Fang Zhengde, knowing exactly what this sly old fox was thinking, sneered. "He Tianxiong, the agreement regarding the fate of this mine is written in black and white. If you want to earn a reputation for treachery, you are welcome to go back on your word.
"As for Chen Xiaoyou’s strength, it can be verified, but not by you. You can invite the esteemed elders of the four major families to do it, and I will have no objections."
He would never let He Tianxiong perform the inspection, knowing the man harbored malicious intentions.
He Tianxiong’s face darkened. He realized that Fang Zhengde was also a sly old fox; such cheap tricks would not fool him.
At this moment, Ge Jinhua stepped forward from behind him. His deep gaze fell upon Chen Yuan as he spoke loudly, "Since Younger Brother Chen’s strength is so astonishing, I wonder if you dare to fight me? Let me see just how formidable the younger generation is nowadays."
Before Chen Yuan could speak, Fang Minghai had already stepped up. Frowning, he pointed at Ge Jinhua and cursed, "Do you have any shame left, you old geezer? Have you wasted your entire life just to become a rabid dog? With your current level of strength, do you really have the nerve to challenge Junior Brother Chen? If your hands are itching for a fight, how about I spar with you instead?"
It was true that birds of a feather flocked together; Ge Jinhua and He Tianxiong were cut from the same cloth.
Ge Jinhua was not annoyed in the slightest. He chuckled and said, "It is an indisputable fact that my strength has regressed significantly. Right now, I am at the Peak of Bone Refining at best, and my reflexes have also declined.
"You are young and vigorous; fighting me would be bullying. On the other hand, a match with Younger Brother Chen is just right."
As the saying went, martial arts favored the young and strong. Although Fang Minghai only possessed Manifest Force techniques, his Body Refining was nearing Muscle Refining Great Success. Fighting him posed too great a risk. Ge Jinhua’s only true advantage lay in his seasoned experience.
Fang Minghai stopped wasting his breath on the old man and turned to Chen Yuan, speaking softly, "Ignore him. Although this fellow is only at the Peak of Bone Refining—equivalent to Half-Step Iron Bone strength—his physical power surpasses that of an ordinary Bone Refining Great Success Martial Artist.
"Furthermore, he is two dozen years older than you and has abundant combat experience. You have just reached Bone Refining Great Success. There is no need to risk fighting him."
Chen Yuan looked thoughtful. After a moment, he asked, "Senior Brother Fang, is the Fang Family confident in winning this fifth match?"
Fang Minghai smiled bitterly. "It is hard to say. Although you clawed back a victory for us, Junior Brother Chen, the gap in strength still exists. Our chances of winning are less than fifty percent."
The current situation was already highly favorable. Before Chen Yuan arrived, the Fang Family had been ready to forfeit the tournament and surrender the mine entirely.
Chen Yuan asked again, "If the Fang Family secures this mine, will it temporarily alleviate your crisis?"
Fang Minghai nodded. "If we can defeat them and claim the mine, the situation will improve significantly. The family business wouldn’t be so strapped for cash." He sighed as he spoke. Winning would be incredibly difficult. If only he could comprehend Hidden Force, their current predicament would be much better.
Chen Yuan understood and proposed, "Senior Brother Fang, if you trust me, you might as well let me exchange blows with Ge Jinhua. I dare not guarantee a victory, but I have some confidence in forcing a draw."
He figured that since he was already involved, he might as well see things through to the end and help the Fang Family resolve this matter completely. He believed the Fang Family would not treat him poorly. He could use this opportunity to secure the funds needed for his Dragon Sinew cultivation over the coming months.
Fang Minghai’s expression grew solemn as he asked in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Chen, do not force yourself. Ge Jinhua watched your performance in the previous match, yet he still actively challenged you. He is clearly confident. Are you truly certain about this?"
He did not want Chen Yuan to get injured or even lose his life over this.
Chen Yuan smiled faintly. "Rest assured, Senior Brother. I will not joke around with my own life."
A mere Half-Step Iron Bone? Even if the man possessed a true iron bone, so what? The power of the Elephant Bone gave Chen Yuan absolute confidence. As for techniques, a man who had lived this long but only grasped entry-level Hidden Force was likely incompetent and nothing to worry about.
