LoHP Chapter 628: Rules For The Distribution of Slots


"I... have nothing to say about this matter!"


After a long moment of thought, all of Luo Zhao's words were eventually reduced to a long sigh.


He really couldn't make sense of what had happened

Stored within the gourd was the 【Thousand Cups Drunk】 he had his apprentice buy from the Fragrant Sedge Brewery. Who could have known that it would suddenly turn into a Saint recovery medicine!

There was nothing he could say that could salvage the situation anymore.


If he were to claim that he didn't take the other party's item, he couldn't explain how the other party's medicinal wine was in is storage ring.


But if he were to admit to it... the deep indignance he felt simply wouldn't allow it.


One must know that master teachers do care about their reputation. While he did attempt to corner Hong shi verbally, he had never gotten physical with the latter... so how could he have ever taken the latter's item?


Not to mention, such a valuable medicinal wine!

"You need not feel wronged. If you think that we're framing you, we still have a spare cup of medicinal wine left after treating Hong shi's wounds. I can show it to you once more!"


Knowing that the other party was thinking about, Zhang Xuan spoke casually. With a flick of his wrist, he took out a wine cup. The deep aroma of the wine cup gradually wafted across the banquet hall.


"Is there anyone who is willing to try the effects of this cup of wine?"


Zhang Xuan scanned the surroundings.


"Allow me..." Feng Yu stood up excitedly.


"Ah, Bi shi, I think it'll be best for you to go again!" Zhang Xuan turned to the young man beside him and said.

"..." Feng Yu.


"Cough cough!"

Bi Jianghai, who was in the midst of drinking his wine nearly choked to death. With a helpless expression, he stood up and said, "I'll do it myself!"

After which, using his finger as a sword, he hurled a surge of zhenqi at his arm, producing a deep cut. Blood immediately started flowing down the wound.

With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan poured the wine in the cup onto the wound.

Tzzzzz!

A few breaths later, the wound healed, leaving no scars behind. The effects were exactly the same as before.

"Your Highness and Wu shi, this can prove our case, right?" After all was done, Zhang Xuan turned to the duo and clasped his fist.


"Of course!"

Ye Qian nodded.

Considering how the young man was able to identify the item within the other party's storage ring and take out another with the exact same effects, the evidence was conclusive.

"Despite being a 5-star master teacher, you actually snatched the possession of another. This is unpardonable!"


Ye Qian flung his sleeves and stared at Luo Zhao in anger and disgust.


He had always felt deep respect for the pavilion masters from the Vassal States, but who knew that they would actually do this kind of underhanded stuff? He felt repulsed.

"Hong shi and Zhang shi, I apologize the behaviour of a master teacher under us. May I know... how do you intend to deal with this?"

He had heard Hong shi addressing the young man earlier as Zhang shi.


"Today is a joyous occasion, and I don't wish to cause any trouble or disharmony. As long as he hands over the gourd of medicinal wine, I hope to let the matter rest just like that!"


Hong shi clasped his fist and said.

"I share the same thoughts as Hong shi!" Zhang Xuan nodded in agreement.

"Let the matter rest?"

Everyone was stunned.

Given how Luo Zhao tried to corner them verbally earlier, they thought that the Hongfeng party would surely make things difficult for him through the hands of the crown prince. If this case were to be reported to the Master Teacher Pavilion, there was a good chance that Luo Zhao could even lose his master teacher license. Who knew that they would actually be willing to let the matter rest with just Luo Zhao handing over the medicinal wine...

What kind of magnanimity was this?

You're both 5-star master teachers, and yet you keep trying to put down the other party at every opportunity. On the other hand, the other party is on the moral high ground and yet he remains humble and magnanimous!


Even the crown prince and Wu shi couldn't help but be impressed by Hong shi and Zhang Xuan's attitude.

"Luo shi, did you hear that? Are you going to return the medicinal wine, or are you going to continue keeping it for yourself?"


The crown prince glanced at Luo Zhao.


"I-I'll return it!" Luo Zhao was slightly stunned.


He thought that given how the other party successfully framed him, they would surely push things on and make him fall from grace. Who knew that he would suddenly be let off the hook?


"Alright. Wu shi, this will be Hongfeng Empire's gift to you!"


Hong shi clasped his fist and presented the medicinal wine to Wu Zhen.

"This..."


Agitation rippled within Wu Zhen's eyes as he nodded his head, "I'll thank Hong shi in Sixth Princess's stead!"


This was a Saint recovery medicine! Regardless of the size of the wound, with just a few drops, one would be as good as new. This could potentially save their lives one day!

