I Have Medicine

Chapter 544 - (Martial Arts Competition for Marriage) The Stalemate.

Gu Zuo couldn’t help but speculate in his heart: Could it be that this Wu Yingyuan does not have the Cuckoo Body, and the subtle details in the message received by the Blood Transformation Palace Master were just a coincidence?

This was not entirely impossible.

Then, Gu Zuo’s thoughts stirred, and his gaze shifted to another woman standing beside Wu Yingyuan.

This woman was merely fair-featured, appearing to be the complete opposite of Wu Yingyuan. She had a slim, even somewhat delicate figure, and her pair of watery eyes, glancing around, exuded a sense of gentleness.

Gu Zuo had previously wondered if the woman with the Cuckoo Body wasn’t Wu Yingyuan herself, but rather someone who appeared to be her maid—a person whom Wu Yingyuan deeply trusted. But after seeing this maid, he dismissed his own idea.

Not because of anything else, but because this woman looked to be in her twenties, yet her cultivation level was only in the Lian Xue Realm—meaning her physical quality was only slightly better than that of an ordinary person, let alone her aptitude. She didn’t match any of the traits of a woman with the Cuckoo Body!

So, Gu Zuo now felt even more perplexed.

The situation… had fallen into a deadlock.

Gu Zuo quickly regained his composure.

Whether it was Mu Baizhi, or the previous women he had known, except for the scheming Hua Lanruo, didn’t the people around them seem smart? None of them had noticed anything. This showed that they were all excellent at hiding their true selves, calculating while remaining calm, not revealing any flaws—only then could they be like this.

It was normal for him, a newcomer, not to notice anything at first, but he would be here for three years, so he should be able to think of a solution eventually.

For now, there was no need to rush.

—-

When Wu Zhenhuang saw his beloved daughter, he revealed a kind and sincere smile, one that was different from before.

When Wu Yingyuan saw her father, her heart filled with joy. Her bright smile was as radiant as the sun. With a leap like a streak of rainbow light, she gracefully landed before the group. “Father! Everyone, Yingyuan welcomes you!”

Behind her, the maid in a pale green ruqun moved deftly. Though not as swift as Wu Yingyuan, she loyally followed immediately, positioning herself behind her mistress. “Qing Wan greets the generals, the city lord, and all esteemed guests…”

Wu Zhenhuang waved dismissively, signaling that formalities were unnecessary. He then introduced Gongyi Tianheng, Gu Zuo, and several battle slaves standing behind them. Turning to Wu Yingyuan, he asked, “Yingyuan, now that the arena is ready, when will the competition begin?”

Wu Yingyuan showed no sign of shyness. She responded directly, “Just waiting for you to preside, Father.”

Wu Zhenhuang naturally gestured grandly. “Then let’s begin!”

Wu Yingyuan, ever composed, declared, “In that case, please, Father and the other officials, take your seats on the platform. The martial competition for the marriage proposal will commence shortly.”

Gongyi Tianheng offered a smile to Wu Yingyuan and said, “I extend my blessings. May Miss Wu find a worthy match.”

Wu Yingyuan replied, “Thank you for your kind words, Young Master!”

She then turned and led the group to the stone pavilion below. Before them, a towering martial arena rose swiftly. Four massive pillars pierced the skies, each forged from a peculiar, jet-black steel that exuded an ancient and solemn aura. This was no ordinary arena—it was an ancient Battle Platform steeped in history.

Such platforms could only be found in cities with a long-standing heritage. It was said that in the ancient era, the human race, under constant threat from myriad races, had fortified themselves by building cities. These cities were inscribed with countless runes to repel invaders. Yet, venturing outside the cities often led to ambushes. Unable to stay trapped forever, they created these Battle Platforms, where life-and-death combat served as a means of self-improvement.

Defeated fighters would continue honing their skills, while the victors, fueled by their bloodlust, would form elite war bands. These bands would carve a breach in the city walls, confront enemy factions, and hunt them down. The bodies of the slain enemies would then be dragged back to the Battle Platform, where they were cut into pieces, shared among the warriors and citizens to bolster their courage and stave off hunger.

Thanks to these Battle Platforms, even when the human race was besieged, few in number, and on the brink of despair, they never succumbed to fear. They survived through relentless battles, producing peerless warriors. Over time, their resilience secured the human race a place of respect and survival, freeing them from the fate of being mere prey.

Today, this historic Battle Platform would serve as the stage for Wu Yingyuan’s martial competition for marriage.

On one side of the Battle Platform, there were eighteen seats—once used in ancient times by “judges” of the Battle Platform. These judges were responsible for determining the outcomes of battles and ensuring that warriors did not truly lose their lives during deadly duels. As such, they needed to possess considerable strength, often surpassing that of the warriors fighting on the platform.

Wu Yingyuan, now twenty-two years old, had reached the entry-level stage of the Immortal Realm. Due to her participation in annual wars, she had accumulated immense strength, rivaling some elites from the Ten Ultimates Sect. In fact, her rigorous combat experience gave her an edge over many “flowers raised in a greenhouse” within the same realm.

Gu Zuo didn’t need to rely on his spiritual power to sense her strength. From his sharp intuition alone, he could tell that her hands had taken many lives—those lives, of course, belonged to the foreign races.

Under Wu Zhenhuang’s lead, Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng followed him to take seats among the judges’ positions, acting as honorary guests for the martial competition.

