chapter 10 Default

At this moment, pin-drop silence filled the hallways, and everyone's gaze turned toward Zariah. "Zariah, what are you talking about? You must not randomly testify about such grave matters," said Gregory, his piercing gaze serving as a strong warning to Zariah. His intentions were very clear, to warn Zariah not to spurt any nonsense. "I am not lying. I was present when Israel made the bet with Archie. Brother Israel even asked me to bear witness," Zariah replied. Zariah was afraid, not of Gregory, but of her action by taking Archie's side in this matter. She was worried that her action would be misconstrued to hint that she was choosing to stand on Archie's side regardless. After obtaining Zariah's confirmation, not just Israel, but both Warren and Gregory, together with a majority of the Christopher family, were shocked beyond words. None of them could have ever imagined that Zariah would ever take Archie's side and be willing to go against everyone else within the Christopher Family. Even Archie himself was a little surprised. After all, in taking Archie's side, Zariah would have offended many people. However, besides feeling surprised, Archie conceived more intense feelings of gratitude towards Zariah. "So, Israel, are you trying to welch on your debt," Archie questioned menacingly, keeping up the pressure in an attempt to force Israel to admit the bet. With Zariah's testimony, Archie was confident that Israel would not dare to deny the bet. "I..." Israel's eyes started shifting around anxiously as a sense of uneasiness started to set in. He did not know how to answer Archie. The family only subsidizes one stalk of Immortal Spirit Grass every year. Apart from this single chance, there were no other opportunities to obtain such premium Spiritual Medicine. Israel had just gotten his hands on the Immortal Spirit Grass subsidized for the year and was planning to utilize it to break through to Spiritual Martial Fourth Level. He was definitely not willing to pass on such an opportunity! "Humph, so what even if it is true," Warren snorted. "Both you and Israel joined the Green Dragon Sect together at the same time. Yet, Israel had already entered the Inner Sect since two years ago, and you only entered two years later," Warren continued. "Why, after taking so long before entering the Inner Sect, are you really proud of yourself? And to think you would still have the cheek to extort Israel's subsidies," Warren sneered as he retaliated. As Israel's Elder Brother, naturally, he would not allow Archie to take away his brother's subsidy. "You should not direct those words to me. After all, as for the truth, I am sure your brother knows best." "If you want to welch on the debt, just say so! I will most definitely not pursue the matter any further, as long as Israel admits it personally, that he is full of shit, a man without dignity nor integrity at all," Archie retorted, refusing to let matters rest that easily. "You..." Israel gritted his teeth angrily. However, he could not refute at all because Archie indeed had the moral high ground. "Hahaha, ludicrous! Welch on my debt? Since when did I say that I will not uphold my end of the deal," Israel snapped back in desperation. "Israel's Immortal Spirit Grass can be given to you, but first, you have to in front of everyone that you are indeed a useless piece of trash, an idiot that took five years to become an Inner Disciple," Warren proclaimed loudly. "Everyone, tell me, do you all agree," Warren continued, attempting to stir the emotions of the crowd. "Yes, Elder Brother Warren is right," someone among the crowd responded. "Yes, if you want to receive the Immortal Spirit Grass, you will have to first admit that you are a piece of trash! As long as you admit how useless you are, we will treat the Immortal Spirit Grass as a donation to you, the useless beggar," Warren declared while raising his arms. Everyone present responded in agreement. Within the Christopher family, except for Maddox, Lincoln and Zariah, almost everyone else hated Archie to their core. They would all gladly find any reason to drive Archie out of the Christopher Family. Therefore, as long as it concerns Archie, no matter how ruthless or barbaric the situation is, they will support it. They are just out to embarrass Archie. "Stop making unreasonable requests, Warren! This is a private matter between Israel and Archie, you have no right to interfere," Zariah chided. "So we are not qualified, but you are? As Israel's sister, you actually side with an outsider instead? Do you still think you are worthy of being a member