Chapter 563: Lost

Gu Jinli watched Elder Qin’s retreating back and asked Qin San Lang, "What did you do at the Prefecture garrison?"

Qin San Lang, seeing her inquire, did not hide it from her and said, "I asked Vice General Lan to change Er Lang’s orders."

Gu Jinli laughed, indeed, Qin Er Lang was about to leave.

"He must be furious right now; you should be careful." She had heard from Brother Cheng that yesterday, not only had Liang Zhuzi come, but a soldier had also visited the Qin family, surely to deliver Qin Er Lang’s new orders.

Brother Cheng also said that after the soldier left, he heard several loud bangs from the Qin family home, guessing that Qin Er Lang was so angry that he was punching walls, not caring if he brought down the house’s crumbling walls.

And yesterday, when Luo Huiniang went to the old well to draw water, she encountered Qin Er Lang. Before she could greet him, Qin Er Lang smashed a stone by the well, scaring Luo Huiniang badly, to the point she dared not even say hello.

Brother Cheng had witnessed all these events and specifically warned Gu Jinli, "Brother Er Lang’s temper is getting worse, he’s almost going mad. Second Sister, you should stay away from him for now, wait until he calms down after this."

Look, even Brother Cheng knows Qin Er Lang is about to burst with anger; Qin San Lang’s return home this time may be terrible.

Gu Jinli took out two packets of medicine and handed them to Qin San Lang, "These are new poisons I’ve concocted; the white paper-wrapped one is the antidote, you should take it now. The yellow paper-wrapped one is the poison... if you’re in danger, don’t hesitate to use it."

Qin San Lang looked at the two packets in his hand and laughed, handing them back to Gu Jinli, "Er Lang and I haven’t reached that point yet, Xiao Yu, don’t worry."

Despite Er Lang’s many faults, he is still his sworn brother. They had grown up together since childhood, and if possible, he would never want to use poison on him, nor would he ever want to kill him.

Seeing that he wasn’t accepting it, Gu Jinli didn’t insist and instead put away the medicine, cautioning him, "Be careful then, don’t let him get to you."

Qin San Lang replied, "This time, I won’t."

Tonight, neither of them would hold back; a life-gambling contest was inevitable.

He said to Gu Jinli, "Go back, Xiao Yu. I’ll appear fine in front of you tomorrow, don’t worry."

The sky was dimming, only a hazy moonlight spilled down. Gu Jinli looked at Qin San Lang’s face, his visage full of determination and confidence; it seemed there wouldn’t be any problems. She nodded and said, "Then I’ll go back."

Qin Er Lang carried an aura different from Qin San Lang, a cold and murderous aura. Qin Er Lang was like a bloodthirsty demon, capable of anything. Because Qin San Lang was sentimentally attached, Gu Jinli worried that he would be at a disadvantage.

"Okay, go back," Qin San Lang watched Gu Jinli enter the Gu Family courtyard before he took steps towards the Qin family.

Before reaching the gate, he stopped.

Qin Er Lang was standing at the entrance, his piercing eyes fixed on him, "Go to the mountain."

If they fought here, several households would hear it.

Qin San Lang didn’t object and nodded, "Fine."

Hearing his unfluctuating tone, Qin Er Lang grew even more annoyed. He really couldn’t understand; how did San Lang’s temperament become like this? How could it be so consistently smooth and without ripples, not at all like his father and Er Lang.

Those two always spoke with emphatic intonation, as if wanting to express all their emotions through their voice. Unlike San Lang, whose calm speaking tone could infuriate a person.

The two brothers, one after the other, entered the mountain. Once inside the mountain, Qin Er Lang, without a word, drew his Gou He Blade and slashed at Qin San Lang.

Qin San Lang frowned, disliking Er Lang’s use of the Gou He Blade. This Murdering Knife, snatched from the hands of river bandits and used as a personal weapon, could only increase the malicious energy.

