Talented Martial Hero
Chapter 859 A Bet

"Darren." Scott called out his name. His pleasure was evident on his face.

Darren could not help but reflect back that same joy upon seeing Scott again. It had been decadesof years since they last saw each other. "Long time no see, Scott.”

Although they were both pleased to see one another again, now was not a good time for smalltalks. Their brief greeting had to suffice as they faced all the elders in the hall.

Chandler gazed at Darren's face for some time. His eyes were gleaming with appreciation.

"So you're Darren that everyone's talking about?"

"Yes, sir." Darren confirmed.

"I've always wondered how come you've become a rival of those senior holy warriors if you're still ata lower level? Is it because of your bold and impulsive personality? Or is it really because you arecapable enough? Let me see what kind of strength you possess.” From the other side of the hall, thesenior holy warrior Leighton watched Darren intently. He released a steady stream of spiritual senseto probe over Darren.

Suddenly, he cried out, full of wonder. "What the hell? What a weird and uncanny aura this fellowhas! I can't even get through it and check his cultivation base.”

Noting Leighton's futile attempt to get through Darren's aura, the other senior holy warriors joinedin as well. Together, they released their respective spiritual senses.

Among them was Chilton. In his case, he also used a strong suppressing force in the hope ofbreaking through Darren's aura.

But Darren only snorted at Chilton’s efforts. His intimidation tactic wasn't working on him. With that,he let out his own powerful spiritual sense and dashed towards Chilton. It all happened so fast thatChilton could not help but draw back by the force.

The entire area fell in a shocked silence. Nobody moved or spoke. Darren's strength was unexpectedand had caught everyone off guard.

Horror and rage devoured Chilton. His face twisted in rage and fire flared in his eyes. He wassupposed to humiliate Darren in front of all these people, but his plans had backfired.

It took a moment for him to calm down. "You little rogue, it seems like you've been training hardrecently. Do you remember what we agreed on? Since you didn't die outside, we should fulfill ouragreement and have a fair fight now. What do you think?"

Despite Darren's sudden display of powerful spiritual sense, Chilton still believed that he was morepowerful than the younger man in martial arts skills.

Darren only shook his head. "As much as I want to end this right now, I'm afraid I have to refuse. I'mnot foolish enough to set aside the crisis we're currently facing.”

But Chilton would not stand for this. "Are you backing out on our bet, you little rascal? You piece oftrash truly belong to that trashy Sacred Palace.”

"When did I say that I wanted to back out? You old bastard!" thundered Darren. Chilton’'s words hadhit its target and Darren felt insulted by it. Before long, Darren had his hand on his sword, a hair'slength away from pouncing on Chilton.

"Get a hold on yourselft How dare you speak to the master like that? You insolent fool!" The seniorholy warrior beside Chilton barked at Darren.

Undaunted, Darren sneered. "You have no idea what you're talking about. That old bastard tried tokill me because I refused to fawn over him the other day. Scums like him do not deserve respect. It'sa shame that the human race calls him master. He is disgraceful and discourteous.”

Darren's words left everyone aghast and stunned.

"Such an arrogant fellow! If you're not afraid of being defeated, then why are you refusing to fight?"Townsend challenged. Darren's attitude irked him, but he didn't want to openly reveal hisannoyance. Such display was unsuitable for someone like him who held the highest position in theclan. He knew that if he tried getting involved, things would only get more complicated than italready was. With this, he had to reign in his anger.

"I'm not running away from the fight. I just think it's not the right time and place for it. But if youreally want a life-and-death fight, then I suggest you throw in your bets. After all, this is a battle tothe death. We go all out or nothing at all,” Darren suggested.

Everyone was impressed by Darren's proposal as well as his confidence. For a fleeting moment,Townsend's voice wavered. He did not expect Darren to make such a dangerous suggestion.

"A bet? Then, tell me how you would like it to proceed,” he said mockingly. Chilton, on the otherhand, was interested in Darren's proposal. His face showed his anticipation.

To him, Darren was making a foolish mistake. It was obvious that he would emerge the winner intheir fight anyway. The bigger the bet, the better for him then.

After thinking for a while, Darren finally placed his bet. "You three clans have always beenunconvinced by the Sacred Palace's leadership. So here's my bet. If I kill Chilton, you will not comeafter me, and also, you shall submit your Cross Expeditionary Force under the Sacred Palace'scommand. That includes all of you as well. What do you think?"

"How dare you?" Chandler uttered in an authoritative voice.

He had his reason to scold Darren. His proposal was too much. What if he lost? Of course, Townsendand Chilton would also demand that the Sacred Palace submit to them. The future of the wholepalace was now in Darren's hands.

