Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 181: Chapter 139: Blade in the Game

After the duel, a pall of gloom hung over the Ming Family.

Inside the break room, Ming Lei sat on a chair, head bowed, not saying a word.

His dislocated left shoulder had been given some basic treatment and was now in a sling. He stared at the floor with a vacant expression, his thoughts a mystery.

Ming Wei sat beside him, her eyes still red and a bandage wrapped around her arm, but she was no longer crying.

Hearing the celebratory shouts from the Sheng Family Members outside, she glanced at her own silent family members and suddenly spoke, her voice soft. "Actually... the fact that we got out of here alive today is a blessing."

Ming Hua looked up at her.

Without turning her head, Ming Wei continued, "If the people from Dragon Eagle hadn’t been sitting over there today... would the Sheng Family have held back? If that were the case, Fifth Brother wouldn’t have died back then."

Ming Hua froze for a moment.

Standing by the door, he looked up.

Wan Ze and Tan Xiao were still sitting there.

Wan Ze, in particular, was holding a teacup and taking a sip, his expression as placid as if nothing had happened.

Tan Xiao leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping across the arena, though it was unclear what he was looking at.

Ming Hua was suddenly reminded of his pathetic attempt to test Wan Ze’s strength yesterday, only to be sent flying by a single finger.

"The Sheng Family really did hold back," he said in a low voice, but he didn’t mention the match between Ming Lei and Sheng Rulong...

’With Sheng Rulong’s power, Brother Lei couldn’t have lasted ten moves.’

Ming Wei nodded and said no more.

Ming Zhaojun walked over and sat down beside Ming Lei.

He didn’t speak.

He just reached out and patted his son’s shoulder.

Ming Lei’s shoulders trembled slightly, but he kept his head down.

Ming Zhaojun spoke, his voice not loud, but steady. "All that matters is you’re okay."

Ming Lei was silent.

Ming Zhaojun looked at his son’s arm in the sling and the still-damp bloodstains on his clothes, sighing internally.

He knew his son couldn’t accept this.

Ever since he was a child, Ming Lei had been the most competitive of the Ming Family’s younger generation.

He had lost to Sheng Rulong three times, each loss more crushing than the last. This time, he had been beaten into this state.

But what could he do about it?

"The fact that you walked off that stage on your own two feet is better than anything... And you’d better remember this: the Ming Family doesn’t need an heir who can’t even face defeat!"

Ming Lei froze.

His clenched right fist slowly relaxed.

Meanwhile, in the Sheng Family’s stands, the atmosphere was jubilant.

Sheng Yunfeng was accepting congratulations from the family disciples, a smile on his face as he responded graciously.

Sheng Rushan, Sheng Hai, and the others were also surrounded, soaking in everyone’s praise.

Only Sheng Rulong stood off to the side, his expression dark.

He had won.

It was a clean and decisive victory.

He had beaten Ming Lei so badly that he was powerless to fight back.

But he was seething inside.

He just couldn’t get the image of Ming Lei out of his head... face covered in blood, shoulder dislocated, barely able to stand, and still fucking refusing to concede.

That look in his eyes, that "go on, kill me" look, made Sheng Rulong extremely uncomfortable.

He wanted to finish him.

He really wanted to finish him right then and there.

Given Sheng Rulong’s temperament, he should have just thrown that punch, put Ming Lei on the ground for good, and silenced him forever.

But he couldn’t.

Because his father had warned him beforehand... no killing blows.

"The people from Dragon Eagle are here. If you kill Ming Lei in front of them, there will be no coming back from it."

...

Dragon Eagle...

Fucking Dragon Eagle again!

Sheng Rulong clenched his fists.

He wasn’t someone who didn’t understand the stakes.

Deep down, he knew his father was right.

The Ming Family had invited Dragon Eagle to arbitrate. If he killed Ming Lei right under their noses, it would be a slap in the face to Dragon Eagle.

Those two from Dragon Eagle might be young, but they represented the entire Dragon Eagle Sect.

Offending them would mean huge trouble down the line.

But the more he thought about it, the more suffocated he felt.

’On what grounds?’

’Why is it that I won, but I can’t completely crush my opponent?’

’Why do I have to hold back just because there’s ’someone up there’ watching?’

He wouldn’t forget that look in Ming Lei’s eyes.

That "you don’t dare kill me" look.

Damn it!

Sheng Rulong took a deep breath, forcing the fire in his belly down.

Just then, a group of people walked over from the arbitrators’ seats.

Elder Peng led the way with a steady gait, followed by Zhou Yuan, Zhao Ying, and the young woman with the ponytail.

