Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 84

"Stop." Cai Bo'an's authoritative voice interrupted.

Tong Lei roared, "Get out of my way! Nobody can stop me!"

Cai Bo'an said coldly, "Tong Lei, this is Lu Family Fortress, you can't act recklessly here."

Tong Kang rushed over and scolded, "Second brother, you're being too reckless. Do you think you can fight against so many people here all by yourself?"

Cai Bo'an sneered, "Don't worry, Master Tong. My brothers from Lu Family Fortress are not despicable people who would take advantage of a crisis and attack in droves. However, if your brother dares to offend my brothers from Lu Family Fortress, my brothers from Lu Family Fortress will definitely not stand idly by."

Tong Kang blushed and laughed, "Enforcer Cai, my younger brother was ignorant, please forgive him. Second brother, quickly put away your sword. No matter how unwilling you are, Miss Zhao is already taken."

Cai Zhonghe scoffed, "This isn't mediating a fight; it's clearly instigating it."

With an elegant and graceful demeanor, she said, "I've long heard that the Tong brothers are at odds, and it seems that's true. Just watch, Tong Lei will definitely challenge He Zhiqiang."

Tong Lei said sternly, "He Zhiqiang, I challenge you. Do you have the guts to accept?"

He Zhiqiang scoffed, "I'll take it."

"Wait a moment," Cai Bo'an said. "Master Tong's challenge to He Zhiqiang requires the Lord's permission. Someone, please fetch the Lord."

Cai Bo'an sent someone to report to the rear. Not long after, a series of heavy footsteps sounded, as if someone was running. Sure enough, Madam Tong rushed in, covered in sweat, and screamed, "Lei'er, what's wrong with you? You want women? Mother will find you as many as you want, Mother can give you any you want."

Tong Lei roared, "I want Zhao Yu!"

"Pah!" Mrs. Su spat out a mouthful of saliva in disdain.

Lu Qingcheng strode out from the back, startling Madam Lu, who, supported by Xu Yun and Madam Li, and accompanied by Zhong Wan'an, also came out. Qing Jianyue nervously watched Lu Qingcheng, but to his disappointment, after inviting his mother, Madam Li, and Zhong Wan'an to sit down, Lu Qingcheng also sat upright, her gaze fixed intently on the two people staring at each other in the room, without even glancing at him.

Tong Lei said arrogantly, "Cousin, I challenge He Zhiqiang. If I win, Miss Zhao will be mine."

Lu Qingcheng said calmly, "If He Zhiqiang accepts your challenge, I have no objection. But Miss Zhao cannot be your bet. She is the younger sister of Mrs. Su, the beloved wife of Manager Su, and her marriage should be decided by Manager Su and Mrs. Su."

Madam Tong angrily exclaimed, "Qingcheng, you are clearly favoring your subordinates!"

Lu Qingcheng said coldly, "This is a matter between two men, Tong Lei and He Zhiqiang. What kind of man drags an innocent and weak woman into it? If Tong Lei wants to marry Miss Zhao, then Miss Zhao has to be willing herself. Bullying others with power will only make people scornful."

Kiyoshi Tsuki said loudly, "The Lord of the Fortress is right."

Lu Qingcheng glanced at Qing Jianyue and paused for a moment on her face. Qing Jianyue's heart skipped a beat, and her whole body felt hot. Qingfeng and Cai Zhonghe watched this without showing any emotion.

Madam Tong fell silent, her face flushed red and then pale. Tong Kang sat silently in his seat, knowing full well that Lu Qingcheng was not someone anyone could manipulate; going against her would only lead to embarrassment.

Lu Qingcheng said authoritatively, "Tong Lei, I don't care what your motives are. Since you challenged He Zhiqiang, you should have a fair fight on the spot today. Otherwise, get out of here. If you want to cause trouble, you should know where you are."

Tong Lei's lips trembled with anger. "Since this is a decisive battle, life and death are irrelevant, and no one is allowed to interfere."

Lu Qingcheng said, "If there are any deaths or injuries, neither side shall retaliate."

Tong Lei said, "It's a deal."

"He Zhiqiang, what about you?" Lu Qingcheng asked.

He Zhiqiang replied firmly, "Your subordinate agrees."

Lu Qingcheng ordered, "Make room."

