“Compared to previous years, the number of participants in this Heroes’ Assembly has far exceeded expectations, reaching an unprecedented eighty-seven. The competition follows the traditional one-on-one format, which divides it into seven stages. Since the number isn’t even, there will be one extra participant in the first, fourth, and sixth rounds. That person will be selected by drawing lots and will automatically advance to the next round,” someone explained.
Pei Nai’s lips twitched.
She found it hard to believe in this so-called lottery system. “What a coincidence—why is it that I’m the one who gets a bye in the first round? Are they really drawing lots?”
“Well, you’re a girl. Of course people will give way to you. That’s perfectly normal,” the others said indifferently.
Pei Nai felt deeply frustrated.
She had come here to obtain the Hunxi Whip—yet now… she was being pushed into an effortless advance?
Wasn’t this… far too embarrassing for the Northern Spear?
With that thought, her resolve strengthened. She absolutely could not reveal the Pei family spear techniques during this tournament. Out of eighty-seven participants, she alone had received a bye.
Embarrassing. Utterly embarrassing.
Someone nearby kindly reminded her that she could proceed directly to the second stage.
Pei Nai had already figured it out—being the only female participant in the Dengyun Heroes’ Assembly, she was… excessively favored.
But the gap in strength wasn’t like that at all.
Her gaze swept over the surrounding men wielding blades and swords.
These people… ten years ago, she could have taken on three at once.
Being underestimated—how infuriating.
As her gaze shifted, she spotted a familiar face.
It was Zhou Yuliang—the son of Zhou Mingfang, the “Heavenly Axe”—whom she had previously caused to lose a match at Mingyue Tower with nothing more than a flicked melon seed.
A flicker of guilt crossed her mind. She tried to avoid him, subtly using someone’s shoulder as cover—but he had already seen her.
“Miss, it’s been a long time.”
Since she had been noticed, there was no point in hiding. She smiled politely. “It has indeed.”
“I wonder if I may have offended you in the past, Miss, to cause you to act against me at Mingyue Tower?” Zhou Yuliang asked sincerely.
“Oh? Sounds like you two have some history,” someone nearby remarked curiously.
Pei Nai knew that at the time, she had been stirred by memories of Zhou Mingfang and, seeing the clear disparity in weapons, had impulsively intervened out of a sense of justice.
But she couldn’t say that.
She forced a lie instead.
“My master has some old grievances with your father. I acted impulsively at the time. If I caused you harm, I ask that you forgive me.”
Zhou Yuliang showed a trace of apology. “My father did commit certain wrongs in the past—I am aware of it. As for what happened at Mingyue Tower, I hold no grudge. I hope Miss Tang can also let go of any prejudice. I would like to be your friend.”
“Of course,” Pei Nai replied with a smile.
The atmosphere around them was relaxed. Most participants were from Tianyao, and even the few foreigners were amicable. People chatted casually, without much tension before the matches.
As she waited, Pei Nai looked up at the spectator stands.
She hoped there were no acquaintances present—only then could she fight freely…
Before she finished the thought, she spotted Da Xi’an waving at her from a VIP seat on the third level of the western viewing pavilion, with Gongyang Zisheng seated beside him.
Her eye twitched.
Why were they everywhere? Did these outsiders never miss any excitement?
…
Red silk banners fell along the four viewing towers. After the sound of ceremonial firecrackers, the chief organizer of the Dengyun Heroes’ Assembly stepped forward amid the crowd’s cheers.
In his hands was a long whip, dark as iron, trailing to the ground.
The handle was smooth and curved. The body of the whip was forged from the extremely rare Gongshan Blackstone—naturally unyielding and indestructible. Yet through the collaboration of the greatest weapon smith in history, Fu Ze, and the ancestors of mechanists from the Valley Nation, the stone had been carved and reforged, divided into countless thin, blade-like segments.
Inside the whip lay an intricate mechanism beyond comprehension, linking the segments together so that it could move like a flexible leather whip—coiling, striking, and bending freely.
All eyes fell upon the Hunxi Whip.
Beneath the layered blackstone segments, a faint blood-red glow seeped through, striking fear into those who beheld it.
This was—
The legendary Blood Whip of Ten Thousand Peaks!
The organizer slowly walked to the white jade platform in the east. Stopping before the display stand, he suddenly raised the whip high above his head, drawing thunderous cheers from the crowd.
He lifted it three times.
The crowd roared three times.
The sound echoed through the sky, reverberating across Chaoyang City.
Under countless eager gazes, he slowly placed the whip onto its stand.
—The Dengyun Heroes’ Assembly had officially begun!
The martial arena was vast. Due to the large number of participants, the grounds were divided into four equal sections during the first two stages. Eight participants fought in four matches simultaneously, with winners advancing.
If no victor emerged within the time it took for one incense stick to burn, the match would be declared a draw, and both participants eliminated.
The competition proceeded fiercely, with the first stage lasting the longest.
Having nothing to do, Pei Nai turned and returned to the VIP seating.
She was also relieved that Da Xi’an and Gongyang Zisheng were seated in the opposite pavilion. She feared no one—but Da Xi’an’s enthusiasm was… exhausting.
A sudden thought crossed her mind.
Could it be… that in Gu Jinheng’s eyes back then, she had also been just as clingy and troublesome?
No wonder he had never expressed affection for her.
She shook her head.
Perhaps she was overthinking.
The competition was what mattered now—she couldn’t afford to be distracted.
Pei Nai soon returned to Table Four. Bei Ju quickly stood and gave up her seat, bringing over a small stool to sit beside her.
Of the four matches, two had already ended, with contestants knocked off the stage amid the crowd’s sighs.
New pairs took their place.
Among them was Xing Xiaoren, who had drawn public attention. Wielding a pair of spiked mother-and-son hammers, he faced a young man armed with twin axes.
Metal clashed loudly.
Pei Nai glanced sideways. Yixi and the two maids were watching intently. Qingzhu noticed her gaze and turned, finally voicing a question she had been holding in.
“Miss, I’ve heard that once the Hunxi Whip is used, it must draw blood. Does that make the Blood Whip of Ten Thousand Peaks the most ruthless among the Three Mountains, Five Peaks, Central River, and Six Rivers?”
Even as she spoke, Qingzhu seemed slightly frightened.
Pei Nai shook her head.
“The Blood Whip of Ten Thousand Peaks is not cruel. It’s just that the Han family has strict rules: unless it is a life-or-death situation, or against someone who has committed grave evil, the whip must not be used. Once the Hunxi Whip is drawn, blood must be shed—otherwise it cannot be withdrawn. This rule exists to remind the Han family never to abuse their power, and to think carefully before resorting to violence.”