One Battle, One Bride

Bloodbound Bet: A Duel for Her Hand

One strike, no blood.

Bullsix's bloodshot eyes burned with fury. Letting out a deafening roar, he charged once more, his massive battle-axe cleaving through the air. But Ronald didn't meet him head-on. His figure flickered, impossibly light, dancing away just as the axe blade bit into empty space.

"You coward! Do you dare face me like a real warrior?!" Bullsix bellowed.

Ronald chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of mockery. "Brother Bull, you're far too fierce for me to handle. How could I possibly dare?"

The arena fell into an eerie spectacle—a rampaging, frenzied brute chasing after a human youth. Every time Bullsix's axe threatened to strike, Ronald would slip away like a shadow in the wind, always just beyond reach.

"What kind of movement technique is that?"

The audience watched, stunned. Bullsix, having taken the Mad Demon Pill, should have been overwhelmingly fast. Yet Ronald moved like a drifting dandelion, impossible to catch, impossible to hit.

On the loft above, Luo Shuihan furrowed her brows, her gaze fixed on the battle below.

The black-robed elder beside her noticed and asked, "Your Highness, do you recognize that footwork?"

Luo Shuihan shook her head lightly. "No."

The elder chuckled. "Interesting. That boy is skilled, though it's a pity he's human. Your Highness has already reached the Spirit Communion Realm—I assumed you might have some insight into his technique."

Luo Shuihan's voice remained indifferent. "This is not a martial art from Yunzhou. The human race was once mighty. Naturally, they have their own legacies. Why should I know them all?"

A sneer broke the conversation.

"Hmph! Cheap tricks," a black-robed youth scoffed. "If he faced me, three moves would be enough to end him."

The elder turned to him with an amused smile. "Yan'er, you are among the best of our younger generation. There's no need to compare yourself with a mere human."

Taking a step forward, the elder peered down at the arena, watching the ongoing chase. Then, with a hint of amusement, he spoke:

"Your Highness, why don't we place a little wager?"

Luo Shuihan's gaze remained calm. "Oh? And what would that be?"

The elder's eyes gleamed. "Let's bet on whether that human boy wins the championship."

A flicker of interest crossed Luo Shuihan's face. She glanced at Ronald, who stood amidst the roaring crowd, utterly composed. A faint smile touched her lips.

"Very well," she agreed.

"Good!" The elder's expression turned shrewd. "If he loses, then once this tournament is over, I ask Your Highness to consider accepting Yan'er's hand in marriage."

"What?!" Li Feiyun, who had remained silent all this time, blurted out in shock. He was about to protest when Luo Shuihan raised a hand, silencing him.

Her voice was calm, unwavering. "Fine. I accept."

A surge of joy flashed in Mo Yan's eyes. His family had long since proposed this match, and Luo Shuihan's elders had already agreed. Yet she had refused time and time again. Now, at last, she was relenting. How could he not be ecstatic?

But then, Luo Shuihan added coolly, "However, if that human wins the championship, I, too, have a condition."

The elder smiled. "Go on."

"If he wins," Luo Shuihan said softly, her fingers brushing the surface of her storage bracelet, "then I shall take him as my husband. And from that moment on, you will never bring up my marriage again. Do we have a deal?"

The atmosphere in the loft tensed.

"What?!" Mo Yan's face twisted in rage. "You would marry a lowly human? No! I won't allow it! I'll go down there myself and slaughter him before that happens!"

The elder's expression darkened. "Your Highness, this is not something to take lightly. Even if I were to agree, your family would never permit such a union."

Luo Shuihan's lips curved slightly, but her voice remained distant. "That is no longer your concern, Elder."

"You used my marriage as leverage against me. Now, I simply return the favor."

The black-robed elder looked at her, then at the roaring crowd below, where Ronald remained a lone, unfazed figure amidst the chaos. After a long pause, his expression hardened.

"Fine," he said at last. "I accept your terms."

"Grandfather!" Mo Yan protested.

The elder raised a hand, silencing him. "Enough. I know what I am doing."

Mo Yan gritted his teeth, glaring daggers at the young man in the arena. His hands clenched into fists, but he said nothing more.

Luo Shuihan, meanwhile, withdrew a black contract scroll from her bracelet. With graceful strokes, she inscribed the terms of their wager in ancient script. Then, with a single drop of blood from her fingertip, she sealed the contract.

The elder and Mo Yan followed suit.

The scroll ignited in black flames, splitting into three streaks of dark light that shot into their bodies. The pact was sealed.

The elder's voice was heavy as he spoke. "Your Highness… I hope you do not regret this."

With that, he turned, leading Mo Yan away.

As they disappeared, Li Feiyun finally found his voice again. "Your Highness… this is too reckless! That human, no matter how skilled, is still just a human!"

Luo Shuihan bit her lip. There was hesitation in her eyes, but also quiet resolve.

"Uncle Yun," she said softly, "you know my situation. My family will no longer allow me to refuse. This was my only choice."

She looked down at the arena again, her fingers tightening slightly.

"And besides…" she whispered to herself, "I have my own plans."

Li Feiyun sighed heavily. His gaze drifted to Ronald—the human youth, clad in his crude, almost comical iron armor, standing calm amidst a sea of warriors.

A wry smile tugged at the old warrior's lips.

What a ridiculous situation.

And yet… he couldn't help but wonder.

Could this human boy actually pull off the impossible?