C35 The Gamble
Wang Jiang, standing beside Wang Yihao, sensed that their situation was dire and grew increasingly anxious. With a quick glance around, he spoke up, "Steward Wang, the Wang Family has no intention of offending the animal fighting ring. I'd like to request a challenge against Yama. Would that be possible?"
Wang Han gave Wang Jiang a dismissive look. "If I'm not mistaken, you're at Master Level 3, aren't you? And you wish to challenge a Primitive? How amusing!"
Wang Yihao, upon hearing Wang Jiang's words, had a thought. A forceful capture was out of the question, but if they played by the rules, the animal fighting ring had no grounds to refuse. The real issue was whether Ye Xiao would agree to the challenge.
"The Wang Family is prepared to offer fifty amethysts as a wager. Should Yama emerge victorious, not only will all grievances be settled, but those fifty amethysts will be his," declared Wang Yihao.
Fifty amethysts, the equivalent of five thousand azurite or half a million White Crystals. A loss would not cripple the Wang Family, but it would certainly sting.
Yet, Wang Yihao never entertained the possibility of defeat. If Ye Xiao accepted the challenge, he believed it would be a one-way ticket to the grave for him, regardless of the promised amethysts.
Wang Han chuckled at the proposition. "I'll go inquire. Whether he accepts or not is up to Yama." He then left the Wang Family members in the hall and ascended the stairs with an air of nonchalance.
The Wang Family members exchanged glances, seething with anger but lacking the courage to challenge the animal fighting ring. They had no choice but to swallow their pride.
Just then, a disciple approached Wang Yihao from behind. "Great Clan Elder, I've just learned that Yama has accepted the Blademaster's challenge, and it's about to begin."
Wang Yihao's eyes sparkled with interest. The Blademaster, a lone figure who had recently emerged in Night City, had caught the attention of the Wang Family. They had even attempted to recruit him, though unsuccessfully. Regardless, Wang Yihao was well aware of the Blademaster's prowess.
Despite being less advanced in his cultivation, the Blademaster was virtually unbeatable within the Primitive tier.
Wang Yihao ascended the stairs to the second floor with purpose in his stride. "Come on, let's see how that kid meets his end!" Although he was slightly disappointed at not being able to eliminate Yama himself, the dishonorable figure who had brought shame to the Wang family, witnessing his lifeless body on the Challenge Ground would be a satisfying conclusion.
In Night City, the major families may have had only modest power, but they were still prominent figures. Accordingly, the animal fighting ring had set aside several private boxes on the second floor, catering exclusively to these elite clans.
As the Wang family members made their way upstairs, they were unexpectedly met by someone in the corridor outside their box: none other than Master Teng from the Ye family.
Wang Yihao quickened his pace and greeted him with a bow and clasped fists. "Ah, Master Teng, what brings you to the animal fighting ring today?"
Master Teng gave Wang Yihao a cool look, clearly not interested in exchanging pleasantries. He turned to continue to his box. The Ye family might have fallen from grace, but they were once the preeminent clan of Night City. Even now, they retained the prestige of the City Lord, meriting their own private space in the ring.
Undeterred by Master Teng's cold demeanor, Wang Yihao allowed a slight smile to play on his lips before probing further. "Is Master Teng here for the showdown between Blademaster and Yama?"
At the mention of Yama's challenge, Master Teng paused his entrance into the box, turning back with a furrowed brow, uncertain of Wang Yihao's intentions.
Wang Yihao, seeing he had Master Teng's attention, couldn't help but smile knowingly. "I'm curious, Master Teng, which contender do you favor?"
"I, of course, am backing Yama," Master Teng replied icily.
"Oh, how fortuitous! I happen to support Blademaster. Perhaps Master Teng would be interested in making this match a bit more interesting with a friendly wager?"
"A wager?" Master Teng's confusion was evident as he regarded Wang Yihao with a frosty gaze. "Speak plainly. What are you proposing?"
Unruffled by the chill in the air, Wang Yihao chuckled. "Since we each have our champion, why not make a bet on the outcome? Do you dare, Master Teng?"
"What's the wager?" Master Teng couldn't afford to disgrace the Ye Family here.
"Fifty amethysts!" Wang Yihao sneered with malice.
With other family's private rooms nearby and passersby occasionally glancing over, Wang Yihao relished the opportunity to publicly humiliate the Ye Family.
If they refused to bet, the Ye Family would suffer a severe loss of face. If they accepted, Wang Yihao was confident in the Blademaster's abilities, and fifty amethysts would be enough to bring the already struggling Ye Family to its knees!
Master Teng's gaze was icy as he eyed Wang Yihao, his heart torn. Although he had some faith in Yama, the stakes involved the very survival of the Ye Family—how could he rashly decide?
Just as Wang Yihao was smugly counting on his scheme, a voice tinged with the weight of years called out from behind, "We'll take that bet!"
The crowd parted to reveal the man who spoke: Ye Pingnan, the Patriarch of the Ye Family and the current Lord of Night City.
It turned out Ye Pingnan had hurried over upon hearing the news, arriving just in time for the Wang Family's challenge.
He stepped forward to face Wang Yihao and declared, "If the Wang Family is so inclined to wager, then the Ye Family shall rise to the challenge. Fifty amethysts, and let the animal fighting ring bear witness!"
Wang Yihao burst into laughter, "Lord Ye, you truly have a commanding presence!"
Ignoring the onlookers, Ye Pingnan and Master Teng entered the private box.
Once inside, Master Teng expressed his confusion, "Brother, why engage in this bet with him?"
Ye Pingnan sounded weary, "First, you've seen Yama and told me of your confidence in him, so defeat isn't certain. Moreover, the Wang Family is clearly growing impatient. A victory would give the Ye Family a much-needed respite, and if we lose, it would merely mean you and I have fought to our last. Either way, this confrontation was inevitable—whether it came today or tomorrow makes little difference."
He paused, then looked intently at Master Teng, adding solemnly, "Brother Teng, there's a favor I must ask of you."
Master Teng sprang to his feet upon hearing Ye Pingnan's earnest words. "Brother, just say the word. If it's within my power, I'll make it happen!"
Ye Pingnan's eyes narrowed slightly. "I can let go of everything else, but my only concern is Xiao Er. No matter what becomes of the Ye Family, I must implore you, Brother Teng, to ensure Xiao Er's safety." With that, he rose and offered a deep bow to Master Teng.
Startled, Master Teng quickly steadied Ye Pingnan. "Brother, there's no need for such talk. Rest assured, I would lay down my life to protect both you and Xiao Er."
Ye Pingnan gave a slight shake of his head but remained silent.
Meanwhile, in the Wang Family's private box, Wang Jiang, standing behind Wang Yihao, was visibly confused. "Great Elder, why are we engaging in a wager with the Ye Family? What if we lose..."
Wang Yihao scoffed, his disdain evident. "Lose? Have you any idea about the Blademaster from the initial investigation?"
Wang Jiang shook his head blankly; such matters were beyond the purview of a mere captain.
"The family concluded from his combat style that he has mastered at least a martial skill of the early Earth Realm. Do you think such skills are as common as cabbages?"
"Why do you think the Wang Family didn't pursue him further? It's because we feared provoking someone untouchable. A mere Blademaster is trivial, but with such a martial skill, who can say what kind of powerhouse stands behind him?"
"So, this challenge... whether Yama wins or loses, he's likely a dead man. Hahaha!" Wang Yihao couldn't contain his glee and erupted into hearty laughter.
