Chapter Twenty-One: Life and Death

At the time, although Yu Xingzheng did not stay to watch the subsequent matches of the martial tournament, he had heard that Chen Fan had defeated Feng Yuancheng and Yan Linchu in succession, ultimately winning the championship.

Afterward, though he felt much jealousy and resentment toward Chen Fan, he also heard that Chen Fan had already left Yandu City. Having been taught a harsh lesson himself, he kept a low profile for quite some time.

Yu Haitao let out a sardonic chuckle and sighed, “Oh, so he’s that civilian disciple blessed with both talent and luck... Tsk, now he’s mingling closely with Lin Shiyu and has suddenly soared to new heights.”

Yu Xingzheng narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, “Second Brother, I’ve completed my muscle tempering. Compared to half a year ago, my strength has multiplied many times over. Do you think if I challenge Chen Fan now, I could defeat him?”

Yu Haitao paused slightly, frowning. “That’s not certain. Chen Fan was born with extraordinary vitality, an even stronger foundation than Feng Yuancheng. If he’s already begun cultivating true skills, even if he's only just completed his transformation to true essence and hasn’t started muscle tempering, you may still not be his match…”

Yu Xingzheng’s eyes lit up. “Are you saying that in half a year, he’s not only mastered the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm, but has also already completed the true essence transformation? I don’t believe it…”

Even among those with first-class foundations, the true essence transformation takes time—typically three to five months.

Yu Xingzheng was itching for action, especially after seeing Chai Yongcai challenge a core disciple of the White Cloud School just moments ago. Chen Fan was renowned as the top martial youth under eighteen in Feiling County, and now a core disciple of the White Cloud School—his fame unmatched among his peers.

Yu Xingzheng carried not only a personal grudge against him but also a desire to step on Chen Fan to earn himself glory!

For someone so extremely self-centered and reckless, once the idea took hold, it could no longer be suppressed.

Yu Haitao nodded. “Judging by what you’ve said, Chen Fan’s progress may not surpass yours. But his innate constitution is remarkable, his potential limitless. If you wait until he has thoroughly mastered true skills, you’ll have no chance of beating him! Now is the time to test yourself with a challenge—win or lose, you’ll benefit!”

Chen Fan’s reputation was immense; victory would bring great reward, while defeat would not mean disgrace.

Knowing his cousin’s temperament all too well, Yu Haitao nevertheless cautioned, “Just remember to watch your attitude and don’t cause trouble. Chen Fan is now a core disciple of the White Cloud School, backed by powerful allies. Our Four Symbols Sect cannot afford to offend him lightly—”

Though Yu Xingzheng was inwardly irritated, he nodded and strode forward, stopping directly in front of Chen Fan. “Chen Fan, we meet again!”

Yu Xingzheng squinted with a smile, eyes fixed on Chen Fan.

Everyone around Chen Fan turned to look.

“Yu Xingzheng!” Bao Tianyou narrowed his eyes, thinking, As expected, this guy can’t help himself. The moment he sees Junior Brother Chen Fan, he’s drawn like a moth to a flame.

Chen Fan looked at him in silence, his tone calm and aloof: “Yu Xingzheng, what do you want from me?”

His voice was cool, unruffled—there was even a hint of superiority. This was the self-assurance that came from both strength and status.

Yu Xingzheng felt a sharp pang of bitterness at Chen Fan’s attitude. With a mocking lilt, he said, “Junior Brother Chen Fan, you’re certainly impressive now. Back then you didn’t even have the courage to fight me, and now you look down on others just because you lucked into the White Cloud Main School?”

Chen Fan let out a dismissive laugh, paying him no mind.

The other disciples from the White Cloud Main School standing nearby looked at Yu Xingzheng as if watching a clown.

They had all heard that, a month ago, Chen Fan had already defeated Xiao Chunkong, who was at the peak of the third level of martial arts!

Naturally, none of them took this upstart seriously.

Only Bao Tianyou, who was not as familiar with Chen Fan, wore a cold expression and glared at Yu Xingzheng. “Yu Xingzheng, you’d best remember who you are. Once you say something, you can’t take it back!”

At that moment, the instructor leading the Four Symbols Sect’s group also stepped forward with a frown. Rather than backing Yu Xingzheng, he sternly warned, “Don’t go looking for trouble!”

Yu Xingzheng’s mouth twitched. Faced with so many cold stares, he felt a momentary loss of confidence—but his pride would not let him simply slink away.

In truth, he could have just issued a straightforward challenge to Chen Fan. But his overbearing pride made him throw barbs first, which only made things more awkward.

At that moment, Yu Xingzheng’s second brother hastily stepped forward. “Gentlemen, you misunderstand. Xingzheng’s words are clumsy—he means no offense. He merely admires the core disciples of the White Cloud School and wishes to witness the prowess of Yandu’s finest!”

But Yu Xingzheng was hardly just clumsy-tongued—it was pure envy, unable to stomach the success of others.

Bao Tianyou snorted in laughter, glancing disdainfully at him. “Yu Xingzheng is nothing but a second-rate talent. He’s no better than I am. To challenge a core disciple of the White Cloud School? He must be out of his mind.”

In truth, being second-rate was already better than most martial artists. But standing among this crowd of first-rate talents, he was easily overlooked.

Yu Xingzheng’s face flushed with humiliation and anger. “I was born with great vitality—my cultivation and fighting skills surpass my peers. That’s real talent! So what if our foundations differ?”

Such words were shameless and ignorant.

