971 Royal Zodiac Clan Duel Challenge.

A name dull enough that it was easily forgotten. Yet, the simplicity in its name was also a testimony to the straightforwardness of the challenge. A ceremonial duel without any tricks or facades and its sole purpose were to facilitate one condition. 

Granting the winner the territory of the loser.

The rules were just as simple as the name implied. The challenger would throw in their animal statue chess piece as a sign of declaration, and the targeted party would have to accept unless they had the backing of another Royal Zodiac Clan willing to block the declaration. 

As one of the first ground rules set by the Jade Emperor following the betrayal of the Panda Clan, it was a privilege reserved for direct family members of the Royal Zodiac Clans serving as a sort of legal justification to seize the property of others by betting their own.

With the mass disappearance of the Panda Elders, the Panda Conglomerate had been absorbed bit by bit on a day to day basis. It would not be wrong to claim that the Royal Zodiac Clans influence of today was all based on seizing the Panda Clan's solid foundation. Thus, the System had a vested interest in righting this wrong, by taking things back now that such an opportunity had presented itself.

The Tiger Brothers each had a wooden version of the official Royal Zodiac Statue Piece, which displayed them holding partial territories or industries belonging to the Royal Zodiac Tiger Clan. These official duel pieces had been sanctified in the exact manner that the Jade Emperor had ordained, so the challenge was considered as a type of Heaven's Will. 

It took many centuries for the Royal Zodiac Clans to come together once more and sign a treaty agreeing that it was more 'honourable' to negotiate over these regions rather than continue with the 'barbaric' ways of fighting like in the olden days. (They basically were sick of the disorganised mess of acquiring one territory only to lose it the very next week)

Once a challenge was issued, any outside interference was forbidden. Only the challenged party was allowed to change the terms of the duel. Without the backing of a Royal Zodiac Clan, surrender and immediately accept the loss of the duel or fight back and keep their property intact. But those with a Royal Zodiac Clan backing, they not only have the ability to fight back but win the challenger's territory too.

In fact, Yang Rong's action of throwing in his wooden piece was merely an act. As long as Jin refused the younger brother's wish to participate, the fight would become one on one. (Something the younger brother assumed Jin was unaware of)

Jin's new elevated status made it impossible to acquire the Tree Mall through force alone. Any Royal Zodiac Clan that might attempt such a foolish thing out in the open would experience a concentrated strike from the other clans in retaliation… and yet the Tiger Lord had schemed a possible way around it. And that was despite portraying the intention to protect it by having the Tiger Triad flexing its muscles to prevent other underworld triads from being in Jin's territory. (In hindsight toward his scheme, it was as if he was prowling, wanting to keep this Tian Gong district as his own.)

The leading Minor Clan had always showered the Tiger Brothers with gifts and tributes to stay in their favour while paying a reasonable amount of tax, making them one of the regular funders of the Clan. Were it not for them bullying any new blood, they would have been the ideal Minor Clan.

During this year's Clan Meet, Yuan Ba had therefore presented Jin with the opportunity to teach them a lesson in his stead. But given his sons' characters, it had been a given that they would not take it lightly. With his sons agitated enough to protect the Roaring Tigers, it gave the Tiger Clan's Head a justification for their rash actions in front of Jin as well as the other Royal Zodiac Clans.

This way he could continue to play both sides. 

Should Jin win, there was no loss on his side since he had no Royal Zodiac Clan backing him, taking his property away (Especially more so when he was the honorary member of the Tiger Clan in his point of view.) At the very most, Yuan Ba would stay impressed and pretend to punish his kids for being insolent trying to fight with the Dungeon Supplier. In some way, it was a twisted kind of bonding session Yuan Ba had presented to his family to get to learn about the dungeon supplier while trying to learn more of Jin's powers.

And in case the Tiger Brothers would win, he would gain possession of the Tree Mall. He would pretend not to keep it and exchange the life debt he owed Jin by offering him a similar deal where he would pay them tribute, only he was more interested in Jin's technology over any amount of cash! That way, he could subtly squeeze Jin even more despite the kindness he shows. 

Oh, what joy, it's a win win situation.

------

"Do you need my help?" Suddenly Jin heard the question from the open System channel. He recognised the voice immediately as Kong Rong's.

"The System just briefed me about the details of being challenged to a Royal Zodiac Clan Duel Challenge… so I'm guessing you're offering to use your Dragon Clan Statue Chesspiece to help me block the challenge?" Jin queried.

"That's the jist of it. Hu Yuan Ba is not as simple as he may look. The current Tiger Lord is one of the most cunning Tiger Clan Heads that even my grandmother acknowledges. I believe you've been dancing on the palm of his hand ever since you have accepted to massacre his own people." Kong Rong replied.

"While I appreciate the help, if you block it for me, wouldn't you reveal that you've compromised your mission of removing me out of the equation?" Jin questioned.

"Don't worry, I have long since prepared certain contingency plans of my own for such a case. You think I would leave myself vulnerable upon being subjected to such a truth?" Kong Rong answered.

"Actually, Tiny Dragon's help is not required for the fight itself. What the System is about to do might cause trouble for Tiny Dragon more than his current plan." The System suddenly interjected its opinion.

"What do you mean exactly?" Both of them asked continuously, yet while Jin continued to talk in his mind, the two Tiger Brothers had had enough about being ignored. While the elder brother remained calm, the younger brother's temper kicked in.

"Oei! Give us a damn answer. Either fight us now or surrender! I'd suggest you better surrender since you seem to be worried about the incoming hurt and embarrassment! Hahaha!" Yang Rong taunted him into action. If one of his bodyguards would attack them, it would be even better since they would win by default.

"Forgive me, I was just considering whether both your territories would actually be worth it," Jin stated to buy some time while trying to remain calm upon listening to the System's explanation that made Kong Rong go nuts.

"Worth it?! What the hell are you talking about?!" Yang Rong exploded and started to collect his chi into his inner core.

In the meantime, Yang Ling watched all the commotion and decided that the situation would be unfair to Jin. She wanted to throw her own statue piece into the ring to even the odds out, however, when she took a few steps back and prepared for a huge jump, the surrounding bodyguards suddenly tapped on her shoulders and restrained her down. That was when she saw her father's face. 

With a glance, she knew that twisted display of cunningness under that stonewalled face.

"You! You PROMISED you would NEVER trick me again! How dare you USE ME LIKE THAT?! How can you do that to your life saviour?! Just like a leopard doesn't change his spots, your stripes never change too!" Yang Ling cried out in defiance. 

"JIN GET OUT!!!"

"Sorry my little Tigress, but while that guy saved my life and yours indirectly, I cannot allow you to interfere right now." Yuan Ba said solemnly.