When Xue Qiming made a move, he struck like lightning out of the blue. His strength, like that of an overwhelming titan, instantly stunned everyone on and below the city walls!
The log, which had once served as a support beam for someone’s house, was a full three zhang long. Xue Qiming threw it with all his might, and it flew toward the Northern Qiang army’s formation, screeching through the air.
The log came crashing down swiftly, and the leading Northern Qiang soldiers didn’t even have time to take a step before they were smeared into a paste across the ground!
Blood exploded everywhere!
The impact of the unexpected log sent waves crashing in all directions like a stone hurled into a peaceful pond!
The chaos hadn’t even begun to spread through the Northern Qiang formation when the heavy log slammed into the ground with such force that the earth trembled. Horses neighed in panic, and men screamed.
After the first strike, the log bounced into the air, broke in half midair, it knocked over another pile of soldiers when it bounced again. The deadly beam rolled a few zhang away and finally came to a stop.
The arrow storm above Xue Qiming’s head had stopped without him needing to do anything else. A sharp wintry wind ruffled his hair, accentuating the cold curve of his lips.
Everyone on the battlefield unconsciously swallowed at the same time, the sound echoing in the vast, empty space.
Xue Qiming stepped onto the arrow parapet and waved at the Northern Qiang army below. "Hey! My Northern Qiang friends! Are you all alright?"
The Northern Qiang soldiers all fumed inwardly. To hell with you!
Ignoring the glares of the thousands of soldiers, Xue Qiming continued shouting gleefully, "Isn't your boss named Wang something or another? Isn't he looking for me? Let him come out and show his face!"
A stir went through the Northern Qiang formation as Xue Qiming’s words echoed through the ranks. The commotion quickly quieted, and a path formed in the middle of the army. A tall figure, riding a black bear, slowly emerged.
Xue Qiming’s eyes lit up with joy when he saw the man. "Hey! It’s really you, you little bastard!"
Wangyue Pi stood silently, his face darkened, as he walked slowly to the front lines and stopped.
Xue Qiming continued his teasing. He leaned out of the city wall, shouting loudly, "Hey! Are you feeling better yet? You look like you put on a few pounds!"
"Enough!" Wangyue Pi's voice sounded like a thunderclap. "You arrogant Ruen Dynasty scum, shut your mouth!"
Xue Qiming scratched his nose. "Now that's not nice at all..."
Wangyue Pi looked up at Xue Qiming and raised one finger. "First, my surname is not Wang, it’s Wangyue."
Wangyue Pi paused for a moment, then raised a second finger. "Second... that punch of yours barely scratched an itch. You're so weak I barely remembered you."
Xue Qiming quirked an eyebrow. "Is that right?"
"Don’t believe me?" Wangyue Pi grinned, showing his sharp white teeth. "How about you come down and try me?"
Before Xue Qiming could respond, Zhou Tong, hearing Wangyue Pi’s words, became anxious. He hurried over and grabbed Xue Qiming, saying, "My friend, don’t be impulsive. He's just trying to provoke you!"
Before Zhou Tong could finish speaking, Wangyue Pi’s voice rang out from below the city, "In ancient times, enemy generals would duel before their armies. Today, I, Wangyue Pi, will stand here under your archers. Is there no one in the Ruen Dynasty who dares to fight me?"
Zhou Tong saw an eager, even reckless, expression appear on Xue Qiming's face and his own face grew even grimmer. He gripped Xue Qiming's arm tightly and desperately tried to persuade him, "You can’t go! He’s trying to goad you into leaving the walls! Don’t fall for it!"
Xue Qiming impatiently shook off Zhou Tong’s grip. "Of course I know what he's baiting me. I’m not blind. Do you think I can't tell?"
Zhou Tong froze for a moment, his grip loosening slightly on Xue Qiming’s arm.
In that brief moment, Zhou Tong felt a flash before his eyes. A figure passed in front of him, and when he looked up again, Xue Qiming had leaped off the city wall, supporting himself with one hand before plunging down!
Zhou Tong’s vision blurred, and he nearly passed out from forgetting to breathe.
Didn't he just say that he knew he was getting baited?!
The ground trembled slightly as Xue Qiming landed and kicked up a cloud of dust. His figure flickered in and out of view within the dust.
Wangyue Pi narrowed his eyes at the figure hidden in the dust and mockingly said, "I didn't think you would dare to come down."
Xue Qiming’s deep voice came from within the dust. "If I don’t come down, how can I beat you up?"
"Hahahaha! Ruen Dynasty scum... no, I remember now, you said... you’re called Unbound Bodhisattva." Wangyue Pi licked his teeth, his slightly crimson eyes widening as he glared at Xue Qiming. His pupils were filled with blood vessels, a unique characteristic of the Northern Qiang people.
"You talk big." Wangyue Pi grinned sinisterly and pointed at his head. "Bodhisattva, looks like I underestimated your courage, but I also overestimated your brain. I didn’t think you would really come down. Aren’t you afraid of the two hundred thousand sons of the steppes behind me?"
As the dust settled, Xue Qiming stepped out and looked up at Wangyue Pi, not even bothering to glance at the two hundred thousand thousand troops behind him. "Try me."
"How audacious!" Wangyue Pi laughed loudly, clapping his hands vehemently. "You didn’t give me a satisfying fight back in Northern Qiang! Today, I’ll fight you seriously!"
"Heh, I was thinking the same thing."
"Come and fight!" Wangyue Pi swung his arm, and his cloak fluttered into the air before the wind blew it off to the side.
The wind and sand whipped through the air, and a few sprouting saplings on the distant hills swayed in the breeze. The atmosphere grew heavier. Everyone was watching the two huge men face off and, whether they were on the city walls or below, held their breath, without daring to make a sound.
Wangyue Pi quietly clenched his fist and wiped the sweat from his palm on the black bear’s fur. Sensing the tension in the air, the black bear let out a series of uneasy growls.
Just as Wangyue Pi was about to charge, Xue Qiming suddenly raised his hand and shouted, "Wait!"
Wangyue Pi’s momentum faltered, and he angrily demanded, "What now?!"
Xue Qiming smiled slyly and rubbed his nose. "Since we’re going to fight, there should be some stakes, right?"
"What stakes?" Wangyue Pi frowned.
Xue Qiming blinked. "How about this? If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me. But if I somehow win... you withdraw your troops. Sounds fair, huh?"
Wangyue Pi sneered. "So that’s what you’re after. Do you think I'm stupid? If I win, your life or death is up to me. Why would I need to bet with you? Even if I lose, it’s just a personal contest between us. Why should I withdraw my troops?"
"Heh, heh..." Xue Qiming awkwardly spread his hands and turned to shout at the city walls, "Lord Zhou. Why didn’t you tell me this guy kas a brain?!"
"Damned Ruen Dynasty scum!!" Wangyue Pi roared in fury. He yanked the black bear’s neck and charged straight at Xue Qiming!