As soon as Jiang Wang finished speaking, he unsheathed his sword without hesitation.
"What, what!?"
A cold light flashed. Fang Pengju rolled and crawled to avoid the sword. He was extremely shocked and angry, but also extremely embarrassed.
Other than that, no one else present reacted. Almost everyone thought that the next scene would be a reconciliation between the two brothers. It would even be passed down as a much-told story.
No one would have thought that Jiang Wang would actually use his sword in front of everyone and under the influence of brotherly love!
"Pengju." Jiang Wang looked at him with a smile, but that smile was exceptionally cold. "You said you would stretch out your neck and wait to be killed. Why did you dodge?"
Fang Pengju's handsome face turned green and white. He simply stood up from the ground and clenched his teeth. "Third Brother, do you really not care about brotherly love?"
"Shameless bastard, you bastard!" At this time, Du Yehu was unable to restrain his anger. "I was blind to be your brother!"
As he spoke, he was about to rush over, but Jiang Wang reached out and stopped him.
"Second Brother, let me handle this matter myself."
Fang Pengju glared at him. "Du Yehu! What does this have to do with you!? "
"Fang Pengju, you disappoint me!" Ling He, who had always been generous, could not suppress his anger. He took a step forward, pulled out the sword at his waist, cut off a corner of his robe, and threw it heavily on the ground. "From now on, you and I cut off our relationship!"
"Big Brother!" Fang Pengju laughed bitterly. "Second Brother is impulsive. Even you can't understand me? In order to prove my innocence, I am willing to die. But my parents only have one son. I am their only hope. Even in death, they can't let go of their hope! My life is not my own. How can I die here? Jiang Wang is delusional. He doesn't listen to my explanation and wants me dead! Does he have brotherly love in his heart? "
"Fourth Brother, this is the last time I will call you Fourth Brother." Zhao Rucheng, the youngest of the Maple Forest Five, finally spoke. His face was slightly childish, but he was extremely handsome. At this moment, when he spoke, his voice was like gold and jade. "Fang Decai's surname is Fang! He has served your Fang family for generations! What can a group of defeated bandits offer to buy him off? Are you insulting the wealth of your Fang Clan, or are you insulting our intelligence? How did a group of prodigal dogs from the West Mountain sneak into Maplewood City and even set up a trap in the Full Moon Pavilion? Lastly, since you don't have the determination to die to show your sincerity, who are you putting on an act for just now? I, Zhao Rucheng, am ashamed to be associated with you! "
Among the five, Ling He and Jiang Wang came from poor families, Du Yehu's family was neither good nor bad, and Fang Pengju and Zhao Rucheng were both rich young masters. There was no need to talk about the Fang Family. Although the Zhao Family had only moved to Maplewood City in the past ten years, their background was unfathomable.
"Little Five, you've always been on good terms with Third Brother. It's fine if you're biased towards him, but am I not your Fourth Brother? You don't have any evidence. You're just saying these heart-rending words based on inference. Can't your conscience be at ease? "
Fang Pengju's heart was pained and he appeared to be suffering greatly.
"Peng Ju, you are still eloquent." Jiang Wang stopped Zhao Rucheng and the others. "But have you ever thought about why I didn't secretly contact Big Brother, Second Brother, and Little Five even though I was seriously injured and had to escape? Instead, I chose to wait until today to find you?"
His eyelids drooped slightly. "Because I was never willing to let them make a choice. I didn't want them to be suspicious, and I didn't want to make things difficult for them! The matter between you and me should be settled by you and me. If I die, then I die. Since I'm still alive, then you have to return what you owe me. "
Fang Pengju looked at him coldly. "Do you have delusions of being persecuted? I don't owe you anything. How do you expect me to return it? Why are you so stubborn? "
However, Jiang Wang no longer spoke to him. Instead, he turned around and kowtowed to the tall Daoist statue in the Daoist Academy. "Disciple Jiang Wang was harmed by the scoundrel Fang Pengju and almost died. This enmity cannot be resolved. This hatred cannot be dispelled. Please fight to the death with me! "
The crowd was in an uproar.
Dao Proof Deathmatch!!!
Killing fellow sect members was a crime. However, if there really was a life and death grudge that could not be dispelled, the Daoist Academy did not forbid duels.
