Sword Technique!" Natasha said with a smile.
Hearing this, Ike's face turned green. Wasn't this blatant humiliation?
"What arrogant words!" A voice came from behind the crowd.
A man emerged, an old man with piercing eyes, clad in knight's armor and carrying a rapier at his waist. Although advanced in age, he walked with a powerful stride, no less vigorous than a young man. This person was none other than Ike's teacher, Bill, the foremost sword master of Simon State.
"Oh my god, I didn't expect Bill to come in person!"
"Bill will surely beat this arrogant Chinese kid black and blue!"
...
The crowd was incredibly excited.
Barret the Grand Lord and the nobles also showed smiles upon seeing Bill arrive. Barret the Grand Lord had previously sent someone to invite Bill, but Bill had refused. However, now that Bill had come in person, it didn't matter much who won between Jiang Yi and Ike. If Bill made a move, winning against Dongmeng State wouldn't be difficult.
"Teacher..." Ike hurried over to Bill. At this moment, Ike was like someone who had grasped a lifeline.
"Bill, it's great that you came in person. With you here, we have a much higher chance of winning against Dongmeng State!" Barret the Grand Lord roared with laughter.
"Grand Lord Barret!" Bill bowed deeply to Barret the Grand Lord before speaking, "I don't want to see our Simon State continue to lose to Dongmeng State and become a laughingstock, so I intend to participate in the competition."
"It's just that I didn't expect that upon arriving here, I would hear someone speak so wildly and even insult my student, Ike!"
Barret the Grand Lord smiled and said nothing.
"Teacher, it's great that you're here. This kid is too arrogant. If you personally take action today, you'll surely teach him a good lesson!" Ike pointed at Jiang Yi and said to Bill.
Bill heard this and looked at Jiang Yi, appraising him.
"This kid isn't worthy of me making a personal move!" Bill withdrew his gaze and said to Ike, "You've learned a lot from me over the years and have mastered quite a bit of profound rapier techniques. You can fight him. Teach him a good lesson!"
Upon hearing that his teacher Bill was unwilling to act and wanted him to fight instead, Ike felt a surge of helplessness. In fact, Ike had never told Bill about being taught a lesson by Jiang Yi before, so Bill was unaware of Jiang Yi's prowess.
"Useless! Are you afraid of this kid too?"
"Look at him. He only uses a branch and doesn't even know how to use a rapier. Such a half-baked swordsman has scared you this much? You've completely shamed me!" Bill said angrily.
Ike had no choice but to brace himself and walk up to Jiang Yi. The moment he saw the branch in Jiang Yi's hand, he recalled the previous incident where he was taught a lesson by Jiang Yi. His injuries were still there, and today he would gain new ones.
"Don't disgrace me. Don't forget how I usually teach you! Under any circumstances, regardless of whether the opponent is strong or weak, you must attack them with lightning speed, leaving them no chance to retaliate!" Bill instructed.
"Yes!" Ike quickly nodded, but he had no confidence in his heart.
"Can we begin?" Jiang Yi, holding the branch, asked Ike, who was sweating profusely.
Ike did not speak. He directly gripped his rapier and thrust towards Jiang Yi at the fastest speed.
"Whoosh!"
Jiang Yi's branch flew out, deflecting Ike's rapier and simultaneously whipping across Ike's face. Instantly, a bloodstain appeared on Ike's face, and blood began to bead.
This scene stunned everyone!
Bill's face darkened.
Simon's Grand Lord and the nobles' eyes nearly popped out. He had never expected Jiang Yi to defeat Ike with his very first move. Fortunately, Jiang Yi was holding a branch; if he had been holding a rapier, Ike might have lost his life!