“Hey, you think the idiot will pull something again this time?”

“I doubt it. He changed his clothes and knows the rules now. With his measly skills, even I could easily defeat him, let alone Ye Wen.”

“Logically he’s bound to lose, but I always feel like that kid will pull some trick.”

“Haha, if he tries any tricks now, he’s asking for death. If he violates the rules again, let’s see how he escapes the cane.”

“Challenge match, Ye Wen versus Ye Kong!” With steward Ye Cai’s announcement, Ye Kong and Ye Wen walked onto the arena platform from opposite sides.

“Second Brother, rule number five, doesn’t it prohibit attacking the opponent’s face, eyes, crotch and other vital points? Number six, doesn’t it prohibit the use of hidden weapons? Number seven, doesn’t it say weapons cannot be used without permission?” Even after stepping onto the platform, Ye Kong kept asking questions.

Ye Wen was already fed up. He couldn’t tell if this kid was genuinely stupid or faking it. He’d made Ye Wen explain the rules to him word by word, and in between asked all sorts of bizarre, nonsensical questions.

But Ye Wen had already suffered at his hands, so he didn’t dare answer carelessly. After listening carefully, he nodded, “That’s right.”

“Then rule number two, doesn’t it say defeat is when you can’t get up from the ground or when visit our site the opponent’s body completely leaves the arena platform?”

Ye Wen nodded, “Correct. You remember very clearly.”

“So if you jump up, with both feet and your whole body leaving the arena platform, wouldn’t that mean you’ve lost?”

Ye Wen was sick of this already. He didn’t know how many similar questions the kid had asked, or what was going on in his brain that made him think differently from everyone else.

“Short-term separation doesn’t count!” Ye Wen’s patience had its limits, and it was almost completely exhausted.

“Also…” Ye Kong wanted to ask more.

“Hey! Are you fighting or not! Where are all these questions coming from?” Ye Wen was getting impatient. He’d been waiting for this day to beat him up, and he’d been waiting anxiously.

“Alright then, let’s fight.” Ye Kong replied helplessly.

“Then be careful.” Ye Wen sneered coldly. Idiot, just wait to get beaten! Trying to fight with my mother, today I’ll let you taste real pain! No matter how cunning you are, you’ll still have to drink this old master’s foot-washing water!

Ye Haoran sat in his grand master’s chair. Hearing the exchange above, he had a vague premonition that this Ye Kong kid was probably going to pull some trick again. But no matter how hard he thought, he really couldn’t figure out what move this kid could possibly use.

Actually, he’d never liked this idiot. After all, his mother was so ugly, and he was so stupid, couldn’t even speak properly, only knew how to laugh foolishly.

But ever since hearing a few days ago that this kid had gotten better, Ye Haoran had taken notice. He discovered the boy had a particularly tenacious character, plus that explosive temper that went straight to fighting, very much like himself when he was young. So his impression of Ye Kong had improved.

And today upon seeing him, he found this kid even more interesting. Full of schemes, one after another. Even at this moment, Ye Haoran was somewhat looking forward to what trick he might pull.

“Come on then!” Ye Wen took his stance and roared. As the oldest among the Ye family children who hadn’t left the manor, he still valued his status and didn’t attack first.

But this time Ye Kong didn’t charge forward. Instead, he kept his distance and shouted back, “You tell me to go so I go? Where’s my dignity!”

Still worried about dignity at a time like this? You idiot! Ye Wen couldn’t care about status anymore. His toes touched the ground, and light as a swallow, he did a sparrow flip and struck through the air.

“Damn it, light-body technique.” Ye Kong cursed and slipped away to another corner of the platform.

“Don’t run!” Ye Wen flew back.

And Ye Kong ran to yet another side, cursing, “If I can’t beat you, can’t I at least outrun you?”

You think you can escape by running? Ye Wen let out a cold laugh, lifted the front hem of his long robe and tucked it into his waist, sneering, “Actually, you really can’t outrun me either!”

Ye Wen was too lazy to jump anymore. He activated his internal energy, wind rising beneath his feet, and charged at Ye Kong.

Fortunately, Ye Kong had practiced several days of weighted long-distance running. Now without the tiles on his legs, his feet felt incredibly light.

So the two of them played hawk-catching-chicken on the platform.

The crowd below erupted. No wonder this idiot practiced running every day, this is what it was for!

Ye Hu still held a grudge. He looked up at the platform and cursed, “Ye Kong, so this is the escape kung fu you’ve been practicing? Haha, you’re really disgracing the Ye family.”

Ye Kong had no time to deal with him, frantically running around the platform. But no matter how fast he was, how could he match Ye Wen who had light-body technique and internal energy? The distance between them quickly shortened, and Ye Wen had nearly grabbed his clothes several times.

“Idiot! Go to hell!” As the distance closed, a cold gleam flashed in Ye Wen’s eyes. His toes stomped the ground hard, and the powerful rebound force made him shoot out like a white leopard.

