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”No worries,” said Zhangsun Wuji as he casually walked back. ”Prince Heng's reputation as a wise man is known by all nations. Naturally, he is not wrong.”

Just as Pei Yuan looked up in surprise, Zhanhsun Wuji added, ”Mrs. Yan did not admit defeat earlier on and attacked again. Though that defeats moral values, it is not against the rules. However, since Mrs. Yan's weapon had also been struck down by Princess Ya, both people are on par.”

Pei Yuan's complexion turned ghostly-white. Zhangsun Wuji may have seemed forgiving, but a simple line as ”Though that defeats moral values” said in the setting of the True Martial Arts Meet would definitely spread into everyone's ears. From now on, she would lose the respect of all other martial arts wielders.

Meanwhile, Meng Fuyao was not very satisfied with the results and still wanted to kick Pei Yuan out of the last round. As she glanced around, she saw how Pei Yuan shot cold looks at her, and how Ya Lanzhu stared at Pei Yuan as though she was ready to skin Pei Yuan alive.

Realization struck her — during the mixed battle of the last round, Ya Lanzhu would definitely be more focused on defeating Pei Yuan than snatching the champion title. Then, Pei Yuan would not have the chance to play dirty tricks on her. This meant that two of her strong opponents were indirectly removed.

'Sigh, that guy's calculative thoughts are deeper than the ocean. He even wants to utilise Ya Lanzhu, who is at least on friendly terms, in his masterplan. That's shameless!'

Thereafter, the drawing of lots commenced. Meng Fuyao would battle Tang Yizhong, Yun Hen's opponent was Ya Lanzhu, Pei Yuan's was Shen Ming, Wei Shanrui's was Yan Taiyu, and Chang Tao's was Bagu.

Meng Fuyao heaved a sigh of relief. She was in a dilemma, thinking of what she should do if she drew Yun Hen or Ya Lanzhu. Defeat them? Ya Lanzhu was still fine since she was just a playful character, and Meng Fuyao would not feel too guilty defeating her. At most, she would only disrupt Zhangsun Wuji's well-thought plans. But for Yun Hen, he was a man in his prime time to contribute to his nation. How could she bear to rip him of such a precious opportunity?

If Yun Hen battled Ya Lanzhu, there was an 80% chance that Ya Lanzhu would lose. She liked to play and was not as hardworking as Yun Hen, and she also lacked the rich experience that he had from his years of fighting, if not, she wouldn't have been successfully attacked by Pei Yuan from the back.

Meng Fuyao sighed, glanced at Zhangsun Wuji and thought, 'You're trying to enforce your grand plan? Ya Lanzhu would still not be able to end up in the top five positions.'

Zhangsun Wuji merely smiled and ignored her provoking thoughts. He gently sipped from the teacup and chatted with Zhan Nancheng from time to time.

His demeanor successfully angered Meng Fuyao. There were just people like him who didn't know how to spell ”guilty!”.

Flipping back her robes, she took big strides towards the center of the stage. This time round, she was the first to be up.

Tang Yizhong, who had, unfortunately, become her competitor, smiled bitterly and came up to her with his sword in hand. Even before the sparring started, he bowed and spoke, ”Tang Yizhong from Xuanji, wishes to battle General Meng.”

He bowed so humbly that Meng Fuyao was about to return the formalities, but he suddenly whispered, ”I'm willing to admit defeat quickly to preserve General Meng's strength. Please show mercy on me.”

Meng Fuyao stared at him with a slight beam — he was smart. He noticed that she was angry and ready to punch someone up, and knew that no matter what he would not be able to win, so he tried to please her in advance.

With a bow, she softly replied, ”Don't worry, I only beat up those who deserve it.”

That person was none other than the one sitting high up on the steps.

The two of them started fighting, and it was a spectacular sight. The pair of swords were like blossoming flowers, but that was all there was to the fight. In less than a hundred moves, Tang Yizhong jumped six feet high and exposed his front towards Meng Fuyao.

Such a posture, which resembled an eagle preying on a rabbit, usually only worked when the better wielder performed it on the weaker one, and there had to be a huge disparity in their skills. By using this move, Tang Yizhong was obviously giving Meng Fuyao an opportunity, and she could only graciously accept it.

With a kick, Tang Yizhong flew away.

He spun three somersaults exaggeratedly in mid-air before landing clumsily on the ground. Without even flushing or panting, his expression became one of ”utter humiliation” and he ”threw his sword away and admitted defeat”, shouting, ”Your skills are admirable!”

While trying to suppress her laughter, Meng Fuyao returned the formalities. ”You've been kind, thank you,” she said. She could not help but shoot one more look at this guy who looked average-looking. An interesting person indeed, and he was smart and fun. If she visited Xuanji in the future, she could make friends with him.

In the meantime, Zhan Nancheng clapped his hands and smiled. ”This battle is extremely interesting.” Turning to Zhangsun Wuji, he asked, ”Crown Prince, what are your thoughts?”

The royals of all the nations in the Five Regions Continent were skilled in martial arts and naturally would have been able to recognize that this battle was merely child's play.

Zhangsun Wuji smiled and answered, ”Interesting indeed. Mr. Tang is no weak competitor and could have lasted at least 200 hundred moves. It is honorable that he doesn't care that much about fame.”

”Oh?” Zhan Nancheng remarked. ”Crown Prince, you are very impartial. I thought that you would praise General Meng.”

”Your Majesty, you are wise, how would I dare to lie?” Zhangsun Wuji responded with a smile, as he looked at his tea in a daze.

”I heard that you are very fond of General Meng,” Zhan Nancheng commented discreetly.