Honey, you didn’t really drugged me, did you?

Chapter 228: Chapter 121: Acquiring Another Divine Technique, Advancing to the Iron Bone Realm (10,000-word chapter, please subscribe)_3

Controlling the battle within the ring keeps casualties to a minimum and allows for a clear winner to emerge promptly.

As a result, in the Jianghu, such platform battles or grand competitions exist under many names.

They are held under the pretext of “meeting through martial arts,” to determine winners and to allocate interests.

In fact, this is what Jianghu really is. Some say it is about fighting; others say it’s about human relations. Jianghu encompasses both; both alliances and human relations are important as well as the fact that might makes right.

Jianghu has always had multiple facets; it’s never as simple as one imagines.

The Beggar Sect wanted to ascend, a pretense of creating the third major guild in Mianshui was just an illusion because they knew the resources in Mianshui County could only support two major guilds, as the court also permitted only two major guilds. For the Beggar Sect to move up, either the Fishing Guild or Guild Cao would have to step down.

Only by knocking one down would there be an open spot; there was no so-called second choice.

It’s survival of the fittest—a law in Jianghu.

The battle against the Fishing Guild was White Tiger Hall’s first battle toward pulling down the Fishing Guild. If they won this battle, the Beggar Sect would rise a step, and the Fishing Guild would decline, continuously moving forward in an alliance with Guild Cao who always wanted to be the top guild, launching an attack jointly on the Fishing Guild.

With their strength slightly surpassing Nan Batian, they could successfully replace the Fishing Guild becoming the second overlord of Mianshui and thereby divide the interests of the Fishing Guild.

This was the old beggar’s plan.

The reason it hadn’t been implemented before was firstly that his Seventeen Dragon Capturing Palms were not strong enough, and secondly, he hesitated whether to target the Fishing Guild or Guild Cao, until Feng San made the choice for him!

The result wasn’t bad at all, severely injuring Peng Shizhong, enough to establish dominance in Mianshui County.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Ɲ0νǤο.сο

Next would be the Jianghu norm, a duel at Nan Lake.

This battle was crucial; a win would solidly launch the Beggar Sect into prominence.

And a loss was not an option, absolutely not!

A loss would be disastrous.

Jianghu was never a one-man show; as a major guild, it couldn’t have just one expert in command; having several capable subordinates was necessary.

White Tiger Hall had four adoptive sons, three injured, one dead—truly a poor succession.

If these people under him also lost to White Tiger Hall in the upcoming duel, what did that represent?

It would mean the Beggar Sect had no talent!

How could a Beggar Sect with just one expert command respect as an overlord of Mianshui? It was hard to convince others, and more importantly, Darugachi Mansion wouldn’t acknowledge it either.

Darugachi Mansion wasn’t looking for just an expert.

They needed a strong guild to sustain their rule.

Your Beggar Sect has only one old beggar worth showing, and the remaining people lose even when the Fishing Guild and White Tiger Hall experts cannot take to the field?

Forget it, just stay wherever is comfortable for you.

Therefore, this battle at Nan Lake was a representation of the core strength of the Beggar Sect, and a declaration to the whole Mianshui County that the Beggar Sect was not just about the old beggar; it had many subordinates capable of supporting the framework of a major local guild!

“This is actually the real significance of the Nan Lake battle.”

“So this battle, we must only win, not lose!”

“Do you understand now?”

At White Tiger Hall, Peng Shizhong was also explaining the importance of this battle at Nan Lake to Chen Jie and Zhou Chu.

For the Beggar Sect, it was win or die, and the same applied to White Tiger Hall.

If White Tiger Hall were to lose, setting aside the Fishing Guild for now, White Tiger Hall would definitely be finished, its benefits in Mianshui County gorged and cleansed. Not just the Beggar Sect, but even other smaller guilds would seize the chance to take a bite out of White Tiger Hall.

Aren’t the four streets of White Tiger Hall rich?

Many would fancy gnawing off this fatty chunk.

Jianghu was just that pragmatic, just like animals on the grassland, when old animals lag, the surrounding predators will devour you without hesitation.

Even if you are their kind, they will show no mercy.

Hearing Peng Shizhong’s words, Zhou Chu then looked at Peng Shizhong and said, “Adoptive father, if this battle is so crucial, why don’t we ask the Gang Leader for help?”

“We can’t ask!”

Peng Shizhong said in a cold voice.

“Why?”

Zhou Chu asked.

“The Beggar Sect specifically wants to fight White Tiger Hall; if we ask for external help, it’s admitting defeat.”

“But we’re just one hall of the Fishing Guild, isn’t asking our own guild alright?”

Peng Shizhong, looking at the night outside, said, “No, if I ask for help, then the Gang Leader will have a reason to interfere in the affairs of our White Tiger Hall. Then, this White Tiger Hall would just exist as a part of the Fishing Guild.”

“And we, his people, will become his pawns, to be crushed or rounded as he pleases.”

Zhou Chu understood Peng Shizhong’s meaning but still looked at him and said, “Adoptive father, then who will fight this time?”

“You two!”

“Us??”

Zhou Chu exclaimed, then continued with a grimace, “Adoptive father, I’ve just entered the Refining Body Realm, me fight the Beggar Sect?”

Peng Shizhong said, “This battle at Nan Lake will be a best-of-three matchup. Now that your three elder brothers are severely injured and definitely won’t make it in time, as adoptive sons of Peng Shizhong, you must participate.”

Zhou Chu said, “Adoptive father, who might the Beggar Sect send?”

Peng Shizhong thought for a moment and said, “Golden Saber Feng San, Iron Beggar Zhou Peng, and possibly Mountain Climbing Vine Liu Feng or someone else.”

“But one thing is for sure, Golden Saber Feng San and Iron Beggar Zhou Peng will definitely participate; their strength is not inferior to your three elder brothers.”