He didn’t allow the knife to distract him but immediately retaliated.

Clang clang!

In the mountains, under the cover of night, a chilling breeze swirled as the sounds of clashing weapons echoed all around.

The two brothers fought for who knows how long, from the deep of night until the break of dawn, when the outcome was finally decided.

Swoosh!

Qin San Lang’s long blade slashed towards Qin Er Lang’s chest, cutting a gash, then with a kick, he knocked him over. His movements were as fast as lightning, elbow striking and pressing down on the wound on his chest, his blade twisting to his neck, laughing and saying, "Brother Er Lang, you’ve lost."

Qin Er Lang, infuriated beyond measure, attempted to roll over and continue the fight, but Qin San Lang naturally possessed greater strength and with the blade at his neck and his elbow pressing on the wound, there was no chance for him to turn the tables.

He lost, defeated by Qin Family’s third son!

Qin San Lang looked at him and asked, "Brother Er Lang unsatisfied? Feeling ashamed about losing to me?"

Qin Er Lang’s thoughts were seen through, and with a cold snort, he said, "You merely used your greater strength to win."

If he had lost to Qin Family’s Young Master, he wouldn’t feel this disgruntled, as the Young Master had always been stronger than them. But the Young Master was dead, and the person before him now was Qin Family’s third son!

Qin San Lang gazed at Qin Er Lang, the blade in his hand moved slightly, cutting an inch of skin on Qin Er Lang’s neck.

Qin Er Lang was terrified and in disbelief, he said, "You actually want to kill me!"

Qin San Lang shook his head, "No, I will never harbor the intention to kill Brother Er Lang."

He tossed aside the long blade and stood up, extending his hand towards Qin Er Lang, "I just wanted to show Brother Er Lang that there is always someone better. Arrogance, underestimation, and cruelty will be the death of Brother Er Lang."

Qin Er Lang looked at the hand extended towards him, slapped it away, and got up on his own, "You’ve won, of course everything you say sounds reasonable."

Hearing this, Qin San Lang didn’t get angry but stepped forward, putting pressure on Qin Er Lang, staring at him and asking, "What is it that Brother Er Lang wants? Do you want revenge, or do you strive for greater achievements?"

Qin Er Lang was startled, "What are you talking about? Of course, I want revenge."

Qin San Lang laughed and pursued the question, "Is that all? The ambitions of Brother Er Lang surely go beyond just that."

Qin Er Lang remained silent upon hearing this, simply glowering at Qin San Lang.

Qin San Lang didn’t need his answer and continued where he left off, "Whether Brother Er Lang wants revenge or a higher status, underestimation, arrogance, cruelty, and the love of killing are unwise."

"Those who underestimate their enemies will surely die by their hands; those who are fond of killing will inevitably die by the hands of others; the cruel ones can never win people’s hearts; the arrogant ones are doomed to complete and utter defeat."

"If Brother Er Lang wants to succeed, you must rid yourself of these faults, be benevolent at heart to win people’s support and attract talents from all quarters."

"I won against Brother Er Lang today to tell you that your arrogance and underestimation were your downfall. Tonight, your opponent was me, I spared you, but had it been your nemesis, would you still have your life?"

Qin San Lang looked at Qin Er Lang earnestly and continued, "I will never kill Brother Er Lang. Tonight’s battle was out of necessity; Brother Er Lang was about to leave, and I feared that your temperament would lead to your ruin. That’s why I defeated you, shamed you—all for your own good, to give you a wake-up call."

After speaking, he once again extended his hand towards Qin Er Lang.

Qin Er Lang had lost the duel today and had been lectured thoroughly by Qin San Lang, revealing his inner thoughts, which was extremely displeasing... but as San Lang had said, he did all this for Er Lang’s own good.

"Even so, there was no need for you to go behind my back and change the orders, you could have told me first."

Qin San Lang smiled, "If I had told you beforehand, would Brother Er Lang have listened?"