Chapter 29: Defeat Me?
Chen Yu looked at the Seven Star Sword sheathed in Chen Chen's hand and understood instantly.
The Seven Star Holy Sword. It could unleash green flames, and an ordinary swordsman holding it could display strength comparable to Hawkeye's basic attacks.
"Comparable"—highlight that word.
As everyone knows, in the One Piece anime, anyone who grabs a sword is automatically one level lower than Hawkeye.
Chen Yu's thoughts drifted a bit far. He snapped back to reality, looking at Chen Chen's impatient eagerness to prove himself.
'He probably doesn't know that the Seven Star Sword affects a person's mind, eventually turning them into a slave to the sword.'
Chen Yu wanted to laugh.
'Speaking of which, between Hawkeye's basic attack and Roger's Divine Departure, which one is stronger?'
Chen Yu didn't really know. But he knew Chen Chen was nowhere near Hawkeye's level.
"Instructor Chen... I..." Zhao Hongbin stumbled over, his expression grave.
"Elder Wei is in secluded cultivation... you're the strongest in the entire dojo... I...".
"It's fine." Chen Yu patted Zhao Hongbin on the shoulder. "Go rest."
Then, stepping past Zhao Hongbin, he shrugged at Chen Chen, showing no sign of retreat. "Just what I wanted."
Chen Chen had thought Chen Yu would hesitate or even find an excuse to refuse. After all, his current strength was on display; Zhao Hongbin was the best proof.
But Chen Yu's calmness made him feel stifled inside. It was like punching cotton—unable to exert any force.
'No! You should be afraid of me! Shake and wet your pants!!'
Chen Chen's mind was full of thoughts on how to make Chen Yu embarrass himself. Suddenly, his eyes darted, and a plan formed.
He suddenly raised his volume so everyone present could hear. "Since we are competing, there must be a bet. Otherwise, just talking about winning is boring, don't you think?"
He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over everyone present as if seeking their validation. Seeing the crowd nodding, he continued with satisfaction,
"If I lose, I will bow and apologize to you in front of everyone, admitting that my skills are inferior. But if I win, you have to admit that I am the eldest son of the Chen family, admit that you are jealous of me, and admit that you spoke nonsense in front of Uncle Ling, causing the Ling family to misunderstand and break off the engagement. This way, the misunderstanding between me, Uncle Ling, and Miss Ling can be resolved. When the time comes, I will plead with Father for you, and maybe our Chen family can be reunited, accepting you back."
Chen Chen spoke with high-sounding sentiments and righteous words, acting like a modest gentleman.
This bet sounded fair, but it hid a massive scheme. Chen Chen was certain he would win.
Once Chen Yu lost, the lies woven by the Chen family would become truth. Chen Yu would be reduced to a clown.
And even if he himself lost, a simple apology and a bow were just for show. He would gain a reputation for being a "gracious loser."
He saved face and could continue to find opportunities to take revenge on Chen Yu in the dark. It was a win-win situation.
Hearing this bet, the crowd exploded again, the discussions even more intense than before.
"This bet... is trying to rub Instructor Chen's reputation into the dirt!"
"I think Instructor Chen shouldn't accept. Chen Chen is so strong now, even Vice Master Zhao couldn't beat him. How could Chen Yu win?"
"If he doesn't accept? Then Chen Yu has a guilty conscience!"
"But if Chen Yu accepts, it's unlikely he'll win."
"It's an open plot. If Chen Yu can't win, his reputation will be ruined for life!"
Zhou Mingxuan, who had been standing at the back of the crowd, turned red with anger upon hearing Chen Chen's bet.
He squeezed to the front and pointed at Chen Chen's nose, cursing, "Chen Chen, have you no shame! Is this a bet? It's clearly bullying! If you have the guts, don't pull these tricks, just fight fair and square!"
As the only person present who knew Chen Yu was already a Steel-Cutting Swordsman, Zhou Mingxuan felt Chen Yu might have a fighting chance.
Chen Chen glanced at Zhou Mingxuan and cupped his hands with a smile.
"Young Master Zhou, this is between me and Chen Yu. No need for you to worry. What?"
He turned to Chen Yu.
"Do you not even have the courage to accept the bet, needing Young Master Zhou to stand up for you?"
Zhou Mingxuan wanted to say more, but Chen Yu reached out and stopped him.
