Chapter 155 - 155: 155. Regaining the Field (First Update)
The match would begin in a quarter of an hour, drawing everyone’s attention. Xing Yu Sheng subconsciously asked Ning Jing, “What is Mu Ya’s strength like?”
“Mu-what!” Zhengzheng said with a cheeky smile.
Ning Jing replied indifferently, “How would I know?”
Xing Yusheng coughed lightly, “I don’t know why, but I feel like you might know.”
Old Madame Xing asked Ning Jing to bring some food to Su Liang, “Tell Miss
Liang not to be nervous, we all believe in her.”
Ning Jing then took the box of snacks the old lady had given him, picked up
Zhengzheng, and went to find Su Liang on the side of the viewing platform.
Luo Rong was talking to Su Liang when he saw Ning Jing coming over. He smiled at him and returned to his original position.
The seats beside Su Liang had originally belonged to Nian Ruxue and Gao Jiabao, but they had left.
Ning Jing sat down and put Zhengzheng on the ground.
Zhengzheng immediately pounced and hugged Su Liang’s leg, “Auntie is the strongest! Defeat her!”
Su Liang chuckled softly and rubbed Zhengzheng’s fluffy little head, “Alright.” In fact, she had no idea how strong Mu Ya was.
According to the rumors, she was a martial arts prodigy from Yin Country, born as a commoner and fought her way up to her current position, by no means a simple character.
Ning Jing opened the snack box and took out a piece, feeding Zhengzheng instead.
“I thought it was for me.” Su Liang hummed lightly.
Ning Jing shook his head slightly, “Too sweet, you don’t like it.”
Su Liang judged whether a snack was good or not based on its sweetness. She refused anything too sweet.
“She uses a long sword, and you use a long spear. Her leg skills are strong, so be careful.” Ning Jing fed Zhengzheng the snack with his head lowered, and from an outsider’s perspective, it was impossible to tell that he was speaking.
As Ning Jing’s words fell, Su Liang saw Qi Yan and Qi Jun bring her a long spear wrapped in cloth.
Su Liang lowered her head and pinched Zhengzheng’s little face, “Have you sparred with her before?”
As Zhengzheng accepted the feeding and pinching, he listened to the secret conversation between the two, his eyes sparkling.
“I’ve only seen.” Ning Jing said, “She’s a right-handed swordswoman, but her left hand is also strong. She’ll suddenly switch hands at critical moments, and that’s her secret technique.”
Listening to this, it seemed Mu Ya was very powerful, so Su Liang asked Ning
Jing, “How much chance do I have of winning?”
“Zhengzheng, hold out your hand.” Ning Jing said. Zhengzheng stretched out one little hand.
Su Liang understood, 50%.
The next moment, Zhengzheng stretched out another small hand and put them together.
Su Liang heard Ning Jing say, “Right now it’s 50%, if you win, it’s 100%.
Zhengzheng is so smart.”
Su Liang: …Are you sure you’re not teasing me?
The drums sounded below, and Mu Ya leaped onto the Combat Stage, having changed into a new outfit, her figure tall and voluptuous.
“Miss Su, come on!” Mu Ya still wore her half-mask, but her arrogance was hard to conceal.
Ning Jing took the snack box, picked up Zhengzheng, and left.
Su Liang walked down from the viewing platform, and Qi Yan removed the
cloth covering the long spear and handed it to her.
Mu Ya’s eyes flashed, she hadn’t expected Su Liang to change weapons.
But the common people who had been watching the fights all along knew that this Martial Arts Champion was proficient in all eighteen types of weapons, changing one for each match, and they were used to it.
Watching Su Liang walk onto the Combat Stage, Crown Prince Duanmu Cheng asked Duanmu Chen, “Fourth brother, do you think Miss Su has a better chance of winning?”
Duanmu Chen knew that people suspected Su Liang was his acquaintance, and that they had met in Bei’an County.
He didn’t fall for the trap and said seriously, “Although I’ve seen a few of Miss
Su’s matches, I don’t know the strength of General Mu Ya, so it’s hard to say.”
“What does Fifth Brother think? I heard Miss Su is treating you, and your complexion looks much better than last time.” Duanmu Cheng then pointed the spearhead at Duanmu Che.
It was Lian Shun who answered, “My cousin doesn’t know martial arts, so it’s better to ask me, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Duanmu Cheng’s smile deepened, “What does Master Lin think?”
“My family lives in the south, and I’ve heard quite a few whispers about this female General Mu. She’s very skilled in martial arts and ruthless when striking. Many people in Yin Country who didn’t submit to her challenged her, and they either died or were injured.” Lian Shun said.
