So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

Zhi Shu quickly returned to the front hall, and faced with Qin Yuan's still unfriendly expression and the many probing gazes, she put on a smile again.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting. I have already consulted with Miss, and she said that she was so delighted with the poem that she forgot the rules of the martial arts competition. She specifically instructed me to apologize to Prince Jin."

After speaking, Zhishu bowed slightly to Qin Yuan: "Miss has instructed that the martial arts competition proceed as planned to ensure fairness. Please, Your Highness, calm your anger!"

Qin Yuan snorted coldly.

Although the anger in my heart had not subsided.

But the other party has already offered a way out.

Pressuring further would appear aggressive and unbecoming of one's status.

So, suppressing his anger, he said, "If that's the case, then let's do it according to the rules!"

"I want to see if this 'talented scholar' is truly skilled in both literature and martial arts!"

"At that time, everyone present can be a witness!"

He deliberately emphasized the word "witness".

It was clearly an attempt to embarrass Qin Xiao, who was wearing a mask, in front of everyone!

Zhi Shu didn't say anything more, turned around and came to Qin Xiao, saying softly, "Young Master, please follow me to the Martial Arts Arena."

Qin Xiao nodded slightly, remaining calm and composed.

He got up and followed Zhishu to the backyard.

The other maids followed suit.

Stepping out of the back door of the main building in the front yard, you enter the transitional area connecting the front and back yards.

There is a flat area about twenty zhang in circumference paved with bluestone slabs, which is the so-called "Martial Arts Training Ground".

Normally, it serves as a place for martial arts instructors to practice and spar within the pavilion.

While leading the way, Zhi Shu lowered her voice and quickly whispered to Qin Xiao, "Young master, rest assured, Miss has made arrangements. The person who will be on stage later will know their place and will not harm you. You just need to go through the motions."

Qin Xiao gave a faint "hmm," his expression remaining calm and composed.

Soon, Zhi Shu led Qin Xiao to the edge of the training ground and gestured for Qin Xiao to wait there.

He then turned to the side and called out, "Please welcome Instructor Wang!"

The words had barely left his mouth!

A middle-aged man dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and with a burly build walked over with a powerful stride.

The man was none other than Wang Gang, the head instructor of the Ziyan Pavilion's guards!

A genuine seventh-level martial artist.

They are quite well-known in Jinyang Prefecture!

Behind Wang Gang were more than a dozen young attendants and guards, all of whom were his disciples.

at the same time!

Many people, including Qin Yuan, gathered in the open space outside the back door of the main building in the front yard.

From here, which is only a few dozen steps away from Yanwuping, one can get a clear view of the situation on Yanwuping Mountain.

Even martial arts masters with exceptional five senses can observe the smallest details with remarkable clarity!

Wang Gang's appearance caused quite a stir.

"It's Instructor Wang!"

"Could it be that Instructor Wang is going to personally take charge?"

"This time, that masked young master is probably in deep trouble!"

"It seems Miss Mu doesn't want to see anyone..."

"I knew it, it was just a formality."

Qin Yuan showed a satisfied expression when he saw Wang Gang step forward.

Ziyan Pavilion is quite sensible!

Even if he can't see Mu Ziyan, no one else should even think about seeing her.

If all else fails, I can always go back and come up with more poems.

Sooner or later, he will win Mu Ziyan's heart!

Just as Qin Yuan was thinking this, Wang Gang's gaze swept across the entire arena, and he loudly proclaimed, "I am Wang Gang, and I am here on the orders of my young lady to preside over this martial arts competition. The rules are simple: both sides will spar until one has made their point, and the one who leaves the arena or concedes defeat will be declared the loser!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Yuan's face stiffened, and he immediately shouted at Wang Gang, "Instructor Wang, you're just presiding over the competition, not participating yourself?"

Before Wang Gang could respond, Zhi Shu looked at Qin Yuan and said, "Your Highness, my young lady is within the rules, but she did not specify who should compete."

"snort!"

Qin Yuan snorted coldly, "Wouldn't that mean we could just send in someone who can't lift a finger and get away with it?"

Behind him, his attendants echoed:

"What if they send a maid instead? Wouldn't this rule become meaningless then?"

"Yes, they call it rules, but it's far too frivolous!"

Seeing that the crowd was about to be incited, Zhi Shu suppressed his disgust and spoke again: "Those who will compete will naturally be martial arts masters. Please rest assured, there will be absolutely no possibility of breaking the rules!"

Qin Yuan let out another soft snort, crossing his arms over his chest: "Since you put it that way, then it makes sense!"

Behind him, a servant whispered flattery, "Your Highness is brilliant! This way, they won't dare to exploit any loopholes, and their escape route is completely cut off!"

"hehe……"

Qin Yuan smiled smugly, then shouted loudly towards the training ground, "Let's get started!"

Zhi Shu took a deep breath and looked at Wang Gang, "Instructor Wang, thank you for your trouble!"

Wang Gang nodded.

Their gazes fell on Qin Xiao.

He secretly muttered to himself.

The young lady instructed us to deliberately lose.

But the masked young man before them, though tall and imposing...

But he doesn't have the aura that's typical of someone who practices martial arts!

No matter how you look at him, he seems like a weak scholar who knows nothing about martial arts.

Even if you lose, you have to lose respectably.

It shouldn't be too obvious.

Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the public.

Especially difficult to fool, the Prince of Jin, who was always finding fault...

While pondering, Wang Gang turned and scanned his disciples, finally choosing the most clever one: "Zhao Feng, you come!"

Upon hearing this, a young man dressed in the uniform of the Ziyan Pavilion guards, displaying agility, leaped onto the martial arts arena.

Zhao Feng was Wang Gang's eldest disciple, and he was agile and quick-witted.

Most importantly, they are the best at adapting to changing circumstances!

"Young master, please!"

On the other side, Zhi Shu also gestured to Qin Xiao to invite him.

Qin Xiao nodded slightly and slowly walked onto the training ground.

Upon seeing this, everyone shook their heads.

"An expert can tell what's going on just by looking at that walking posture!"

"Yes, laymen simply can't see how intricate things are involved!"

"The outcome is decided, no need to watch anymore!"

"So what if you're an amateur? If you're so good at poetry, you're obviously not good at martial arts. You can tell with your brain!"

Whispers arose from the crowd of onlookers.

Most people don't have a high opinion of Qin Xiao.

After all, the gap between a martial arts master and an ordinary person is like an insurmountable chasm!

Qin Yuan's attendant leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Your Highness, look! That boy's steps are unsteady, his breathing is disordered; he's just a weak scholar! In this world, someone as accomplished in both literature and martial arts as Your Highness is incredibly rare! One in a million!"

Upon hearing this, a smug look appeared on Qin Yuan's face.

It's as if I can already see Qin Xiao being punched away and suffering a humiliating defeat!

Beside the drill ground.

Seeing that both sides had taken their positions, Wang Gang said in a deep voice, "The competition begins!"

Zhao Feng had already received secret instructions from Wang Gang and had a plan in mind.

I plan to launch a few feints first to test the waters.

Then, feign an opening to make the loss seem more natural.

Thinking of this, Zhao Feng said in a low voice, "Excuse me!"

The words had barely left his mouth!

He moved swiftly and struck out with a palm towards Qin Xiao!

The palm technique appears swift.

In reality, he held back nine-tenths of his strength.

The purpose was to test Qin Xiao's true strength and weaknesses.

By observing how Qin Xiao dodges or blocks, one can get a general idea of ​​what's going on!

However, facing the oncoming palm strike, Qin Xiao neither dodged nor evaded...