Chapter 113: Auntie, I Don't Want to Work Hard Anymore

"I..." Hong Xingying's face flushed crimson. He was being mocked by the very person he had always looked down upon.

Rage points from Hong Xingying: 999!

Yet, he couldn't refute the other party's words; he had, after all, spoken too confidently just moments ago.

However, he reacted quickly and, still flushed, said, "You'd only lose even more miserably if you went up there. At least I fought a neck-and-neck battle; I just made one wrong move in the end..."

Zu An pursed his lips. "A loss is a loss; why so many excuses? And who says I'll lose? I'll show you what a true master looks like later."

"Enough!" Before Hong Xingying could reply, Qin Wanru couldn't hold back anymore. She looked at Zu An with an icy glare. "Are you still a member of the Chu family? Instead of encouraging your teammate, you're here making cynical remarks?"

Zu An shrugged. "He's already lost. What's the point of further encouragement? Can he go back up and fight again?"

"Silence!" Qin Wanru said coldly. "Anyone who fights their best on the arena deserves the respect of the entire Chu family. Win or lose, they are always our Chu family members. If those who lose are met with ridicule, wouldn't that discourage everyone else? If you don't know how to speak properly, then don't speak at all!"

Chu Zhongtian also spoke up. "Little An, your behavior just now was indeed inappropriate. Victory and defeat are common in battle. Our Chu family is not the kind to abandon those who've helped us or to be snobbish."

Zu An frowned. *Where were you when Hong Xingying was mocking me just now? Why didn't you step in then?*

Just as he was about to speak, he felt Chu Chuyan subtly tug at his sleeve. Her voice, conveyed through internal energy, reached his ear: "Don't make Mother angry. Go sit by yourself. We still need to discuss our strategy for the upcoming matches."

Since she had just gone up to submit the match order list, she hadn't noticed Hong Xingying mocking him. Thus, she also felt Zu An's sarcastic remarks were ill-timed.

Hong Xingying was one thing, but the critical point was that it would dishearten the remaining participants. After all, no one could guarantee a sure victory, and if they lost and faced such ridicule, anyone would overthink the situation—Zu An was the Chu family's son-in-law, making it easy for others to associate his attitude with the Chu family's initial stance towards them.

Zu An shrugged, too lazy to argue with them anymore. He returned to his seat on his own.

The commotion from the Chu family's side did not escape the notice of others. Seeing Zu An being reprimanded by the Chu couple one after another, many onlookers gloated:

"I told you so, a live-in son-in-law truly has no dignity."

"Living off a woman isn't so easy. Look at how the Chu family treats him; even a dog would have a higher status."

"So, you young folks, don't think about taking shortcuts, shouting 'Auntie, I don't want to work anymore.' What you gain this way, you're destined to lose even more of."

"But Miss Chu is so young and beautiful; I'd be willing to endure daily humiliation for her."

"Pah, spineless! Fine, I don't want to work hard anymore either."

On the platform, Shi Kun leaned back, relaxing comfortably in his chair as if he had just consumed a ginseng fruit. "Xue'er, it's just as you said; this fellow has no standing whatsoever in the Chu family. It seems my earlier worries were unnecessary."

Seeing Zu An put in an awkward position, Xue'er also had a faint smile on her face. "Of course. The young mistress hasn't even allowed him through her gate, so Young Master needn't worry about him getting above his station."

Across the way, Yuan Wendong frowned. *Zu An has such low status in the Chu family; was it too impulsive of me to choose him as my opponent this time?* However, this thought was quickly extinguished. Remembering the fellow's annoying demeanor earlier, he felt his decision was correct. *I'll completely cripple him later, letting him know the consequences of his loose tongue!*

Among the Zheng family crowd, Zheng Dan's lips curved slightly. *It seems Zu An and Chu Chuyan's relationship isn't as good as I imagined. This is the perfect opportunity for me to exploit their weakness; it should be easier to find that IOU for 7.5 million taels now.*

*However, whether Zu An can survive today's arena battles is another matter entirely. Even if he's lucky enough to keep his life, he'll likely lose an arm or a leg. If I visit him then, showing concern, it should be easier to move him, shouldn't it?*

On the other side, Pei Mianman had a half-smile on her face. *The worse things go for this guy in the Chu family, the more it benefits me. Eventually, he'll come to me for help, asking me to find the ledger first.*

"Beautiful lady..." Just then, a young master who fancied himself dashing and sophisticated approached to strike up a conversation. After all, her beauty and figure were so exceptional that anyone who saw her found it difficult to look away. Sitting alone, not appearing to be from a prominent family, she instantly drew the attention and ulterior motives of many.

"Scram!" Pei Mianman didn't even glance at the man. Her fingers merely glowed faintly with a pulsating black flame.

"Yes..." Knowing her cultivation level, none of them dared to make a fuss. They scurried away in terror, fearing the black flames would touch them.

Meanwhile, in the Chu family's resting area, Chu Huanzhao saw Zu An's sulky face and quickly handed him a bowl of tea. "Brother-in-law, don't be angry. Here, clear your throat. Honestly, I don't like that Hong guy either. Father and Mother are always like this: very strict with us but kinder to outsiders. I've been annoyed by it for a long time. Sometimes, it makes me wonder if I'm even their biological child."

"Hmm, I'm starting to wonder too," Zu An chuckled, his gaze falling to her chest. This girl's "flat runway" certainly differed quite a bit from her mother and sister's figures.

Sensing his gaze, Chu Huanzhao: "..."

Rage points from Chu Huanzhao: 404!

"Where's my whip!" Chu Huanzhao angrily searched for her Howling Whip.

Zu An stopped smiling and said in a low voice, "Xiao Zhao, thank you."

