Chapter 214 - 213: The Year-End Martial Arts Tournament

Chapter 214: Chapter 213: The Year-End Martial Arts Tournament

The martial arts arena of the Vermilion Sword Hall was lighted in the morning sunlight, the clanging of wooden swords and the clatter of boots echoed through the spacious courtyard.

Students in red-trimmed robes chatted in small groups during their break, discussing martial arts techniques, spiritual root cultivation, and the upcoming assessment.

Li Zhang stood beside the stone weapon rack, arms outstretched. He possessed immense natural strength; simple warm-up exercises were child’s play for him, but Instructor Zhuang never tolerated laziness, so he had to do the warm-up with everyone else. Just as Li Zhang reached for a heavy wooden sword, a dark shadow landed on the stone slab in front of him.

He turned around, his brow immediately furrowed when he saw the owner of the shadow. Standing a few steps away was Chen Liwei.

"What do you want?" Li Zhang asked warily, as he crossed his arms. Every time he encountered Chen Liwei, he would always be sarcastic, offered a fake smile, or deliberately provoked. This kid seemed to relentlessly provoke others until they lost their temper.

However, Chen Liwei’s face lacked its usual smug smile; instead, it appeared unusually normal. Even stranger, he cupped his hands in a respectful bow. His posture was formal and deferential.

"I’m here to see you, Li Zhang," Chen Liwei said calmly.

Li Zhang narrowed his eyes, a hint of suspicion flashing within them. He took a half-step back, scanning Chen Liwei from head to toe, as if wary of some hidden weapon or a surprise attack: "Did you take the wrong medicine this morning? Or are you trying to take advantage of my blind spot and play a trick on me?"

Chen Liwei raised his hands, making a harmless gesture, he said: "Do I look like a troublemaker?"

Even himself felt that answer wasn’t convincing enough. He sighs and continues: "I realize our previous meetings left you with a bad impression. We’re classmates, but every meeting ends in friction. That was my fault. I’m here to apologize."

Li Zhang froze, blinking in disbelief: "Apologize? You?"

"Yes," Chen Liwei said, his tone was unbelievably sincere: "Let’s start afresh. I am Chen Liwei, and also a disciple of the Zhu Jian Hall. It’s a pleasure to formally meet you, Li Zhang. Do you want to be friends?"

Li Zhang stared at him for a while, scratching his chin in confusion: "Alright, out with it. What exactly are you planning? No one completely changes their personality during a break. What kind of plan is this?"

Chen Liwei sighed softly, a hint of pleasure still on his face. He pulled a brand-new, gold-embossed invitation from his inner robe, sealed with a deep red wax seal.

Chen Liwei said, handing the invitation to Li Zhang: "This is a ticket to the year-end martial arts tournament, held in the central martial arts arena of the city. It’s a top-tier event held only once a year at the end of the year, gathering top martial artists and rising stars from various sects and academies."

Li Zhang took the golden ticket, his eyes widening slightly as he carefully examined the intricate array around its edge. The year-end martial arts competition is renowned in South River City, and tickets are always hard to come by, usually only obtainable by prestigious families and cultivators of high status. The ancestor should have a few, but he wouldn’t give it to them, the fourth generation.

"Where did you get these?" Li Zhang looked up and asked.

Chen Liwei explained calmly: "My family got a pair, I had an extra ticket and wanted to invite someone to come along. Unfortunately... looking around, I realized you’re my only friend."

Li Zhang snorted, a smile dispelling his doubts: "Your only friend? Hmph, that’s all your own fault! You talk to everyone like you’re playing chess, treating them all like pawns. Who would want to hang out with someone like that!"

Chen Liwei didn’t refute, only smiled slightly, with a hint of self-deprecation in his eyes: "Maybe you’re right. So... will you accept the invitation?"

Li Zhang looked down at the gleaming gold token in his hand. Watching a martial arts duel with so many masters was something he absolutely wouldn’t miss. And, despite Chen Liwei’s somewhat annoying personality, a free ticket to the competition was simply too tempting; he couldn’t refuse.

"Alright," Li Zhang said, carefully placing the token into his storage bag: "I’ll go with you. But if you try anything funny again, I’ll teach you a lesson this time."

"If you can really do that, then so be it," Chen Liwei bowed slightly, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes, before turning and leaving.

Li Zhang watched him leave, feeling quite pleased with himself. However, he was unaware of the true intentions behind Chen Liwei’s sudden act of kindness.

Chen Liwei had never forgotten his conversation with Li Yujian at the banquet. The eldest brother of the Li brothers was like a cold, towering mountain, unbreakable, sharp and charismatic, exuding a deep and ethereal charm that captivated Chen Liwei. From that night on, Chen Liwei was determined to understand Li Yujian, to pierce through his mask of calm restraint.

