Young hero, stay put and don't be reckless.

Chapter 90 Guest Elder

The next morning, Jiang Xun was still dreaming of fighting when he was woken up by a commotion downstairs.

"Jiang Xun! Jiang Xun!"

Ah Jiu's voice came from below, so strong it seemed to want to rouse everyone on the street.

Jiang Xun rolled over, pulled the blanket over his head, and pretended not to hear.

"Brother Jiang! Get up!"

Xu Chen joined in, his voice even louder than A Jiu's.

Jiang Xun sighed, resignedly got out of bed, threw on a coat, and went downstairs.

At the entrance of the inn, Ajiu and Xu Chen stood ramrod straight, their faces radiating excitement.

"So early?" Jiang Xun yawned. "It's not even fully light yet."

"It's already Chen Shi (7-9 AM)!" A Jiu tugged at his sleeve and pulled him outside. "Hurry up, hurry up, or we'll miss it."

"What's the rush?"

Xu Chen followed behind, grinning as he said, "There's a fighting ring at the East City Square today, it's going to be really exciting! I got a scolding from my dad yesterday, so I can't go to the gambling den for a while. This is a good opportunity to watch the fighting ring."

Jiang Xun was pulled outside by the two men. The morning breeze blew, and most of his sleepiness disappeared.

He thought about it and figured since there was no news from the Second Prince for the time being, he might as well go and see what the commotion was about.

"Okay, let's go."

The East Square is located near the Duke of Wei's mansion. It is usually a market, and only during festivals and holidays are there some acrobatic performances.

Today was unusually lively, with a dense crowd of people visible from afar, completely surrounding the square.

It took the three of them a long time to squeeze in.

In the center of the square stood a three-foot-high arena with red-painted pillars and several red ribbons draped over it, giving it a festive look.

Behind the arena, there was a tent with several people sitting inside, their faces obscured.

"So many people?" Jiang Xun stood on tiptoe to look around.

An older man nearby chimed in enthusiastically, "Young man, you probably don't know, but things have been rather unsettled in the north lately. The Duke of Wei is selecting some warriors to go there and teach those barbarians a lesson!"

Another middle-aged man leaned over, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "I heard that this isn't just about selecting warriors; the Duke of Wei is also marrying off his daughter!"

"Marrying off a daughter?"

"That's right!" The uncle perked up, spitting as he spoke, "The eldest daughter of the Duke of Wei married the late Crown Prince, but unfortunately he passed away early. Now he's marrying off his second daughter!"

This second young lady has a fiery temper. She grew up in the army with the Duke of Wei since she was a child, and is proficient in all kinds of weapons, including swords, spears, and clubs. She looks down on ordinary men.

The Duke of Wei, having exhausted all other options, came up with this idea—to set up a contest to choose a son-in-law!

Jiang Xun chuckled upon hearing this: "So, are we choosing a warrior or a prince consort?"

"Choose them all!" the uncle winked. "Whoever shines in the ring might catch the eye of the Duke of Wei, and that would be a meteoric rise!"

Ajiu's eyes lit up, and she nudged Jiang Xun's arm: "Jiang Xun, why don't you go up and give it a try? What if the Duke of Wei takes a liking to you?"

"I'm not here to find a wife," Jiang Xun rolled his eyes at him. "Besides, that second young lady sounds incredibly fierce. Would you dare to marry her?"

Xu Chen smiled but didn't say anything.

The fight was in full swing on the stage.

The two burly men exchanged blows, their punches whistling through the air, which looked quite intimidating, but their moves were incredibly clumsy. One would throw a punch while the other would simply dodge, showing absolutely no strategy or technique.

In Jiang Xun's eyes, it was just fancy footwork, no different from street thugs fighting.

He glanced at it twice and lost interest, looking around listlessly.

"Is that all you've got?" A boastful voice suddenly rang out, drowning out the sounds of fists and feet on the stage.

A young man in brocade robes jumped onto the stage. With nimble movements, he quickly knocked a scarred man off the stage.

The man had a handsome face, a disdainful smile on his lips, and stood on the stage with his hands behind his back, looking down at the world with an arrogant gaze.

It was Dugu Hong.

Jiang Xun frowned.

This guy was at the gambling den yesterday and at the fighting ring today; he really is everywhere.

Dugu Hong stood on the stage, hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the audience as if looking at a group of ants: "Who else?"

One man, unwilling to accept defeat, jumped onto the stage, only to be knocked down in three moves.

Another one went up, and it was still three moves.

Another one went up, and this time he held out for five moves.

