Starting With The Martial Arts Holy Fire Order

“Silly girl, every young woman eventually needs a good match—falling leaves return to their roots.”

Yang Dingtian nodded as well.

“That’s right. Don’t you like Right Messenger Fan?”

“Right Messenger Fan is indeed wise and courageous, a good man.

But I’ve never considered marrying him.

If Cult Master and Madam wish to arrange a good match for him, please choose someone else.”

Dai Qisi shook her head, firmly refusing.

Madam Yang was puzzled.

“Since you think so highly of Right Messenger Fan, why not give him a chance?

Perhaps, with time, you’ll come to love him.”

“Many young women long day and night for a good husband.

If you’re not ready to marry, we can always delay the wedding,” Yang Dingtian added, trying to persuade her.

Seeing Dai Qisi’s constant refusals, Madam Yang asked,

“Could it be that your true feelings are for that young man, Ling Yihan?”

“Cult Master, Madam, you misunderstand.

There’s nothing between Young Master Ling and me.

My mind is made up.

I won’t marry Right Messenger Fan, nor will I marry Young Master Ling or anyone else.

If you insist on this, I’d rather die!”

With that, Dai Qisi drew her sword and held it to her neck, as if ready to take her own life.

Seeing this, Yang Dingtian and Madam Yang had no choice but to abandon the idea.

Nearby, hidden behind a rockery, Fan Yao overheard the entire conversation and felt his heart shatter.

Later, Hu Qingyang heard about the matter from Madam Yang and told Ling Yihan.

Ling Yihan only smiled slightly upon hearing it, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Dai Qisi’s true identity is the Holy Maiden of the Persian Sect.

She must remain pure; otherwise, she faces the punishment of being burned alive.

Still, in the original story, she ended up falling for Han Qianye.

If my guess is correct, that ill-fated man should arrive at Bright Peak soon.

Sure enough, less than half a month later, Han Qianye arrived alone at Bright Peak to challenge Yang Dingtian and avenge his father.

When the Ming Cult followers saw Han Qianye, who looked quite unremarkable, daring to challenge their Cult Master, they burst into laughter.

“This kid doesn’t know his place! Challenging our Cult Master is just asking for death!”

Zhou Dian, one of the Five Scatters, couldn’t resist mocking.

The Beggar Monk, Say Not, nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. Look at him; he doesn’t seem like a master at all.

Our Cult Master could finish him off with just one finger.”

The other followers chimed in, ridiculing Han Qianye with various remarks.

However, Yang Dingtian’s expression was serious.

He ordered a feast to be prepared and welcomed Han Qianye with the respect due to an honored guest, much to the confusion of the disciples.

“You all don’t understand.

Years ago, I fought with Young Master Han’s father over a disagreement.

I used a technique, the Great Nine Heavens Hand, to seriously wound him, forcing him to his knees.

At that time, he vowed to seek revenge, but his martial skills never improved.

He mentioned that one day, either his son or daughter would come to avenge him.”

Yang Dingtian explained the reason behind this challenge.

“I, too, promised that regardless of whether it was his son or daughter, I would allow three moves.

He insisted I need not allow any moves but demanded that his child set the terms for the duel.

So I agreed.

It’s been over ten years since then; I’d almost forgotten.

I never expected his son would come looking for me.”

The disciples were unimpressed, but Ling Yihan frowned, remaining silent.

Zhou Dian, noticing his expression, asked curiously,

“Ling, why aren’t you saying anything?

Do you doubt our Cult Master’s martial prowess against this Han kid?”

By now, Ling Yihan had spent quite some time on Bright Peak and often helped Hu Qingyang treat injured disciples, so he was quite familiar with many of the followers.

He shook his head.

“Except for the Wudang Master Zhang, Cult Master Yang’s martial skills are unrivaled.

In pure combat, even ten or a hundred Han Qianye’s couldn’t match him.”

The disciples nodded, pleased with his words.

“However… what worries me is what kind of challenge Han Qianye might set.

That’s the real key to this duel,” Ling Yihan added.

Golden Lion King Xie Xun laughed heartily.

“Ling, your caution is admirable.

But you needn’t worry.

Even if he sets a difficult challenge, with so many masters in the Ming Cult, can’t we handle it?”

“Exactly, exactly…” other disciples chimed in.

“Is that so?

I hope I’m just overthinking it,” Ling Yihan thought with a slight smile, choosing to remain silent.

Not far away, Dai Qisi’s eyes lit up as she listened to his words, feeling a slight stir in her heart.

The next day, as in the original storyline, Han Qianye used the terms of his father’s agreement to hold Yang Dingtian to his promise, leaving him with no way to refuse.

“Young Hero Han, I deeply regret unintentionally harming your father,” Yang Dingtian said with remorse upon hearing of Han Qianye’s father’s passing.

Han Qianye interrupted him,

“I’m here to avenge my father.

I’m not interested in anything else.”

Yang Dingtian asked, resigned,

“Where do you wish to hold the duel?”

“I would like to use your sect’s Cold Jade Pool to duel Cult Master Yang.

Only then can I fulfill my father’s final wish,” Han Qianye replied cunningly.

At these words, the Ming Cult followers were taken aback.

They all knew that although Yang Dingtian was highly skilled, he could not swim.

A duel in the freezing pool would be treacherous—if he wasn’t frozen, he’d likely drown.

White-Browed Eagle King Yin Tianzheng spoke in a low voice.

“The Cold Jade Pool is bone-chilling, even in the peak of summer.

Now, in midwinter, it’s hardly a suitable place for a duel.”

Left Messenger Yang Xiao nodded in agreement.

“Brother Han, please choose another location.”

“I came alone to Bright Peak, never expecting to leave alive.

If you wish to prevent me from dueling in the Cold Jade Pool, you might as well kill me now!”

Han Qianye stood resolute, prepared to die.

“After all, I’m a nobody.

If you kill me, no one will seek retribution.

So, why don’t you go ahead?”