Chapter 36: A Martial Competition at the Banquet (Part 2)

  Gao Yuan flipped over and got up from the ground, then turned to Zhao Wangqian and said: "Your Majesty, I have not disgraced my mission."

  The entire hall was silent, and it wasn't until half a beat later that Zhao Wang Qian spoke up: "It's over so quickly, all of a sudden." Only then did the grand hall erupt in sparse applause.

  This is not because the ministers are dissatisfied with Gao Yuan, but because this battle was too fast. Originally, the ministers were all watching with a spectator's mentality, hoping for more excitement. Before the battle began, both sides had already engaged in a war of words, first setting down a fight to the death and then adding a bet of 1,000 taels of gold, pushing the atmosphere of this battle to its highest point. Therefore, the ministers were all full of expectations for this battle, hoping to see a thrilling match between the two sides, with each side exchanging blows, fighting hundreds of rounds, the more intense the better.

  But when the formal duel came, it ended in an instant, just like a play that had just started and suddenly stopped. To be honest, many people didn't even see Gao Yuan's movements clearly, they only saw him slide to the ground, and then somehow Shi Kui was killed by Gao Yuan. Therefore, everyone felt that this battle was not exciting at all, so the reaction was so cold.

  Only a handful of people present knew that the process of this battle seemed simple, but it was actually the result of Gao Yuan's careful calculation. He first proposed a life-and-death duel to crush his opponent's morale and fighting spirit, then deliberately showed off the power of his treasured sword, not only to further undermine his opponent's confidence, but also to make him focus all his attention on the sword, while ignoring Gao Yuan's other moves. As a result, during the duel, he was caught off guard by Gao Yuan and killed with one blow.

  Before the martial contest, Gao Yuan used fine wine to worship his sword, which was another move to deceive people. The real purpose was to spill the wine on the ground and let his shoes get wet with some wine water. At the right time during the contest, he could increase his speed of sliding on the ground, achieving an unexpected effect as swift as lightning.

  Although the martial arts duel was only a brief moment, and on the surface it seemed unrefined, even dull, in fact it condensed the plateau's strategic mind, wit, martial skills and many other elements, and was not just a temporary stroke of luck.

  Even Zhao Wangqian felt a little impressed, but by then the martial arts competition had already ended, and Gao Yuan had won. He couldn't help but show some appreciation, so he nodded his head and said: "You indeed have exceptional martial skills, and you've opened my eyes wide. I'll toast to you." As he spoke, he raised his wine cup. An attendant hastily poured a cup of fine wine and presented it to Gao Yuan.

  Gao Yuan took over the wine jug and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the toast." After drinking the wine in one gulp, he then said, "Your Majesty, didn't you feel that the battle just now was too quick?"

  Zhaowang Qian also smiled and said: "Right, it was a bit fast, just now I didn't see clearly either."

  Gao Yuan Dao: "Actually, I also feel that there is some regret left, so I want to fight again." Turning his head to Guo Kai, he said: "I don't know who the Prime Minister will send this time, come and have another battle with me."

  At this time, Guo Kai was originally heartbroken that he had lost a thousand taels of gold with this one move. Hearing Gao Yuan actually challenge himself, he couldn't help but feel his anger surge up and said: "If we're going to fight, let's fight! I'll take you down with my sword hand as swift as the clouds, what are you afraid of?"

  Li Mubai said: "Prime Minister is indeed refreshing, I really want to gamble with Prime Minister again. Didn't I just win a thousand taels of gold from Prime Minister? So this time we'll bet two thousand taels of gold, how about it?"

  Guo Kai almost got choked by Li Mu and was about to pass out, having just lost a thousand taels of gold made him feel extremely painful. If he were to lose another two thousand taels of gold, he estimated that he would be heartbroken for three days and three nights and wouldn't be able to sleep. Therefore, at this moment, he couldn't help but feel like giving up and was thinking of finding an excuse to quit the martial arts competition.

  But just then, Guo Kai's subordinate, Xing Ren, stood up and said: "Your Excellency, I am willing to go into battle, please grant me permission." He turned his head and also said to Zhao Wang Qian: "Please grant me your approval, Your Majesty."

  Kuo Kai was so angry that he almost vomited blood. Xing Ren Jiu stepped forward to challenge him, thus blocking all his retreat routes. This battle had to be fought, and Kuo Kai glared at Xing Ren Jiu fiercely, saying: "Xing Ren Jiu, you'd better think carefully, Shi Kui's fate is right before your eyes."

  The pedestrian said faintly: "Don't worry, Your Excellency, I have my own plan. If I win this battle, please reward me with a thousand taels of gold."

  Upon hearing this, Guo Kai also felt that he should have some confidence. After all, this battle was inevitable and couldn't be refused. If Heng Ren Jiu really won, he could still earn a thousand taels of gold. Even if he gave Heng Ren Jiu a thousand taels of gold, he wouldn't lose out, and he would also regain his reputation. So it's better to offer a heavy reward and let Heng Ren Jiu fight with all his might. Who knows, he might actually win. He nodded his head and said: "Alright, if you win, I'll reward you with a thousand taels of gold."

  "Thank you, Prime Minister," said the pedestrian. As he spoke, he straightened up and walked out of the formation, his eyes darting back and forth, unsettled.

  Gao Yuan's heart moved, knowing that Xing Renjiu was doing this on purpose. Because earlier, Guo Kai didn't ask Shi Kui about his attitude, letting Shi Kui and himself engage in a life-and-death battle, which also made Xing Renjiu feel cold-hearted. Therefore, he took the opportunity to open his mouth wide, planning to risk everything for one vote, then slip away.

