Simply Trading

"Besides, even if I fail, it would be enough to intimidate them, wouldn"t it? To let them know that Du Yan has a sworn brother in the n.o.bility, and is thus related to both the Duchy of the Westlands and the Marquisate to the South?"

"That would be good, although I am hoping that you would be able to win. If so, we should have two victories already, which should make things a lot easier for us later on," Lin Liushui replied, in a manner that hinted that he had mapped out the whole strategy already, and would appreciate it if Li Changhai could just follow the plan.

"I thought that would be good value, for a quick exchange or two between you and the Iron Spear Troop. If they are polite, you can form a new friendship. If they are not ... Well, they would certainly not risk offending you too overtly."

Li Changhai sighed, but agreed to the gallant"s orchestration in the end. Which seemed to show in Lin Liushui"s eyes, as he went on to the third of the groups. "As for the Golden Shield School, I think Du Yan will be the perfect one to deal with them. After all, we might know of his skills and his tricks, but our opponents probably think that he had simply bashed his way through that ambush with pure brute strength.

"Hence, it is unlikely that they would send someone of any significance to the School. And that means that he is likely to score a beautiful victory, with his greatly improved control, and those moves that we had seen him use.

"So it would be a perfect place for him to showcase his abilities. And win brilliantly."

The handsome fellow smiled as he spread his hands out to either side of himself, as though awaiting an applause from his audience of two. "That is my plan for the whole situation, but it remains just a plan for now. After all, we will not be able to control who the enemy sends out, and you might end up meeting the Golden Shields after all. We can only hope for the best," he reminded them quietly.

But Qin Feng stepped up then, before either of the other two could say another word.

"You seem to have forgotten about me. Am I supposed to deal with the Snow Swallow Palace then? You would think that highly of me?"

Lin Liushui shook his head, and smiled a sad smile at Qin Feng. "Would you believe me if I said something like that? No. I have not forgotten about you. Nor did I think that highly of you, to be honest. The Snow Swallow Mountain Palace is one of the premier Gold Standard Sects that are here in the Lower Kingdoms, so it is not an organisation that you have the ability to deal with.

"In fact, I am the only one who might stand a chance - might, mind you! I cannot say for certain that I would triumph. It would depend on who they send up against me. But I am certain that Snow Swallow Palace would not take a hand in the compet.i.tion, if it did not have to."
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Then he grinned, and waved his hand to indicate himself, and Li Changhai. "And between the two of us, and Du Yan, we might be able to prevent the Snow Swallow Palace from taking a hand, even if it wanted to."

Qin Feng was confused, and he did not bother to hide it. "What do you mean? What are you talking about?"

But the Second Ducal Prince had understood, and he explained, even as Lin Liushui snapped his fan open, and was about to make another one of his edifying speeches. Which made the handsome gallant sigh, as he lost his chance:

"If the three of us manages to beat our opponents, that would mean that we have won three out of the four bouts. In which case, there would be no point in the Snow Swallow Palace showing their hand, and sending out their representative. And if we only lose one, you can still safely surrender the match, and leave the issue at an impa.s.se.

"That would put the decision into the Yuan Family"s hands. And I doubt that it would choose to throw aside its face, its reputation, by forsaking this marriage between the two of them. Especially when Du Yan had already made his determination to take Yuan Qianlei as his wife clear, by fighting for her like this."

Qin Feng, however, was no longer paying attention after the part where the Second Ducal Prince mentioned his role:

"You want me to surrender? To surrender without a fight?"

Lin Liushui stepped in quickly, even as Li Changhai looked shocked at the bitterness in Qin Feng"s voice. To tell the truth, the young man was surprised to hear it himself. He had not known that he would take that suggestion so poorly.

But Lin Liushui was already placating him. "It is no shame to surrender to someone who is so obviously your superior. And all of the Snow Swallow Mountain Palace"s disciples - those who are allowed to step out of the Palace, that is. As their representative certainly must be. All of them should be somewhere in the Discerning Realm. And you are, at best, in the Completion State.

"Is that not so?"

Lin Liushui seemed to be waiting for Qin Feng"s answer, so he gave the handsome man a curt nod. It was true. He had only reached the Peak of the Completion Realm, and recently at that. If the opponent was already in the Discerning Realm, which was one whole Realm above his, how could he even begin to have a chance of winning?

"In that case, you are bound to lose. And if the woman that they send against you is one of those who have a grudge against all men, you would likely be badly injured. Surely you can see how that is completely against our cause? If that is the case, wouldn"t a quick, quiet surrender be the best course of action?"

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