Chapter 1956: Another Bet

The Lingyun Sword Pavilion was divided into many branches, each governed and controlled by corresponding elders.

This gray-robed youth was a disciple under the jurisdiction of Elder Han Yiqun of Baiyun Peak, named Zhu Yanzhi.

Under normal circumstances, he concealed himself well, having altered his appearance and voice, so no one should have been able to recognize him. Yet this person before him called out his name directly, even knowing his background clearly... How could he not be shocked?

"Not only do I know who you are, but you also have nine hundred and seventy-three Sword Pavilion coins here. You lost six hundred and claim you have none—if you're going to lie, at least be sincere!" Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow and said calmly.

Taking a step back, Zhu Yanzhi felt ice-cold all over.

Only a few people in the inner sect secretly placed bets. If the other party investigated thoroughly, they might uncover something... but how much money he had was a secret known only to himself, not even his closest friends... How could this guy possibly know?

"Who are you? Did you specifically investigate me?"

He clenched his fists.

If the other party didn't know his identity, he could just leave the Tong Shen Hall and not be found. But now that his name was spoken, fleeing was useless.

"My name is... I Am Very Low-Key! Investigating you... you're overthinking it. Just give me the money you lost, and I couldn't care less who you are..."

Zhang Xuan introduced his name.

"I Am Very Low-Key?" Zhu Yanzhi's vision went dark, his head spinning.

Other people chose nicknames they liked or with special meanings, but this guy's... it was just ridiculous.

Low-key my ass!

In just over ten minutes, he'd won over seven hundred Sword Pavilion coins from him. What did low-key have to do with him?

Could he stop insulting those two words?

"I accept defeat. Will you really keep your word and not tell anyone about me?"

Though frustrated, he finally gritted his teeth and looked seriously at Zhang Xuan.

In the Tong Shen Hall, killing him would only cost one Tong Shen Talisman; his true body would still live and spread the news, so it wouldn't solve the fundamental problem.

The only way was to make some agreement and leave each other alone.

"Of course!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Whether the other bet or not had nothing to do with him. He wasn't a sect master or an elder... just quietly making money.

"Good!"

Relieved by the agreement, Zhu Yanzhi took out his card and swiped it. Zhang Xuan saw an additional 600 Sword Pavilion coins on his card, nodded with satisfaction, and looked at him happily: "If you want to bet again next time, come find me... and if anyone else wants to bet, you can bring them too..."

"I'm quitting..." Zhu Yanzhi's face darkened as he turned and left.

He really didn't dare stay, afraid that in a fit of anger, he'd continue betting and lose even more.

A few steps later, he approached another gray-robed youth. Seeing him come over, the youth smiled slightly: "How did it go? How much did you win from that big fool?"

"Big fool?"

His mouth twitching, Zhu Yanzhi almost cried: "I lost..."

Just over ten minutes ago, he'd been excited, thinking he'd found a sucker to fleece for a big profit. But unexpectedly, he'd become the big fool, losing everything down to his underwear.

"You lost?"

Stunned, the second gray-robed youth listened as the other recounted the story, his eyes nearly popping out: "You say this guy... not only guessed all the match results perfectly but also knew your background?"

"Yes!"

"He's got some skill. Looks like he's been investigating us for a while and came to cause trouble. Hmph! Thinking he can just take the money? Too easy. Yanzhi, do you want to get the money back?" The second gray-robed youth's eyes flickered after a moment of thought.

"Of course I do, but... how?" Zhu Yanzhi said helplessly.

"Simple, keep betting!" The second gray-robed youth smirked.

"Bet?" Zhu Yanzhi's mouth twitched in disbelief: "He even guessed the draw correctly. How can we bet?"

"You fool, if he can predict the outcomes on stage, he must know more than we do, or even... be colluding with those on stage!" the second gray-robed youth said.

"This..." Zhu Yanzhi was stunned.

In gambling, nine out of ten lose. Those who keep winning either cheat or are card sharks.

The other had even guessed the draw perfectly. He hadn't noticed earlier, but now that it was pointed out, he understood... cheating!

It was highly likely that the combatants had some prior agreement with him!

Otherwise, how could he have guessed a draw that hadn't happened in months?

"What do you suggest?"

Realizing this, his fear vanished, replaced by anger.

He'd been hunting geese all day, only to have his eyes pecked out this time!

"He can manipulate the matches on stage, but he can't manipulate you or me. We can challenge him to a duel. Set the rules: the loser pays up and keeps silent, no leaking information. That's it! No matter how much we've lost, if we win one round, we can get it all back!"

The second gray-robed youth laughed.

"This... can you be sure he'll accept the bet? And that we'll definitely win?" Zhu Yanzhi hesitated.

