Chapter 577: 530 Adding a Stake

Although there were many thoughts, the Yinglang Bridge was laid out, and the surrounding people had already spontaneously filed onto the bridge. The Fuhu Manor Master hesitated, but still followed many other Manor Masters onto the bridge and entered Wangliang Mountain.

The process of crossing the bridge was quite smooth, even smoother than ever before. The Fuhu Manor Master used to feel dizzy when walking across the Yinglang Bridge to enter that black, white, and gray world, but this time there were no such symptoms; he crossed over steadily and calmly. In the blink of an eye, he had reached the second tier, and what met his eyes were the You Water and the rolling sand dunes by the water's edge.

If one thought about it carefully, perhaps the curled lines in the space had become a bit more regular and were not as twisted as before? The lines in the Yinglang that were constantly changing at every moment before were truly dizzying.

Because of his Sword Intent, he was quite sensitive to these changes. The more he thought about it, the stranger he felt, so he wanted to ask the Spring Pillar of State if he had the same feeling.

But he waited for people by the You Water, and after waiting for a long time, he did not see the Spring Pillar of State. He couldn't help but feel strange, so he pulled over a Manor Master who had been queuing behind the Spring Pillar of State earlier and asked, "My good man, have you seen the Spring Pillar of State?"

That person said impatiently, "Haven't seen him. Who is the Spring Pillar of State? Don't know him. Can't you look for him yourself?"

The Fuhu Manor Master was furious. He did not recognize the person in front of him and guessed he was some Manor Master from a third-tier nook or cranny. To dare to speak to a dignified Second-tier Manor Master like this showed that the rules of Wangliang Mountain were now in chaos. He raged, "You base..."

Halfway through his sentence, he heard someone call out, "All Manor Masters, this way! Sunset Manor is over here. Enter from here, and you can see the Sword Fighting Platform as soon as you go in. Don't delay; there are still people behind waiting to come in."

The Fuhu Manor Master followed the sound and saw at a glance that Tu Fei of Changyi Manor was standing on a sand dune, leading a few Sword Guests to point the way for people, looking just like a guide or usher.

The Fuhu Manor Master had never thought much of this Tu Fei, who had stolen a manor and betrayed his Master. At this moment, he sneered secretly, thinking: A sword slave is a sword slave. Even if he usurps the throne, he is still a sword slave. In the end, isn't he still doing the work of a sword slave?

However, even for a sword slave, for a Sword Guest from a First Rank Manor to run to a Second or Third-tier Manor to be driven by outsiders, that was truly self-degrading. For Tu Fei, a Manor Head, to actually do such a thing—he had truly fallen so low that even cursing him was a waste of breath.

At this time, the Manor Master who had told him he didn't know the Spring Pillar of State stepped forward and said, "Changyi Master, it hasn't started yet, right? Can I still place a bet now?"

Tu Fei was startled upon hearing this, then became embarrassed. He hurriedly waved his hands and said, "Long Staff Master, just enter the platform to watch the battle; do not speak of idle matters." After saying this, he winked repeatedly.

The Fuhu Manor Master was a veteran of the gambling scene. Once he heard this, he understood clearly: This Tu Fei was not only acting as a liaison and an usher, but he had actually set up a private gambling pool for this Sword Fighting, acting as the exclusive bookie!

Killing two birds with one stone... no, three or four birds with one stone.

Truly shameless to the extreme!

He hadn't even known about it!

What were the odds?

Just as Tu Fei was about to brush this matter aside, a voice suddenly came from behind him: "Place a bet, what is that?"

Tu Fei's hair stood on end. He looked back and saw a figure like a bear and a fox appearing behind him. It was He, the Abyss Envoy Xin Ying, who was also the serving Abyss Envoy of Changfa Manor.

