The Duel
The Duel
"No."
"We'll have to serve Emperor Ji Shu if we lost?"
"Not really," Yang Xian replied. "That's something that Emperor Ji Shu also wants, but Prince Ji Sheng refused the notion. In the worst case scenario where he lost, he didn't want us to be by Emperor Ji Shu's side and helped him."
"Then…."
"No matter what the result will be, Prince Ji Sheng's soldiers will return back to the north. As for the two of us, we'll be released from our previous position and free to do whatever we want to do," Yang Xian responded.
Wei Liuying's eyes widened. "He agrees to something like that?"
"Even if it's said that we're free to do whatever we want; the only catch is that we'll never cross the river to the north. That way, we'll never be able to return back to our previous position."
"Oh…"
"It's not that bad, but I'll surely miss the scenery at the north." Yang Xian grinned.
"True, but I'm from the capital city too, so it doesn't matter that much. The cold at the north is also a bit too much for me."
"That's harsh."
The two of them might be saying this, but they didn't have the intention to see Prince Ji Sheng lost. If the worst case scenario truly happened, they would join the rebellions at the south and tried to win. It would be the only way to salvage the situation.
After talking a bit more, they returned back to their tent and have rest. Tomorrow's result would seal everything.
When morning came, the situation was tense.
Prince Ji Sheng still kept his composure and prepared himself with his armor and weapon. The soldiers around him looked anxious, but they were trying hard to hide their expression as they watched their general prepared himself.
Yang Xian was waiting outside the tent, wondering whether this would be the best decision or not. There were always two types of generals, one who stayed at the front and led his soldiers from the frontline and the other one was the one who arranged strategy and only led from behind. Prince Ji Sheng was clear the first one and all this time, he was the one who brought victory from the frontline.
His task was only to support Prince Ji Sheng from behind.
"General Sheng!" Yang Xian greeted when he saw Prince Ji Sheng walked out.
Prince Ji Sheng passed a glance and nodded. "Should a war break out, I trust everything to you."
"Yes!"
There was already a large field prepared for the two imperial family member. The gate to the capital city was slowly opened as Ji Shu walked out. Wei Xiao Hua was following behind him with solemn expression on her face. The novel did end up with Ji Shu's victory, but anything could happen here.
"You should wait here," Ji Shu said to his wife.
"Please, be careful."
"I'll win."
The soldiers prevented the citizen from coming out. They didn't want to let this duel known until it was time. All they told the people was that they have to stay in their house while they have negotiation directly with the traitor prince. For the past few weeks, there were already many kinds of rumors floating around regarding Prince Ji Sheng. Even though some people were skeptical, some believed the rumors.
"I'll be going now," Prince Ji Sheng said.
"If you lose, I'll not stop Lady Gao from chasing you after getting her revenge," Yang Xian remarked.
Prince Ji Sheng's lips curled up. If Gao Ling was here, he knew that she would surely tell him that he was not allowed to lose no matter what. In any case, he didn't have any intention to lose. There were too many things at the stake. He still wanted to have a long and peaceful life with his wife.
Of course, he had no intention of abandoning his position as the general yet.
The two of them walked to the middle with their weapon in their hand. It was clear that they didn't have any intention to let their opponent off easily.
"You'll regret this, Ji Sheng," Ji Shu said in a cold tone.
Prince Ji Sheng looked back at Ji Shu with menacing gaze. "I can say the same to you, Ji Shu."
"Heh."
As if they had agreed before, the two of them kicked the ground and dashed forward. Their weapons moved to form a curve before it crashed against one another.
Clang!
Sound of metal clashing could be heard. The two sides were equally matched as they were locked in the middle. Their determined gazes showed that they were unwilling to lose no matter what.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Moving their body around, the two brothers rapidly attacked their opponent with whatever they got. Ji Shu thrusted forward and Prince Ji Sheng parried the attack as he stepped in, his sword swung hard.
Swish!
By pausing his movement, Ji Shu barely evaded the attack. His eyes narrowed as he looked at his older brother and twisted his body. Once again, he was in the attacking his position as he brandished his sword from above.
Clang!
Prince Ji Sheng blocked the attack with ease. He moved his body in accordance to what he had learned during his time in the military. Both of them have their own share of experience when it came to battle of life and death.
"You'll lose," Ji Shu said coldly.
"The result is not clear yet."
Clang!
Maneuvering his body once more, Ji Shu was trying hard to make sure that his attack could get in. However, Prince Ji Sheng would not give him the chance that he needed. The two of them have their own reason why they could not lose.
On the side, Wei Xiao Hua was watching the battle with her hand clasped in front of her. She was praying hard, hoping that Ji Shu would win just like what the novel said.
Slash!
When the sound of flesh tearing, everyone's gaze turned to the middle. They were anxious to see who were wounded.