Chapter 26: Better to Seize by Force Than to Hold a Martial Arts Tournament for a Suitor

"Who dares to step onto this stage!"

Jiang Qin flicked her whip, her entire demeanor radiating a piercing, frigid aura. Zhou Qi, standing to the side, looked on with a hint of obsession in his eyes. Zhao Ang, seeing this, was not surprised; he hadn't realized Zhou Qi was into this type.

"First come, first served. Lady Jiang, don't you dare go back on your word if you lose!"

A burly man with a thick waist and broad shoulders stepped directly onto the stage. A hatchet was tucked into his belt, making him look less like an honest man and more like a mountain bandit.

"Enough of your drivel. Let us fight!"

A flash of disdain crossed Jiang Qin's eyes as she gathered her strength and charged forward. The man hurriedly held his hatchet up to his chest, but Jiang Qin used the momentum to tap her foot against the weapon. She then spun half a circle, stepped out, and landed a kick squarely on the man's face. Jiang Qin landed steadily, while the man was sent flying backward.

"Well done!"

Someone cheered, and soon the applause swelled into a chorus.

"Useless! Is there anyone else who dares?"

Standing straight, Jiang Qin wore a look of slight arrogance. A man who refused to accept defeat jumped onto the stage, wielding a saber. His movements were significantly more skilled than those of the hatchet-wielder before him. Unfortunately, he proved to be no match for Jiang Qin, lasting less than a single exchange. She didn't even need to use her whip; she simply kicked him off the stage.

"Young Prince, do you wish to go up?"

"No rush. Let's wait a little longer."

Zhao Ang remained calm and composed. Since the old Prince had chosen this method to send Jiang Qin to him, it proved he had enough confidence in her; at the very least, those who had arrived on the first day were no match for her. That being the case, it made no difference whether he went up now or later. Besides, by waiting a while longer, he could observe Jiang Qin's true capabilities.

"Very well."

Liu Yu nodded. She looked at Jiang Qin, thinking how wonderful it would be if she were as formidable as this woman.

"If you're too scared to step onto the stage, just say so. Why put on such a show?"

"You had better just sit there and watch as I take this beauty for my own!"

Zhou Qi unfurled his folding fan, threw out a mocking remark, and used his lightness skills to vault onto the stage. News of Jiang Qin's martial arts tournament for marriage had only been out for half a day, so those with real power had not yet arrived. Therefore, Zhou Qi's strength was arguably the highest among those present; the foundations of a noble family were never to be underestimated. Oh, of course, with the exception of Liu Yu, that born freak of nature.

"Lady Jiang, I am Zhou Qi, the direct grandson of the Duke of Ding. Greetings."

Zhou Qi bowed, looking every bit the refined and dashing gentleman. But Jiang Qin didn't even spare him a glance. The old Prince and the Duke of Ding had always been at odds; as a subordinate of the old Prince, there was no chance Zhou Qi would receive a pleasant look from her.

"Enough nonsense. Let's fight!"

Jiang Qin did not underestimate her opponent; she drew her whip. She lashed out immediately, but Zhou Qi pivoted, hooking the whip with his folding fan. He pulled the whip toward him, his tone tinged with mockery.

"Lady Jiang, if this is all you have, I fear you are destined to enter my Duke of Ding's mansion!"

"Well done, Young Master Zhou!"

Below the stage, some had begun to cheer for Zhou Qi. The truth was, the way Jiang Qin looked at all men with such contempt had incited public resentment. Now that someone was able to vent their frustrations for them, they were more than happy to oblige.

"Hold your tongue!"

A flush of anger rose on Jiang Qin's face. She yanked her whip back and followed up with a kick. The two traded blows; it was clear that Zhou Qi possessed some genuine skill. It stood to reason that he had fallen into Liu Yu's trap that day only because he had been caught off guard and because Liu Yu's strength was truly freakish. The saying "one force can defeat ten techniques" was proving its weight in gold.

"Young Prince, is Lady Jiang about to lose?"

