The Mirror Master

In Bluestone City, noon was approaching.

The streets near the Martial Arts Discussion Platform were already packed with people. Even the surrounding restaurants and inns were filled to capacity.

Some people even paid just to buy a standing spot by a window to watch the fight.

Once news of this battle broke, it sent shockwaves through Bluestone City.

Those who practiced the martial arts would not miss such a rare opportunity, eager to witness the clash between a Martial Artist and a Cultivator with their own eyes.

This battle was more than just a duel between Lu Bai and Mo Shaohan—it was a clash between the Martial Dao and Cultivation.

The whole of Bluestone City had turned out to watch!

Common folk gathered just for the spectacle, while those with a little spare money went to the Drunken Flower House to place a bet and see how it would all turn out.

In just three days, the betting at the Drunken Flower House had snowballed into a massive gambling event that had the entire city participating!

Rumor had it that the total betting pool had reached as high as one million in gold!

Second Master Jin of the Drunken Flower House had been on cloud nine these past few days, unable to stop grinning.

The house’s cut from the betting pool alone was enough for him to make a fortune.

The powerful families and factions of Bluestone City had naturally secured the best positions, closest to the Martial Arts Discussion Platform.

"Master Zheng, which way did you bet?"

Zhao Wei, Escort Leader of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, asked casually.

Zheng Yingming, Patriarch of the Zheng Family, chuckled. "Heh, I bet on Lu Bai to be defeated and killed."

"Oh?"

Zhao Wei seemed a little surprised. "Master Zheng, are you so sure this will be a fight to the death? What if Lu Bai doesn’t agree to a deathmatch?"

Zheng Yingming spoke with deep meaning, "Once he steps onto that platform, it will no longer be up to him."

Zhao Wei frowned. "But it’s just a martial arts challenge. Lethal force is forbidden, isn’t it?"

He had bet on Mo Shaohan to win.

"First, the rules of a martial challenge apply to duels between Martial Artists."

Zheng Yingming continued, "Second, a man as shrewd as Boss Jin wouldn’t offer such a bet without a good reason.

"And third, even if Mo Shaohan does kill Lu Bai on the platform, there won’t be any significant trouble."

Zhao Wei asked, "How so?"

Zheng Yingming smiled. "Don’t forget what Bluestone City’s biggest problem was before this duel."

Zhao Wei blurted out, "The Tiger Demon menace!"

"Exactly."

Zheng Yingming, a master of calculation, had seen the connections long ago. "Lord Dou invited two Daoists from the Xuanjian Sect to quell the Tiger Demon menace. Even if Mo Shaohan kills Lu Bai, as long as those two Daoists slay the Tiger Demon, who’s going to make a fuss about this?

"What’s more, the people of our Bluestone City will be thanking those two Daoists."

Zhao Wei nodded.

’Quelling the Tiger Demon menace is the same as saving countless lives.’

’In a situation like that, what does the death of a single Lu Bai even matter?’

’No one will care.’

Zhao Wei gave a bitter smile. "You are truly wise, Master Zheng. I am humbled. It seems my ten thousand silver taels are going down the drain."

The betting was already locked; there was no changing it now.

Zheng Yingming chuckled. "Heh, many things aren’t as simple as they seem. It might look like a martial arts duel, but there are countless schemes at play behind the scenes."

A cacophony of voices rose from the crowd.

"If there’s an upset, it’ll be a disaster. Boss Jin will probably be forced into bankruptcy."

"I heard the Luo Family bet their whole fortune on Lu Bai. I threw in a bet on him too."

"Impossible. For Lu Bai to kill Mo Shaohan... I’d sooner believe in ghosts."

Zheng Yingming heard these discussions and just shook his head to himself, finding them rather amusing.

’These people are hopelessly foolish. They just follow the crowd without even understanding how the betting pool works.’

’Never mind how low the odds of an upset are.’

’But even in the worst-case scenario, if an accident did happen and Lu Bai actually killed Mo Shaohan, Boss Jin would at most take a small hit, cushioned by the total pool and his commission.’