Cultivating true skills early could indeed boost one’s strength quickly, but it came at the cost of future potential. In a few years, he would be unable to compete with those who laid solid foundations!

Though Yu Xingzheng, at nineteen, had already reached the third level of martial arts—stronger than many first-rate disciples—without six or seven years of tempering, he would never break through to the fourth level.

Meanwhile, someone like Lin Qingyu, who was currently behind him in cultivation, might, after reaching the third level, surpass him in just three or four years.

So when Yu Xingzheng said this, it only drew laughter from the crowd. No one took him seriously.

Even Yu Haitao looked embarrassed.

Yu Xingzheng’s talent wasn’t bad, but his impatience had held him back from achieving a first-rate foundation. Now, it was too late for regrets.

Seeing the others’ mockery, Yu Xingzheng’s face darkened further. Glaring at Chen Fan, he shouted, “Chen, I challenge you—do you dare accept?”

Chen Fan shook his head with a smile. “After all your bluster, you finally get to the point. But… why should I play games with you?”

Yu Xingzheng’s face turned red. “Games? You look down on me!”

As he spoke, Yu Xingzheng drew a silver note from his belt. “This is a note for one hundred taels of silver. If you can beat me, it’s yours!”

Before Chen Fan could reply, several core disciples of the White Cloud School let out snorts of laughter.

A hundred taels was not a paltry sum. Even for wealthy county youths, it was not to be squandered lightly.

However, among these disciples, Chen Fan had already engaged in three wagers at the Main School—each with stakes far exceeding one hundred taels. Word of this had spread, explaining their reactions.

Bao Tianyou, seeing his fellow disciples laughing, was inwardly startled. These people had seen so much of the world in Yandu City that a hundred taels meant nothing to them!

Yu Xingzheng, realizing he was being looked down upon, grew even more furious inside, but he couldn’t offer a higher stake. Humiliated, he glared at Chen Fan. “What? Are you going to play the coward and refuse to fight?”

Chen Fan sneered coldly at Yu Xingzheng. “No need to provoke me. I’m not afraid of a match with you, but your wager is too small. If you want me to accept your challenge, put your life on the line! Let’s sign an agreement for a duel to the death—no quarter given! Do you dare?”

A duel to the death!

No mercy!

Chen Fan’s words caused an uproar among those present.

Even Bao Tianyou was taken aback and hurriedly tugged at Chen Fan’s sleeve. “Calm down, brother… absolutely not…”

But Chen Fan only shook his head at him, still sneering at Yu Xingzheng.

Yu Xingzheng, hearing this, was startled—especially seeing Bao Tianyou’s reaction. He hadn’t expected Chen Fan to be so fierce, demanding a fight to the death!

His mouth twitched, and he hesitated, glancing back at his second brother, who silently shook his head.

The Four Symbols Sect’s instructor quickly stepped up to mediate. “A challenge is fine, but forget a duel to the death. You’re both martial disciples of Feiling County—don’t harm the peace!”

Yu Xingzheng’s mind was in turmoil. He couldn’t help but wonder, Does Chen Fan really dare fight me to the death? Has his strength improved again—has he already begun cultivating true skills and even completed the true essence transformation?

Recalling the miracles Chen Fan had achieved half a year ago—one victory after another, winning the tournament—Yu Xingzheng’s heart was filled with uncertainty.

After all, Chen Fan was no longer an ordinary disciple of the White Cloud School, not someone he could toy with at will.

If Chen Fan really had started cultivating true skills, even with his own great improvement and breakthrough to the third level, could he truly be a match?

He was plagued by doubt.

Yet his pride would not let him back down, so he hesitated, mind spinning, unable to give an answer.

Seeing his indecision, Chen Fan shook his head in disdain. “If you don’t dare risk your life, then get lost. Don’t waste my time.”

Yu Xingzheng had indeed been wavering, but hearing this, anger flared anew. But then, a thought struck him—could it be that Chen Fan’s strength hadn’t improved much, and he was using the threat of a life-and-death duel to scare him off?

He glanced around, seeing people whispering and pointing at him. His fury blazed again.

“You’re trying to goad me into backing down, thinking I’ll fall for it? A duel to the death it is! Who’s afraid of whom?”

The crowd erupted in astonishment once more.

Bao Tianyou’s face turned ashen, and he tugged Chen Fan’s sleeve again, a gesture Yu Xingzheng did not miss.

This only confirmed Yu Xingzheng’s belief that Chen Fan was putting on an act.

At this point, not only Yu Haitao and the Four Symbols Sect instructor, but even the instructors from the White Cloud branch school rushed over to intervene, urging both sides to abandon the idea of a duel to the death.

While such duels were not unheard of in such circles, there was no real enmity between the two to warrant it.

But Yu Xingzheng, stubborn to the core, believed Chen Fan was deliberately provoking him. After seeing Bao Tianyou’s reaction, he refused to back down.

Chen Fan wasted no time—he called for pen and paper and drafted a life-and-death agreement.

Before signing, Chen Fan looked at Yu Xingzheng and gave a final warning. “Let me remind you: once you sign this, you may well die by my hand.”

Yu Xingzheng answered coldly, all the more convinced that Chen Fan was trying to provoke him. “Or perhaps I’ll kill you instead!”

Chen Fan nodded. “It’s good that you have that resolve.”

Both sides signed and pressed their fingerprints, then mounted the stage at once.

The instructors from both schools were left speechless, but could only privately agree that if either disciple’s life was truly in danger, they would intervene to save them—no matter what.