“Southern Cang Long Arm Fist!” noodles Ye Wen’s fist shot out, powered by internal energy, showing no mercy whatsoever.

“Bang!” The fist struck Ye Kong’s back without any suspense.

“Pfft~” The running Ye Kong spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood. He ran two more steps, then stumbled and fell onto the platform.

“Hmph, useless bastard, done in with one punch.” Ye Wen walked over and kicked again, like kicking a dead dog, sending Ye Kong tumbling off the platform.

A wide trail of blood dragged across the platform surface.

Ye Wen had won, won without any suspense. The Ye family children below suddenly realized that the scene they’d been anticipating, of the idiot getting beaten, had appeared, yet they didn’t feel much excitement.

Looking at Ye Kong hanging off the edge of the platform, Ye Haoran shook his head. The gap between Ye Wen and Ye Kong was too great. This match really had nothing worth watching.

Ye Haoran raised his hand, and steward Ye Cai was about to announce the result, “Challenge match, Ye Wen…”

“Wait!” Suddenly a voice rang out from the edge of the platform.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw Ye Kong standing [Read on Jormuntl]below the platform, using one hand to point at his other hand.

And that other hand was tightly gripping the edge of the platform.

“The rules state that defeat is when you can’t get up or when your body completely leaves the arena platform! And I… still have four fingers on the platform, so I haven’t lost!” Ye Kong declared righteously, as if completely unaware that he’d already become shameless beyond description.

The crowd booed, clearly protesting Ye Kong’s shameless style.

Ye Wen laughed in fury, “Fine! Even if you haven’t lost! Then come up here and we’ll compete again!”

“I’m not coming up. I’ll just stand down here. As long as part of my body is on the platform, I haven’t lost, which means you haven’t won!”

Everyone was stunned. This kid’s face was already thicker than a city wall. Both feet standing below the platform, and he still hasn’t lost?

“Ye Kong! Have you no shame? If you can’t handle losing, don’t play!” Ye Wen’s full brother Ye Wu walked up to Ye Kong and cursed, “You’re clinging to loopholes in the rules, refusing to admit defeat. What kind of hero are you?”

“I never was a hero. I’m a hooligan!” Ye Kong rolled his eyes at him and said solemnly, “The reason I’m doing this is to make you all understand that exploiting rules is also a strategy!”

“Exploiting rules is also a strategy. Well said!” Ye Haoran actually spoke up in agreement, so noodles there was nothing more to say.

Ye Kong patted Ye Wu’s shoulder, saying earnestly, “Third Brother, I know with your intelligence it’s hard to understand the meaning of these words, but right now Ye Wen and I are still competing, so please step aside.”

“You! Scoundrel!” Ye Wu’s face turned red with anger as he moved aside.

On the platform, Ye Wen sneered coldly, “In that case, I’ll make you completely leave the platform!”

After speaking, Ye Wen made a tiger leap, charging over fiercely. In mid-air he did a golden rooster stance, his heel stomping down toward Ye Kong’s fingers!

Ye Wen’s movements were skillful, his posture graceful, earning cheers from his other brothers.

But Ye Kong only needed to lift his hand, then place his fingers on another part of the platform edge.

“Your fingers completely left the platform just now!” Ye Wen roared.

“Short-term separation doesn’t count… you said so yourself.” Ye Kong smiled innocently.

Ye Wen was about to faint from anger. He wanted to kick that stinking Read on Jormuntlface, but then remembered the rules prohibited attacking the face. And with this kid standing below the platform, he couldn’t hit anything except the face.

Then I’ll stomp his hands! Ye Wen chased after his fingers, left and right feet taking turns stomping, while Ye Kong used both hands, placing them here one moment, there the next. This competition had completely stopped resembling a martial arts match.

The Ye family children didn’t know what to say anymore. They clearly knew Ye Kong was being unreasonable, but somehow he was still in the right. One by one they stared at Ye Wen stomping like he was chasing mice and Ye Kong looking like he was making flatbread, wondering how long this game would continue.

After who knows how long, Ye Haoran really couldn’t take it anymore. What kind of match is this? Too ridiculous. Do you still have me, your father, in your eyes?

“Ahem!” Ye Haoran coughed, wanting to say something.

Ye Wen was also fed up, stomping around randomly. He turned his head to look at his father, and just as his head turned away, his ankle suddenly tightened.

In his panic, Ye Wen cried out, “Oh no!”

But Ye Wen was also clever. As Ye Kong pulled him off the platform, in that split second, one of his hands also grabbed the edge of the platform.

Hehe, you can exploit rules? This old master can’t? Isn’t it just being shameless, playing dirty? Brother, who’s afraid of who?

Also standing below the platform now, Ye Wen unauthorized copy placed his hand on the platform and smiled smugly at Ye Kong.

