Chapter 22: Tang Qi's Astonishing Train of Thought

"My terms are simple." Li Wenxuan patted the little red horse.

The little red horse actually wore a look of pure enjoyment. Tang Qi nearly transformed into a gorilla, beating his chest and stomping his feet in frustration.

"After every duel, if you lose, everything you have on you becomes mine. How about that?"

"You are incredibly arrogant!" Tang Qi glared at him. "And what if you lose?"

"I won't lose," Li Wenxuan stated.

"You! How dare you speak to me in that tone? Do you have any idea who I am?" Tang Qi was seething with rage.

Li Wenxuan widened his eyes. "Didn't you say you wouldn't use your status to bully me, nor would you force me into anything?"

"I?" Tang Qi almost bit his own tongue. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "But what if—just in case—you lose?"

"In that case..." Li Wenxuan looked at the expectant expression on Tang Qi's face. He was never one to indulge the expectations of an enemy.

He spread his hands and looked at Tang Qi. "In that case, I still won't lose!"

"You—!" Tang Qi was on the verge of losing his mind.

"That won't do! If you lose, you have to return everything you took from me before!"

Seeing Tang Qi’s look of indignation mixed with grievance, Li Wenxuan felt he shouldn't bully this young nobleman too harshly. If he pushed him too far and the guy refused to play with him anymore... that would be a shame. After all, where else would he find such an easy way to make quick money?

"Fine, let's do this: if I do lose, I will return everything I won from you last time. How’s that?"

Watching his little red horse standing so tamely under Li Wenxuan, Tang Qi didn't hesitate for a second. "Deal!"

*Little Red, just you wait; I will definitely rescue you!*

"I want to challenge you to a duel of marksmanship! Do you dare to accept?"

"Marksmanship?" Li Wenxuan spread his hands. "I don't have a spear. You'll have to provide them, and... they must be exactly the same!"

"That's no problem!" Tang Qi said proudly. "I've set the method of the duel; you choose the time and place!"

Li Wenxuan thought for a moment. "Let’s make it tomorrow morning. I’ll send someone to notify you of the location later. How about that?"

"That... is acceptable!" Tang Qi nodded. In the capital, he wasn't worried about the man running away.

"By the way, what are you planning to bring with you this time?" As Tang Qi was about to mount his horse, Li Wenxuan asked with a look of concern.

Tang Qi suddenly felt a deep sense of dread. He watched Li Wenxuan warily and demanded, "What do you mean by that?"

Li Wenxuan smiled subtly. "Nothing much. It’s just that I might be moving house today, and I need to know what you’re bringing in advance so I can clear enough space to display it, you see?"

"Damn you!" Tang Qi erupted in fury, nearly unable to stop himself from charging at Li Wenxuan to settle things with violence rather than a contest.

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing? Didn't we agree not to use status to bully people?"

The words "use status to bully" instantly brought the enraged second-generation nobleman to his senses. He prided himself on being a peerless hero and would never do anything that went against his own word.

Tang Qi glared at Li Wenxuan, grinding his teeth. "Boy! You wait!"

"Remember, my name is Tang Qi. Send someone to the residence of the General of the Front later to tell me the time and location!" Tang Qi pointed sternly at Li Wenxuan. "Make sure you eat well, sleep well, and get to bed early tonight to keep your spirits high!"

After leaving this surprisingly caring remark, Tang Qi resisted the urge to look at his little red horse, which kept him from losing his composure, and rode away.

Watching the back of Tang Qi and his group as they disappeared in a cloud of dust, Li Wenxuan couldn't help but sigh as he stroked the beautiful mane of the chestnut horse. "That fellow is actually quite nice, reminding me to eat and sleep well!"

Unfortunately, Tang Qi, who was already far away, could not hear this. If he had, he wouldn't just be losing his temper—he would have gone completely insane.

