Chapter 130: Understanding the Art of War

"Party, party... what the hell kind of party is this!" Wei Wuji, tethered to his older brother's side, felt quite helpless.

"I came here to wreck the place, but how am I supposed to do that under these circumstances?" Wei Wuji grumbled inwardly, though he had to keep up appearances for Wei Jingrong.

After scanning the room, however, he realized there was nothing here worth wrecking. Everyone was busy with their own amusements: guessing games, pitch-pot, chess, Liubo, and even sword duels.

Wei Wuji was not skilled in any of these, so he couldn't show off. He certainly couldn't just walk up and serve as a target for others to hone their skills!

...

"So, Fifth Brother, did you really kill Qin soldiers on the city walls?" Wei Jingrong asked, his voice filled with disbelief after hearing Wei Wuji’s account.

"I had no other choice..." Wei Wuji replied honestly, though to Wei Jingrong, it sounded like modesty.

"For you to be so brave, Fifth Brother, Father ought to reward you," Wei Jingrong said with a smile, heaping praise upon Wei Wuji’s ferocity.

Wei Wuji didn't want to dwell on the subject; being praised like this felt awkward. He shifted his gaze away, noticing how everyone else was having the time of their lives—it was so lively—yet he was stuck here warming the bench. Especially with someone chattering incessantly in his ear, requiring constant responses. Wei Wuji was not amused.

Just as he was reaching the peak of his boredom, a gruff voice sounded by his ear.

"I have long heard of your valor, Young Master. I, Chen Yu, admire it greatly and formally request your guidance."

Wei Wuji glanced sideways to see a sullen-looking youth standing about five meters away, staring at him with undisguised hostility.

"Wang Yu, what are you doing here!" Wei Jingrong stood up immediately, rebuking him sternly. His aura surged so sharply that even Wei Wuji was taken aback.

"This brother of mine is no simple man," Wei Wuji thought to himself. He had clearly underestimated him before. On second thought, having lived in a vortex of power since childhood, how could he be anything but complex?

Buffeted by Wei Jingrong's presence, the youth named Wang Yu instinctively took a step back, a reaction entirely inconsistent with his previously arrogant demeanor.

"So that's it... power and status are the true sources of strength," Wei Wuji muttered, understanding this truth thoroughly. No matter how strong you are or how well you handle a sword, you are still just a dog in the face of power. If Wei Jingrong could command such presence, so could he.

However, there was no need for Wei Wuji to act; his retainer, Zheng Dali, could no longer sit still. *Provoking my young master? Do you think I, Old Zheng, don't exist?* With that thought, Zheng Dali stepped forward.

"Who are you to be so disrespectful to the Young Master!" Zheng Dali’s killing intent flared.

Frightened by Zheng Dali’s ferocity, the sullen youth retreated another step. The commotion drew the attention of everyone nearby.

Wei Wuji had expected the fellow named Wang Yu to back down after such intimidation. Instead, Wang Yu’s eyes darted around twice, and his previously hunched back straightened once more.

"I beg the Young Master’s pardon. I merely wish to seek guidance from the Fifth Young Master; I have no intention of causing offense." Wang Yu braced himself, chest puffed out.

*Oh? Interesting!* Wei Wuji, sitting behind them, suddenly grew interested. He hadn't slapped a face in a long time; his hands were itching for it.

"Wang Yu, you are being insolent! Withdraw at once!" Wei Jingrong said, his voice dropping in tone, clearly angered by the man’s antics. Although Wang Yu was always arrogant, he had usually been respectful toward Wei Jingrong; he had never dared to talk back like this before.

"Do not blame me, Young Master. I am only asking the Fifth Young Master for a lesson in swordsmanship, not trying to make trouble," Wang Yu insisted, refusing to back down. The thought of the person who had ordered him to do this gave him immense confidence.

"You little brat, you’re courting death..." Zheng Dali, losing his temper, drew his long sword and made to charge forward.

