A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1086: Duel 2

Prince Jin’s countenance appeared somewhat unhappy.

Particularly after glancing at the flushed, embarrassed visage of the Western Xia warrior.

Speechlessness overwhelmed him even more.

He simply had no place to hide his aged face.

That bold boast he’d just uttered proved difficult to withdraw!

A fierce glare shot toward the warrior.

The message was clear:

’Fight hard for me—victory brings rewards, defeat spells trouble...’

Humiliation surged through the warrior too, anger etching clearly across his features.

The second round kicked off.

A thunderous roar erupted from the Western Xia warrior.

Iron fists surged forward with crushing might toward Zhao Junyan.

Speed akin to whistling winds, a frosty killing intent trailing every path.

Zhao Junyan’s slender eyes narrowed faintly as his body twisted nimbly aside.

Yet this time, no opening was granted by the foe.

Fists blurred with terrifying speed, relentlessly chasing Zhao’s dodging figure.

Zhao Junyan naturally refused to yield.

His movements flowed like a coiling dragon, weaving left and right, flashing like lightning or streaking rainbows.

The duo clashed in an intense brawl.

One charged like a savage tiger or leopard, footsteps firm, strikes booming like thunder.

The other danced like a dragon toying with a phoenix, masterful in attack and guard, maneuvers erratic and uncanny.

Both displayed peerless prowess, a spectacle that mesmerized onlookers.

Soon, the audience struggled to track their forms or techniques clearly.

Judgment of the bout relied solely on echoes and stances.

Prince Jin’s fists tightened, eyes locked unyieldingly on the arena pair, tension gripping his heart.

’Never imagined this youth possessed such prowess!’

’At this rate, victory—if any—will be razor-thin!’

’Traveling from afar with my boasts, a loss would bring utter shame!’

Thus...

After deliberation, his arm crept forward stealthily.

Concealed within his sleeve lay thirty-six Silver Hemp Needles, hair-thin and nearly invisible unless scrutinized up close.

These silver needles steeped in麻液.

Though not fatal to the struck, victims suffered limp limbs, crippled martial prowess, needing a full month to regain strength.

This approach...

Allowed face-saving without severe damage, preserving amicable ties between realms.

The more Prince Jin pondered, the more pleased he grew.

With a subtle sleeve flick, he targeted the arena combatants.

Awaiting the perfect moment to unleash.

Right then.

Both Yang Chenyi and Zhao Qichen spotted Prince Jin’s suspicious actions.

Yang Chenyi lifted a wine cup, casually shifting beside Zhao Qichen.

After clinking cups and sipping, their eyes met meaningfully.

’Does the sly fox plan dirty tricks?’

’Likely—Western Xia excels in poisons; if Seventh Imperial Uncle gets struck...’

Zhao Qichen’s expression hardened instantly.

Yang Chenyi inwardly swore.

’This scheming old fox, still resorting to foul play!’

Zhao Qichen’s face turned icy and resolute as he murmured.

"We have to halt him!"

Yang Chenyi arched a brow.

"Fear not—I aim not just to block him, but expose the cheat too!"

Zhao Qichen furrowed his brows.

"That... might stir trouble!"

Even at his tender age, he weighed national interests like his sire.

Yang Chenyi paused briefly.

"No issue at all!"

"If he dares the deed, why fear the reveal?"

With that, he cast a derisive look at Prince Jin.

Zhao Qichen noted Prince Jin’s smug grin, then eyed his Seventh Imperial Uncle.

At last, he nodded.

"Very well!"

When pushed to the brink, further tolerance signals frailty.

Yang Chenyi’s lips curved in a sly smile.

"The Crown Prince shows true wisdom!"

Zhao Qichen flushed slightly.

"Uncle, spare the jests!"

Yang Chenyi’s features stiffened awkwardly before he retreated to his spot.

In truth...

By kinship, he was indeed the Crown Prince’s uncle-in-law.

Yet invoking rank here felt off?

The Crown Prince, kingdom’s successor, bowed to none save the emperor.

Even his own father deferred greatly, much less him...

’Ahem! Better drop it!’

Gathering his focus, Yang Chenyi fixed eyes back on the combatants.

There, Zhao Junyan and the Western Xia warrior battled with escalating fury, hitting a boiling climax.

Prince Jin grew ever more intent.

His sleeve hovered at prime angle, hungering for the chance.

Precisely then.

Zhao Junyan’s back faced outward abruptly.

The Western Xia warrior pivoted too, as their clash raged on.

Engaged in intense combat, Zhao Junyan had no spare focus to watch out for threats from below.

Thus... Prince Jin's gaze gleamed brightly.

'What a golden chance!'

With lightning speed, he took aim and unleashed thirty-six silver needles from his sleeve, moving faster than the eye could follow.

These needles, fine as strands of cow hair, were invisible and without color.

No disturbance stirred in the air from their flight.

Not a soul detected them.

Even the perceptive Zhao Junyan remained oblivious.

And right at that moment.

Two brimming wine cups abruptly soared from somewhere, hurtling directly toward the combatants.

The onlookers gasped in shock and confusion.

They turned to trace the cups' origin.

"Crown Prince?"

"General Yang?"

The crowd's astonishment deepened.

"What's the meaning of this?"

Before anyone could make sense of it, a scream of pain echoed from the fighting area.

The spectators whipped their heads back.

There stood Zhao Junyan calmly to the side, while the Western Xia warrior collapsed in agony.

No wounds marred his body, yet his legs appeared crippled, rendering him immobile.

Hence, the second bout ended in triumph for the Seventh Highness once more.

All present instantly revered the Seventh Prince.

'The Seventh Prince possesses real prowess!'

'He has been concealing his true abilities all along!'

A faint smile tugged at Zhao Junyan's lips.

"Thanks for yielding the victory!"

Having claimed two wins out of three, victory was already his.

Great Chu triumphed; Western Xia suffered defeat.

Zhao Junyan saluted the assembly with clasped hands, then descended the stage lighthearted and pleased.

The venue erupted in clamor.

Congratulators abounded, toasts were lifted in cheer, and jabs—subtle or bold—flew at Prince Jin.

The first two groups posed no issue.

But the mockers? Prince Jin could not tolerate them.

He pounded the table in rage.

"Cheating!"

"You shameless brat, you cheated!"

Uproar swept through the crowd.

"Prince Jin, such baseless claims won't stand!"

"Indeed, under countless eyes, where's the cheating?"

"Show us proof!"

Though the cups had flown by, they stayed distant from the duelists—everyone witnessed it!

Great Chu's officials, civil and martial alike, stood firm, united in demanding proof.

Even the Fifth and Sixth Masters deemed it intolerable.

'Defeated and then crying foul? The nerve!'

Despite their dislike for Zhao Junyan.

They wouldn't stand idly by while Great Chu faced humiliation.

Therefore...

The Fifth and Sixth Masters shared a look, then voiced their support.

"Father-in-law, if you claim Seventh Brother cheated, produce the evidence!"

The Sixth Master echoed the sentiment.

Seemingly backing him, yet truly protecting the Seventh Brother.

Prince Jin seethed with uncontrollable fury.

Trembling, he jabbed a finger at the discarded wine cups.

"Isn't that your proof?"

"Who would've thought a mighty empire, famed for propriety, would resort to such cheap ploys for victory!"

"Simply outrageous!"

"Want the win? Fine, I yield it to you!"