"It's just a humble gesture on our part!"

Hong Qian clasped his fist and returned to his seat. He turned his gaze to the young man beside him, and the intrigue in his eyes deepened.


Under Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu's cornering, he was already prepared to make a fool out of himself. Who could have thought that Zhang shi would suddenly appear and turn the tables around.

Not only so, Luo Zhao even nearly broke down in the process.

He knew better clearer than anyone whether Luo Zhao had taken his item or not... but somehow, everything just fell into place, and Luo Zhao ended up being deemed guilty.


"Zhang shi, the matter just now...

Unable to hold back his curiosity any longer, he sent a telepathic message to the latter.

"Oh, it's just a little trick. Teacher taught me, it's nothing much!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

The previous matter was clearly a ploy that Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu prepared to trap and embarrass Hong shi. If they were to succeed, the chances were that they would have lost the slots for the Cleansing Lake.

Thus, Zhang Xuan had no choice but to step forward.


As for the medicinal wine, he had Hong shi provoke Luo Zhao into making a move, and the Library of Heaven's Path reflected that the latter was a habitual drinker. Through this, it wasn't too hard to deduce that the latter had wine in his storage ring.


Actually, what was in the gourd was indeed ordinary wine. The only reason why it could heal wounds was due to him infusing a few surges of zhenqi into the wine while swirling it.

The Library of Heaven's Path had no color nor odor. Even a 6-star master teacher would hardly notice it amidst the overpowering alcoholic aroma, needless to say the crowd here.

Naturally, Hong shi sparing the other party was also his intention as well.


Expelling a 5-star master teacher was a major affair. The headquarter would surely send someone down to look into the matter. Zhang Xuan might be able to fool the crowd here, but if a thorough investigation was conducted, there was a good chance that something might go awry.


This was especially so if the origin of the medicinal wine were to be questioned. He couldn't possibly make 'Yang shi' appear for every single matter, right?

Besides, Luo Zhao's actions didn't warrant for such extreme punishment as well. Since that was the case, he might drop the matter and win a good impression from the crown prince and the others instead.


Since he had already achieved his goal, there was no need to drive a cornered man up the wall.

Knowing that Yang shi was behind the matter, Hong shi scratched his head and dropped the matter.


Given that an advanced master teacher like Yang shi was involved in the matter, it was unadvisable for him to pry any deeper. Since that was the case, he might as well drop the matter.

……

...

"I think everyone for their gifts. Other than to welcome Wu shi and the others to Huanyu Empire, there's also another matter we need to settle at the banquet tonight. I believe I need not point out what it is."


Knowing that he would only sully the name of Huanyu Empire if he were to continue pursuing this matter, Crown Prince Ye Qian decided to change the topic.


"Yes!

Hearing that the main show was coming up next, everyone straightened their figure, and a graveness surfaced on their face.


There were two purposes to the banquet tonight. One was to allow the freshmen of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy to be acquainted with their seniors while the second was to determine the distribution of slots.


For the welcoming... in the end, only Wu shi was present, and after such a matter had happened, it would be awkward to have them interacting now. Since that was the case, the crown prince decided to move on the matter regarding the distribution of slots. Perhaps, he could reverse the negative image that Wu shi had of Huanyu Empire through this.


"The Cleansing Lake is the foundation of our Huanyu Empire, and it possesses exceptional effects on Consonant Spirit realm experts. The reason why everyone here went through so many tests and traveled all the way here is naturally to enter the Cleansing Lake to cultivate!"


Ye Qian smiled. "However, due to some compelling circumstances, Huanyu Empire will have to take three slots from the rest of you!"


"I know that these slots are extremely important, so I invited you over to discuss this matter. I hope that you can come to an agreement on a feasible method to distribute the slots without sullying the harmony among us before the Cleansing Lake opens."


"We'll follow Your Highness's judgment!" The crowd clasped their fists.

"Since this matter concerns the slots for the Cleansing Lake, I dare not make a decision for you all on my own. Thus, I suggest we discuss this matter together!" Ye Qian said.

"Your Highness, if the contribution of three slots were to be divided among the four Vassal States, three of the Vassal States would have to lose a slot. I fear that this might lead to discontent and disagreement amongst us. Thus, I have a suggestion to propose, but I'm not too sure whether it'll be appropriate!"

After a moment of silence, Chen Yue stood up and

"Feel free to speak!" Ye Qian gestured.


"Since each Vassal State happens to have three slots as well, why don't we arrange it such that the representatives of each empire form a team each, and the team in the last place for the competition we'll be having... will lose all of its slots!"


