“What? It was Shen Kongxuan?”
“It really was Gentleman Sword Shen Kongxuan.”
“How is that possible? Was it truly him?”
“It must be. He even swore to it.”
As soon as Shen Kongxuan spoke, the crowd erupted into heated discussions. They never imagined it would be him. In their minds, Gentleman Sword Shen Kongxuan had always appeared upright and honourable. But today’s events had greatly damaged that image.
Especially Leng Rubing, who stood beside Hua Jieyu, her face changed dramatically. She looked at Shen Kongxuan in disbelief. “How could this be? How could Shen Kongxuan have leaked the information? This is impossible. Absolutely impossible.”
Hearing Leng Rubing, Li Feng turned back to her, who wore an expression of utter disbelief, and said, “Leng Rubing, how about it? This time Shen Kongxuan admitted it himself. You lost the bet.”
“I… I…” Hearing Li Feng’s words, Leng Rubing’s face changed. She did not know what to say. She had made the bet with Li Feng because she trusted Shen Kongxuan. In her view, Li Feng was bound to lose. But she never expected it really was Shen Kongxuan.
Did this mean she now had to become Li Feng’s maidservant?
Thinking of this, fear appeared in Leng Rubing’s eyes.
“There is no such thing as impossible in this world, little girl. From now on, you are my maidservant.” Li Feng smiled and said.
“Young Master Feng, do you really think it is meaningful to bully a girl like this?” Hua Jieyu said unhappily. But Leng Rubing had already sworn. Even if Hua Jieyu wanted to stop this, she could not. Unless Li Feng himself let Leng Rubing off, but was that possible?
“It is meaningful, and very meaningful.” Li Feng wanted Leng Rubing not for himself, but for Li Xinyu. If Leng Rubing could stay by Li Xinyu’s side, with her good skills, similar age, and lively, cute personality, she would surely become Li Xinyu’s best playmate.
“You…” Hua Jieyu glared at Li Feng in annoyance. She felt Li Feng had done this on purpose.
“Hua Jieyu, how about you come and be my maidservant instead?” Li Feng winked at Hua Jieyu and said.
“I…”
Before Hua Jieyu could reply, Leng Rubing interrupted her. “Sister Hua, do not say anything. I will be his maidservant.” As she spoke, Leng Rubing gave off an air of tragic resolve, like a hero facing death in the wind and cold river.
Li Feng smiled and turned his gaze toward Shen Kongxuan.
At this moment, Shen Kongxuan’s expression changed. Although he had prepared himself mentally, seeing so many faces filled with disbelief, contempt, disdain, doubt, and incredulity still made a trace of regret suddenly rise in his heart.
Had he been wrong to step forward?
No, no, no. He was not wrong. As long as he obtained the invitation in Li Feng’s hand, he could not only participate in the Boxing King Tournament, but might even win over the Flower Demon Hua Jieyu. He could also trade the spots for heavenly treasures and greatly increase his strength. Then why would he fear a few rogue cultivators?
Thinking of this, Shen Kongxuan shuddered. The sliver of regret in his heart was instantly cast far away.
He raised his head, looked at Li Feng, and sneered. “Young Master Feng, I have already spoken. You should give me the invitation in your hand now, right? You are not planning to go back on your oath and refuse to give it, are you?”
Li Feng smiled. His gaze locked onto Shen Kongxuan. A flash of cunning passed through his eyes. “Refuse to give it? Shen Kongxuan, you really underestimate me. Here, I will give you this invitation right now.” With that, Li Feng flicked his hand, and the invitation flew toward Shen Kongxuan.
Hearing Li Feng’s words and seeing his action, everyone, from the rogue cultivators to Hua Jieyu and the others, looked utterly incredulous.
Whoosh!
The rogue cultivators’ eyes fixed on the invitation flying through the air, greed shining brightly in their gazes.
“This invitation is mine!”
Just as the invitation passed over one rogue cultivator’s head, he could no longer hold back. He stomped on the ground, leaped up, and reached out to grab the invitation.
“Seeking death.”
Just as his hand was about to touch the invitation, a cold snort rang out. Then a flash of cold light streaked by.
Whoosh!
The rogue cultivator’s arm was severed. He screamed in pain, clutching his stump as he rolled on the ground.
“The invitation belongs to me, Shen Kongxuan. Whoever dares to snatch it will die.” Shen Kongxuan held the invitation in one hand and a sharp sword in the other. He coldly stared at the rogue cultivators surrounding him.
“Shen Kongxuan, hand over the invitation and we will spare your life.”
“Shen Kongxuan, if you do not hand over the invitation today, I will tear you to pieces.”
“Gentleman Sword? Who cares if you are Gentleman Sword or Lustful Sword? If you do not hand over the invitation today, you will die without a burial place.”
Although Gentleman Sword Shen Kongxuan had some fame among rogue cultivators, he was not an Innate expert. These rogue cultivators had far fewer reservations. Moreover, if Shen Kongxuan took the invitation, would they not lose their chance to enter the Boxing King Tournament?
“Do you know who I am?” Shen Kongxuan’s expression turned cold.
“We know you are Gentleman Sword. So what? Shen Kongxuan, will you hand over the invitation or not? Do not force us brothers to act.” The rogue cultivator who had spoken earlier looked coldly at Shen Kongxuan.
“You…” Shen Kongxuan’s face turned livid. Facing so many pairs of eyes filled with killing intent, a chill rose from the bottom of his heart.
