Bang!
Bao Yi’s upper body slammed into the ground, splattering blood and dust everywhere.
Clang!
His great saber fell and stuck into the ground nearby, letting out a series of mournful cries.
His lower body was still astride the horse as it galloped onward.
It was not until it had run seven or eight zhang that it finally crashed to the ground. The horse let out a shrill, mournful whinny, as if grieving for its master.
Bian Huai’s pupils contracted sharply. His grip on the reins tightened once more, the thick joints of his fingers turning bluish-white.
He finally understood why Wenxia City had had four great generals, yet not a single one had managed to escape!
With such a fierce warrior, combined with the power of repeating crossbows and a nighttime ambush, it was no wonder the entire army had been wiped out.
Even Wei Tai was stunned. He had not fought alongside Yun Chengxuan that night and had known nothing of his true strength.
Only now, after witnessing it firsthand, did he realize that this seemingly simple-minded young man was actually a weapon of mass destruction!
Yun Chengxuan shook the blood from his saber, then rode slowly over to Bao Yi. Looking down at him from atop his horse, he asked, “Are you dead? Want me to help you?”
Bao Yi was not dead yet. He rolled his eyes toward Yun Chengxuan and saw the complete lack of sorrow or joy in them.
A chill ran through his heart, and blood kept trickling from the corner of his mouth.
He could not speak, nor did he wish to. He merely turned his head toward the Ji Army, unwillingness and reluctance flashing in his eyes. His body convulsed violently several times before becoming still.
Only then did Yun Chengxuan raise his head and look toward the Ji Army.
“Who’s next? Come on!”
The entire field fell silent.
Bi Tu and the others felt their hearts tremble. How were they supposed to fight against such strength?
Where had the Jinyang Army found such a ferocious general?
Bian Huai forced himself to calm down, then looked up at Jiang Jin on the city wall. “Do you have no other generals? Is he fighting again in the next round?”
Jiang Jin smiled. “You never said the same person couldn’t fight twice.”
Her expression was proud. “Look at him. He’s cheerful, light on his feet, courteous in his manner, and completely at ease. Naturally, there’s no need to replace him.”
Bian Huai: “…”
The other descriptions were bad enough, but what did “courteous in his manner” have to do with anything?
Yun Chengxuan, however, puffed out his chest and smiled. Auntie was praising him!
Bi Tu was furious. “By convention, each side replaces its general after every round.”
Yao Ji actually laughed from anger. “We’ve fought in general duels before. What kind of bullsh*t convention is that? If you can’t afford to lose, then crawl back beyond the pass!”
Bi Tu’s face flushed red with anger, but he had no idea how to refute him. There was no such thing as a fixed convention in general duels to begin with.
Bian Huai forced a stiff smile and changed tactics. “Since that’s the case, surely a melee is acceptable?”
That young general from the Jinyang Army had only made one move just now, so they still had no idea of his true strength.
But Bian Huai knew Bao Yi’s abilities very well. Even if he had fought personally, Bao Yi should not have lost so quickly.
Of course, he would never admit that he himself was no match for the opponent. He could only assume that Bao Yi had been careless and underestimated his enemy.
Still, there was no denying that this young general was a formidable warrior of extraordinary strength.
However, Bian Huai refused to believe that every general in the Jinyang Army possessed such ability. Thus, a chaotic battle with multiple warriors was the perfect solution. With enough men, they could certainly bring this young general down.
Jiang Jin had no objection to a melee. “In that case, six men on each side. One battle to decide life and death?”
They had originally agreed on seven rounds. In theory, they only needed to send out three more men, since victory would go to whoever won four rounds.
Jiang Jin merely wanted to kill a few more of the enemy’s generals.
Bian Huai naturally had no objections. The Dung-Splitting General’s presence had shaken him badly. The more men they had, the greater their chances of winning. After all, the Ji Army had no shortage of brave generals.
He looked toward Bi Tu, but before he could say anything, Bi Tu spoke first.
“Grand General, I only arrived yesterday after a long and exhausting journey by land and sea. I haven’t recovered my strength yet, and this battle is of tremendous importance. I’m afraid I might make a mistake.”
