Chapter 35: A Martial Competition at the Banquet (Part 1)

  The guards immediately came up, rearranged the tables and chairs, cleared a larger space for the two to engage in a martial arts match. At the same time, someone brought wooden swords and armor, handing them over to the two men. In general, when engaging in a martial arts match in the palace, they would use wooden swords and wear protective gear, although it was still possible to get injured, but it was safer than using real swords.

  Gao Yuan looked at Mu Jianhu for a moment, then turned to Zhao Wangqian and said: "Your Majesty, I have two requests regarding this martial competition. Please grant me your permission."

  Zhao Wang Qian was also somewhat surprised and said: "What can I help you with? Just say it, don't beat around the bush."

  "Firstly, I hope this battle is not just a ordinary match, but a life and death struggle, where only one of us can emerge alive. Secondly, in this duel, any means are permissible, there are no rules to follow."

  Zhaowang Qian also changed color after hearing this, although someone had previously proposed that the martial arts competition in the palace would not be limited to life and death. The reason was to make both sides of the martial arts competition uninhibited and go all out, rather than necessarily killing each other. The result of the martial arts competition also had both sides unharmed, while proposing a proposal for a mortal battle, where only one person could survive in the end, Gao Yuan was still the first, which also means that in this war, Gao Yuan will never show mercy.

  Then Zhao Wang Yan turned to Shi Kui and said: "Shi Kui, Gao Yuan has proposed a life-and-death duel with you. Do you dare to accept the challenge?"

  Shi Kui had not spoken yet, when Guo Kai said: "I will report back to His Majesty, I am willing to respond."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Kui's face also changed. He was originally a fugitive and would not be afraid of life and death battles. Therefore, even if Guo Kai did not speak, Shi Kui would eventually agree. However, it was one thing for him to agree on his own, and another for Guo Kai to bring him along to agree. This also shows that Guo Kai had never put his life and death in his heart. With such a result, who would feel comfortable in their heart?

  However, the life-and-death battle has already been decided and no one can change it. Since attending a banquet cannot bring weapons to the table, the two must let people take their arms before they can engage in a duel. So the two returned to their seats separately and ordered their men to fetch their weapons. The ministers also discussed and looked forward to this battle until dawn.

  Gao Yuan returned to Li Mu's seat, letting Du Yi go get his own military knife. Li Yinghong's expression changed, her face full of worry, as she pulled Gao Yuan and asked: "Gao Yuan, are you sure you can win?"

  Gao Yuan smiled and said, "None."

  Li Yinghong hastily said: "You can still smile? Without any certainty, how dare you decide on a life and death battle?"

  "In this situation, I certainly can't speak softly, and they are obviously well-prepared. Whether it's a fight to the death or not, there's actually no difference."

  At this time, Li Mu had already returned to normal and said: "What you said is not bad, deciding on a life-and-death battle is indeed the best way. This way, your treasured sword will have a chance to be used, so at least we can win first. Also, it's to put pressure on the opponent, first suppressing them with momentum."

  Gao Yuan Road: "The great general is indeed a sharp-eyed person."

  Li Yinghong also felt slightly more at ease after hearing this.

  "Alright, Gaoyuan, I'll help you out again."

  Li Yinghong said: "How can Father help him."

  At this time, Li Mu stood up from his seat and turned to Zhao Wangqian, saying: "Your Majesty, I'd like to add a flourish to this contest and make a bet with the Prime Minister."

  "Zhao Wangqian also asked strangely: "Li Qing, what do you want to bet on?""

  Li Mu smiled and said: "Just now the king gave me 500 taels of gold, I will use these 500 taels of gold to gamble with the prime minister."

  Then Sima Shang also stood up from his seat and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to take out 500 taels of gold and combine it with the general's to make a total of 1,000 taels of gold to bet with the prime minister. After all, the prime minister's family has plenty of gold and will not mind losing this 1,000 taels of gold. Moreover, we may not necessarily lose. If the prime minister is not willing to bet, then let us not fight this war."