Sheng Yunfeng immediately went to greet them, his face wreathed in smiles. "Elder Peng! Thank you for your hard work!"

Elder Peng waved his hand, a faint smile on his face. "It was no trouble. The Sheng Family won beautifully today. Congratulations."

"Not at all, not at all. It’s all thanks to the members of the Divine Martial Society being here to oversee things that we could have peace of mind." Sheng Yunfeng stepped aside to guide them. "Elder Peng, this way, please. Let’s talk inside."

The group entered the VIP lounge next to the stadium.

The door closed, shutting out the clamor from outside.

Sheng Yunfeng personally poured tea for Elder Peng and invited Zhou Yuan and the others to sit.

Several juniors, including Sheng Rulong and Sheng Rushan, stood to the side.

After some pleasantries, Sheng Yunfeng took a document from his coat and presented it to Elder Peng with both hands. "Elder Peng, this is what we agreed upon earlier. The share transfer agreement for the six mines has been signed."

Elder Peng took it, glanced through it, and nodded in satisfaction before handing it to Zhou Yuan to put away.

"Patriarch Sheng, rest assured. Now that the agreement is signed, the Divine Martial Society and the Sheng Family are one. Rulong and the others will return with me to the Divine Martial Society, become disciples, and begin their Cultivation in earnest. From now on, the Divine Martial Society will protect the Sheng Family’s transportation business. No one will dare to touch it."

Sheng Yunfeng was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.

Elder Peng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and added, "I’ve seen Rulong’s foundation. It’s quite good. With a few years of polishing in the Divine Martial Society, reaching the Peak of Blood Tempering won’t be a problem, and he even has a chance at Refining Viscera."

Sheng Yunfeng quickly said, "Rulong, what are you waiting for? Thank Elder Peng!"

Sheng Rulong stepped forward, cupped his fist, and bowed. "Thank you for your high praise, Elder Peng."

Elder Peng waved his hand, gesturing for him to rise.

Afterward, all the juniors left. The ensuing conversation was limited to Sheng Yunfeng and Elder Peng alone.

In the hall outside the door.

As they walked, Zhou Yuan said, "Brother Rulong, that was a truly beautiful fight today. That last punch, especially—it was so powerful, I felt sorry for Ming Lei just watching."

Sheng Rulong’s expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing.

Zhou Yuan continued with a smile, "But that Ming Lei is a tough one, refusing to concede even after a beating like that. If you ask me, an opponent like that is just trouble waiting to happen."

A flicker of movement in Sheng Rulong’s eyes.

Zhou Yuan, seemingly oblivious, went on, "It’s a shame the people from Dragon Eagle were here today. Otherwise, knowing Brother Rulong’s temperament, you probably would have..."

He stopped mid-sentence, then waved his hand with a laugh. "Oh, listen to me, what nonsense am I spouting? Brother Rulong, don’t take it to heart."

Sheng Rulong looked at him.

Zhou Yuan had a smile on his face, but his eyes were calm, betraying nothing.

Zhao Ying chimed in from the side, "Brother Zhou is right. Don’t take it to heart, Brother Rulong. Once you’re in the Divine Martial Society and cultivate properly, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

He paused, then lowered his voice as if to console him. "Those two from Dragon Eagle may be young, but they’re from Dragon Eagle, after all. They must be skilled. For now... mm, it’s best we prioritize peace."

The words sounded like advice, but they didn’t quite feel like it.

Sheng Rulong’s brow furrowed slightly.

Zhou Yuan smiled. "Junior Brother Zhao is right. That one named Wan Ze looks a few years younger than you, but he’s got quite the temper. You heard what he said at the beginning today, didn’t you?"

Sheng Rulong nodded.

Of course he had.

That Wan Ze had said, "Dragon Eagle sending the two of us should be more than enough," his words clearly showing he didn’t think much of the Divine Martial Society.

Zhou Yuan sighed. "Well, he’s young. It’s normal to be a bit arrogant. But... let’s hope his skills match his temper. Otherwise, there’s going to be quite a show to watch later on."

After speaking, he clapped Sheng Rulong on the shoulder. "Cultivate well. We’ll deal with future matters when they come."

Sheng Rulong was silent for a moment before cupping his fist. "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Zhou."

Zhou Yuan smiled and waved his hand. "It wasn’t guidance, just some casual talk."

Sheng Rulong stood up and took his leave.

He left with Rushan and the others.

In the hall, the smile on Zhou Yuan’s face slowly faded as he turned to look at Zhao Ying.

Zhao Ying was also looking at him.

Their eyes met. Nothing was said, but a hint of understanding passed between them.

