A Narrow Victory
Mo Qingkuang maintained the same speed as Li Sheng, neither surpassing nor falling too far behind. He just trailed closely behind Li Sheng, incessantly murmuring, "Senior brother, come on, senior brother, come on!" No matter how Li Sheng maneuvered, he couldn't shake off Mo Qingkuang's pursuit!
Li Sheng was so infuriated that he almost crushed his own fists! How could this person be so despicable? Does he have some kind of special fetish?
Although Li Sheng was enraged, there was still a hint of clarity in his mind. Despite considering immediately retaliating against Mo Qingkuang, he also realized that Mo Qingkuang's calm and steady voice indicated that he wasn't exerting much effort to keep up with Li Sheng's pace.
Plus, considering Mo Qingkuang's previously demonstrated speed, Li Sheng had to admit that Mo Qingkuang's speed far surpassed his own!
Even if he were to strike now, it was likely to miss, and he would face severe punishment from the inner courtyard in front of everyone. But to allow Mo Qingkuang to continue humiliating him? How could Li Sheng swallow his pride?
As word of the situation reached others, they gradually learned that the one who had been repeatedly going back and forth was now shamelessly mocking the other. Hearing this, many in the inner courtyard secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Li Sheng had not disappointed them.
However, some began to speak up for Mo Qingkuang, saying, "Brother Li is doing wrong. Brother Mo is still a new disciple, so it's understandable that there's a gap in strength. Brother Li shouldn't embarrass him like that."
Of course, there were also those who defended Li Sheng, particularly his followers, who proudly exclaimed, "If you fall behind, you deserve to be beaten! If your strength is weaker, then just stay humble. Now see, that's what happens when you dare to challenge Brother Li."
They seemed to take pleasure in mocking Mo Qingkuang themselves.
In contrast, upon learning of the situation, Han Yan couldn't help but chuckle. Repeatedly overtaking? Following behind to mock? Others might not be clear, but Han Yan knew Mo Qingkuang's despicable antics all too well. No wonder Mo Qingkuang had accepted Li Sheng's challenge with such confidence.
Initially worried about Mo Qingkuang, Han Yaner was now surprised to find that Mo Qingkuang was actually much faster than Li Sheng.
"Ninth Prince, are you laughing about this?" One of Li Sheng's lackeys asked incredulously. "Don't tell me you think Brother Li is the one being played?"
Their exaggerated tone and expressions drew laughter from the crowd.
Han Yan must be crazy, actually thinking that Mo Qingkuang could play Li Sheng? What a ridiculous idea.
Han Yan couldn't be bothered to respond further. Right now, she was brimming with confidence. There's no use in saying more; let's see the truth at the finish line!
Finally, Li Sheng and Mo Qingkuang arrived near the finish line, appearing together at the corner before it. The people at the finish line were all facing forward. As the two approached, they gradually saw their faces.
What puzzled them was that Li Sheng was in front, while Mo Qingkuang, who had been going back and forth multiple times, was trailing behind Li Sheng by half a body length at a steady speed, keeping pace with him.
'What's going on? Does Mo Qingkuang not want to win? Is he trying to save face for Li Sheng?'
This was the doubt in everyone's mind. Besides this, they couldn't think of any other reason. Mo Qingkuang had already fully demonstrated his speed far exceeding Li Sheng's.
If he wanted to win, he could have drawn the sword long ago while Li Sheng was still halfway through. But he circled back multiple times and was now following behind Li Sheng. Wasn't this trying to intentionally curry favor?
Some nodded secretly. Mo Qingkuang's actions showed that he was a sensible newcomer. By doing this, he could showcase his own strength while also saving some face for Li Sheng. Later, if he wanted to join the Sixth Prince's faction, Mo Qingkuang would also be rewarded.
Watching the sword, the symbol of the winner, nearing, Li Sheng also began to have different thoughts. If others might think Mo Qingkuang was saving face for him, Li Sheng couldn't possibly think so. Mo Qingkuang's constant murmuring had left him humiliated.
But he held back, didn't act, and didn't break the rules of the game.
'Don't you like to play around? Don't you like to humiliate others? Now that the sword is within reach, I just need to accelerate once to grab it! By now, I'd definitely lose face, but at least I'd gain substantial benefits in the form of points! That's all I care about now.' Li Sheng's heart lit up upon realizing that Mo Qingkuang had not surpassed him yet.
As long as he could suddenly accelerate and snatch the sword before Mo Qingkuang could react, even if everyone knew Mo Qingkuang was faster, he would still be the winner! According to the rules, those one thousand points would still be his!
'Mo Qingkuang, let's see how long you can play around now!' Li Sheng sneered inwardly, estimating the distance and pouncing forward fiercely, heading straight for the sword lying sheathed on the ground.
Seeing this, Chen Kong instinctively almost kicked Li Sheng, who was like a dog rushing for food.
What did Mo Qingkuang mean by this? Was he really willing to give up a favor? And just hand over those one thousand points for nothing?
But just as everyone thought Li Sheng was about to win under Mo Qingkuang's nose, they suddenly felt a blur before their eyes.
A figure shot out from behind Li Sheng at lightning speed, and the sword disappeared instantly.
Li Sheng, in mid-air, felt like his fingertips were about to touch the luxurious scabbard encrusted with gems, but the sword suddenly vanished!
For a moment, he lost control and ended up falling flat on his face in front of everyone.
In front of the fallen Li Sheng, Mo Qingkuang held the sword in one hand and put the other on his hip, looking relaxed and carefree.
With a grin revealing a row of shiny white teeth, he said, "Sorry, sorry, it was a narrow victory."
***
stones please~~