Among the many types of duels, a duel with a Daoist Master as a witness was the most irrevocable.
The Daoist Academy generally believed that the Daoist Master rested in the Nine Heavens and saw through the universe. If one recited his name, one would know. If one bowed to his form, one would feel. All oaths that involved the Daoist Master were irrevocable.
A duel to the death for the Daoist Academy would not rest until one of them was dead.
As soon as Jiang Wang finished speaking, a black-robed middle-aged Daoist appeared in front of the Daoist Master's statue.
His face was resolute, and he had a short beard. A small azure dragon was embroidered on the right breast of his black Daoist robe. It looked very lifelike. This was a Daoist robe with a soaring dragon that only experts of the three middle ranks could wear.
Mortal cultivators were roughly divided into nine ranks. Each sect had different names, and they also had different manifestations of extraordinary power. However, their general ranks corresponded to the nine ranks. Nine to seven ranks were the initial ranks, six to four ranks were the middle ranks, and three to one ranks were the high ranks. What was interesting was that this also corresponded to the official ranks of each country.
Of course, in a small country like the Zhuang Country, even a first-rank prime minister might not have the strength of a first-rank official.
As soon as the black-robed Daoist with a short beard appeared, all the disciples present bowed. "Dean!"
There were not many Daoists in the entire Maplewood City who could wear a black robe with a soaring dragon. This included the dean of Maplewood Daoist Academy, Dong A. It was said that he had once cultivated in the Zhuang Country's capital, Xin 'an City. Because of his impartiality, he had offended the nobles and was sent to Maplewood City in Qinghe County.
Ling He looked sad, but he did not say a word. He knew Jiang Wang's swordsmanship very well. It could be said that before he officially started cultivating Daoist techniques, no one in the Outer Yard was his match. Fang Pengju was no exception.
However, since Jiang Wang had proposed a Daoist duel, it meant that the injustice was unresolved. Now that the dean was here, Fang Pengju could either fight to the death or wait for Maplewood Daoist Academy to investigate Jiang Wang's assassination.
However, how could Fang Pengju withstand the academy's investigation?
In fact, he had no choice.
Under countless suspicious, mocking, and angry gazes, Fang Pengju did not panic. "Third Brother, are you and I really going to face each other with our swords?"
Jiang Wang said calmly, "The one who brought us to this point is you, not me."
"What do I have to do to make you believe me?"
"I have already sacrificed my life for this trust. Now, it's useless to say anything more. The Fang Pengju in my impression is not a coward who does not dare to fight."
Fang Pengju was unmoved. "Are you so confident that you can kill me?"
Jiang Wang looked at him calmly. "I might as well try."
Fang Pengju looked at him for a while and suddenly laughed. "It's a pity that you can't kill me. Our duel is not valid. Because just the day before yesterday, my Dao meridians have begun to appear. You can say that I am already an Inner Yard disciple! You and I are at different levels. How can we duel? "
As he spoke, he stood up straight and activated his Dao meridians with all his might. Everyone present could feel an aura rising from his spine, making him energetic. This meant that he had already manifested his Dao meridians. His physical body could feed back Dao energy from his Dao meridians and officially possess extraordinary strength.
The Dao Academy already had corresponding rules regarding duels. One of the most important points was that anyone could unconditionally refuse an invitation to a duel between different levels. This was to protect low-ranked cultivators from being humiliated by high-ranked cultivators. However, at this moment, it became an excuse for Fang Pengju to avoid a duel.
Although he had manifested his Dao meridians, it had not been long and he had not started to practice Dao techniques. Therefore, his strength had not increased qualitatively. Therefore, he still did not have the confidence to fight with Jiang Wang.
Jiang Wang was silent.
He looked at Fang Pengju silently, his emotions complicated.