The servants immediately moved the tables and chairs, clearing a large area in the center of the banquet hall. People stood around, quietly awaiting the fierce battle that was about to unfold. He Zhiqiang and Tong Lei walked to the center of the banquet hall. He Zhiqiang bowed to Lu Qingcheng, but Tong Lei impatiently seized the head seat, while He Zhiqiang nonchalantly walked to the lower seat and took his place.

Hundreds of eyes were fixed on them, but no one spoke. Suddenly, Tong Lei drew his sword and strode towards He Zhiqiang, the sound of his footsteps echoing clearly in the banquet hall. Silence! A silence so profound it was almost suffocating.

Suddenly, Tong Lei stopped and looked at He Zhiqiang with a cruel and mocking gaze, like a cat toying with a mouse. "It seems that the lesson three years ago did not teach you a lesson. In that case, let Miss Yu'er see how you were begging for your life on the ground three years ago."

His words struck Zhao Yu like a thunderbolt. Staring at his arrogant and ugly smile, Zhao Yu instantly understood the cause and effect, and finally understood why He Zhiqiang had suddenly changed his behavior after returning to the fort three years ago, avoiding her like a mouse hiding from a cat.

Tong Lei chuckled flippantly, "Miss Yu'er, you'll soon find out who the real man is."

Zhao Yu snorted coldly, her disdain deepening. She glanced at He Zhiqiang with a melancholy look, her red lips slightly parted. She wanted to say, "If you can't beat them, don't fight. There's nothing shameful about it." However, He Zhiqiang's actions made her close her mouth in surprise.

He Zhiqiang calmly drew his sword. He stood as steady as a mountain, observing his opponent's movements without moving. His expression was so calm, composed, and serene, and the shrewd glint in his eyes made his face look extremely young and handsome.

Zhao Yufang's heart skipped a beat, her face flushed, and she whispered, "Zhiqiang..."

Her every move was observed by Tong Lei. He was consumed by jealousy and rage. "You shameless woman! Three years ago you dared to reject me, and three years later, you're still infatuated with this guy. Looking at him, how can he compare to me? Hmph, no woman can refuse me. The only consequence of disobeying me is death. After I kill this brat, I'll make you wish you were dead."

Tong Lei stepped towards He Zhiqiang again, laughing arrogantly, "He Zhiqiang, you defeated opponent. I'll make you kneel and beg for mercy at my feet just like you did three years ago."

"Pah!" Liu Xicheng cursed, "Arrogant brat."

Yang Xueli clutched her husband's clothes tightly, her voice trembling as she asked, "Zhiqiang, will he be alright?"

Lei Yongxiang reassured him, "Don't worry. Zhiqiang is calm and composed; he won't lose. I have that confidence."

Li Anguo nodded in agreement.

The opponent's steps were powerful and steady; clearly, his apparent arrogance was merely a tactic to mislead the enemy. He Zhiqiang cursed inwardly: "Cunning wolf!" Staring into Tong Lei's cruel and mocking eyes, the humiliation of his defeat three years ago burned within him like fire.

Three years ago, one night, Tong Lei lured him out to a small grove like this. Tong Lei ordered him to leave Miss Zhao Yu, but he refused, and the two got into a fight. However, the fight didn't last long, and he was quickly defeated.

Tong Lei stepped on his head and laughed arrogantly, "You ignorant brat, killing you is as easy as crushing an ant. With your meager skills, you think you can get away with this? What right do you have to marry Miss Yu'er? Get out of here, and remember, starting tomorrow, stay away from Miss Yu'er. She is my woman, and sooner or later, she will marry me."

Yes, Tong Lei was right. With his limited abilities, he thought he could take advantage of a toad trying to eat a swan.

His heart was filled with pain. Looking at Zhao Yu, who was as radiant as the sunset and as beautiful as a celestial being, he felt extremely inferior. He couldn't bear to meet Zhao Yu's expectant gaze, and he began to avoid her, like a shameful deserter. It wasn't until Zhao Yu moved away with her brother-in-law's family, both disappointed and sad, that he completely broke down.

"Who's there? The way that man cries is awful. Who are you? Disturbing this young master so early in the morning."

An eighteen or nineteen-year-old boy dressed in black emerged from the thick white fog. He had long hair that was more beautiful than a woman's, and his long, upturned eyes were both cold and beautiful enough to make one's heart flutter.