Dashing Student Chapter 1344: Accepting the Challenge

"Jue Mingzi, show yourself and confront me. Are you terrified that I shall expose you if you fail to accept this challenge?"

The scholar bellowed at the gate of the courtyard, but the protective array effectively barred his entry.

"He has lost his mind," Chen Nan muttered while retreating back into the room.

"Would you like me to teach him a lesson? Does he truly believe my husband is easily bullied?"

Liu Hanyue appeared fierce, making her look all the more charming, while Ning Yu also displayed signs of irritation.

"Do not bother; just silence the noise and disregard him." Chen Nan immediately restrained the two women. After reflecting for a moment, he understood that this individual was certainly sent by Yi Mingzi, who had previously warned him of an impending assassination attempt.

However, this tactic was rather crude. As long as Chen Nan ignored the provocation, the scholar could not force a confrontation. Any physical assault would provide Liu Hanyue the perfect pretext to strike back.

In any case, Chen Nan possessed a formidable protector.

Liu Hanyue nodded and gestured to activate the array’s concealment function. A veil of mist instantly descended upon the courtyard, obstructing both auditory and visual access from the outside.

The trio gathered around the table. It had been over half a month since they all rose together, and recalling the intensity of the past few days, their faces flushed with a faint crimson hue.

"Ahem," Liu Hanyue was the first to break the silence. "Husband, Yi Mingzi has targeted you repeatedly. What kind of enmity lies between you?"

"Actually, it is quite trivial, concerning only a Golden Marrow Grass."

Chen Nan chuckled and recounted the history of his conflict with Yi Mingzi.

"Hmph, he is merely a sore loser seeking vengeance; he is truly despicable." Liu Hanyue declared with indignation. "Shall I go and finish him off?"

Chen Nan waved his hand dismissively. "No... at least, not yet."

"Even if you could successfully kill him, his master, Master Canglan, would surely retaliate against me. I cannot remain at your side at all times."

"Though the Righteous Alliance is far from spotless, it maintains a facade of order. We must not be the ones to openly violate the rules. Furthermore, if he is to be slain, the task must be mine to carry out."

"Very well." Liu Hanyue felt a sense of frustration; despite being a Nascent Soul Realm Master, having to act cautiously against a mere Golden Core Cultivator was deeply irksome.

"By the way, because of your contributions, the Alliance Hierarch ordered the rescinding of your Soul Locking Talisman. You have also been granted a sixth-grade spiritual artifact and additional contribution points. I have collected them on your behalf."

She presented the items as if eager for praise, including the token to invalidate the Soul Locking Talisman, two defensive arm guards, and the contribution points which were transferred directly to Chen Nan's identity card.

"Does this mean I am free to depart from the Righteous Alliance?" Chen Nan inquired with surprise.

Liu Hanyue shook her head. "Likely not. As a burgeoning talent, the Righteous Alliance intends to cultivate you, which brings with it certain obligations."

"Though, if I were to forcefully take you away, I suspect there would be no significant issues."

Chen Nan understood that Liu Hanyue possessed the power to do so, yet he still refused. The Righteous Alliance remained his primary source of spirit stones, and until a suitable alternative was found, staying was the most logical choice.

As long as he removed the threat of Yi Mingzi, the danger would be significantly mitigated.

"Let us remain for now. There are still matters to conclude."

He examined the pair of arm guards retrieved from the table but felt a flicker of disappointment when he noticed the inscribed defense runes.

Given that he already possessed the superior Jiao Long Armor, the arm guards seemed redundant.

He slid them toward Ning Yu with a smile. "I have never gifted you anything previously. Think of these as a token of my appreciation."

Ning Yu was stunned by the gesture, as these were sixth-grade spiritual artifacts. Liu Hanyue coughed emphatically, eyeing Chen Nan with expectant intensity. "And what of me? You have presented nothing to me yet!"

Chen Nan was caught off guard, causing him to hesitate because he possessed nothing appropriate for a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

After a prolonged pause, he impulsively remarked, "How about... I give you a child?"

...

Three days later, Chen Nan finally ventured out of his small courtyard. Much to his surprise, he found the same scholar from three days prior still waiting at the entrance.

The scholar glared at Chen Nan with palpable resentment. "You have finally decided to show yourself."

His voice was raspy and severely damaged from spending three days shouting outside the door.

"You are like a relentless pest. I have already informed you that I will not accept your challenge!" Chen Nan replied coldly.

The scholar’s eyes widened, intending to retort, but he caught sight of Liu Hanyue lingering behind Chen Nan and immediately recoiled. He was well aware of her fierce protective nature.

"If you are a coward, just admit it. I cannot force you, though I cannot speak for what the world may think of you."

Chen Nan initially intended to ignore him but suddenly had a thought. He allowed a slight smile to touch his lips. "Did Yi Mingzi send you? I do not know what he told you, but I can be certain it was nothing benevolent."

"You insist on a duel? Fine. But if I lose, my reputation suffers for no gain, so... it will cost you."

Witnessing Chen Nan’s enigmatic smile, the scholar felt as though he were beneath the gaze of a predator. He shivered involuntarily, yet pride compelled him to maintain his composure.

"What is it you want?"

"It is simple." Chen Nan snapped his fingers and broke into a laugh. "Supply a few million top-grade spirit stones, and I shall accept."

The scholar gasped. "Do you think top-grade spirit stones grow on trees? A few million—why don't you simply rob me?"

"I have only twenty thousand in my possession!"

"Make it thirty thousand." Chen Nan raised three fingers. "Contribute thirty thousand top-grade spirit stones, and the challenge is accepted."

The scholar gritted his teeth and nodded abruptly. "Fine, I agree!"

He withdrew his storage pouch and handed over thirty thousand top-grade spirit stones. Chen Nan felt a pang of regret; it seemed he had asked for far too small a sum.

"Excellent, where shall we hold this duel?" Chen Nan asked with artificial cheer.

"At the Martial Arts Arena, where death is permissible!" The scholar’s tone sharpened instantly.

Hearing these resolute words, Chen Nan finally grasped that the scholar was not merely a pawn of Yi Mingzi, but was intent on ensuring his demise.

"What is your connection to Yi Mingzi?"

"I am his fifth senior brother!" The scholar proclaimed with immense pride.

Chen Nan nodded in realization. It was exactly as he suspected; Master Canglan’s disciples were famously protective of one another.

"If you are his senior brother, then that will certainly cost extra."

The smile on the scholar’s face vanished instantly through sheer shock.`