Chapter 8, The Hell Race

"Hmm, whose betrothal gift is this?" Tianxiong asked

Seeing his appearance, Xiao Hao tossed the peach pit that had already turned into a pit into the stream and laughed, "Tian Xiong, it seems you never come to the Three Treasures Hall without a purpose. If there is anything you need help with, just say it"

"Qi Ruhong could not withstand even twenty moves, but Tianxiong has great potential." Xiao Hao unconsciously developed a hint of confidence in his friend and whispered to the crowd: "If he can block even one of my sister's Seven Absolute Swords, perhaps my sister will show him some leniency."

Upon hearing these words, Tianxiong's heart began to beat excitedly. He raised his head in excitement and looked at Xiaohau. Xiaohau's gaze was filled with sincerity and concern, which warmed Tianxiong's heart slightly

If this can truly happen, it would be a significant event for Iron Sword Village, almost akin to a legend, all the youths said eagerly

"Have you seen those betrothal gifts?" Xiao Hao pointed to the pile of gift boxes in the corner

"There is no need to compete with my sister! She is the kind of monster who, even if given a hundred dragons, can still subdue them completely." Xiaohao sighed as he spoke.

Xiaofu is aptly named, as she is as beautiful as a hibiscus flower blooming in the wind, captivating and intoxicating. Her skin is not as dark as that of her twin brother, but rather pure and radiant, dazzling to the eye. A pair of crescent-shaped, enchanting eyes emit a calm and clear light. The only aspect that seems somewhat discordant with her astonishing beauty is the air of disdainful mockery that lingers at the corners of her mouth

The moment you saw her, you were filled with affection, and she too fell in love with you at first sight. You resolved to bring her back to Ranger Island as your bride, and she decided that she would marry no one but you in this lifetime. Xiaohau's gaze had already drifted far away, and Tianxiong was certain that a woman of extraordinary beauty must have appeared before his eyes.

"Of course," Xiao Hao quickly replied, "but Father gave it to my twin sister. Do you know my sister? She is the renowned Xiao Fu, the first person of the Iron Sword Workshop."

What are you doing here? Xiaofu's tone grew increasingly cold

"He is breathing as if he has asthma; it seems he cannot hold on any longer," a young man said softly

Not only does Tianxiong require emergency physicians, but it also needs psychological counseling

At this point, he sighed with emotion, "This is truly a legendary tale that is rarely encountered on Hero Island in a thousand years. I, Xiao Hao, am extremely honored to be a witness to this legend and to be a part of it." He patted Tian Xiong's back firmly, "Good brother, this time, even if it means going through fire and water, I will help you obtain the maneless horse."

"I laugh at the things of the young lady, only lending them to true strong individuals, especially this time you are borrowing my beloved, the maneless horse. If you do not possess the strength I recognize, do you think you can control it?" Xiaofu nonchalantly picked up the tea in front of her and took a shallow sip.

Tianxiong and Xiaohai exchanged a glance that said "this is a big problem," and beads of sweat began to form on both of their foreheads

The laughter from the side seemed to be on the verge of fainting upon hearing this statement, continuously rolling his eyes.

"Xiao Xiong, your imagination in this regard is particularly rich," Tian Xiong sighed.

Yes, Tianxiong said honestly

Tianxiong and Xiaohai looked at each other in terror, both wanting to hit their heads hard, blaming themselves for forgetting such a crucial event

"Alright, since Miss Xiao has said so, I, Tianxiong, will accompany you to the end. Please feel free to instruct me on the first item, no matter what it is." With this resolution, Tianxiong suddenly felt a wave of relief, and his tone naturally carried the usual boldness.

A sudden, muffled sound of a sword's cry echoed throughout the Xiao family, causing Xiao Hao and the surrounding youths to involuntarily shudder at the same time

At the moment when everyone was filled with anticipation, the sword wind in the courtyard suddenly ceased, and the surroundings instantly became as silent as death

Xiaohao heard the news of Tianxiong's visit and welcomed him all the way from the sword training ground in the town center to the orchard at the village entrance, leaving the long-traveling Tianxiong quite flattered. The two exchanged a few pleasantries and soon felt as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years. Xiaohao simply spread his cloak on the ground, picked a large pile of fruit from the trees by the stream, and together with Tianxiong, they enjoyed the fruits and discussed swordsmanship, experiencing an indescribable sense of joy and leisure. Tianxiong tried his best to engage with Xiaohao's topics, but his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the dragon beast, making him somewhat absent-minded.