Tu Fei only felt a headache. Because Changfa Manor served an Abyss Envoy, and that Abyss Envoy was very keen on interfering in this Sword Fighting, he had dealt with this Xin Ying quite a bit over the past few days. He knew deeply that this Abyss Envoy had a simple mind and a strange personality. It was easy to fool him if things went well, but if he became serious about something inexplicable, he would be hard to dismiss.

He had no choice but to say, "Reporting to the Abyss Envoy, this 'placing a bet' is a small game. We are privately discussing who will win and who will lose in this Sword Fighting. Everyone supports a manor, and we see who has more supporters."

It could only be said that this explanation wasn't entirely nonsense, but the meaning was quite off. Tu Fei bet that Xin Ying wouldn't understand.

Xin Ying indeed didn't understand and said, "So that's how it is. Then who do you guess will win or lose?"

Tu Fei was a big bookie and knew the odds by heart. He opened his mouth and said, "Most people still think Sunset Manor will win. It's an eight-to-two split; eighty percent of people favor Sunset Manor."

He was very displeased upon hearing this and said, "Your statistics are wrong. I asked many people, and they all support Changfa Manor."

Tu Fei thought: You are the serving Abyss Envoy of Changfa Manor, and many people already know this. How could others tell you the truth to your face?

Furthermore, the New Master of Changfa Manor was generous with money, provided good wine and food, and made friends widely. Everyone was willing to support him verbally to make it look like he was favored, but when it came to placing bets, real gold and silver would not tell lies.

Furthermore, it also had a little to do with the odds he had set.

Tu Fei had to spout nonsense: "The people the Abyss Envoy asked must be very knowledgeable, so they can distinguish real gold. We friends don't understand anything; we're just joining in the fun. When it comes to true strength, it has to be the Changfa Manor that you, with your discerning eyes, have chosen."

He nodded and said, "Then I want to play this game too. I say Changfa Manor will win."

Tu Fei promised with a forced smile and was just about to brush it off when the Fuhu Manor Master laughed and said, "Lord Xin Ying, there is a stake in their game. You give some benefits first, and if you guess correctly, it is doubled. Especially if you guess Changfa Manor, it is returned four times over."

Tu Fei was secretly furious. This Fuhu Manor Master had no grudge against him, yet he was actually kicking him while he was down. He asked suspiciously, "Is that so? Isn't this a great thing? Then..."

It opened its mouth and spat out a Bead, saying, "This is for you. If Changfa Manor wins, return four to me."

Tu Fei's hands were shaking. He couldn't identify what kind of treasure that Bead was for the moment, but since it was a treasure collected by an Abyss Envoy, how could it be cheap? Moreover, He's understanding was probably that his place was a cornucopia—put one in and get four out. He was afraid that even if he tried to cash it out, it wouldn't accept it, and where would he find these four beads to give back?

Just as he was about to explain to Xin Ying that he only accepted cash, He suddenly said, "By the way, I was looking for you for something! Did you see Panying today?"

Tu Fei said, "Lord Panying? No, I haven't."

Although he served Panying, he was not a friend or relative of Panying. He couldn't even see Panying without preparing offerings, so how would he know where Panying had gone?

He said unhappily, "The Abyss Envoys I called have all arrived, and the Sword Fighting is about to begin, but only it hasn't come. How annoying is this? If it had just said it wasn't interested, that would be fine, but it was always the most active one, and even the Yinglang Bridge was built by it. How can it not come when the time comes? Are we waiting for it or not?"

While it was complaining, Tu Fei naturally couldn't interrupt. He shook his head and said, "Forget it, I'll go into the Yinglang to look for it. If it doesn't come, we'll start. It's nothing special; what's the big deal about missing one spectator? If I weren't some East... East Pillar of State, I would be like Manying said and ignore it." As he spoke, he shouted to the Manor Masters below who hadn't entered Sunset Manor yet, "Hurry in, it's about to start. Hurry in and applaud and cheer!"