  He could naturally see that Guo Kai was obviously targeting Li Mu this time, so he also came forward to support Gao Yuan.

  Although the various ministers often made bets during banquets and martial competitions, it was not common for someone to bet 1,000 liang of gold. The annual salary of a typical minister was only around several thousand to ten thousand dan, which is equivalent to just a few dozen liang of gold. One thousand liang of gold was not an amount that every minister could afford.

  Guo Kai's face changed color, and he could certainly produce a thousand taels of gold. However, if he really lost the thousand taels of gold, Guo Kai would be somewhat reluctant to part with it. Moreover, Gao Yuan dared to propose a life-or-death battle, and Li Mu and Sima Shang dared to bet a thousand taels of gold, all showing an air of confidence. Guo Kai's heart was also uncertain, and he secretly glanced at Shi Kui, seeing him standing with his head bowed, as if leaving the decision to Guo Kai himself. This made Guo Kai feel resentful in his heart, but he didn't realize that earlier, he had agreed to engage in a life-or-death battle with Gao Yuan without even asking for Shi Kui's opinion.

  However, Guo Kai also didn't dare to shrink back at this scene, so he gritted his teeth and said: "Alright, let's bet then. A thousand taels of gold is still an amount that I can afford to lose."

  At this time, Zhao Xuan also came over and said: "Shi Kui is good at using a long sword, with great strength and a sinking arm. His swordsmanship is grand and open. You'd better enter the inner circle and engage in close combat with him, which can play to your advantage of having a short and sharp knife. Be careful when you meet him."

  Gao Yuan's heart moved slightly, and he nodded his head, saying: "Thank you."

  As they spoke, both men had already drawn their weapons. Shi Kui's was indeed a long sword, over a meter in length and slightly wider than usual. At this moment, Guo Kai pulled Shi Kui aside and said: "Shi Kui, if we win this battle, I'll reward you with 500 taels of the 1,000 taels of gold."

  Shi Kui listened, and his eyes also shot out a fierce light. Although he was a high-ranking guest under Guo Kai Men, with an income that was not meager, over the past few years, he had only managed to save up a few dozen kilograms of gold. Five hundred kilograms of gold, in his eyes, was no less than an astronomical figure. Therefore, it was inevitable that he would be moved by this offer.

  Seeing his own generous reward moved Shi Kui, Guo Kai was also very satisfied, patted Shi Kui's back and said: "Go, whether or not you can get this 500 taels of gold is up to you now."

  Shi Kui nodded and said, "Don't worry, Premier. I will definitely not fail my mission." After finishing speaking, Shi Kui immediately drew his sword and stood in the center of the grand hall.

  And Gao Yuan took the military sword and did not come to the middle, but walked to a swordsman's side, cupped his hands and said: "General, please lend me your sword for use."

  That Na Zuo also had some doubts, looked at Zhao Wang Qian, saw Zhao Wang Qian nodding in agreement, and thus handed over his sword to Gao Yuan. Everyone was puzzled, could it be that Gao Yuan wanted to change weapons temporarily?

  At this time, Gao Yuan held the sword in his left hand and the knife in his right hand, saying: "Your Majesty, everyone, this knife of mine is short, but it's extremely sharp. Look at this sword." As he spoke, he clashed the knife against the sword, making a "ding" sound, and the bronze sword was cut into two pieces. Sima Shangyi shouted: "Good knife!" Several officials present also praised him.

  Gao Yuan threw the broken sword to the ground and said: "So wait a moment for the martial arts competition, Mr. Shi must be careful."

  Shi Kui's face changed greatly at the sight, and he unconsciously took a step back. A cautious expression also appeared on his face. At the same time, he secretly felt lucky in his heart, if he hadn't been prepared, he would have probably suffered a great loss as soon as they clashed.

  But when Li Yinghong returned, he was so anxious that he stomped his feet. He didn't expect Gao Yuan to make such a move. Originally, he could have taken advantage of the treasure sword's power to catch his opponent off guard, but now the opponent would definitely be on their guard against the sword's might.