Liu Yu clenched her fists, feeling a flicker of worry. Zhao Ang, however, shook his head. While it looked as though Zhou Qi had the upper hand, he was being far too careless, whereas Jiang Qin’s instincts had been honed on the edge of life and death. One wrong move, and Zhou Qi would undoubtedly lose.

"Young Prince, look!"

The situation on stage shifted abruptly. Zhou Qi lost his footing as he spun to land. Jiang Qin shot forward like an arrow released from a bow. She lashed her whip toward Zhou Qi's face, and as he scrambled to dodge, her fist struck.

"Ah!"

With a scream, Zhou Qi’s nose was broken. He was sent flying backward, blood gushing from his nose.

"Useless!" Jiang Qin cursed. Zhou Qi’s attendants rushed forward to lift him up.

"This is the direct grandson of the Duke of Ding! You dare to use such vicious tactics? Men, seize her!"

Zhou Qi had brought a number of followers, and the attendant began shouting for them to act. Jiang Qin assumed a defensive stance, but Zhao Ang pushed aside the curtain of his sedan chair, his face filled with mockery.

"You've got to be kidding? Is that the stature of the Duke of Ding's mansion? Losing a fight and resorting to brute force?"

"Exactly! The Young Prince is right!"

"Martial arts tournaments are inherently dangerous. If you're afraid of getting hurt, you should go home and drink your mother's milk!"

Among the gathering, there were many martial artists who had no fear of the Duke of Ding's reputation. Moreover, with Zhao Ang standing in front, they had nothing to worry about!

"Zhao Ang, aren't you ashamed of saying that?"

"How many times in the past have you forcibly seized common women?"

"This woman, I am determined to have her today!"

Zhou Qi had cast all caution to the wind; a woman with such spirit belonged by his side. Besides, he hadn't actually lost to Jiang Qin; he had simply been a bit careless just now.

"That won't do. She is already my person!"

Zhao Ang smiled, but his tone turned instantly cold. The two stood in direct opposition. The guards from both mansions drew their swords and faced off, but unfortunately for the Duke of Ding's mansion, they were no match for the guards of the Prince of Zhennan's household!

"Liu Yu, go! Seize her!"

Zhao Ang commanded, and Zhou Qi’s side moved as well. The guards from both mansions clashed, and the commoners scrambled to get out of the way. They couldn't afford to offend either the Duke of Ding or the Prince of Zhennan; it was better to hide and watch the show. Of course, those with sense had already fled toward the capital to report the news to both families.

"Zhao Ang, why must you oppose me in everything?"

Wiping the blood from his nose, Zhou Qi looked at Zhao Ang with increasing resentment. Zhao Ang spread his hands, appearing somewhat helpless. "It is clearly you who insists on snatching what I have set my sights on."

Swords had no eyes, and in the chaos, a few of the Duke of Ding's guards were killed. As for Jiang Qin, she had already been firmly scooped up by Liu Yu. Jiang Qin tried to struggle, but Liu Yu’s strength was absurdly great—she couldn't move an inch.

Where on earth did Zhao Ang find such a freak? Was she arranged by the old Prince as well? As expected, Zhao Ang was just a useless man who relied on women! Jiang Qin's disdain for Zhao Ang grew even deeper. At that moment, officials from the Capital Prefecture arrived.

"Stop, all of you!"

The soldiers of the Capital Prefecture stepped forward to separate the crowd. Zhou Qi’s eyes were bloodshot.

"Zhao Ang, you injured my guards! I will never let this go!"

He tried to lunge forward with his sword, but Zhao Ang was shielded tightly by his own guards.

"Useless," Zhao Ang said with a smile. Zhou Qi grew even more enraged. The Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture did not dare to restrain Zhou Qi too forcefully and could only look toward Zhao Ang.

"Young Prince, please, say a little less!"

"Don't worry, I shall hold my tongue. I won't lower myself to the level of a useless person."

"Ah... you!"

Zhou Qi roared. Just then, an authoritative voice rang out:

"Zhou Qi, stop!"