Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Gamble Continues

Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Gamble Continues

Lei Biao flashed his curved blade, a sinister grin spreading across his face, and suddenly unleashed eight strikes in a burst of lightning speed.

Wang Zhongtian’s eyes could barely follow; all he could do was desperately leap backwards to avoid the onslaught.

In that split second, the spectators held their breaths, hearts pounding—if Lei Biao landed even a single blow, tendons would be severed and bones shattered for sure.

Murong Lingfeng smirked triumphantly. “Ying’er, what did I tell you? Lei Biao is far stronger than Wang Zhongtian…”

But just as the word “stronger” left his lips, Lei Biao’s left foot tripped over his right, and he went sprawling face-first onto the ground—a perfect pratfall.

The crowd gasped in shock. The referee stepped forward, examined him, and announced, “Lei Biao is unconscious.”

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Seriously?!”

“I can’t believe I put my faith in you!”

Ye Ying’er and those in the back row were left speechless, while Ye Rulong and Ye Xingzu only grew more impressed with Shi Bai.

Only Murong Lingfeng’s face turned ashen, as if someone had stolen his bride.

Shi Bai gave a faint smile. “Lucky I didn’t take your bet, or else…”

“Don’t get cocky!” Murong Lingfeng roared. “You just got lucky! If you have the guts, bet on the next round!”

“Exactly!” Those in the back row were unconvinced. “Lei Biao obviously slipped up just now—it doesn’t count!”

Ye Ying’er nodded as well, murmuring, “That must be it…”

Shi Bai laughed heartily. “Why shouldn’t it count? You lot are real sore losers—what an excuse!”

“You…!”

A few raised their fists, but Shi Bai was, after all, of the Ye family. They had to show some restraint, so they gritted their teeth and held back.

“Hey kid, interested in a bet with us?”

Shi Bai turned to glance at a sharp-browed young man behind him, and grinned. “What’s the wager?”

The youth replied, “Whoever loses has to call the other ‘Grandpa!’”

Shi Bai paused. “All three of you?”

“All three of us!”

“Get lost!” Shi Bai spun away at once. “Trying to become my grandsons? Dream on!”

“You…!”

Ye Ying’er was about to lose her temper again.

Just then, Murong Lingfeng said, “I’ll bet with you! Let’s wager on that ring this round!”

Everyone looked in the direction he pointed and saw the fourth ring, where two contestants stood.

On the left was Lü Xiaosan; on the right, Zhang Tiedan.

Shi Bai didn’t know either, but he did recall Lü Xiaosan’s abilities—he was the first to test his inner strength, which amounted to only five years.

Murong Lingfeng let out a cold laugh. “This round, I bet on Zhang Tiedan to win!”

Shi Bai sneered inwardly, cursing Murong Lingfeng’s shamelessness. Anyone could see Zhang Tiedan would win; every other contestant’s skills far surpassed Lü Xiaosan’s.

Ye Ying’er thought the wager pointless as well—there was no suspense, and thus, no real gamble.

But the trio in the back row grew excited, as if they’d found leverage over Shi Bai, waving their arms. “Right! We’ll also bet on Zhang Tiedan!”

Ye Xingzu frowned slightly. He trusted Shi Bai’s abilities, but these boys were playing dirty. He was about to scold them when Shi Bai spoke up.

“Alright, I’ll bet on Lü Xiaosan to win.”

Ye Ying’er, Ye Xingzu, and Ye Rulong all looked at Shi Bai in shock.

“What is he thinking?”

Murong Lingfeng and the trio burst out laughing. “You said it yourself?”

“I did,” Shi Bai replied.

“If you lose, you’re our grandson!” the sharp-browed youth declared.

Shi Bai shook his head, helpless. “Fine, since you insist so much, I’ll accept.”

The young man snorted. “Good! Let’s watch the match!”

The bout had already begun. Zhang Tiedan had trained in hard external skills and his inner strength reached ten years. Though not yet fully mastered, he was formidable enough that ordinary weapons barely fazed him.

Lü Xiaosan, on the other hand, practiced a boxing style. But he was thin and weak, with little inner strength—his punches on Zhang Tiedan were like a girl’s gentle taps on her lover’s chest, entirely powerless.

The trio in the back row grinned broadly. “We’ve got this in the bag!”

Murong Lingfeng smirked confidently at Shi Bai.

Zhang Tiedan, growing more cocky, realized Lü Xiaosan posed no threat. He stood his ground and pounded his chest. “Come on! I won’t move. Hit me with your best shot—let’s see what you’ve got!”

The trio burst out laughing. “Look how confident he is!”

“Exactly! Even standing still, Lü Xiaosan can’t beat him!”

Lü Xiaosan was startled. He’d never liked violence; only his family’s insistence had forced him to practice martial arts. In truth, he preferred caring for animals, hoping to become a veterinarian—playing with adorable creatures and healing them was, to him, the greatest meaning in life.

And so, at nearly twenty, he’d only cultivated five years of inner strength and never once fought for real—he was too afraid of hurting anyone.

Yet now, such a gentle soul stood facing Zhang Tiedan, who insisted he throw a punch.

Lü Xiaosan hesitated. He’d rather keep sparring than do this. But with no choice, he finally let out a feeble punch.

It was as soft as a young girl’s tender tap—a punch of his own invention, with less than a tenth of his actual strength.

But that meager amount of force sent Zhang Tiedan flying out of the ring.

Like a fat-headed fish tracing a long arc, he crashed to the ground with a thunderous thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The arena fell into dead silence.

Even Lü Xiaosan was stunned.

“What on earth just happened?”

“Lü Xiaosan is that strong?”

“He’s been hiding his strength all along!”

Lü Xiaosan stared at his own fist, incredulous.

Murong Lingfeng and the trio were equally dumbfounded, staring at Lü Xiaosan as if they’d seen a ghost.

Ye Ying’er, Ye Xingzu, and Ye Rulong, meanwhile, cast curious glances at Shi Bai. Only they knew this must be his doing.

From the start, Lei Biao’s blunder was suspicious—no one believed someone with over a decade of training would trip over his own feet.

Lü Xiaosan’s feat was even more outrageous; there was no reason for him to send Zhang Tiedan flying with a single punch.

There had to be some mysterious force at play, and it could only be Shi Bai.

With that realization, Shi Bai’s standing in their hearts soared yet again.

But Shi Bai merely smiled faintly and turned his head. “You three…”

The trio instantly sprang to their feet and scurried off.

Shi Bai scoffed. “Pathetic.” Then he looked at Murong Lingfeng. “If I recall, you made a bet with me as well?”

Ye Ying’er and her two grandfathers all looked at Murong Lingfeng.

His lips twitched. He abruptly stood, said nothing, and strode out.

Shi Bai couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. “Now that’s guts! When you say ‘scram,’ you really mean it. I admire that.”

[Given today’s special circumstances, only one chapter will be updated.]