Chapter 292: Collusion
In the afternoon, the drums sounded, and the thirty-two contestants from each clan, gathered once more beneath the high platform, awaiting the next round of the lottery draw.
First, the matchups for the sixteen participants in the Loser’s Group were drawn. Although they were defeated in the morning, they still had to compete against each other to determine their rankings from seventeenth to thirty-second place.
After the Loser’s Group draw was completed, the real main event—the Top 16 draw—began!
The Clan Leaders of each clan then arrived at the high platform, watching intently as a Ministry of Rites Official drew pairs from the chopstick holder for the competition list!
Amidst the increasingly loud exclamations from the clan members of various clans, wooden plaques bearing the names of the contestants were hung on the first eight fighting stages.
Stage One: Xiahou Rongguang versus Cui Zhongheng.
Stage Two: Pei Yuanji versus Cui Baiyu.
Stage Three: Xie Mo versus Lu Yun.
Stage Four: Wei Jie versus Lu Bai.
Stage Five: Xiahou Rongyao versus Xie Lan.
Stage Six: Lu Lin versus Xiahou Rongda.
Stage Seven: Pei Yuanshao versus Cui Zhongtai.
Stage Eight: Xiahou Rongsheng versus Pei Yuanjun.
As the showdown matchups were revealed, the four members of the Xiahou Clan displayed various expressions…
Although there were no weak contenders among the Top 16… except, of course, for Lu Yun of the Lu Clan. Nevertheless, there was a clear distinction between the strong and weak among the fifteen.
Xiahou Rongguang and Rongyao’s opponents were quite ideal, so both naturally appeared at ease. However, Xiahou Rongda and Rongsheng ran into tough opponents… Lu Lin of the Lu Clan and Pei Yuanjun of the Pei Clan were both renowned martial arts enthusiasts, already listed on the Black Rank List. Defeating them would naturally require much more effort.
“Just now, the Clan Leader sent a message,” Xiahou Rongguang said in a deep voice to his three brothers. “Our only mission is to advance to the Top 8 together.” He paused, lowering his voice. “Anyone eliminated in this round will face family law upon return!”
“Ah…” Xiahou Rongda couldn’t help but gasp. While he might look down on people from the Lu Clan, he truly couldn’t guarantee he could defeat Lu Lin.
Seeing that the Clan Leader’s grandson had drawn a good match, while he and Rongda were up against tough opponents, Xiahou Rongsheng’s expression grew increasingly grim. Glancing at Xiahou Rongda, who had been fawning over Rongguang with Xiahou Rongyao earlier, he felt a surge of mockery, thinking to himself, ‘What’s the use of all your groveling? At the critical moment, you’ll still be sidelined!’
The mood of the three from the Cui Clan was the complete opposite of the Xiahou Clan. The draws were utterly terrible—Cui Zhongheng and Cui Zhongtai were up against the strongest contenders from the Xiahou and Pei Clans, leaving them with almost no chance of winning. Only Cui Baiyu versus Pei Yuanji had a slightly better winning probability…
“This is truly unlucky…” Cui Zhongheng and Cui Zhongtai said with pale faces. “How did such a good situation this morning turn into this overnight?”
“Since things have come to this, we’ll act according to the circumstances,” Cui Baiyu, however, seemed to understand something. After a moment’s hesitation, he still softly instructed his two brothers, “Be careful not to get injured. We still have the Civil Examination later…” The Cui Clan’s education was always superior to their martial arts. Among the Eight Great Clans, only the Lu Clan’s scholarly achievements surpassed theirs.
“Mm,” the two nodded, their expressions gloomy. “That’s all we can do.”
The Pei Clan’s situation was slightly better. Pei Yuanshao versus Cui Zhongtai had a very high winning probability. Pei Yuanjun versus Xiahou Rongsheng was a fifty-fifty match. Even if Pei Yuanji was at a disadvantage against Cui Baiyu, it wasn’t an entirely hopeless fight!
“Nothing more to say, we fight to the bitter end!” Pei Yuanshao said to his two brothers, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
“Understood!” Pei Yuanji and Pei Yuanjun nodded heavily, knowing they had no choice but to go all out!