Bian Huai’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
Bi Tu, however, remained calm and unhurried, having already made up his mind not to fight.
Against a warrior as terrifying as this, he had no confidence at all. Naturally, he would not volunteer—and he would not accept being forced into it, either.
Bian Huai suppressed his anger and turned to Hu Zuo. “The time has come to fight for our people.”
He did not want to send out the only Grand General under his command, either. But the survival of Punan Commandery depended on this battle, and he had to send a Grand General to hold the field.
Qiu Lin and Hu Qiude were stationed at the camp to guard against any other moves by the Jinyang Army.
Since Bi Tu was unwilling to take the risk, Hu Zuo was the only Grand General left at his disposal.
Hu Zuo’s heart tightened. After a moment, he nodded solemnly. “This subordinate will win this round.”
There was no need for Jiang Jin to agonize over her selection. She did not have many generals, but every one of them was a capable fighter.
Shuangjiang had to take part. With her and Yun Chengxuan present, the battle was essentially settled.
Chu Qing had not fought in a general duel for far too long and insisted on joining as well.
Wei Tai wanted to fight too, but his arm was injured, so he could only wait for another opportunity.
Jiang Jin also selected Ye Shang, Ji Xin, and Li Qian.
Those who were not chosen, such as Yao Ji, were disappointed, but they also understood that their ruler was deliberately beginning to train the younger generals.
When the Ji Army saw that the Jinyang Army’s side was made up entirely of young faces, they could not quite put their feelings into words.
They were simply far too young!
If they were allowed to grow any stronger, then in the future…
Bian Huai gave the order. “Kill them all.”
Hu Zuo nodded. “Rest assured, Grand General. I will cut them all down from horseback.”
The five brave generals he had chosen were none weaker than Bao Yi.
This time, both sides tacitly refrained from announcing their names. They both knew that their opponents were destined to die.
Yun Chengxuan looked up at Jiang Jin, somewhat uncertain. “Auntie, how many moves should I use?”
Jiang Jin: “…Whatever you like.”
Yun Chengxuan brightened. “All right!”
Hearing their exchange, Bi Tu sneered coldly. “Arrogant!”
Yun Chengxuan shot him a sidelong glance. “If you’re dissatisfied, you can come up too. I’ll allow your side to have one extra man.”
Bi Tu choked and ground his molars. “Our Ji Army values rules above all else. Naturally, we would never violate the rules of a general duel.”
Yun Chengxuan waved dismissively. “I agree to let you violate them. Come on up.”
Bi Tu: “…”
He silently turned his head away and said nothing more.
He had discovered that this young man spoke in an obviously gentle tone, yet somehow managed to infuriate people to the point of madness.
The Ji Army retrieved Bao Yi’s corpse and great saber.
The general duel officially began.
Hu Zuo raised a hand. “Kill!”
The five brave generals behind him followed as he charged toward Yun Chengxuan and the others.
With a resounding clang, Yun Chengxuan blocked Hu Zuo’s lethal strike, then countered with a horizontal slash.
When Bao Yi was killed, Hu Zuo had already realized that Yun Chengxuan was probably extremely strong. But only after confronting him personally did he discover that he had still underestimated the young man’s strength.
Moreover, his saber was exceptionally formidable.
Hu Zuo was forced to adjust his strategy quickly, shifting from an initial all-out assault to primarily defending.
His strategy did have some effect. Yun Chengxuan failed to defeat him even after three consecutive strikes.
But Yun Chengxuan on the battlefield was not the same Yun Chengxuan he was normally. It was as if his combat instincts had awakened. He became extraordinarily patient and calm, neither anxious nor reckless, advancing steadily and killing with precision.
Shuangjiang’s side, however, was a bloody storm.
The brave general who first engaged her had not taken her seriously. She looked far too small, after all, carrying a saber taller than she was. The sight was almost comical.
Then she swung once.
His head flew from his shoulders, and blood sprayed more than a zhang into the air, falling like rain and staining the ground red.
