SWNOVELS Chapter 64: Challenge
"Friend, can I ask where did you obtain these three Reinforcing Panaceas?" Tom looked at Jacob and now the tone and way that he addressed Jacob had changed.
After all, a person who could get such a top-quality Reinforcing Panacea was no ordinary man! Tom changed his attitude just as a precaution. He didn't want to attract a new strong enemy at a time when the Shaw family was having some internal problems.
"They were refined by myself." Jacob calmly said.
"What?" Tom thought that he had misheard.
This twenty something young man said that he... He refined and made these top-quality Reinforcing Panaceas? At this moment, Tom even thought that he had heard a great joke.
He had changed his attitude and given Jacob due respect but he didn't expect Jacob to tease him. Tom's expression immediately darkened as he felt that Jacob had just disrespected the Shaw family. "Since you are not interested in telling the truth, then let's fight!" Tom said coldly.
The Shaw family definitely wanted these three Reinforcing Panaceas. Tom now had changed his mind with regards to his previous decision to kill Jacob as a warning to the other families. He shouldn't kill someone who can produce three top-quality Reinforcing Panaceas. But it was still necessary to give him a good beating.
"Okay. If I lose, I'm willing to give you the three Reinforcing Panaceas. But if I win, I need to borrow a piece of the Shaw family territory!" Jacob said slowly.
Tom's expression changed as soon as he heard Jacob. He looked ferociously towards Jacob. How dared he eye on the territories of the Shaw family? Was he tired of living? That was impossible, no matter who he was.
"Of course, I will pay the rental in the form of money, Reinforcing Panaceas, fighting skills, or even tactics!" Jacob continued.
Now Tom's expression turned for the better. But, was that possible? Could they find some middle ground and agree? But how could he share a portion of the Shaw family territory with an outsider? Furthermore, the Reinforcing Panaceas, fighting skills, tactics... at least Jacob had already produced the three top-quality Reinforcing Panaceas to win Tom's trust. If Jacob can offer some more Reinforcing Panaceas, Tom would not waste time talking nonsense with Jacob.
"Okay, if you lose, I want three more Reinforcing Panaceas. Do you agree?" Tom pondered and demanded.
"No problem," Jacob said.
With the help of the Hansen family, the Bell family, and Morris, they had already gathered sufficient herbs and Jacob had refined several pots of Reinforcing Panaceas so he still had a significant amount of it. Furthermore, lose? Was that possible? That's totally impossible.
Jacob was thinking that if he won and if the Shaw family was willing to rent the territory to him, he was willing to give some of the Reinforcing Panaceas to the Shaw family.
However, if they lost and reneged on the agreement, then they'd better not blame him for unleashing his wrath!
"Okay!" Tom smiled. It looked like Jacob still had some Reinforcing Panaceas. Even if those were not of the same quality, they were still priceless.
At this point, the pugilistic center of the Shaw family was surrounded by many of the Shaw family members. They heard that the wealthy families of Riverside City had sent a person to challenge the Shaw family. Everyone was there to see his impending doom.
Furthermore, the Shaw family had arranged for Tom to fight Jacob. They were sure that the highly skilled and experienced fighter who was a Virtuoso-to-be, someone who taught the Shaw family members to fight would easily teach this challenger a lesson. Even as Shaw family members, they had very little chance of seeing Tom fight and wanted to see for themselves how highly skilled fighters fought. "Please!" Tom signaled to Jacob to take up the position.
Jacob gently shook his head, "I don't want to fight one after another. You are not my match. Get the Shaw family Virtuoso-to-be out to fight with me!"
Everyone gasped when they heard this. Thereafter, the Shaw family disciples erupted in anger, "Who do you think you are? Are you worthy to see the Shaw family Virtuoso?" To them, a Virtuoso-to-be was as good as a Virtuoso and was respected as a deity.
"This was preposterous!"
Tom's expression turned cold completely and his eyes raged furiously. If it wasn't for the Reinforcing Panaceas, he would strike immediately and kill Jacob. From the moment Jacob and the other two appeared Tom's attention was more focused on the Lecherous Demon Edwin. He thought that the man wearing black looked more of a highly-skilled fighter and he was someone whom he had to keep an eye on. "You won't have to fight one after another. I represent the Shaw family! I just hope that your abilities match up to your words!" Tom's tone had turned chillingly cold. Tom wanted to see how capable Jacob was for claiming that Tom wasn't Jacob's match.
Tom was at the pinnacle of his fighting strength. Jacob needed to have the skills of a Virtuoso-to-be victorious over him. Was it possible for a twenty odd year old man to be a Virtuoso?
It wasn't impossible but not in a small place like Riverside City. Not to mention it was someone who he had not heard of.
Boyce of the Goldsmith family in the Capital became a Virtuoso-to-be at the age of twenty five and then became a Virtuoso at twenty eight years old. That once in a century achievement rocked the entire martial arts world.
"If all it takes is to defeat you, then get ready!" Jacob respectfully responded to Tom's signal to start the fight.
"Arrogant!" Tom coldly glared at Jacob and stomped his right foot and immediately launched himself into the air and then covered the distance of seven to eight meters to the center of the fighting stage. Tom's actions caused all the spectators to cheer loudly. This was not the special effects seen in television and the movies but was the Shaw family secret skill, the Sliding Steps! This was a skill that all the Shaw family disciples would practice from the start and it took a long time to master.
The best the highest skilled disciple of the younger generation could only jump three meters high and slide one to two meters which was nothing compared to Tom's Sliding Steps.
Lecherous Demon was slightly impressed when he saw Tom's skill which was handed down over the generations for centuries. Before he met Jacob, he was already considered highly skilled but he wouldn't be able to fight against Tom.
But after he met Jacob and Jacob became his master, he was given the Scripture of Yin-Yang Nourishing Witchcraft and learned the skills. The Sliding Steps was nothing compared to the techniques taught in the Scripture of Yin-Yang Nourishing Witchcraft. His master had given him the Scripture of Yin-Yang Nourishing Witchcraft without hesitation which attested to his master's skills and abilities.
It looked like Tom wanted to impress his master with this opening display but it will only bring embarrassment to him!
Tom landed on the fighting stage and turned to look at Jacob with a fighting stance. A breeze blew at this moment as if it was applauding for Tom. He trained in martial arts all his life and when the wind blew, it made him look like a sage of martial arts.
The Shaw family members' eyes sparkled and they looked at Tom with awe. This was the Shaw family pride and grandmaster of martial arts. He looked so dashing and impressive! All the disciples swore that they will put in extra effort to attain the same level of expertise as Tom.
Tom was extremely contented when he saw the disciples' expressions. The reason why he displayed this skill was not only to threaten Jacob but also, he wanted to motivate the younger Shaw generation. He didn't hope for a talent like Boyce but at least the younger generation must continue with the family martial arts lineage. If not, it would spell the end of the Shaw family.
Tom looked towards Jacob and waved him over. Weren't you here to challenge the Shaw family? Didn't you say that I'm not your match? I'll see how you come onto the stage!
The rest of the Shaw family also looked at Jacob. They were expecting him to make a fool of himself. Weren't you so arrogant just now? Didn't you know who you were facing? We're the centuries-old Shaw family! You're simply seeking your own doom.
Jacob saw the situation and shook his head. All these insignificant flies think that they are so great and could oppress me? They were so mistaken.
He initially wanted to just unleash his powers and end the challenge but then Jacob changed his mind.
He took one step at a time upwards as if there was an invisible staircase towards the fighting stage.000000