Chapter Forty-One: A Contest Without Battle Aura

There was ambiguity in Su Yi’s words, the meaning far too suggestive, so that for a moment it was as if everyone’s throats were gripped at once—an utter silence fell! The laughter vanished, replaced by a deathly stillness all around. One by one, people stared at Maya in disbelief, as if they were witnessing the end of the world.

After a long pause, a wailing voice finally shattered the hush—

“Heavens... my goddess!”

“This can’t be true... it’s a lie!”

“Ah! The agony... I want to end it all...”

“...Farewell, this heart-breaking world!”

Hearing these cries, even Maya, mature and bold as she was, could not help but blush a delicate rose, casting a reproachful glance at Su Yi, her words tinged with playful indignation: “You’re impossible, little Su Yi... what nonsense are you speaking? Now everyone has the wrong idea, thinking that I...”

She trailed off after “I,” unable to continue, her cheeks deepening in color, her beauty dazzling beyond words.

It was rare to see Maya so bashful. Even Su Yi found himself distracted, coughing to mask his unease, scratching his head in embarrassment, and giving a helpless shrug. “I didn’t say anything inappropriate—it’s just that they like to let their thoughts run wild...”

Maya snorted softly, pouting as she muttered under her breath, “I think you were just trying to provoke someone.”

Su Yi could only offer a sheepish grin, saying nothing.

Not far behind, Di Yuan’s face had turned a stormy shade of blue, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his eyes burning with a murderous longing to devour Su Yi whole.

“Um... Captain, is it possible that Miss Maya and Su Yi really...?” one guard, jaw slack with disbelief, dared to ask.

“Don’t listen to Su Yi’s nonsense! That’s absolutely impossible!” Di Yuan ground out through clenched teeth.

Auburn Yu, too, was left stunned, glancing at Su Yi, then at Maya, his mind involuntarily conjuring that dreadful thought... Impossible, impossible! Miss Maya was so noble, so graceful, such a peerless beauty—how could she possibly debase herself with a useless nobody like Su Yi, who lacked money, power, and skill?

It had to be Su Yi spouting nonsense. Comforting himself with that thought, Auburn Yu gathered his composure, sneered at Su Yi, and said, “Su Yi, hmph! Maya took pity on you and kindly took you in, and yet you malign her good name with such slander? I—”

“Wait! Hold it!” Su Yi raised a hand, cutting off Auburn Yu. He looked the man up and down, then, with a solemn and earnest expression, said, “Auburn Yu, one mustn’t be so filthy-minded. Don’t always think in such base terms. I advise you to stay away from those brothels in the future—it would do wonders for your physical and mental health!”

At that, the crowd around them burst into laughter.

Maya, too, couldn’t help but be taken aback, amusement sparkling in her eyes. As she looked at Su Yi, she thought to herself that it had been a long time since she’d seen this confidence and wit in him—the self-assurance he once possessed seemed to have returned.

“You—” Auburn Yu was nearly driven to apoplexy. Had he not needed to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor before the woman he admired, he would have marched over and slapped Su Yi across the face, smashing every one of his teeth.

A flash of viciousness passed through his eyes. He took a deep breath and forced a stiff smile, glaring at Su Yi with barely contained fury. “Su Yi, you jest. Since you claim to be strong, why don’t we have a fair contest between us? Do you dare?”

“Oh?” Su Yi looked at Auburn Yu with interest, almost amused. “You’re twenty-three, I’m eighteen; you’re a level five Fighter, and I’m not even a Fighter at all. And you call this a ‘fair’ contest?”

The moment Su Yi emphasized the word “fair,” a ripple of laughter spread through the marketplace—the merchants, the stallholders, and the spectators all found it hilarious. Never mind Su Yi’s still-boyish face—the gap between a level five Fighter and someone who wasn’t even initiated made the very idea of a contest laughable.

If one had to describe it, it was more like one-sided bullying.

“Hmph! This contest will be without the use of battle energy!” Auburn Yu, face dark with humiliation at the mockery around him, could no longer back down. There was no way he could just let this go—not when he was being openly scorned. No, he would make sure to humiliate Su Yi thoroughly.

