Chapter 143 The Turmoil in Cangzhou

Yan Chu wants to challenge Sima Tao to a duel?

One month from now, both parties have agreed to a battle at Yellow Dragon Mountain in Cangzhou Prefecture; it will be a fight to determine both superiority and life or death!

This news spread through Cangzhou Prefecture as fast as the wind.

In just a few days, this information was everywhere in the streets and alleys of Cangzhou Prefecture, with countless people verifying its authenticity.

At the same time, the news spread rapidly beyond Cangzhou Prefecture.

In places near Cangzhou Prefecture like Ningzhou and Pingzhou Province, many Jianghu people also received this news and were rushing toward Cangzhou Prefecture.

They wanted to reach Yellow Dragon Mountain within a month to witness the duel between the two legendary powerhouses with their own eyes.

One was the former myth of Cangzhou Prefecture, and the other was a rising star of the Jianghu; their duel was bound to be the most eye-catching major event.

Not only ordinary Jianghu people, but even many major powers sent representatives to watch the battle.

For a time, people from all walks of life were heading toward Cangzhou Prefecture.

Cangzhou Prefecture had seemingly become the center where the storm gathered.

This water-like Jianghu had become lively time and again because of Yan Chu.

“Hahahaha!!!”

A laughter that could pierce clouds and crack stones echoed from within the Marquis Estate.

Sima Yutang laughed loudly; everyone could feel the joy and relief of this Marquis.

Just three days ago, Eunuch Sun, Sun Yun, brought Yan Chu's challenge letter and personally visited his father, Sima Tao.

The moment the challenge letter was opened, an astonishing Saber Intent erupted, nearly tearing the entire Marquis Estate apart.

But his father, Sima Tao, gave a cold snort and rubbed his hands together.

The Saber Intent was instantly crushed and dissipated, without even causing a ripple.

From this single long-distance confrontation alone, the vast difference in their strength could be seen.

“Old Marquis, this servant has delivered Yan Chu's words.”

“He has challenged you to a battle at Yellow Dragon Mountain in one month. I wonder if you will accept?”

Sima Tao's expression did not change in the slightest as he said:

“Originally, given my age, I would disdain to bully the young!”

“But this boy is rebellious and insolent. Even if he is fortunate enough to be valued by the Empress Dowager, I must teach him a lesson.”

“Go tell him, I accept this battle!”

“Tell him to wash his neck clean; I will personally take his head when the time comes!”

Sima Tao had lived for over a hundred and eighty years and had never been so provoked by a young junior.

Although that Saber Intent was strong—not inferior even to an ordinary expert who had just made a Breakthrough into the Mountain Shaking Realm—it was still several levels below his own.

Originally, because of the Imperial Decree from the Imperial Court, he was unable to move against the boy.

Since Yan Chu had delivered himself to the door, he would not be the least bit polite.

As the saying goes, to refuse a gift from heaven is to invite disaster.

If he did not take Yan Chu's life now, the boy would truly become a dire threat to the Sima Family in the future.

“Hmph! Yan Chu, that yellow-mouthed brat, actually dares to challenge my father. It seems he's truly tired of living!”

Returning to the present, Sima Yutang had a thick smile on his face that he could not hide.

“Congratulations, Marquis! Felicitations, Marquis!”

“Yan Chu, that dire threat, will surely be eliminated soon!”

Below, the Marquiss Estate Guest Official, Duan Cheng, cupped his fists and offered his congratulations.

At the same time, he felt fortunate in his heart.

Not long ago, when the Imperial Decree from the palace first arrived, many thought the Marquis Estate was about to fall.

After all, judging by the Imperial Court's intentions, they were clearly dissatisfied with the Marquis Estate, which is why they granted an official title to the Marquis of Annan's enemy, Yan Chu.

When the Old Marquis passed away, it would be the time for the Marquis of Annan's Estate to be destroyed.

Unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better. Yan Chu actually overestimated himself and wanted to challenge the Old Marquis, rushing to his death.

Wasn't this giving the Marquis Estate a chance to come back to life?

Without Yan Chu, who else could the Imperial Court plant to oppose the Marquis Estate?

