Fanfiction System in the world of Eastern Fantasy

Back at Moonvilla, the sky was beginning to dim into the soft hues of dusk.

Roulan landed lightly in the courtyard, still holding Qin Wei by the arm. She didn't release him until they had crossed the threshold into his residence. Her brows seemed tightly knit.

Qin Wei tried to open his mouth, maybe to joke, maybe to calm her, but she silenced him with a stern look. He doesn't know why, but he was kinda more worried about her instead.

"For the next few days, it's better not to leave the manor, Young Master," she said quietly as she summoned a Twilight Sparrow. With a note tied to its legs, it shot into the air and vanished like mist.

"I've sent word to the Patriarch," she added. "The Li Clan will take care of this matter."

Qin Wei watched the fading trail in the sky in silence. Something told him that this won't be over just like that. In the hundred novels he wrote, every time such a situation occurs against this powerful foe with a big ego, it always ends up with an assassination attempt. Every. Single. Damn. Time.

A few hours later;

Later afternoon — Li Clan Estate;

Qin Wei stepped off the carriage and walked alongside Roulan as they entered the estate. The guards at the gate didn't stop them; they bowed and led them directly toward the Elder Hall.

As they entered, a wave of spiritual pressure lightly brushed over Qin Wei, for whatever reason.

The Elder Hall was lit with glowing jade lanterns, and seated around the horseshoe table were Li Yujin, a few senior elders, and, to Qin Wei's surprise, Duke Xu Xiao and his son, Xu Xianfeng. He expected to get summoned by his father-in-law, but didn't expect to meet them so soon.

Qin Wei's eyes moved quickly over the faces. Some of the elders looked stern, others unreadable. Xu Xiao's face was stone, still, and quiet, but Xu Xianfeng…

Instead of anger, he had a smile on his face. It wasn't this pleasant smile, but more like a smirk with amusement.

Suppressing his thoughts, Qin Wei stepped forward and performed a respectful bow. "Qin Wei greets the Patriarch. Elders."

Li Yujin leaned forward, voice low but heavy with authority. "Xiao Wei, you know why you were called here?"

Qin Wei was mildly taken aback by how he addressed him. It was he first time he addressed him this way, and he doesn't think they were that close.

"Is it because Talismans sold like hot cakes?" He could only wonder in his head and then ask whether it was because of the incident in the market, a few days ago.

Li Yujin nodded. "Yes."

Qin Wei then straightened his back as he faced his father-in-law. "Back then, I wasn't aware that… was that the man I clashed with was Prince Xu. But even if I know it, I would still have confronted him." Taking a glance at the side, particularly at Xu Xiao and his son, he added. "Not even the Emperor has the right to molest a woman against her wishes, and that too in public." 

A faint flicker crossed the eyes of one elder. Another shifted slightly in his seat. Xu Xiao didn't have any change in the expression, but Xu Xianfeng's smirk vanished and was replaced by anger, although just for a moment.

Li Yujin stared at his son-in-law for a moment, too, as if he was trying to see if there was any lie in Qin Wei's eyes. He then spoke aloud. "Whatever the reason behind your actions, you bear the name of the Li Clan now. Your actions carry weight, our weight. And so, your offenses are ours to answer for."

Qin Wei remained bowed. "Understood, Patriarch. I will accept any decision you make."

Taking a brief pause, Li Yujin spoke again, "Qin Wei, we have already discussed this issue with Lord Xu. While the Li Clan fully intended to support your actions, in order to bury the matter between the Li Clan and the Xu family, a decision has been reached. In three days of time, you will face Prince Xu in a fair duel."

Qin Wei's head snapped up, eyes widening. "Eh?"

But the Clan Head raised a hand, continuing with calm authority. "Because you lack a Qi Sea, and Prince Xu is a ranked martial artist, we are placing a restriction that neither party will be allowed to use Qi or spiritual techniques. It will be a contest of pure close-combat skill."

Qin Wei's brows furrowed. Just physical strength?

Before he could respond, Li Yujin's gaze slid sideways, toward Duke Xu Xiao."Regardless of the outcome, the Xu Mansion has agreed that this matter will be resolved by the duel. There will be no repercussions following it. Is that correct?"

The Duke gave a short nod, his expression unreadable. "That is correct."

Xu Xianfeng leaned back in his seat, still smiling like he had already won.

But then, Qin Wei's gaze settled on Xu Xianfeng's face. That arrogant smirk, full of certainty, full of contempt, grated at him like sand against steel.

"Thank you for the arrangement," he said calmly, "but I would prefer to fight without any restrictions."

Silence dropped like a blade.

Li Yujin blinked. "What…?"

Even the elders stirred. Xu Xiao's brow lifted in surprise. Xu Xianfeng stopped mid-smirk, momentarily caught off guard.

"You do realize," Li Yujin said carefully, "Xu Xianfeng is a rank-7 martial artist."

Qin Wei nodded once. "I do."

Li Yujin leaned forward slightly, voice lower and firmer. "This isn't a decision made lightly, Qin Wei. It is not in any way to give you some advantage. This…"

"This is my fight and this is my decision," Qin Wei interrupted gently, yet firmly. "I want no restrictions in the duel. If the Patriarch wishes to put a restriction, then keep a restriction against borrowed weapons or artifacts."

Across the room, a loud burst of laughter echoed, following his words. All heads turned as Duke Xu Xiao stood, his broad shoulders shaking with amusement.

"I like your guts, kid," he said, eyes gleaming like a tiger entertained by a mouse with spirit. "Since the boy wants it unrestricted fight, let him have it. But nothing to worry, my son will hold back just enough not to kill him."

Li Yujin's lips tightened. He turned a sharp look toward Qin Wei, worry now evident in his eyes.

Qin Wei, however, seemed a bit firm. It's not that he had the guts to make such a demand, but he had no other choice. His techniques depend on his skills. Since the concept of chakra doesn't exist in this world, they will take it as some weird type of Qi. And without those techniques, he is like a paper doll who will definitely die, because Xu Xianfeng isn't a sorcerer but a martial artist. There's no way he would be a match for him.

And just then, a familiar chime rang in Qin Wei's mind.

Ding!

A holographic screen flashed briefly in front of his vision. Qin Wei's eyes gleamed, and his lips widened.

Li Yujin looked at him, blinking. "What's wrong with this kid?" He couldn't help but wonder.

Later, in a private guest room dimly lit by a bronze lantern, Xu Xianfeng leaned back on a cushioned chair, a goblet of wine in hand and a self-satisfied grin stretching across his face.

"That fool actually removed the restrictions himself," he chuckled, swirling the crimson liquid. "He's walking into his own grave. Does he think he can defeat me because he defeated a bunch of weaklings?"

At his side, a maid knelt obediently, refilling his cup with a shaky hand.

"Young Master," she said cautiously, "if he's confident enough to make such a demand… maybe he has some hidden strength. It might be wise to remain cautious…"

Smack.

His hand moved like a whip at once. Her cheek turned red instantly, and she collapsed onto the floor with a gasp.

"Cautious?" he sneered. "I need to be cautious… of that trash?"

The maid didn't respond. She picked up the wine jar again, bowed, and refilled his goblet with trembling fingers.

Xu Xianfeng reclined once more, taking a long sip as a satisfied sigh escaped his lips.

"I'm only forbidden to kill him. The Li Clan didn't say to spare him with his limbs. By the time I was done with him, that arrogant bast*rd will be disabled for the rest of his life." After a pause, a wicked smile appeared on his face. "How about I turn him impotent for good?"