44: Chapter 44 The Grand Event Continues, Chen Xuan is the Favorite to Win the Championship

The next morning, sunlight spilled onto the bluestone slabs, and a bronze bell at the eaves tinkled once.

Chen Xuan pushed open the door, still holding half an uneaten steamed bun in his hand.

He looked up at the sky. The wind was gentle, the clouds were few—a good day for going out.

When he stepped out of the courtyard gate, the street was already bustling. Banners for the Husband Selection Ceremony lined both sides of the main avenue. The sound of gongs and drums drifted from the city center, wave after wave, as if urging people to hurry over.

Many pedestrians on the road stopped when they saw him. Some nodded, some clasped their fists in salute, and a few young Martial Artists stood at a distance, watching him with complicated looks in their eyes.

No one dared to call him 'that kid' anymore.

Chen Xuan smiled, stuffed the last bite of the bun into his mouth, and casually brushed off some non-existent dust from his clothes.

He knew what these people were thinking. Last night's battle in West Alley, flames reaching the sky, over eighty black-clad men surrounding one, only to be fought through in a bloody path.

News traveled faster than the wind. Now the whole city was discussing whether he had been hiding his true abilities all along, pretending to be weak.

He offered no explanation, nor did he need to.

Leng Shuang was already waiting for him at the alley entrance. She wore her familiar white martial attire, the silver soft armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight. Standing there with her arms crossed, she resembled a snow sculpture.

Hearing footsteps, she lifted her gaze. Her eyes fell on his shoulder. 'Your injury hasn't fully healed yet.'

'I won't die,' Chen Xuan grinned. 'You've been saying that all morning.'

'I'm stating a fact,' she retracted her gaze, turning to fall into step beside him. 'Someone's watching you.'

'I know,' he rubbed his chin. 'More than one group.'

Zhao Hongling jogged over from an angle behind, her red long skirt fluttering, golden armor dazzling.

'Can you two not talk about life and death every time you meet?' she planted her hands on her hips. 'So early in the morning, can't you say something cheerful?'

'Like what?' Chen Xuan asked.

'Like the fact that you're now the favorite to win!'

She lifted her chin, a proud look on her face. 'I just passed by the gambling house. They've opened the odds—three to one, betting on you to win!'

'Oh,' Chen Xuan nodded. 'Then I'll place a bet. On myself.'

Zhao Hongling was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. 'You're truly a madman!'

The four of them gathered outside the main venue. Liu Ruyan approached holding a pink oil-paper umbrella, her face veiled by a light gauze, revealing only a pair of smiling eyes.

She tilted the umbrella slightly, blocking the harsh sunlight from Chen Xuan's face. 'It's hot outside. Be careful of sunburn.'

'Do you really think I'm that delicate?' Chen Xuan replied.

'Not delicate. Valuable.'

She blinked. 'Now, who in this entire ceremony doesn't know that Young Master Chen can incinerate the sky with a single palm, forcing a horde of enemies to retreat?'

Dugu Xue leaped down from a high wall, landing without a sound. She swept her gaze over the surrounding crowd and said quietly, 'There's a spy behind the third flagpole to the east. The two at the tea stall to the south aren't there for tea. They're recording your walking pace, your breathing rhythm.'

'Let them record,' Chen Xuan shrugged. 'I haven't stolen anything.'

'But they want to figure out your weakness,' Leng Shuang said coldly.

'Then let them look.'

He walked forward a few steps, standing at the edge of the arena, and declared loudly, 'I eat two steamed buns and drink a bowl of porridge every morning. I walk neither fast nor slow. I train for two hours, take a nap at noon, and sleep at ten in the evening. Feel free to copy my routine.'

The onlookers fell silent for a moment, then erupted in laughter.

Someone shouted, 'Young Master Chen, are you afraid of women?'

'Yes,' he said with a straight face. 'Especially when Zhao Hongling is angry.'

Zhao Hongling immediately kicked at him. He nimbly dodged, provoking another round of laughter.

The atmosphere relaxed, but Chen Xuan knew it was only on the surface. The gazes hidden within the crowd remained sharp—some admiring, some wary, and some purely resentful.

A burly competitor pushed through the crowd, clasped his fists in salute, and said, 'Brother Chen, last night's battle was truly admirable. However, I believe a true expert is measured not by how many he can defeat, but by whether he can reach the pinnacle and claim victory. Dare you step onto the stage today for a trial?'

'You want to challenge me?' Chen Xuan asked.