Li Feng sneered. If Shen Kongxuan had not taken the invitation, things might have been different. But now that he had, death was certain today.
“Young Master Feng, what a vicious plan.” Hua Jieyu said coldly. By now she somewhat understood Li Feng’s intention. Although the invitation was valuable, it was also a death warrant.
Li Feng smiled. He glanced at Shen Kongxuan, who was currently standing tall and threatening the rogue cultivators, then sneered. “Shen Kongxuan can only blame his own greed. I would like to see how he faces these wolf-like rogue cultivators.”
“Young Master Feng, you really are willing to pay a high price. Do you think you can still get that invitation back?” Hua Jieyu asked.
“That is not something you need to worry about.” Li Feng sneered, then said to Shen Kongxuan, “Shen Kongxuan, the invitation is now in your hands. If you do not leave soon, you will not be able to keep it.”
“Damn you, Young Master Feng.” Shen Kongxuan cursed inwardly. He nervously kept watch on the rogue cultivators around him.
“Attack!” Someone shouted. Several rogue cultivators leaped toward Shen Kongxuan.
“Seeking death.” Shen Kongxuan snorted coldly. His Gentleman Sword danced continuously, silver light flashing as streaks of blood sprayed out.
Bang bang bang…
Several rogue cultivators were instantly killed by Shen Kongxuan. But their deaths did not intimidate the others. Instead, even more people charged at Shen Kongxuan.
“I did not expect Shen Kongxuan’s strength to be quite good.” Li Feng watched the battle between Shen Kongxuan and the rogue cultivators with a cold smile. A strange glint passed through his eyes.
Ninth level Houtian strength meant nothing in Li Feng’s eyes. But Shen Kongxuan’s sword technique truly opened his eyes. He had seen many swordsmen, but none had swordsmanship as impressive as Shen Kongxuan’s.
“Gentleman Sword Shen Kongxuan is not just a name.” Hua Jieyu looked at the besieged Shen Kongxuan. A flicker passed through her eyes.
“Gentleman Sword?” Li Feng smiled and said, “With such murderous swordsmanship, does it deserve to be called Gentleman Sword? Hua Jieyu, do you think this title of Gentleman Sword was something Shen Kongxuan gave himself?”
“Young Master Feng, are you gloating over his misfortune?” Hua Jieyu turned and glanced at Li Feng.
“Gloating? Yes, I am gloating. Hmph. Shen Kongxuan did not know how to appreciate kindness. I was willing to trade the Boxing King Tournament spots with him properly. Not only did he pick and choose, but he even leaked the information. This time, I will see how I play him to death.” Li Feng looked at Shen Kongxuan, who had already shifted from attack to defence, and sneered. “No matter how good his swordsmanship is, with only ninth level Houtian strength, he will not last long. How long do you think it will take for Shen Kongxuan to die?”
Hua Jieyu fell silent. Li Feng’s words sounded calm, but she could sense the icy killing intent beneath that calmness.
It could be said that Shen Kongxuan’s current situation was entirely his own doing. The only thing that surprised her was that Li Feng was willing to waste an invitation just to kill Shen Kongxuan.
Of course, this also showed from another angle that Li Feng was a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Mysterious background, immense strength, ruthless and merciless, bearing grudges over the smallest slight, and unscrupulous in his methods.
This was Hua Jieyu’s evaluation of Li Feng.
Clang.
Shen Kongxuan forced back a rogue cultivator with one move. He turned his head toward Hua Jieyu and said, “Hua Jieyu, help me escape from Golden Buddha Temple. I will give you one free spot for the Boxing King Tournament.”
“Haha, I did not expect Shen Kongxuan to be smart enough to call for reinforcements.” Li Feng sneered upon hearing this.
Hua Jieyu’s expression changed. She could feel several auras beginning to lock onto her.
Damn Shen Kongxuan. He was dragging her into becoming a public target.
“Hua Jieyu, Qin Keying, Leng Rubing, Chen Miaoling, Lu Shiping. As long as you come and help me, I will give each of you one spot. The invitation is in my hand now. If you do not help me, you will lose your chance to get a spot in the Boxing King Tournament.” After only three minutes of holding on, Shen Kongxuan could no longer resist. He was gradually forced into a corner. Blood covered his body, and he looked extremely miserable.
“Hahaha, Gentleman Sword Shen Kongxuan. Weren’t you so arrogant just now? Now you are calling a group of women for help.” Li Feng laughed loudly as he looked at Shen Kongxuan. This was reaping what one sowed. The moment Shen Kongxuan decided to take the invitation, he was doomed to be besieged to death. And now, his death was not far away.
After saying this, Li Feng turned and glanced at Hua Jieyu and the others. “Hua Jieyu, the deal between us is not cancelled. If you do not want to die, just stay here obediently.”
“But Shen Kongxuan, he…” Leng Rubing looked at Shen Kongxuan. Hesitation appeared in her eyes. Although it really had been Shen Kongxuan who leaked the information, he had been her friend for so many years. She could not bear to watch him die.
“Leng Rubing, you are my maidservant now. Do whatever I tell you. Otherwise, do not blame me for being harsh. As for Shen Kongxuan, he is already doomed.” Li Feng said coldly. If Shen Kongxuan had thrown away the invitation from the beginning, he might not have died. But now these people had blood in their eyes. Even if he threw it away now, he was still certain to die.
At this moment, under the siege of the rogue cultivators, Shen Kongxuan had been pierced by several swords. Yet he still clung desperately to the invitation. His ending was obvious.
This was the consequence of greed.
