It was heard that Qu Yunmie was going to duel with a man from a different tribe, and almost everyone in the training ground surrounded the area.
When Xiao Rong arrived, he saw the crowd gathered in layers. He immediately became furious. “Why are there so many people? Is the discipline in the army this lazy?!”
Why aren’t you leaving? You’ve taken my spot!”
…
Being deprived of the best viewing position was one of the reasons why he was angry. The second reason was that he was afraid that Qu Yunmie might lose.
Others treated this as a form of entertainment, thinking that the foreigner would certainly lose miserably. Xiao Rong knew how strong Di Fazeng would become in the future, therefore he didn’t dare to be so optimistic.
If he had to make an absolutely rational judgment, he would say that the chances of both of them winning were 40-60, with Qu Yunmie at 40% and Di Fazeng at 60%. This was because Di Fazeng had achieved much more than Qu Yunmie, and he was a Rouran, born in a nation where everyone was a soldier.
Despite this, since Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie were on the same side, he still felt in his heart that the two would have a 50-50 chance.
Poor King, even though he had been through life and death with Xiao Rong, Xiao Rong could only give him a slight advantage.
＊
In the center of the training ground, Qu Yunmie glanced at the outer edge and saw that Xiao Rong was watching him intently, which made him satisfied.
There were no strict rules for the duel. Di Fazeng didn’t bring any weapons, and Qu Yunmie didn’t plan to use any either. Both of them tacitly agreed to fight hand-to-hand. Qu Yunmie extended his hand with his palm up and motioned to Di Fazeng. “Let’s begin.”
Di Fazeng pressed his lips together. The fact that Qu Yunmie was willing to spar with him was a sign of respect, but his actions also showed that he didn’t think much of him.
The desire to win was aroused. Di Fazeng’s leg muscles tensed, and with a sudden burst, he rushed forward. Qu Yunmie’s expression remained unchanged as he raised his arm to block Di Fazeng’s attacking punch.
Xiao Rong was watching anxiously when suddenly, Yu Shaocheng beside him asked, “Master Xiao, should we bring a doctor now?”
Without moving his head, Xiao Rong kept watching and answered absently, “There’s no need. Di Fazeng wouldn’t hurt the King, and the King wouldn’t strike with lethal force.”
Yu Shaocheng asked, “What if the King’s wounds open up?”
Xiao Rong’s head didn’t move, but his gaze shifted from intense focus to a slightly dazed state.
Ah. Qu Yunmie was still injured.
…
Ahhhhhh!
Stop! Stop fighting!
Xiao Rong thought this but didn’t shout out. Even though he was nervously wide-eyed, he didn’t want to interrupt the duel.
Firstly, his body hadn’t given him any warning, so it should be fine. Secondly, interrupting such a pivotal scene would be a disaster!
While Xiao Rong was conflicted, the two had already exchanged dozens of moves. Their speed was so fast that the average person couldn’t keep up. Even someone like Xiao Rong, who had never learned martial arts, couldn’t tell who had the upper hand.
Before long, Xiao Rong’s focus was once again taken by the battle. Yu Shaocheng was still waiting for his response, but after a brief pause, Xiao Rong suddenly asked, “Can you tell who will win between them?”
Yu Shaocheng was silent.
He felt sorry for the King.
Sigh, the King really had it rough. If his older brother were here, his brother would never have only focused on the battle and ignored the King’s health.
Despite his thoughts, Yu Shaocheng answered Xiao Rong properly. “The King and Di Fazeng have equal strength, but in terms of speed, the King is slightly better. Di Fazeng’s biggest advantage is his physique. He’s very strong and can withstand the King’s attacks, which most people can’t.”
Xiao Rong finally turned his gaze to him, but his face showed no expression.
The next second, Xiao Rong said irritably, “Who asked you that?! I asked who will win between them!”
Yu Shaocheng was speechless.
Wasn’t I just telling you?!
Yu Shaocheng genuinely felt wronged. He had explained it so clearly. If you couldn’t understand, that wasn’t my fault
Meanwhile, during this brief exchange, the outcome had already been decided. When Qu Yunmie decided to take Di Fazeng seriously, he had already used 80% of his strength, while normally he would only use 50% when sparring with other soldiers.
