Chapter 74: Gambling with Life

“Dongfang Li!”

At the sight of this figure, the crowd erupted in shock.

Dongfang Li, heir of the Dongfang family. Possessor of the Thousand Illusions Imperial Body, a formidable Heaven-Human realm expert, and a top-tier student at the Imperial Martial Academy.

With Nangong Tianxuan still under punishment and confined, Dongfang Li stepped forward this time to target Jun Wushuang.

His hooked nose and sinister gaze gave him a venomous, snake-like aura. His slit pupils locked onto Jun Wushuang, as if he were about to open his bloody maw and devour him whole.

“Dongfang Xuan Ying was my cousin. You dared to kill him; that’s a slap in the face to the Dongfang family. Tell me, how should I kill you?”

Dongfang Li’s icy eyes bore into Jun Wushuang, openly radiating murderous intent.

Like the others, he believed Jun Wushuang was only intimidating people thanks to the Command of the King of Southern Suppression.

A country bumpkin from a small town dared to stir up trouble in the imperial capital? Truly courting death!

Moreover, Jun Wushuang had already made enemies with the Nangong family, yet still dared to offend the Dongfang family now.

Did he really think the Command of the King of Southern Suppression was a talisman against death?

“It seems my guess was right; the Dongfang family really is full of fools.”

Jun Wushuang glanced at Dongfang Li and spoke calmly.

The entire hall was stunned.

Not only had he insulted Dongfang Li, but he had also mocked the entire Dongfang family.

Dongfang Ming and Dongfang Lan were both present.

He was courting disaster right at the gates of hell!

“How dare you, Jun Wushuang! You actually insult our Dongfang family!”

Dongfang Ming shouted angrily.

Dongfang Lan’s expression grew darker as well.

This Jun Wushuang truly didn’t know his place!

“You’re just as arrogant and conceited as the rumors say.”

“Boy, there are many in this world you cannot afford to provoke. Ants should know their place—enjoy playing the tiger for a moment, but afterward comes the cremation.”

“Too much arrogance leads to death.”

Dongfang Li stared at Jun Wushuang, the cold murderous intent in his eyes obvious to all.

This time, the Dongfang family had joined forces with the Nangong family, determined to kill Jun Wushuang.

“You talk too much.”

Jun Wushuang couldn’t be bothered to argue. He stepped past Dongfang Li, heading straight for the grand hall where the Black-and-White Millstone was located.

He had come today to seek a breakthrough, not to waste words.

“Jun Wushuang, I want to gamble with you—our lives!”

Dongfang Li’s figure flickered, blocking Jun Wushuang’s path.

A wager of life?

The crowd gasped in astonishment.

No one had expected Dongfang Li to be so reckless.

Clearly, the Dongfang family wanted to resolve the Jun Wushuang problem before the official life-and-death duel.

“Sorry, your life isn’t worth the bet.”

Jun Wushuang rejected him outright.

Dongfang Li’s face turned ashen; he hadn’t expected Jun Wushuang to be so difficult.

But he had a second plan ready.

With a swift gesture, Dongfang Li produced a radiant, dreamlike light, enchanting and mesmerizing.

“A Spirit-Nurturing Jade!”

The crowd exclaimed.

Spirit-Nurturing Jade was a rare treasure of heaven and earth. Its sole purpose was to enhance spiritual power.

For martial artists above the Divine Sea realm, it was an irresistible temptation.

A piece the size of a fingernail could fetch a million spirit stones.

The one in Dongfang Li’s hand was the size of an egg, worth more than ten million.

“I’ll wager this Spirit-Nurturing Jade against you!”

Dongfang Li fixed Jun Wushuang with his gaze.

“How do you want to bet?”

Such a treasure was hard to refuse. With someone offering it, Jun Wushuang had no reason to turn him down.

“You want to enter the Black-and-White Millstone, don’t you? Let’s bet on who can endure the longest.”

“If you win, this Spirit-Nurturing Jade is yours.”

“But if you lose, I want you to commit suicide in atonement.”

“Will you dare accept the wager?”

Dongfang Li’s cold gaze was like a serpent’s hiss, chilling to the bone.

He intended to wager Jun Wushuang’s life against the Spirit-Nurturing Jade.

This was Dongfang Li’s plan.

“You, a Heaven-Human realm expert, want to wager against me, a Manifestation realm cultivator who hasn’t even opened the Divine Sea?”

Jun Wushuang looked at him as if he were an idiot.

The spiritual power of the Heaven-Human realm was already formidable. The Dongfang family specialized in illusions, making their spiritual power far surpass ordinary martial artists.

If Jun Wushuang accepted, he’d truly be out of his mind.

“Relax, I wouldn’t bully the weak.”

Dongfang Li grinned.

“I’ve found you a worthy opponent—someone you definitely won’t refuse.”

He clapped his hands twice, and a graceful figure stepped out from the crowd.

Jun Wushuang’s pupils contracted; the thorn in his heart suddenly twisted in agony.

Ji Qingchen!

Dongfang Li’s chosen opponent was Ji Qingchen.

“You are at the ninth level of the Manifestation realm, as is she. Both of you hail from Jiangning City. Now, you can’t say I’m bullying you.”

Dongfang Li sneered.

Since learning he’d have to deal with Jun Wushuang, he’d done his homework thoroughly.

He’d investigated all of Jun Wushuang’s past affairs and had deliberately sought out Ji Qingchen, planning to use her hand to destroy Jun Wushuang.

The hatred between Jun Wushuang and Ji Qingchen was irreconcilable.

Only one could survive.

He believed Ji Qingchen would not hold back.

Jun Wushuang, consumed by hatred for Ji Qingchen, would never refuse this wager.

All of this was calculated by Dongfang Li.

“Jun Wushuang, just admit defeat. You have no chance against the heir of the Dongfang family. If you kneel and beg for mercy, I believe he will show great compassion and spare your life.”

“Don’t be stubborn any longer, or your arrogance will only lead you deeper into the abyss of death.”

“We were once husband and wife; I truly cannot bear to see you die for your pride.”

Ji Qingchen’s beautiful eyes trembled, showing no hatred, only a feigned sorrow.

She seemed unwilling to witness Jun Wushuang’s defeat and death.

Her act won much sympathy from the crowd.

Even Dongfang Ming and Dongfang Lan nodded quietly, moved by Ji Qingchen’s supposed loyalty and affection.

Deceit was Ji Qingchen’s greatest trick.

Years ago, Jun Wushuang had been utterly fooled by her.

But once bitten, Jun Wushuang would not fall for it again.

Toward Ji Qingchen, he felt only hatred and the urge to kill.

“I accept the wager.”

Jun Wushuang shifted his gaze from Ji Qingchen to Dongfang Li.

With Ji Qingchen involved, he truly couldn’t refuse.

He would seize this opportunity to take revenge on Ji Qingchen.

“Everyone heard it. Jun Wushuang has accepted the wager. As such, it is now established and effective.”

Dongfang Li declared loudly, making all present witnesses.

Now, there was no fear Jun Wushuang might renege.

“Alas!”

Ji Qingchen sighed, as if deeply regretful of Jun Wushuang’s stubbornness.

In the next moment, under the gaze of the crowd, Jun Wushuang and Ji Qingchen stepped into the grand hall of the Black-and-White Millstone together.

Dongfang Li’s lips curled as he watched Jun Wushuang’s receding figure, his scheme succeeding.

“Jun Wushuang, oh Jun Wushuang, how foolish you are.”

“This time, I’ll show you the true meaning of cruelty!”