Chapter 17: The Gudou Family’s Arrival and an Unbelievable Feat

A follower of Yue Guangyao descended, whispering a few words to Qian Zhisen.

A smirk then curved Qian Zhisen’s lips.

“Ahoge, the money will arrive shortly, so be sure to keep your end of the bargain!”

Knowing the true power of Ahoge Dragon’s skill, Yao Yueli eventually agreed to the wager.

Upon hearing this, the small ahoge on Ahoge Dragon’s head swayed gleefully, and she tilted her chin upward, assuming a haughty expression.

“Hurry it along; I refuse to wait another moment.”

News of Ahoge Dragon’s daring gamble—to pull the sword and stake her life against Qian Zhisen’s—spread like wildfire.

Instantly, many onlookers cast sympathetic glances toward Ahoge Dragon.

They believed the girl had been driven mad by greed for money.

Had she forgotten that this very sword had remained untouched for centuries?

“Such arrogance! They’re practically begging for death!”

At that moment, several new figures appeared beside the Crown Prince, among them an old man with green hair, much like Gudou Toutian, who had just spoken.

His face was sharply sculpted, and his eyes held the weary wisdom of countless years.

Spotting this individual, Yue Guangyao swiftly descended from his elevated chair.

He approached with a welcoming smile.

“Uncle Gudou, what brings you here?”

This man was none other than Gudou Caotian, the current head of the Gudou family.

“I heard my son offended Princess Yue Yi, and this old subject has specifically come to beg for the princess’s forgiveness.”

As he spoke, Gudou Caotian knelt on one knee before the princess, his voice laden with remorse.

“Your Royal Highness, this old subject is fully aware that my son has committed a heinous crime. However, I humbly implore you to consider our Gudou family’s millennium of service in guarding the Bright Moon Kingdom and spare his life! This old subject is willing to offer my own life as compensation for any offense caused to the princess!”

“Uncle Gudou, what… what nonsense are you speaking? Everyone knows Brother Toutian; his eccentric personality is hardly a recent development.

I bear him no ill will, and you, Uncle Gudou, are entirely without fault.”

Gudou Caotian was not merely a minister of immense merit; he was also a supreme expert, a five-star Magic Tool User.

No matter how furious Princess Yue Yi and Crown Prince Yue Guangyao became, they could not afford to disrespect such an esteemed elder.

To do so would risk alienating countless individuals.

“This old subject, on behalf of my son, thanks Your Royal Highness, Princess, and Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince, for your merciful clemency.”

Gudou Caotian, overcome with gratitude, bowed his head deeply.

“Uncle Gudou, please come and be seated. Brother Toutian has now become a four-star Magic Tool User, and his swordsmanship has advanced yet another level!

Today is truly a day of great joy. After we resolve the current matter, we shall go to ‘Tu Lan’ to celebrate.”

Crown Prince Yue Guangyao instructed a servant to bring a chair for Gudou Caotian to sit upon.

“This old subject thanks Your Royal Highness for your kind intentions. However, what matter does Your Royal Highness intend to resolve? Though aged, this old subject is still capable of assisting you with your concerns.”

Gudou Caotian, too, was a shrewd and seasoned strategist.

“There’s no need to trouble you, Uncle Gudou; it’s merely a petty thief.”

As he spoke, Yue Guangyao’s gaze settled upon Ahoge Dragon, who stood on the altar.

Ahoge Dragon, eagerly awaiting the money, was so utterly thrilled that she couldn’t keep still. Noticing Yue Guangyao looking her way, she reacted immediately.

Ahoge Dragon waved her hand, shouting loudly:

“Hey, you toad! Why don’t you come down and play? I’ll even stake the Big Sister; how about you wager a few million magic stones yourself?”

Yue Guangyao’s mouth twitched, and then he let out a cold sneer.

“Hmph!”

She was already as good as dead, so why bother bickering with a corpse?

Although Yue Guangyao now appeared calmer than before, Gudou Caotian, observing from nearby, immediately discerned the truth.

Stroking his chin, he remarked, “That young girl intends to pull out the Gudou Dragon Sword, does she?”