And the simplest and most direct way to approach Li Yujian was through his loud, and straightforward younger brother, Li Zhang.

...

That evening, after school, the Li family gathered in the courtyard for dinner.

The air was filled with the aroma of fresh spiritual dishes. Li Jain had personally prepared a luxurious meal: braised spiritual meat, stir-fried veggies, and steaming fragrant rice. The seven brothers sat around the large wooden table, chatting and laughing, while Li Jain served them the dishes.

"Father!" Li Zhang exclaimed excitedly while eating rice: "Guess what? A classmate invited me to watch the year-end martial arts tournament this weekend!"

Li Jain paused, placing a plate of steamed fish in the center of the table. His face lit up with surprise: "Really, Zhang’er? Your classmate invited you?"

"Yes! He gave me a special gold token during recess today!" Li Zhang said proudly.

"That’s wonderful!" Li Jain said. In the past, he always worried that his sons were either too lonely or over-trained. Seeing Li Zhang make true friends outside the family, he felt much more at ease: "Who is this classmate? What’s his name?"

"Chen Liwei," Li Zhang answered casually.

Hearing this name, Li Yujian, who was quietly picking at his food with chopsticks, paused slightly. His deep gaze slowly rose and landed on Li Zhang across the table.

Sitting next to Li Yujian, Li Yuhan chuckled softly: "Chen Liwei? Isn’t that the guy who tried to be clever with Jian Ge at the banquet?"

"Yes, that annoying Chen Liwei!" Li Zhang snorted: "But today he suddenly apologized to me and even gave me his ticket, saying he has no other friends. I told him he brought this on himself, but a ticket is a ticket! It seems he wants to change his ways."

Li Yujian was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. He knew Chen Liwei’s character better than Li Zhang, although they only met once. A boy as calculative and arrogant as Chen Liwei wouldn’t lower himself to give a gift for no reason. But seeing Li Zhang’s excited expression, Li Yujian still didn’t want to spoil his younger brother’s good mood.

"If Father agrees, you may go. It will be a good experience." Li Yujian said calmly: "Remember to behave properly and be careful."

"Of course, brother!" Li Zhang grinned.

Li Jie’en patted Li Zhang’s head affectionately: "Zhang’er, go have fun, spend more time with your friends. Tell me how your fun went when you returned."

Li Zhang nodded excitedly: "Yes, father."

...

The weekend arrived quickly.

Saturday morning, an antique, dark-colored carriage pulled by two spirit beasts pulled up in front of the Li family mansion.

Li Zhang, dressed in a brightly colored outfit, was already waiting at the gate. Li Yujian stood beside him, accompanying his younger brother to see him off.

The carriage door opened, and Chen Liwei stepped out, accompanied by a cousin who looked remarkably like him. This cousin was responsible for escorting them for the day.

Chen Liwei was dressed in an elegant dark blue robe today, exuding the air of a young master. His gaze fell on the figure beside Li Zhang, and a barely cancel interest flashed in his eyes.

"Li Zhang," Chen Liwei greeted him, stepping forward. Then, he turned to Li Yujian, bowing respectfully: "Young Master Li Yujian, it’s an honor to see you again."

Li Yujian stood in the morning breeze, his hands casually clasped behind his back. His deep eyes were as still as deep water, devoid of any emotion.

"Young Master Chen," Li Yujian responded softly, his tone cold and distant.

"Would you mind if I accompanied Li Zhang today?" Chen Liwei smiled, taking a slight step forward, attempting to strike up a conversation: "The martial arts competition will surely broaden your horizons. Next time, if Young Master Li is interested, would you be willing to attend as well?"

Li Yujian looked at him calmly, his face expressionless. "Li Zhang enjoys sparring; I don’t need to be present."

Chen Liwei’s smile stiffened slightly at this cold response, but he still tentatively said, "Is that so? I remember what we said at the banquet. I’ve thought it through carefully and considered it seriously."

Li Yujian nodded: "That’s good. Have a safe journey."

He didn’t say another word, nor did he show the slightest curiosity, or annoyance. He stood there like an untouchable shadow, completely unaffected by Chen Liwei’s carefully crafted charm.

Li Zhang, standing to the side, watched with great interest. Seeing the usually glib Chen Liwei utterly speechless in front of his brother was the most amusing scene he had witnessed all week. Well, except for his aunt and father running from the ancestor.

Chen Liwei was finally reaping the bitter fruit of his own actions!

"Alright, alright, stop talking!" Li Zhang grinned, slapping Chen Liwei’s shoulder so hard, he almost knocked him off balance: "Let’s hurry up and get going, lest the best spots be taken! See you later, brother!"

"Be careful," Li Yujian said calmly, watching them board the carriage.

The carriage slowly drove away.