Chapter 194 - 194: 194. Fight back!
Chapter 194 - 194: 194. Fight back!
Translator: 549690339
The door opened, and Su Liang walked out, Che Yun smelled a tempting fragrance.
He didn’t see clearly what Su Liang was holding in her hand, “Is General Su having a late-night snack?”
Su Liang walked quickly out, “Mm.”
“I heard from General Lin that General Su’s cooking skills are excellent.” Che
Yun caught up with her.
msteaa or continuing tne conversation, su Llang nmsnea ner meat Dun m hand, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and asked Che Yun, “Do you know the strength of Wei Yao’s son?”
Che Yun nodded, “Liang Country started to imitate the Imperial examination of Qian Country to select talents a few years ago. They also hold it every three years, and the most powerful martial artist selected is not called the Top Scholar but the First Warrior. Wei Hao, Wei Yao’s eldest son, was the First Warrior selected by Liang Country last year, and his strength is said to be powerful.”
Su Liang thought to herself, the names of the three generations were stomach ache, stomach medicine, and stomach well? Very logical.
They left the General Mansion and each rode their horses towards the North City Gate.
After Ning Jing finished her late-night snack, she sent dishes and bowls to the kitchen, cleaned them by the unextinguished fire in the hearth, and then boiled a large pot of hot water like she used to do at home.
Ning Jing then returned to Su Liang’s room, changed her clothes, and left quietly.
After three years, the army of Liang Country was once again at the gates of the city.
Just after they left Nancheng, Xing Ji received the news from the scout, and the army in the city was ready for battle.
However, because Su Liang wasn’t in the military camp and had no soldiers under her command, no one was specifically in charge of her. Xing Ji was busy deploying, Lin Bojun was assigned an important task, and no one had time to send someone to call Su Liang.
By the time Su Liang heard the horn, Xing Ji was already standing on the city building.
The horn was not to assemble the army but mainly to remind the common people that there might be a battle, to be safe, and not leave the house.
Wei Yao brought 20,000 elite soldiers, and the army of Xuanbei City, including Xing Ji, thought that a battle was about to start tonight.
Xi Ji in particular guessed that it might be because he had become the Chief General that the Wei family in Liang Country couldn’t help but seek revenge.
However, the result was unexpected.
Because the Qian Country was sandwiched between the Liang Country and the Yin Country, its strategy had always been “if the enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move”, and it generally did not initiate wars.
When Xing Ji heard Wei Yao’s request, he neither refused nor agreed on the spot, but sent Che Yun to invite Su Liang.
As for the duel with Wei Hao, the First Warrior of Liang Country, the bet was a city and 100,000 stones of grain. If it was Xing Ji in his younger days, he would have accepted the challenge without hesitation.
But now, Su Liang was the one involved in this gambling game. Xing Ji planned to listen to her opinion.
Although Su Liang was the Martial Arts Champion of the current university examination, this was under the condition that she was the strongest among those who participated in the Military Exam under the age of 35.
During the day, Su Liang had only fought to a draw with Che Yun, who didn’t participate in the Military Exam.
Whether she could defeat Wei Hao, Xing Ji was unsure.
The key was that if they were to fight and lost, not only would they lose 100,000 stones of grain, but also the face of Qian Country, which would be a great responsibility.
“Chief General Xing, is your Su Scholar of Qian Country scared and not daring to come?” Wei Yao shouted from the high horseback.
Laughter spread among the Liang Country army.
Wei Hao shouted loudly, “If the little lady who becomes the Martial Arts
Champion in your country does not dare to come forward, it doesn’t matter.
Although Wei Yao came with the appearance of negotiating, his words were all provocative.
Liang Country was in short supply of food, and tonight they came to “rob”. The gambling game they proposed was just to achieve their purpose in a less strenuous way. If Qian Country wanted to fight, they could openly rob.
Living in the harsh cold of the north, Liang Country worshipped martial strength for generations. Men were strong, and in terms of individual soldier’s average combat power, they were stronger than Qian Country and Yin Country.
For war, no matter which side starts first, they always find a justifiable reason for themselves. It’s best to force the other side to strike first, and then counterattack, which inherently becomes more reasonable.
People long for peace and tranquility.
But spectators often do not condemn the provoker, even if they are forced to fight. As long as they strike first, they are in the wrong.
Xing Ji was very clear about the intentions of the Wei father and son, and he didn’t respond.
“General Su is here!”
Xing Ji turned around and saw Su Liang on the city building, followed closely by Che Yun.
“You came.” Xing Ji turned and walked over, not letting Su Liang go to the front to be seen by the Wei father and son.
“Do we fight?” Su Liang asked.
Xing Ji sighed softly, “It’s up to you. If you don’t want to fight, just tell them to leave.”
Su Liang knew that Xing Ji was sincere. If she said she wouldn’t go, she really wouldn’t have to go, and he would take care of all the troubles for her.
But, if that were the case, she wouldn’t have come at all.
