I Have Medicine

Chapter 552 - (The outcome is already determined) Madness and the State of Mind.

Inside the room, the couple spent the better part of the night together before finally parting ways, yet they lingered, reluctant to separate, exchanging sweet words and tender whispers.

Qing Wan suddenly wore a worried expression. “Brother Ge, there are three winners today. What if the lady chooses someone else? What should we do then?”

Ge Shijing, still basking in satisfaction, gave her a playful squeeze and lazily replied, “What’s there to fear? We’ll just make sure the other two don’t dare to harbor any thoughts.”

Qing Wan’s beautiful eyes lit up. “Brother Ge, you’re indeed brave. With your reassurance, I’m no longer afraid.” She added with a touch of concern, “But, Brother Ge, I heard those two gentlemen are quite formidable. You must be careful…”

Ge Shijing dismissed her worries. “I have a trump card. There’s nothing to fear. With my bronze-ranked foundation, how can mere iron-ranked opponents pose a threat? Don’t worry, I’ll marry your lady soon enough.”

Afterward, Qing Wan spent more time in his embrace before reluctantly pulling away as dawn approached. With lingering affection, she left the room, turning back with every step.

Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng suppressed their presence even more, watching Qing Wan leave. Inside, Ge Shijing adjusted his robe and licked his lips. “What a fiery woman! I wonder what kind of allure Miss Wu has in bed?”

Gu Zuo remained silent.

He had just spoken about Miss Wu, and now this… It seems men’s words in bed are never to be trusted.

After tidying up the room slightly, Ge Shijing sprawled on the bed for a nap, knowing he would need to head out soon.

Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng didn’t linger either. They swiftly returned to their own quarters like a gust of wind.

Once they shed their black cloaks, Gu Zuo let out a sigh of relief.

The two exchanged a glance and shook their heads, smiling.

They had eavesdropped the whole night. Though they gathered information, it had been quite an experience…

An hour later, dawn broke.

Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng joined the city lord’s entourage and headed to the battle stage.

Sun Ziwen and the other two didn’t accompany the city lord, much to Gu Zuo’s relief. Otherwise, he couldn’t be sure if he could keep a straight face when facing Ge Shijing.

However, Gu Zuo still cast a discreet glance at Qing Wan.

She appeared as “frail yet resilient” as always, her eyes full of loyalty when looking at Wu Yingyuan. Nothing about her hinted that she was a bold and passionate woman in the privacy of the night.

What puzzled Gu Zuo even more was that despite the intimate acts Qing Wan had shared with Ge Shijing the previous night, her demeanor still seemed innocent, as if she hadn’t been defiled. This was indeed another point of suspicion.

Soon, the city lord’s group arrived at the battle stage.

On this final day of the martial competition for marriage, the crowd was larger than ever, with the city’s citizens deeply invested in the fate of their female warrior, Wu Yingyuan.

Sun Ziwen and the other two stood on the opposite side, their gazes flickering with different thoughts.

Meanwhile, Wu Yingyuan stepped onto the stage and, as she had done the previous two days, cupped her fists and declared, “Please give me your guidance!”

Though three contenders had already emerged victorious yesterday, challengers still stepped forward today.

However, none of these young strongmen who were dissatisfied with the three winners could defeat Wu Yingyuan. Naturally, they had no choice but to acknowledge the strength of the three who triumphed the day before.

Six hours later, no one else stepped onto the stage.

Thus, Wu Zhenhuang walked up to the platform and stood beside Wu Yingyuan. “Since no one else has come to challenge, my daughter will marry one of the three gentlemen who won yesterday. Before nightfall, if anyone else arrives, they may challenge the person my daughter ultimately chooses. If no one comes, then at nightfall, she will be engaged, and the wedding will take place three days later.”

This arrangement by the city lord was quite thorough. It wouldn’t be fair to dismiss the three who had already passed the trials just to wait for other potential suitors who might or might not arrive. Hence, selecting someone first and then waiting seemed more appropriate.

Turning to Wu Yingyuan, Wu Zhenhuang asked, “Yingyuan, which gentleman do you favor?”

Wu Yingyuan’s gaze quickly swept over Sun Ziwen and the other two. Her eyes lingered on Chang Heyue for a brief moment before she spoke. “After the competition, I still wish to ask what plans the three gentlemen have.”

Chang Heyue responded first, “I have come with sincerity. If I can marry Miss Wu, I will remain faithful for life. I hope Miss Wu will agree to marry me, and I will never let you down.”

Sun Ziwen smiled, “Naturally, I hope to marry Miss Wu and share a life together, with martial arts accompanying us.”

Ge Shijing then said, “I have deep affection for Miss Wu and will cherish you deeply. I ask Miss Wu to accept my heart.”

Hearing their responses, Wu Yingyuan slowly nodded. “Since all three gentlemen are outstanding, how could I, being unworthy, dare to be choosy? However, during the competition, Chang Heyue’s fighting spirit was overwhelming, and I gained much from it. I wish to spar with him regularly to improve.”

Her words, though tactful, clearly indicated her choice of Chang Heyue as her future husband.

Upon hearing this, even the usually composed Chang Heyue couldn’t hide his joy, while Ge Shijing’s gaze turned dark.

Sun Ziwen sighed, “A gentleman helps others achieve their wishes. Since Miss Wu has chosen someone, I sincerely wish you happiness and a loving marriage.”

Wu Yingyuan’s eyes softened, and a faint blush quickly flashed across her face. “Thank you, Young Master Sun.”

Chang Heyue stepped forward, intending to stand beside Wu Yingyuan, but Ge Shijing quickly blocked his way.

