Jun Moyi was willing to bet because he was certain Mu Yanli could not defeat Mu Shi'an. If that happened, not only would he not have to pay, but he would also gain a prodigious talent for free.
Therefore, this martial arts competition absolutely could not stop.
"Prime Minister Mu is benevolent and cannot bear to see bloodshed or injury, but Shi'an and the young man on the stage exchanged a challenge for a decisive battle. If Shi'an loses, I will reward that young man with a thousand tael of gold. This amount of money is nothing, but fleeing without a fight is not what a man of our Eastern Phoenix Kingdom does. If word gets out, won't we become a laughingstock?"
Mu Yuanlin rushed over in a panic upon hearing his son was fighting, unaware of this hidden context, but he reacted quickly.
"His Highness Prince Qi speaks correctly. I was overly anxious. Shi'an, since you have already exchanged a decisive challenge with someone, go up and fight well, so everyone knows that your title of Martial Champion is not undeserved."
"Father, don't worry. Today, I must make this wild boy kowtow and admit his mistake in public!"
Mu Shi'an picked up the long saber from the ground, jumped onto the martial arts stage, and brandished it in a flourish of beautiful saber movements.
Hearing the cheers from below the stage, Mu Shi'an raised his head high like a victorious rooster.
"Boy, I'll let you have two moves!"
Mu Yanli turned his head to look at Jun Moyi below the stage, "Your Highness Prince Qi, he offered to let me have two moves himself. If I win later, it won't be considered void, right?"
Jun Moyi was very displeased with Mu Shi'an's action of conceding moves.
The sun was so hot it was almost making people sweat oil; it would be best to finish the fight quickly and cleanly. What was the point of all these flashy tricks?
Although Jun Moyi was displeased, he showed none of it on his face. "Yes, as long as you can win, the thousand tael of gold is yours."
As soon as the word "yours" fell, Mu Yanli moved.
He darted in front of Mu Shi'an like an arrow, raising his foot to kick Mu Shi'an's chest.
Mu Shi'an wanted to dodge, but he simply couldn't. Mu Yanli's movement technique was too fast, so fast that the people below the stage only saw a streak of light.
In the blink of an eye, Mu Shi'an rolled off the martial arts stage like a broken sandbag, tumbling more than ten times until he crashed into the weapon rack and stopped.
The entire martial arts arena fell quiet as a chicken; everyone was stunned.
The dignified new Top Scholar in Martial Arts couldn't even defeat a child of that age? And was kicked flying more than ten *zhang*?
Mu Shi'an spat out a mouthful of blood, struggled to his feet, and prepared to re-enter the stage, but after taking only a couple of steps, he clutched his chest in pain and collapsed onto the ground.
"Shi'an!"
Mu Yuanlin stepped forward to help his son up. Seeing blood constantly flowing from his son's mouth, he turned and pointed at Mu Yanli on the stage with murderous intent.
"Shameless brat! My Mu Family has no enmity with you, yet you strike so ruthlessly! If anything happens to Shi'an, I will make you accompany him in death!"
Mu Yanli stood on the stage with his hands behind his back; a small figure with a detached aura and flowing robes.
"Don't worry, he is not in mortal danger. He just broke a few ribs; he will be fine after resting for about a month."
A young master who was friends with Mu Shi'an jumped out and pointed at Mu Yanli, "You say that so lightly! How do you know Brother Shi'an only broke ribs and didn't suffer severe internal injuries? Do you think you are the Medical Immortal, able to determine life or death with one glance?"
Medical Immortal? Coincidentally, that was his Mother.
Mu Yanli felt proud internally but showed none of it outwardly. "Although I am not the Medical Immortal, I know the extent of my own attack. He won't die."
Mu Yanxi impatiently dug his ear. "Brother, why waste words with him? Whether the injury is light or severe, won't we know clearly once we find a Doctor?"
"Tianquan, go invite Imperial Physician Liu here!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Jun Moyi's attendant accepted the order and left.
Mu Yuanlin also came back to his senses and quickly ordered the household retainers to carry his son back to the courtyard, but he himself did not leave with them.
"Your two Highnesses, these two boys have unknown origins, and they severely injured my son. I implore both of your Highnesses to uphold justice, arrest these two, and have them interrogated thoroughly."
