Meng Tao and Shen Li had their weapons unleashed at each other; while Meng Tao had two ether handguns, Shen Li had a giant silver-colored revolver in his hand.
They started an intense battle after Shen Li challenged him to a pure gun-fighting skill contest. The wager between them is simple. If Shen Li wins the contest, Meng Tao will join him, and if Meng Tao wins it, Shen Li will not only compensate him with 10,000 gold coins but will also kneel in front of the whole crowd, asking Chang Bo for forgiveness.
The rules of the contest are also quite simple. They had to strike their opponent. Whether injured or not, it doesn't matter. Just striking the target once would give them a point. When one of them reaches 100 points, they will be declared as the winner.
For fairness, Song Tai himself volunteered to be the referee.
Meng Tao mounted on top of the giant two-headed hound, hoping to give his opponent a tough chance to strike him. But, Shen Li had a wind attribute technique that let him fly in the air.
Moreover, Shen Li, with his higher cultivation, could conjure an energy barrier that blocks energy bullets coming at him. Meng Tao's Qilin energy bullets could break through the skin but it is useless against energy shields.
As a result, Meng Tao fell into a deep disadvantage as time passed by and a majority of the people couldn't help but see him in pity, thinking that the prince was bullying him with his superior cultivation. Others felt like Meng Tao was too arrogant for his own good, trying to fight with an Exalt realm expert with his pitiful cultivation level.
Meng Tao's hit count eventually reached the 90s while Shen Li has yet to be hit even once. It goes without saying that Meng Tao's frustration is at its peak.
The match was almost about to end at any moment and Meng Tao already made his plans on how to hurt Shen Li later on. He knew that he would be defeated at any moment but since the wager was just on joining him and not about staying loyal to the prince, Meng Tao decided to take revenge on Shen Li by ruining his goals even while staying beside him.
There were only four shots left.
*Bang*
As the 97th shot hit him in the shoulder, Meng Tao stopped moving. Shen Li, using his wind-attribute mastery, flew into the air, pointed the silver revolver at Meng Tao's head, and spoke, "I hope you get to your senses by now and work hard for me in the future."
The entire arena went silent, realizing that Meng Tao had finally given up. Many of them couldn't help but become frustrated by how the fate of a commoner still couldn't escape the noble's hand.
*Bang*
The energy bullet exited the revolver and struck Meng Tao's right knee, causing significant injury.
"Ssss..."
Meng Tao hissed in pain but he stood there in silence, with his head hung down, waiting for the end of the match.
*Bang*
As everyone was shocked and turned their heads to look at Mark once again, the latter slowly flew straight and gazed coldly at Shen Li with his hands behind the back, "You really have guts to lay your hands on my servant, Grand Prince Shen Li."
Shen Li gulped his saliva as his eyes met Mark's and he immediately cupped his fists with a bow, "I have not used any underhanded means, Chancellor Lu. Moreover, Mr. Meng agreed to the duel."
Meng Tao hung down his head once again, not intending to meet his eyes with Mark.
However, Mark didn't look at him and directly said to Shen Li, "Who is he to join you? His life is never his in the first place. The moment he swore his loyalty to me by making the oath of blood, he belonged to me. If you want to take him away, you shouldn't fight him but rather it is me who you should fight with. Hence, this duel was never valid."
Shen Li was shocked and he argued, almost like a scream, "That's unfair. If his life was never his in the first place, why did he accept it? I didn't force him or anything. I merely put forth a proposition." He stretched his hand toward the audience, "All these people can testify to my words."
A pin-drop silence filled the arena at once, everyone now had their eyes on Mark and Shen Li.
Many wonder whether this old man is really bold enough to challenge Lu Zhen, trying to bank on his relationship with Shen Niu, who is Lu Zhen's future father-in-law. Since he is an elder of the royal family, Lu Zhen is bound to forgive him in the end. After all, a servant isn't in the same league as an in-law.
However, to their surprise, Mark simply replied, "And why should I care about it? Maybe, you are right and Meng Tao is in the wrong. But, why should I care?" His words were calm but they indicated something else to the spectators, especially to the royal guests.
As Shen Li trembled at Mark's words, the latter raised his hand to conjure an Ice Spear with a thought of his mind and further said, "Moreover, you seemed to have tried killing my other servant Chang Bo, who is not any less than a younger brother to me, and brazenly admit that you didn't feel any guilt on your actions. You are seriously tired of living, aren't you?"
"Ah... Ah..." Shen Li was no longer seen as imposed as before when he took a glimpse at the ice spear hovering above Mark's palms and the latter's words caused fear to every inch of his body. He moved a few steps back involuntarily and felt like he hit some kind of invisible spatial barrier.
King Shen Niu hurriedly got up from his seat and spoke using sound technique to enhance his voice just like Mark was doing earlier, "Xiao Zhen, show mercy upon him. He is family."
"Silence..." Mark roared in response to the request, releasing his aura. His roar caused tremors to the land, shaking the weak souls of the commoners and cultivators alike. Only those with Exalt realm and above cultivation managed to resist it, "Right now, the one in front of you is neither your son-in-law nor the Chancellor of Celestial United Dominion. It is the President of Genesis Enterprises. So, I ask you not to interfere in our business. Or else, you won't like my response."
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Shen Niu too shivered, feeling fear from the person he treated him as his own son for the past year.
He took a glance at his uncle, who was looking at him for help. The King has already known that Mark has become a demigod. It is the reason why he ordered the soldiers to give him such a welcome. It is also why the Kings were forced to visit Lunaris City on an urgent basis.
Hence, Shen Niu put away his pride as a King and cupped his fists with a bow, in front of his own citizens, "Then, I request to spare his life as the King of this nation. The royal palace is willing to compensate Genesis Enterprises in exchange."
Mark stared at him in silence for a few seconds. He glanced at other people and then at Shen Li, "Fine, I'll spare you on account of my company's relationship with the Royal family."
Just as when Shen Niu let out a sigh of relief and hope returned to Shen Li's face, Mark added, "Destroy your cultivation on your own and we will let bygones be bygones."
"Ahhh!"