Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 89 - 13 The Struggle Between Trash and Master_2

"I don't care about that woman's background, but I need to remind you that you are now the deputy leader of the Rebellion Mercenary Group. In Ni Huo's absence, you are the first in command. Don't forget the rules of the mercenary group; if you want to live in peace, you must command respect!" Old Teluo stopped Ni Qianjun with a stern look.

The survival rule in the Mercenary World: the one with the bigger fist is the boss, the one with the smaller fist is the underdog.

The leather sails of the Fire Dragon Sail were raised high, and the piercing wind high in the sky made Rebellion's group flag rustle loudly, stretching it taut. The two people on deck were like two javelins, holding their ground against each other.

Outside the cabin, dozens of new and veteran mercenaries gathered, divided into several factions.

The Blue Crystal Mercenary Group and Lihua Xue stood together, looking gleeful at the disaster.

On the side of the Rebellion Mercenary Group, they were also divided into two factions, with the majority of people cheering for Feng Buhui.

Only a few old mercenaries who had dealt with Yue Jinghua before were somewhat awkwardly gathered behind her.

"The duel was proposed by me, you can decide the content; we can have a contest of the arts or a contest of martial skills. Alchemist Yue is a woman, if we are to have a martial contest, I can let you make three moves," Feng Buhui said with pride, and the cheers from the surrounding mercenary brothers, along with the affectionate gaze from Lihua Xue, made him feel as if he had boundless strength.

Feng Buhui's confidence was not arrogance. Just yesterday, he made a breakthrough with the crossbow he had been practicing hard. He mastered the Handy Crossbow, which with his Dark Earth Small Achievement level, could fire five crossbow bolts at once.

The so-called contest of the arts is to use one's own equipment to target and compete, using only Dark Power and not injuring the muscles and bones.

The martial contest, on the other hand, involves combining weapons with hand-to-hand combat. These kinds of duels often involve real swords and guns, and a moment of carelessness can lead to casualties.

Unless there is deep hatred among the mercenaries, duels are generally conducted in the form of contests of the arts.

Feng Buhui is known in the Rebellion Mercenary Group as the "Divine Crossbow." In a martial contest, not one of the mercenaries present would dare to confront him head-on.

As for Yue Jinghua's fighting skills, no one knew for sure, but one thing was certain: she had obtained the rank of a Two-star Mercenary, which meant that she had at least the Cultivation of the Dark Jade or equivalent. However, compared to Feng Buhui, who had achieved Dark Earth Small Success, she was ultimately one level behind.

"I am not skilled in Dark Techniques, so martial combat is out of the question. Let's have a contest of the arts. As for the content, the guest will follow the host's wishes. Let's go for shooting the crossbow, limited to three shots, targeting the Flying Profound Beasts that pass by the ship. The one who shoots down more Dark Beasts wins," Yue Jinghua said, and as soon as the words left her mouth, there was an uproar on the ship.

Feng Buhui's weapon was a Hand Crossbow, which Yue Jinghua had seen him use once. That crossbow, made of tungsten steel and ironwood core, was of the heavy type that could be drawn with a hundred pounds of force, equipped with ten bolts. With Feng Buhui's arm strength, he could secure the crossbow with his left hand and load bolts with his right, allowing him to fire multiple shots consecutively.

Ni Qianjun and Old Teluo, who had just arrived at the cabin entrance, also froze upon hearing this. Was Yue Jinghua being foolish or naive? Feng Buhui was skilled with the crossbow, yet she insisted on choosing the crossbow.

Feng Buhui had offered to let her make three moves, but she had said three shots would decide the winner.

Feng Buhui, who was originally full of self-confidence, couldn't hide his glee upon hearing Yue Jinghua's proposed contest, "Alright, let's do it your way. We'll target that flock of Crow Pheasants a hundred meters away,"

Even Old Teluo, who was known for his straightforward nature, found it difficult to watch this kind of competition. As he was about to speak up, Ni Qianjun, far from being angry, smiled instead, his eyes blazing as he looked in Yue Jinghua's direction.