The eighteen seats were quickly filled within mere breaths. Those adjutants who failed to secure a spot displayed faint traces of regret, but they quickly took positions on the other side, glaring intently at the Battle Platform. It was as if they were eager to see which bold young men dared to challenge for the chance to “steal away” the beloved jewel of their Eight Desolations City!

Wu Yingyuan’s figure flickered like a crimson cloud as she landed gracefully at one side of the Battle Platform.

With that, she parted her lips and declared loudly, “Today, Yingyuan holds this martial competition to choose a husband. Any worthy man of the world who fancies Yingyuan need only face me in battle and remain undefeated to pass. However, I fight for the sake of the human race. While Yingyuan does not necessarily seek a heaven-shaking, earth-moving hero or a grand protector of humanity, I will never associate with anyone who is indifferent to our people or who treats ordinary humans as ants! Let such scoundrels refrain from stepping onto this platform, for if I see such a person, I will engage in a life-and-death battle—not for marriage, but to eliminate a threat!”

As her words fell, cheers erupted from the crowd below the platform.

“Well said!”

Another voice shouted, “Lady Yingyuan is truly bold! We, too, fight for humanity and will never stand with despicable villains!”

Of course, someone in the crowd laughed and asked, “What if there are many men who fight Yingyuan and remain undefeated? Who will Yingyuan marry then?”

Wu Yingyuan replied cheerfully, “Then let the worthy men battle each other and determine a victor! If I am to marry, it will naturally be to the strongest one!”

Her words were so candid and straightforward that, under normal circumstances, they might have come across as unappealing. But Wu Yingyuan’s forthrightness, coupled with her resolute tone, captivated the crowd. All eyes were drawn to her with admiration—there was no hint of disdain, nor any trace of displeasure.

Afterward, Wu Yingyuan turned around, her expression solemn. With the crimson mark on her brow adding to her striking appearance, she radiated an almost dazzling brilliance as she declared, “Which hero is willing to step forward first?”

No sooner had she spoken than three or four men simultaneously leapt forward.

Their speed was as quick as lightning, but one of them proved to be even faster, landing on the Battle Platform before the others. The platform’s rules were then triggered, forcing the remaining challengers to retreat, disappointed at losing their chance to fight in the opening round.

The man who stepped forward was burly, not particularly handsome, but his face exuded a rugged boldness, and his clear, straightforward eyes made it clear he wasn’t one for scheming. Bowing with clasped fists toward Wu Yingyuan, he said, with a trace of admiration in his gaze, “My name is Xing Wu. Please, Lady Yingyuan, make your move!”

Wu Yingyuan didn’t show any sign of disapproval toward his lack of good looks. Instead, she returned the gesture with a polite bow and said, “Please!”

In the next instant, a streak of black light flashed as Wu Yingyuan wielded her twin halberds. Her slender figure twisted, transforming into a streak of red lightning that shot toward her opponent with blinding speed.

Xing Wu, not one to go easy on someone he admired, retaliated with a short whip. In the blink of an eye, the whip lashed out over ten times, creating a flurry of light to block Wu Yingyuan’s halberds. At the same time, he struck out with his palm, aiming directly at Wu Yingyuan’s abdomen. The strike carried immense power, and if it landed, it would surely leave her with internal injuries.

But Wu Yingyuan’s reaction was swift. Her figure spun midair like a whirlwind, using the momentum to evade the attack entirely. As she slid out of harm’s way, her twin halberds crossed, producing a peculiar clanging noise.

The sound wasn’t loud, but for some reason, when it reached Xing Wu’s ears, it became unbearably piercing, momentarily throwing him off guard. In that brief instant of hesitation, Wu Yingyuan spun her twin halberds again, striking him on both sides!

Xing Wu staggered backward repeatedly, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Wu Yingyuan came to a graceful stop, halberds withdrawn, clasping her fists as she said, “Brother Xing, thank you for letting me win!”

Xing Wu, ever straightforward, replied, “As expected of a valiant general. I concede!”

With that, he decisively left the Battle Platform without hesitation.

This match further solidified Wu Yingyuan’s abilities in Guo Zuo’s eyes. However, among the people of Eight Desolations City present, no one appeared particularly surprised by her victory.

After all, Wu Yingyuan was renowned for her prowess. Her strength was honed entirely through countless battles on the battlefield. Every move she made was a killing strike, leaving ordinary men no chance against her. She was a rare combination of talent and charm, both cultured and skilled in combat, her appearance and abilities extraordinary. How could she not inspire admiration?

The warriors gathered here were not like those who sought ordinary women for their beauty or wealth in typical marriage contests. Instead, they were drawn to her character and achievements.

Guo Zuo couldn’t help but think to himself: ‘She doesn’t need to feign allure or put on airs to attract the admiration of countless warriors. Wu Yingyuan truly bears no resemblance to Mu Baizhi at all.’

Meanwhile, Wu Yingyuan stood tall on the platform, inviting the next challenger.

As expected, several men surged forward at once. Yet, as before, only one managed to reach the platform first. Even so, this warrior also failed to last more than a few rounds against Wu Yingyuan before conceding and stepping aside for the next contender.

One challenger after another faced her, and Wu Yingyuan continued to emerge victorious each time. Every strike she made was decisive and brimming with killing intent.

As Guo Zuo watched her, he suddenly felt a peculiar sense that the crimson mark on her brow seemed to shine even brighter, its intensity growing with each match.