"I really have an urgent matter. I want to go to the human world, hey, I must go to the human world, and I need to go as soon as possible," Tian Xiong said in a deep voice

Tian Xiong glanced at Xiao Hao and asked with his eyes, "Is she calling you useless, or is she referring to me"

Tian Xiong fell heavily to the ground.

"It can't be that impressive!" Tianxiong's heart began to race again.

"Your sister has unleashed the Three Absolute Swords!" a young man said to Xiaohai while listening intently.

"Indeed! ... After the Nine Absolute Swords comes the Ten Absolute Swords, that is..." Before Xiaohai could finish speaking, he saw Tianxiong had already collapsed straight onto the bed.

At that moment, a figure in tattered clothing soared high into the sky from the inner courtyard, emitting a whistling sound akin to that of fireworks ascending.

Upon seeing Tianxiong wake up, Xiaohao quickly shook his head, regained his composure, stepped forward to support him, and whispered: "Tianxiong, well done, you actually managed to receive all of your sister's Five Absolute Swords. ... It's a pity you couldn't receive a single strike from the Seven Absolute Sword; otherwise, who knows ... . ... Alas."

"Yes, yes! Sister, in fact, we are tied. Well, I still have a slight advantage." As Xiaohao spoke the last part, he felt his upper and lower lips starting to twist together.

"Sister Fu, I truly have an urgent need to borrow the hairless horse this time. Could you kindly grant me this favor and lend it to me? We can forgo the competition." Tianxiong pleaded softly.

"Is there still a set of Ten Absolute Swords?" Tian Xiong felt his pupils dilate painfully.

These spirited young men were compelled by their sister to start with swordsmanship, competing in various disciplines such as boxing, kicking techniques, hidden weapons, internal energy, and lightness skills, until they reached the final item of the eighteen weapons. The competition lasted for over a month, during which these individuals transitioned from being full of confidence to losing faith, then falling into pessimism and despair, ultimately feeling worse than death. After completing the final event, Li Bashan fainted on the spot and did not awaken until a year later, thereafter retreating to the mountains to become a woodsman. After leaving Iron Sword Village, Long Tianwang drank heavily for three years, eventually traveling to the Mysterious Ocean to become a fisherman. The most pitiable was Qi Ruhong, who, after losing to his sister in the swordsmanship competition, wished to withdraw gracefully but was forced by his sister to complete the final event. He attempted suicide three times but was saved by me each time. He recuperated in Iron Sword Village for two years, ultimately becoming a monk under the dim light of an ancient lamp.

"The Five Absolute Swords!" everyone murmured in a low voice

"Do you have an urgent need?" Xiao Hao asked with lingering fear, "If it’s not urgent, I advise you to quickly dismiss this thought!"

"Seven Absolute Swords!" the crowd exclaimed in unison.

The sound of blades clashing in the inner courtyard varied in intensity, sometimes resembling a rapid succession of firecrackers, at other times like rain striking a pipa. Occasionally, the anxious and furious shouts of Tianxiong could be heard, interspersed with the calm and leisurely laughter of Xiaofu.

In fact, Sister Fu, this time I...

"Young Master, should we have those physicians on standby at all times?" the steward of the Xiao residence whispered as he approached Xiao Hao.

"Ah?" Xiaohai's face immediately turned pale, "Could it be that maneless horse?"

"In fact ... . ... The essence of the fencing competition lies in participation; winning or losing is not important." Tianxiong explained with a forced smile, discreetly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

The Iron Sword Workshop is located by the Luoying Stream, which is situated in the outskirts away from the Biyun Heavenly Pool and Biyun City. Along the stream, a town and villages have been built in a staggered manner, with fields interspersed. The banks of the stream are lined with lush peach, pear, and apricot trees, as well as fragrant osmanthus trees. The aroma of the dishes from the town's restaurants mingles with the fruity fragrance wafting through the woods, creating an intoxicating atmosphere.

