Chapter 270 - 214: Life-and-Death Duel

"That’s enough paperwork for today." Fang Qingyuan pushed the remaining documents aside and asked calmly,

"That fourth-stage antidote, the Jade Dew Dust Cleansing Pill—where is it now?"

"It’s in the main vault. The elixir just arrived and was recently placed into storage."

"Good. Thank you for your hard work. That’s all for today. I’ll look at the rest tomorrow."

After he finished speaking, Fang Qingyuan ignored his subordinate’s resentful expression, immediately left the Ministry of Affairs, and flew toward the main vault.

"Greetings, Elder. Is there an important matter for your visit?"

The one who spoke was an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator in charge of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect’s main vault. He was one of Zhao Liangde’s trusted men. However, since Fang Qingyuan became Elder of the Ministry of Affairs, the man had kept his distance, clearly not optimistic about Fang Qingyuan’s prospects.

However, he was quite respectful toward Fang Qingyuan, his conduct outwardly impeccable. He was also diligent and responsible, so Fang Qingyuan had no intention of replacing him.

Most importantly, Fang Qingyuan had no suitable Foundation Establishment candidate to take his place. If he removed this man and installed one of his own people—who was only a Qi Refining Cultivator—it would only displease Lechuan.

"I’ve come for the fourth-rank elixir that was just placed in storage, the Jade Dew Dust Cleansing Pill. It’s the return gift from that Qi Yun Golden Core Cultivator. Fetch it for me at once."

Fang Qingyuan quickly stated his purpose, but to his surprise, the vault’s Magistrate looked troubled after hearing his command.

"I dare not deceive you, Elder, but Qu Jianyan, the Elder of Instructor Peak, has already retrieved the Fourth-rank Jade Dew Dust Cleansing Pill."

"What? The Music Master requested that on my behalf! How dare he?"

Anger flared in Fang Qingyuan’s heart, and the words escaped his lips unconsciously. Then, his face darkened. ’Did Qu Jianyan take the elixir without knowing the full story, or did he do it on purpose?’

’If he did it on purpose, could this be a trap he expects me to walk into?’

’Because of something I said, Ling Ziqing, the Elder of Precepts Peak, was stuck wandering outside the sect for a year and a half. He only just returned, and his prestige has dropped considerably.’

’Is Qu Jianyan making a preemptive move to show me he’s not to be trifled with?’

’Should I go to Lechuan about this? Better not. I can’t go running to him every time I get caught up in some scheme.’

’I’m his Closed-door Disciple, but Qu Jianyan is also his disciple, and he’s followed Lechuan for far longer than I have.’

All sorts of thoughts raced through Fang Qingyuan’s mind. Just as sweat was about to drip from the vault Magistrate’s brow, Fang Qingyuan’s expression softened.

"Alright, I understand. You may go. I’m going to find Senior Brother Qu."

After Fang Qingyuan’s figure vanished, the vault Magistrate wiped the sweat from his brow and muttered,

"How has this Elder Fang’s presence become so powerful? I could barely withstand it."

.....

"A rare guest, indeed! Junior Brother Fang, it’s been a long time since you’ve visited me on Instructor Peak."

On Instructor Peak, inside Qu Jianyan’s residence, Fang Qingyuan and Qu Jianyan took their seats. After a servant served them Spirit Tea, Qu Jianyan was all smiles.

’Old fox.’

Fang Qingyuan made his silent judgment of Qu Jianyan, but he put on a false smile and began making small talk.

Half an hour later, Qu Jianyan’s expression had grown a little stiff. He didn’t understand why Fang Qingyuan still hadn’t brought up the real reason for his visit.

An hour later, Qu Jianyan spoke, feigning nonchalance.

"Junior Brother Fang, you didn’t take time out of your day to visit my residence just to chat with your senior brother, did you?"

Fang Qingyuan’s expression turned serious as he asked,

"That is correct. I have to ask, Senior Brother, why did you take that fourth-rank elixir from the vault? Were you not aware that I specifically asked Master to obtain it for me to save my senior sister? By taking it, you have snatched away Jiang Kui’s only hope."

Qu Jianyan chuckled.

"Now, you can’t say that. I spent a great deal of merit and paid a steep price for this elixir, all in accordance with sect regulations. Since the elixir was placed in the vault, anyone who meets the requirements can claim it. You shouldn’t be talking like this, Junior Brother."

Seeing Qu Jianyan use the rules to justify his actions, Fang Qingyuan grew irritated. He had spent the past year focused solely on advancing his cultivation, and no one had even notified him of something so important.

’That vault Magistrate... It seems I must replace him with one of my own. Someone who doesn’t support me, who merely maintains ’fairness,’ is no good to me.’