’Boss Jin would only risk bankruptcy if a massive sum was bet on Lu Bai and an upset actually occurred.’

’But besides the Luo Family, who had no other choice and were making one last desperate gamble, who else would be that foolish?’

"He’s here, he’s here! Lord Dou has arrived!"

"The two Daoists from the Xuanjian Sect are here too!"

"Now things are really getting lively! Even the Lord Governor has come to watch."

A sudden clamor erupted from the crowd.

A contingent of government constables from the County Government Office forced a path through the dense crowd.

All eyes turned in that direction.

At the head of the group was a man strolling forward. He had a slightly plump figure wrapped in a brocade robe and a warm smile on his face. Though his gaze swept over the crowd almost carelessly, it carried an innate authority. It was none other than the Bluestone Prefect, Dou Kuan.

A middle-aged Daoist walked beside him, his Daoist robe spotless. His eyes held a cold arrogance that warned others away.

Jiao Wei, a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator of the Xuanjian Sect.

Following behind him was a young Daoist with a longsword on his back. His chin was held high, his expression haughty. As his gaze swept over the crowd, he made no effort to hide his disgust at the surrounding chatter.

When Mo Shaohan saw the members of the Luo Family, his eyes lit up upon spotting Luo Qing in the crowd. A wicked smile touched his lips, and a predatory amusement glinted in his eyes.

’That woman from the Luo Family is really something else.’

’I heard she’s a young widow whose marriage was never consummated. Heh heh.’

’He’d toyed with plenty of widows, but never one whose marriage hadn’t been finalized. The novelty of it was thrilling.’

"The Lord Governor and the Daoists from the Xuanjian Sect have all arrived, so why isn’t Lu Bai here yet?"

"Don’t tell me he’s scared?"

"If he backs out now, he’ll have made fools of this entire city! Let’s see how he plans to make a living in the Wu Dynasty after that!"

The roar of the crowd grew louder.

Many eyes turned frequently toward the members of the Luo Family.

Hearing the voices and feeling the strange looks from the crowd, Luo Hongyuan felt the pressure mounting. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he said, "Father, Lu Bai didn’t actually run for it, did he?"

The Luo Family’s entire fortune was riding on this!

The faces of the Luo Family members were grim.

If Lu Bai fled the battle in fear, the Luo Family would be utterly ruined.

Luo Ben yelled at the surrounding crowd, "What’s all the noise about? Brother Xiaolu will definitely be here!"

"That’s right. I believe in Brother Xiaolu, too,"

Luo Xiao added with a nod.

Luo Qing recalled the words Lu Bai had once spoken to her.

"Mo Shaohan doesn’t stand a chance."

A simple sentence, yet it radiated immense confidence.

Luo Qing murmured softly, "Xiaolu... he will definitely come."

Luo Tianxiong’s face was grim. He glanced at the sky, his own heart pounding with anxiety, but he placated the others, "Don’t worry. The hour isn’t upon us yet."

Just then, a commotion erupted at the far end of the street.

It was immediately followed by a thunderous roar from the crowd!

"He’s here!"

"Lu Bai has come to fight!"

"Quick, everyone, make way! Let him through!"

The packed crowd parted, consciously making a path.

A tall, imposing figure appeared at the end of the path. His black hair was tied back, his complexion fair, his features dignified. With a longsword on his back, he strode forward with purpose!

In an instant, countless eyes were fixed on Lu Bai.

Seeing Lu Bai appear, the members of the Luo Family felt a wave of relief.

But their relief was short-lived, and they quickly grew tense again.

Once Lu Bai stepped onto the Martial Arts Discussion Platform, the outcome of life and death would be uncertain!

Seeing Lu Bai arrive to meet the challenge, Li Tianxing sighed to himself. ’This young man may be impulsive and reckless, but he’s full of courage. A true man. If he can survive this fight, I’ll definitely have to share a drink with him!’

Feng Yang, the head of Bluestone Academy, looked on with regret, shaking his head. "Such incredible talent for the Martial Dao. What a waste."