Auburn Yu turned to Maya. “Miss Maya, you wouldn’t have Su Yi refuse, would you?”

With those words, he left no way out. If Maya agreed, she’d be pushing Su Yi into the fire; if she refused, she’d make him out to be a coward hiding behind a woman’s protection.

“Since you’re so eager, Young Master Auburn Yu—” Maya gave him a meaningful look, smiling serenely. “Then let the contest proceed.”

Su Yi rubbed his nose and shrugged indifferently. “So be it, I accept.”

A collective sigh rose from the crowd. In their eyes, Su Yi was doomed—no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t possibly defeat a level five Fighter like Auburn Yu. Even if Auburn Yu refrained from using battle energy, his strength, honed through years of training, was not something a “cripple” like Su Yi, whose energy vortex had long since been destroyed, could hope to match. Many looked at Su Yi with sympathy and regret.

Yet a handful were uncertain, faintly recalling that Su Yi had seen many battles in the past, that he had once reached the tenth level of Fighter—perhaps this contest might yield an unexpected miracle...

Di Yuan stood cold and aloof in the distance, inwardly sneering, Let’s see how you get out of this!

Auburn Yu, hearing Su Yi’s acceptance, smiled coldly in his heart, a hint of cruelty flickering across his lips. For the sake of absolute victory, he might secretly use a bit of battle energy—who here would be able to detect it, as long as he was careful? The ordinary merchants and passersby were far away; those nearby were his own men, who could both block the view and vouch for him. As for Maya, standing closest, he sensed no battle energy from her and wasn’t worried she’d see through anything.

With every advantage on his side, Su Yi was as good as finished! Auburn Yu’s mind was full of scornful laughter.

Noticing Auburn Yu’s shifty gaze, Su Yi guessed he was up to no good, but it didn’t trouble him. He smiled lightly. “I’ve accepted the challenge, but what will the contest be?”

“The contest?” Auburn Yu replied with a sneer, his eyes full of disdain. “You can choose whatever you like—it makes no difference to me.”

He was so confident he’d win no matter what Su Yi proposed that he didn’t care in the least, hoping to make Su Yi admit defeat, fair and square.

Su Yi nodded thoughtfully. “Since it’s a test of strength and we don’t want to waste too much time, why not an arm-wrestling match?”

The crowd was momentarily stunned—no one had expected such a simple contest. Some who had hoped for more of a spectacle were disappointed, but others nodded quietly. Su Yi had chosen wisely; even if he lost, it wouldn’t be too humiliating.

Auburn Yu was surprised as well. To him, arm-wrestling was almost childish. He sneered to himself—so, Su Yi wanted to save face? He’d make sure to give him a lesson he’d never forget.

He ordered his men to bring over a table of solid, dark stone. The heavy slab landed with a thunderous crash, sending a shiver through those nearby—a testament to its immense weight.

Auburn Yu grinned maliciously. “Well, Su Yi? This table should be suitable, shouldn’t it?”

Rapping his knuckles on the stone, Su Yi smiled at Maya. “You see how seriously Auburn Yu is taking this match—he’s even brought out one of the prized pieces from his family’s collection.”

Maya lifted her right arm with her left, resting her chin on her hand as she studied the table, her smile blooming like a flower. “It must be worth at least thirty thousand gold coins. Quite the extravagant gesture.”

Some less knowledgeable onlookers gasped—thirty thousand gold for a table! Only the wealthiest families could afford such luxury.

Auburn Yu was secretly impressed by Maya’s discernment. Gazing at her radiant smile, he thought that if he could win her, he’d not only enjoy all the pleasures a man could desire, but also gain a shrewd and capable wife—his heart ached with longing.

Su Yi clapped his hands, snapping Auburn Yu out of his daydream. “Enough talk—let’s begin.”

Looking at Su Yi’s calm demeanor, Auburn Yu’s only wish was to punch that face—how dare a weakling pretend to be so composed?

He snorted and strode to the table. Both men took their seats, rolled up their sleeves, and placed their right arms on the stone surface. In the next instant—

Their hands met, and the contest began.