Chapter 86: Duel with Zuo Lengchan

“If you defeat Zuo Lengchan tomorrow, I will personally see to it that Shan’er is betrothed to you at once,” Yue Buqun said calmly.

At these words, Yun Zhonghe became as excited as if he had been injected with adrenaline. He wished he could challenge Zuo Lengchan to a duel right then and there, certain that once Yue Lingshan saw his heroic bearing, she would fall hopelessly in love with him.

After all, he could hardly be blamed—his charm was simply that irresistible.

Once the members of the Mount Hua Sect had departed, Zuo Lengchan’s junior brother quietly approached him. “Senior brother, all has been arranged.”

Zuo Lengchan, hearing this, cast a cold glance at the silhouette of Yue Buqun as he walked away, then turned and departed himself.

Tomorrow, he would become the Grand Alliance Leader of the Seven Sects, unifying the martial world and finally realizing the aspiration he had harbored for so many years.

Meanwhile, after returning to his quarters, Yun Zhonghe was about to lie down and rest when Xie Xun entered the room. Bending down, Xie Xun whispered a few words into Yun Zhonghe’s ear.

When he finished, Yun Zhonghe looked up at him in astonishment, as if to ask whether it was true. Xie Xun gave an almost imperceptible nod, to which Yun Zhonghe responded with a knowing smile, murmuring under his breath, “It seems tomorrow’s contest will be extraordinarily entertaining.”

Xie Xun seemed to wish to say more, but Yun Zhonghe raised a hand to cut him off. “I understand. Go now—I need to conserve my strength for tomorrow’s duel.”

Having no alternative, Xie Xun left the room.

Yun Zhonghe lay on his bed, closed his eyes, and let his mind wander. He pictured himself vanquishing all his foes on the morrow, unveiling an aura of invincibility. Yue Lingshan, overwhelmed with admiration, would throw herself into his arms. The two would then lead a shamelessly blissful life together.

It was a beautiful dream.

At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight spread across the land, Yun Zhonghe opened his eyes at precisely the right moment. With the agility of a carp leaping from water, he flipped out of bed, washed, and stepped outside.

He opened the door to find Xie Xun’s burly figure standing before him.

“You stood guard all night. Thank you for your efforts.” Yun Zhonghe clapped Xie Xun on the shoulder. “From here on, I must handle things myself. Go and rest.”

But Xie Xun refused, insisting on following him. Unable to dissuade him, Yun Zhonghe allowed him to come along.

When they arrived at the square, the various sects had already assembled. Sitting down in the Mount Hua Sect’s area, Yun Zhonghe glanced at Yue Buqun and said in surprise, “I’m not late, am I?”

As he spoke, the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of Yue Lingshan, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

Yue Lingshan, seeing Yun Zhonghe’s gaze, had her good mood utterly ruined. Her delicate face turned icy cold.

With a metallic ring, she drew her sword and pressed it to her neck in a gesture of warning.

Yun Zhonghe, his warmth met with indifference, awkwardly averted his gaze.

Surveying the gathering, he saw Zuo Lengchan step boldly to the center of the square, relishing the attention of the crowd.

“The hour has come!” Zuo Lengchan announced.

At his words, the sect leaders exchanged glances, then leapt onto the high platform.

Yun Zhonghe displayed his lightness skill, moving with effortless grace. Yet, rather than cheers, he was greeted by looks of disdain from all around.

He scratched his nose awkwardly.

Zuo Lengchan seemed oblivious, declaring, “The one left standing at the end of today shall be Grand Alliance Leader of the Seven Sects!”

At this, the crowd was taken aback—except for the sect leaders, whose faces remained unchanged, as if they had known all along.

“In that case, let us all show our true ability,” Zuo Lengchan announced, and with that, he attacked without hesitation, startling the others.

But when the leaders saw who he targeted, they relaxed—Yun Zhonghe was not one of the seven sects and had no right to be involved; he should have been eliminated from the outset.

As Zuo Lengchan’s attack closed in, Yun Zhonghe’s lips curved in a half-smile. He whispered to Yue Buqun, “Hold off the other leaders for me. Once I deal with Zuo Lengchan, I’ll come to your aid.”

With barely a pause, Yue Buqun leapt in front of the other leaders, blocking their way.

They halted, faces darkening with anger. “Yue Buqun, must you persist in your mistakes?” they chastised.

“Enough talk—if you want to get past, you’ll have to go through me!” Yue Buqun drew the Gentleman’s Sword.

Seeing reasoning was useless, the leaders attacked together, and a chaotic melee erupted.

Below the platform, as the Mount Hua Sect stood by Yun Zhonghe, the crowd erupted in censure.

“The Mount Hua Sect is a disgrace to the righteous path!”

“Yue Buqun is nothing but a hypocrite!”

“Even if he becomes Grand Alliance Leader, I will never accept it!”

A torrent of abuse swept over them. The disciples of Mount Hua were furious but could not defend themselves.

Ning Zhonghua, having foreseen this when her husband chose to side with Yun Zhonghe, showed no emotion on her beautiful face, remaining calm. Years of marriage told her that her husband must have his reasons.

As the crowd below condemned Mount Hua for falling into darkness, Yun Zhonghe stood motionless on the platform.

Zuo Lengchan’s figure loomed ever larger in his eyes.

As Zuo Lengchan’s sword was about to pierce his chest, Yun Zhonghe finally moved. His hand rose, and with a flash, a three-foot sword appeared in his grasp, blocking the blade at his chest and halting it completely.

Zuo Lengchan’s eyes narrowed—he had not expected Yun Zhonghe to parry so effortlessly.

He changed tactics, spinning with the momentum of his attack.

Yun Zhonghe snorted, his wrist flicking as his sword spun upward.

The two blades collided, sparks flying, producing a resounding metallic clang.

In just a few breaths, they had exchanged several blows, each move aimed to kill. One misstep would mean serious injury.

As the duel intensified, the contest shifted from skill to inner power.

Meanwhile, Yue Buqun, fending off the other sect leaders, kept a watchful eye on the duel between Yun Zhonghe and Zuo Lengchan.

Noticing they were deadlocked, Yue Buqun turned to the other leaders, and with a twist of his wrist, his sword vibrated with energy. A surge of powerful inner force erupted, forcing them back.

The Mount Hua Sect’s Purple Mist Divine Skill was truly formidable.

Having driven the leaders back, Yue Buqun turned to Yun Zhonghe—whose back was now wide open.

Before all eyes, he unleashed the Mount Hua Sword Technique and thrust his blade toward Yun Zhonghe.