Volume One, Chapter 17: Come Closer! I Admit Defeat!
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Shen Yi was puzzled; Granny Wang had been deeply stabbed, yet she was able to stand up after just one day.
As expected.
Hatred is a potent elixir for survival!
“Shen Mangfu!” Though Granny Wang was weak at the moment, supported by the Imperial Guards, she looked utterly exhilarated and vindictive.
She shouted in accusation, “Yesterday, you defied orders, not only slaughtering the Imperial Guards, threatening the princess with a blade, but also severely wounding me!
You are utterly insane and unforgivable! Captain Yang! Today, you must capture this villain and show him what it means to insult the imperial dignity!”
Yang Lintan’s expression was cold and stern, like a pale-faced general in the biting wind, radiating authority.
He pointed his spear and sneered disdainfully, “I have long heard that Young Master Shen is pathetic and a disgrace to the Prince of the Frontier’s noble legacy!
Yet I never expected him to be such a brazen scoundrel! My cousin marrying you is truly a shame to the Yang family!
But my cousin is kind-hearted and forbearing, unwilling to punish you.
So as her elder cousin, I will tidy up the backyard for her! Guards! Surround them all at once!”
“Yes, sir!”
Thirty Imperial Guards swiftly encircled the courtyard, their imposing presence formidable.
“Young Master, be careful!”
“Don’t harm our Young Master!”
The dozen or so Shen family bodyguards, each steadfast in their duties, quickly positioned themselves protectively in front.
Shen Liang’s face turned pale as he desperately pleaded, “Granny Wang, you must be mistaken!
Our Young Master is kind by nature and would never wield a blade to harm others! Please, Princess, come and witness!”
Granny Wang snorted coldly, “Why don’t you ask Shen Mangfu what he did?”
All eyes turned to Shen Yi.
His lean figure, clad in light clothing, stood out singularly against the chill wind.
Everyone marveled at the young man’s robust physique, truly possessing the vigor of one who could fight ten women at once.
Yet Shen Yi’s lips curled into a mocking smile as he said lightly, “Granny Wang, I had planned to wait until you recovered to slap you a few more times.
But it seems you’ve come to me willingly.”
“Mangfu! Don’t insult me!” Granny Wang was utterly enraged, ignoring her wound that had reopened, baring her teeth and glaring fiercely.
“Look at him, so brazen in public! Who knows how lawless he is behind closed doors!
Captain Yang! Why haven’t you arrested him yet?”
However,
The loyalty of the Shen family bodyguards could not be stirred by a few words.
Yang Lintan saw their fierce demeanor; they appeared to be elite soldiers, each radiating a deadly aura.
This was bad.
These must be troops from the frontier province!
He counted their numbers and felt uneasy.
These Imperial Guards, though seemingly brave, were mostly descendants of noble families with past merits.
They lacked real battle prowess.
If a fight broke out, his side would likely suffer heavy losses.
So he struck his spear against the ground with disdain, “Young Master Shen, you are strong, yet you use it to bully women and children.
That’s hardly the conduct of a hero.
But since so many of us are here to fight today, I cannot bear to see these loyal Shen family bodyguards die in a foreign land.
If you have any spirit left, fight me one-on-one! If you lose, strip off your shirt and accept our punishment!”
A loud cheer erupted upon hearing this challenge.
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The Shen family bodyguards were furious.
Shen Liang even shouted, “Captain Yang, no! Our Young Master is only strong in body, with no martial skills! How could he possibly match you?”
This was blatant bullying!
“Young Master, don’t agree to this!”
“We swear to protect our Young Master with our lives!”
Faced with the unwavering loyalty of the bodyguards, Shen Yi was deeply moved.
He stepped forward slightly, facing Yang Lintan in full battle gear.
Though unsure of his true strength,
What was there to fear?
He picked up a bow and arrow from the table and said calmly, “No need for a duel.”
Yang Lintan scorned him in his heart: coward! Trash!
Granny Wang gritted her teeth in hatred; that Mangfu was truly shameless.
However,
Shen Yi suddenly pointed a finger at Yang Lintan and said calmly, “There are thirty meters between us. If you can come within two meters of me, I’ll admit defeat.