of the Christopher family?" Warren rebuked fiercely. "I do not have preferential treatment towards anyone, I will only access the situation based on the problem and only the problem, nothing else. Besides, Brother Archie is no outsider. He is also a member of the Christopher family," Zariah stated. "You know deep down in your heart if he is part of the Christopher family or not, but I can tell you with confidence that Israel is your biological brother," Warren responded. "You are being unreasonable," Zariah replied sternly. Her whole body was quaking in anger due to Warren's remarks. At that moment, Archie rested his hands on Zariah's shoulder and ushered her behind him. Up till now, Archie had hung an indifferent smile on his face. However, his gaze had sharpened and he asked curtly, "I will just ask you this, will you give me the Immortal Spirit Grass or not?" "Oh, Archie, please do not say that we are making things difficult for you, but you are really not qualified to take Israel's Immortal Spirit Grass," Warren replied. "Let us do things this way. I will give you an opportunity to compete with Israel. As long as you can defeat Israel, it will mean that you are qualified to take this Immortal Spirit Grass," Warren continued. "And Zariah, do not say that I am an unreasonable person. I will also take out my own Immortal Spirit Grass to add to the stakes. As long as Archie can win, this will also belong to him." As he spoke, Warren took out his Immortal Spirit Grass and placed it on the table. At the same time, Warren gave Israel a meaningful glance. Reacting in understanding, Israel also placed his Immortal Spirit Grass on the table. "Israel, you have been part of the Inner Sect for two years and have practiced two types of Martial Techniques." "Archie had just entered the Inner Sect. Do you not feel ashamed to compete with him despite the huge disparities between your skills? You simply cannot afford to lose," Zariah commented, feeling unfair for Archie. "Shut up, you have no place to speak here," Warren pointed at Zariah intimidatingly, before shifting his narrowed gaze threateningly towards Archie asking, "However, if you were to lose, you would have to hand over your Immortal Spirit Grass. Do you dare to take the risk?" At this moment, tensions rose and the air grew stale. Everyone fixed their eyes on Archie, awaiting his answer. If Archie refuses to take the risk, they could insult him and call him a coward. If Archie were to agree and take the risk, Israel would be able to teach him a lesson openly. No matter Archie's choice, in their perspective, it seemed as though Archie had fallen into despair and was cornered. They waited in trepidation to see how Archie would make a fool of himself. "Why would I not dare to," Archie replied calmly, smiling. "Great, you have the guts, but we are going to state things clearly. We will not be holding back, if anyone were to get hurt, it would be on them," Warren broke into a despicable smile. "Cut the crap and let the action begin!" Archie slapped his own Immortal Spirit Grass on the table and then walked toward the center of the hall. "Brother Archie..." Zariah tried to pull Archie to a corner, her trembling eyelids trying to send a signal to Archie to not take the risk and compete with Israel. However, Archie smiled reassuringly in response before pushing Zariah's hand away. He replied, "Believe me." Seeing this, Zariah could not help but be startled. For reasons unknown, she had conceived an impression that Archie was extremely sure of his victory. Both Archie and Israel walked to the center of the hall with everyone gathered around them. They did not want to miss the good show of Archie being tortured. "Archie, it seems that you are someone that prioritizes their wealth over their own life," said Israel, who had been silent for a long time. He had a vicious smile on his face. He was extremely displeased that he was forced into such an embarrassing situation by Archie. Now that he had the opportunity to teach Archie a lesson, naturally, he would not hold back. "Haha," Archie chuckled before replying, "That was exactly what I wanted to say to you." "I feel embarrassed for you. Today, let me show you how weak you really are," Archie shot back. In an instant, Israel suddenly leapt forward with his left foot, and with a thunderous bang, he jumped into the air. He waved his arms as though he was dancing, causing his fists to fly forward. He started exuding a threatening aura that covered his entire body. Like a ferocious wild beast, Israel forced himself forward and pounced towards Archie's direction.