"Is that something you can decide?"
Jiang Jue turned around, his gaze calm and indifferent as he looked at Long Aotian, his voice soft but tinged with doubt.
"Two years from now, we'll have a duel. If I lose, I'll personally step down as Young Sect Master. You should know, within the entire Body Sect, I'm the only one qualified to compete with you…"
"If I'm gone, the Young Sect Master position will naturally be yours."
Jiang Jue raised his eyebrows, surprise flashing across his eyes. He hadn't expected Long Aotian to suddenly regain his senses at a time like this.
He had just questioned him to push him into saying it outright.
"Two years, then. I'll accept your challenge," Jiang Jue said lightly. "But you should understand — in literature there's no first place, in martial arts there's no second."
In the previous fight, it had been Long Aotian who struck first, so his own counterattack was simply self-defense. The wager and challenge were also initiated by Long Aotian, leaving Jiang Jue blameless in every respect.
No matter how others might speculate later, no one could accuse him of starting it — and besides, even in Du Bushi's eyes, Jiang Jue might already stand above Long Aotian.
Now, all he needed to do was wait for his moment to bloom.
Two years — not long at all.
By then, when he claimed the title of Young Sect Master, others would naturally defend his right to it.
"Good! It's a deal!"
Long Aotian swallowed a mouthful of blood and replied, his eyes flickering with determination.
"Brother Long," Weina said softly, looking at him with complicated eyes, "shouldn't you find a healing-type soul master to treat your wounds?"
"Heh, just a few… small injuries. I'll be fine in a few days."
Long Aotian forced a grin, enduring the pain. A man couldn't say he couldn't handle it.
With that, he turned and left, though his steps were clearly unsteady.
Just as he was about to walk away completely, he suddenly heard Weina's voice behind him.
"Jiang Jue, are you alright? Do you want me to help you recover?"
Long Aotian froze for a split second, then walked even faster.
He was the one who got beaten up, yet Jiang Jue—who didn't even have a scratch, except maybe sore knuckles from punching him—was the one Weina worried about?!
And only now did Long Aotian realize—Weina herself was a healing-type soul master…
"Pain!"
"It hurts too much!!"
Behind a nearby building, a burly man watched Long Aotian limp away and rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"My nephew… your second uncle didn't expect that Jiang Jue could defeat you in just three moves, without you even managing a counterattack."
The man shook his head with a bitter smile. This was none other than Long Aotian's second uncle — Dragon Arm Douluo.
"But that's how it's always been for the position of Young Sect Master."
Within the Body Sect, relations among members were generally cordial, but competition for the Young Sect Master position was fierce. After all, it was practically the stepping stone to becoming the next Sect Master — one of the three supreme powers of the entire continent.
With such a tempting prize, how many could truly keep their hearts pure?
"This might actually be for the best," Dragon Arm Douluo muttered. "If Aotian can step down gracefully, it's better than being forced out later and losing all dignity."
He understood clearly — if Long Aotian didn't yield the position with honor, someone else would make him yield.
"Aotian, your second uncle only wants what's best for you. Some things can't be achieved just by a young man's hot-blooded courage."
Dragon Arm Douluo sighed inwardly, his expression softening.
"Xiao Bi, what are you doing here?"
A voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
Dragon Arm Douluo froze in shock and spun around. Despite his strength as a Titled Douluo, he hadn't sensed anyone's presence!
"Elder Jin—you're here too."
He turned and saw Jin Peng, smiling gently at him.
"Have you eaten yet?"
Dragon Arm Douluo rubbed his head awkwardly, glancing at the rising sun with an embarrassed grin.
"Heh… of course I've eaten."
"But I suppose you haven't," Jin Peng said mildly. "You've been standing here since morning, haven't you?"
Dragon Arm Douluo's face tightened. Just as he was about to speak, Jin Peng waved a hand to cut him off.
"Enough. I don't care whether you've eaten—or what you're doing here. I'm only here to remind you of one thing."
"In this sect, the affairs of the younger generation should stay with the younger generation. That's an unchanging rule—and the Sect Master's own decree."
"Whatever happens should be done openly. Don't act like some sewer rat, crawling around doing filthy tricks."
"Wouldn't you agree… Xiao Bi?"
Jin Peng's voice remained calm and smiling, but Dragon Arm Douluo's heart turned cold. He knew that Jin Peng's smile was never a real one.
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right," Dragon Arm Douluo said quickly. "I hate rats too."
"As long as you understand."
Jin Peng nodded slightly. Then he added,
"Well then—Aotian's in that state, and you're still standing here? Go see him. Remember, the boy isn't bad. Guide him properly."
"I'll go right away, right away!"
Dragon Arm Douluo nodded rapidly and hurried off in the direction Long Aotian had gone.
Jin Peng watched him leave, eyes narrowing slightly as he muttered under his breath,
"I hope you understand what I meant. Otherwise… I'll make sure my fists teach you that lesson."
He exhaled slowly, his gaze thoughtful.
"I really underestimated Jiang Jue's talent and combat ability. To think he's three levels lower than Aotian yet crushed him completely—and without even using his Martial Soul. His future will definitely outshine an entire generation."
His tone shifted coldly.
"As for that Weina girl… no. She won't do."
With that, Jin Peng's figure flickered—and he vanished from sight.
Meanwhile, after Long Aotian left—
Weina turned to Jiang Jue and said gently, "Jiang Jue, shall we go inside and talk?"
Jiang Jue's mood was excellent. He hadn't expected that, so early in the morning, someone would come gift him such a pleasant surprise.
Not only did he get a warm-up fight, but one major problem for his future had just been solved for him.
"Sure, let's go inside."
He nodded lightly.
Just as the two were about to enter the cabin, a voice rang out.
"Xiao Jiang! Didn't you promise old me that we'd be training the body together today? What are you still doing here?"
"Elder Jin!"
Jiang Jue and Weina turned around at once, greeting the newcomer in unison.
It was, of course, Jin Peng.
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered slightly. He didn't remember ever making such an appointment—but he could feel that Jin Peng's attitude toward him had changed.
Yesterday, Jin Peng had called him "Young Friend Jiang."Today, it was simply "Little Jiang."
Then Jin Peng turned to Weina with a kind smile.
"Weina, you're here too? Do you and Jiang Jue have something to discuss?"
At that, Jiang Jue instantly understood what was going on. He couldn't help but admire him inwardly.
Now that's a true veteran actor.
"Sorry, Weina," Jiang Jue said apologetically, "I completely forgot about my appointment with Elder Jin. Let's talk another time."
Jin Peng nodded in satisfaction, smiling approvingly.
Good boy, his eyes seemed to say. You know how to play along.
(End of Chapter)