Chapter 168: Chapter 152: Chess Path Duel l

If you lose, you die!

Fire Spirit’s words silenced everyone in the arena.

“How dare you!”

Great Elder Zhou Wenyuan immediately spoke out in anger, sternly saying:

“Do you wish to die?”

How dare they speak to the Saint Heir like this?!

The few Chess Immortal Sect elders behind him also released a strong aura, though somewhat subtle!

But Chen Xuanbei simply waved his hand, blocking them, and scoffed:

“Die? Hehe, do you have the strength to back up your words?”

“I accept your challenge!”

He accepted the challenge!

He had no fear whatsoever!

Having escaped from the Black and White Realm, he was already confident that his path of chess was invincible under heaven and above earth!

Everyone from the Heavenly Realm took a sharp breath!

“Good, this old man will battle with you!”

Among the Three Chess Saints of Tianyan, Bai Yizi spoke first, ready to take action!

Upon seeing this, Chen Xuanbei simply sneered:

“You? Defeat my servant first before you talk.”

He pointed at Jiang Li and said, “Wretch, go play chess with these ants!”

So high above!

Upon hearing these words, everyone from the Heavenly Realm was enraged, unable to contain their anger!

This was too insulting. Bai Yizi was the leader of the Three Chess Saints of Tianyan, a senior after all. But Chen Xuanbei had the audacity to let his servant deal with Bai Yizi?

“You… you! This is bullying too far, too far!”

Bai Yizi was unable to contain his anger.

“Don’t get angry. It’s not that I look down on you; it’s just that you truly aren’t qualified.”

Chen Xuanbei scoffed, then turned to look at Jiang Li, saying, “Wretch, aren’t you coming?”

Jiang Li’s fists clenched tightly, only to slowly release them again.

His face was pale.

Humiliated in front of everyone from both realms…

“Once, when I was a Saint Heir, I never bullied others, I never violated the natural order, I treated people with kindness and benevolence. Why has heaven subjected me to such humiliation…”

His mind was filled with immense sadness.

But he could only step forward.

“Senior… please!”

He looked at Bai Yizi.

Bai Yizi, unaware of Jiang Li’s identity, only saw him as a servant, immediately said in anger:

“Fine, fine! I want to see what gives you the arrogance to act this way!”

“Set up the board!”

Soon, the chess game was prepared!

Both parties sat opposite each other.

Bai Yizi and Jiang Li each took their places at the board.

“Senior goes first, please make the opening move—”

Jiang Li spoke, his voice still respectful despite having been humiliated. But when he sat down before the chessboard, he calmed his heart and forgot the recent disgrace, abiding by the etiquette of the path of chess!

But Bai Yizi was still angry, saying:

“You, a mere slave, if I make the opening move, wouldn’t it be an insult to me?”

Jiang Li sighed and said no more, starting with the black pieces.

Bai Yizi immediately followed, placing his pieces on the board.

After only a dozen moves, Bai Yizi felt a shock in his heart.

“Something’s not right; this kid’s chess skill… it seems, to be somewhat impressive!”

He was a bit surprised.

By the twentieth move, Bai Yizi was extremely solemn!

Because Jiang Li’s momentum was unifying as if to swallow mountains and rivers!

On the twenty-fifth move, Jiang Li reminded him:

“Senior, please be careful; this junior is about to play the ‘Central Plains’.”

At these words, Bai Yizi’s heart tensed. On inspection, the opponent… indeed had already occupied the larger part of the board!

“No…”

He was unwilling, wracking his brain to find a defense!

But on the thirty-second move, there was no more road to travel, and he had to give up and stand up, shaking, saying:

“I… I’ve lost!”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of fresh blood!

He never imagined that one day he would be cornered with no way out by a junior within thirty-two moves!

This… this was a great humiliation!

“The junior had luck on his side! Senior, please don’t be upset…”

Jiang Li got up, wanting to comfort Bai Yizi.

But Bai Yizi staggered back, saying:

“Get away! You are nothing but someone’s servant… I lost, but you won’t humiliate me!”

The other two remaining Chess Saints hurriedly supported him.

Hearing this, Jiang Li’s face twitched slightly, a wave of discomfort in his heart, but he said nothing and silently sat down.

Meanwhile, Chen Xuanbei coldly watched Jiang Li and said:

“Dog servant, don’t flatter yourself. Don’t think I can’t see that with your chess strength, you let that insect have a nine-move advantage. If you dare waste any more of my time, I’ll have you killed.”

Upon hearing this, everyone from the Heavenly Realm was somewhat shocked.

Had Jiang Li given Bai Yizi a nine-move advantage just now?

Was it true or false?

If it was true, that would be terrifying…

One of the three Chess Saints turned to Mu Chenxi:

“Miss Mu, among the three of us, Brother Bai was the strongest. If he was no match for the opponent, there’s no need for us to play. The rest is up to you, Miss.”

Mu Chenxi nodded and said:

“I’ve studied formations, and my chess is merely passable, but I will certainly try my best.”

She immediately came forward to face Jiang Li in the game.

“Miss, please make the first move—”

Jiang Li continued, still following the ceremonial etiquette of chess.

This time, Mu Chenxi didn’t hold back.

She played the black piece, occupying the upper-right corner star point.

Jiang Li followed by placing his piece.

This time, it wasn’t until the forty-first move that Jiang Li spoke:

“Miss’s chess skill is indeed profound. Thank you for going easy.”

After speaking, he placed his final piece.

Mu Chenxi gazed at the chessboard for a long while, only able to sigh deeply and say:

“I’ve lost.”

She rose and stepped back!

Another loss for them!

