Chapter 209 - 108: You Dare to Bully My Grandson-in-Law?

Chapter 209: Chapter 108: You Dare to Bully My Grandson-in-Law?

Even Zhu Li couldn’t do it.

’I have to find a chance to trade with Zhao Qian tonight, but how can I cook up a story to make the deal seem legitimate?’

Zhu Li grumbled in frustration, "Honestly, that Luotang... I’ve written her so many letters, and she hasn’t replied to a single one. I..."

"It doesn’t matter! Let’s not drag the Kan Family into this."

Zhao Ci smiled and turned his gaze to the Martial Arts Arena, his mind racing to come up with a plan.

’If all else fails, I’ll just use the merit points I have and go to the Merit Library to trade for something Zhao Qian’s side desperately needs. That way, I can make the exchange openly. After all, trading is allowed; I just can’t explain where the Emperor Pill came from.’

’But a trade like that would cost at least twenty merit points. In these early stages, merit is as precious as gold. It would kill me to use it like that.’

While he was lost in thought, the duel on the Martial Arts Arena finally concluded. The two were evenly matched in Swordsmanship, but Zhao Yong played it safe and steady, leaving no openings. Relying on his formidable Flesh Soul and sinews, he brute-forced his way to victory using his superior physical stats.

Although Zhao Xie was defeated, he remained as elegant as ever.

After listening to the Emperor’s words of instruction, the two descended from the Martial Arts Arena with smiles.

They sat down on either side of Zhao Ci and began to flatter one another.

"Ninth Prince! I heard your Flesh Soul is third-grade and your sinews are second-grade. Your reputation is truly well-deserved."

"Your Swordsmanship is impressive as well. If I hadn’t had the advantage in physique, I might not have been able to win."

"Speaking of which, the Tenth Prince’s thirty consecutive victories this time, regardless of the tactical reasons behind them, make him the undisputed champion of the martial arts portion. It’s just his ability to judge character and manage subordinates... Ah! What a pity!"

"Isn’t that the truth! I also feel it’s a real shame for Lao Shi. The fact that our two mansions took the top two spots isn’t down to us. It’s mainly because our Mansion Officials are so capable.

But Lao Shi, don’t be too discouraged. If you really want the Heaven-Suspended Spider Silk, you could always spend some more merit points on a few treasures and trade them with Zhao Qian’s group. It’s a bit disheartening to squander hard-earned merit on something like that, but..."

"Can you shut your damn mouth!"

Zhu Li couldn’t take it anymore. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at Zhao Yong.

’This guy is bullying my boss. He’s completely unforgivable.’

Zhao Yong’s face stiffened, and he said angrily, "Xiaozhuli! How dare you be so rude in public?"

Zhu Li, still fuming, retorted, "Could you *please* shut your damn mouth?"

Zhao Yong: "..."

He glanced up at the high platform. The Emperor was sipping his tea leisurely, apparently with no intention of reprimanding Zhu Li for her outburst.

Zhao Yan, who was presiding over the competition, stood up and announced, "The duels between the Mansion Officials in this Martial Arts Competition have been settled. However, the Tenth Prince’s Mansion is still short one person, and the Prince Qin’s Mansion is short four.

Until these two mansions fill their vacancies, the rankings cannot be considered final.

Is there anyone present who wishes to challenge a current Mansion Official and fill one of the vacancies in these two mansions?"

As soon as he said this, the dozen or so scions from great clans who hoped to become Mansion Officials exchanged glances.

They all wanted to become Mansion Officials, of course, but... they had already challenged anyone they had a remote chance of defeating.

The ones who remained unchallenged were all monsters. To go up now would be to ask for a beating.

The Tenth Prince’s Mansion had already made it clear they would only accept a Mansion Official who could help them break into the top three in points.

As for the Prince Qin’s Mansion, they probably didn’t want anyone who would just get trounced, so it was better to just hold on to their points and wait for the Heir of Prince Qin to come and choose for himself.

Challenging anyone else was completely unnecessary.

Zhao Yan glanced at Zhao Ci and sighed softly. As the official presiding over the competition, he had been following its developments closely.

Honestly, he felt it was a real shame for Zhao Ci.

While his thirty-win streak was partly due to other mansions strategically throwing their matches, the Tenth Prince’s strength was definitely in the top three.

What’s more, he had a strong desire to win.

What a shame...

’In that case, it’s time to announce the results!’

Zhao Yan picked up the record scroll and slowly walked to the front of the high platform.

"I’m so mad I could spit fire!"

Zhu Li crossed her arms, absolutely furious.