Except for the first blow from Di Fazeng that really landed on him, although it was blocked, every move after that was aimed at controlling him. Di Fazeng couldn’t land a proper attack because Qu Yunmie was too fast. Not only that, but he was as strong as Di Fazeng, and even more terrifyingly, he seemed to be able to predict every move Di Fazeng would make.
Only Xiao Rong didn’t understand. Everyone else could tell that from the start, Di Fazeng was being completely countered. Despite this, his mindset was so stable that he didn’t lose his composure, which kept him from falling immediately. However, if he continued to focus only on defense, the final result would be inevitable.
Seizing on Di Fazeng’s opening, Qu Yunmie struck with force, flipping him onto the ground. Before Di Fazeng could blink, Qu Yunmie already had his knee pressed against his back, and both his hands were firmly restrained in the air.
This submissive position was painful, but Di Fazeng acted like it was nothing. He just took a deep breath and calmly admitted defeat. “You won.”
Qu Yunmie slightly curled his lips and released him. After Di Fazeng got up on his own, Qu Yunmie said to him, “I didn’t expect that there would be a hard nut to crack among the Rouran people.”
The Rouran had always been a vassal of the Xianbei, and even when they removed this identity, they never dared to openly challenge the Xianbei. Because of this, people would often mock the Rouran people.
Di Fazeng lowered his eyes. He didn’t smile but clasped his hands in a salute to Qu Yunmie. “Thank you for your compliment, Your Majesty.”
…
Qu Yunmie truly admired him, but he wasn’t particularly fond of him. He had also admired Yu Shaocheng, but he never gave him a single compliment. However, the way Qu Yunmie praised people was so awkward. He could compliment someone, but why drag in a comment about their own tribe?
Fortunately, Xiao Rong hadn’t heard that. Otherwise, he would have been furious again.
Then again, maybe not.
At this moment, Xiao Rong had a dazed expression because he had just heard Yu Shaocheng’s detailed explanation and learned that Di Fazeng had no chance of winning. He couldn’t believe his ears.
His voice became uncertain. “The King is this powerful?”
Yu Shaocheng glanced at him, feeling sorry for the King.
He sighed silently and said, “Well, the King is the best in the world because he has the strength to be so.”
He paused and couldn’t help but ask Xiao Rong curiously, “Isn’t this common knowledge? Master Xiao, why don’t you know this? My brother said you studied under many teachers before. Could it be that those teachers lived on Mount Penglai?”
Xiao Rong: “…”
Don’t think I can’t tell you’re mocking me for not knowing basic knowledge.
At that moment, he didn’t care about arguing with Yu Shaocheng. He wanted to confirm something else. “How strong is Di Fazeng? If you fought him, would you be able to beat him?”
Yu Shaocheng quietly looked at him.
This time, he really sighed aloud. “Naturally not.”
Di Fazeng had been able to withstand the King’s 80% strength for so long. How could he possibly beat him? In a real duel, he wouldn’t even be able to take twenty moves from the King.
Xiao Rong: “…”
This was different from his previous understanding. Xiao Rong didn’t quite believe Yu Shaocheng’s words, so he turned to ask others. However, without exception, everyone said the same thing as Yu Shaocheng. They all thought they couldn’t beat Di Fazeng, but that Di Fazeng definitely couldn’t defeat the King.
It was like university rankings. Ordinary generals were like top-tier universities, Yu Shaocheng was like a 985 university, and Di Fazeng was in the top 10.
Where was the King? He was at Qingbei, and he was the top student in his class.
Xiao Rong was completely stunned.
He knew Qu Yunmie was strong, but he didn’t know he was that strong. No wonder Gao Xun sighed whenever he mentioned Qu Yunmie getting injured under his private soldiers, as if Qu Yunmie had done something wrong. No wonder when Qu Yunmie acted alone, only Xiao Rong thought he was too arrogant, and worried he might get hurt, while the others didn’t care about his safety at all.
