Chapter 574
Chapter 574
“Young Lord, why aren't you taking bets on Hua Xiong winning?”
At someone's shout, Ying Jing replied.
“Then you come and host a betting pool for that. No matter how low the odds are, as long as they're over one-to-one, I'll bet my money on whatever you take.”
Hua Xiong was sure to win, so anyone who opened a betting pool on him would be an idiot. After shouting several times and finding no one willing to bet on Wang Bi, Young Lord Ying Jing was about to give up. Just then, Wang Bi waved his hand and said.
“I’ll bet a thousand gold coins on myself to win.”
With that, Wang Bi stacked a thousand gold coins on the table. Young Lord Ying Jing was taken aback, then nodded.
“Fine, I'll take that bet.”
In an instant, everyone was even more astonished.
‘Did Wang Bi get hit on the head today? Has he gone mad? Not only is he fighting Hua Xiong, but he’s actively trying to go bankrupt?’
Instantly, numerous young nobles and ladies set aside their amusements to watch the duel between Wang Bi and Hua Xiong with rapt attention.
* * *
*Clang!*
As the gong sounded, the duel began. Hua Xiong grinned viciously and said.
“Wang Bi, today this old man will break one of your legs and let you taste what it’s like to be a cripple!”
He then swung the wooden club in his hand down at Wang Bi with unparalleled ferocity. He intended to be ruthless this time, so he unleashed his full speed and power. Before, without a signed contract, he couldn't bring himself to be too harsh. But this time, with the contract signed, he would not only beat Wang Bi to a pulp but also break one of his legs. However, in the next moment, Hua Xiong’s vision went black. Wang Bi had leaped right in front of him.
A loud *thud* rang out, followed by a sharp *crack*. Hua Xiong was first stunned, then felt an excruciating pain. His kneecap had been shattered. Everyone stared at the scene, dumbfounded.
‘How is Wang Bi so fast? Not only did he dodge Hua Xiong's club, but he immediately kicked Hua Xiong's right leg?’
“Aargh!”
Hua Xiong collapsed to the ground, clutching his broken right leg and screaming in agony. Wang Bi approached him, grabbed the man—who weighed over a hundred kilograms—with one hand, and threw him with all his might. Hua Xiong was flung several meters away, and the duel was over in an instant. Wang Bi had finally defeated him. Everyone was once again in shock.
‘My god! When did Wang Bi become so formidable? Not only has his speed increased, but his strength has multiplied several times over. He used to be nothing but a piece of trash, and he failed the first stage of the recent civil and martial examinations. He couldn't even lift the stone locks, becoming a disgrace to the martial arts. Hua Xiong, true to his name, is as burly as a bear, weighing over two hundred jin. Yet Wang Bi lifted him with one hand. It's incredible. Did… did he have some kind of fateful encounter? How did he become so powerful in just one day?’
Wang Bi felt triumphant inside, but also a little regretful.
‘Master Shen really didn't lie to me. I really shouldn't touch a woman for a month. He said the power of my bloodline would decrease by ten percent each time, didn't he? Just now, at Master Shen’s house, I clearly lifted a four-hundred-jin stone lock with one hand, easy as anything. But Hua Xiong weighs only two hundred and seventy jin, and it took quite a bit of effort to lift him. Master Shen truly didn't deceive me!’
But seeing the astonished looks on everyone's faces, he felt immensely gratified again. Just then, that vixen Bingbing walked out with faltering steps and said in a trembling voice.
“Young Master Wang Bi, what kind of miracle have you encountered? Just now in the room, you tormented me until I was half-dead, and now you’ve defeated Hua Xiong with such ease. What on earth has happened to you?”
Everyone couldn't believe what they were hearing.
‘No way! Has Wang Bi become that incredible?’
“Hahahahaha!”
Wang Bi laughed maniacally.
‘The Golden Dragon's Blood is truly marvelous! It really has changed my destiny. I, Wang Bi, will rise up and become even greater!’
Soon, the spectating young nobles swarmed him like bees, surrounding him as if he were a hero and asking him for the reason. Wang Bi walked up to Young Lord Ying Jing and said.
“Thank you for taking my bet. It seems I’ve bankrupted the Young Lord.”
Ying Jing, still in utter shock, took a long moment before nodding.
“Very well. I will send seven thousand gold coins to your residence tomorrow.”
Wang Bi was even more exultant. Without spending a single coin, he had earned his family a thousand gold coins.
‘I, Wang Bi, am about to reach the pinnacle of my life.’
He was reluctant to go home and instead held a banquet, eating and drinking. The numerous young nobles all gathered by his side, trying to get to the bottom of things. Wang Bi kept his lips sealed, refusing to speak no matter how they persuaded him. Of course, this wasn't to protect a secret, but because he didn't want others to buy Golden Dragon's Blood from Shen Lang like he had.
‘If you all become strong too, how can I show off and put you in your place?’
No matter how they flattered him, he wouldn't utter a single word. Eventually, the young nobles and beauties like Bingbing desperately plied him with wine. Wang Bi soon became thoroughly drunk. Now, he could no longer keep his secret.
“Why do you think I became so strong? It’s because I went to Shen Lang and bought Golden Dragon's Blood. Hahahaha! But don't you get any funny ideas. Shen Lang won't sell it to you. It's only because of my special relationship with the Dreamcloud Lake that he sold me a vial of Golden Dragon's Blood.”
Upon hearing this, everyone was puzzled.
‘Damn it, no way! Did Shen Lang really have Golden Dragon's Blood? Wasn't he just bluffing or trying to scam people?’