Chen Yu looked at Chen Chen, his eyes calm. "Returning to the Chen family is unnecessary; I don't care for it. I accept the bet, but I want to add a condition."
Chen Chen froze.
He didn't expect Chen Yu to actually dare to accept. Suppressing his secret joy, he pretended to be generous. "Speak. As long as it's not excessive, I can agree."
"If I win, not only do you have to apologize, but you must also kneel, knock your head on the ground twice, and call me Daddy."
Chen Yu's eyes were mocking. "At the same time, you must admit that your Chen family, in order to cling to the Ling family, played a game of 'swapping the civet for the prince' and treated everyone like fools."
Chen Chen's face stiffened. "I didn't!"
"If you don't dare to bet, then forget it." Chen Yu spread his hands. "And here I thought you had such great magnanimity."
Chen Chen's expression changed slightly. He knew Chen Yu was goading him. If he admitted to this, the Chen family would become a laughingstock.
But then he thought, 'I can't lose.' Chen Yu proposing this condition was likely just trying to scare him off.
The more Chen Chen thought about it, the more he felt this was the case. He revealed a 'wise' smile, patted his chest, and said, "Fine! No problem! But Chen Yu, don't regret it. When you lose, don't blame me for not saving you any face."
At this moment, Chen Yu's gaze fell on the Seven Star Sword again. although this sword could enhance strength in the short term, it would erode the master's mind.
From the "wise" look in Chen Chen's eyes just now, it was obvious. This kid was definitely being influenced by the sword's curse; he just hadn't realized it yet.
After both sides agreed on the bet, Chen Chen drew his sword first.
Shing!
The seven crystals on the blade instantly emitted a faint green light.
A fierce green flame spread out, forcing several students near the arena to retreat a couple of steps.
"What kind of fire is that! And what sword is that?"
"He didn't even use this ability when fighting Vice Master Zhao earlier. His strength is terrifying!"
"High-tier Beginner Stage, SS-Rank Natural-type Talent, plus that sword... Instructor Chen... bodes ill."
"It seems Young Master Chen decided from the start that Chen Yu wouldn't win!"
The onlookers exclaimed in amazement. Their eyes were filled with awe when looking at Chen Chen, while their gazes toward Chen Yu held a bit of sympathy.
Chen Yu also pulled out the rusty "Ace" from his waist.
It drew a wave of skepticism.
"What kind of broken blade is that? It's so rusty you can barely tell it's a sword!"
"Has Chen Yu gone crazy?"
"I think he knows he can't win, so he's deliberately finding an excuse. When he loses, he'll say the sword wasn't good!"
"This... he's a f*cking genius."
Zhou Mingxuan stomped his foot anxiously. He grabbed Chen Yu's arm and whispered,
"Chen Yu, throw that broken sword away fast. Didn't Family Head Ling give you four famous swords? Any one of them is better than this!"
He knew Chen Yu had reached the Steel-Cutting Realm, but no matter how strong he was, using such a rusty sword meant he couldn't display his true strength. Especially since the opponent, Chen Chen, wasn't weak.
Ling Wenhe also frowned and walked over, his tone urgent. "Chen Yu, change your sword. Don't joke with your reputation."
Chen Chen looked at the rusty sword in Chen Yu's hand and smiled even more proudly.
He deliberately raised the Seven Star Sword in his hand, his tone feigning concern but dripping with triumph and mockery.
"Chen Yu, are you going to use that rusty sword? That's right, you have no money after leaving the Chen family, so you can't buy a good sword. "
"Do you need me to give you one? I want to win fair and square; I don't want people saying afterward that it was because your weapon wasn't handy."
Zhao Hongbin's face turned dark. He limped toward the direction of Wei Tianyi's seclusion.
Chen Yu was likely going to lose, and the Tianyi Dojo would lose face massively. He had to get Elder Wei to control the situation.
"No need." Chen Yu shook his head, rejecting Ling Wenhe and the others' persuasion.
He took a step forward, tightening his grip on the rusty sword, feeling the faint resonance from the blade.
"What's your surname anyway? Why so many strokes?"
"You really think you've got me?" As he spoke, a jet-black hue gradually spread from his hand to the hilt, the guard, and finally the tip of the blade.
Armament Haki: Hardening.
Chen Yu hooked his finger. "Come on. If I don't beat the sh*t out of you today, I'll consider your bowels clean."
(To be Continued)