The Ye family children truly collapsed this time. Today’s match had seriously exceeded their imagination. The platform was completely empty, both contestants standing below, yet neither had lost.

Getting more ridiculous by the minute! Ye Haoran was about to blow up.

But just then, the outcome was decided.

“Ah!” Ye Wen cried out. Turns out his wrist had been bitten by Ye Kong.

“No biting!” Ye Wen roared.

“There’s no such rule!” Ye Kong mumbled, and his teeth bit down harder.

“Ah! Let go!” Ye Wen, with one hand being bitten and needing his other hand to push Ye Kong away, had both hands off the platform.

“You lost!” Ye Kong spat out a chunk of skin from the back of Ye Wen’s wrist, rolled back onto the platform, and roared, “I won!”

There were no cheers, no applause, no flowers, no women. The Ye family children all stared wide-eyed at Ye Kong, thinking, what the hell is this? This kid was being completely unreasonable, and he just won like that? Can this even count as a win?

Ye Haoran also felt it shouldn’t count as a win, but thinking about it, there was no reason not to count it. Besides, he was quite curious to hear what request Ye Kong wanted to make.

“Challenge match, Ye Kong wins!” With the steward’s announcement, the children’s sighs were endless. They all thought, does this mean we can also be shameless like this from now on?

“Ye Kong, although your victory was not honorable, this father sees you are clever and cunning, so I’ll reluctantly count it as your win. Now tell me, what do you need? As long as this father can provide it, anything is possible.”

The other children’s eyes turned green with envy. Damn it, this idiot played dirty to win and still gets rewarded. They all guessed whether Ye Kong wanted silver or some precious weapon.

“I want to learn martial arts!” Ye Kong declared proudly.

“That’s something you should be learning anyway. That doesn’t count as a request.”

“I want Father to teach me!”

As soon as Ye Kong spoke these words, everyone erupted. You must understand, although Ye Haoran had many children, he’d only personally taught his eldest son Ye Wei. His other sons were already quite satisfied getting a pointer or two from him. How could they have ever thought of the honor of having father teach them wholeheartedly?

If the idiot really got to study with Father, wouldn’t that mean we’d all be inferior to the idiot in the future? ​unauthorized copy​All the Ye family children looked up at Ye Haoran, each nervously widening their eyes, worried Father would really agree to Ye Kong’s request.

Hearing these words, Ye Haoran’s eyes also narrowed as he looked Ye Kong up and down. Ye Kong’s words surprised him somewhat, though upon reflection it made sense. Truthfully, he also wanted Ye family descendants to inherit his blade and horse skills. The reason he’d never taught his sons was that he felt none of them had the right aptitude for learning, fearing they would disgrace the reputation of the Ye family blade technique.

But after sizing up Ye Kong, he still blinked and lowered his eyebrows.

Seeing things going south, Ye Kong quickly added, “Father, this child’s mind is clear now, and I also want to pursue a future. Today I’m asking Father to teach me martial arts so that in the future I can share Father’s burdens and contribute to the Ye family. Please rest assured, Father. This child will practice in the harshest winter and hottest summer, study humbly, work hard diligently, and absolutely will not tarnish the reputation of the Ye family’s martial arts.”

“You should change your request.” Ye Haoran rejected Ye Kong without mercy.

Ye Kong still wouldn’t give up, stubbornly saying, “Father, didn’t you just promise that if I won, I could make any request? Could it be that Father wants to go back on his word?”

Ye Haoran waved his hand, “It’s not that this father goes back on his word. It’s just that your natural aptitude is too poor, and more importantly, you’ve missed the age for learning martial arts. If you had started a few years earlier…” Ye Haoran paused and looked up at Ye Kong, saying, “You’re already twelve years old this year. Your bone structure has already set. Learning martial arts for self-defense is possible, but wanting to make progress on the martial path is absolutely impossible. No matter how much effort you put in, you’ll find it hard to achieve great things… So even if any martial instructor teaches you, the result will be the same.”

“Learning martial arts for self-defense is possible, but wanting to make progress on the martial path is absolutely impossible.”

“No matter how much effort you put in, you’ll find it hard to achieve great things.”

These words struck like thunder from a clear sky, stunning Ye Kong. He’d originally wanted unauthorized copyto make his way through martial arts, but now that path was completely blocked. He knew deeply that in a place like Cangnan Continent, without practicing martial arts, there would be no possibility of getting ahead.

Ye Haoran also sighed and consoled him, “Actually you don’t need to be discouraged. This father sees you’re eloquent and quick-witted. Why not abandon martial arts and study literature instead? Write some splendid essays, and in the future earn an official title. That’s also a way to enter the court, assist the king, and bring glory to your ancestors.”

Hearing Ye Haoran say this, the brothers below all breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at each other, joy showed in their eyes. Clearly none of them wanted to be overshadowed by the idiot. But how could they know that Ye Kong, with his martial path blocked, was about to embark on an even more glorious path of immortal cultivation!