Zhao Ci, however, just smiled reassuringly. "Winning and losing are all part of the game. Once Old Feng and Lao Mo have their breakthrough, we’ll just win it all back."

Zhu Li huffed. "I just can’t stand watching them bully my boss."

Zhao Ci: "..."

"Tsk!"

Nearby, Zhao Yong and Zhao Xie were looking utterly smug. If not for the public setting, they’d probably be swinging their crossed legs already.

On the high platform, Zhao Yan had taken his position. He cleared his throat, preparing to speak.

But just then, an elderly voice rang out.

"Prince Gong, a moment, please!"

"Hm?"

Zhao Yan froze, turning toward the source of the voice.

Everyone else followed suit, turning to look. The voice wasn’t loud, yet every single person could hear it with perfect clarity.

The speaker’s cultivation had to be incredibly profound.

At the far end of the southern corridor of the Martial Arts Arena, an old man was slowly approaching. A young woman in a simple white dress was supporting him by the arm.

"Grand Scholar Kan?"

"Grand Tutor Kan? And Miss Luotang?"

"This is..."

Everyone exchanged looks of surprise. The young elites in the crowd were especially delighted. Ever since Kan Tianji had resigned from his post as a master at the Academy Palace, he rarely ever went out and refused all visitors, aside from his daily chats with the Emperor in the Imperial Study.

Getting to see him was nearly impossible.

They held nothing but reverence for this highly respected and erudite master.

As for Kan Luotang at his side, the very sight of her seemed to make the day a little brighter.

’Why have they shown up now?’

"Greetings, Grand Scholar Kan!"

Far from being displeased by the sudden interruption, Zhao Yan bowed respectfully to Kan Tianji.

In terms of political power, the Kan Family was hardly at the top.

But in terms of public standing, even the Emperor had to show Kan Tianji a great deal of respect.

"Kan Qing, you actually came! Hahaha!"

Zhao Huan, the Emperor, rose to his feet and actually descended from the high platform to greet him. He walked over quickly and grasped Kan Tianji’s hand. "I wrote to you yesterday, Kan Qing, inviting you to observe the Martial Arts Competition. I waited all day; I was beginning to think you weren’t coming!"

"My dear Luotang has been feeling unwell. It took several days of recuperation before she recovered."

Kan Tianji gave an apologetic smile and slowly turned to face Zhao Ci, his gaze filled with a complex, unreadable expectation.

He stroked his beard and smiled, his voice seeming to boom a little louder. "Today’s Martial Arts Competition is the first battle of this contest between mansions. As a Mansion Official, Luotang cannot afford to miss it, even if she is feeling unwell!"

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

Gasps of shock and disbelief echoed through the crowd.

’Kan Luotang is a Mansion Official?’

’Which mansion?’

’Since when?’

’Wait a minute...’

’The only ones with vacant Mansion Official positions right now are two of the Prince’s Mansions!’

Zhao Qian had been on the verge of opening wine to celebrate. When he heard this, the smile on his face froze.

’Five or six years ago, he’d been struck by Kan Luotang’s lightning techniques. He didn’t know how strong she was now, but how weak could she possibly be?’

’This is bad!’

’Did I celebrate too soon?’

Zhao Yong’s face was even more deathly pale, his lips starting to tremble.

Others, who didn’t know the full story, might still wonder if she was joining the Tenth Prince’s Mansion or the Prince Qin’s Mansion.

But he knew that Zhao Ci and Kan Luotang were engaged.

The engagement hadn’t been publicly announced, but still...

Zhao Ci was also stunned for a moment. He hadn’t expected Kan Tianji to personally escort Kan Luotang here.

But above Old Deng’s head...

[ZHAO HUAN’S CURRENT WISH: Kan Qing! Stop being so coy and enter the game! Wish Fulfillment Reward: Insight +100, Breaking Formation Talisman x1.]

Zhao Ci: "???"

’Enter the game?’

’What game?’

’Wait!’

His heart skipped a beat. He had originally thought the engagement was just a way to restrict him, and that the Kan Family had simply stumbled into it by chance.

But from the looks of it now, it seemed the engagement itself was also a trap set for the Kan Family?

’The question is, what kind of trap?’

’It’s all so confusing!’

Just then, Kan Tianji patted the back of Kan Luotang’s hand. "Luotang! Go on, hurry. Look how you’ve wronged my dear grandson-in-law by not being here!"

The crowd: "..."

’D-dear grandson-in-law?’

’Uh...’

Zhao Ci was just as lost: "???"

"Mhm!"

Kan Luotang replied with a soft "Mhm!" and slowly walked over, her smile blooming like a flower. "I should have come sooner. I was almost late."