Abundant combat experience? That was perfect. He could use this chance to temper his own skills. At worst, he could rely on defensive counterattacks and simply exhaust the old man to death.
Seeing that Chen Yuan had made up his mind, Fang Minghai was deeply moved. He composed himself and relayed Chen Yuan’s intentions to Patriarch Fang Zhengde.
Fang Zhengde was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. After pondering for a moment, he said slowly, "Since this is Chen Xiaoyou’s decision, I choose to believe and respect him."
He then turned to Chen Yuan. "Chen Xiaoyou, without you, I might have already handed the mine over to them. Therefore, do not place too much pressure on yourself. If you lose, so be it. Your safety comes first."
Chen Yuan nodded. He stepped out of the crowd once more, locking eyes with Ge Jinhua, and said indifferently, "You want to fight me in this final match? Fine, I accept. However, I have one condition."
Feigning weakness was an art. One had to deliberately expose their desires and flaws so the opponent would believe them. It was the same principle he had applied when extorting a sum from the Gu Family before killing Yu Yan.
Ge Jinhua’s pupils shrank slightly. He had not expected Chen Yuan to be so stubborn. Fang Minghai had already pointed out the gap between them, yet the young man still foolishly agreed. Could there be some hidden trick?
He Tianxiong’s expression also shifted as he asked bluntly, "Speak. What is your condition?"
Chen Yuan smiled faintly. "The odds of me losing this match are quite high. I am not a member of the Fang Family. Although they have sponsored me, I have already done my utmost and must consider my own interests.
"Therefore, if you can give me three hundred taels of silver upfront as a fighting fee, I will fight this match with you."
He Tianxiong narrowed his eyes. He didn’t answer immediately; instead, he told Chen Yuan to wait a moment and went to confer with Ge Jinhua. He asked in a low voice, "Brother Ge, what do you think? Are you confident in taking him down?"
A glint flashed in Ge Jinhua’s eyes as he replied quietly, "Patriarch, I was initially worried there might be a trick. But looking at it now, this kid Chen Yuan probably has a little confidence, but not much, and just wants to make a quick buck for himself.
"I have a ninety percent chance of remaining undefeated, an eighty percent chance of winning, and a thirty percent chance of killing him on the spot. I think we should agree to his request. A mere three hundred taels of silver is insignificant compared to the long-term profits of the mine."
Knowing that Chen Yuan was likely only in it for the money gave him even more confidence. It meant the boy wouldn’t fight to the death and would prioritize his own safety. As a result, Ge Jinhua’s odds of winning were even greater.
He Tianxiong nodded and said deeply, "In that case, I will leave it to you. Make sure to kill him during the match. With me here, no one will interfere with you."
He immediately ordered someone to count out three hundred taels of silver, put it into a cloth bag, and toss it to Chen Yuan. He then said nonchalantly, "Brother Chen, here are three hundred taels of silver. Once you verify the amount, the match can begin."
A vicious glint flashed briefly in his eyes. The young man might have the life to take the money, but He Tianxiong wondered if he would have the life to spend it!
Not trusting them in the slightest, Chen Yuan inspected the bag right then and there. Only after confirming it was filled with pure silver did he put it away and say flatly, "In that case, I can fight Brother Ge with peace of mind. Come."
The crowd began to step back once more, clearing a space for the two of them.
Recalling the previous scene, Fang Zhengqing couldn’t help but express his concern. "Brother, Chen Yuan isn’t trying to trade this final match for those three hundred taels of silver, is he?"
There was no need for such a thing. Even though the Fang Family had fallen on hard times, they could still scrape together three hundred taels of silver if they gritted their teeth.
Fang Zhengde’s gaze was profound as he spoke evenly. "Since I chose Chen Xiaoyou, I will not doubt him. Even if he truly traded this opportunity for money, it is what he deserves. After all, this opportunity was won by him in the first place."
Furthermore, there was nothing wrong with Chen Yuan’s reasoning. By winning a match for the Fang Family and killing He Yunhan, the young man had already fulfilled all moral obligations. They had no right to demand anything more from him.