Dugu Hong patted off non-existent dust from his sleeves and scoffed, "Southerners are nothing special."

The moment those words were spoken, the audience erupted in uproar.

"Arrogant!"

"This is outrageous!"

"I'll take you on!"

Several people rushed up in succession, some with knives, some with swords, and some practicing boxing. They were all very aggressive, but none of them could last more than ten moves against Dugu Hong.

Dugu Hong stood on the stage, full of vigor, his smile growing ever higher, as if it could reach the sky.

Jiang Xun watched from below the stage, pondering whether he should go up.

It's not that I can't beat them, it's that I don't want to cause trouble.

Just as I was hesitating, someone jumped onto the stage.

Jiang Xun was taken aback—it was a woman, about the same age as him, dressed in a close-fitting outfit, with a sword hanging at her waist, and a heroic air between her brows.

Su Miao.

The daughter of Su Guanlan, the leader of the Chunshui Sect.

Dugu Hong's face darkened instantly upon seeing her: "Su Miao? What are you doing here?"

Su Miao drew her longsword and looked at him coldly: "Come and experience the skills of Young Master Dugu."

"Nonsense!" Dugu Hong frowned. "What are you, a woman, doing here on stage? Get off!"

A voice rang out from below the stage: "Miao'er! Come down!"

Jiang Xun looked in the direction of the voice and saw Su Guanlan standing below the stage, his face green with rage. Several disciples of the Spring Water Sect stood beside him, all nervously staring at the stage.

Su Miao remained unmoved, not even glancing at her father: "I haven't married into the Dugu family yet, it's none of your business to tell me what to do."

Dugu Hong's expression turned even uglier.

The marriage between Su Miao and him was arranged by his father, and he was not very willing to accept it in the first place—it wouldn't look good if word got out that he was marrying a woman from the Chunshui Sect.

How dare this woman talk back to him in front of so many people?

"Get down!" he said in a deep voice.

Su Miao didn't answer, but thrust her sword out.

The sword flashed fiercely, aiming straight for Dugu Hong's face.

Dugu Hong dodged to the side and struck out with a backhand palm.

Su Miaojian's stance changed, and she unleashed the Spring Water Sword Technique, her sword light flowing like water, coiling around him in circles.

Dugu Hong's expression changed—he recognized this sword technique.

Zhang Tao was defeated by Jiang Xun using this sword technique.

However, Su Miao's swordsmanship was far inferior to Jiang Xun's.

In an instant, Dugu Hong calmed down and easily blocked the attack.

He initially held back, after all, she was his fiancée, and it would be difficult to explain if he injured her.

But Su's moves were ruthless, each strike aimed at vital points, leaving no room for error.

Dugu Hong gradually lost patience, and his palm strikes became heavier and more ruthless.

After thirty moves, he slapped Su Miao on the shoulder.

Su Miao staggered backward, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, but she gritted her teeth and charged forward again.

"Enough!" Dugu Hong's face darkened, and his palm whistled. If this palm strike landed, Su Miao would be seriously injured even if she didn't die.

A gasp rippled through the audience.

Su Guanlan's expression changed drastically; it was too late to rush forward.

In that instant, a figure leaped onto the arena and stood in front of Su Miao.

"Bang!"

With their palms clasped together, Dugu Hong retreated three steps, while Jiang Xun remained unmoved.

Dugu Hong recognized the person who had arrived, his face turning as black as the bottom of a pot: "It's you?"

Jiang Xun helped Su Miao to the side, then turned to look at Dugu Hong and smiled, "Young Master Dugu, what a show of power! What kind of skill is it to bully a woman?"

Dugu Hong sneered, "This is a matter between our Dugu family and the Chunshui Sect; it's none of your business, an outsider!"

Before he finished speaking, he struck out with his palm, aiming straight for Jiang Xun's chest.

A sneak attack.

Another gasp rippled through the audience.

Jiang Xun remained calm and composed, using his Azure Lotus Divine Speed ​​Technique to dodge the attack by sidestepping.

He snatched the longsword from Su Miao's hand and unleashed the Spring Water Sword Technique.

The sword light was like water, and the air was filled with moisture. It was far superior to Su Miao's.

Dugu Hong's expression changed, and he was forced to retreat.

When Zhang Tao was defeated by Jiang Xun, Dugu Hong knew he was no match for him.

"Are you from the Spring Water Sect?" Dugu Hong asked while defending himself.

Jiang Xun continued his swordplay and laughed, "Not bad, I am Jiang Xun, a guest elder of the Spring Water Sect."