Facing Conrad Gu's threat, Ian Song's expression didn't change. He said, "No matter whether I can defeat Nathan Chang or not, I won't treat Harriet as a gambling stake. She's not an object—she means more to me than anything, and I won't allow even the slightest risk to her."
As soon as he said this, Harriet Gu's eyes lit up, feeling as if she was wrapped in happiness. So this is how important I am in Brother Liang's heart, she thought.
Claire Lin heard this and quietly nodded, her gaze toward Ian Song revealing both appreciation and satisfaction.
As for Conrad Gu, he scoffed disdainfully. "Knowing you can't win, you come up with these high-sounding excuses. With your cowardice and hypocrisy, how could you ever deserve my daughter?" He grew more smug as he turned to Elder Shea and said, "Father, you see? He doesn't even have the courage to fight. How could he be worthy of marrying Harriet?"
"Ignorant child!" Elder Shea rebuked sternly, then turned to Ian Song. "Leon, agree to his challenge. With your strength, defeating that boy is a breeze!"
"Father, don't let this kid fool you. A mid-Grandmaster beating an early Great Grandmaster? That's a joke!" Conrad Gu sneered coldly.
"Husband, that's enough."
Claire Lin couldn't bear to watch any longer and spoke up.
Elder Shea nodded. "At least Claire understands reason, unlike this brat who thinks he's so extraordinary!"
"What did I say wrong? It's obvious this kid is scared to fight!"
"Scared before the fight? Heh!"
Elder Shea let out a strange laugh, staring straight at Conrad Gu. "With your useless skills, you wouldn't last three moves against Leon!"
Hearing his own father belittle him like that, Conrad Gu jumped to his feet and glared angrily at Ian Song. "Kid, do you dare fight me?"
"Better not," Ian Song shook his head.
"Coward!" Conrad Gu spat.
"Fine, I accept!" Ian Song's expression darkened—time to teach you a lesson, he thought. Give someone a little color and they think they can run a dye shop.
A moment later, Ian Song and Conrad Gu stepped out into the courtyard outside the main hall, standing about ten meters apart.
"Kid, don't say I'm bullying you. I'll let you have the first three moves—go ahead!" Conrad Gu stared at Ian Song arrogantly.
"Alright!"
Ian Song didn't refuse. He planned to give Conrad Gu a lesson—so he'd stop acting so high and mighty.
Phantom Bird Form!
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Ian Song charged forward with his sword, instantly splitting into four phantom clones. Each clone unleashed an advanced sword technique, attacking Conrad Gu from a different angle.
"What is this...?"
Conrad Gu stared in horror, realizing he couldn't tell which of the five figures was the real Ian Song and which were illusions.
Instinctively, he retreated, but the five Ian Songs were even faster.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
A series of metallic clashes rang out, then abruptly fell silent.
In the courtyard, Ian Song's four phantom clones vanished. He now stood with his sword pressed against Conrad Gu's throat—one push and it would pierce through.
"Ha! Well? Forget three moves—you couldn't even handle one!" Elder Shea laughed heartily, his voice full of satisfaction.