Chapter 435: Emerging Victorious

The martial arts tournament for marriage had been held for more than two months. During this period, there had been bloodshed, but after all, the rules of the arena had long been stated: if anyone lost their life, their qualification would be immediately revoked. Moreover, everyone who came to participate in the tournament was here for a joyous occasion—who would risk their life for no reason? Thus, in these sixty-some days, no one had lost their life.

However, at this final moment, not only did two people lose their lives, but the most detestable poisoned hidden weapons also appeared.

Immediately, the entire arena was in an uproar.

All the judges on the stage stood up in unison, while the crowd below the stage began shouting loudly. In one corner, someone even drew their weapon, some appearing eager to make a move.

What kind of person was Valley Master Nie? He immediately stood up and waved his hand toward the inner part of the manor. At once, a horn sounded from within, and a squad of riders charged out from the main gate. The riders were all dressed in sturdy attire, holding longswords and other weapons, followed by many similarly dressed guards. At the same time, from two other corners of the plaza, two more squads charged out. The riders were all clad in iron armor, holding long spears, while those on foot held bows and arrows—it turned out they were government soldiers.

These three squads moved swiftly. Before the crowd could react, they had already surrounded the entire plaza so tightly that not even water could pass through. The soldiers holding bows and arrows stood straight at the front, left hand gripping the bow, right hand nocking the arrow, drawing their bows taut.

The others drew their weapons, standing behind the archers, quietly awaiting the next command.

Seeing this, everyone present turned pale. Although they all claimed to be blood-soaked figures of the martial world, usually looking down on government soldiers and not caring even if outnumbered two to one or five to one, now they faced an organized and disciplined army—this was not something they could resist head-on. Moreover, this squad was clearly the famous cavalry and archers of Mochou City. Even with exceptional lightness skills, it would be hard to avoid injury in the rain of arrows.

In an instant, those who had just been eager to take advantage of the chaos quietly sheathed their swords and fell silent.

At this moment, Valley Master Nie stepped out from the crowd, stood at the edge of the arena, and called out with a smile: “Heroes and outstanding figures of the martial world, please do not panic. These brothers are merely the cavalry and archers I borrowed from Lord Qian, the garrison commander of Mochou City. Their purpose is only to maintain the peace of the arena, and they have no intention of harming anyone. Please remain where you are and do not be alarmed.”

From below the arena, someone immediately shouted: “Valley Master Nie, we came here to participate in the tournament for marriage out of admiration for your reputation. For you to treat us like this, even borrowing the authority of the government, isn’t that a bit dishonorable?”

Valley Master Nie laughed and said: “This brother has misunderstood. My Spring Rebirth Valley has always treated guests with courtesy. However, there are simply too many heroes who have come here. To put it bluntly, it is inevitable that good and bad are mixed together. The strength of my Spring Rebirth Valley is limited, and it is difficult to guarantee everyone’s safety. That is why I had no choice but to seek help from the local authorities. Of course, rest assured—those who have come sincerely to compete are all friends of my Spring Rebirth Valley, and I will certainly guarantee the safety of my friends. Otherwise, think about it—even if I harbored any ulterior motives, would Spring Rebirth Valley still be able to stand in the martial world in the future?”

The man laughed loudly and said: “That’s exactly how it should be! With Valley Master Nie’s explanation, I understand. I’ll just sit right here and let you handle these trivial matters. I’m still waiting to drink your wedding wine!”

Standing on the arena, Zhang Xiaohua showed a slight smile at the corner of his mouth. This Valley Master Nie truly lived up to being Nie Qianyu’s father—he arranged even this so professionally.

The others, hearing this exchange, all felt reassured. “Indeed, we’re just here for the tournament. Since we weren’t chosen, we’ll just wait to drink the wedding wine. Anyway, this Third Miss of the Nie family doesn’t seem to be an unparalleled beauty, and besides, we’d have to marry into her family. Forget it, forget it, this sort of thing has nothing to do with me. I’ll just sit down.”

Thus, many people quietly sat down, and those in the corners, seeing this, also shrank back and no longer made a fuss.

Seeing that the situation inside the arena was easily brought under control, Valley Master Nie walked to the corpse of the person who had just been killed by a hidden weapon on the arena, frowned and looked at it, then said: “Everyone, does anyone know which side this person on the arena belonged to?”

Below the arena, the crowd looked at each other, but no one answered. Valley Master Nie called out toward the area that had just been in some commotion: “Does truly no one know?”

Still, no one responded. Valley Master Nie secretly chuckled to himself: “As expected, just as Little Yu predicted.”

Then, he pointed to the corpse on the ground and called out: “And what about that person on the ground? Does no one recognize him either?”

Sure enough, there was still no answer.

Valley Master Nie frowned deeply and said, “This… What should we do about this?”

Afterward, as if suddenly thinking of something, he turned to the two people whom Zhang Xiaohua had just knocked off the arena and said: “You two heroes, those two went up to the stage with you, and you seemed quite familiar with each other, even practicing a set of joint attack techniques together. Don’t tell me you don’t know them either?”