There was also that thing he said before—he had claimed that no one in Jinling could rival him. Xiao Rong had laughed at him, thinking he was boasting, and now… the fool was actually Xiao Rong.
Xiao Rong felt like he needed to find a place to recover and solidify his new worldview.
He walked off in a daze, and Qu Yunmie’s expression completely fell.
He was leaving already?
He was leaving?!
He had purposely stayed there for a long time, waiting for Xiao Rong to come and apologize, to admit that he had underestimated the King and that the King was indeed more valorous. Yet now he was just walking away?!
He was angry!
＊
About half an hour later, Xiao Rong had solidified his worldview. He first asked where Di Fazeng was now and learned that the King didn’t even bother with him. So, he had no choice but to continue following Xiao Rong’s orders and go back to rest.
Xiao Rong: “…”
He paused and then went to find Qu Yunmie.
Qu Yunmie was no longer in the study. When Xiao Rong made him happy, he would listen to him and handle the tedious official business. When Xiao Rong made him unhappy, he would stop, and wait until night to deal with the paperwork.
…
At that moment, Qu Yunmie was in his bedroom reading a letter. When he heard Xiao Rong enter, he reverted to his previous sarcastic tone. “You actually remembered to come?”
Xiao Rong: “…”
Just when he began to feel a bit of respect for Qu Yunmie, the man himself crushed it.
Xiao Rong asked, “How is the King’s wound? Did it open up?”
Qu Yunmie smiled. “Master Xiao asks at the perfect time. If it had opened up, I’d be dead by now.”
Xiao Rong: “…”
He held it in, but finally couldn’t stop himself. “Can’t you just speak properly?”
Qu Yunmie replied, “It’s your mistake now, so why should I speak properly?”
Xiao Rong widened his eyes. “What did I do wrong?”
Qu Yunmie said firmly, “You didn’t care about the King, and that’s the mistake!”
Xiao Rong: “…”
Qu Yunmie was right, so Xiao Rong remained silent. He thought it was a sign of him admitting his mistake, but since Qu Yunmie didn’t hear his rebuttal, he became even angrier.
Xiao Rong was the type who couldn’t let something go without arguing back, unless it was an undeniable fact. Since he didn’t speak up, didn’t it mean he was admitting he didn’t care about the King?
In an instant, Xiao Rong’s previous joy about coming to see him faded. Qu Yunmie, holding the letter, felt a chill in his heart.
Xiao Rong watched him, unsure of what he was thinking, but he looked really hurt, which didn’t seem like he was thinking of anything good.
After a long silence, Xiao Rong spoke. “I was narrow-minded, doubting the King’s skills.”
Although his feelings hadn’t changed, Qu Yunmie reflexively replied, “It’s good that you know your mistake.”
Xiao Rong: “…”
If it had been any other time, Xiao Rong would have argued back fiercely after hearing Qu Yunmie’s words. Today however, after his worldview had been reshaped, for the first time, he found Qu Yunmie really likable.
Resting both arms on the table, Xiao Rong supported his head with his hands and stared intently at Qu Yunmie.
Qu Yunmie pretended not to notice, but after a while, he couldn’t keep up the act.
He looked up with an unhappy expression and shot a look at Xiao Rong, as if preparing to accuse him. “What? Do you want to say something again?”
Was he going to do the same as before? Would he start by giving in to him, then ask him to do this and that? Was Xiao Rong trying to make him apologize to that Rouran person? He had rightfully won! Why should he apologize?
In less than a second, Qu Yunmie’s imagination had fast-forwarded to a huge argument. After seeing the King’s tense expression, Xiao Rong suddenly smiled softly. “Your Majesty, you’re really charming today.”
Qu Yunmie looked at him.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
After three seconds, Qu Yunmie calmly picked up the letter again and replied, “It’s nothing special.”
Xiao Rong blinked and called out again. “Your Majesty.”
Qu Yunmie raised an eyebrow and calmly looked at him.
Xiao Rong pointed at the letter. “It’s upside down. The words are on my side, and Your Majesty is looking at blank paper.”
Qu Yunmie: “…!”
Edited by: Antiope
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