Zhou Yuan leaned back. "That Wan Ze, how much real skill do you think he has?"

Zhao Ying thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I can’t see through him. But for Dragon Eagle to send him as an arbitrator, he can’t be bad."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said no more.

He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and the corner of his mouth curved into a slight smile.

’It’s good that he has skill.’

’If he didn’t, it wouldn’t be any fun.’

Sheng Rulong walked out of the VIP lounge, his pace neither fast nor slow.

The corridor was dimly lit, flanked by closed doors, with an iron door at the far end leading back into the stadium.

Sheng Rushan, Sheng Hai, and the others hurried behind him, exchanging glances. No one dared to speak first.

Sheng Rulong stopped abruptly at a corner.

Sheng Rushan nearly ran into his back. He stopped short and looked over, confused. "Brother?"

Sheng Rulong didn’t turn around.

He stood there, staring at the iron door at the end of the corridor for a few seconds.

Then he suddenly spoke. "I want another fight."

Sheng Rushan was stunned. "Another fight?"

He repeated the words subconsciously, then it hit him. His face changed. "No, Brother, are you crazy? Who are you going to fight? Those two from Dragon Eagle?"

Sheng Rulong didn’t answer.

Seeing this, Sheng Rushan grew anxious. He took two quick steps to get in front of his brother, blocking his path.

But before speaking, he glanced around, then lowered his voice. "Brother, listen to me... Regardless of their actual strength, they represent Dragon Eagle! If you make a move on them in front of all these people, you’ll be slapping Dragon Eagle in the face! If this blows up, not even the Divine Martial Society will be able to protect us!"

Sheng Rulong looked at him, motionless.

Sheng Rushan continued to persuade him, "Brother, think about it... Dragon Eagle’s rival is the Divine Martial Society, not our Sheng Family. If those people from the Divine Martial Society really wanted to deal with Dragon Eagle, they would’ve done it themselves. Why do you think that Zhou Yuan said all those things to you? He’s just using you as a weapon!"

Sheng Rulong looked at him for two seconds, and his brow suddenly relaxed.

"You think I don’t know that?"

His tone was tinged with annoyance.

Sheng Rushan was taken aback. "...Brother, you know?"

Sheng Rulong turned his head away, not looking at him. His gaze fell on the iron door at the end of the hall. "Of course. How could I not see it?"

Sheng Rushan’s mouth fell open, at a loss for words.

’No wonder this all felt so strange.’

’This wasn’t Sheng Rulong’s style at all.’

He and Sheng Rulong had grown up together; he knew his brother better than anyone.

’How could someone who’s been on the verge of the Blood Tempering Third Transformation for so long, someone who has firmly suppressed everyone in this generation of the Sheng Family, be some reckless idiot?’

’But the way he was acting just now...’

He recalled how, in the lounge earlier, when Zhou Yuan was speaking, Sheng Rulong had just stood there without a word, his expression grim.

He had thought his brother was genuinely riled up by those words.

’Thinking about it now...’

"Brother, you saw through it? Then why did you..." he asked, his voice trailing off.

Sheng Rulong didn’t answer.

The dim light of the corridor fell on his face, obscuring his expression.

Of course he had seen through it.

No matter how deeply Zhou Yuan hid his intentions, they couldn’t escape his notice.

All that talk of "prioritizing peace" and "hoping his skills match his temper"... every word was a provocation, designed to ensure he wouldn’t just swallow his anger.

He, Sheng Rulong, was reckless, but he wasn’t a fool.

’But what does it matter if I saw through it?’

’Zhou Yuan is Elder Peng’s direct disciple. Dare I bet on whether this is Zhou Yuan’s own idea or something Elder Peng has tacitly approved?’

He didn’t dare.

The Sheng Family had signed the agreement, transferring six mines to the Divine Martial Society. In a few days, he, along with Rushan, Ruhai, and Ruhu, would follow Elder Peng back to the Divine Martial Society to become disciples.

That was where their future lay.

Zhou Yuan was their senior brother, Elder Peng’s direct disciple.

’If I don’t rise to this bait today, will my life be easy once I get to the Divine Martial Society?’

This was a pledge of loyalty he had to make.

Whether he wanted to or not.

Standing beside him, Sheng Rushan watched his brother’s silence and suddenly understood.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say.

In the end, he just stood there in silence, keeping him company.

At the end of the corridor, from beyond the iron door, came the faint sound of voices.

It was the Ming Family, packing up and preparing to leave.

Sheng Rulong listened to the sounds, standing there for a long time.

Then, he turned around.

And walked toward the iron door.

His steps were steady...

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