Chen Yue spoke his thoughts. "As for the format of the competition, I propose that since the top three rankers of the respective Master Teacher Tournaments held in each of the Vassal States are here, why don't we have them fight against one another? Naturally, the victor will be determined by two out of three wins! In other words, each Vassal State will send out one representative to fight at a time, and the side to win two matches will be the victor... whereas the losing side will be eliminated!"


"I agree with Chen shi's proposal! Since the slots are closely linked to their own benefits, they would be forced to do their best in the duels. If they were to lose, they only have themselves to blame for their lacking skills


Feng Yu spoke up.


"I agree with it as well!"

Luo Zhao nodded in agreement.


"To fight for one's own rights, this is aligned with the master teacher's value of tenacity!" Wu Zhen nodded.

"Good!"


After a moment of thought, Ye Qian also nodded in approval.

Honestly speaking, Chen Yue's suggestion was not bad.


With each empire forming a team together, they could spark the camaraderie among fellow cultivators and forge the spirit of working alongside one another against enemies.


"But if a competition is to be held, what will be content of it?"


Ye Qian asked.

"I have also given this matter some thoughts as well!"


Chen Yue smiled as he continued, "Since it'll be a battle among master teachers, taking on a format similar to that of the Master Teacher Tournament would be appropriate. However, that would be too complex and troublesome to arrange. Since that's the case, why don't we limit it down to just cultivation duels? Since the Cleansing Lake is beneficial to one's cultivation, one should prove that he's worthy of it through his strength. I believe that this is the most efficient and direct way to determine the distribution of the slots!"


"Indeed, a duel would be the best!"

"This saves a lot of trouble as well."

Feng Yu and Luo Zhao chirped in agreeement.

"Hmph!"


Hearing those words, Hong shi and Zhang Xuan glanced at one another. They would be a fool if they still couldn't understand the intentions of the trio at this point.


The top three rankers of the other three Vassal States had already consumed a Consonant Spirit Pill each, inducing a huge rise in their cultivation. Even the weakest of them was a small cultivation realm stronger than Luo Xuan. How could their team possibly be a match for them in a cultivation duel?


Even if the monster, Zhang Xuan, could face them, everyone could only fight in a match each. Considering how the victor was determined by the best out of three duels... if Bi Jianghai and Luo Xuan lose, they would still lose their slots.


It seemed like the other party had a backup plan in case their interception fail

Shameless!


Chapter 629: One-Sided Pummeling
Translator: StarveCleric  Editor: Millman97

"The Cleansing Lake nourishes one's soul, thus making it highly beneficial toward one's cultivation. It's indeed apt to determine the slots based on a cultivation duel!"

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Qian nodded and said, "Alright, cultivation duel it'll be then. Each Vassal State will form a team each, and the victor will be decided based on the best out of three! However, this will be a friendly duel, so show some restraint. If one side admits defeat, the fight is to be stopped immediately. There's no need to go so far for a simple duel…"

"Your Highness, I disagree with this proposal!"

Hong shi stood up.

The other three were clearly trying to take advantage of Hongfeng Empire. If they were to accept to those terms, wouldn't their loss be certain?

Despite all that had happened, in the face of significant material benefits, the trio still continued to maintain their alliance. After all, if they were to lose the slots, they would have to bear the blame from their own countrymen.

Besides, Luo Zhao was no fool. He knew he was framed, and even though Hong shi and Zhang Xuan had spared him, he would surely try to find ways to get even… and this was clearly a good opportunity to do so.

As for Feng Yu… To be pummeled to the point that he couldn't even recognize himself when looking into the mirror, how could he possibly be content without exacting vengeance on Hong shi?

Chen Yue also had his own benefits at stake in the matter. As the only one who was still fine from the previous confrontations, he became the spokesperson of their alliance.

"Hmm?" Ye Qian turned to look at Hong shi.

"As Your Highness can see, the members of the other teams have already consumed a Consonant Spirit Pill each and enjoyed a significant rise in their cultivation. On the other hand, we have only just arrived at the capital and haven't gotten a chance to purchase it yet. Naturally, our cultivation is far lower than theirs, and we stand little chance at victory!"

Hong shi spoke directly.

There was nothing embarrassing about his team being weaker. After all, they were indeed at a disadvantageous position given that they hadn't consumed Consonant Spirit Pills yet.

Chen Yue harrumphed.

"While cultivation might not be everything to a master teacher, it is still an important aspect. Without sufficient strength, everything else is just illusory. You can't possibly blame us just because you arrived late and couldn't find any Consonant Spirit Pill!"