Indeed! Indeed! Friendship comes first, competition second! This time, Tianxiong and I truly became acquainted through our clashes, haha. Xiaohai's smile has completely lost the carefree and unrestrained demeanor he had during the duel at the Drunken Sword Inn

"That's not right! Why do the people in your guild always tell me that she is the most beautiful woman, but never mention that she is the top person in the Iron Sword Guild?" Tian Xiong asked in confusion

***

"Are you really Tianxiong?" Xiaofu interrupted him impatiently

"No, no, I did not defeat Brother Xiao; it was merely a coincidence, haha, just a coincidence," Tian Xiong hurriedly said

I understand," Xiaohao immediately interrupted him, "Let me guess, there is a stunningly beautiful woman in the spirit mirror.

The backyard of the Xiao family is filled with various exquisitely decorated gift boxes, as well as many withered and wilted flowers. These items create a sense of incongruous disorder in what was originally a tidy courtyard

"Xiao Fu!" Tian Xiong's pupils immediately dilated, "She is the most beautiful woman of Iron Sword Workshop, and we at Drunken Sword Workshop have all heard of her.

When Tianxiong woke up from his coma, he found himself completely wrapped in bandages. Xiaohai was sitting upright in front of him, his head slightly nodding forward, as if he were dozing off.

"Well, she indeed takes pride in the Seven Absolute Swords, but if we are to speak of her greatest achievement, it should be her Ten Absolute Sword Techniques!" Seeing that Tianxiong was in good spirits, Xiaohai couldn't help but feel relieved and began to speak at length.

"Then let's have a sword duel first!" said Xiaofu casually. "Xiaohao, you take your good friend to Iron Sword Village to have some fun, and we will start the competition tomorrow"

However, I have considered your sister's words, and they do make sense. If I do not possess the ability to control the divine dragon, then having the mane-less horse would be of no use at all

Tianxiong struggled to sit up straight and said to Xiaohai, "Sister Fu's first move of the Seven Absolute Swords is truly formidable. I couldn't see the direction of the sword at all, and I was knocked away before I even heard the sound of the wind. This must be her most proud sword technique"

"Compared to others, it's quite good; Sister Fu's Five Absolute Swords are not to be taken lightly," another young man said with considerable admiration

"Li Bashan, Qi Ruhong, and Long Tianwang are all figures among the Ten Heroes of the Rogue Island. Are they not also a match for your sister?" Tianxiong asked incredulously, addressing the librarian.

"That makes sense!" Upon hearing this from Xiaofu, Tianxiong nodded slightly in agreement. Indeed, if he did not possess the ability to control the divine dragon, even if he were to obtain the mane-less horse, it would be of no use.

"Borrow a horse, he came to borrow our maneless horse." Xiao Hao quickly chimed in.

"Cough, Brother Tian, in fact, apart from their slight resemblance in appearance, twins are completely different individuals in every other aspect"

"Oh, one could say that it is a young and beautiful woman," Tianxiong added somewhat awkwardly, deliberately emphasizing the word 'young' with unusual weight.

Tian Xiong chuckled wryly, scratched his head, and said: "Actually, I came this time to borrow the dragon beast from your family."

"Are you the one who defeated my brother, Xiaohua?" Xiaofu's tone was cold and severe

***

Looking at the cluttered items, Xiao Hao sighed with a myriad of emotions, suddenly turning to Tian Xiong and saying, "Brother, why did you casually agree to the sister's challenge? I was already prepared; if soft persuasion doesn't work, tonight I will sneak it out with you."

Our situation is quite difficult! " Xiaohao scratched his head and said, "For so many years, a large group of men from the Iron Sword Workshop have been suppressed by delicate women to the point where we cannot hold our heads high. It is quite embarrassing, so everyone is evasive on this issue, just trying to get by. As for me, the champion from last year, I would never have been able to achieve this if my sister had participated in the competition.