This request played right into Jun Moyi's hands. He already coveted Mu Yanli's talent and wanted to recruit him for his own use, seeing this as a perfect opportunity to detain them at Prince Qi's Mansion. However, before he could issue the order, Prince Rui, Jun Moming, stepped forward.
"Wait a moment, Prime Minister Mu might have misunderstood. They are not of unknown origin; they are guests I invited."
At these words, both Jun Moyi and Mu Yuanlin showed surprise.
"Third Brother, they are your people?"
Jun Moyi thought that if these two had already pledged allegiance to Prince Rui, it would be difficult for him to forcibly take them.
Jun Moming smiled meaningfully. "What kind of people they are, Second Brother and Prime Minister Mu will soon find out."
Mu Yuanlin had intended to use Prince Qi's influence to settle a personal score and deal with the Mu Yanli brothers, but since the two brothers turned out to be Jun Moming's people, he would have to reconsider his plans.
After all, there was an agreement beforehand that Mu Yanli and his son engaged in a fair match. Now that his son was defeated and severely injured, it had already caused him and the Mu Family to lose face. If he forcibly took Mu Yanli down now, it would only hand ammunition to his political rivals and the Censorate officials.
Forget it. A gentleman's revenge is not too late even after ten years.
Mu Yuanlin shot a sharp glance at the Mu Yanli brothers on the stage, used the excuse of looking after his son, and took his leave from the training ground.
"Go, find someone to keep a close watch on those two wild boys."
After leaving the training ground, Mu Yuanlin immediately instructed the Butler behind him.
Just as the Butler was about to take his leave, he saw Jiang Mubai, dressed lavishly, hurrying toward the training ground.
"Young Master Jiang." The Butler bowed in greeting.
Jiang Mubai ignored the Butler and directly asked Mu Yuanlin, "Lord Mu, I heard your esteemed son lost a martial arts match and was severely injured..."
Mu Yuanlin thought the other party was concerned about his son's safety. The words "It's nothing" were already on his lips, but then he heard the other party change the subject, "Who is that person? Are they still in the training ground? To defeat the new Martial Champion so easily—I must get to know such an unparalleled master."
Mu Yuanlin was so angry he almost fell backward. He heavily flicked his sleeve, threw out the phrase, "This Prime Minister has urgent matters," and left.
Watching Mu Yuanlin's angry retreating back, Jiang Mubai grinned, then strode into the training ground.
Inside the training ground, although the competition had ended, the crowd of onlookers had not dispersed.
This match was simply too exciting; everyone hadn't seen enough and were reluctant to leave.
Mu Yanxi, pulling his Eldest Brother along, skipped happily toward Jun Moyi, looking completely innocent. "Your Highness Prince Qi, my brother won. Can that thousand tael of gold be cashed in now?"
"Don't worry, I will send someone to deliver it to you another day."
"Mother always teaches us that what needs to be done today should be done today, without procrastination. Your Highness Prince Qi, why don't you send an attendant back to the Mansion now to fetch the money? My Eldest Brother and I will wait here."
Jun Moyi had no intention of paying that unwarranted money, which is why he used "another day" to stall. He didn't expect the two boys to be so tactless, and his expression immediately soured.
Jun Moyi's attendants were all sharp individuals. Seeing their Master's expression, they immediately shouted sternly, "Insolent! How dare you act wildly in front of His Highness! Guards, seize these two brats!"
"Wait!"
Jun Moming smiled and stood in front of the brothers. "Second Brother, they merely want to receive the reward they earned. Surely that is not wrong, right?"
"His Highness Prince Rui speaks correctly. It is merely a mere thousand tael of gold. Prince Qi's Mansion is wealthy; this small sum is naturally not an issue."
The crowd turned their heads upon hearing the voice and saw a handsome man approaching, wearing a blue, wide-sleeved robe woven with gold thread. The jade crown holding his hair was inlaid with a large pearl, and his waist was adorned with a string of jade pendants and sachets—the very picture of "I am very rich."
The third child's book has been successfully contracted, and updates will resume normally starting today.
Two updates a day （ four thousand characters ）, updated at 6 PM. New works are difficult and require much care. Little cuties reading the story, don't forget to collect + vote. If possible, please also leave a five-star review. Seventh thanks you~