Chapter 554 - 270: Earth-shattering Event

Chapter 554: Chapter 270: Earth-shattering Event

"Break the deadlock?" Zhu Jiu raised his head to the sky, his expression serene. After a long moment, he asked in return, "If Fairy Fan were in Chen Cheng’s position, how would you break the deadlock?"

Fan Jinhua was slightly taken aback. After pondering for a moment, she sighed softly and said,

"If I were Chen Cheng, I truly wouldn’t be able to break this deadlock.

The only way I can think of is if Chen Cheng cultivates a Second Layer Realm and defeats the four of us combined in the Life and Death Arena.

However, with Brother Zhu’s and Zhang Daozong’s Martial Arts Power, even if Chen Cheng managed to cultivate a Second Layer Realm, he would have no chance of winning this battle!"

"That’s true." Zhang Daozong nodded slightly. "In a real life-and-death battle, both sides will use every trick up their sleeves.

Never mind Zhu and Zhang Daozong; even Fairy Fan’s Extreme Yin Realm must be on the verge of reaching the Second Layer, correct?

Those Ascetic Monks from the Brahma Sound Sect who throw their weight around and run rampant in the Land of the North didn’t get there with empty boasts. They’re backed by profound Cultivation.

Hassamutira might seem intimidated by Zhang Daozong, but only he knows for sure if he’s hiding his true strength.

The four of us combined could hold our own even against a Perfect Martial Artist of the Organ Refining Realm who has cultivated a Second Layer Realm.

Chen Cheng’s Martial Arts Power is a whole major Realm below ours. Even if he really did cultivate a Second Layer Realm, it would be useless!

This time, we followed Zhang Daozong to lay a trap in the Ruyi District. On one hand, it’s to force Chen Cheng to respond and seize his Momentum.

On the other hand, it’s naturally to pave the way for our Sects in Linji City.

All Four Major Sects are involved in this plot. Even if the Great Dao Sect intervened personally, they might not be able to break this deadlock.

What hope does a mere Inner Sect Disciple like Chen Cheng have of breaking it?"

"Hehehe..." Fan Jinhua let out another charming laugh. "The Blood Moon Sect’s Killing Realm is all about forging ahead relentlessly. It seems Brother Zhu is ready to show what he can do.

And Zhang Daozong of the Taiyi Sect is clearly even more domineering. He’ll surely see his arrogance through to the end.

In that case, my Sutra of Ultimate Sect has no choice but to play along."

As they were speaking, a middle-aged man in gray robes hurried into the courtyard, cupped his fist in salute to Zhu Jiu, and said,

"Senior Brother Zhu, someone from the Linji City Inspection Department’s Brocade Guard is here."

"The Brocade Guard?" Zhu Jiu said, surprised. "What are they here for?"

"They’ve come to deliver a written challenge from Chen Cheng!" the middle-aged man said.

Hearing this, both Zhu Jiu and Fan Jinhua were taken aback. They never expected that Chen Cheng would actually dare to issue a challenge, and so quickly at that!

"That bastard Chen Cheng, is he not afraid of death?!" Zhu Jiu said.

Fan Jinhua chuckled. "Interesting. This is getting more and more interesting!"

...

At Taiyi Academy, Zhang Daozong also received the written challenge delivered by someone on Chen Cheng’s behalf.

After reading the challenge, a look of contempt appeared on Zhang Daozong’s face, and he sneered,

"Hah. Chen Cheng, oh Chen Cheng, I overestimated you!

Setting the duel for the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month... you really are trying to stall for time. But what’s the use?

If you want to save your own skin, your only option is to surrender on the spot during the duel!"

...

Around noon, Zhang Daozong was resting in the main hall after lunch when Jiang Rongxuan rushed in again to report.

Zhang Daozong was quite displeased. He said in a low voice,

"Didn’t I tell you? Handle the betting yourself. There’s no need to report to me."

Jiang Rongxuan said cautiously, "Master Zhang, this matter is of great importance. I didn’t dare to act on my own, so I had to come and report."

"What happened?" Zhang Daozong asked lazily.

Jiang Rongxuan said, "Master Zhang, ever since Master Chen placed his bet, many others have followed suit, betting on him to win. Following your instructions, I naturally accepted all of them.

However, once word spread that Master Chen had issued challenges to you, Master Zhang, and the other three, the number of people betting on him to win suddenly skyrocketed, and the amounts they’re betting are enormous.

In less than an hour, the total amount of silver taels bet on Master Chen to win at Ronghe Restaurant has already surpassed twenty thousand..."

Zhang Daozong waved his hand, cutting him off. "People are throwing money at us. Isn’t that a good thing?" he said, rather impatiently.

Jiang Rongxuan looked troubled. "I know you will win for sure, Master Zhang. Everyone betting on Master Chen to win is just handing us money.

But according to Great Yu Law, when opening a betting pool and acting as the bookmaker, you must have sufficient silver taels as a deposit. Otherwise, you’re suspected of illegally collecting funds.

If the Government Office comes to inspect and finds the deposit is insufficient, the betting has to stop, and the bookmaker will be punished by the authorities.

Right now, the vast majority of bets are on Master Chen to win, and the deposit in our accounts is far from sufficient."

"Hah!" Zhang Daozong slapped his thigh in realization and sneered,

"So that bastard Chen Cheng is targeting the bookmaker’s deposit!

I have to admit, the boy has some clever tricks. He’s personally getting involved to build his own hype and get others to follow his bets.

Once the deposit is insufficient and the bookmaker is punished, the entire betting operation will justifiably go up in smoke.

This is both Great Yu Law and an accepted rule of the Jianghu. Not even our Four Major Sects can find any fault with it!"

Jiang Rongxuan added, "I was worried something would go wrong, which is why I temporarily suspended the betting and came to report to you, Master Zhang."

Zhang Daozong remained unhurried. He said lightly, "If Chen Cheng thinks he can break this deadlock so easily, he’s far too naive!

Tell me, how are the other bookmakers handling this?"

Jiang Rongxuan replied, "I’ve already sent people to investigate. The other bookmakers have either suspended betting like us, or they’ve urgently adjusted the odds, lowering them to five-to-one.

But given the current trend, I’m afraid that even lowering the odds to five-to-one won’t be enough for the bookmakers to ensure they have a sufficient deposit.

In my humble opinion, we should quit while we’re ahead. For now, we should only accept bets on the Four Major Sects to win. We can make adjustments once our deposit is replenished."