Chapter 168 - 99: I, Zhao Ci, Will Beat Down Everyone Here Today

Chapter 168: Chapter 99: I, Zhao Ci, Will Beat Down Everyone Here Today

Zhao Ci asked many more questions before he finally got a clear picture of the current situation.

The Prefecture Examination hadn’t started yet. With full rosters across the seven mansions, there were a total of thirty-five participants. Each one could challenge Mansion Officials from other mansions and the Princes. Since any two people could only fight once, a total of five hundred twenty-five points were up for grabs.

To secure a spot in the top three, one needed at least ninety points to be safe.

The rules this time were aggressive. Refusing a challenge resulted in an automatic loss.

The only exception was if you had already fought five or more matches that day.

For the past three days, the three Mansion Officials of the Tenth Prince’s Mansion had fought their maximum of five matches each day.

Feng Kucha had won three matches by relying on his dung-dipped mop.

Yang Mo had won four matches by being durable and using poison.

In terms of actual strength, this Hidden Dragon and Feng Chu duo were at the very bottom among all the Mansion Officials. It was a miracle they had won so many matches.

As for Zhu Li, her Yu Xin Flame could ignite any True Qi, often forcing opponents to seal their own True Qi. She had been on a fierce winning streak.

But she was later targeted. Often, the first person to challenge her each day would be an expert. Regardless of the outcome, the fight would leave Zhu Li utterly exhausted, and the next four challengers would take advantage of her weakness.

After fifteen matches, she had still lost five. To keep up with these challenges, she had even given up her role as the assembly-line queen of the Pill Workshop.

The Tenth Prince’s Mansion was now in a truly miserable state.

Zhao Ci was losing his composure. "Didn’t you say Old Feng’s dung-dipped mop would increase his win rate by fifty percent? How did he still lose so many?"

Zhu Li spread her hands. "Because his original win rate was negative!"

Feng Kucha: "Damn it!"

Zhao Ci: "Damn it!"

’This Imperial Clan Court is really screwing us over. If this continues, we’ll probably lose the Heaven-Suspended Spider Silk.’

The Tenth Prince’s Mansion only had four people now. He and Zhu Li were the only ones who could reliably score points. Trying to gather enough points for the top three seemed hopeless, even if Feng Kucha and Yang Mo continued to fight desperately.

He glanced at the two men. "Can you still fight today?"

Yang Mo gritted his teeth. "Yes!"

Feng Kucha ripped off his bandages. "Yes, my ass! Even the pills I stole from the Feng Family can’t heal your injuries."

Yang Mo winced in pain, silently re-covering his wounded body with the bandages. He repeated, "I really can!"

Zhao Ci: "Yes, my ass!"

Yang Mo: "..."

Zhao Ci glanced at Feng Kucha. "Old Feng, you look like you’re in decent shape. Just a bit filthy."

A muscle in Feng Kucha’s face twitched. "I could fight again, but the Imperial Clan Court banned my dung-dipped mop yesterday. I’m as useless as Lao Mo, and not even as tough as him..."

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Well, damn.’

’The moment the mop gets banned, he’s forced into retirement.’

Zhu Li sighed. "Boss! These two may be utterly pathetic, but they really did their best this time. Leave the rest to me."

With that, she stood up.

But Zhao Ci stopped her. "You’re resting today, too! Look how pale you are. Go drink some red date and brown sugar water to recover, or you won’t even be able to have children."

Zhu Li was immediately indignant. Waving her pale, slender arms, she retorted, "Are you looking down on me? I can beat them until they cry for their mamas. Why would I need to have sons?

Look at how many names are already carved on the challenge list outside! If we don’t fight, they’ll all be counted as losses. What kind of Prince are you? Can’t you give me one less thing to worry about?"

As she spoke, her eyes reddened.

Not from grievance.

But from anger.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Ci couldn’t help but chuckle. He ruffled her hair bun. "Don’t worry! I have a way to protect your points. Just grab a little stool and go rest at the Martial Arts Arena."

Zhu Li’s pretty face flushed red. She ducked her head away in mock disgust and huffed, "Fine. I’ll see what you’ve got planned first. If I’m not satisfied, I’m still going to fight."

"Alright, alright!"

Zhao Ci opened the door with a smile. "Let’s go wait at the Martial Arts Arena. Cuiyun, go open the gates and let those people in!"

"Yes!"

Cuiyun nodded and walked outside, her face filled with worry.

Feng Kucha and Yang Mo exchanged a look, silently gestured for the servants to prepare some chairs, and headed for the Martial Arts Arena.

Zhu Li, however, looked at Zhao Ci with curiosity. "What exactly is your plan?"

Zhao Ci spread his hands. "It’s simple. I’ll just make them give up their challenges."

The challenged party refusing a fight resulted in an automatic loss, which was a disadvantage. However, there was an advantage: they could schedule the time to accept the challenge.

A spark of understanding flashed in Zhu Li’s eyes. "You mean, I schedule my matches for later, and in the meantime, you beat them to a pulp?"

Zhao Ci: "So smart!"

Zhu Li: "You’re all talk!"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Goddamnit, does this reckless woman who only knows how to set things on fire have any idea about the real power of my spear?’

’But then again...’

’The Zhu Family’s Fire Skills are so powerful, especially after awakening the Heart Fire Divine Treasure, that their flames generally ascend to a whole new level. As a result, the entire Zhu Family doesn’t place much importance on honing their martial skills.’

’Plus, my fight with Bao Longtao ended too quickly, and I don’t let anyone else touch this spear, so it’s normal that she can’t gauge my true strength.’

’Damnit!’

’Later, I’ll let her see just how ferocious my spear is.’

’I’ll make it crystal clear to her whether I’m all talk or not!’

A short while later, about a dozen people swarmed to the edge of the Martial Arts Arena.

They eagerly scanned the Mansion Officials of the Tenth Prince’s Mansion—or more accurately, they scanned the Hidden Dragon and Feng Chu duo, Feng Kucha and Yang Mo.

In the current Prefecture Examination, these two were like the top courtesans in a brothel; everyone wanted a piece of them, especially after Feng Kucha’s mop was banned yesterday.

But they were, after all, disciples from great clans, so they still understood etiquette.

One by one, they announced their names and intentions.

"Your Highness! I am Tan Yu of Prince Lie’s Mansion, here to challenge your mansion’s official, Feng Kucha."