Chapter 1868: Master, Rest Assured, I Will Surely Win

If it were only Zhao Qinglin and Huang Chong's life or death, the many elders of Cooking King Immortal City would certainly not care.

Two insignificant nobodies, and many haven't even heard who they are.

Their deaths wouldn't matter.

But Zhang Wuyue and Ye Zhangqing are different, especially Zhang Wuyue.

So, when Zhang Wuyue proposed a life-or-death wager, the many elders who had been paying attention in secret all flashed a strange look in their eyes.

Even the old man sitting with the Deputy City Lord of Cooking King Immortal City at a table in that farmhouse courtyard, drinking tea, laughed and teased.

"You won't step in to stop him? This Zhang Wuyue is a top-ten Heavenly Pride monster in your Cooking King Immortal City."

As for that, the Deputy City Lord of Cooking King Immortal City smiled without changing his expression.

"Life and death are fate, wealth and honor are from heaven; since you chose it yourself, you must bear the consequences."

"You're taking it pretty lightly."

"What's there to not get over? Losing a Heavenly Pride might gain an even stronger one—who knows if the old man's lost horse isn't a blessing?"

Upon hearing that, the old man blinked slightly, then revealed a smile full of deep meaning.

Is this old geezer talking about that kid surnamed Ye? He thinks so highly of that kid?

The Deputy City Lord had no intention of intervening, and, under his covert prompting, the other elders naturally would not step in to stop it.

Moreover, even the two parties involved, Ma Qiankun, chose to acquiesce—what else could the other elders say?

But Ma Qiankun and company aren't unwilling to stop; they simply can't, because the Deputy City Lord has already sent them a mental message.

Just then, Zhang Wuyue, who had just rushed back to his residence, instantly saw the middle-aged man sitting in the courtyard.

The man had a head of fiery red long hair, a rugged visage, and even his strands were like steel needles.

His eyes were like bronze bells, and together with his tall, sturdy build, they gave an overwhelming sense of pressure.

This middle-aged man was none other than Zhao Qinglin's master, Shīzūn, and also an elder of the Dragon Kun Fire Hall, Lin Longkun.

Seeing Zhang Wuyue return to the courtyard, Lin Longkun said with a blank expression.

"The Deputy City Lord sent me a mental message, approving your two's wager."

As soon as he spoke, he directly said, this also tells Zhang Wuyue that this wager is no longer child's play; losing would truly mean paying with one's life.

However, Zhang Wuyue showed no trace of worry; instead, he approached Lin Longkun, first respectfully pouring him a cup of tea, then spoke confidently.

"Master, rest assured, I have confidence."

But Lin Longkun did not express agreement; instead, he spoke lightly.

"If it were someone else, I might have a rough idea; after all, I have some grasp of their strength—if they can win, you naturally can; if they can't, you know it yourself."

"But this kid surnamed Ye has only been in Cooking King Immortal City for less than two months; as his teacher, I only know he comes from the Guo family, and otherwise know nothing."

"Ma Qiankun is no fool; if he lacked real talent, how could he be made the chief disciple of the Heaven-Earth Fire Hall?"

Saying this, Lin Longkun raised his head to look at Zhang Wuyue, his face serious as he spoke.

"People stumble, horses slip; arrogance often leads to loss, the unknown is the most terrifying—do you understand?"

Lin Longkun's words are not wrong—who knows how much ability Ye Zhangqing has?

To dare to wager one's life without knowing the opponent at all—clearly, Lin Longkun is dissatisfied with Zhang Wuyue's approach.

What's more, it's hard for them to learn about Ye Zhangqing, since he has just arrived in Cooking King Immortal City and is practically a blank slate.

But conversely, for Ye Zhangqing to learn about Zhang Wuyue is much easier.

Just send someone to inquire around the city, and you can find out quite a bit.

Even if you can't discover Zhang Wuyue's hidden cards, you can still know roughly some things about his strength.

This amounts to Ye Zhangqing possessing an innate advantage from the start.

Facing his master's worry, Zhang Wuyue's expression didn't change; he remained supremely confident, speaking neither hastily nor slowly.

"Master worries, I understand."

"However, I am confident I can beat him; in Cooking King Immortal City, there are peers stronger than me, but I don't think that includes this Ye-surnamed kid."

"Moreover................ Even if I end up losing, the one who dies will be him."

Upon hearing that, Lin Longkun's eyes flashed with a strange hue, his gaze locked tightly on Zhang Wuyue.

Has this kid planned everything all along?

Faced with his master's scrutinizing gaze, Zhang Wuyue didn't panic and continued speaking.

"Master also said, this Ye-surnamed newcomer has no foundation in Cooking King Immortal City; even if he wins after entering the Cooking King Hall, what then?"

"Compared to that Ye-surnamed person, I have better relations with the other chief disciples; I believe they won't just watch me fall here."

The meaning behind Zhang Wuyue's words is crystal clear: if he wins, he will openly and aboveboard kill Ye Zhangqing.

If he loses, he will directly kill him in the Cooking King Hall.

After all, according to longstanding rules, for matches like the pure-blooded immortal phoenix, the major fire halls send their chief disciples to participate.

And elders like Ma Qiankun and Lin Longkun are not allowed to enter the Cooking King Hall.

This also prevents the elders from secretly striking during matches or sparking conflicts.

And this point happens to give Zhang Wuyue an opportunity.

When the time comes, if he refuses to acknowledge the debt, what can Ye Zhangqing do? Moreover, Zhang Wuyue assumes he has already considered all possible scenarios.

Including the fact that even if his own strength is inferior to Ye Zhangqing's, he still has countermeasures.

In Cooking King Immortal City, among all the fire halls, he knows every chief disciple.

Among them, some are on bad terms, some on good; he pays a price to ask a few to act, and when they join forces, wouldn't he still fear being unable to take down that Ye-surnamed person?

As for whether that Ye-surnamed person has helpers, Zhang Wuyue isn't worried at all.

He just arrived in Cooking King Immortal City and became a chief disciple only a few days ago—how could he have time to contact the chief disciples of the other fire halls?

Without prior ties, why would they lend you a hand?

So, Zhang Wuyue had already figured it out from the start; this time, no matter the outcome, win or lose, the only person who can walk out of the Cooking King Hall alive is him.

As for Ye Zhangqing, he'll just stay forever inside the Cooking King Hall.

Upon hearing Zhang Wuyue's words, Lin Longkun fell silent for a moment, then said softly.

"You just need to handle it yourself; on Ma Qiankun's side, I, as your master, will naturally help you block it."

This remark clearly endorsed Zhang Wuyue's idea; no matter what method is used, after killing Ye Zhangqing, Zhang Wuyue need not worry about Ma Qiankun's side.

Upon hearing that, Zhang Wuyue also clasped his hands in salute.

"Disciple thanks you, Master."

"Make more preparations; being able to win openly and honorably is best, do you understand?"

"Disciple understands."

After giving that final instruction, Lin Longkun then left, his figure slowly fading away from the spot.