Upon hearing the reason, everyone suddenly understood. No one objected to this decision, as it was perfectly reasonable.
Of course, some people objected. For instance, Nanzhu shouted loudly, “Can established rules be changed at will? It would be one thing if you changed it once, but this is the second time. Furthermore, you are repeatedly changing the rules to target one specific person. Is this Chaoyang Assembly still reasonable?”
All eyes in the arena immediately focused on him. People wondered who it was, only to realise it was this fat man.
A burst of light laughter erupted in the venue. Everyone could understand that it was fine for one of their own to speak up for another.
Wutian withdrew his gaze from Nanzhu and did not reply. The key was that he did not want to dwell on this topic. This was not his first time dealing with this fat man. If you dared to speak, the man would happily chat away with you in the middle of the public arena, making it easy for things to get messy.
His gaze shifted directly to Yuqing, and he said again, “This is your number plate.”
Yuqing very much wanted to say he did not want to accept it, because he did not want Xiao Changdao to advance from the Dingyin District. The drawing rules had already been changed once to disrupt him, and now it was happening again. What kind of nonsense was this?
However, after looking around at everyone’s reactions, apart from that one shout from the fat man, no one in the entire arena expressed opposition. This made him worry that if he objected, he would look greedy and ugly. He feared that refusing would provoke a public outcry. After all, what they said was not wrong. The Chaoyang Assembly was a place for martial competition. Advancing without fighting a single match was somewhat unreasonable.
Crucially, he knew very well that the weak cannot oppose the strong. Since they dared to do this openly in such a setting, his resistance would be meaningless. Having coasted this far without fighting a single match, and with this logic being presented, public sentiment was indeed not on his side.
He also feared that resisting would draw Xiang Lanxuan’s attention. After thinking it over repeatedly, he still reached out his hand and took the number one plate.
Wutian also smiled and gestured for him to step down and stand aside to watch the spectacle, continuing with the subsequent drawing of lots.
Up in the stands, Chan Shaoyun laughed. “It would be best if my big brother draws number one and teaches him a severe lesson!”
She certainly held a grudge, still finding Yuqing an eyesore after all these days.
A disciple of the Guijian Villa nearby replied, “It would also be quite good if Young Master Chan could draw an empty number plate and advance directly.”
Chan Shaoyun rolled her eyes at him. “My brother will advance whether he draws an empty number plate or not.”
The disciple immediately nodded with an awkward yet humble smile.
On the other side of the stands, witnessing such forced assignment of number plates, Baili Xin subconsciously glanced at the people from Guijian Villa. She then reminded Nanzhu, “Young Master Chan Shaoting seems to have a problem with your number fifteen. There are only eleven people left drawing lots, so the possibility of Chan Shaoting facing him is quite high. What will you do if they match up?”
Nanzhu raised a hand and tugged at his ear. He seemed somewhat doubtful, yet not overly worried. “I cannot say clearly what the result would be if they faced each other.”
He had seen Chan Shaoting’s strength in action, yet he still reacted this way. This left Baili Xin puzzled, causing her to glance at Yuqing with flashing eyes.
At the drawing site, the competitors still formed a circle. The sound of drums thundered continuously, and the result was immediate.
In less than a moment, eleven darts were shot around the circle one by one, followed immediately by the revealing of the plates.
It was evident that some competitors were quite nervous, including Xiao Changdao and Wu Ronggui. The current moment could even be said to determine their future and fate. No matter how much they calculated, if they drew Chan Shaoting or Xiang Zhen, they basically had no chance of winning.
Having struggled all the way to the final stage, none of the secondary tier competitors wanted to regret their fate simply due to bad luck in facing a strong opponent.
Some people actually only hoped to stand out in the district competitions and held no real hope for the grand regional competitions.
One could still rely on luck in the district competitions, but in the grand regional competitions, there was basically no luck involved. This was because there were too many strong fighters like Chan Shaoting and Xiang Zhen selected from various districts. Without considerable strength, it was impossible to stand out in the grand regional competitions.