“Indeed. I have no idea where she found such confidence. She is undoubtedly courting death!”

Yue Guangyao nodded in agreement.

“Your Royal Highness speaks truly. Extracting this sword without the swordsmanship of my Gudou family is utterly impossible! One’s mastery of the blade must, at the very least, surpass that of our original third family head.”

“Speaking of which, Brother Toutian’s current mastery of swordsmanship has already surpassed everyone else’s. I believe it won’t be long before he successfully draws this very sword!”

“Allow me to congratulate you once more, Uncle Gudou! The Gudou Dragon Sword of the Gudou family is finally about to reappear in the world! You have truly raised an exceptional son, Uncle Gudou!”

“You flatter me. You flatter me.”

Gudou Caotian’s face was beaming with joy. Indeed, as the Crown Prince had stated, Gudou Toutian was undeniably a prodigy among prodigies!

His comprehension of the sword far exceeded that of their original third family head.

He firmly believed that Gudou Toutian would, one day, succeed in drawing that sword.

This was precisely why he had personally come here to intercede on Gudou Toutian’s behalf.

Gudou Toutian represented the very hope of their Gudou family for the future!

“It has begun.”

Yue Guangyao watched the altar. The servants had already brought over the money.

Ahoge Dragon gazed at the magic crystals before her—a total of two hundred and fifty pieces.

This was fortunate, as each magic crystal was worth ten thousand magic stones. Ahoge Dragon had been fretting over how she would transport two million magic stones back home.

Now, converted into magic crystals, it was far more convenient.

“Hehe! Excellent! Truly excellent!”

Ahoge Dragon picked up a magic crystal, her grin so wide it seemed she couldn’t close her mouth from sheer delight.

Having earned so much money in an instant, her heart swelled with satisfaction.

Her only regret was failing to drag Yue Guangyao into the wager, for then she would have earned even more!

Nevertheless, this was more than enough! After all, she would soon be acquiring a dragon magic tool as well!

That was the true treasure!

“Meow-Meow, come on over! We’ll pull out the sword, and once it’s out, the money I’ve stored at your place will be all yours!”

Ahoge Dragon winked at Mao Yuxia, who, after casting anxious glances left and right, slowly approached.

Mao Yuxia was still terrified, knowing that if the sword couldn’t be drawn, Ahoge Dragon would forfeit her life.

“Meow-Meow, there’s no need to be scared! We’re sure to succeed!”

Ahoge Dragon continued to reassure Mao Yuxia.

“I understand. I absolutely won’t let little Ahoge die!”

“Haha… why would I die? Just watch how I’ll infuriate that toad and that fat pig to death right now!”

Chatting, the two girls arrived at the spot where the sword was embedded.

The surrounding crowd fell silent, holding their breath in anticipation.

Yet, most onlookers wore derisive smiles, as though they had already foreseen the inevitable outcome.

“Go die!”

At this moment, Yue Guangyao was the happiest, finally able to make this loathsome, stinking lizard vanish.

Yao Yueli, however, remained utterly indifferent, her expression serene.

“One, two, three! Pull!”

As Ahoge Dragon’s words dropped, Mao Yuxia held her breath, summoning all her strength to pull the sword.

She believed that sheer force alone would be enough to extract the blade.

However, in the very next instant, her body felt strangely light.

She stumbled backward!

The sword felt as light as a feather resting on the ground!

Mao Yuxia hadn’t felt any resistance whatsoever.

No, that wasn’t quite right; there *was* resistance, but she had pulled with such excessive force that she had dragged Ahoge Dragon along with her.

Both of them tumbled to the ground.

“It’s… it’s out?”

Mao Yuxia found it utterly unbelievable; had it truly been pulled out so easily?

‘This has to be a joke… right?’

Mao Yuxia was so overwhelmed with excitement that she felt tears welling up. This… this was a massive win!

Acquiring this dragon magic tool meant possessing wealth that could never be spent in a lifetime!

“See, I told you it would come out! You still didn’t believe me.”

Ahoge Dragon scrambled to her feet, flashing a triumphant thumbs-up to Yao Yueli, signaling their success!

“You audacious thief! Put down the supreme treasure of my Gudou family!”