If they won, great. But if they lost again... they'd be cleaned out completely!

"Don't worry, he'll definitely bet. We don't know his identity, but we can find out who he's colluding with on stage. Threaten him with that, and he'll have no choice but to agree. As for winning... there's even less to worry about! And even if we lose, we won't suffer!"

The second gray-robed youth smiled faintly: "Our swordsmanship, though not top-notch in the inner sect, isn't weak either. If we go all out from the start, even if we can't win, we can force him to reveal his ultimate move! Once his trump card is exposed, it'll be easy to figure out who he is. Once we know his true identity... getting the money back will be simple!"

"This..."

Zhu Yanzhi's eyes lit up.

Right!

As long as the other dared to duel, with their strength, it was almost impossible for someone of the same level in the inner sect to defeat them without using their ultimate move!

Once the ultimate move was revealed, and with their good relationship with Junior Brother Luo in white, finding out who he was would be much easier!

Once the target was identified, not only had he gambled, but he'd also manipulated the official matches—a more serious crime that could even lead to废除武功 (abolition of martial arts). Threaten him with that, and he'd surely comply!

Not only would they get back the money they'd lost, but they could even extort him, and he wouldn't dare resist!

"Let's do it..."

After mulling it over and finding no flaws, growing more excited, Zhu Yanzhi and the second gray-robed youth approached Zhang Xuan again.

"Friend, I want to bet with you again."

Raising an eyebrow, he lowered his voice.

"How?"

Seeing that the guy who'd lost so badly had recovered so quickly and come back to bet, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

Truly a Sword Pavilion disciple—strong mental resilience!

"Simple. My brother and I will each fight you one match. If you win both, we admit defeat and pay whatever you stake. If we happen to win... I hope you'll return all the money I lost earlier and keep my identity secret, never revealing it!"

Zhu Yanzhi said.

To be safe, they decided that only if he defeated both of them would he truly win.

In the inner sect, many could defeat one of them, but almost no one of the same level could defeat both in a row!

That meant, as long as he agreed, no matter how they fought, they couldn't lose!

"Fight? If I defeat both of you, you'll pay whatever I stake?"

His eyes brightening, Zhang Xuan almost laughed out loud.

Just when he needed a pillow, someone brought one... He was thinking about making money, and they came running!

Truly, there are still good people!

"Right. If you refuse, the draw earlier..."

Afraid he might decline, Zhu Yanzhi was about to threaten him when the young man before him nodded excitedly: "I agree. I'll stake all 720 Sword Pavilion coins. If you lose, you pay me the same amount!"

"Uh..."

Unexpectedly, the other was so straightforward. Zhu Yanzhi and the second gray-robed youth swallowed their prepared words, both a bit stunned.

But thinking that almost no one in the inner sect could defeat them in a row, they relaxed again: "Register!"

Soon, they registered, all using nicknames.

Zhu Yanzhi's nickname was "Zao Zao" (Solid).

The second gray-robed youth's was "Ru Ye" (Into the Night).

Neither used their real names.

Soon, it was their turn.

"'Zao Zao' versus 'I Am Very Low-Key'..."

"'Zao Zao' is a stretch, but at least it's bearable. 'I Am Very Low-Key'—what the hell is that?"

"No idea, it's just awful!"

"Yeah, 'Low-Key,' heh, I want to see just how low this guy can..."

...

Seeing the names of the combatants, the crowd below erupted.

Most people chose grand, ambitious nicknames. Calling oneself "I Am Very Low-Key" was just an oddball!

"Begin!"

Both stood on the stage. Zhu Yanzhi's eyes turned cold. With a flick of his longsword, he thrust eight times in an instant, enveloping the entire area.

His signature move: One Sword Xiaoxiang!

At its peak, this technique could unleash nine thrusts with eighty-one variations. If he'd mastered it, almost no one in the inner sect could withstand it.

Though not yet perfected, eight thrusts with sixty-four variations still marked him as a top-tier expert!

Especially at the Ancient Sage First Level, it was nearly unstoppable!

Not knowing the other's cultivation and with such a huge bet at stake, he dared not be careless. So Zhu Yanzhi used his strongest move from the start.

Seeing the power of this move, Zhang Xuan nodded appreciatively.

No wonder he dared to bet so big—he really had some skill!

But... using it against him was still too weak.

Without dodging, he stepped forward.

Before him, sword light flickered, and the opponent's sword seemed to become eight, yet none struck him, as if deliberately avoiding him, thrusting past to the side.

Through a myriad of flowers, not a leaf touched.

"He... found the gap in the ninth sword? Who... is this guy?"

Zhu Yanzhi's pupils contracted.