Chapter 180 - Challenge (2/2)
”What do you want from me to disturb everyone during dinner?” asked Feng Gengxin, trying to involve other people in his cause. But his tactic didn't work; no one intervened in support of his claim.
”Just before the start of academic activities, you dared to insult both of my companions. We were stopped that day by the arrival of the Imperial Prince, but now he is not here.” Hei declared as he raised his voice to make sure he was heard by everyone present.
Feng Gengxin frowned. Initially, he was waiting for the right opportunity to get his revenge. And the trial within the forest happened to be the perfect occasion. However, the sudden attack of c.o.c.kroaches and termites had messed up his plans. Not to mention the fact that he found out how strong Hei really was.
After witnessing Hei's true abilities, Feng Gengxin decided to give up revenge. He was arrogant, but he wasn't stupid enough to provoke people stronger than him. Since Hei himself had not mentioned it so far, Feng Gengxin thought he had left that matter behind. However, it had now come back as a backfire.
”So? What if Long Tian is here or not? Do you want to fight here in front of everyone? Do you want to violate the rules of the academy?” Feng Gengxin mocked, laughing at Hei's absurdities.
”I have no intention of violating the rules of the academy. That's why I'm here. I, Hei, throw a formal challenge against you, Feng Gengxin. However, as you are weaker than me, this challenge would not be exciting at all. So how about a team challenge? You and your henchmen against my other four companions whom you see with me and me.”
When Feng Gengxin heard the words' formal challenge', his face turned white as if he had just seen a fatal omen. The Southern Royal War Academy didn't prohibit combat, provided that a challenge was first announced.
”Formal challenge? Why should I accept it? I belong to the Feng Family, one of the Eight Big Families. Why would someone with my heritage lower himself to fight an inferior martial artist with no background like you? No, this makes no sense. I categorically refuse. If you want to come to blows, look for someone else. I have no time to lose.”
At that point, Feng Gengxin got up and gave his henchmen a look to follow him. The earlier they left, the better it was for him. But unfortunately for him, there was someone else at that time in the canteen.
”Stop there, Feng Gengxin.”
A voice rang in the canteen in an authoritative tone. Feng Gengxin immediately understood who had spoken. His blood began to boil from the agitation that was raging in his body.
”Cousin Feng Chen. What's up? I'm busy, I have to go back to my cultivation session.” exclaimed Feng Gengxin trying to find a plausible excuse to leave.
Feng Chen didn't let himself be distracted and continued, ”You can answer the challenge and then go to cultivate.”
”But I've already answered. Didn't you hear, cousin Feng Chen? I refused, why should I challenge someone like him?”
”Because it's an order. As the family head's son and the number one member of the younger generation, you know that I have the power to issue orders to all the family members of the younger generation. Hei has launched a formal challenge. Therefore, as a member of the Feng Family, you must accept the challenge and achieve victory.”
Feng Chen's voice was hard and relentless, leaving no room for negotiation. His words implied that if Feng Gengxin didn't want a punishment from the family, he would have to accept the challenge.
Hei looked at Feng Chen for a few moments. Immediately after accepting Long Tian's proposal, the two held a meeting on how to plan their moves. Hei had questioned how Feng Chen would react if they challenged Feng Gengxin to a formal challenge. After all, it was about the honor of the Feng Family, not to mention the fact that Feng Chen and Feng Gengxin were cousins. However, Long Tian had assured that there would be no problems, and from how Feng Chen was behaving, it seemed that the Imperial Prince was right.
'The relationship between Long Tian and Feng Chen is more complex than it seems. Even if it is an official challenge, if I win against Feng Gengxin, the result will bring dishonor to the Feng Family. As the future family head, I doubt that Feng Chen will allow such a thing. It would be reasonable to assume that he would join the challenge, but he doesn't seem to have any intention of doing so. Instead, he's helping us get Feng Gengxin to the fight.' Hei thought as he returned to observe Feng Gengxin.
At Feng Chen's words, Feng Gengxin found himself cornered. As Feng Chen had said, the member of the younger generation with the most potential was permitted to command the other younger generation members. It was a family rule, Feng Gengxin couldn't refuse, not to mention that Feng Chen was also the son of the current family head. The orders he dictated could be compared to the family head himself.
”I... hmmm. Yes, I know. Then, since they are challenging the honor of the family, will you help me cousin Feng Chen, right?” asked Feng Gengxin, holding on to the last hope he had left.
'If Feng Chen joins, I can have a chance. Furthermore, if he participates, Huli Xieren is also likely to fight alongside him. Even though she is not as strong as Feng Chen, she is more skilled than the trash I have with me.' Feng Gengxin chuckled to himself, believing that he had found the answer to his problems.
”No. I won't help you. It's a problem that you created because you don't know when to keep your mouth shut. You have to solve it yourself. Furthermore, it is a formal challenge, and those who have been challenged with you are your four henchmen. I couldn't intervene even if I wanted to do so.”
Feng Chen, therefore, destroyed Feng Gengxin's last hope. The haughty and arrogant young man of the Feng Family felt as if he had fallen into a deep abyss with no way out. Only the shame he would feel if he showed weakness was holding him up. Otherwise, it could have already collapsed and passed out on the floor.
”Three days. Yes, I think it is more than enough time to prepare yourselves. In three days, you and your henchmen will challenge Hei and his companions. It is okay for you. Hei, I assume, right?” Feng Chen accepted the challenge on Feng Gengxin's behalf.
”Yes, it's more than good. It will give us a way to achieve optimal conditions.” Hei replied.
Excitement spread among all the other spectators. They didn't expect that there would be a formal challenge in this period, not after the events that took place in the forest. But it was a good thing. They could temporarily distract themselves from their dark thoughts.
”Three days. Okay. Three days.” stammered Feng Gengxin. So he headed out of the cafeteria alone. His henchmen, totally displaced at having found themselves in such a mess, followed him shortly after.
According to the rules of the academy, they could refuse the challenge up to two times in a row. But if they did, they would leave their boss alone. It meant utterly cutting the bridges with Feng Gengxin. As a result, they would no longer receive the benefits they had as a henchman of Feng Gengxin, a member of one of the Eight Big Families.