“Since the Chief General doesn’t object, let’s fight!” Su Liang said very straightforwardly, “How old is Wei Hao?” Xing Ji hesitated for a moment.
Che Yun hurriedly spoke, “Twenty-six.”
Su Liang said calmly, “He’s a 26-year-old robust man; losing to a 16-year-old girl like me would be shameful. And if he wins me, there’s nothing to be proud of.”
Xing Ji was a bit puzzled. Su Liang had always been unwilling to be treated differently because she was a girl and of younger age, but it was rare to hear her say so.
“I heard someone shouting that I was the little lady who became the Martial Arts Champion.” Su Liang said.
Xing Ji nodded, “It was Wei Hao.”
“There you have it. He said those words himself, and it’s a fact. Anyway, be it win or lose, I won’t let Qian Country lose face.” Su Liang said seriously.
Xing Ji’s face looked relieved, “I believe you.”
Che Yun said, “Or let me go first? Just say that Wei Hao is not qualified to fight our Qian Country’s Martial Arts Champion, and he has to pass my test first. Even if I lose, General Su will have the chance to see his skills and have more confidence. ”
“No need.” Su Liang refused without hesitation, “They won’t agree.”
As soon as she said that, Su Liang walked to the side of the crenel, looked at the dense Liang Country army below, and said loudly, “Who wants to fight with
Xing Ji suddenly wanted to laugh.
The Qian Country army, which had been angered by Liang Country’s provocation, suddenly felt much better when they heard Su Liang’s bold and confident shout.
Wei Yao, Wei Hao, and the soldiers of Liang Country raised their heads and looked at Su Liang.
Wei Yao spoke loudly, “Is it Su, the Top Scholar?”
Su Liang responded, “My surname is Su, and my given name is a single character, Liang, which is the same as Liang Country. If I were born in Liang Country, would my name be a great taboo?”
Both sides were startled, not expecting Su Liang to break the norm and take the initiative to talk with Wei Yao, with a very unique opening topic…
Wei Yao laughed heartily, “Indeed, it would be a great taboo. But since General Su was born in Qian Country and has this name, perhaps it is destined in your fate that one day, you will become one of our people in Liang Country!” Xing Ji snorted coldly, dreaming.
Su Liang also laughed, “However, if I stepped onto Liang Country, my name would be taboo and I would be executed. As it’s impossible for me to change my name, I can only go on a life and death struggle with Liang Country. My name is bound to have a fate with Liang Country, opposing each other with equal force, is this great fate too, General Wei?”
Hearing the phrase “life and death,” Xing Ji’s mouth twitched, thinking that Su Liang was quite the conversationalist.
The soldiers of Liang Country thought Su Liang was too arrogant!
The army of Qian Country felt that every word Su Liang said made so much sense and sounded so pleasing!
Wei Hao was clearly angered, “A little girl dares to be on the same level as my great Liang Country, such ignorance! If you’re so confident, come down and let’s have a sparring session!”
“What kind of courage are you talking about? Do you have any?” Su Liang retorted.
There was a burst of laughter from the Qian Country side.
Su Liang continued, “General Wei is challenging me, a little girl, in front of the whole Liang Country army, really giving me face. But for the sake of fairness, Liang Country must send a girl of the same age as me to fight. Otherwise, if General Wei, who is ten years older than me, wins, it won’t be a glorious victory!”
With a mixture of confidence, dominance, and innocence in Su Liang’s voice, the faces of Wei family father and son changed.
“You are the Martial Arts Champion of Qian Country, and I am the number one warrior of Liang Country. Are you afraid to compete with me?” Wei Hao asked coldly.
“There’s nothing to fear, I just worry that General Wei might lose and be too ashamed to show his face,” Su Liang said with a light laugh.
Before the start of the battle, it was unclear who would win or lose, but Su Liang’s verbal skills had completely overwhelmed the Wei family father and son.
“Enough talk! If you want to fight, come down!” Wei Hao raised his long knife and pointed at Su Liang, “You talk so much, I think you’re scared!”
“I’ll be right there,” Su Liang’s voice was calm, “However, since both Generals Wei can use a city of Liang Country as a bet in this duel, it shows their high position in Liang Country. I appreciate that, but I’m just a low-ranking Junior Officer and lack the ability to gamble with the entire Qian Country army’s food supply.”
Wei Yao’s face darkened, as Su Liang’s words were full of hidden barbs. However, the Wei family father and son weren’t acting on their own, so they weren’t particularly shameful. “General Xing can make the call. In the end, General Su still doesn’t dare to fight!”
“Oh, that’s true. But our general’s initial intention was to let you all retreat to where you came from. If you want to fight, let’s fight; if you want to negotiate, let’s negotiate properly. He doesn’t like deceitful games. I insisted on fighting and should bear responsibility for my actions. You just want food, right? Simple, if I lose, I’ll personally give you 100,000 stones of grain.” Su Liang said loudly.