"What are you going to do?" Xiaohao asked. "Is it something significant? Do you need my help?"

"So I guess I was right; this is the reason you didn't want me to go." With a hint of narcissism, Xiao Hao gently stroked his cheek and smiled, saying, "You should have more confidence in yourself."

Suddenly, a continuous series of clashing sounds of weapons echoed one after another, so densely connected that, to the ear, it seemed like a prolonged note

Xiao Hao quickly pointed to himself and nodded

After hesitating for a long time, Tianxiong let out a long sigh from the bottom of his heart, pretended to shake his head casually, and said: "It's nothing, it's just that one day I saw a spirit mirror that connects with the human realm, so..."

I... I want to borrow... Tianxiong was completely intimidated by Xiaofu's imposing presence, as if his tongue had been frozen, rendering it unable to move flexibly

"Yes." Tianxiong had no choice but to answer honestly

***

"This is too much," Xiao Hao rubbed his hands together, "Why doesn't she just use the Seven Absolute Sword and quickly end this competition? She is clearly toying with Tian Xiong."

"And the book, however, since she is the twin sister of Xiao Xiong, " Tian Xiong already felt that things were a bit unfavorable, but still tried to think positively, " she should be as warm-hearted as Xiao Xiong!"

Indeed! The young master Li Bashan from Tianjian Village, the first young master Long Tianwang from Longjian Village, and the first divine sword Qi Ruhong from Shuangjian Village have all come to seek my sister's hand in marriage. With a sigh of nostalgia, I, Xiao Hao, lament that they are all renowned masters I have long heard of, yet they have all met their demise at my sister's hands

Hearing the resolute tone in his words, Tianxiong's heart began to feel uneasy. "Xiao Xiong, is the maneless horse really from your family?"

On the day of the competition between Xiao Fu and Tian Xiong, although the inner courtyard of the Xiao family was off-limits to outsiders, the outer courtyard was filled with curious youths from Tie Jian Village who had come upon hearing the news, as well as physicians preparing to administer emergency aid. Xiao Hao and a few close friends anxiously paced back and forth outside the inner courtyard, feeling restless and unsure of what to do.

"A true man accepts defeat as defeat and victory as victory. To use clever words to disguise the truth and to offer numerous excuses is truly worthless!" said Xiaofu coldly

"Oh, you want to borrow my maneless horse." A hint of an elusive smile appeared in Xiaofu's eyes, "Let me organize my thoughts first. You, Tianxiong, defeated my family’s Xiaohai, causing our Xia family to lose such a significant figure at the Drunken Sword Workshop, and then you brazenly came to our Xia family’s doorstep, sat in the boudoir of our Miss Xia, pointed at my nose, and demanded my favorite maneless horse."

"Fist techniques, leg techniques, sword techniques, internal skills, lightness skills, hidden weapons, we will slowly compete in all eighteen types of weaponry. If you can defeat me in any one of these, you may take anything from Miss Xiaojie that you desire, including the hairless horse." Xiaofu seemed to completely disregard the words of Xiaohai and Tianxiong, speaking confidently with an air of invincibility.

The sound of the fierce long sword and cloak resounded thunderously in the inner courtyard, with the clear whistle of laughter and the cries of cranes rising higher and higher, while Tianxiong, surrounded by the sword's edge, had already begun to gasp for breath.

"My sister is indeed a great beauty, but the rumors from your side are somewhat distorted. In fact, she holds the top position in the Iron Sword Workshop in boxing, swordsmanship, leg techniques, internal skills, lightness skills, and hidden weapons, and she is unmatched in all eighteen types of weaponry aside from swordsmanship. She is the foremost figure in the Iron Sword Workshop; being the foremost figure does not mean being the most beautiful, but rather signifies being the all-around champion." Xiao Hao spoke in a rapid-fire manner. "She is the foremost figure in the Iron Sword Workshop; being the foremost figure does not mean being the most beautiful, but rather signifies being the all-around champion." Xiao Hao spoke in a rapid-fire manner.

At this point, Xiao Hao felt a deep sense of reluctance in his heart and unconsciously let out a sigh