Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

On the bullet screen, commentary about these new characters zipped by.

Zuiwo Shachang Junmoxiao: Who is that guy fighting with the angelic Hanmei? He looks so ugly, what a disgraceful sight!

Danqiu Yishui Yebuxiu: How is this a disgraceful sight? Obviously, he is a handsome, mature uncle. Just look at the muscular physique he possesses, the beauty of his skin tone, even the angle at which his Adam’s apple moves… It’s so sexy… The one who judged him as a distasteful sight, a humiliation to society, state your address now and I will send you a razor blade. The one who dares to bare his chest in winter is a true man!

Likewise, Jiang Pengji directed her sights at Li Yun’s opponent. Feng Zhen, who stood beside her, said, “That’s Yang Jian.”

“So, that’s Yang Juan. The people refer to him as ‘the general with the beautiful beard.’ They praise his beard for its length and manliness… I cannot see how it is beautiful.”

She could not understand such a form of beauty. The beard, from her perspective, was no different from armpit hair. They were just another kind of thick hair that emerged from one’s body.

Feng Zhen had no clue what was running through her mind. He commented, “The rumors are true indeed.”

Those on Yang Jian’s side refused to bully their opponent by taking turns at fighting to wear him down. They allowed Dian Yan and Li Yun to take turns attacking them. Eventually, they were defeated.

Dian Yan had a rough and boorish face, tall stature, and exceptional strength and vigor. With his strength, he overcame their tactics, causing Yang Jian’s side to suffer a slap in the face.

Nevertheless, Dian Yan’s weakness was also evident. His body was not agile enough, his moves were too rigid. They were exaggerated movements with many weak points.

When faced with an experienced, knowledgeable general, he suffered many hidden disadvantages.

Li Yun was not so. Under Xie Qian’s tutelage, his physique was naturally gifted and strong. He was also hardworking and hungered to learn.

For over 20 years, he practiced tirelessly day and night. Finally, he mastered the exquisite art of spear fighting. His martial art skills were a notch above those of the average man.

If not for his youth and inexperience, none of the people present would have put him at a disadvantage.

He joined forces with Dian Yan, causing Yang Jian’s side to lose face. Originally, Yang Jian had intended to stand by and watch, allowing them to resolve the disputes themselves, but now he could not sit still. He had to be personally involved to redeem some of his dignity. Otherwise, if the news that his subordinates were incompetent weaklings spread, that they had been defeated terribly by two young men, his reputation would be damaged and the morale of his generals and troops would be devastatingly affected.

They were now in the dead of winter, but Yang Jian was unaffected by the cold. He took off his clothes to reveal his muscular and buff body. His chest and back were covered with battle scars inflicted years ago, their locations deadly. Just looking at them stirred up imaginations of scenarios where one’s life was on the brink of death.

“County Military Chief Yang, I’m sorry for any offense caused.”

Li Yun cupped his hands, removing all distractions from his mind and concentrating as he countered his opponent’s moves. He didn’t notice his lord standing amid the crowd watching.

Yang Jian appeared peaceable. He showed no intention of attacking, but Li Yun did not let his guard down. “I value youngsters like you who dare to make a breakthrough, fight, and are filled with courage. It is good. You do not have to mind my age, just give it your best. Since you mentioned that your spear techniques were taught by your master, let me witness how much you’ve mastered Xie Qian’s skill set. This isn’t a life and death battle; we will stop when a victor is determined.”

Li Yun fought with his spear while Yang Jian wielded his broadsword.

This broadsword was customized. The body of the sword was broad and long, the blade sharp beyond measure. It glistened with chilling, white light.

The length of a weapon determines its might. Judging solely on their weapons, Li Yun had an advantage over him.

Nonetheless, the second they exchanged blows, Jiang Pengji could already foresee the outcome.

She sounded troubled as she said, “Hanmei has met with a difficult opponent.”

Feng Zhen asked, “Does my lord perceive that… Hanmei will lose?”

“Not only will he lose, but he will also be humiliatingly defeated.” Jiang Pengji added, “Both not only differ in experience… but the entire fight is controlled by Yang Jian. He could bring him to his downfall easily. Although Yang Jian is a generation above Hanmei, his physique is still at its peak performance. Hanmei’s spear skillset is superior, the angle he attacks from is accurate and nimble, his strength is enough to pierce through a tiger’s mouth, but in Yang Jian’s eyes, these are insignificant. His might is lacking.”