It must be said that Zheng Dali’s display actually frightened Wang Yu, forcing him to retreat several paces. Even the unreasonable fear the suicidal; Zheng Dali looked every bit the desperado. Even Wei Jingrong was affected by the murderous aura radiating from the burly man beside him, causing him to shift slightly away.

"Hey... Dali, put the sword away. It wouldn't do to scare the children." Only then did Wei Wuji rise to his feet. He walked over to Zheng Dali, pressed down his sword-wielding hand, and turned to face Wang Yu.

Although this was the first word Wei Wuji had spoken, his mocking gaze made Wang Yu tremble, while simultaneously fueling his spite. Looking at Wang Yu, who seemed to be going through a rebellious teenage phase, Wei Wuji smiled and said in a deep voice, "You want to duel with me?"

With that, Wei Wuji glanced at the sword in the other man’s hand; it was exceptionally ornate.

Seeing Wei Wuji take the bait, Wang Yu seized the opportunity, straightened his posture, and declared loudly, "That is correct!"

"And why choose me?" Wei Wuji asked again.

"The Young Master is peerless on the battlefield and has personally slain Qin soldiers. I wish to see if I possess the same skill." Facing Wei Wuji’s inquiry, Wang Yu spoke with full conviction, undeterred by the disparity in their status.

Seeing the excitement, the crowd grew larger. They set aside their own activities and slowly gathered around. It was a rare sight indeed to see a young nobleman being challenged.

"I wonder how much trouble this Wang Yu is bringing upon his house!" someone in the crowd whispered.

"The Wang family has deep roots; surely they won't fall because of one Wang Yu?" another said, sounding uncertain.

Someone nearby sneered, then lowered their voice to say, "Don't forget, the person being challenged is a Wei..."

Then, another added, "And this young master is named Wei Wuji..."

*Right!* Given his temperament, who knew what kind of chaos this would cause? Wang Yu must have been blind. In the eyes of the onlookers, Wang Yu was now a small boat in a raging storm, with danger already looming over him.

Yet, a discerning observer analyzed, "Let us just watch the show. Though Wang Yu is courting death, his swordsmanship has some merit. It may not be so easy for the Fifth Young Master to take him down."

The whispers of the crowd became a dull buzz in Wei Wuji's ears. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking calmly at Wang Yu, and asked, "How do you wish to compete?"

Seeing that Wei Wuji was truly willing to accept, not only Wang Yu but the onlookers as well were shocked. Wei Wuji was stooping beneath his station; there was no need for this. Wang Yu’s act of insubordination alone was enough to have him arrested.

*If the Fifth Young Master plays his hand wrong... that would be a disaster,* many thought, worried for Wei Wuji.

But Wei Wuji remained confident. Since the man had clearly come to pick a fight, he would not be humble.

After being questioned by Wei Wuji, a triumphant look appeared on Wang Yu’s face. Things were finally going according to his script.

"Reporting to the Young Master, to duel with swords, one must first possess a fine blade!" With that, Wang Yu held his sword horizontally in front of him.

Wei Wuji spread his hands, all but saying, "Please, start your performance."

Wang Yu gave a smug smile and began to introduce his ornate sword.

"My sword is named Purple Cold. It is forged from an extraterrestrial meteorite by the most renowned swordsmith in Wu'an City. It can cut through iron like mud..."

Wang Yu rattled on for a while, which could be summarized in three words: "It’s top-tier."

After putting his sword away with a flourish, Wang Yu looked around at the crowd and challenged Wei Wuji, "May I ask, Young Master, what sword do you carry?"

This was a deliberate attempt to bully Wei Wuji for not having a fine blade. One had to admit, he had thought this through.

The crowd could naturally see the quality of the sword at Wei Wuji’s waist; it was certainly no match for Wang Yu’s Purple Cold. But Wei Wuji was not as discouraged as they expected. He remained confident, walked forward with his hands behind his back, and tilted his head slightly to look at everyone.

Ignoring Wang Yu entirely, Wei Wuji spoke in a resonant voice, "Do any of you truly understand the way of war?"