Townsend noticed Chandler's anxiety and shot him a disdainful glare. "Are you afraid, Chandler?"Suddenly, Gabriel broke in. "Do you think the people of the Sacred Palace are idiots? Do you thinkit's fair to place such stakes in a fight between a senior holy warrior, who has practiced the martialarts for thousands of years, and a boy, who hasn't even reached that stage yet?"

Of course, all the senior holy warriors of the three clans were not expecting anyone from the SacredPalace to agree to such terms because they, too, were hesitant to accept them. Even if Chilton wouldwin the fight, the bet was still too much. But they didn't voice out their doubts for they were waitingfor the Sacred Palace to refuse.

"Well then, if you disagree with the terms, we won't force you. After all, it is your man who made theproposal. Let's keep it simple. We'll let Darren and Chilton fight. And when it's done, then it's over.”Townsend's lips curled into a contemptuous smile. Without waiting for Chandler's response, heturned to Chilton. "Go fight with Darren, but don't use all of your strength. I think eighty percentshall do. Otherwise, others will think we're being unfair. Got it?"

Chilton nodded his head, but his eyes remained on Darren. "Yes, sir."

"They are indeed a flock of blood sucking crows!" "And as disgusting as sewer rats!" Hanson andMathew, who had been watching quietly all this time, could not help but curse in a low voice. Theyknew that Darren was still no match to Chilton even if the latter used only eighty percent of hisskills.

Their battle would be like a confrontation between an adult human being and an ant. It was only amatter of how the man would like to end the ant's life. This was only an excuse for murder.

"Darren, I think it's unwise to go through with this. After all, they won't force you to fight Chilton,not while the others are present.” It was Lord Donald who voiced out his anxiety through hisspiritual sense. He had been silently paying close attention to the discussion all this time.

"My Lord, you don't need to worry about me. I'm confident that I can defeat him," Darren reassured."But what if something bad happens to you? Auberon's death was already too much for me tohandle. I can't lose you, too," Lord Donald pleaded.

"Don't worry, sir. I wouldn't have proposed the bet if I had any doubts on the result. Both the SacredPalace and I will be safe and sound in the end.” Darren gave him a confident smile.

"Boy, will you accept the challenge or not? If you think it is too hard for you, you can just give upnow. I promise I won't lay a hand on you, but in return, you have to kneel before me and kowtow tome a hundred times." Chilton squinted at Darren, leaning towards a bit.

Darren only laughed at Chilton's proposition. The impulse to cut him into pieces flashed throughDarren's mind, but he drowned it out with laughter. "Don't try pissing me off just yet. It's too earlyfor you to be smug about a victory that doesn't exist. But anyway, I appreciate your thoughtfulness.It's a pity, though, because I'm not as merciful as you are. Even if you kneel before me and kowtow ahundred times, I won't let you go.” This time, Darren was serious.

Chilton gritted his teeth and barked, "Fine! Everyone has heard what this boy said. Who wouldtolerate such offensive rogue? No one! I won't let him stand there and continue flinging mud ateveryone's faces.”

"Stop talking nonsense! If you have guts, come after me!"

Darren roared before flying out.

Boom!

The earth cracked and a battle platform in the likeness of a lotus rose from the ground in front ofthe Sacred Palace.

This platform was one of the most precious treasures of Chandler's clan. It was sturdy enough towithstand battles between holy emperors. It could definitely survive the battle between Chilton andDarren and prevent the damage from spreading further out the regions.

Wind whistled around them, sending Darren's robe rustling in the air. He stood tall and erect as if hecould dominate the entire world.

Chilton followed behind him. His entire body was prepared to fight.

To his surprise, Darren raised a hand in placation. "Hold on!"

"Are you kidding me, boy? Don't tell me that you have at last come to your senses. I won't let youback out anymore. Speak quickly while you still got the chance!" Chilton said, scornfully.

Darren simply glared at him but he didn't bother responding to his taunts. He turned to the crowdand said loudly, "Everyone, do we agree on the bet I have proposed?”

At that, Leighton could not stop himself from bellowing, "Darren! You dare mention that bet again!"With Darren's current level, it was no doubt he would die in this battle. Leighton may not care aboutDarren very much, but he didn't want the Sacred Palace to submit to the three major clans. Feargripped him at the very thought of that happening.

"Bravery is one thing, but foolishness is another. His recklessness has overshadowed his rationaljudgment. A person like him can never escape the doom of death, no matter how talented he mightbe.” The senior holy warrior Gabriel could only sigh in pity for Darren. It was obvious to him thatDarren would not survive this battle.