The Pei Clan ranked lowest in academics among the Eight Great Clans and could only rely on the Martial Examination to improve their standing. Pei Yuan yan’s elimination this morning was already a significant loss; no further mistakes could be afforded!
The Xie Clan, on the other hand, experienced ice and fire. Xie Lan, facing Xiahou Rongyao, turned deathly pale. Xie Mo, however, drew a jackpot—Lu Yun, who was widely considered the weakest. This was practically a pie falling from heaven.
Xie Mo was so excited he almost laughed out loud, but he had to maintain a straight face and comfort his brother, saying, “Alas, if only we could swap.”
“Then go tell them,” Xie Lan said somewhat irritably.
“This… how can it be changed…” Xie Mo immediately recoiled and said, “Besides, Xiahou Rongyao is not Xiahou Rongguang, you still have a chance of winning…”
“Hmph!” Xie Lan snorted, too lazy to argue with him.
The Lu Clan was a mix of joy and worry. Lu Bai facing Wei Jie was considered an excellent draw… Among the real-time odds rankings at the merchant family’s gambling house, besides Lu Yun being the highest, the next was this Sick Young Master…
Lu Lin facing Xiahou Rongda, the victory or defeat is fifty-fifty. As for Lu Yun facing Xie Mo, it’s not worth mentioning…
As for Wei Clan’s only descendant, Wei Jie, he stood alone in the cold wind, lonely and isolated. Besides the fangirls who liked him, who cared what he was thinking?
“Young Master Wei is too pitiful…”
“I wish I could hold him and comfort him well.”
“With your large chest, you’ll suffocate him.”
“That’s still better than you accidentally hurting him!” The young ladies habitually chattered again.
.
On the high platform, the several Clan Leaders were not surprised by the lottery draw pairings, as this was a result they had colluded to create…
An hour earlier, in Xingyun Pavilion, after the Clan Leaders had their fill of wine and food, Xiahou Ba put down his wine goblet, dismissed his attendants, and looked at them with a smile, as if casually chatting, “Let’s discuss the matchups for the afternoon.”
The Clan Leaders knew the real show was about to begin, so they also put down their cups and chopsticks.
‘As expected, it’s more than just eating and drinking…’ Lu Shang understood in his heart that this was the Xiahou Clan trying to win him over, which was why the Lu Clan was invited to this banquet.
“There are sixteen children in total, and eight spots…” Although it was a discussion, Xiahou Ba had clearly made up his mind long ago and said slowly, “My opinion is that each of us present gets one, and for the remaining three, how about it’s decided by strength?”
“Grand Tutor, this method is excellent! It takes care of each family’s interests while also being fair!” Xie Xun immediately offered flattery, slapping the table and exclaiming, “How did I not think of this?!”
“…” The several Clan Leaders felt a wave of nausea. With such flattery, Xie Xun was truly exceptional. But it was often like this: once Xiahou Ba brought it up, and Xie Xun seconded it, how could anyone else object? Things were settled like that!
“It’s acceptable,” Pei Qiu could only nod. Although he wanted to strive for more, if the Xiahou Clan only protected one, what else could Pei Qiu do?
“I will follow the Grand Tutor’s wishes,” Cui Yan also responded.
“Old Lu, what are your thoughts?” Xiahou Ba looked at Lu Xiang.
“I have no opinion.” Lu Xiang was new here; it was good enough that they included him, so he had no room to be picky.
“Good.” Xiahou Ba stroked his beard and smiled, “Since that’s the case, everyone think about which child to directly advance.” As he spoke, he waved his hand, and Xiahou Bumie, who was standing by, distributed several lists of the Top 16 to the Clan Leaders.
Cui, Pei, and Xie already knew their plans. As for Xiahou Ba, it went without saying; he proposed the entire affair, so he had naturally considered every detail thoroughly.
Only Lu Shang was somewhat caught off guard, frowning as he looked at the names of the three disciples on the list. In principle, it should be decided by strength, and the person with the strongest martial arts should be advanced to the next round; that person would undoubtedly be Lu Lin.
However, Lu Yun was the only disciple of Lu Xian. If he couldn’t advance to the Top 8, not only would Lu Xian’s reputation be damaged, but the Lu Clan’s reputation would also be affected.
And Lu Bai, he was his own grandson…
While Lu Shang was agonizing over whom to choose, others had already spoken.
