Chapter 81: What If I Choose Neither of the Two Wasp Martial Arts Hall Options?

Liang Jingtang had just stepped out of the meeting hall when a sixth-rank and two fifth-rank Grand Martial Masters walked toward him, followed by a visibly panicked junior disciple from the Wasp Martial Arts Hall.

Liang Jingtang waved at the junior disciple, signaling him to leave, then bowed to the middle-aged sixth-rank Grand Martial Master ahead: “If it isn’t Young Master Ding Chuding. I apologize for not greeting you sooner.”

“Hah, no need for formalities. But Liang Jingtang, your airs are a bit too high—you’ve now come here for the third time, and still no clear answer?” Ding Chuding sneered.

“How could I, Liang, dare to put on airs before the Ding family? The conflict between your three-family alliance and the Xu family is beyond the reach of a small martial arts hall like ours.”

"So I humbly ask the Ding family to remember that I once taught some of your young disciples martial arts—don't make things difficult for me. I only wish to teach in peace; I have no..." Liang Jingtang smiled apologetically.

“Heh, Liang Jingtang, you’re no longer young—you know full well that even if I were to spare you out of old goodwill, would the Xu family let you off?”

“I heard just recently Shi Fengyuan led men to smash up the Yaohua Pavilion, injuring many girls and even killing a few. You know why they did it, don’t you?”

“The Ding family has been courteous to you all along. Don’t force us to make things unpleasant!” Ding Chuding sneered.

“Very well, allow me a little more time to consider.” Liang Jingtang sighed helplessly.

“I give you one day! The Ding family has always valued our old ties—don’t force us to do something regrettable.” Ding Chuding tossed out coldly, turning to leave.

But halfway through turning, Ding Chuding spun back around.

His gaze passed over Liang Jingtang and landed on Liu Xiao Qiang, who was applying medicine to her wounds.

“Hmm? Liang Hallmaster, when did your Wasp Martial Arts Hall take on such a striking female disciple? Let her come with me today. If you give me your answer by this time tomorrow, I guarantee she’ll be unharmed. Otherwise, heh…” Ding Chuding’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“I’ll give you my answer tomorrow—but you won’t take her!” Liang Jingtang’s face shifted through several expressions, but he finally suppressed his rage and spoke firmly.

“Who knows if you’ll keep your word tomorrow? Since you care so much for this disciple, I’m even more determined to take her.” Ding Chuding said.

“Ding Chuding, don’t push me too far!” Liang Jingtang’s temple veins bulged, his internal qi and strength surging as if ready to explode.

Yu Chi Xiao and Jiao Yongbao now also stepped out of the meeting hall, standing shoulder to shoulder behind Liang Jingtang, their gazes sharp as blades fixed on Ding Chuding.

Though Liu Xiao Qiang was formally only Xia Daoming’s maid, all of them knew she was his cherished treasure, no different from his lawful wife.

They would never allow Ding Chuding to take her away.

Ding Chuding stared coldly at Liang Jingtang and the others.

A tense, sword-drawn atmosphere spread through the inner courtyard.

“Is the Hallmaster really going to defy my young master over some newly recruited girl? Or are you planning to defect to the Xu family?” A short, stout fifth-rank Grand Martial Master behind Ding Chuding gripped his saber’s hilt and demanded coldly.

“Young Master Ding, please don’t pressure my master. I’ll go with you! You know I’ve been with my master for years—he treats me like his own daughter. If I go, he’ll surely give you your answer tomorrow.” Liu Xiao Qiang struggled to rise from her reclining chair.

Liu Xiao Qiang saw this and grew frantic, about to speak—but Liu Xiao Qiang seized her hand and whispered low: “I’m already ruined. If anything happens, it doesn’t matter. But you’re different!”

With that, Liu Xiao Qiang forced herself upright despite the pain coursing through her body.

“Liu Madam, you’re injured—stay and rest. I’ll take the woman beside you.” Ding Chuding said, his gaze burning hotter as it fixed on Liu Xiao Qiang.

“Ding Chuding, don’t force me, old man!” Liang Jingtang finally erupted, eyes blazing red as he locked onto Ding Chuding like a cornered beast.

Ding Chuding felt the ferocious aura radiating from Liang Jingtang and instinctively stepped back—but immediately realized this undermined his status and power. He stomped hard, drawing his saber with a sharp “clang,” pointing it at Liang Jingtang.

“Liang Jingtang, in light of the long-standing ties between the Wasp Martial Arts Hall and the Ding family, I give you two choices: one, let me take that woman; two, give me your answer now—submit to the Ding family!” Ding Chuding’s tone was icy.

“What if I choose neither?” A cold voice echoed from behind Ding Chuding.

“Daoming!”

“Master!”

“Younger Brother!”

Seeing Xia Daoming arrive, Liang Jingtang and the others all exhaled in relief.

Ding Chuding whirled around and saw two figures striding forward with cold expressions from the moon gate connecting the inner courtyard.

Zhuo Xingji—he naturally recognized.

But Xia Daoming had always been reclusive, preferring to stay at home; outside the Yaohua Pavilion, where every girl knew him, few in Licheng had ever seen him.

Someone like Ding Chuding, a rising star among the Ding family’s third generation, would never have known him.

Yet after Xia Daoming accompanied Liang Jingtang to Cangmang Mountain and returned unharmed, his name had spread slightly in Licheng.

Ding Chuding, tasked with subduing the Wasp Martial Arts Hall, had researched its background and knew of Xia Daoming’s existence.

“Ah, if it isn’t Master Zhuo! And this must be Xia Daoming! I heard you became a fifth-rank Grand Martial Master at just twenty-five—supposedly the Wasp Hall’s prodigy. You’ve got some arrogance, I see!” Ding Chuding’s gaze finally settled on Xia Daoming, his tone dripping with mockery.

Xia Daoming ignored Ding Chuding entirely, walking straight toward Liang Jingtang—but when his eyes passed over Liang Jingtang and saw Liu Xiao Qiang, battered and bruised, his expression darkened instantly, radiating chilling coldness.

“Senior Sister, what happened to you?” Xia Daoming stepped forward in one swift motion, brushing past Liang Jingtang, and gripped Liu Xiao Qiang’s shoulders gently. “Tell me.”

“I’m fine! But this young master Ding insists on taking Lian’er—please, think of something!” Liu Xiao Qiang forced calm into her voice, suppressing the urge to spill her humiliation.

“You want to take my woman?” Xia Daoming released Liu Xiao Qiang’s shoulders, turned slowly, and looked at Ding Chuding with icy detachment. His voice was perfectly calm.

Ding Chuding, faced with Xia Daoming’s unnerving calm, felt an inexplicable unease stir in his chest.

But what was his status and cultivation? To be unnerved by a mere fifth-rank Grand Martial Master from the Wasp Hall—his pride burned. He swung his blade toward Xia Daoming. “Boy, you have no place speaking here!”

Hearing this, Zhuo Xingji and Liang Jingtang exchanged strange glances.

Both knew full well that Xia Daoming had once killed an eighth-rank Grand Martial Master.

Now, a mere sixth-rank dared point a blade at him and declare he had no right to speak? How reckless and foolish.

PS: New book, still seeking reads.