“Wang Bi, how much did you spend on one vial of Golden Dragon's Blood?”
“Six thousand gold coins. A full six thousand gold coins!”
Hearing this, everyone was inwardly startled. The price was indeed steep, but it was well worth it. If one could become stronger after drinking Golden Dragon's Blood, six thousand gold coins was nothing.
* * *
The next day, before the sun was even up, someone stealthily entered through the back door of Marquis Zhangping's estate. Shen Lang, who had been sleeping in Ning Yan's arms, was soon awakened by the noise.
“Who are you? What is it?”
The intruder was wearing a mask, so Shen Lang had to ask. But it couldn't be helped. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince had issued a blockade, so anyone entering Marquis Zhangping's estate could not have their identity exposed.
“Master Shen, here are six thousand gold coins. I'd like to buy one vial of your Golden Dragon's Blood!”
The person was not only masked but also spoke in a deliberately hoarse voice.
‘Six thousand gold coins?’
Shen Lang was surprised.
‘Oh? A lucky charm. I was initially going to sell it for three thousand, then the price went up to five thousand, and now it's six thousand?’
Shen Lang didn't play dumb and took out a test tube containing the "Golden Dragon's Blood."
“Let me make this clear first. The effects of this Golden Dragon's Blood vary depending on a person's constitution. For some, the effect is immense, while for others, it's just average.”
Hearing this, the other party was startled.
‘Is Shen Lang trying to trick me with some fake blood?’
“To be fair, you can drink the Golden Dragon's Blood first. If it's effective, I'll take your gold. But if it's not, I won't take a single coin!”
The person was overjoyed to hear this.
“Master Shen is truly a gentleman!”
Even though it was a failed sample, Shen Lang would never let it leak out. Everyone had to drink it on the spot. The person hesitated for a few seconds, afraid that Shen Lang might have poisoned it. He even took out a silver needle to test for poison. Shen Lang looked at him with contempt.
‘If I had poisoned it, do you think you could detect it with a mere silver needle?’
Meeting Shen Lang's mocking gaze, the person felt embarrassed. He lowered his head, revealing a part of his mask, turned around, and drank it in one gulp. Then, he quietly waited for the effects to manifest.
“Ah!”
He suddenly cried out. He hadn't expected the Golden Dragon's Blood to take effect so quickly. His whole body felt like it was about to explode, and the muscles all over him swelled endlessly. He could clearly feel a surge in his strength, as if his entire being was about to take flight. Moreover, a flame ignited in his chest, feeling as if it would instantly burn his whole body to ashes. It was too powerful. He, too, saw the stone lock engraved with "four hundred jin," walked over, and lifted it with a powerful heave.
‘I've become this strong? I can lift a four-hundred-jin stone lock so easily with one hand? This is amazing. The Golden Dragon's Blood is the real deal, worth every penny. It's truly worth six thousand gold coins!’
This person could no longer hold back and shouted towards the sky.
“From this day on, I, XXX, will rise! My family will rise! Father, just you watch. I will be your pride and joy.”
He then bowed to Shen Lang.
“Master Shen is like a god. I will take my leave now!”
“Wait!”
“Master Shen, if fate allows, we shall meet again. There is no need for more words.”
His meaning was very clear: you shouldn't try to find out my identity, and if you ask me to support Ning Zheng, that's impossible. A deal is a deal, but political stances are a different matter.
“I have a piece of advice for you.”
At Shen Lang's words, the other party replied with a guarded tone.
“Speak!”
A car needs gasoline, not firewood. No, that's not right.
“You must not touch a woman for a month. Each time you do, the effects of the Golden Dragon's Blood will diminish by ten percent!”
“I'll be on my way then!”
Upon hearing that, the person immediately left. He ran like a madman, his heart filled with unparalleled excitement.
‘My speed has increased so much? And I feel an endless strength within me? I'm not going to ride a horse or take a carriage; I'm going to run all the way home. No, I'm going to run three laps around the capital.’
However, the man carelessly passed by the front of Chunmian Pavilion, and at that moment, he couldn't suppress the flames of desire in his heart. He instantly recalled Shen Lang's final piece of advice about not touching a woman for a month.
‘Just once. Just this once!’
He then gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and entered Chunmian Pavilion. This alone was enough to show what a man of integrity and unsullied character Shen Lang was, wasn't it? After all, he had passed by a brothel four times without entering!
* * *
Soon, Shen Lang was so busy he could have died. This was because people were starting to line up to buy the Golden Dragon's Blood. They all entered through the back door of Marquis Zhangping's estate. There was a saying that fit this situation perfectly: if you use the back door enough, it becomes no different from the front door.
Marquis Zhangping's estate was thronged with visitors, and Zhuo, who brought tea for the guests, witnessed an incredibly bizarre scene. The dozens of people there were all wearing identical black clothes and identical black masks. Furthermore, to hide their figures, they even wore black cloaks and black gloves.
‘Impressive, truly impressive. But dressed like that, it must be inconvenient to even drink tea.’
Since their identities could not be revealed, they didn't speak to each other. If they did, they would be suppressed by both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. But if they missed this opportunity to change their bloodline, they would surely regret it for the rest of their lives.
“Wang Ling?”
Someone with a hoarse voice called out a name, and someone else quickly answered.
“That's not me!”
In that instant, everyone stared at him. He shivered, immediately stood up to leave, and said these words.
“I was never here!”
But less than an hour later, he returned, having slipped in with a group of people.