'Not a challenge,' the man shook his head. 'A friendly exchange. We're both still in the competition; we'll meet sooner or later. Better to familiarize ourselves with each other's methods early.'

The surroundings grew somewhat quieter.

Chen Xuan looked at him and smiled. 'Alright. As long as you're not afraid of making a fool of yourself later.'

Before the words fully left his mouth, Zhao Hongling angrily shouted, 'Who gave you permission to address him so familiarly as 'Brother Chen'? Get lost!'

'Hongling,' Chen Xuan gently pressed her shoulder. 'He means well with the exchange. Why are you so fierce?'

'Fierce? I'm standing up for you!' she glared. 'They just want to take this chance to test your condition, to see if you were putting on a brave face last night!'

'Then let them try,' he smiled. 'I never said I couldn't fight.'

Leng Shuang silently stepped forward to his left, the hilt of her sword slightly exposed. Dugu Xue also shifted to his right, a faint chill emanating from her.

Liu Ruyan, meanwhile, retreated to the higher steps, gently fanning herself with a folding fan, her eyes sweeping across the entire area.

The four women lined up, forming an unspoken formation without a single word.

The Martial Artist's expression changed. He clasped his fists and stepped back. 'In that case... I'll seek your guidance another day.'

The crowd dispersed somewhat, and no one dared to approach easily again.

Chen Xuan didn't pursue, nor did he mock. He simply turned and walked toward the small courtyard of his temporary residence.

He needed rest, and he needed to settle the ripples from last night's battle.

Although the Nine Suns Incineration True Scripture had begun to show its power, his true essence hadn't fully stabilized. A scorching current still occasionally surged in his palms.

The courtyard was quiet.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began regulating his breathing. His breaths gradually grew long and steady. The heat in his palms slowly sank into his Dantian, like a tide receding and returning.

Zhao Hongling brought over a cup of tea, placed it on the stone table beside him, and sat under the eaves counting stars without saying a word.

Leng Shuang handed him a damp cloth, wiped the sweat from his forehead, then went back to her room to fetch her sword, never leaving his line of sight.

Dugu Xue patrolled the perimeter, leaped onto the roof to gaze at the moon for a moment, and only returned to her room after confirming no unusual movements.

Liu Ruyan lit a calming incense stick, gently placed it in the corner of the courtyard, opened an old music score, and softly hummed a Jiangnan folk tune.

The wind carried the distant sound of gongs and drums, and also the gossip from the streets and alleys.

'Do you think he can really take first place?'

'Who else but him? Who dares to fight him now?'

'But I heard the Empress hasn't made a statement yet...'

'Shh! Don't talk about that!'

Chen Xuan listened, a slight smile touching his lips, but he didn't open his eyes.

He knew that behind glory, there were always hidden arrows. He knew his enemies wouldn't give up so easily. But he knew one thing even more clearly: as long as he was still standing, as long as they were still by his side, then there was nothing to fear.

The sun slanted westward, dusk gradually deepening.

He finished his cultivation, stood up, stretched, and moved his wrists and shoulders. A dull ache remained in his injuries, but it no longer hindered his movements.

He walked to the water vat in the courtyard, scooped up a ladle of cool water, and splashed it on his face, jolting himself alert.

Zhao Hongling jumped up. 'Hey, do you want dinner or not?'

'Yes,' he said. 'After eating, I still need to train.'

'Do you really not treat yourself as human?' she rolled her eyes.

'If I don't act beyond human, how can I become the champion?' He wiped the water droplets from his face and smiled. 'I want everyone to understand clearly: I'm not relying on women to rise. I'm making women willingly stay by my side.'

The four women were all taken aback by his words.

Leng Shuang's hands, which were adjusting the tassel on her sword, paused for a moment.

Dugu Xue gazed at the last sliver of sunset glow on the horizon, the corner of her mouth lifting ever so slightly.

Liu Ruyan's folding fan snapped shut with a crisp sound.

Zhao Hongling pursed her lips. 'Smooth talker.'

Chen Xuan said no more. He simply picked up the wooden sword hanging on the wall and began practicing the basic sword forms, over and over again. His movements weren't fast, but they were as steady as a rock.

He knew the real challenge hadn't begun yet.

He knew someone was waiting in the shadows for him to let his guard down.

He also knew this path was destined to be anything but peaceful.

But he didn't care.

He only knew one thing: what is meant to come will come.

And he was ready, at any moment, to meet every blade.