Chapter 75: Ye Lang's Weapon (1)

A few days later, in the afternoon, Ye Lang stood in the academy’s dueling arena, facing his opponent with an air of complete composure, as if he had fought countless duels before. Yet everyone knew, this was Ye Lang’s first time in the arena—his first duel!

Since childhood, Ye Lang had always had someone to back him up. Coupled with his reputation as a good-for-nothing, no one ever challenged him. Winning against him brought no glory, and losing was humiliating. Either way, it would only earn one a new batch of enemies! Besides, whenever anyone did try to challenge him, Ye Lang would simply refuse without even a hint of embarrassment or concern for his reputation.

So the very fact that this duel was happening struck many as odd. Why had Ye Lang agreed this time?

To understand, one must go back to that afternoon. While Ye Lang was taking a stroll with Zhen Xiaoyan, a group of people suddenly appeared, blocking their path with an intimidating air, all eyes fixed on Ye Lang.

Ye Lang glanced at the group and said something that left them utterly dumbfounded—

“The teaching building’s to the right, the staff offices are to the left, and the restroom’s in the middle.”

Clearly, Ye Lang’s slow-witted nature led him to think this group was merely lost and seeking directions, not out for trouble. So, after speaking, he simply continued his walk with Zhen Xiaoyan.

“Stop!” After a moment's stunned silence, the group caught up and blocked his way again.

“Are you looking for someone? I don’t know much, but you can go ask over there…” Ye Lang still didn’t realize they were targeting him.

“Ye Lang…” Zhen Xiaoyan couldn’t take it anymore. “They’re here to cause you trouble!”

“Really? Trouble? Do I even know any of you?” Ye Lang looked at the group with genuine confusion.

“You don’t need to know them. It’s enough they know you,” Zhen Xiaoyan replied irritably.

“But there should be a reason. I’ve never offended anyone, have I?” Ye Lang searched his memory for grudges but could find none.

“It’s not that you’ve offended anyone. You’re just too infuriating!” Before the group could answer, Zhen Xiaoyan cut in.

“How is that possible? I’m not unlikable. Fatty, give me a mirror.” Ye Lang reached out for a mirror.

Zhen Xiaoyan was speechless, and the group simply stood there, their brains momentarily short-circuited.

“Well? Hand it over! Stop spacing out!” Ye Lang took the mirror from Zhen Xiaoyan and checked his reflection.

“I may not be handsome, but I’m not exactly punch-worthy either,” Ye Lang said modestly, never one to overstate his looks—just average, not especially attractive.

“Enough talk! Drag him to the arena!” Someone in the group grew impatient. Prolonging this conversation with a blockhead like Ye Lang felt like inviting idiocy upon themselves.

“Wait, you want to duel me? Why?” Ye Lang asked.

“Why? Ask yourself why you monopolize the Seventh Princess!” The pent-up emotion in the group finally burst forth.

“You mean Xiao Qi? I’m not monopolizing her, we just have an engagement,” Ye Lang replied casually, oblivious to how infuriating his words were.

“Ye Lang, don’t get cocky! I challenge you to a duel—I’ll win the Seventh Princess from you!” cried one of the group.

“How boring! Fatty, let’s go.” Ye Lang ignored them, resuming his stroll with Zhen Xiaoyan.

But the group refused to give up, blocking his way again and again until Ye Lang grew, if only slightly, annoyed.

“You’re really persistent. Fine! If you want a duel so badly, meet me in the arena—choose any weapon you like!”

...

“Ye Lang, are you ready?” In the arena, the strongest among the group stood opposite him, sword in hand.

“Not yet, my weapon hasn’t arrived!” Ye Lang replied, finding a spot to sit and wait.

“Your weapon hasn’t arrived? Tell us what you need—we can lend it to you,” someone questioned, suspicious that Ye Lang was stalling for time.

But suspicion was all they had; no one knew what weapon Ye Lang used, because he had never fought with one before!

“This isn’t something you can lend. Just wait a bit, it’ll be here soon!” Ye Lang said with a smile.

Left with no choice, the group waited. They feared that if they didn’t, Ye Lang might simply call off the duel, and after all their efforts to arrange it, they couldn’t afford to lose this chance. Waiting a while longer was nothing.

Soon after...

“Brother, who’s dueling you?” Ye Lanyu and the Seventh Princess arrived, both visibly displeased.

“It’s them. Heh, my weapon’s here. You can get ready now,” Ye Lang stood up, dusted off his hands, and addressed the group.

“It’s you? Why are you challenging him?” The Seventh Princess looked at the group, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes, though still uncertain.

“No need for questions. Just take them all down for daring to bully my brother!” Ye Lanyu declared coolly, unconcerned with their reasons.

“Miss Lanyu, this is a duel between us and Ye Lang. You can’t interfere—otherwise, he’ll never be able to hold his head up again,” the group warned, clearly wary of Ye Lanyu’s interference.

Dueling etiquette dictated that no one interfere before the match was decided, regardless of the reason. To do so would be a lifelong stain on one’s honor.

If it were only her own reputation at stake, Ye Lanyu wouldn’t care, but since Ye Lang was involved, she begrudgingly relented.

“Ye Lang, hurry and get your weapon from your sister. Let’s begin,” called his rival from the arena.

“My weapon? Brother, what do you use? Do I have it?” Ye Lanyu asked, puzzled and a little curious. Like everyone else, she had no idea what weapon Ye Lang used, nor whether she had it in her possession.

The Seventh Princess was equally curious, watching Ye Lang with anticipation.

“All right, listen up! My weapon is—my sister, Ye Lanyu! Sis, go knock him flat!” Ye Lang smiled, then announced slowly.

A stunned silence swept over the arena. No one could comprehend what Ye Lang meant—how could Ye Lanyu be his weapon?

Ye Lanyu was a person, not a weapon. If she counted as a weapon, didn’t that make it two against one? Not just that—even if it were only Ye Lanyu...

Wait a moment...

I think I understand now...