As he said this, it disappeared all of a sudden, leaving only Tu Fei holding that Bead with an ugly expression on his face.

The Fuhu Manor Master saw Tu Fei's murderous expression and didn't dare to provoke him further. He slipped into the shadow and arrived at Sunset Manor.

As soon as he entered Sunset Manor, the Fuhu Manor Master felt his eyes brighten. The bright golden radiance almost blinded him.

So bright!

Even in Yulang City, he had never seen such bright Sunlight.

He saw a sculpture in front of him, which was the "Ghost Sea Sunset" that everyone in the Second-tier Manor knew. It seemed to have just undergone repairs, and the light of the sun, which was almost enveloped by the Nether Sea, was exceptionally bright.

The Fuhu Manor Master couldn't help but look twice—he was a Manor Master of pure lineage who was absolutely loyal to Lord Wangliang, but he also liked bright, shiny things and did not like the black and white oppressive atmosphere in Wangliang Mountain; otherwise, he wouldn't have spent his time in Yulang City. Hoping for Sunlight was human nature and could not be changed.

Behind the Ghost Sea Sunset sculpture, one could see a flat field surrounded by high platforms, which were full of people, and the noise was deafening. A rough glance showed there were thousands of people.

"Where did so many people come from?" The Fuhu Manor Master was greatly shocked. He had thought that these Manor Masters would have to give the Abyss Envoy some face and that at least half of them would come. But even adding the small Manor Masters from the third-tier manors, there were only a little over a hundred, and with each person bringing two or three attendants, three or four hundred people would be a lot. Where did these thousands of people pop out from?

At this time, a Sword Guest from Sunset Manor came out to lead the way. Although the Fuhu Manor Master didn't have much success, Fuhu Manor was a Second-tier Manor, and the seats were reserved long ago. They were on the third level above the field, slightly to the side, second only to the Abyss Envoys at the very top and the First-tier Manor Lords in the center of the second level.

The guiding Sword Guest heard his surprise and explained, "They are all guests from the Deep Shadow Society. In a few days, it will be the Deep Shadow Society, and distinguished guests are gathering in Yulang City. Both my manor and Changfa Manor have issued notices and widely invited guests. There are many guests who are interested."

The Fuhu Manor Master clicked his tongue and said, "How did they come? Did they also walk across the Yinglang Bridge?"

The Sword Guest said, "They came through the main gate and climbed the stairs. Some set out days in advance, and some even arrived yesterday. Their enthusiasm is very high."

The Fuhu Manor Master was astonished. He had only come here early in the morning and was already reluctant, yet there were people who set out days in advance, arrived and took their seats a day early, and their enthusiasm was still so high until today. Was this Sword Fighting that exciting?

If it was one-sided and ended in a flash, wouldn't it be a wasted trip?

He thought for a moment and said, "This is also because my Wangliang Mountain is full of martial virtue. In the past, there were sword slaves and Fighters sword fighting before banquets, which shows that everyone values martial arts and everyone strives to be first. Since there is such a grand event of Sword Fighting, why not come?"

Saying this, he believed it himself. Especially since there were so many people here and the atmosphere was so enthusiastic, it was very infectious. He was infected without realizing it and began to look forward to it: since he was already here, he might as well look forward to a wonderful Sword Fighting; it would be best if it was a bloodbath to be truly satisfying!

Thinking this, the Fuhu Manor Master asked, "What are the rules for today's Sword Fighting? Where are the people who are going to appear?"

Among the guests, there were also many who came to join the fun without knowing anything. The Sword Guest was not surprised and said, "The rules have been made into a water list and placed on the seats. You can read them carefully when the time comes. The contestants are over there—"

He pointed into the distance at two temporary sheds. "The one with the bow and arrow hanging on the left is ours, Sunset Manor's. The one on the right with the white hair hanging is their Changfa Manor's."

The Master of Subduing Tigers took a few glances, then suddenly asked, "Who is that?"