All those from the Heavenly Realm were now under immense pressure!

At the Dingning Realm Chess Immortal Sect, when Jiang Li won the game, Chen Xuanbei didn’t have any words of praise, but rather said coldly,

“I warned you not to waste my time. Do you think you could fool me by intentionally ignoring her seven flaws?”

“Someone, slap his face, teach this disobedient dog of a slave a lesson!”

Upon hearing this, the Great Elder, Zhou Wenyuan, stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Li.

“You dog of a slave, dare to disobey the Saint Heir’s command!”

He fiercely slapped Jiang Li over a dozen times, and only when Jiang Li’s mouth was dripping with blood did he let go!

Seeing this scene, everyone from the Heavenly Realm was also shocked by the unexpected turn of events.

“This person won two rounds for them, yet they treat him like this…”

“It seems to be true, this person really gave Chess Saint and Mu Chenxi many advantages? But why would he do this?”

“That Chen fellow is really too harsh on his servant!”

Even the people from the opposing Heavenly Realm found it difficult to watch!

After all, although Jiang Li was an adversary, he had the bearing of a scholar, observing the utmost in courtesies.

At this moment, one of the Three Chess Saints of Tianyan spoke,

“Alas, if an opponent is too weak, a stronger player should concede five moves or more, to spare the opponent’s face, as is the ancient etiquette of chess. Who would have thought that this mere slave would actually abide by the old traditions… how unexpected…”

Upon hearing this, the people from the Heavenly Realm were all taken aback.

The other side… was really giving leeway?

This time, everyone was extremely solemn!

This Jiang Li… is but a slave…

Yet he is so powerful…

And what about Chen Xuanbei? What level of skill must he possess in chess?

How can they continue the game?

“I will go.”

At this moment, Little Chess Saint Lu Xing spoke!

With his full head of white hair and a wrinkled face, his eyes nevertheless remained calm as he stepped forward.

“With the Little Chess Saint taking action, perhaps he can defeat him!”

Everyone looked at Lu Xing expectantly.

Lu Xing took his seat.

Upon seeing Lu Xing, Jiang Li actually felt some sympathy, saying,

“Brother… have you ever experienced an ‘Endurance of Life Match’?”

He could tell that Lu Xing had drained his vitality!

This… is generally only seen in those who have faced extremely difficult matches that required one to endure at the brink of life.

“I have.”

In Lu Xing’s brow, there seemed a kind of pent-up energy that could not be dissipated. He extended his hand, somberly saying,

“I am the host, you are the guest, you play first—”

This time, Jiang Li did not refuse.

He took the black pieces.

Both sides continued to play their moves.

All the way to the forty-fifth move!

The game was fiercely contended, neck and neck!

At the forty-sixth move, Jiang Li found a mistake in Lu Xing’s play.

But after hesitating for a moment, he did not take the attack.

Instead, he relinquished a great advantage of the game!

“You damned slave.”

With a wave of his hand from Chen Xuanbei, Zhou Wenyuan immediately stepped forward and lashed Jiang Li across the back with a whip!

The iron whip instantly left a bloody gash across Jiang Li’s back!

“For every move you give him, you will endure one more whip!”

Chen Xuanbei’s voice was as cold as ice!

Yet, Jiang Li clenched his teeth and remained silent.

Lu Xing looked at Jiang Li with surprise.

“Please, continue!”

Jiang Li said through gritted teeth.

Lu Xing said nothing and resumed the game.

But soon after, Jiang Li took another brutal lash!

The third whip!

The fourth whip!

The seventh whip!

The game went on past seventy moves!

Jiang Li’s back was already a bloody mess!

By the ninetieth move, it was nearly a tie, with neither side able to claim victory!

And on Jiang Li’s back were the marks of nineteen lashes, battered and bruised! At this moment, the game was a draw!

Lu Xing took a deep breath as he looked over the board, feeling a sense of relief. The heaviness on his brow seemed to lighten a bit.

He turned to Jiang Li, unable to restrain himself and said,

“Why did you do this? You already won…”

“Brother, you are troubled by chess, your life hanging by a thread… If you find some solace in this game, perhaps you can live… a little longer!”

Jiang Li said, every word deliberate, “You and I… are on par!”

He tried to smile.

But blood instantly flowed from the corners of his mouth!

Upon hearing this, Lu Xing was profoundly shaken!

Looking deeply at Jiang Li, he suddenly bowed deeply and said,

“A chess friend with a Saint’s benevolent heart, Lu Xing… is convinced.”

It came straight from his soul!

Seeing this, people from the Heavenly Realm exchanged glances!

“This young man… although a slave, has the heart of a hero…”

“Adhering to the etiquette of the path of chess is rare, a pity that he is an adversary!”

“Alas, why would such a talent be born in a cruel Sect Gate like the Chess Immortal Sect?”

The Heavenly Realm people couldn’t help but sigh!

At this moment, Chen Xuanbei said even more chillingly,

“Kill him!”

“If he wants to die, let’s fulfill his wish!”

To him, Chen Xuanbei, Jiang Li was nothing more than an object to torment, providing a bit of pleasure!

Now the man dared to disregard his commands, over and over!

Then, let him be killed!

Without hesitation upon hearing the order, Zhou Wenyuan stepped forward with a murderous aura, readying to strike Jiang Li with a palm!

“Brat, you brought this upon yourself!”

With that palm strike, thunder roared and the power was formidable!

Jiang Li was almost certain to die!

“Wait!”

Just then, Fire Spirit suddenly spoke, stepping forward.. In her hand, a vision of Li Tian Divine Palace appeared, blocking Zhou Wenyuan’s strike!