I Am The Villain In The Novel

Chapter 13: Wei Changtian’s Grand Declaration

“Duel…”

Wang Er was even more surprised than the two gatekeepers from earlier.

What’s going on?

Could it be that the young master has developed a new fondness for being abused?

Or is it because of his long-term bullying of commoners and women that he has developed a misguided sense of his own strength?

Wang Er really wanted to advise Wei Changtian not to embarrass himself, but when he thought of the warning from this morning, he held back his words.

Forget it, I guess no one in the Mirror Division dares to really take action. At worst, I’ll just find a couple of skilled actors later to satisfy our young master’s desire for performance.

…

The Martial Arts Hall was the only place within the Mirror Division that had anything to do with “entertainment”.

There were eighteen platforms in total, where anyone could step up and exchange a few moves with others, or settle personal grievances under the guise of “sparring”.

But of course, causing serious injury or killing each other was strictly forbidden.

At this moment, there were people sparring on seventeen of the eighteen platforms, but only one person stood on the platform of the second station, feeling somewhat awkward and lonely.

Although no one wanted to step up to fight him, there were quite a few onlookers below the platform.

“Why did Young Master Wei come?”

“Who knows, maybe he’s tired of playing with women and wants to play with men now.”

“Why isn’t anyone going up to challenge him?”

“Challenge him? Are you seeking death?”

“Come on, I think he’s just an empty shell. Besides, even if you can’t beat him, he probably won’t kill you, right…”

“Are you stupid?”

“Huh? Brother, what do you mean? Please enlighten me.”

“Someone like you, if placed in the storyteller’s mouth, would surely not last three rounds. Listen carefully…”

“Ah! I see…”

Listening to the whispers below the platform, Wei Changtian’s expression became increasingly unnatural.

Even if he had a thick skin, it was uncomfortable to be surrounded by a group of people watching like monkeys!

But he had already called out several times, and no one was willing to step onto the platform.

What could he do?

He couldn’t possibly force someone up with a knife.

As Wei Changtian felt anxious on the platform, Wang Er below was even more anxious, clutching a handful of silver coins, ready to spend money to hire a few “actors” to perform on stage.

However, just as he was looking around for suitable candidates, there was suddenly a commotion in the crowd, followed by a man with star-shaped eyebrows and sword-like eyes pushing through the crowd, leaping gracefully onto the platform.

This man wore a black tiger and dragon robe, with a golden-hilted dragon-patterned sword hanging from his left waist and a piece of jade hanging from his right, engraved with the character “Inner”.

He stood firm, bowed to Wei Changtian, and spoke in neither servile nor overbearing tone.

“Mirror Division Inner Guards, Fan Hong, pays respects to Young Master Wei!”

At last, someone stepped onto the platform, initially bringing a hint of relief to Wei Changtian. However, when he recognized the embroidered patterns on the man’s tiger and dragon robe, his expression suddenly turned sour.

A three-clawed dragon and a four-lined tiger.

This Fan Hong was actually a centurion!

Of course, Wei Changtian wasn’t afraid of his official position. Even if he were a deputy commander, he would still have to give him some face, let alone a Sixth Rank minor official like this.

What he was worried about was Fan Hong’s strength.

It was inevitable for a centurion of the Inner Guards to have exceptional martial prowess.

As a newcomer with just a bronze-level cultivation, how could he withstand a match with a platinum-level opponent right from the start?

Originally, Wei Changtian had planned to take it step by step, but since someone had already stepped onto the platform, he could only brace himself for a beating.

Thinking of this, Wei Changtian no longer hesitated and politely bowed.

“Master Fan.”

“I dare not, Young Master, just call me by my name.”

Fan Hong asked calmly, “I wonder how Young Master wishes to compete? Only with fists and feet? Or can we utilize inner energy?”

Without much thought, Wei Changtian replied directly, “I don’t care about that. Just use the methods you would use against mortal enemies on me.”

“Wow!”

There was an instant uproar from the crowd below, and Fan Hong was also somewhat surprised.

“Young Master, this may be a bit inappropriate.”

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it.”

Wei Changtian waved his hand, “Just don’t inflict too serious injuries on me.”

“…I understand, Young Master.”

Fan Hong looked at Wei Changtian deeply, without saying anything more, he took off the dragon-patterned sword and put it aside, then crossed his palms up and down to show the starting posture.

