Chapter 1039 - Settling It with a Duel

Wealth God King Zhao Zihong acknowledged Di Hong’s greeting with a nod before shifting his attention to Han Wu.

Through perception alone, the Wealth God King could tell that Han Wu had reached peak Subcosm rank. It had only been a few days since they’d last met, yet Han Wu had improved again. His growth rate was truly frightening.

“Wealth God King, this boy attacked me unprovoked and publicly flouted the Wealth Faction’s authority. His offense is unforgivable. I request permission to expel him,” the Lightning God King said, playing the victim.

Han Wu scoffed. “Not a bad guard dog.”

The Lightning God King’s face went purple with rage, but the invisible force kept him in check.

“I’m aware of what happened,” Zhao Zihong said. “You’re both honored guests of the Wealth Faction. I suggest we let it go and move on.”

He knew perfectly well that Di Hong had started it by harassing Qin Shuang and thus deserved punishment. However, the Chaos Clan was a powerful, reclusive family, and the Wealth Faction had no choice but to give them some grace.

That meant asking Han Wu to swallow a loss. After all, Di Hong hadn’t actually succeeded, and Han Wu had already wounded the Lightning God King.

Di Hong shrugged. “No objections from me. Whatever the Wealth God King decides.”

“I disagree,” Han Wu said flatly.

The crowd gasped. Han Wu had rejected the Wealth God King’s solution to his face.

Zhao Zihong’s expression stayed neutral. “Then what do you propose?”

“The wrongdoer should be punished,” Han Wu said, glaring at Di Hong and the Lightning God King.

Di Hong studied Han Wu with a mix of mild amusement and contempt.

“Who do you think you are? You want to punish Lord Di Hong?” the Lightning God King barked, rushing to his master’s defense.

“I don’t think I’m anyone special. I just want certain parasites who coast on their family’s reputation to learn some manners. It’s not like I’m his father. I’ve got no obligation to tolerate him,” Han Wu said coldly.

Di Hong’s eyes narrowed. The amusement drained away, and sharp killing intent took its place.

“It seems a peaceful resolution isn’t possible. I have another suggestion. Let strength decide,” Zhao Zihong said. “Might makes right. That’s an iron law in every civilization.”

“Perfect. I’d love to show a certain frog in a well just how powerful a reclusive family can be,” Di Hong said icily.

“Lord Di Hong is peerless!” the Lightning God King fawned. “I, Lei Bing, am willing to fight at your side!”

“Agreed,” Han Wu said.

He had yet to participate in a proper fight since gaining his new strength. This was the perfect opportunity to test it out.

“Very well. Before the duel begins, both sides need to sign an agreement. Regardless of the casualties or outcome, neither party may hold anyone else responsible. This is entirely of your own volition,” Zhao Zihong said.

A contract materialized before both parties. Zhao Zihong had personally drafted the contract, and the terms were fair. Han Wu didn’t hesitate to sign and press his handprint to the page.

Di Hong hesitated. He saw Han Wu as below him and didn’t want to dignify this nobody with a formal duel.

Lei Bing read his master’s reluctance. “Worried about your image, Lord Di Hong? Bring me along. You won’t need to lift a finger. I’ll handle everything.”

“That works.” Di Hong nodded. “Sorry for the trouble.”

“No trouble at all! Serving Lord Di Hong is the honor of a lifetime,” Lei Bing flattered.

Di Hong signed and pressed his handprint. The duel was set.

Zhao Zihong provided an enormous arena capable of holding trillions of units in combat. Every guest could enter spectator mode and bet on the outcome.

Di Hong and Lei Bing entered first. Han Wu studied his options. Although Jing Jing was the strongest of his companions, her soul attribute had a massive disadvantage against the Lightning God King.

As he weighed his choices, Ye Xiao stepped forward. “The Forest Clan is willing to support you.”

He was offering to let Han Wu pick one of the Forest Clan’s members to fight alongside him.

Han Wu was grateful. The Forest Clan knew that helping him could anger the Chaos Clan, but they’d stepped up anyway. That told him everything he needed to know about their character. The loan had been worthwhile.

The matchup was tricky, though. One opponent wielded lightning while the other had chaos powers. Both were dangerous, and both could hard-counter a Forest Clan member. He wasn’t about to put them in that position.

“Thank you, but I’d rather handle this myself,” Han Wu declined before turning to Jing Jing. “You’re the second-strongest person on this team. Will you fight alongside me?”

“Yes!” The excitement in Jing Jing’s voice was unmistakable. She’d been waiting for an opportunity to fight beside him again.

Qin Shuang also wanted to join, but knew she wasn’t strong enough yet.

“Wait for us to come back. When we do, you’ll be able to claim the title of Lightning God King, and you won’t have to stress over mastering other Jurisdictions anymore,” Han Wu said with a grin, teasing a smile out of Qin Shuang.

With that, he stepped into the arena with Jing Jing.

While Han Wu had been busy outside, Lei Bing had already deployed surveillance nodes across the field to counter his every move. The moment Han Wu and Jing Jing entered, both sides opened their divine realm gates.

Waves of units poured from Han Wu’s divine realm. They were organized by species into neat formations. It made for a spectacular sight.

A flood of bones came from Jing Jing’s divine realm, pooling into a skeleton sea. Skeleton soldiers of every type rose from the depths.

Lei Bing’s units marched out in rows from his own divine realm gate. Every single one of them was a Thunder Colossus. They towered at five meters tall, were clad in heavy metal armor, and hovered in mid-air. The lightning they gathered overhead condensed into a vast thundercloud that stretched across the sky.

Both armies faced each other. The battle was about to begin.