The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 431: Chapter 407: Life and Death Battle

A Duel to the Death!

The words echoed through the great hall of the Celestial Profound Sect.

GULP.

Someone swallowed hard.

A duel to the death was easy to understand. It was a common form of combat in the Jianghu, meaning exactly what it said: once the fight began, life and death were no longer guaranteed.

Jianghu business, settled by the Jianghu... a duel to the death was indeed a very Jianghu way of doing things.

Han Changnian was also caught completely off guard. He stared at Bai Yuan in astonishment.

He never expected Bai Yuan to be the one to demand a duel to the death.

’What on earth is this kid up to?’

’Does Bai Yuan actually think he can kill Linghu Yang with his own two hands?’

Even Han Changnian thought Bai Yuan’s idea was far too arrogant.

At the side, Liu Chongde wore a look of smug amusement.

’So young and reckless, as expected.’

’To get such a great result with a simple provocation... this is truly an unexpected surprise.’

With Bai Yuan’s declaration, the assassination was now confirmed as a Jianghu matter, beyond the jurisdiction of the Profound Sun Law. The death of Xia Han alone would be enough to settle it.

As for whether Bai Yuan could actually kill Linghu Yang?

That was nothing more than a fool’s dream.

The gap between Mingxin Grandmasters could be immense. Linghu Yang was no Xia Han. Bai Yuan had only just broken through to the Mingxin realm; he was no match for Linghu Yang, let alone capable of killing him.

Just as Han Changnian was about to speak, Bai Yuan stepped forward, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"Sect Leader Linghu, do you dare accept my challenge?"

Linghu Yang’s eyes narrowed slightly. He stared at Bai Yuan for a long time.

Everyone in the great hall turned their gaze to the Sect Leader of the Celestial Profound Sect.

"Fine. This old man accepts."

He had no reason to refuse. As a Mingxin Peak Grandmaster, he had his pride.

Bai Yuan grinned. "Excellent. One year from now, I will take your life."

Linghu Yang replied coolly, "I’ll be waiting."

The initiator of a duel to the death had the right to choose the time of the duel. This had always been the rule of the Jianghu.

In fact, it was rare for such duels to happen on the spot.

With life and death on the line, it was only natural to first settle one’s affairs and resolve any lingering matters before the final battle.

A year was a bit long, but not unheard of.

Bai Yuan said no more and turned to walk out of the great hall.

Seeing this, Han Changnian knew the matter was settled. It would be useless for him to try and force a different outcome.

The Court was domineering, but the Zhengyang Sect and the Celestial Profound Sect were not weak. They couldn’t act with complete impunity.

He sighed softly and followed Bai Yuan out of the Celestial Profound Sect.

...

「Half an hour later.」

The delegation from the Court returned to the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office.

Everyone from the Ministry of Justice turned to look at Bai Yuan.

Imperial Censor Bai’s actions were truly unexpected. Originally, even with Liu Chongde’s sophistry, the Court’s might could have inflicted heavy losses on the Celestial Profound Sect, even if they couldn’t truly exterminate all nine generations of their kin.

Han Changnian looked at Bai Yuan with a calm gaze.

"Lord Bai, what are you thinking?"

Like the others, he didn’t understand why Bai Yuan had done this.

A faint smile touched Bai Yuan’s lips. "Minister Han, what do you believe is the foundation of a sect?"

Han Changnian was silent for a moment before replying, "Martial Artists. Or rather, its top-tier Martial Artists."

Bai Yuan nodded. "Exactly."

"If you truly want to break the Celestial Profound Sect’s spine, simply making them bleed is not enough. The only way is to kill Linghu Yang."

At these words, everyone’s expression turned to shock.

The statement was logical, yet absurd.

Han Changnian knew this principle as well, of course, but killing Linghu Yang was no easy task.

Publicly, only the three Divinity Grandmasters of the Court possessed such strength.

But if those three were to act, the old monsters from the Zhengyang Sect and other major sects would also emerge. The situation would spiral out of control. Therefore, the Court could only weaken the Celestial Profound Sect step by step.

This time, having caught the Celestial Profound Sect in such a major misstep, the goal was to make them suffer a grievous blow.

Bai Yuan ignored the strange looks from the crowd. "Lord Han, I must also trouble you to inform His Majesty that I wish to travel abroad to strengthen myself. I request a year’s leave."

Han Changnian fell silent, then nodded.

"Very well. I will inform His Majesty."

Although his rational mind told him it was impossible for Bai Yuan to kill Linghu Yang, the young man before him had created too many miracles. Perhaps, this time, he could really do it.

Han Changnian had already achieved the purpose of his trip to Lingzhou. The next day, they left Lingzhou and returned to the Capital City.

Bai Yuan did not remain in Lingzhou either, instead quietly heading north.

What he told Han Changnian was, of course, the official story.

In truth, he was simply coveting Linghu Yang’s enhancement points. Killing a Mingxin Grandmaster openly and without repercussions was no easy feat.

The duel to the death was an excellent opportunity.

Under those circumstances, Linghu Yang had no choice but to accept.

If there were other factors, they could perhaps be traced back to his time with the Divine Mansion Sect. Bai Yuan did indeed have a significant grudge against the Celestial Profound Sect, and he had always been one to repay every debt of hatred.

Since he was going to deal with the Celestial Profound Sect, he might as well crush them completely.

Han Changnian merely wanted to weaken the Celestial Profound Sect, but Bai Yuan wanted to break its spine.

Once Linghu Yang was dead, the Celestial Profound Sect would naturally fall into disarray, to be molded and kneaded by the Court as it pleased.

There are many factors that make a sect strong, but the key has always been its single strongest member.

In a year, it would be impossible for anyone else to kill Linghu Yang. But Bai Yuan was different. He had a cheat.

...

「Imperial City, Imperial Study.」

"How interesting."

Emperor Li Chengyuan listened to Han Changnian’s report.

Bai Yuan always surprised him, and this time was no different. Instead of following the plan and working with Han Changnian to weaken the Celestial Profound Sect, he had directly challenged its Sect Leader, Linghu Yang.

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