After turning a street corner, Tang Qi arrived at a carriage parked by the roadside. He dismounted and bowed with extreme reverence. However, before he could speak, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing the smiling face of Chief Steward Li.

"Well? Is it settled?"

"Reporting to Chief Steward Li, it is settled. The time is tomorrow, and the contest is in marksmanship. However, the location is still to be determined by him; he mentioned he might be moving house today."

"Hmm, then go back and prepare for the battle with peace of mind. The higher-ups hold you in high regard; whether you can wash away your previous shame depends on tomorrow."

"Thank you for your trust, Chief Steward Li. Tang Qi will do his utmost to prepare and will not let you down!"

"I have nothing to be disappointed about." Chief Steward Li offered a cryptic smile and lowered the curtain. The coachman immediately drove the carriage toward the Academy of Literature.

"Old Li, who do you think will win tomorrow's duel?" Inside the carriage, the Martial Emperor couldn't help but ask.

Chief Steward Li smiled bitterly to himself. How would he know that? However, when the Emperor asks a question, one must provide an answer, whether they know the truth or not.

"Your Majesty, in this servant's opinion, young Master Li’s fist techniques are unconventional, but in terms of marksmanship, I fear he will find it difficult to surpass Tang Qi."

"Oh? How so?" The Martial Emperor became curious. The Eastern Depot collected everything under the sun, including martial arts classics. In other words, this Chief Steward Li at the Emperor's side was himself a hidden master of great caliber.

"Marksmanship is a skill meant for the back of a horse. While it shares some common principles with boxing, without the grueling practice of training through the freezing winters and scorching summers, it naturally cannot be mastered," the Chief Steward said solemnly.

The Martial Emperor smiled. "Since you think so, how about we make a wager?"

Chief Steward Li was startled, his palms sweating. "Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, your status is so noble, how could this servant dare to overstep?"

"Today we are not at the royal court; what is the harm in indulging ourselves a little?" The Martial Emperor waved his hand. "Regardless of the outcome, let’s just treat it as a joke."

"This servant is all ears!" Chief Steward Li bowed quickly.

The Martial Emperor said, "Let’s bet on who will win between young Master Li and Tang Qi." Before the Chief Steward could speak, the Emperor added, "You bet on Tang Qi, and I will bet on young Master Li. As for the stakes... how about covering the moving expenses for young Master Li's new home?"

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

Chief Steward Li gleaned a great deal of useful information from these words. First, the Emperor intended to grant a residence to Li Wenxuan. Second, the Emperor held Li Wenxuan in very high regard; otherwise, he wouldn't have bet on him. Third, and most importantly... the Emperor’s private treasury didn't seem to have much money left, did it?

*Sigh.*

The Golden Pavilion had been taking in wealth for years without ever spending any; it was high time to find other ways to expand the Emperor's financial resources!

"We've arrived at the Golden Pavilion. Don't give anything away later." The Martial Emperor stepped out of the carriage and turned to look at Chief Steward Li with a smile.

Chief Steward Li wore a bitter expression. "Your Maj—"

"Hmm?" The Martial Emperor arched an eyebrow, staring at him.

Chief Steward Li’s smile became even more strained. "Do not worry, Supervisor. Your subordinate knows what to do."

"Good. That's the spirit." The Martial Emperor finally looked satisfied.

Shortly after, Li Wenxuan arrived outside the Golden Pavilion. Zhang Xiaogui’s eyes were filled with envy. "Noble one, I never expected you to truly become a teacher here at the Golden Pavilion. You will definitely be able to ascend the Golden Terrace!"

Li Wenxuan smiled and patted Zhang Xiaogui on the shoulder. "I’ll take your kind words for it. If one day I truly ascend the Golden Terrace, I will certainly sweep away all the injustices of this world!"

This was meant as a casual remark, but unexpectedly, after hearing it, Zhang Xiaogui’s eyes instantly turned red.

"Noble one, you will definitely be able to do it! I have a grievance of my own, and when the time comes, I shall look to you to clear my name!"