Chapter 28
Dark Battle Angel: Equalizing.
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Pit of the Damned ~
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The first round concluded in favor of the Yan clan, with a score of seven to three.
Seven victories for the Yan clan, and three for the YinYang Dynasty. This was quite unsightly, as dark creases had long since covered Yang Jiang's face. The only way the YinYang Dynasty could save face now was if they somehow managed to even the numbers during the pre-second round challenge — but even he didn't dare hope too much for a miracle.
He could only place his hope on Yang Wei somehow securing a victory for them.
Yang Jiang's train of thought was interrupted by the sudden announcement of the pre-second round challenge.
Pre-Second Round Challenge ~
All the defeated members of both the Yan clan and the YinYang Dynasty stood in orderly rows — though with contrasting expressions. One side was filled with schadenfreude, the other with disdain. They faced the victors of the opposing party, internally analyzing who might be easiest to prey on.
"Pay attention. The rules are simple: a victor may only be challenged once, and you only get a single chance to issue that challenge. Choose wisely," a commanding voice announced.
In response, the YinYang Dynasty found themselves in a tough spot. Although there were seven victorious Yan clan members that the seven eliminated YinYang members could challenge, they knew better than to act recklessly. If they did, they'd just end up with their faces mopped across the floor again. As such, a few decided not to challenge anyone at all.
On the other hand, within the Yan clan, the three who had been eliminated in the first round sought to regain some dignity and challenged the YinYang Dynasty's victors once more.
The pre-second round challenge concluded with the YinYang Dynasty gaining two additional spots.
Yin Kai had made use of the strand of True Qi within him to crush his opponent outright. He had chosen not to battle Yan Lei again, but instead challenged another Yan member. Meanwhile, a YinYang Dynasty youth named Yin Daiyun had won in a manner so bizarre that even the spectators weren't quite sure how he pulled it off.
He had been getting beaten badly when he instinctively slapt his opponent into the "great beyond" (wherever that is) with his war hammers. Burly in physique and simple-minded, he wasn't the brightest of individuals — hence, he'd earned the nickname "Dai Dai."
The other YinYang Dynasty youths had, unsurprisingly, lost. After all, they didn't have Yin Kai's True Qi or Yin Daiyun's mystical slappingbpower.
On the Yan clan's side, all three challengers had lost to the YinYang Dynasty more miserably than before.
The victors of the pre-second round were announced as the commanding voice went on to announce the second round.
"The second and final round shall begin in a couple of hours," the commanding voice resounded again. "As victors of the pre-second round, Yin Kai and Yin Daiyun will also proceed to the this round as well," the voice added.
The crowd buzzed, discussing and predicting the final results. Although the majority were biased towards the YinYang Dynasty, a few still believed the Yan clan stood a good chance of victory.
At that moment, the attendant of Yan Rouxi returned, whispering untold evil in her ear. Yan Rouxi responded with a chilling smile. This exchange took place beneath the veil of all watching eyes.
In the spectators' section where the YinYang Dynasty members had gathered:
"The Yan clan really is as vile as they come," Yin Feiyu spat in agitation. "What malevolent thing is that black aura they keep using to cheat? Yuck!" She made a gagging motion.
"Shouldn't this be investigated?" she asked, throwing a questioning glance at Yang Jiang.
"En. You can lead the case," Yang Jiang replied stoically.
"Me? Ya! What are you spouting now? They're using our dynasty's honor to mop the streets in the most disposable way ever, yet you're still sitting there in your fancy robes." Yin Feiyu was mildly hysterical.
"Of course. If not in fancy robes, what else should I sit in?" Yang Jiang replied blankly.
"Stop being cheeky. Honestly, you should march over to the Yan clan and expose their dirty lies — maybe even give that ugly wench a slap or two while you're at it," Feiyu suggested.
"No thanks. I never raise my hands against women. I'm such a gentleman," he declined, speaking with righteous air.
Yin Feiyu: "…...…"
"Why are you looking at me like that? Did you fall for me again?" Yang Jiang asked, raising a brow.
"No. I could've sworn there were tiny bright babies with feathered wings dancing around your head in glee when you gave that whole 'gentleman' speech," Feiyu said, nodding as she squinted at him as though trying to see them again.
Yang Jiang flinched. "Away from me, woman! I don't plan on giving Tong'er a younger sister."
"What about a younger brother?" Feiyu blinked rapidly.
"Enough! I thought you were mad at the Yan clan's tricks — how did we digress to this topic again?" Jiang massaged his temple, a headache forming.
"Ah yes! Those slimy vermin, spawns of the devil. Do something about them. I've been having an unsettling feeling that their scheme runs far deeper than what we're seeing." Feiyu's expression grew uncharacteristically serious.
"I know. If you can sense it, naturally I can too," Yang Jiang said solemnly.
Yin Feiyu: "...Wait!" She paused, digesting his words before catching the hidden implication.
"What?" Yang Jiang replied, seemingly unaware of the storm approaching.
Yin Feiyu flared up, "Are you calling me dumb?"
"When did I ever—" Yang Jiang was flustered silly before suddenly realizing the situation. He turned to Feiyu hastily, "It's not like that! I swear on your beauty!"
"Then what did you mean by 'if you can tell, naturally I can too'?" she asked, fuming.
"It's not as you think," he replied, panicked.
"Then I'll hold your words true. If you're lying, I'll become ugly, and you'll be married to an ugly wife for the rest of your life. And if you ever dare take a concubine, I'll end my life, become a ghost, and haunt you and your mistress forev— huhhhh." A manic glint flashed in her eyes.
"Shush, woman!" Yang Jiang placed his hand over her mouth. "We're still in public view. What if someone overheard you just now?"
Realization suddenly dawned on her. Although they were in a relatively secluded spot surrounded by an entourage used to their antics, that didn't change the fact that there were always prying ears and watchful eyes.