Duanmu Chen’s eyes were slightly condensed. Mu Ya wouldn’t be thinking of crippling Su Liang, would she? On the Combat Stage, where blades and swords had no eyes, it would be impossible to blame her later for such an event…
“Your Majesty, should we remind General Ma and Miss Su once more that this is just a friendly competition, and they should stop at the right moment? In case Miss Su accidentally injures General Ma, it won’t be appropriate for negotiations with Yin Country!” Duanmu Chen said respectfully.
Although Duanmu Cheng knew that Duanmu Chen was trying to protect Su Liang, he could only agree.
That’s because Su Liang represented the strength of Qian Country’s women and the face of Qian Country’s Military Exam.
Hearing Duanmu Yi say to stop at the right moment, Mu Ya laughed and said,
“Emperor Qian, don’t worry, I will be gentle.”
This statement was quite calculated. If she wins, it would mean she truly overpowered Su Liang. If she loses, could it be that she was letting Su Liang win?
The drums sounded again, and the Order Officer confirmed that both were ready and announced the start of the contest.
Mu Ya held her long sword, its cold light flickering.
Su Liang held her long spear, the red tassel at the tip dancing wildly in the wind.
For a moment, it created the illusion that these two female generals from different countries were clashing on the battlefield.
Although they were worried about Su Liang getting hurt and the outcome of the contest not being satisfactory, Qin Yujin and Lin Xueqing couldn’t help but exclaim, Su Liang looks so cool!
Mu Ya suddenly let out a charming smile and attacked Su Liang with her sword.
Su Liang blocked the attack with her long spear, dodging to the side. After their first exchange, the two switched positions.
Lin Xueqing and Qin Yujin clasped hands, feeling very nervous.
Duanmu Yi on the viewing seat straightened up, and everyone became quiet.
Soon, the two engaged in combat again, with Mu Ya still on the offensive and Su Liang on the defensive.
After a dozen or so exchanges, they separated and once more engaged in battle, with Mu Ya launching a fierce attack.
The sword light flashed, and many people felt dazzled and couldn’t see clearly. Su Liane’s actions were 0Den and swift. not Darticularlv fast. but she alwavs managed to accurately block Mu Ya’s attacks!
Some thought Mu Ya was more powerful, as Su Liang had no chance to counterattack.
But the experts could see that Mu Ya was an absolutely aggressive martial artist, while Su Liang was more conservative and cautious. She just hadn’t started to attack yet because her defense didn’t require much effort. If someone else were in her shoes, they might have been awkwardly beaten down by this time.
As Ning Jing had said, seeing Su Liang’s tight defense with her long spear, Mu Ya indeed started attacking her lower body.
Su Liang had been special trained by Ning Jing on the Plum Blossom Pile, and she always focused on strengthening her legs during her regular exercises. After dodging Mu Ya’s several leg attacks, Su Liang planted the long spear on the ground like a pillar, holding it with her hands, leaping into the air, and quickly executing several consecutive flying kicks, forcing Mu Ya to retreat for the first time!
Su Liang landed steadily, and the long spear in her hand spun around, with its cold and gleaming spearhead aimed at Mu Ya. With a rapid charge, she switched from defense to offense!
Everything happened so fast that by the time everyone reacted, the two were already tangled up again.
Cheers erupted from the crowd, admiring Su Liang’s stunning and fierce moves.
Someone shouted, “Hit her!”
Soon, waves of voices cheered for Su Liang.
After all, this was the home court for Qian Country. How could they allow a woman from an enemy country to be so wild?
The cheering and encouraging voices kept getting louder, making everyone’s expectations for Su Liang reach their peak. Xing Yusheng sighed softly, “She must win!”
If she lost, she would be treated as a great sinner.
The spectators wouldn’t care about Su Liang’s age, the difficulty of learning martial arts, or her recent achievements. They wouldn’t care that she was facing a female general from Yin Country who had experienced battles.
They would only care if she could win.
Ning Jing, holding little Zhengzheng, had a calm face. She lifted Zhengzheng’s two small hands and shook them, “She won’t lose.”
Duanmu Che’s eyes were fixed on that heroic-looking figure in black, unable to look away.
Lian Shun clapped his hands in praise, “Su Xiaoliang is really cool! Just like that! Beat her!”
Long swords were common, but long spears were not as common.
Most people present were seeing, for the first time, someone handling a long spear so beautifully. The red tassel on the spearhead seemed like a fluttering banner on the battlefield, captivating everyone’s attention and emotions.
When the aggressive Mu Ya was counterattacked, her defensive ability was clearly inferior to Su Liang’s, and her weapon was not suitable for defense either.
Mu Ya tried to break Su Liang’s long spear several times, but Su Liang neutralized her attempts.