After all, everywhere was a bit chaotic now, and the higher-ups still needed to conscript experts from Cangzhou Prefecture to suppress rebellions!

“How fortunate! Fortunately, I didn't run!”

“As expected, waiting and watching was the right choice!”

Duan Cheng was extremely relieved.

Who could have thought? He originally thought it was a bear market that had hit rock bottom, and he was planning to cut his losses and leave, but things took a turn, and a wave of contrarian growth arrived.

A few days ago, after learning the news of the Imperial Decree, many people had secretly fled.

Among them were the two Guest Elders the Marquis trusted most, Wan Yao and Jiang Qingbo.

It was also lucky they fled, for only now could it be Duan Cheng's turn to stand here and discuss matters with Sima Yutang.

Now, including himself, there were only three Grandmaster Guest Elders left in the Marquis Estate. His chances of rising in position in the future would surely be immense.

Perhaps after Yan Chu died and the Marquis reported upward, he could even snag a position as the cangzhou assistant administrator.

Duan Cheng thought happily to himself.

“Where are those two dogs, Wan Yao and Jiang Qingbo? Still not found?”

At this moment, Sima Yutang suddenly remembered the two Guest Elders who had fled, and the smile on his face instantly turned icy.

Duan Cheng hurriedly cupped his fists and said:

“Reporting to the Marquis, their residences are empty. I am sending people to investigate, and I believe they will be found in a few days. At that time, they will surely be captured and handed over to the Marquis for personal disposal!”

“Hm!”

Sima Yutang nodded and said in a cold tone:

“Two damned traitors. Once I catch them, I will surely subject them to a thousand cuts and have them drawn and quartered!”

He had trusted them so much, yet he didn't expect that upon seeing the Marquis Estate's weakness, they would choose to desert immediately.

At this moment, Sima Yutang's hatred for the two was even greater than his hatred for Yan Chu.

Slowly exhaling, Sima Yutang patted Duan Cheng's shoulder and said amiably:

“Zi'an, so many people have betrayed the Marquis Estate, yet only you remain loyal to me. Once this matter is over, I will reward you handsomely!”

Duan Cheng's courtesy name was Zi'an, but this was the first time Sima Yutang had spoken to him so warmly, making him deeply moved.

He quickly straightened his expression and expressed his loyalty:

“I am willing to share the Marquis's burdens!”

...

“Have you heard? Yan Chu is challenging the Old Marquis to a duel!”

“What? Is it true or false?”

“Of course it's true! It's spread all over the streets and alleys! If you don't believe it, just ask anyone; even the aunties at the roadside stalls know about it!”

“What a Blade Demon Yan Chu! He's truly going against the heavens. Killing a Great Grandmaster of Hidden Sword Palace wasn't enough; he actually wants to challenge the Old Marquis's majesty. Who doesn't know that the Old Marquis is the stabilizing force of our Cangzhou Prefecture?”

In a restaurant, the discussions were boisterous.

Two young men in white robes were sitting opposite each other drinking wine, their expressions varying as they listened to the surrounding voices.

“Yan Chu! Yan Chu!”

“I've heard this name so much lately that my ears are growing callouses!”

The young man on the left drained his cup in one gulp, his expression filled with quite a bit of indignation.

Yan Chu, by himself, had stirred up the Cangzhou Prefecture Jianghu.

“Now he's even established some bullshit World Society, stealing all the limelight from the Five Surnames and Three Sects. Countless martial artists are now rushing to Longhua Prefecture, wanting to join the World Society.”

“Our Tiantai Sect, as the leader of the Three Sects, has now become completely irrelevant.”

“Watch your words!”

The young man on the right, Meng Hong, was the first true disciple of the Tiantai Sect, and he frowned and gave a light scolding.

The grumbling youth was his Junior Brother, Xu Qianshan.

Meng Hong lowered his voice and said:

“Currently, Yan Chu is so popular that countless people want to curry favor with him. It's rumored that many have even offered their wives and daughters!”

“Junior Brother Xu, do not bring disaster upon the Tiantai Sect by being reported to Yan Chu for your disrespectful words!”