Wei Hao blurted out, “What a big boast!”
Su Liang smiled, “I can’t help it, you don’t know me. My future husband’s family is filthy rich, and they’re going to give me all their money. I can’t even spend it all, it’s so annoying, I can afford to give you some.”
These words sounded like she was brushing off a beggar…
Che Yun held his forehead, “General Su is really…” unable to find the right description.
Nevertheless, Liang Country provoked, and Su Liang responded. The initiative was once in the hands of the Wei family father and son, but now the situation had turned quite strange.
“Fine, let’s do it your way!” Wei Yao shouted. He realized that dragging this on would be even more disadvantageous for them, and since they had come all this way, he was reluctant to give up on their original plan.
The Wei family father and son were confident in their martial skills, and they didn’t intend to play any tricks. As Xing Ji had said, the Liang Country army retreated while the Qian Country army advanced by 20000, and the two sides confronted each other. The open space between them became the battlefield.
“General, I request to go protect General Su!” Che Yun said to Xing Ji.
Xing Ji nodded, “Keep an eye on them and be alert for any trickery.” He had already instructed the archers to be ready in case there was any unusual movement from Liang Country’s side and to take immediate action.
Su Liang and Wei Hao walked out from the two countries’ armies.
Although Su Liang was not considered short among women, she looked particularly slender and delicate compared to the sturdy physique of Wei Hao.
Wei Hao used a long blade, while Su Liang brought her Luoying Sword. She had learned swordsmanship from Ning Jing and had barely used it outside before, because Ning Jing had said that her skills were still lacking. Previously, when the two practiced martial arts at home, Su Liang would always practice this set of swordsmanship, with Ning Jing accompanying her as her training partner, putting pressure on her.
Today was an important duel. It wasn’t that Su Liang couldn’t afford the one hundred thousand stones of grain, but she didn’t want to lose.
Without anyone giving an order, the two revealed their weapons and began to fight.
Soon, both armies started cheering for their respective parties.
The clamor surged like waves.
Su Liang ignored all that and focused solely on the sword in her hand and her opponent’s blade.
As the blades of the swords and knives collided, cold lights flickered, and two dark shadows swiftly moved and dodged under the moonlight.
The title of Liang Country’s top brave warrior indeed was not empty talk. Wei Hao was powerful, and his strength was simply overwhelming for Su Liang.
After several attempts at testing her opponent, Su Liang began avoiding his attacks with faster speed and more agile and varied swordsmanship to deal with Wei Hao.
Watching the fight from atop the high city walls, Xing Ji thought that Su Liang was a martial artist who grew stronger when facing strong opponents, with enormous potential that, once unleashed, could lead her to immeasurable heights.
Che Yun, who was also watching the fight, shared the same sentiment, and told Lin Bojun, who had come to his side, “If I were to spar with General Su again tomorrow, I’m afraid I would lose.”
Che Yun had heard that Su Liang was proficient in multiple weapons, but it was only tonight that he had witnessed it for himself. Compared to the pair of Twin Blades she had used to fight him to a draw during the day, he felt that the swordsmanship Su Liang employed tonight was even more intricate and formidable.
Lin Bojun remained silent, watching intently. At this point, he wasn’t concerned about winning or losing, but worried that Su Liang might get injured. Blades had no eyes, and if Wei Hao’s blade struck her, it would result in either death or serious injury.
Wei Yao’s expression was not good, because both the previous fight and the current ongoing one were worse than what they had planned.
Wei Hao had no match among the young generation in Liang Country. Before their arrival, they had looked into Su Liang’s performance in the Military Exam and concluded that her victory as Martial Arts Champion was because there were no particularly strong competitors in Qian Country that year, and her defeat of Man Ya was due to Man Ya’s overrated reputation.
In fact, the Exam had not been particularly spectacular by the end, and Su Liang hadn’t really displayed her full strength.
However, tonight, Wei Yao realized that the young lady they had chosen as their stepping stone was far too difficult to deal with!
Half an hour passed, and the outcome remained uncertain.
From the beginning, Su Liang had spent more time on defense than on offense, with Wei Hao unable to land a hit on her while also having to be on guard against her sudden and tricky attacks.
As time went on, Wei Hao’s physical strength was depleted much more than Su Liang’s, and gradually his moves were not as powerful as they had been at the beginning.
When Wei Yao discovered Su Liang’s intentions, he couldn’t help but remind Wei Hao to end the fight quickly!
As a result, Wei Hao became impatient while Su Liang maintained her composure, and after a few fierce moves with the enchanting sword, she forced Wei Hao to retreat three steps amidst the dazzling display.
“General Su, hit him!” A soldier couldn’t help but shout.
In the midst of the cheering, Su Liang went from defense to offense, her sword light raging and cold aura overwhelming, as she pressed Wei Hao step by step!
Before long, Wei Hao lost his footing and fell to the ground.. Su Liang seized the opportunity to press her sword against his neck!