Volume Three: Rising Fame Chapter Six: Burning with Fury

Li Yu dispersed the Thunder Longsword, making it easier for the two referees to administer treatment. Not only that, he also made use of the lightning attribute, cauterizing Qing Tiangan’s wound to stop the bleeding.

“I acknowledge your status now!” Qing Tiangan coughed a few times, his face pale. “Truly formidable!”

Li Yu curled his lip. “The higher-ups have already recognized me; your acknowledgment makes no difference.”

His current position had been granted by the top brass.

Still, he could tell that Qing Tiangan was a straightforward, honest man. Someone like that would make a good friend, Li Yu thought to himself.

The Qing clan was so vast, yet only Qing Anqi ever spoke to him. To say he wasn’t lonely would be a lie.

Thinking of this, he looked toward the green arena. In the next instant, his gaze turned cold.

...

...

Let us return to the moment when the arena was shrouded in the glowing barrier.

Qing Anqi waited until the preparation time ended before seeing her opponent slowly ascend the stage. It was none other than the person she despised most—Qing Yuan.

As per the rules, the referee asked both contestants if they were ready.

“Ready,” Qing Anqi replied crisply.

Qing Yuan spoke abruptly, his words carrying an undertone. “You’re Qing Heng’s daughter, aren’t you? And Qing Yangde is your brother?”

“No talking about other matters. Qing Yuan, are you ready?” The referee frowned, interjecting.

“Ready!” Qing Yuan yawned, his eyes fixed on Qing Anqi. “Isn’t that right?”

Qing Anqi nodded. She recalled her father’s instructions and was about to speak when Qing Yuan interrupted again.

“How’s your brother’s scar doing? On the left cheek, wasn’t it? If I recall, I carved it there myself, bit by bit!”

After saying this, Qing Yuan laughed wildly.

This was the first time Qing Anqi had heard anything about the scar on her brother’s cheek. For a moment, she forgot Qing Heng’s instructions and was about to respond.

The next instant, Qing Yuan’s figure vanished from over ten meters away.

The referee, having just retreated to the edge, saw the petite Qing Anqi sent flying, a palm print blossoming on her cheek.

Most crucially, this blow dislocated Qing Anqi’s jaw.

This meant she would likely be unable to surrender of her own accord!

This was precisely why Qing Yuan had kept talking—he knew she had been instructed to concede if facing him. How could he allow Qing Heng’s child such an easy way out?

That was the reason for his incessant words; otherwise, who in the clan didn’t know the title of the young lady?

“Heavens! She’s just a little girl—how could he be so ruthless?”

“It’s a match—victory and defeat must be decided. There’s nothing wrong with Qing Yuan going all out.”

“I think it’s fine. Though the blow was heavy, it’s the arena; you can’t afford to be soft-hearted.”

...

The crowd beneath the arena was in an uproar.

On the stage, Qing Yuan crouched in front of Qing Anqi and said in a low voice, “I suppose your father told you something, didn’t he? Like if your opponent is me, you should surrender right away?”

“Why didn’t you listen?”

As he spoke, he stomped hard on Qing Anqi’s calf, grinding his foot down.

“Do you know what I hate most? It’s people like your family! That’s why I left a permanent mark on your brother’s face!”

Qing Anqi’s throat trembled with pain, a wail escaping her lips.

Qing Yuan nodded in satisfaction, withdrawing his foot. Before Qing Anqi could catch her breath, her face turned deathly pale once more.

He stomped on her other foot, his movements graceful yet his expression twisted with malice. “Why do your family get to be happy together, and I don’t?”

“This is abuse! Where’s the referee—what are they doing?”

“How can he keep going when the young lady is like this? Are we just going to watch?”

“How do you declare a winner without a surrender? The arena has its rules!”

Everyone watching the green barrier was aflame with debate.

Some thought it wrong to treat a young girl this way.

Others insisted the arena’s rules were sacrosanct—unless they were broken, no one should interfere.

For years, the Qing clan had operated by the rules, no matter how minor. If the rules could be trampled so easily, what could not be broken?

When the purple barrier dropped, Li Yu turned to see Qing Anqi’s head being stomped under Qing Yuan’s foot.

The sight made his blood boil, but Qing Heng, arriving just in time, held him back.

“Let it be a lesson for her,” Qing Heng said, taking his gaze from the stage. “I warned her myself—she failed to seize her chance.”

Li Yu narrowed his eyes. “But Anqi…” From the projection, he could clearly see something wrong with her jaw. Was she unable to surrender because of it?

‘Why hasn’t the match been stopped already?’

Li Yu’s meaning was plain.

“Once you’re on the stage, those below can’t interfere. Besides, Qing Yuan has… restraint; he won’t break the rules,” Qing Heng shook his head. “Anqi has been too sheltered. It’s good for her to be taught a lesson.”

That was what he said.

Yet Li Yu could clearly see the fury suppressed in Qing Heng’s eyes.

It was obvious the Duke was far from calm, though he didn’t show it.

And as for rules—wasn’t the only rule on the arena ‘no killing blows’?

That meant Qing Anqi could be publicly tormented for an extended time.

Li Yu clenched his fists. In his eyes, Qing Anqi was like a younger sister. He might not have many other talents, but he was fiercely protective!

“In the past, a group of assassins infiltrated the clan,” Qing Heng said suddenly, sharing a secret. “Though we launched a purge, some slipped through, which led to later tragedies. Some blame me for mishandling things then…”

He didn’t say more, but Li Yu understood the implication.

“I don’t care what Qing Yuan thinks, or whom he blames,” Li Yu flashed a brilliant smile. “But Qing Anqi is my sister. If I face him next round, I’ll beat the crap out of him!”

“He’s already ranked fifth,” Qing Heng replied softly.

Qing Yuan had advanced just a few days ago. Even if he was new to the rank, Qing Heng doubted Li Yu could win. But Li Yu’s easy victory over Qing Tiangan was proof enough of his strength.

Li Yu nodded. “I don’t see a problem.” He was fully confident.

He still had a few shocking tricks up his sleeve!

Qing Heng suddenly laughed. “Since you’re so confident, I must ask you to hit hard—because I truly hate seeing anyone bully my daughter like this, no matter the reason!”

He might have been strict with his sons, even indifferent when Qing Yangde’s face was slashed—believing the fault lay with his son’s weakness—but with Qing Anqi, he’d been gentle. Before she went on stage, he’d told her clearly: if her opponent was Qing Yuan, she should concede immediately.