It’s Upto You

"I want the Thousand-Year Cold Jade." 

Mo Qingkuang's words left Han Yan'er stunned. 

"What did you say?" 

Mo Qingkuang cleared his throat and said solemnly, "I mean, I can do my best to help you defeat Lin Yang, but I want the Thousand-Year Cold Jade." 

"Impossible! The Thousand-Year Cold Jade is our royal family's treasure. How could we give it to you?" Han Yan'er widened her eyes and firmly refused. 

"Don't rush to refuse. I just need it for a year! The Thousand-Year Cold Jade can assist in cultivation, and everyone knows that. If I defeat Lin Yang and win the title of Martial Champion, you lend me the Thousand-Year Cold Jade for a year. How about that?" Mo Qingkuang proposed. 

Han Yan'er fell into silence upon hearing this. A year could be negotiated. 

Using the right to use the Thousand-Year Cold Jade for a year to exchange for the thousand-year reputation of the Tianxuan royal family, this transaction was not too bad. 

"Can't you fight for your dignity, openly defeating him in front of everyone? You should have grievances with him. Don't you want revenge?" Han Yan'er tried a last struggle. 

Mo Qingkuang shook his head. "I don't need to fight him to the death for a momentary gain. I'm not even sure if I can kill him." 

"But..." 

"No 'buts.' This is the condition. If you agree, I'll do my best for your Han family. If you don't agree, second place is also good." Mo Qingkuang smiled and interrupted Han Yan'er's words. 

"You..." Han Yan'er was infuriated. How could this guy be so unyielding? 

Normally, every man complied with her every wish, willing to give her everything. But this damned Kuang Qing! She, the Ninth Princess, personally sought help, giving him a massive face, and he still asked for this and that! 

Seeing that Mo Qingkuang showed no signs of yielding, Han Yan'er gritted her teeth. "I will discuss it with my family. You must guarantee that you will win!" 

"If I lose, you don't have to give me anything. Close the door behind me when you leave." Mo Qingkuang waved his hand, showing no assurance. 

"You! Is this your home or mine?" Han Yan'er, who had never been treated with such contempt, pointed at Mo Qingkuang and shouted. 

"Your home." Mo Qingkuang didn't raise his head, casually drinking tea, firmly implementing the correct principle taught by Ancestor Mo Fan: Don't spoil women! 

"Humph!" Han Yan'er's chest, which had just started developing, heaved violently. Finally calming down, she snorted, then left angrily, slamming the door loudly. 

'You arrogant guy! I, the princess, am seeking your help. If you dare to act like this, I'll make you regret it!' 

After Han Yan'er left for a while, she returned angrily. 

This time, she didn't knock on the door; she kicked it open. 

"Why are you back again?" Mo Qingkuang was somewhat surprised. 

The Ancestor said that the less you care about her, the more she cares about you. Unexpectedly, the effect was so good? 

Han Yan'er coldly said, " Dean Zheng sent someone over just now to pass a message to you." 

"What did he say?" Mo Qingkuang's heart moved upon hearing this. 

After Tian Sheng's defeat, he had been waiting for news from Zheng Tao. He believed that Zheng Tao would still agree to his request. He was well aware that due to Zheng Tao's misjudgment, among the remaining sixteen contestants, besides himself, there was no one capable of contending with Lin Yang. 

"Huang Shi, come in," Han Yan'er said in a respectful tone to the person outside the door. 

Entering the room was a middle-aged man in a black robe with an expression of surprise. He was the one who had always been with Zheng Tao. 

He was somewhat astonished because the royal family had strict etiquette. The princes and princesses were generally well-cultured, treating others with humility and courtesy. What had Mo Qingkuang done to infuriate the Ninth Princess like this? 

"Have you come? What instructions did Dean Zheng give?" Mo Qingkuang, upon seeing the middle-aged man, didn't stand up to offer greetings. He lazily inquired. 

The middle-aged man gave Mo Qingkuang a cold glance. "Director Zheng said, 'It's up to you.'" 

Upon hearing this, Mo Qingkuang felt relieved and became even more unreserved. He chuckled and said, "I told you earlier that Dean Zheng would regret it, right?" 

The middle-aged man twitched his lips, suppressing the urge to tear off Mo Qingkuang's sarcastic mouth, and said coldly, "Kid, if you lose, Dean Zheng may not say anything, but I will personally teach you a lesson." 

"I hope it won't come to that!" The middle-aged man snorted and bid farewell to Han Yan'er with a clasped fist. "Ninth Princess, I'll take my leave." 

"Huang Shi, take care." 

Watching the departure of the middle-aged man in the black robe, Han Yan'er finally asked the question that had been on her mind, "What were you talking about just now? Why would Director Zheng regret something?" 

"If I were you, I wouldn't ask such nonsensical questions. Instead, I would figure out how to give me the Thousand-Year Cold Jade as soon as possible," Mo Qingkuang casually said. 

"You!" Han Yan'er was momentarily speechless. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and with a cunning smile, she said, "I don't intend to give it to you. What can you do about it?" 

"Are you willing to let the reputation of the Tianxuan Empire be trampled on? Don't think I can't tell. You've already promised Director Zheng to deal with Lin Yang! You came to me for the Thousand-Year Cold Jade, but it's clear that you were trying to deceive me! Even if I don't give it to you, you'll find a way to defeat Lin Yang, because that Huang Shi won't let you off." Han Yan'er showed a triumphant smile, lightening her mood. 

"Fine, then go away. Just a friendly reminder: even if I don't deal with Lin Yang, Huang Shi would at most give me a beating; he won't kill me. And as for your Tianxuan's prestige, I'm afraid, even if I die ten thousand times, it can't be redeemed," Mo Qingkuang said nonchalantly, sipping his tea calmly. 

Upon hearing this, Han Yan'er was infuriated, but Mo Qingkuang's words, although unpleasant, made some sense. 

Tianxuan was desperately seeking talents at this time. The Tianxuan Empire was forced to the edge of a cliff, and one more step back would lead to a disgraceful end. 

This Mo Qingkuang had really put himself in a good position! 

"You just wait for me!" Han Yan'er gritted her teeth and squeezed out a harsh statement before leaving angrily. 

*** 

In the Jiangsu Tavern in the southern part of the city, Lin Yang's face was pallid as he held a jade box in his hands. 

This was given to him by Steward Lin just now, a fourth-grade pill called Recovery Pill. 

Recovery Pill could quickly restore physical strength, lifting one out of a weakened state. It was a highly effective elixir for those wandering the martial world. 

Although the Alchemist Saint could easily refine such pills, he had no suitable materials, and he couldn't create pills out of thin air. 

Fortunately, Lin Yang was the only remaining hope for the Yuan Sword Sect's plan. Displaying his astonishing talent to challenge beyond levels, Steward Lin naturally spared no effort to support him, ensuring there would be no mistakes in the upcoming Grand Trial! 

 ***

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