"Possessing lower cultivation isn't an excuse!" Feng Yu interjected.

Luo Zhao glared at Hong shi coldly.

"Hong shi, the both of us know what happened this afternoon. I won't talk about it now, but I'll surely get even with you in the future. However… a cultivation duel is clearly the fairest and most apt way to determine the distribution of the slots. If you aren't confident of winning, why don't you just admit defeat now?"

The three of them banded together, forcing Hong shi into a corner instantly.

"Admit defeat?"

Just as Hong shi was stumped, Zhang Xuan suddenly spoke up once more. "Impossible. Even if one of us were to admit defeat, it should be you!"

"Indeed!"

Knowing that this young man possessed superior wits and was skilled at dealing with such situation, Hong shi gave him his backing.

"We admit defeat? Why should we? We have already stated the rules, and you're the only one backing away from the challenge. What else do you want?" Chen Yue sneered coldly.

"What rights do you have to dictate the rules?" Zhang Xuan refuted calmly.

"Indeed! Why should you be the one to decide the rules?" Only then did Hong shi come to a realization, and he quickly chirped in as well.

"Indeed, we can't dictate the rules. If you find it unsuitable, you can propose an alternative… but naturally, you have to win the majority vote first!"

Chen Yue's lips crept up.

His intentions were clear. The three of us are an alliance, and no matter how fair your rules may be, as long as we aren't agreeable to it, what can you do?

Frowning, Hong shi turned to the young man beside him to see how he would reply to this.

"Oh? I'm glad to hear that this matter is open to discussion. I happen to have an alternative proposal in mind which I would like to raise!" Zhang Xuan chuckled.

"Feel free to speak!" Chen Yue said. "However, do note that your proposal will have to undergo our approval first…"

"I believe that you'll approve of it!"

At which, Zhang Xuan turned to look at the crowd and said, "Since it's a team fight between the various Vassal States, why must the ones involved in the fighting be the top three rankers? If they were to be wounded in their duel, how would they enter the Cleansing Lake tomorrow?"

"You're right!" Hong shi eyes lit up.

"Then what do you propose then?" Chen Yue frowned.

"Hehe!" Zhang Xuan chuckled. "My proposal is simple… I think that the 5-star master teachers leading the teams should fight instead!"

"That's right, the 5-star master teachers… huh?"

Halfway through Hong shi's words, he suddenly realized what was being said and his remaining words jammed in his mouth. He turned to look at Zhang Xuan with widened eyes and asked, "We… will fight?"

"Indeed. Not only so, Hong shi will be facing the three of you at once!" Zhang Xuan added.

"I'll face the three of them…"

Hong shi staggered, and he nearly fainted on the spot.

Big Brother, I thought that you had a good idea in mind? After so much trouble, this is all that you have?

Are you so intent on sending me on my way?

Putting everything aside, just Luo Zhao himself is a difficult enemy for me already. To fight the three of them at once…

"You want him to face the three of us?"

Not only was Hong shi light-headed, Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu were stunned as well. They turned to look at Zhang Xuan as though he was a fool.

Are you serious?

That is the fellow that we have been dying to pummel, and you just had to send him to us… Can such a good deal really exist in the world?

"Why? You dare not accept my deal?" Zhang Xuan taunted with a smirk.

"You are asking us if we dare to accept your challenge or not?" Luo Zhao turned to Hong shi and asked, "Are you certain about this?"

With a constipated expression on his face, Hong shi nodded with tears streaming from his eyes.

He didn't know what Zhang shi was up to, but given his previous experience, he knew that the latter wouldn't do anything he was uncertain of. Since he said such words, he must have an idea in mind.

"If you are scared, just say so. Let's not waste our time on useless chatter."

Zhang Xuan waved his hands in disdain.

"Scared? I only fear that he will end up kneeling, begging for his life in a moment!"

Confirming that the other party was serious on this matter, Chen Yue, Luo Zhao, and Feng Yu burst into laughter.

Fearing that Hong shi might take back his words, Chen Yue quickly turned to the crown prince and said, "Your Highness, you've seen what happened. It's not that we want to take advantage of Hong shi, he's is the one who challenged the three of us voluntarily to determine the distribution of the slots. Since Hongfeng Empire insists on the matter, I hope that Your Highness can approve of this matter!"

"This…"

Not expecting the situation to turn into this, Ye Qian turned to look at Hong shi with a frown and asked, "You are all 5-star low-tier master teachers, Transcendent 6-dan primary stage cultivators. Your fighting prowess is approximately equal to one another, are you certain you want to face the three of them at once?"