Feng Zhen’s sword fighting skills had come to a standstill at a novice level, how could he judge the fight accurately? He only saw that Li Yun’s moves were faster than Yang Jian’s and that his weapon longer than his opponent’s. Therefore, he concluded that it gave him an advantage.

Jiang Pengji read his expression and asked him, “Do you think Yang Jian’s speed is slow?” Just as her voice faded, Yang Jian, who seemingly appeared to be overpowered, suddenly emerged and went in for the kill.

Not only did he evade Li Yun’s long spear, he even used the shaft of his sword to strike Li Yun’s hands, causing the long spear to fall. At the same time, he used the back of his sword to press against Li Yun’s neck. With lightning-quick speed and extraordinary strength, he could expend and retract as he wished. He stopped just in time. It was an emotional roller-coaster to those who watched.

“No matter how fast one is, if their adversary is neither subdued nor killed, everything is only for show. Yang Jian appeared to be at a disadvantage, but in truth, he was biding his time to watch for Hanmei’s weakness. He did not need to be fast, he only needed to ensure that his killer move against Hanmei would be faster than Hanmei’s speed at evading. That will seal his victory.”

On the other end, Li Yun was so terrified that he broke out in a cold sweat.

Even though Yang Jian had no intention to kill him, a false image passed through Li Yun’s mind of the King of Hades passing a death judgment on him.

If Yang Jian wished to do so, Li Yun’s head would be cut off and he would lose his life in that instant.

“Thank you, County Military Chief Yang, for the pointers.”

Yang Jian put his broadsword back into his sheath, then peacefully encouraged him, “It isn’t a bad thing to be hot-blooded in one’s youth, but to hunger after learning and working hard is the better way. I was victorious against you only because I had an advantage with my experience. In any case, your martial art skills surpass those of my useless son. He is still incompetent, while you are already a renowned general… I am envious that Xie Qian’s son for growing to be a fine young man. There’s no room for comparison.”

In that match just now, although it was a fight, it was a lesson being taught. Li Yun was the one receiving his education.

Li Yun was embarrassed. After he calmed down, he sensed that both Dian Yan and himself had overstepped their boundaries and humiliated themselves excessively.

Since it was a personal affair, they should not have made it an official matter, thereby souring the relationship between the two powers.

“Hanmei.”

As he contemplated this, a familiar voice sounded from amid the crowd. Suddenly, his scalp went numb. With disbelief, he turned his head to look at the speaker.

“Hanmei greets my lord!”

He and Dian Yan immediately paid their respects. Their hearts felt increasingly diffident.

Who had invited the lord over?

“Rise.” Having finished talking, Jiang Pengji looked towards General Meiran and Yang Jian. “Your junior is the magistrate of Xiangyang District. I humbly greet County Military Chief Yang.”

Feng Zhen secretly made his way over to Li Yun and Dian Yan, smiling cheekily. “I was afraid that you’d be at a disadvantage, so I got the lord to come.”

Li Yun and Dian Yan understood that he was conveying the message, “You are out to cause our deaths, we are finished.”

If the lord found out that they fought with Yang Jian’s troops over personal matters and almost caused the relationship on both sides to be affected, she would hold them accountable after spring passed.

Yang Jian turned to look at Jiang Pengji, remarking, “So, this is Liu Zhongqing’s son. Indeed, he is a young talent blessed with good looks.”

Having finished his speech, he used his palms to strike Jiang Pengji’s shoulders thrice. It was intended as a test. With the first strike, he restrained his force. Jiang Pengji appeared unaffected.

Yang Jian felt challenged, so he increased the strength of his strikes in his second and third attempts.

If it were an average person’s body, one might not be able to stand steadily when enduring such strikes.

Jiang Pengji’s facial expression remained unchanged throughout the strikes. Her smile was bashful. It was obvious that she was putting great emphasis on acting lovable.

After Yang Jian tested her, his heart sank. He took the initiative to remove the label of “frail scholar” from Jiang Pengji.