  However, the previous battle was not satisfying to everyone, and now another match is about to begin, with an even higher stake than before. Before the match, Jiuxing asked Guo Kai for a reward on the spot, which also helped to create momentum for this match. As a result, everyone's interest increased immediately, and their expectations were shifted to this match.

  Xing Renjiu's stature was not high, estimated to be around 1.6 meters, about half a head shorter than Gao Yuan, with a short neck and thick waist, although his figure seemed a bit clumsy, but he was sturdy and powerful. He used a bronze sword about 50 cm long, which was not much longer than Gao Yuan's military knife.

  With his build and the weapon he uses, this person's martial arts style is clearly focused on close combat, which suits me just fine. However, his physique is shorter than mine, making close combat more advantageous for him. I was thinking of using that sliding tackle move from earlier, but it seems that won't work now. It looks like the Wanderer of the Nine Skies has come out to challenge me after careful consideration and with some confidence; this isn't just a sudden impulse. Of course, I didn't plan on reusing old moves anyway, and my military saber is sharp - that's my innate advantage. But the Wanderer must have other tricks up his sleeve as well.

  The body of Seki has been dragged away, and the bloodstains on the ground have also been wiped clean. Kōgen and Gyokumen are standing facing each other, each holding a weapon.

  Zhao Wang nodded and said, "Begin."

  The two men stood there for a moment without taking action, but instead stared at each other, looking for an opening.

  Gao Yuan Dao said, "People die for wealth, birds perish for food. These thousand taels of gold are not easily earned, and who knows, we might lose our lives because of it. Traveler, do you think this is worth it?"

  The pedestrian coldly smiled and said, "Wealth and honor are sought in danger. If you want to get a thousand taels of gold, you can't do it without taking some risks. Don't think that just because you were able to kill Shi Kui with your clever tricks, you can win against me. That was just a trick you used. If you want to beat me, you'll have to show your true skills."

  Gao Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Do you think that apart from dealing with Shi Kui's method, I don't have any other trump cards? My plots are numerous, can you defend against all of them?"

  The pedestrian's pupils contracted, and he said, "Alright, then I won't give you a chance to show off." With a loud roar, his body leapt forward, the short sword flashed, and he stabbed at Gao Yuan swiftly.

  The plateau stood still, staring intently at the movements of Traveler Nine's swordsmanship. As Traveler Nine was about to rush up to his front, he suddenly shifted his body to one side and swung his military knife towards Traveler Nine's heart.

  The onlookers couldn't help but let out a burst of surprise, as Gao Yuan had actually used the tactic of mutually assured destruction.

  Actually, Gao Yuan had confidence in his heart, his body shape dodged to the side, and he had already avoided the vital parts. At the same time, he still had a trump card, so even if both sides stabbed each other, he would be injured at most, but there would be no danger to his life. His military knife was aimed at Xing Ren's vital part, exchanging his injury for the enemy's death, which was naturally a good deal. Moreover, even if Xing Ren could dodge the vital part, the two sides of his military knife had blood grooves, and the back had fierce teeth, causing much greater harm to people than the swords of this era, and he still had the upper hand.

  As expected, Jiuzi didn't think that Gaoyuan would use this mutually destructive method. Although he had put life and death aside when he accepted the challenge, he was not willing to perish together with Gaoyuan without a clear outcome. Therefore, he could only withdraw his steps, stop his body, move sideways, and dodge Gaoyuan's knife.

  Gao Yuan swung his sword in a smooth motion, one to the left and one to the right, cutting out an oblique cross shape. The two blades hacked towards Lin Dong's face with a "whooshing" sound. Although the trajectory of these two hacks was simple, they were extremely effective because they were executed consecutively in one breath. Even if his opponent's strength surpassed his own, he had to first block these two hacks.

  At this time, the pedestrian Jiu only felt that his whole body was shrouded by these two knives. No matter how many wonderful counterattacks he had afterwards, he must first hold up these two knives before he could implement them. But if it were another opponent, of course, there would be no problem. However, he had just seen with his own eyes the sharpness of Gao Yuan's knife, so he didn't dare to use his sword to block it. Therefore, he could only retreat a step and dodge these two knives.

  But Gaoyuan took another step forward and slashed out with two knives. At this time, Xingrenjiu's first move was lost, and he didn't dare to use his sword to block Gaoyuan's military knife, so he could only retreat again. As a result, he was forced by Gaoyuan to retreat five steps in a row. But every step back, Xingrenjiu's momentum would be weakened a bit, and after retreating five steps, Xingrenjiu's momentum suddenly dropped. Under the principle of "one side weakens, the other side strengthens", Gaoyuan's momentum increased greatly.

  At this time, Jiuxin's heart was also filled with regret, thinking that he had not expected that at the beginning, it was because he did not dare to fight to the end with Gaoyuan, and slightly retreated, resulting in Gaoyuan taking advantage of the situation and using his weapon's superiority to force him into a passive position. If this continued, he would undoubtedly lose, so he must take risks and counterattack to turn the current situation around.

  Gao Yuan swung his sword for the sixth time, striking towards Xing Jiu nine times. Xing Jiu knew he couldn't dodge again, so he gritted his teeth and took a step forward, swinging his sword in a swift thrust at Gao Yuan's chest.

  The onlookers were shocked again, and unexpectedly, the last two people still used the method of mutual destruction.