Volume One, Chapter 19: The Challenge

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Not to mention, the Emperor Chu did not actually want his son to die; he was not entirely devoid of affection for Su Yuan. However, compared to Su Ming, his feelings were much more indifferent. If he had to choose between Su Ming and Su Yuan, he would choose Su Ming without hesitation.

Facing the Emperor’s slightly angry gaze, Mu Yuncheng merely smiled and cupped his hands. “Your Majesty, if you fear the Second Prince might be harmed, perhaps he should withdraw from the martial contest.”

The Emperor snorted coldly at this. Was this young man provoking him? It wasn’t worth causing a rift with Mu Yuncheng just over Su Yuan. As long as the other side didn’t kill Su Yuan, any other injury would be Su Yuan’s own fault for insisting on participating in the contest.

“Injuries are inevitable, but as long as no lives are lost, that is acceptable,” the Emperor said calmly, thus making his stance clear.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of pain flashed in Su Yuan’s eyes, as if countless knives were cutting into his heart. Mu Yuncheng smiled faintly but did not respond; even if Su Yuan’s life was spared, it was likely that Mu Yuncheng would find a way to make his defeat as miserable as possible.

Upon hearing this, Luo Changfeng and the others paled and looked at Su Yuan with concern.

Su Yuan cast a cold glance toward the main stage, then left the literary contest arena and headed toward the martial contest arena.

The literary contest was over, and he had secured first place there. Now only the martial contest remained.

At this moment, the martial contest arena was fully prepared and ready to begin at any moment.

When Su Fan arrived at the martial contest arena, Shen Xinghai and Luo Kede looked at Su Yuan with complicated expressions.

Especially Luo Kede; he had never expected that the martial expert he had summoned from the common folk would turn out to be the Second Prince.

At this moment, Luo Kede looked somewhat uneasy and at a loss for words.

Shen Xinghai was somewhat better; he still felt sympathy and respect for Su Yuan. After all, he was once a general under the Northern Governor and a loyal supporter of Su Yuan’s mother, the Empress. He was also a partisan of Su Yuan and favored Su Yuan becoming Crown Prince.

Unfortunately, the Emperor Chu did not wish to appoint Su Yuan, leaving them helpless.

“Your Highness, you…” Shen Xinghai began to speak to Su Yuan but hesitated, unsure how to continue.

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Was he trying to advise Su Yuan not to step onto the stage? But the agreement between Su Yuan and Emperor Chu was clear: first place in both the literary and martial contests! If Su Yuan refused the martial contest, he would still have to compete!

Though Shen Xinghai knew Su Yuan was formidable, he still worried. After all, if Mu Yuncheng intended to harm Su Yuan, he would do so without hesitation.

“General Shen, no matter... since I must claim first place in the martial contest, I shall not retreat,” Su Yuan smiled at Shen Xinghai.

At that moment, on the martial contest stage, a young master from Daqing stepped forward. His appearance instantly caused everyone’s expressions to shift.

This man was Lu Changqin, a top-tier expert ranked seventeenth on the Earth Ranking. Though not yet a Grandmaster, he was close to that level.

Last year’s martial contest champion was none other than him.

Originally, he was not expected to appear so early, yet unexpectedly, he was the very first to step onto the stage!

His emergence immediately revealed the strangeness of this contest. Clearly, he had been sent specifically to deal with Su Yuan.

Mu Yuncheng intended to end Su Yuan’s chance in just one match!

The rules of the martial contest were simple: each side sends a representative to hold the stage; challengers step up to fight the holder. Whoever remains last is the champion.

In past years, weaker fighters were sent first to test the waters. The final matches, where the strongest contenders fought, were the most exciting and decisive.

This format kept the contest thrilling and lasting longer. Otherwise, if the first match was the final showdown, what excitement would remain?

Both sides usually saved their top players for the end, making the final battle the highlight.

But Lu Changqin’s sudden appearance made the contest eerily unusual. Shen Xinghai’s face darkened.

Few on their side could match Lu Changqin’s strength; even Shen Xinghai himself would lose to him.

“Second Prince, this man is Lu Xingkui’s younger brother and master of the Tiger Seizing Fist—a domineering, unparalleled technique close to Grandmaster level. You…” Shen Xinghai said gravely to Su Yuan.

Su Yuan’s eyes flashed with a sharp light as he smiled faintly. “No matter.”

His strength had long surpassed Grandmaster level; the Eight-Section Dragon Seizing Technique was a supreme martial art.

Not only could he easily defeat Lu Changqin, but even Lu Xingkui himself would be no match.

“Second Prince Su Yuan, do you dare to step onto the stage and fight?” Lu Changqin pointed at Su Yuan, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain, exuding overwhelming arrogance.

At his challenge, everyone present was taken aback.

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Indeed, Lu Changqin had come straight for Su Yuan, issuing an immediate challenge.

If Su Yuan hesitated, his reputation would be utterly ruined. But if he accepted, no one believed he could defeat Lu Changqin.

This man was last year’s champion; though ranked seventeenth on the Earth Ranking, his true strength was easily within the top ten.

His appearance already sealed Daqing’s victory over Great Chu in this contest.

Everyone instinctively thought Su Yuan would falter.

Yet at this moment, Su Yuan stepped forward calmly, his gait steady and eyes serene.

Seeing this, the crowd’s expressions shifted; no one expected Su Yuan to boldly accept the challenge. He was willing to risk his life to reclaim his princely status.

Emperor Chu watched Su Yuan with complex emotions.

No matter what, Su Yuan was still his son. Why did he have to go to the stage to court death? Was the princely title truly so important? Could he not live well without it?

Why must he prevent Su Yuan from securing the Crown Prince title for his favored eldest son? Why block his path?

As these thoughts crossed his mind, the Emperor’s gaze grew cold and sharp—this was all Su Yuan’s own doing.

Su Ming watched Su Yuan go onstage with joy, his eyes brimming with excitement. As long as Su Yuan was slain, no one could stop him from being named Crown Prince!

He glanced at his mother, Consort Lu, who wore the same excited expression.

Then he looked at the old ministers like Luo Changfeng, a smirk of pride and scorn playing on his lips.

These stubborn ministers—once Su Yuan was dead or crippled before their eyes, how could they continue to support him?

He was eager to see Su Yuan either killed or maimed!

Mu Yuncheng sneered coldly at Su Yuan, his eyes brimming with suppressed malice.

He exchanged a subtle nod with Lu Changqin on stage.

Lu Changqin understood and turned to Su Yuan with a cold voice: “Second Prince, in the duel on the stage, life and death are in fate’s hands. Do not blame Lu for this… Prepare to die!”