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Chapter 65: Copper Badge

When Ashura walked out of the underground arena at Pagoda Palace wearing his demon-face mask, the badge in his hand had already been replaced with an even more exquisite copper badge.

At that moment anger flooded his heart and he truly wanted to fight all 10, but in the end only 4 Warriors of the same rank had the nerve to step forward, while the rest surrendered and handed over their credits.

Those 4 who remained ultimately lacked the courage to step onto the platform; perhaps if all 10 had been there they might have dared to fight.

Yet when they watched the attendants drag out Sein’s massive corpse, they genuinely regretted having shown themselves.

Finally one of them buckled under the pressure and conceded, handing over his badge, and the other 3 immediately followed suit.

After giving up their badges they all breathed a long sigh of relief; they knew Sein’s strength all too well, and since he had not survived even one round against this masked kid, how could they not be terrified?

Thus Ashura’s credits soared to 110 tonight, and according to Pagoda Palace’s rules he would be issued a copper badge.

The scantily clad woman at registration now wore a grave expression and stopped flirting with him, her tone becoming much more formal.

Pagoda Palace also promised the night’s victor Ashura fine food, fine wine, and beautiful women, and if he wished he could indulge until dawn.

But Ashura merely picked up some delicate pastries, stored them in his utility belt, and left Pagoda Palace without another word.

The woman watched his departing back in thought, then suddenly straightened and bowed respectfully toward the darkness behind her, saying, “Elder Walker, greetings; what instructions do you have?”

A plainly dressed middle-aged man stepped out of the shadows and did not answer the woman; he merely stared deeply at the receding Ashura.

The woman on the ground called out, “Elder, that kid is rather odd; should I send someone to investigate him?”

The elder named Walker chuckled, “Interesting, but no need this time; no matter how gifted, a genius who has yet to grow is still a low-level Warrior, so don’t mind him… pay attention when he earns a silver badge.”

With that he vanished into the building, and the woman answered respectfully, “Understood!”

Ashura did not return to the shop directly; he wound through seven twists and eight turns, and only after confirming no one tailed him did he leap a few times to land in the courtyard behind the shop.

Before he even entered the yard he heard low sobbing and saw the young girl Daifei leaning against the back-door frame, her face streaked with tears.

Warmth flooded Ashura’s heart; it felt wonderful to have someone worry about him.

He had no intention of joking this time and hurried to her side, but he startled Daifei, for he had forgotten to remove the demon mask.

Silently blaming his carelessness, he had yet to take off the mask when a soft, tear-stained body dove into his arms.

Ashura tightened his arms around the trembling girl, and his embrace seemed to give her security, the close hug stopping her shivers.

Between sobs Daifei asked, “I thought you didn’t want me anymore; I saw the medical notes you left, and I remember you said you had a problem in 3 days… I remember it all, but I couldn’t help you at all…”

Ashura stopped her words with a deep kiss, carried her into the house, and that night the youth cast aside all restraint and no longer tried to play the gentleman.

The two, still a little inexperienced, tangled until dawn and completed the rite of their physical maturity.

It was one of the few nights Ashura did not meditate till morning; having experienced his first time, he gazed at the sleeping Daifei with smug delight, his grin even more roguish.

Even after Ashura practiced Martial Techniques in the courtyard for 2 hours, Daifei still had not gotten up to cook; he knew she was not being lazy but was truly exhausted by last night’s ordeal.

Remembering the exquisite pastries he had taken from Pagoda Palace, Ashura placed them on a plate on the table by her bed, left a note saying he had gone out for a walk, and vaulted out of the courtyard.

This time his goal was clear: he headed straight to the largest weapon shop in Puro City, planning to buy a pair of twin swords, determined not to repeat last night’s mistake of fighting unarmed.

He had been able to finish off Sein so quickly last night partly because the spectators’ curses enraged him, and he secretly released one seal, restoring 70 % of his power.

Although he suppressed his strength to 70 % with Caban’s Prison, his physical durability and reflexes still matched a 1st-stage Grand Martial Master, and when he used the Chasing Wind, Pursuing Thunder footwork, the slow Sein could not even touch his clothes.

Yet after wandering through every weapon shop he still did not find suitable twin swords… those he liked he could not afford, and those he could afford did not please him.

After all, he had wielded Lan Yu’s dagger; ordinary weapons now felt as though they would hamper his performance.

A weapon that did not fit could cost his life, so adhering to the principle of “better none than poor,” Ashura bought nothing.

Empty-handed, Ashura returned to the small courtyard behind the shop, once again scaling the wall instead of using the front gate.

The moment he entered the girl’s boudoir, he saw Daifei stuffing the pastries into her mouth like a hamster.

Noticing Ashura’s astonished look, Daifei blushed and tried to swallow, but the more she hurried the harder it was, causing her to gag and roll her eyes, so Ashura, half amused and half exasperated, handed her the cup of water on the table.

Daifei took the cup and gulped water, but the movement made the thin quilt slip from her chest, and Ashura could not tear his gaze from the two snow-white mounds before him.

Realizing she was exposed, Daifei let out a soft cry and pulled the quilt over her head, shrinking beneath it.

Ashura felt he had been less than gentlemanly, so with a sly laugh he stripped and slipped into the girl’s covers.

Another earth-shaking session lasted 2 hours, and only when the sun was about to set did he cease his conquest at the girl’s plea for mercy.

Ashura looked thoroughly satisfied, while Daifei lay in his arms like a limp puddle and fell into deep sleep.

Feeling refreshed, Ashura got up to meditate until dawn, and for the next 2 days he refrained from tormenting Daifei again.

He feared he would drown in her softness and affect his performance in tonight’s matches, for the arena decided not only victory and defeat but life and death.

At dusk Ashura, wearing the demon mask, appeared again at the registration desk of Pagoda Palace, and the scantily clad woman inside eyed him intensely, no longer teasing as before.

Made uncomfortable by her stare, Ashura cleared his throat and asked, “Who are my opponents at this rank tonight? Let me see the list.”

Upon hearing this, the woman rose, placed both hands on the counter, and leaned forward toward Ashura, completely unconcerned that her ample bosom was fully exposed to his eyes.

She purred, “I never thought I could misjudge someone; I believed I hadn’t underestimated you, yet your strength exceeded my imagination.”

As she spoke she produced a roster and handed it to Ashura, saying, “Because of you, only 4 stage-3 Martial Masters registered today, and none of them can catch your eye.”

Ashura glanced at the list, focusing on their credits… the highest had only 12, and his interest vanished.

After a brief thought Ashura said, “Please show me the list of 1st-stage Grand Martial Master contestants.”

The woman seemed to have expected this and immediately handed him another roster; more than 20 first-stage Grand Martial Masters could enter tonight.

Without hesitation Ashura pointed to the very last name… a Grand Martial Master with only 8 credits… and said, “I’ll fight him tonight…”

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