Given that their fighting prowess were approximate to one another, Hong shi facing the three of them simultaneously was as good as an act of suicide. Of this, the crown prince had no doubt.

"I'm certain!"

Before Hong shi could respond, Zhang Xuan had already replied in his stead.

"Alright then…"

Since the parties involved had come to an agreement, Ye Qian decided not to say anything about it. "Alright then, I'll be announcing the rules of the duel now. Hong shi will be facing Feng shi, Luo shi, and Chen shi, and the distribution of the slots will be decided through the battle."

After which, he waved his hands. A group of guards outside the door immediately came in to clear up the hall to create sufficient space for a duel.

"Make sure to not to go too far so not harm the camaraderie among fellow states!" Ye Qian instructed as the four stepped onto the dueling ring.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure to 'hold ourselves back'…" Feng shi sneered coldly. He especially emphasized on the words 'hold ourselves back'.

"Indeed, we've been buddies for many years, so how could we possibly do anything overboard?" Luo Zhao smiled.

The both of them had suffered greatly under Hong shi's hands. Given that the other party was seeking death, they found no reason to let him off.

"Zhang shi, is there even a possibility that Hong shi can defeat the three of them…"

Seeing that the fight was about to start, Luo Xuan and Bi Jianghai wiped the sweat off their foreheads nervously.

Zhang shi usually looked rather smart, so why would he suddenly make such a foolish decision?

One against three…

Wasn't this courting death?

"If Hong shi doesn't go up, do you think that you can win against them?" Zhang Xuan gestured to their counterparts from the other Vassal States.

"This…"

The duo's mouths twitched, and they hurriedly shook their heads.

While they might have emerged victorious among the other talented master teachers in Hongfeng Empire, the same could be said about the rest of them as well. If they were to face them in a duel, given that the other party's cultivation was higher than theirs, their chances at victory was nearly null!

In other words, had they proceeded on with the original duel proposal, their defeat would have been certain.

"But Hong shi…"

While they knew that they were unable to win, the same went go Hong shi as well.

"Just watch on!" Instead of answering the other party's query, Zhang Xuan simply smiled.

"Alright then…"

The duo had no idea where Zhang Xuan's confidence came from, but it was already too late for them to do anything as well. Thus, they could only turn their worried gazes onto the dueling ring.

Standing at the very end of the hall, the crown prince watched the dueling ring with a deep frown on his forehead. He had no idea why Hong shi would propose such a 'suicidal' duel.

Unable to hold back his intrigue, he turned to Wu Zhen beside him and asked, "Senior, who do you think will win?"

Wu Zhen was a 5-star master teacher, and his eye of discernment and experience in such matters were far above his. Perhaps, he might have noticed something that he didn't.

"Under normal circumstances, it should be impossible for Hong shi to win. However, the very fact that he proposed such a duel means that he must have some kind of trump card…"

But the truth was that even Wu Zhen couldn't make sense of this matter.

With his eye of discernment, he could accurately gauge the respective strength of the four.

Hong shi couldn't be considered to be exceptional among the four, even facing one of them would be difficult for him. Yet, to face three of them singlehandedly, that was a recipe for disaster… To insist on fighting such a duel, just what could be going through his head?

"Let's just watch on. Perhaps… there might be a turnaround!"

Wu Zhen racked his brain but couldn't find an answer. Shaking his head, he decided to simply watch on with an open mind.

"Un!"

The crown prince nodded. Turning his gaze to the dueling ring, he said, "Hong shi has always been a dependable person. Perhaps he might really have a good idea in mind… Look, it's starting!"

While the duo was speaking, the duel started.

Hu hu hu!

The three Transcendent Mortal 6-dan experts, Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu, moved simultaneously and sealed space with the overwhelming pressure from their cultivation.

Fearing that Hong shi might have a trump card up his sleeves, the trio didn't use their full might instantly. Instead, they surrounded him and traded some blows with him to test him out first.

But after trading a few blows, a bizarre expression slowly crept onto their faces. At this moment, Feng Yu suddenly launched a fist.

Peng!

It struck Hong shi's face squarely, and blood immediately flowed out from his nose.

"Ah?"

Not expecting his sneak attack to succeed, Feng Yu's eyes widened, and his body trembled in agitation.

Due to his overexcitement, he accidentally tore open one of his wound, and a wave of intense pain immediately struck him.

"Dependable? Must have some kind of trump card?"

Seeing that even Feng Yu, a fellow so severely injured that it looked like he might just fall dead at any moment, actually managed to strike Hong shi's face so easily, Wu shi was dumbfounded.

"Why… does it seem like a one-sided pummeling instead?"