Chang Heyue, unafraid, looked at him calmly.

Ge Shijing sneered, “I also have sincere feelings for Miss Wu and can’t bear to see her spend her life with someone weaker. I challenge Chang Heyue now. If I lose, I will say no more. But if I win, I hope Miss Wu will reconsider your decision.” He taunted, “Brother Changhe, you’re not afraid, are you?”

Wu Yingyuan frowned slightly and looked at Wu Zhenhuang.

Wu Zhenhuang nodded slightly.

Wu Yingyuan then looked at Chang Heyue.

Chang Heyue did not disappoint Wu Yingyuan, nodding as he said, “Since I wish to marry the lady fairly, I naturally accept all challenges. I’ve long heard of Brother Ge’s abilities and look forward to this battle today.”

Ge Shijing’s gaze grew colder. “Then let’s fight on the dueling platform.”

Chang Heyue swept his hand. “Of course. Please!”

Immediately, Wu Yingyuan moved to one side of the dueling platform, leaving the combat area, while Ge Shijing and Chang Heyue both leaped up, standing on opposite sides of the platform.

One wielded a bronze staff, the other held a dark spear. Without any more words, they clashed fiercely, their powerful auras colliding violently!

On the dueling platform, shadows of the staff and gusts of wind from the spear filled the air. The intense collisions unleashed tremendous energy, which echoed like thunder and wind, leaving the spectators in awe.

Looking at the two combatants, their figures were almost indistinguishable. One seemed as valiant as a Vajra, while the other appeared as formidable as a fierce deity, both unleashing terrifying power!

Gu Zuo, watching from the side, couldn’t help but praise, “These two are quite skilled.”

Gongyi Tianheng nodded slightly. “They excel in ‘fierceness.'”

Having participated in the Prodigy Monument battle, ordinary fights hardly impressed them. The strength and foundation of the prodigy participants far surpassed those of elite geniuses. Thus, while the battles might seem high-level to others, to them, it was merely the fighting spirit that occasionally caught their attention.

In their eyes, Chang Heyue and Ge Shijing were stronger than ordinary elite geniuses but not impressive enough to warrant special attention. However, Chang Heyue’s fighting spirit, akin to Wu Yingyuan’s, grew fiercer as the battle progressed, which they appreciated more than Ge Shijing’s viciousness. Still, judging from Ge Shijing’s words the previous night, he seemed confident in having a trump card that would easily subdue Chang Heyue.

Yet, Gu Zuo wasn’t worried.

If Chang Heyue lost to Ge Shijing, Wu Zhenhuang might have a hard time dealing with it. But since Wu Yingyuan and Chang Heyue were mutually interested, and Qing Wan, who was entangled with Ge Shijing, seemed suspicious, even if Ge Shijing won, they could step in and mediate for the couple.

It would be a good deed for the day.

Just as he was thinking about this, Ge Shijing indeed made his move.

He summoned a token-like object, which unleashed a powerful aura that enveloped him, causing his momentum to surge continuously! Although both Chang Heyue and Ge Shijing were at the Immortal Realm, Ge Shijing suddenly ascended to the peak of the realm! Given that both were of similar elite levels, one surpassing the other by an entire realm explained Ge Shijing’s confidence.

Gu Zuo frowned slightly. “Martial intent?”

Gongyi Tianheng nodded slightly. “The aura released from the token indeed contains martial intent. However, this intent doesn’t belong to Ge Shijing himself; it’s an augmentation from someone else. Therefore, it won’t contaminate his own intent but rather elevate his level under its influence.”

Gu Zuo commented, “This enhancement should be temporary.”

Gongyi Tianheng mused briefly. “Judging by the strength of that intent, it should last about an hour.”

Gu Zuo couldn’t help but feel concerned for Chang Heyue.

If that were the case, he had to hold out for an hour.

Wu Yingyuan and the others also noticed Ge Shijing’s transformation, their expressions changing slightly. Yet, given the critical moment of the battle, they couldn’t intervene.

Thus, Ge Shijing displayed a grim smile, raised his spear with full strength, and quickly pressed toward Chang Heyue!

Chang Heyue was struck by this spear, coughing up blood suddenly.

Then, a massive fighting spirit surged around him, his eyes turning red. “Do you think you’re the only one with a trump card?” With a loud shout, he roared, “Mad Demon Eighteen Staffs, take this!”

In the next moment, Chang Heyue seemed to enter a berserk state, launching a frenzied attack on Ge Shijing. Each strike of his staff doubled in strength and speed!

Ge Shijing had never expected Chang Heyue to have such a hidden trump card. His eyes also turned wild, and he brandished his spear, tearing through the air, engaging in an intense battle with Chang Heyue despite the overwhelming shadows of the staff!

The intensity of their fight doubled compared to before.

Gu Zuo discerned Chang Heyue’s situation. “By pushing his potential to unleash the Mad Demon Eighteen Staffs, he can only hold out for a little less than an hour. If he can’t defeat Ge Shijing within that time and Ge Shijing lasts longer, then the victor will be Ge Shijing.”

Gongyi Tianheng chuckled. “However, it seems Ge Shijing won’t be able to win.”

Indeed, Chang Heyue’s berserk state was self-induced, while Ge Shijing’s level boost relied on external force, which wouldn’t last long. Chang Heyue had better control.

As they predicted, about a quarter of an hour later, Chang Heyue’s frenzied staff strikes ultimately drove Ge Shijing into the ground. With a final sweeping blow, he sent Ge Shijing flying off the platform!

The victor: Chang Heyue!