Then, he said slowly, "For this Meridian Unlocking Pill, I charged into West Mountain alone and fought a bloody battle to destroy the bandits' lair. In this battle, I suffered thirteen wounds, two of which were fatal. "
"In order to achieve the best results for the Meridian Unlocking Pill, I am prepared to wait until my body recovers to its peak state before using this pill. I understand the principle of 'treasuring a jade ring becomes a crime'. Therefore, I did not leak this information to anyone. Everyone thought that I would consume the pill that day, except for you and the five of us brothers who have risked our lives. Because I do not have anything to hide from you. "
"Ever since I came into contact with the world of cultivation when I was five years old, I have been chasing after this Meridian Unlocking Pill. I do not have natural Dao meridians manifesting. If I want to transcend, I can only rely on this pill. It is my path of cultivation, my hope, and my light. You know my family situation, you know how hard I work. Every day, I wake up before the sun rises to practice the sword, only going to rest when the moon is high in the sky. I have never visited brothels or brothels, nor have I indulged myself in any way. In the entire Maple Forest Dao College, I dare say that there is no outer sect disciple who works harder than me. For this Meridian Unlocking Pill, I have worked hard for eleven whole years! "
As Jiang Wang spoke, he also stared at Fang Pengju, "Along with my sweat, my blood, my tears, is this Meridian Unlocking Pill of any use?"
There was a moment of silence.
Ling He pursed his lips, Zhao Rucheng gritted his teeth and did not speak. Even a man like Du Yehu had tears rolling down his face.
That's right, who among them did not know Jiang Wang's obsession, Jiang Wang's tiredness, Jiang Wang's suffering?
Yet Fang Pengju was actually so ruthless!
"I don't know what nonsense you are talking about!" A trace of unnaturalness flashed across Fang Pengju's face, but he quickly suppressed it, "My uncle brought a caravan through Yun Country and coincidentally bought a Meridian Unlocking Pill from a strapped cultivator. Because of this, I was able to manifest my Dao meridians. What does that have to do with you? Don't think that everyone is like you, born poor and unscrupulous in order to advance! My Fang family is extremely wealthy, could it be that we can't afford a Meridian Unlocking Pill? "
Zhao Rucheng was already filled with hatred, no longer restraining his words, "That's right, the Fang family is indeed extremely wealthy. Unfortunately, your parents passed away early, and you are not the only heir of the Fang family. The family resources allocated to you are even more limited. Otherwise, how could you not have a Meridian Unlocking Pill after such a long time? How could it be so coincidental that you got one right after my third brother was attacked? "
"That really is a coincidence. I can only say that it is too coincidental! " Fang Pengju's eyes flashed coldly, "Don't talk about things without evidence. Seeing that we are brothers, I won't bicker with you. If there is a next time, as an inner courtyard disciple, I will let you know what is called hierarchy! "
"You!" Zhao Rucheng was furious.
Du Yehu gritted his teeth. If the dean wasn't present, he would have smashed Fang Pengju's handsome face with a punch.
Only Jiang Wang remained calm, "Fang Pengju, I told you before. You are too arrogant, too self-righteous, and because of this, you often neglect the truth. I taught you before, so why can't you teach me? "
"Why don't you think about it? If the Dao Certificate Duel cannot be established, then why would Dean Dong appear here?"
He took a step forward, similarly activating his Dao meridians. The earthworm in the large dragon in his spine swam intensely. His entire body was as sharp as a sword, as straight as a sword!
"That is because I have already manifested my Dao meridians, and officially possess the possibility of transcendence!"
"We are at the same level, and you don't dare to let the dean investigate. Thus, the Duel is established! "
At the same time that Fang Pengju turned pale with fright, Dean Dong Ah had already waved his sleeve.
Right at the entrance of the Dao Academy, right under Jiang Wang and Fang Pengju's feet, a sapling suddenly broke through the ground. In a few breaths' time, it grew wildly, growing into a huge wooden pillar. It lifted the two of them up, while keeping the other outer courtyard disciples outside.
The top of the wooden pillar was flat, as if it had been shaved by a sharp weapon. From afar, it looked like a high wooden platform. However, there were branches swaying around the 'platform'.
Fang Pengju had no doubt that once he turned and ran, these seemingly harmless branches would turn into vicious beasts that would devour humans.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wang's hand was already on the hilt of his sword, ready to strike.
Dong Ah casually waved his hand, and a branch twisted and swept up the sword that Fang Pengju had thrown on the ground, throwing it onto the platform.
Fang Pengju reached out and caught it.
In front of the statue of the Dao Venerable whose face could never be seen clearly, the Fifth Stage expert, inner courtyard Daoist Dong Ah Mo, announced, "The Dao Certificate Duel begins!"
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