One of the men who had just been knocked off the stage glanced at the people around him, then stepped forward from the crowd, cupped his hands, and said: “Valley Master Nie, I am Jin Tong of the Jinqian Sect. I earned my qualification a little over a month ago.” 

He then pointed to the man beside him and said, “This is my sworn brother, Tao Guan, who also qualified shortly after me. After we both earned our qualifications, those two came to us on the stage and said that for the final match, we should form a team, drive the others off the arena, and then let the four of us compete using our own skills to decide the final champion. My brother and I originally didn’t want to agree, but those two produced a set of joint attack techniques for four people. Once we saw it, we realized how formidable it was. If we didn’t participate and they found two others, we definitely wouldn’t be their match, so we had no choice but to cooperate.”

“Valley Master Nie, my brother and I only saw them during practice. We never knew where they went at other times, and even when we asked, they kept silent. So, up to now, all we know is that one is called Zhang San, and the other is called Li Si.”

“I see.” Valley Master Nie cupped his hands and said: “Thank you, worthy nephew Jin of the Jinqian Sect. Please forgive the earlier misunderstanding. However, since you already sensed something was off about those two, you really should have informed Spring Rebirth Valley earlier, don’t you think?”

Jin Tong’s face was full of shame as he said: “Valley Master Nie, you are absolutely right. I was simply too enamored with Miss Nie and afraid of losing this precious qualification, so I was momentarily blinded by greed. I am truly ashamed before Spring Rebirth Valley.”

Then, he looked around at everyone, bowed deeply toward the arena, and said in a loud voice: “Valley Master Nie, it was my momentary foolishness that led to the current situation. I truly feel uneasy about it. Fortunately, this Young Hero Ren turned the tide and thwarted the villains’ scheme. Otherwise, I would have felt guilty for the rest of my life. I originally wanted to stay and celebrate with Valley Master, but… but I really feel ashamed. I will take my leave now, return home to report to my father, and explain all the mistakes that happened here. When the opportunity arises, I will ask my father to bring me personally to apologize to Valley Master Nie!”

“Heh, feeling ashamed? Or is it just a guilty conscience?” Zhang Xiaohua sneered inwardly.

Valley Master Nie laughed and said: “Worthy nephew Jin, there’s no need to feel guilty. Who among the young hasn’t made mistakes? Stay and have a cup of wedding wine. Everything can be discussed.”

But Jin Tong insisted on leaving. Valley Master Nie had no choice but to nod to the soldiers surrounding them. The soldiers made a narrow opening, still remaining highly alert.

Jin Tong and his group cupped their hands to Valley Master Nie, then rode off with more than a dozen people.

Nie Qianrong was a bit puzzled and quietly asked Nie Qianyu: “Little sister, you’re just letting them go? They might be the ones who tried to kill you!”

Nie Qianyu reached out and held her elder sister’s hand, smiled slightly, and said nothing more.

Meanwhile, Valley Master Nie glanced quietly at one side of the arena, giving a subtle signal as if no one else was present. Immediately, someone quietly used the lightness skill to return to the manor.

Then, Valley Master Nie looked again at the area below the arena where there had been some commotion earlier, and saw that it was now empty. Valley Master Nie said: “Brothers of the martial world, the Spring Rebirth Valley martial arts tournament for marriage has been held here for more than two months. Thanks to everyone’s support, although there were some mishaps just now, before the final match, Elder Yue had already explained the rules of the arena, and I’m sure everyone already knew them well. The tournament for marriage is a joyous occasion—using poison is strictly forbidden. 

Yet those two just now disregarded the rules of Spring Rebirth Valley and dared to incur the wrath of all. Think about it, if any of you had been poisoned on this stage, how could Spring Rebirth Valley explain it to your parents and your sects? Fortunately, this Young Hero Ren, with his outstanding martial arts, made those two reap what they sowed. Therefore, I announce that the result of this final match stands, and the ultimate victor is Ren Xiaoyao—Young Hero Ren!”

Valley Master Nie’s last words were very much to everyone’s liking. “That’s right, if I had been poisoned on this stage, my life would have ended here—without even touching the hand of a beautiful bride, I’d have died for nothing. Those two really deserved to die—served them right!”

So, the emotions of everyone in the arena were stirred, and they shouted loudly, “Well said! Young Hero Ren’s martial arts are superb; he truly deserves to win.”

Valley Master Nie was delighted to hear this, and even Nie Qianyu, behind him, blushed with embarrassment. Even though she knew this was all just a show, she still felt a bit embarrassed and quietly tugged her elder sister, slipping away behind the arena.

Nie Qianxiu glanced at her own husband, and both their eyes were gloomy. With a sigh, Nie Qianxiu also followed the two back to the manor.

Valley Master Nie waited until the crowd had expressed itself, then pressed his hands down for silence and said: “Everyone, please listen. Spring Rebirth Valley has already prepared the banquet and was only waiting for the champion to be decided to hold the wedding ceremony with my daughter. 

However, because those two scoundrels used poison and forced Young Hero Ren to defend himself, resulting in two deaths, blood has been spilled today, which is most inauspicious. The wedding will have to be postponed. But the banquet is ready—come, everyone, Spring Rebirth Valley has prepared fine food and wine. Tonight, let us drink to our hearts’ content!”