Boarding Life

Qin Qi asked with great interest, "So, you want me to help simply to assist the Han Family in this mine contest?"

"That's right, but don't worry, we're not asking you to go and kill anyone!"

Han Siqi replied slowly, "In the past, competing for the resources of this mine would have cost countless lives. But times have changed, and our two families have agreed to settle this with a fair martial arts duel!"

"Each family will select two people to duel in martial arts. Whoever's side can claim victory will win the mine resources!"

"If it's a tie with one win and one loss on each side, the mine will be divided equally!"

Qin Qi understood what was happening.

No wonder Han Siqi was willing to acknowledge him as the leader after his victory.

This is definitely a tough battle concerning the Han Family's fate!

Qin Qi couldn't help but ask, "Have you identified who the Chen Family has hired?"

"No..." Han Siqi's tone clearly carried some heaviness.

The Chen Family kept a tight lid on their information, which was the source of her unease.

Qin Qi asked no further questions.

He noticed Shen Lulu already sitting in the car with her eyes closed, seemingly conserving her energy for the upcoming battle!

He could clearly sense that Shen Lulu's breathing pattern was very similar to his own, about five to six seconds per breath, with an especially long exhale.

This rhythm was very close to his own.

"Indeed, Shen Lulu is quite a master," Qin Qi thought silently.

He too stopped speaking, conserving his strength, and gradually closed his eyes.

With each breath, he conserved his strength.

If Shen Lulu observed closely, she would notice.

Qin Qi maintained a breathing rhythm of seven to eight seconds per cycle, sometimes even extending to nine seconds.

Just like that.

The convoy drove for more than an hour before finally stopping in front of a large construction site near a mountain.

Han Siqi gently reminded, "We're here!"

Qin Qi was the first to open his eyes, followed by Shen Lulu waking up as well.

"It seems the Chen Family is already here. Let's go, we should disembark as well!" Han Siqi's brows furrowed as her expression gradually turned serious.

As Han Siqi got out of the car, followed by Xiaodao, Da Shan, and two personal bodyguards.

A large group of people stepped out, an imposing presence despite the modern era's ban on organized fighting.

As expected by Han Siqi.

The Chen Family had also arrived.

The convoy parked not far away was surely the Chen Family's.

Leading the group was a man in his thirties, leaning on a crutch, with legs of uneven height due to a congenital disability.

He walked over with a smile, followed by a dense throng of people, at least twenty or thirty!

"Han Siqi, you've finally arrived. I thought your Han Family didn't have the guts to participate in the duel and would just hand over the mine to us!" the limping man mocked.

Han Siqi did not reply.

He, Shen Lulu, and Qin Qi all looked towards the two people standing next to this limping man almost simultaneously.

One was well-built and muscular, standing over two meters tall.

The other was extremely thin, appearing to be in his fifties, with sparse, completely white hair.

This man looked frail, as if he had been drained, yet exuded an extremely sinister and deadly presence.

"A master!" was Qin Qi's immediate judgment.

Han Siqi and Shen Lulu's faces changed drastically upon seeing this person, "Ghost Hand, Chen the Cripple, you've actually invited him here?"

Han Siqi gritted her teeth and exchanged glances with Shen Lulu, both seeing the fear in each other's eyes.

Chen the Cripple's face showed a moment of grimness when he heard Han Siqi call him cripple but then sneered and said, "Han Siqi, you know your situation, don't you? What right do you have to talk about me?"

"Alright, I don't want to waste words with you. I invited Ghost Hand on my own merit. If you're scared, you might as well just back out!"

Han Siqi's delicate face changed repeatedly, unable to respond for a moment.

Chen the Cripple then leered at Shen Lulu, aggressively saying, "Shen Lulu, I knew Han Siqi would invite you. Hehe, a young lady from an Ancient Martial Family, you should know the weight Ghost Hand carries."

"Why not just withdraw, or when the real fight starts, losing an arm or leg might not be good for a distinguished young lady like you!"

Han Siqi turned her gaze to Shen Lulu.

Shen Lulu bit her lip, then whispered something into Han Siqi's ear.

Upon hearing this, Han Siqi could only sigh, "There's nothing else to do now!"

Chen the Cripple sneered, "So, have you settled on your plan?"

Han Siqi's face turned cold as she spoke, "Chen the Cripple, why are you so smug. Since everyone's here, there's no reason not to fight, let's head to the arena!"

"Humph, asking for trouble!"

Chen the Cripple arrogantly waved his hand, instructing his men, "Let's go, since you're so defiant, let them die knowing why!"

On the way to the duel grounds.

Han Siqi looked at Qin Qi, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Qin Qi picked at his ear, "No need to say, I overheard your whispers earlier."

Han Siqi and Shen Lulu were taken aback.

Shen Lulu looked surprised, "You heard? How could that be!"

"You said Ghost Hand is particularly formidable, none of us are his match. So the strategy is to first defeat the other person the Chen Family hired!"

Qin Qi detailed, "This way, at least a tie is ensured!"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of a different hue passed through Shen Lulu's beautiful eyes.

She had whispered it into Han Siqi's ear, not so close to Qin Qi. The distance made it unlikely he heard, unless his sensory training was far superior to hers.

"Impossible, maybe he just has naturally sharp hearing!"

Shen Lulu thought quietly, "That's it!"

After the initial surprise, Han Siqi spoke, "Qin Qi, we've discussed that the other master that the Chen Family invited is named Luo Hu. Like Shen Lulu, he comes from a renowned Ancient Martial Family. However, LuLu is confident she can beat him!"

"After LuLu wins the first match, if you face Ghost Hand, don't hesitate to concede!"

Qin Qi thoughtfully asked, "What if Chen the Cripple sends Ghost Hand out first?"

Han Siqi gently shook her head, "No, someone like Ghost Hand charges per fight. I know the Chen family's finances, even if they sell family treasures, they can only afford Ghost Hand for one match!"

"So, Ghost Hand will definitely be saved for last, he won't be in the first match!"

Qin Qi, upon hearing this, suddenly realized, and couldn't help asking, "Who exactly is this Ghost Hand?"

Han Siqi opened her cherry red lips and sighed, "He's very formidable, don't be fooled by his skeletal appearance. It's a method of his martial arts training, and in many disputes, he's the one people hire for martial duels."

"He's resolved about thirty conflicts and has never lost. Because of this, his price has skyrocketed!"

"We wanted to hire him once too, but couldn't agree on a price..."

Qin Qi stroked his chin, pondering a bit.

Ghost Hand indeed gave him a dangerous feeling, but not lethal.

He even seemed less threatening than the danger he felt from Liu the Third before his own physical enhancement.

He mused, "Han Siqi, if it ends in a draw, does our agreement still stand?"