  Gao Yuan turned again to Li Mu's seat and said: "Please lend me a glass of fine wine from the General, to make an offering to this sword."

  Li Mu smiled slightly and said: "Ying Hong."

  Li Yinghong listened and could only pick up the wine jug, pouring a full cup of fine wine onto Gao Yuan's military knife, then down the knife, falling onto the bluestone ground, saying in a low voice: "What are you doing?"

  "Don't worry, I've already figured out a way to beat him."

  After finishing speaking, Gao Yuan turned around and came to the center, standing face to face with Shi Kui at a distance of about ten meters.

  Zhao Wang Qian was also stirred up by this martial competition at this time and immediately said: "Begin."

  Shi Kui held his sword, standing upright with the long sword pointing towards the highlands. His legs were positioned one in front of the other, the front leg slightly arched and the back leg slightly bent, exuding an air of pent-up energy waiting to be unleashed. His eyes gleamed darkly as he fixed his gaze intently on the highlands. Despite having just gone through those events, Shi Kui was after all a fugitive by origin, and risking his life in battle was nothing out of the ordinary for him. At this moment, he had already put life and death aside and was pouring all his energy into this duel.

  The plateau stood upright with legs and hands slightly open, the military knife slanted to the ground, his face calm as usual. But compared to Shi Kui's tense sword, it was quite different.

  As the two men entered a state of combat, the atmosphere in the great hall also began to tense up. Many ministers and women couldn't help but hold their breath, staring intently at the two people on the scene.

  The two parties faced each other for only a minute or so, but to the crowd it seemed like an eternity had passed. The entire grand hall was quiet enough that you could hear a pin drop, and Li Yinghong's palms were sweating profusely.

  At this moment, Shi Kui suddenly let out a loud roar, causing the entire hall to vibrate with a "humming" sound. His body charged forward fiercely, his long sword transforming into a rainbow-colored streak that rapidly stabbed towards Gao Yuan's throat. Meanwhile, on Guo Kai and Zhao Cong's seats, a fervent chorus of cheers erupted.

  Almost at the same time, Gao Yuan also jumped forward, and the two finally began to fight.

  Two people were only more than ten meters apart, and at the same time they charged forward. This little distance was naturally over in an instant. But just as they were about to collide, Gao Yuan's figure flashed by, and he seemed to have slipped and fallen.

  The whole scene was filled with exclamations, Li Mu's face changed greatly despite his usual calm demeanor. Li Yinghong covered her mouth with her hand, feeling like her heart had jumped to her throat. Du Yi even let out a startled cry. Only Zhao Xuan remained expressionless, completely unmoved.

  But seeing Gao Yuan fall to the ground, Shi Kui's heart was originally joyful, thinking that victory was within his grasp. However, before he could fully express his joy, he immediately discovered something was off. Although Gao Yuan had fallen to the ground, his body hadn't stopped moving, and he was still sliding towards Shi Kui with his entire body pressed against the ground. In an instant, he had already entered Shi Kui's close proximity. Shi Kui's sword had stabbed at empty air, and by the time he withdrew it, his chest and abdomen were completely exposed.

  Shi Kui was also shocked, hastily turning his body to dodge, but it was already too late. Gao Yuan had fallen to the ground and slid in front of Shi Kui, a knife stabbing out from below upwards, piercing Shi Kui's abdomen, with the military blade sinking in up to its hilt, the tip of the blade protruding from his back.

  Blood flowed down the military sword, all the way to Gao Yuan's body. Shi Kui's mouth made a "Woo Woo" sound, but he couldn't say a word. Blood surged up from his throat and spurted out of his mouth.

  Although Gao Yuan was lying on the ground, he smiled faintly and said, "You've already lost." As he spoke, he used his leg to kick Shi Kui's chest, borrowing strength to pull out his military knife. Shi Kui fell backwards, landing flat on his back, dead.