Capítulo 1405: Chapter 1405: Martial Arts Sparring
The fortress is a very narrow place. Helian is an old general of the Wolf Clan, battle-hardened, having fought the Qin Army more than seventy tis. Precisely because of the strategic importance of Stone Peak Fortress, the Wolf Clan sent him to take charge of it. However, it was also because of his frequent victories that he beca careless, stepping into the trap set by Ye Shikai without realizing it. Even though he fought desperately like a trapped beast, he could not escape death. If he had been a little more cautious, this outco might have been avoided.
“I already understand the situation with Ma Peng. He sold arrows illegally and conspired to betray the pass, leaving him no escape from a death sentence. As for his family, they can be spared from execution.” ng Tian nodded and said. Frankly, he was undoubtedly in a situation of “a bad news and a good news.” A general intended to surrender the fortress, but another general took care of it, annihilating three thousand enemies and capturing one thousand. ng Tian was deeply fearful afterwards. If the fortress had fallen, allowing the Wolf Clan to advance unimpeded, sending even fifty thousand more soldiers would not have helped.
“General ng is wise,” Ye Shikai nodded in agreent.
“By the way, I heard your martial skills are quite impressive, is that so?” ng Tian changed the topic and continued to ask.
“Well… it’s just a small trick, not worth showing off,” Ye Shikai said humbly. He didn’t quite understand why ng Tian asked this, but… it’s better to be low-key.
“No need to be too modest. How about sparring with this general?” As soon as ng Tian finished speaking, all the generals present shivered. ng Tian was not only a renowned strategist, but also a warrior who charged into battle fearlessly. In the entire Qin Country, hardly anyone could confidently challenge ng Tian in a duel.
“General ng, you have great responsibilities. How can you engage in such duels? Moreover, your martial prowess is well-known throughout the Great Qin. How can a re chiliarch be your opponent?” Han Hao said with a smile. However, drawing swords and engaging in combat could harm the harmony, especially since the opponent was General ng of the Qin Dynasty.
“Haha, being part of the Great Qin Army, whether as generals or soldiers, one should fear neither swords nor blades. If even I feared them, how could I establish authority?”
“So, Ye, would you be willing to spar with ?” ng Tian pointed at Ye Shikai, asking. For him, it was a difficult choice. If he refused, and ng Tian invited him a few more tis, he might be accused of disrespect or even disobedience. If he accepted, he would have to ‘fight’ ng Tian. Among the Qin Army, he was probably the only one who had a chance to challenge a military commander one-on-one.
“Since General ng insists, I shall not refuse any longer.”
“Good, have the soldiers set up a platform in the open area. Let’s go out.” ng Tian happily slapped the table, taking Ye Shikai by the hand and walking out of the barracks.
…………………………
“Ye, make sure you don’t use your full strength,” outside the barracks, Han Hao pulled Ye Shikai into a corner, nervously reminding him, “General ng is an imperial general with a noble status. Although it was his idea to duel, if he actually gets hurt, we’ll all lose our heads.” Han Hao said, gesturing a light mark across his neck.
“General ng might be testing you, but he might also just be having a whim. Losing is not shaful, and you’ll save his face, which is a win-win. If you stubbornly go all out, even if you win, there is no benefit. You might even offend him.”
“Alright, Lord Han, I understand, I’ll only go as far as necessary.”
“That’s good, that’s good, don’t forget.”
“Ye, are you ready?” On the platform, ng Tian had already changed into light armor. Han Hao initially wanted both sides to use wooden swords and knives instead, but was firmly rejected by ng Tian.
“Ready.” Ye Shikai also changed into his attire, taking his sword onto the platform. They both chose to use swords, not spears or long knives.
“You’ve chosen a sword. Is it to intentionally let this general win?” ng Tian asked in return.
“I am not adept at using a spear. Instead, this sword suits my skills, allowing flexibility. General ng, please.” Ye Shikai saluted and said.
“I am older than you, and if you let win, people might say I’m not worthy. How about this: you attack first, I’ll give you three moves.” Indeed, ng Tian was not an ordinary person. If it were anyone else in a duel, they would never let an opponent have moves without at least an eighty percent chance of winning.
“Then I shall humbly accept.” Ye Shikai understood. After all, ng Tian was a commander of an army and needed to maintain his ‘War God’ image in front of the soldiers. If he lost face, the morale of the Qin Army would drop.
Thus, Ye Shikai had to lose, but he had to make ng Tian feel that he had used all his strength…
Ye Shikai suddenly thrust a sword, the sword edge slightly tilted left, easily dodged by ng Tian. Ye Shikai swung the sword backhand, which was also easily blocked. The clash of blades sparked, and Ye Shikai kicked, but ng Tian stepped back, missing the kick entirely.
Three moves had passed.
“Ye, if you keep holding back, this general won’t show rcy. Use your full abilities to fight .” ng Tian said softly. Ye Shikai was quite surprised. Although he had deliberately held back in his moves just now, he was confident he could ‘fool’ everyone, yet ng Tian saw through it.
“The first thrust, you deliberately slanted the sword edge left. The second swing, your target wasn’t , but my sword, clearly letting block. As for the third move, even though the kick missed, you softened your force in the end. Even if it hit , it would have been painless.”
ng Tian hit the nail on the head.
Now it was Ye Shikai’s turn to be shocked. In just a blink of an eye in battle, ng Tian had already clearly seen the flaws. Even if Ye Shikai had used his full strength, he probably couldn’t have prevailed over ng Tian.
“Next, be careful.” ng Tian warned. As he finished speaking, he charged directly, cutting down with a sword. Ye Shikai blocked horizontally, feeling imnse pressure, as if facing not a sword edge, but a mountain. He even had to kneel on one knee to catch the blow.
“Excellent.”
“Excellent.”
“General ng’s mighty!”
Under the platform, the uniform cheers were all in celebration of ng Tian. Ye Shikai had to admit, ng Tian’s martial art was indeed formidable. Without Inner Strength, he was not ng Tian’s match. This blow proved who was stronger, and Ye Shikai felt ng Tian was still holding back; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been just a ‘Hasty Block.’
“Ye, keep fighting.”
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