Although it still looked like they were evenly matched to outsiders, Mu Ya Imew that if her attacks were all invalid, continuing the fight would be very unfavorable to her.
Hence, Mu Ya started to dodge and retreat.
Seeing this, the audience thought Su Liang’s victory was near, and burst into cheers again.
Lin Bojun, however, was a bit worried, “That woman is full of tricks. She probably did this on purpose to lull Su Xiaoliang’s vigilance.”
As expected, when Mu Ya was forced to retreat to a corner of the combat stage by Su Liang, she launched her secret move. The sword in her right hand suddenly switched to her left hand, attacking Su Liang’s wrist with an extremely tricky angle and speed!
If it hit, Su Liang would be disabled in an instant!
Perhaps only Ning Jing was calm in the face of this.
Lian Shun almost fell to the ground, tightly grabbing Duanmu Che’s arm, his breathing momentarily halted.
Under normal circumstances, people would not switch hands with their weapons during a fight unless injured. Under normal conditions, the power and accuracy of an unfamiliar hand would be greatly reduced. If the weapon was knocked away after switching hands, it would be ruined!
However, at that moment, Su Liang seemed to have predicted Mu Ya’s “secret move.” When the long sword approached, she successfully dodged it and simultaneously swept her long spear under Mu Ya’s relaxed right arm. With a quick step, she flashed to Mu Ya’s back!
Mu Ya’s secret move failed, and her face changed as her right hand was captured by Su Liang!
She tried to turn around, but couldn’t make it.
As the long spear passed horizontally under Mu Ya’s left arm from behind, her sword swung back without stabbing Su Liang. Instead, Su Liang grabbed her left wrist!
The long sword fell to the ground, making a crisp sound.
Everyone stared in astonishment as Su Liang, in a matter of seconds, managed to lock both of Mu Ya’s arms behind her back with her long spear, tightly gripping Mu Ya’s pulse, rendering her immobile.
If a rope were to be added, tying Mu Ya’s wrists to the long spear, wouldn’t this resemble the posture of arresting a criminal?
The cheering erupted again, accompanied by laughter.
With such an unsightly posture, Mu Ya gained a universally witnessed failure.
She didn’t show any mercy, but unfortunately, she didn’t manage to hurt Su Liang.
Su Liang carried out the Emperor’s intention of stopping as soon as she made a point perfectly, without hurting Mu Ya at all.
Except if you count damaging her ego.
This greatly satisfied the majority of people who couldn’t foresee the outcome before the battle and who were very worried that Mu Ya would humiliate Qian Country again! They felt so refreshed and invigorated! In a word – Awesome!
Lian Shun waved his arms and shouted, “Su Xiaoliang, well done!”
Duanmu Yi’s brows relaxed, and he laughed, “Su Liang, aren’t you going to release General Mu Ya? Be careful not to hurt her!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Su Liang respectfully replied, with a friendly smile, “General Mu Ya, thank you for granting me the win.”
With that, she let go of Mu Ya’s hand, caught the falling long spear, picked up Mu Ya’s long sword from the ground, and returned it to her with the hilt facing forward.
Her every movement was filled with vigor.
In contrast, Mu Ya’s gloomy face seemed like she couldn’t accept her loss.
After all, Mu Ya was the one who had proposed this test with the purpose of defeating Su Liang on the day Qian Country’s Martial Arts Champion was born.
It was indeed a great opportunity to humiliate Qian Country. Unfortunately, her strength was not enough to suppress Su Liang.
It was also related to the fact that Su Liang hadn’t revealed her true strength during the melee, which gave Mu Ya the illusion and made her think that Qian
Country’s performance in this military exam was poor, and thus brushed off Su Liang as a third-rate Martial Arts Champion.
I take back what I said earlier about Qian’s women only being able to embroider. Miss Su, not only are you beautiful, but you also possess great strength. You truly are a heroine among women!”
Whether Mu Ya was sincere or not, at least the face of Qian Country had been regained today!
Mu Ya grasped Su Liang’s wrist and walked down the combat stage together, laughing and asking Su Liang where she bought her clothes, as she wanted to buy a set too.
Su Liang smiled, “A friend gave it to me.”
Mu Ya didn’t pursue the issue but instead hinted with a smile, “Miss Su has a promising future. If I were a man, I would definitely propose to you!”
At this remark, the princes on the viewing platform all had subtly awkward expressions.
“If I were a man, I wouldn’t dare propose to General Mu Ya, for fear of being beaten,” Su Liang joked.
Mu Ya spoke affectionately, but her laughter didn’t reach her eyes, “Miss Su, you really are a clever one..”