Chapter 173: The Bet

The brightly lit hall was luxuriously decorated, with a pearl-like glow enveloping over two hundred young nobles dressed in splendid attire. These tall, robust, and handsome young men swung their swords, battling fiercely under the glow. Sweat flew, and drops of blood occasionally splattered as blades slashed through the air. It was like a gentle breeze on a summer night, bringing with it a faint scent of blood.

Surrounding these noble youths, who fought like lions, were nearly a hundred graceful noble ladies. They covered their rosy lips with small folding fans, their eyes wide as they nervously watched the chaotic scene in the hall. Clenching their fists, they silently cheered for the ones they favored.

Amid the lively, and sometimes rigid, group of battling figures, one man stood out: Lin Qi, who raged like an angry bear. He was holding Marrs, who was twice his size, and was ramming Marrs’ head into the ground with the precision of a pile driver. Each time Lin Qi lifted Marrs’ head, Marr let out a low roar, spewing angry curses from his wide-open mouth.

But just as each curse began to escape, Lin Qi would slam Marrs’ head onto the ground again, forcing the curses back down his throat.

Amid the chaos, Tixiang, Lartus, and Beya stood opposite each other, locking eyes. Their expressions were serious, their eyes shifting as they pondered the consequences this brawl would have on their own situations.

Among the more than two hundred young nobles present, almost all were the direct descendants of earls and higher-ranked aristocratic families in the Imperial Capital. They were clearly divided into two factions: the Military Nobility and the civil official nobility. Were these young nobles’ clashes a sign of the friction between their respective family influences?

Undoubtedly, this would impact certain dynamics in the imperial court. Especially since the Imperial Emperor had gone south to escape the cold, leaving only key ministers in charge of state affairs. The unrest among the young nobles could, if mishandled, affect various aspects of national governance.

Tixiang and the others had so much on their minds that, for the moment, they had no attention to spare for Marrs’ fate.

In full view of everyone, Lin Qi kept pounding Marrs’ head into the ground. If not for Marrs’ powerful physique, his decent Combat Qi, and the sturdy defenses of his armor, Lin Qi would have smashed Marrs’ head into a pulp.

Just as the chaos peaked, Ya and Ling walked in, hand in hand.

Like forest elves from a summer night’s dream, Ya and Ling stepped forward under the pearl-like glow of the lights. They wore long, snow-white gowns that made them look pure, serene, and untouchable. Their beautiful faces seemed veiled in a faint mist, like the moon reflected in a well or a flower in a mirror—stunning yet elusive in their true appearance.

The young nobles, who had been fighting like frenzied roosters, stopped at once. Calmly sheathing their swords, they tidied their disheveled clothes. Those who were wounded channeled their Combat Qi, tightening their muscles to temporarily stop the bleeding. With gentle smiles, they turned to face Ya and Ling, bowing politely in greeting.

These young nobles had all, at some point, ridden or driven past No.1 Shenghui Street, so they knew of the presence of Ya and Ling, the strikingly beautiful twin sisters. As daughters of the Golden Sails Family in the Vias Commercial Federation, and with such irresistible charm, they naturally drew the attention of these young nobles. Like peacocks in mating season, the nobles flaunted their finest qualities before the two beauties.

With such ladies present, there could be no more fighting.

Even Lin Qi reluctantly let go of Marrs, panting heavily as he scrambled to his feet. Worried that Ya and Ling might recognize him by his movements, he released Marrs and sidled over to stand beside Tixiang, muttering under his breath.

Marrs struggled to his feet, breathing heavily and covered in blood. He let out a few loud, forced laughs, his face dark as he glared at Lin Qi. “Good, very good. It’s been a long time since anyone dared lay a hand on me, let alone beat me like this! Whoever you are, once today is over, you’ll pay!”

Lin Qi smiled slightly. He raised his right thumb and deliberately drew it across his throat.

The expressions of the young nobles in the hall instantly shifted. No noble would ever make such a crude, threatening gesture. Even when challenging someone, nobles avoided such low, dangerous signals. A throat-slitting gesture was more common among rough elements in the streets—thieves, kidnappers, and the like—used to convey their “goodwill.”

Marrs’ face also changed. He fixed Lin Qi with a hard stare, then gave a cold laugh. He didn’t take Lin Qi’s threat seriously. What street thug would dare harm a direct member of the Imperial Royal Family?

After a few more laughs, Marrs wiped the blood from his face with his sleeve and cheerfully approached Ya and Ling. “You two beautiful ladies must be Aya and Aling, who’ve been causing such a stir in the Imperial Capital lately? It’s an honor to meet you here. I am Marrs—I’m sure you’ve heard of me. Would you do me the honor of being my companions tonight?”

As soon as Marrs spoke, Beya’s face darkened. He had suffered greatly for these two women, even getting roughed up by his own magical beast mount. But if Marrs had spoken up, what could Beya do? After all, Marrs was the one Beya had sworn loyalty to. Ya and Ling weren’t officially connected to Beya, so it wouldn’t be proper for him to compete with Marrs.

Just then, Yulian spoke up. “Your Highness Marrs, Miss Aya and Miss Aling are guests of Lord Tixiang.”

Marrs’ expression shifted. He was about to rebuke Yulian sharply, but Lin Qi stepped forward, placing himself between Marrs and Yulian. Remembering the beating he had just taken, Marrs closed his mouth. However, his mind raced, and he soon proposed a new idea with a smile. “In that case, let’s add a new condition to tonight’s bet! Whoever loses must never approach Miss Ya and Miss Ling again. How does that sound?”

Ya and Ling’s faces tightened slightly. Using them as a wager? Marrs had some nerve!

Just as Ya and Ling were about to erupt in anger, Elham and his companions approached slowly. Elham shook his head gently. Ya and Ling clenched their teeth, sealing their lips, though their icy expressions revealed their displeasure.

Ignorant of the hornet’s nest he’d stirred, Marrs chuckled triumphantly. “Well then, let’s begin the bet! Ha ha ha, we’ve wasted enough time—I can’t wait any longer!”

Lartus smiled faintly and nodded slowly.

Tixiang immediately raised his arm. “Then let it begin!”