"Hold on, let's not be hasty. Since it's a contest, there are winners and losers. What happens if one loses or wins?" Yue Jinghua had already noticed Ni Qianjun and she quickly winked at him.

"Alchemist Yue, you were invited by the vice-captain, and Feng Buhui should treat you with courtesy. But given that your treatment clearly does not match your cultivation level, Feng Buhui has stepped forward to challenge you on behalf of his brothers. If he loses, from then on, he will treat Alchemist Yue with respect and will not dare to contradict you. If he wins, Feng Buhui would ask Alchemist Yue to vacate the guest room and give it to Miss Lihua Xue," Feng Buhui felt somewhat ashamed now that Yue Jinghua had mentioned a crossbow contest, but as he was now representing the other mercenaries of the Reversed Fire Mercenary Group, the greater his chance of winning, the better for him, so he did not object to Yue Jinghua's terms.

"Such terms for winning and losing are unacceptable," Yue Jinghua suddenly took a quick step forward, closing in on Lihua Xue, "Since Miss Xue stands to benefit from the outcome, it stands to reason that Miss Xue should also offer a stake. If I lose, I will follow Miss Xue's wishes and promptly leave the Fire Dragon Sail. But if I win, should Miss Lihua Xue also make the same promise?"

To anyone with clear eyesight, this contest was seemingly incited by Feng Buhui, but in reality, Lihua Xue was the hidden instigator.

Lihua Xue's facade was pierced with a single comment, her face turned red with embarrassment and she angrily stepped forward, "You have no chance of winning. Others might not know it, but I've thoroughly investigated your background. A person with a damaged Dantian and not even a Dark Human, dares to boast about winning and losing."

"What's the matter? Lihua Xue of the Blue Crystal Mercenary Group, you're not a coward who's afraid of admitting defeat? You can't even dare to compete with a cripple?" Yue Jinghua's tone was mocking and taunting, like two sharp blades, making Lihua Xue utterly uncomfortable. She raised her head and blurted out, "Who says I can't afford to lose? If Feng Buhui loses, I will immediately leave the Fire Dragon Sail."

"Words alone aren't solid proof. Today's contest is witnessed by everyone here. I would like to ask this esteemed and respected sir to be our witness," Yue Jinghua got exactly what she wanted from Lihua Xue and she turned towards the crowd, gesturing an invitation with her hands.

The mercenaries only then noticed that both Ni Qianjun and Old Teluo had come out of the cabin, standing among the crowd.

However, the person Yue Jinghua had requested was not Ni Qianjun, the highest-ranking person aboard, but Old Teluo standing behind him.

If she had asked Ni Qianjun to act as witness, it might have seemed biased, but by choosing Old Teluo, none of the mercenaries, neither the new nor the seasoned ones, could have any complaints.

Old Teluo nodded with a smile; in just a few words, he had already changed his opinion about Yue Jinghua. This female mercenary, despite her young age, had a clear and shrewd mind. He looked into the distance, seeing two flocks of black dots approaching from afar.

The Crow Pheasants, Third-stage Flying Profound Beasts, small as bees, agile and fond of moving in groups.

"There are two flocks of Crow Pheasants ahead. You will each take turns shooting, one arrow at a time. Miss Yue is our guest, so you will shoot first, Feng Buhui will follow. Whoever shoots down the most Pheasants wins," Old Teluo barely finished speaking before he had someone bring over a Handy Crossbow.

The Handy Crossbow, designed for novices, was average in accuracy but required minimal drawing force, making it especially suitable for women to use.

Yue Jinghua took the crossbow, fixed the bolt onto the groove, drew the bowstring, aimed at the approaching Crow Pheasants, and fired.

Feng Buhui, observing from the side, saw this and a thick mocking expression appeared in his eyes.