Hearing the unprecedented seriousness in his tone, Chu Huanzhao felt a bit unaccustomed. "Don't mention it. We're partners in crime when it comes to making money, aren't we?"

Zu An's face darkened with exasperation. He knew she was referring to their previous scam involving Plum Blossom Thirteen at the school gate. *Does this girl misunderstand the meaning of 'making money'?*

Soon, the second match began: Deng Zhaoke of the Chu family against Chu Qing of the Yuan family!

The result was a fierce start, but he ultimately lost even faster than Hong Xingying.

The Chu family lost two matches in a row!

Everyone began to whisper, and the smaller families gradually caught wind of the situation. *This isn't right.* In the past, when the Chu family faced the Yuan family, they usually secured various consecutive victories, sometimes even ending the grand competition in just five or six matches. Yet today, they had lost two matches right from the start. *Is Moonbright City about to change hands?*

Some clever individuals began to ponder. The Yuan family, whether in terms of noble rank or background, was far inferior to the Chu family. How could they suddenly send two obscure individuals who managed to defeat the Chu family's experts?

At this moment, the Chu couple also frowned deeply. Clearly, losing two matches in a row was far beyond their expectations. Today was likely to be troublesome.

Chu Chuyan's face was also frosty. She couldn't help but glance at her sister and Zu An, who were chatting idly at the far end of the seats. Seeing their carefree demeanor, her heart tightened. She had originally thought they were just here to observe, but with things going this way, they might have to participate as well.

*No, I absolutely cannot let that happen!*

Not only was Zu An utterly powerless, but even her sister was barely a Rank 3 practitioner, making her among the lowest-cultivated on this arena. Moreover, she was usually so playful and hadn't properly practiced combat techniques. If it came down to a real fight, she would be completely unreliable. One had to remember that even the weakest on this stage were mid-Rank 3.

On the platform, Qin Wanru couldn't help but say, "Husband, we won't lose the next match too, will we?"

"No," Chu Zhongtian said gravely. "The next match is Yue Shan."

Hearing Yue Shan's name, Qin Wanru breathed a sigh of relief. Yue Shan was the Chu manor's guard captain and also responsible for training the Red Robe Army. He was steady and reliable, and crucially, his cultivation had reached the peak of Rank 5. Given his current status, he normally wouldn't bother participating in such family competitions. However, since the Wu family was involved today, he had been included in the roster as a precaution. Now, it seemed fortunate they had been so careful; otherwise, today could have been truly troublesome.

As expected, Yue Shan's opponent was a Yuan family disciple, and he easily secured victory, eliciting cheers from the Chu family's section.

Only Chu Chuyan's brows were subtly furrowed. The best-case scenario would have been for Yue Shan to defeat one of the Yuan family's top experts, which would make things much easier for subsequent fighters. Yet, this opponent's cultivation was lower than those in the first two rounds. She felt a distinct sense of being played—as if they were using their weaker players against the Chu family's stronger ones.

The fourth match featured Chu Yucheng of the Chu family against Yuan Bao of the Yuan family.

Although Chu Yucheng looked like an adorable little chubby boy, once he stepped onto the arena, he became incredibly fierce. He charged forward like a small tank, knocking his opponent off the stage in no time.

The fifth match was Chu Hongcai of the Chu family against Yuan Ya of the Yuan family.

Chu Hongcai's swordsmanship was sharp and precise, quickly overwhelming Yuan Ya, who conceded defeat.

The Chu family won three consecutive matches, and the spectators in the training ground were relieved. *This is more like it. The Chu family is indeed the undisputed hegemon of Moonbright City.*

Only Chu Chuyan's worry deepened. The Chu family's victories had all been against Yuan family disciples. Since every family's direct descendants had to participate, the Yuan family couldn't substitute them with members of the Wu family in these specific matches.

It was clear that these Yuan family disciples were much weaker than the opponents in the first two rounds, while the Chu family had fielded almost their strongest fighters. *Was this just a coincidence, or something more deliberate...?*

As expected, her greatest fear materialized: the Chu family lost the sixth match.

A 3-3 tie!

For the seventh match, Chu Chuyan personally instructed their fighter, Lan Likang, and encouraged him. There was no other choice; if he lost, even if she won her own match, the final outcome would still depend on her sister's and Zu An's rounds. If that happened, the Chu family would be finished.

Chu Chuyan had high prestige within the Chu family, revered like a goddess by all the younger generation. Receiving her personal encouragement, Lan Likang seemed to get a surge of adrenaline, his combat power instantly soaring to 120.

Unfortunately, the Yuan family's opponent had a slightly higher cultivation level, pushing him back step by step.

Finally, remembering Miss Chu's expectations, Lan Likang gritted his teeth and persevered, unleashing a burst of inner strength, exchanging blows and injuries. In the end, he wrapped his arms around his opponent, and they both tumbled off the arena together.

The seventh match was a tie!

Gasps of shock echoed throughout the training ground. The family grand competition between these two houses had never been so intense, especially this seventh match. It was a truly brutal fight, like a battlefield skirmish, leaving everyone astonished.

Even the dignitaries on the platform showed slight changes in expression. With the battle reaching this point, both sides were clearly inflamed. Each of them couldn't help but become more vigilant, to prevent any fatalities or severe injuries later on.

At this moment, Chu Zhongtian, with the manor's physician, began to treat Lan Likang's raging internal energy and wounds. Lan Likang, however, looked at Chu Chuyan with tear-filled eyes, his face full of remorse. "Young Mistress, I'm sorry. I couldn't win."

Chu Chuyan said softly, "His cultivation was higher than yours, and yet you managed to tie with him. You've done exceptionally well. Focus on recovering and don't worry about anything else. Leave the rest to us."

Next, it was her turn to enter the arena. Her opponent was Di Wu of the Yuan family, a pale-faced young man.