Fortunately, the final result of the revealed plates made both Xiao and Wu breathe a sigh of relief. They even smiled at each other. They were lucky, as both drew empty number plates and advanced directly. Their excitement was evident.
Yuqing, however, watched the two from the side of the stage, especially Xiao Changdao. He knew the die was cast. Xiao Changdao’s advancement was a certainty, and he could no longer stop it. Therefore, he could only ruin his future in another way by crippling Xiao in the grand regional competition!
Of course, the premise was that he had to pass this round first.
His luck was decent. He did not face Xiang Zhen or Chan Shaoting, but instead drew a fellow named Shi Dao.
Yuqing occasionally glanced at Shi Dao, noticing that this older man would cough occasionally, and his complexion seemed a bit abnormal.
To Yuqing’s surprise, after receiving the drawing result, Xiao Changdao, for some unknown reason, actively approached him and whispered a few words. “Brother Zhang, do not be afraid. Although that Shi Dao won in the previous round, he fought too fiercely and was heavily injured by his opponent. I found out from someone in his building that Shi Dao probably coughed up blood last night and secretly went to seek medical treatment from the people of Kunling Mountain.
Looking at the state of his injury, he will not recover in ten days or a fortnight. Coincidentally, this drawing and the competition are scheduled on the same day, so he does not even have a day to rest. Therefore, when you fight him, Brother Zhang, there is no need to worry too much. Just remember one thing. Do not fight him with clever tactics. Try to clash with him directly. His internal injuries cannot withstand it, and your chances of winning will be very high.”
After whispering this, he immediately stepped away from Yuqing and stood next to others, not wanting to attract too much attention from Chan Shaoting.
Yuqing turned his head and stared at him, very much wanting to ask, have you ever seen me fight? What do you mean I should not be afraid? Where did you see that I was afraid?
At the same time, he did not know if this fellow was telling the truth or lying. If it was true, this bastard must have thoroughly researched every possible opponent. He really put a lot of thought into his future.
Looking at Shi Dao’s condition again, it was highly likely that what the fellow said was true.
He naturally also knew why Xiao Changdao sought an opportunity to show goodwill. It was still because he feared his identity as a Grand Archer.
The poles inserted in the arena were pulled out again. The first match of the fourth round came quickly. Today, the list of ten people advancing from the Dingyin District would be announced.
Wutian on the stage was already making a public announcement. “Competitors for the first match of the fourth round, Zhang Zhichen and Shi Dao, please come to the stage to verify your identities.”
Thus, two figures flew onto the stage and handed over their number plates once again.
After confirming their identities were correct, the two officially entered the arena, flying down into the competition field. A rapid burst of drumbeats sounded, reminding them to prepare.
Up in the stands, Xiang Lanxuan smiled, clearly showing interest.
At the same time, another figure slowly walked into the stands and sat down. With a short pipe in his mouth and silvery white hair, it was Yin Shanhe. He puffed on his dry tobacco, his gaze also fixed on the competition field.
The drumbeats suddenly stopped, signalling the official start of the match.
Shi Dao drew his sword first and walked towards Yuqing step by step.
Yuqing stood there quietly, not even showing any intention of touching his sword hilt, calmly watching the other man approach step by step.
This scene was so familiar to the audience.
Yuqing’s posture was very similar to that of Mu Aotie and Nanzhu before. It looked imposing and quite intimidating, but people feared his foundation was just as weak.
Meanwhile, Shi Dao’s advancing posture was also like that of Wu Ronggui, who had defeated Mu Aotie. He was not in a hurry to attack. He only needed to get as close as possible step by step, forcing the opponent into a position where they could not defend properly and had to attack first, thereby revealing a flaw.
Everyone waited with bated breath to see if this fellow, who had drawn lots three times in a row, had strength that matched his luck.
“You revealed the trick to defeating Shi Dao to him, did you not?”
Wu Ronggui, standing next to Xiao Changdao, suddenly whispered when no one was paying attention.
Xiao Changdao glanced at him, knowing that the previous situation had been noticed by him, but he said nothing and remained silent.
