To Let You Get Punched! . . .
Amidst the banter and wagers, a few voices weighed in. "Great choice! It's a practical bet that serves a purpose and brings joy to one of them."
The sharp voice chimed in once more, revealing a new bet. "Alright, I'm wagering against Dong Wushang. My sword in exchange for his blade. Our blades' souls will merge as one and be hidden in the firmament. The first to discover it will be the victor."
The heavy voice accepted the bet with a resolute, "Deal!"
As the heavy voice reverberated, Cha Eun felt a jolt of astonishment as though the speaker possessed an invincible, overwhelming aura. The force of his blade's power bore down upon him, sending shivers down his spine.
It was a sensation of trepidation.
Previously, Fierce Blade Li Wuliang held the highest standing in Cha Eun's esteem as a blade user. But after this exchange, he had undoubtedly been outclassed. In fact, Li Wuliang might no longer be second but much farther behind. The owner of the heavy voice exhibited extraordinary prowess in both swordsmanship and cultivation, surpassing Cha Eun's wildest expectations. Comparing him to Li Wuliang was an affront to the latter's talents. Even if Li Wuliang were privy to the comparison, he might seek retribution for the grievous insult to his swordsmanship.
Bird Man, who had been somewhat forlorn in his previous remarks, spoke up again, initiating a wager. "I bet on a one-day fight with Chief. I believe he can accomplish it. Ji Mo, will you accept?"
A voice that Cha Eun despised responded, "You moron! I'll pluck your hair out tomorrow!"
"Simply let me know if you have the guts!" Bird Man taunted, his confidence clear. He hoped Ji Mo would agree to the bet.
"Only cowards refuse such a challenge," the man retorted. "Since you're so eager to get a thrashing, head over to Chief Xie and prepare for the beating!"
"I, too, place a bet that the young man can succeed. If I win, Ji Mo will face Chief Xie for an entire day. No retreat, and no ending the fight prematurely. It must last a full day!"
"What's the matter with both of you? Why are you messing with me?" Ji Mo sounded vexed. "We're just having some fun, aren't we? Is this truly necessary? Can't we enjoy a simple wager?"
The others burst into laughter, and one of them quipped, "Cut the nonsense. Just declare if you dare. You always boast about being the bravest among us."
"Deal!" Ji Mo declared through clenched teeth. "I'm absolutely certain this young man will fail. Why wouldn't I dare to bet? When have I ever been mistaken in my judgment?"
At that moment, Master Tianji's voice reemerged, bringing the bets to a close. "All wagers have been established, and no changes are permitted. Let Heaven's Will be our witness. Sound the bell, and it's official! Any breach of this agreement will result in the forfeiture of all bets."
The others were taken aback. "Heaven's Will? Wizard, that's ruthless! We're just having a bit of fun, and you bring Heaven's Will into this?"
Master Tianji appeared to be smiling. "This promises to be a thrilling game. We must elevate it. Otherwise, someone might attempt to renege on the bet. That would be tedious."
"You make a valid point," the others agreed. "None of us has ever backed out of a wager. Hmm, Ji Mo must be quite miffed right now..."
Laughter erupted as they continued to jest and revel in their wagers.
While laughter echoed around, one man was so overjoyed that he resembled a blooming flower—Cha Eun Xiao, who reveled in the merriment. It seemed that even the typically dignified and enigmatic Master Tianji was not above indulging in a bit of mischief, given how he had turned this game into such a serious affair. Cha Eun didn't fully grasp the significance of the term "Heaven's Will Witness," but he understood that it was undoubtedly a high-stakes guarantee. It ensured that Ji Mo would be unable to renounce his commitments after losing the bet.
Whenever Ji Mo found himself on the losing side, he would be obligated to fulfill his pledges. The thought of facing Chief Xie, an unfamiliar but evidently formidable figure, must have been daunting for Ji Mo. The prospect of confronting him for an entire day would surely be an arduous task.
For Cha Eun, it was a delightful revelation to learn that Ji Mo was destined to endure hardship.
What was even more significant was that the bet hinged entirely on him. As long as he succeeded in the trial, Ji Mo would suffer a loss.
Although Cha Eun remained unaware of the nature of the trial, he was determined to succeed. He felt exhilarated and his motivation surged. The East-rising Purple Qi flowed at an unprecedented rate. He concentrated his efforts like never before, and as a result, the voices from within the stele became clearer.
The sharp voice sounded out, urging him, "Youngster, hurry up and come defeat that fellow!"
The heavy voice joined in, expressing its willingness to lose the bet if it meant Cha Eun could confront and vanquish Ji Mo.
The individual who had wagered with the golden scale chimed in, "Nonetheless, success may elude him… In the past, Chief was an exceptionally gifted individual. The test we've designed is straightforward, but it's beyond the reach of ordinary people."
Another man countered, "So, you're betting that he can't do it?"
The first man affirmed, "Indeed."
The latter responded, "Very well."
Ji Mo, on the other hand, voiced his discontent. "This isn't fair! You're all conspiring against me! How can you do this? No!" He harbored a strong sense of grievance. "This is unjust! If I win, you should all surrender your stakes to me!"
"Dream on! Men, let's give him a good beating in advance!" someone declared, followed by a series of thuds.
"Have mercy... Please..." Ji Mo pleaded, leading to another burst of laughter.
The voices within the stele eventually fell silent, leaving Cha Eun in a state of bewilderment. It was a long while before he fully grasped the sheer mystery of the situation.
A group of men, numbering eight or nine, seemed to find their existence rather dull. They resorted to placing wagers, indulging in gambling, and deriving amusement from the prospect of Cha Eun's success. "Since when did I become so remarkable?" he wondered. He reached up to touch his own face, still astounded. "These individuals, each of whom could dominate a substantial realm in their world, have gathered to place bets on me? Even if it's simply because they're bored... it's still excessively flattering. I feel so pressured!"
The men who bet against his success appeared to be engaging in jest and frivolity, except for Ji Mo, whose disbelief rankled Cha Eun.
"Even if only to ensure you lose the bet! Even if it means suffering a severe drubbing!"
He steeled himself, resolute in his determination to refine the stele.