Realizing this, Fang Qingyuan understood that Qu Jianyan had acted deliberately. He composed himself and asked calmly,

"Senior Brother, what do you want from me in exchange for the elixir?"

Qu Jianyan was direct.

"I want you to voluntarily step down from your position as Elder of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak so I can take it. As compensation, I will let you have my position as Elder of Instructor Peak."

Hearing Qu Jianyan’s words, a flash of disappointment crossed Fang Qingyuan’s mind. ’So it really is just about this.’

But as crude as Qu Jianyan’s methods were, he had indeed seized upon Fang Qingyuan’s weakness. Remembering Jiang Kui’s current condition and her kindness to him in the past, Fang Qingyuan couldn’t bring himself to give up on the Jade Dew Dust Cleansing Pill.

Most importantly, Fang Qingyuan could not swallow this insult.

’You old bastard, I’ve been too easy on you. I wasn’t even planning on dealing with you, but you just had to come looking for trouble.’

"Is there no room for negotiation?"

"None. As long as you’re willing to give up your position, Junior Brother, I guarantee—"

"Enough!"

Fang Qingyuan shot to his feet, cutting off Qu Jianyan’s promise. He took a deep breath, channeled all his Magical Power, and boomed,

"You stole my elixir and plotted for my position! All bonds of brotherhood between us are gone. I have only one question for you: a life-and-death duel! Do you dare?"

Fang Qingyuan’s powerful voice thundered through the hall and out into the open, echoing back from the distant mountains.

"...Do you dare? Do you dare..."

In the Beast Taming Sect, the strong reigned supreme. There was no need to clearly distinguish right from wrong; everything was settled through martial strength.

Having grown up under the influence of the Elder Dean, Fang Qingyuan’s personality was tinged with the doctrines of the Confucian Sect; he preferred using his head over his fists.

But his time as Elder of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak and his clashes with the Spirit Wood Alliance had tempered that disposition somewhat.

This "life-and-death duel" was a time-honored tradition in the Beast Taming Sect, an honorable mechanism for determining right from wrong.

According to the rules of the Beast Taming Sect, high status and righteous words meant nothing once a situation justified a duel. You could make a thousand arguments and be completely in the right, but if you didn’t dare to fight, it was all over. You deserved to lose.

When Fang Qingyuan challenged him to a "life-and-death duel," Qu Jianyan’s face instantly darkened. He never imagined Fang Qingyuan would dare to suggest such a thing.

After all, his cultivation was at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and his Companion Beast was at the same level. As far as he knew, Fang Qingyuan was merely in the Early-stage Foundation Establishment. Even if his cultivation had improved during his year in seclusion, there was no way he could have reached the mid-stage.

Furthermore, Fang Qingyuan’s Companion Beast was only a Tai Chi Bear Beast at the Qi Refining Stage.

Hearing Fang Qingyuan’s voice, the Foundation Establishment Qi Mechanism of one cultivator after another began rushing toward them. A "life-and-death duel" was no small matter; once issued, the challenge could not be rescinded.

Only after numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators had arrived, drawn by the commotion, did Qu Jianyan speak coldly in front of the crowd,

"Why wouldn’t I dare? I accept. Just name the time. I’ll be ready whenever you are."

Meeting the assorted gazes of the crowd, Fang Qingyuan announced in a cold, clear voice,

"Three months from now, at Celestial Gate Mountain. If you win, the position of Elder of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak is yours. If I win, I don’t want your position. All I ask is that you give me the elixir pill right now."

Having achieved his goal, Qu Jianyan was refreshingly direct. He took a Purple Jade Bottle from his storage pouch and tossed it to Fang Qingyuan.

Fang Qingyuan caught it and opened it just a crack. Instantly, a soul-stirring fragrance wafted out, causing everyone present to feel a jolt of clarity.

An elixir so miraculous could only be the Fourth-rank Jade Dew Dust Cleansing Pill. Fang Qingyuan carefully put the pill away, then cupped his fists toward the surrounding Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"Please, everyone, bear witness. In three months’ time, Qu Jianyan and I will engage in a ’life-and-death duel.’ On that day, life and death will be left to fate, with no blame placed on anyone."

After speaking, Fang Qingyuan cupped his fists once more, turned, and flew away, leaving the crowd of cultivators to erupt in discussion.

Within half a day, news of the "life-and-death duel" between Fang Qingyuan and Qu Jianyan had spread throughout Celestial Gate Mountain. From there, it disseminated at an incredible speed across the entire Southern Border Territory.

「Two days later」 The Nanchu Sect received the news; Chu Duo’s expression was one of amusement. 「Three days later」 The Artifact Talisman Alliance heard. Kuai Tong sneered, and Qi Wushuang felt a pang of irritation.

「Seven days later」, betting pools had been set up, and the odds against Fang Qingyuan winning were five to one.