With the document in hand, there was no fear that Duke Lu James Carter would go back on his word or refuse to acknowledge the debt. It was a double victory, suppressing both the Qin and Cheng families. Once the master learned of this, he would surely look at him with new respect, perhaps even promote him. The thought was so exciting that his whole body trembled, and he could hardly wait to compete.

The document was quickly drawn up, Charles Carter signed and sealed it, his heart pounding wildly. He looked at Henry Brooks with reddened eyes—not because he couldn’t accept losing, but because the consequences of losing were too great, more than he could bear.

“Brother, just wait to collect your winnings,” Henry Brooks consoled him.

“No, if we can just tie, that would be lucky enough. As descendants of military men, what we play with are blades and spears. You should know, we can lose anything, but never in weapons. If we must lose, let’s not lose too badly.” Charles Carter wore a grave expression.

“So little confidence?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? That’s the Red Blood Saber.”

“Then why did you still bet?”

“You’re my brother. If we die, we die together.”

“Alright, I accept you as my brother.”

“Damn it, only now you accept me?”

Henry Brooks smiled, not explaining. He couldn’t very well say he was no longer the same “him” as before, could he?

The shopkeeper was growing impatient and urged, “Hurry up! If you don’t dare to compete, just admit defeat.”

“As you wish.”

“Clang!”

Henry Brooks drew his sword decisively. The blade trembled and buzzed like a dragon’s roar or a tiger’s growl, exuding a kingly dominance.

At that moment, everyone felt a chill sweep over them, their hearts inexplicably pounding.

The whole place fell instantly silent!

But still, no one was optimistic—after all, the Red Blood Saber’s reputation was too great.

An official stepped up to preside: “Both parties have voluntarily agreed to a weapon contest. The document has been signed. The wager is one thousand taels. The method is weapon-to-weapon strikes. The contest begins now.”

“Clang!”

The two weapons clashed fiercely. The shopkeeper was a trained fighter, strong and determined to make a show of force. He swung with all his might, trying to break Henry Brooks’s sword in one blow, creating a visual spectacle and achieving a crushing victory.

Henry Brooks had absolute confidence in the weapon he had forged, but he also struck with full force. If he was going to win, he wanted to win thoroughly and decisively.

With a loud “clang!”, sparks flew. The heavy Red Blood Saber’s blade flew from the shopkeeper’s hand, embedding itself in the wall, its hilt vibrating, and a large, obvious notch appeared on the blade.

In contrast, the sword in Henry Brooks’s hand was completely unscathed.

Everyone gasped at the sight, ignoring Henry Brooks’s immense strength that had sent the shopkeeper’s saber flying. Their eyes were fixed on the gash in the Red Blood Saber, filled with disbelief. Even the shopkeeper stared blankly at the notch, utterly stunned.

“Did… we win?”

Charles Carter couldn’t believe his eyes. He blinked hard, looked at the notch in the Red Blood Saber, then at the sword in Henry Brooks’s hand, still in disbelief. He snatched the sword, examined it up and down, then burst out laughing with excitement: “Hahaha, we won! Brother, we won!”

“Of course. Collect the money—don’t let him get away,” Henry Brooks reminded him, supremely confident in his weapon.

“He wouldn’t dare!”

Charles Carter shouted domineeringly, glaring at the shopkeeper as he added, “Shopkeeper, pay up! Or I’ll bring my men and tear down your shop. No one in Chang’an dares to cheat me out of my money. Hurry up!”

“You… how did you do that? That’s impossible!” The shopkeeper finally came to his senses, staring intently at the sword, a flash of greed in his eyes. He immediately said, “How about selling me this sword? I’ll pay ten thousand taels.”

Charles Carter spun the sword skillfully and teased, “Someone once offered ten thousand for the Red Blood Saber, but this sword easily cut it apart. It’s a divine weapon! You want to buy it for just ten thousand taels? Dream on. Pay up!”

“Eleven thousand—how about that?”

Henry Brooks sheathed the sword and, with an inscrutable expression, declared loudly, “This sword was obtained from an ancient cave deep in the Kunlun Mountains. Inside the cave was a stone inscription, stating that it was the cultivation abode of a pre-Qin sorcerer. After attaining enlightenment and ascending, he left this sword for a fated person. Now, the Qin family is in dire straits and urgently needs silver, so we’re willing to auction it off. Three days from now, at Jufu Restaurant, let’s see who is destined for it. For now—pay up.”

When selling something, you need a story—just like the Pan family’s courtyard.

Pre-Qin sorcerers, immortal abodes, ascension—these might sound like jokes to modern people, but in the Tang Dynasty, they were highly attractive, especially since the sword was indeed sharp enough to shatter the famed Red Blood Saber.

These words were not just for the shopkeeper, but for everyone around. Soon, all the wealthy people in Chang’an would know about it.

“Is Young Lord Qin really willing to auction it?” the shopkeeper asked excitedly. As for bidding, would the mighty Cui family ever lack silver? What a joke.

“Of course. Take a look—there’s even a flying Xuan Bird engraved on the blade. It’s clearly a sorcerer’s personal sword. Who else would carve a symbol on their sword?” Henry Brooks drew the sword and continued loudly.

“Xuan Bird?” The shopkeeper’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurried over to look. As a scion of a noble family, he naturally knew that the Xuan Bird was the clan emblem and totem of the Wang family of Taiyuan. If they heard about this, wouldn’t they go mad?

Henry Brooks ignored the shopkeeper’s thoughts, deliberately showing the sword to those around. If you’re digging a pit, you have to do it perfectly.

“Let me see, let me see—there really is one!” Charles Carter came over curiously.

“Nephew, let me have a look.” A strong, resonant voice rang out.