Accept your punishment.”
At these words,
Everyone’s faces were filled with disbelief and shock!
The bodyguards and Shen Liang hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
“Young Master, no! You’re no match for him!”
“You’ve never fought before!”
“Thirty meters will be over in a moment!”
…
Yang Lintan felt deeply humiliated. He had trained in martial arts since childhood and, though not as deeply rooted as the military clans, had fought his way to rank among the top twenty in the Imperial Guards.
Yet this petty upstart dared to boast about using a bow to keep him at a distance?
Did he think he was General Lu Chenlong?
“Very well!” Granny Wang’s eyes sparkled with excitement, “Captain Yang, accept his challenge quickly!”
Though Yang Lintan felt the sting of shame, he sneered to assert his authority, “I see you know you will surely lose and are looking for a graceful way out. I will go easy and not hurt you.
Come on!”
He shouted loudly,
His momentum overwhelming!
The Imperial Guards parted easily, looking relaxed.
The Shen bodyguards clenched their teeth, unwilling to step back.
But Shen Yi waved his hand, “Step aside, so you don’t block my view and risk being hurt.”
The guards smiled bitterly but obeyed. If the Young Master wanted to play, they had to comply.
At worst, if he lost, they would take the punishment in his stead.
Shen Liang tried to intervene but was swept away by Shen Yi’s cold glance, “Step back!”
The icy tone was unlike anything Shen Liang had heard before.
He was deeply shaken.
Why was the Young Master he had known so long suddenly so unfamiliar?
“Good! You’ve got guts!” Yang Lintan sneered arrogantly. “I’ll give you a dignified fight. Get ready to start!”
“Wait.” Shen Yi suddenly said.
Everyone thought he had changed his mind.
Yang Lintan tensed.
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“I haven’t said what happens if I win,” Shen Yi suddenly pointed at Granny Wang, a smile curling at the corner of his lips, “I said I’d slap you a few times.
If I win, Granny Wang, you will let me slap you three times willingly. How about that?”
Hearing this,
Granny Wang breathed a sigh of relief and scoffed, “Not just three slaps—if you win, I’ll gladly take ten!”
Yang Lintan shook his head in disbelief at the foolishness, but said, “Don’t use Granny Wang as the wager; it damages the Princess’s dignity. Use me instead if you want to bet!”
Shen Yi grinned, eyes gleaming with fighting spirit, “You’re already dead. What’s left to wager over?”
Everyone was stunned.
The Young Master Shen’s martial skills were lacking,
Yet his words were terrifyingly sharp!
“Arrogant!”
“It infuriates me!”
“Shen Mangfu, you’re courting death!”
Yang Lintan finally lost his temper.
He had never been so humiliated,
Especially by such a pathetic wretch!
Furious, he planted his spear and charged with fury, “Enough talk! Start now!”
Shen Yi notched his arrow, drew his bow, his gaze cold and filled with murderous intent.
He paid no mind to Yun Cang, who quietly watched with interest nearby.
This was exactly the effect he wanted!
I am no longer an easy target to be toyed with!
Even the Emperor cannot control me!
I am rising!
Breaking free from the cage!
In this chaotic age, I will prove the power of a warrior!
Watch closely!
I will stand firm astride my steed, wielding my sword across mountains and rivers.
My destiny and the vast sea of stars lie on the battlefield!
Kill!
“Begin!”
A murderous aura swept over the scene!
Everyone could feel the chilling killing intent radiating from Shen Yi, a terrifying momentum!
He stood as if he were the stabilizing pillar of the world, as steady as Mount Tai!
“How is this possible? This is the reputed coward? Why do I sense the fierce killing spirit of a cavalry general?”
“This is our Young Master? His presence rivals that of a seasoned general!”
Granny Wang was utterly shocked, her heart trembling with fear and hatred.
No!
This man’s killing intent is dreadful; he must not be allowed to live!
“Putting on a show! All style, no substance!” Yang Lintan sneered and shouted, stepping forward with a single spear swing.
“Arrogant brat! Come and be humiliated!”