Wu Ronggui knew that this person still wanted to resolve the conflict with those Grand Archers whenever an opportunity arose. After all, he had advanced smoothly, and there was no need to offend future military personnel. He whispered with a light laugh, “This Shi Dao is rather unlucky. He struggled so hard to get this far, only to miss the two thirds chance and instead draw that one third, while already heavily injured. Fortunately, he drew number one, and someone has already paved the way for how to deal with him. Whether he advances or meets a bitter end depends entirely on himself.”
Up in the stands, Mu Aotie’s lips tightened. Shi Dao’s method of engagement reminded him again of the scene where he was defeated, and his eyes became melancholic once more.
Seeing this scene, Nanzhu could not help but twitch the corner of his mouth. He knew very well how fast number fifteen’s sword was. Was this Shi Dao really going to deliver himself to the sword just like he did against number nine?
He could not help but mutter, “There really are people seeking their own death!”
Yuqing in the arena was equally speechless. Seeing the other man continue to approach, he could not help but sigh. “I can only say your luck in drawing lots is indeed not as good as mine. You are heavily injured. If I fight you directly, you simply cannot withstand it. We have no grudges against each other, and I do not want your injuries to worsen. You should just admit defeat.”
Shi Dao stopped in his tracks, looking at him with a mixture of shock and suspicion. He was clearly surprised at how the other man knew. Tightening his lips, he said, “The Chaoyang Assembly is held once every twenty years. It is a chance that comes only once in a lifetime. I have struggled so hard to reach the final stage of advancement. You want me to admit defeat without even fighting? Do you think I can accept that? Besides, if you are as outwardly strong but inwardly weak as your accomplice, I may not lack a chance to win.”
Up in the stands, discussions erupted as no one knew what the two were saying.
The competition field was a bit large, making it difficult to hear their normal speaking voices from the outside.
After speaking, Shi Dao continued to move forward, maintaining his strategy of direct approach.
Seeing his stubbornness, Yuqing warned him again. “Even if you were not injured, you could not defeat me, but I estimate you will not listen. Under normal circumstances, for such ingratitude, I would certainly teach you a lesson. However, you are injured, and defeating you would be meaningless. Open your eyes wide and weigh it carefully yourself.”
Having said this, he drew his sword.
The speed of his draw was not particularly fast, but it suddenly felt rapid the moment the sword was swung out. A flash of sword light appeared, and the blade suddenly halted in mid air. There was no further movement, with the sword edge quietly pointing at Shi Dao, three feet away.
Meanwhile, Shi Dao had abruptly stopped in his tracks. His eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief. He did not dare to advance another half step. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and perhaps due to weakness from his injury, cold sweat appeared on his forehead at a visible speed.
Up in the stands, Xiang Lanxuan’s pupils contracted sharply. She slowly leaned forward, narrowing her eyes slightly as she stared intently at the competition field.
To outsiders, both competitors in the match appeared as if they had turned to stone.
After waiting for quite a while, someone asked in confusion, “What are the two of them doing? How long do they intend to stand off?”
Wu Ronggui also nudged Xiao Changdao with his elbow. “What is the situation with Shi Dao? He knows the method of attack, so why has he stopped moving? Could it be that his internal injuries are so severe he cannot even suppress them? If that is the case, why go on the field at all? Is it not just inviting humiliation? He might as well admit defeat directly.”
After waiting for a while, Yin Shanhe, who was puffing on his dry tobacco, removed the pipe from his mouth, clearly somewhat puzzled by the situation inside the field.
“Thump… thump… thump…”
The rumbling sound of drums suddenly rang out. It was the drumbeat urging them to fight. If the drums sounded three times and they still did not fight, both competitors would be disqualified.
“The outcome is already decided, a bunch of fools!” Xiang Lanxuan muttered, glancing in the direction of the drumming. Her gaze then shifted back to Yuqing, who was slowly lowering his sword in the field. Her eyes were full of interest as she murmured to herself, “Abandoning literature for martial arts… this is getting interesting. This Chaoyang Assembly is becoming interesting.”