“Sixth grade, Fan Hong, please.”

“…”

Wei Changtian took a deep breath, his expression instantly becoming serious.

He hadn’t learned any specific techniques, so he could only raise his fists in front of his chest, assuming the most instinctive fighting stance a human could take.

“Seventh Rank, Wei Changtian.”

The sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long shadows of the two men.

Seeing that they were actually going to fight, the people below the platform were somewhat surprised.

“Centurion Fan doesn’t fear authority; he’s truly a role model for us!”

“The sentence Young Master Wei just said makes me view him in a different light.”

“I see no doubt in the outcome of this battle.”

“What kind of opening stance is that of Young Master Wei? I’ve never seen it before.”

“You should go watch villagers fight in the countryside, and you’ll understand…”

“…”

As the crowd discussed fervently, Fan Hong on the platform finally made his move after a brief pause.

He lunged forward, his right palm aiming straight for Wei Changtian’s face, while his left foot gathered slight force, ready to launch a second attack once the palm was deflected or blocked.

In fact, this was a very common probing technique. Leaving aside the difference in internal energy, anyone who had practiced martial arts for a year or two should be able to handle it with ease.

However, even though Fan Hong had held back, he still overestimated Wei Changtian’s combat prowess.

The awkward posture, the slightly panicked look in his eyes, the disordered steps…

Just as the palm, infused with powerful internal energy, was about to hit him, Wei Changtian finally reacted to dodge, but his movements were slow.

At this rate, Fan Hong wouldn’t need any follow-up moves. Just this palm alone could knock Wei Changtian flat on the ground.

Everyone present were martial artists, so they could naturally see this outcome.

Except for Wang Er, who was already prepared to rush onto the stage, most of the others wore a smug expression, ready to sit back and watch Wei Changtian’s embarrassment.

But just as the situation was about to reach a critical point, there was a sudden reversal on the stage.

The palm that was supposed to slap Wei Changtian’s face suddenly veered half an inch to the side at an imperceptible angle, barely grazing past Wei Changtian’s ear.

Simultaneously, Fan Hong, who had been preparing to strike with his left foot, abandoned the attack and instead took a small step forward, placing his chest directly onto Wei Changtian’s fist, which had remained motionless.

“Boom!”

After a muffled sound, the two passed each other.

While Wei Changtian stood there dumbfounded, Fan Hong was already kneeling on the ground with a “painful” expression on his face.

“Cough! To respond to changes with an unchanging strategy… Impressive technique, Young Master!”

“I’ve lost!”

???

Won?

No, what did I do to win?

Wei Changtian looked back at the clumsily acting Fan Hong and suddenly understood.

Damn, so you were just pretending to be so calm and collected before?!

And responding to changes with an unchanging strategy?!

You went through all that trouble just to kiss up to me!

“Sigh!”

There were whispers of disapproval from the audience below, but Fan Hong seemed unfazed. Just as he was about to come closer and say a few more words, he suddenly heard Wei Changtian coldly spit out a word.

“Get lost!”

Fan Hong was instantly flustered. “Young Master Wei, I…”

“I said, get lost!”

“…”

Fan Hong’s Adam’s apple moved, but ultimately, he didn’t dare to say anything more. With a dejected demeanor, he walked off the platform and hurriedly left the Martial Arts Hall, evidently afraid of being ridiculed by his colleagues.

“Hahaha! I can’t stop laughing!”

“Shameful to the extreme!”

“Tsk tsk tsk, that’s why Fan Hong rose so quickly? This is the gap between us!”

“…”

Amidst the laughter, Fan Hong slinked away, but the onlookers didn’t disperse. They were all waiting to see how Wei Changtian would end this.

In their eyes, this demonic overlord would most likely lose interest and leave.

However, once again, the unfolding of events surprised everyone.

Still standing on the platform, Wei Changtian remained silent for a moment, then suddenly lifted his head and shouted loudly, each word enunciated:

“From this day forth, I will hold ten matches daily on the second platform!”

“Anyone, regardless of who they are, their realm, or their status, can challenge me on the platform!”

“Whoever defeats me will receive fifty taels of silver as a reward! It shall stand as a merit!”

“I will never seek revenge! I swear by my word!”

“Wang Er!”

“Y-Young Master, I’m here…”

“Go find a wooden plaque and inscribe my words on it!”

“Until the day I win a hundred matches, these words shall stand!”