Chapter 95 - 93: Battle Against the Military
"I’m up!"
A middle-aged man among the Patrol Captains stood out, sword in hand.
Song Changming glanced at him, and Lu Zheng also cast a side glance.
This man’s name was Ma Yulin, a formidable force, consistently ranking in the top five, even top three, among the Chief Patrol Guards.
His only flaw was being too impulsive, often acting rashly.
Like this time, he jumped in without waiting for anyone’s reaction, not even noticing that Xie Shihuan was about to appoint someone to step up.
Seeing this, Xie Shihuan felt helpless; he had a love-hate relationship with this fierce warrior under him.
"Oh well, Ma Yulin’s strength isn’t bad; he’s worthy of a fight," he consoled himself.
In fact, he initially intended for Song Changming or Lu Zheng to face the challenge, as it would be more reliable.
"Hey!" Shi Lie grinned, his face full of flesh compressing together like a fierce tiger, staring at the person in front of him.
Ma Yulin widened his eyes like a pair of copper bells, standing his ground with equal momentum.
He had long been fed up with these generals’ arrogant demeanor, itching for a fight.
"If both of you are ready, you may start. Remember to control yourselves, don’t knock over the dining table," Xiao Jingchuan, who was seated at the head, raised a hand and said.
"Blades have no eyes. I’ll apologize in advance; if I accidentally hurt you later, forgive me," Shi Lie said with a laugh.
Ma Yulin nearly swore out loud, words stuck in his throat.
Thankfully, mindful of the occasion, with the Governor watching above, he managed to hold back.
A bunch of brainless brutes!
"Cut the crap, let’s fight!" Ma Yulin said, charging forward with his blade.
The two instantly clashed fiercely.
Song Changming held his chopsticks, clamping a piece of meat into his mouth while observing the battle.
With just a glance, he could tell that the general indeed possessed significant strength.
He mainly focused on muscle training, and at least had a Fifth Realm or higher Body Refining Cultivation, wielding great strength, waving his copper hammers like a fierce wind.
No wonder among a crowd of generals, this person could take a seat at the upper table.
Coincidentally, Ma Yulin also specialized in muscle training and Body Refining, with a cultivation level of Fifth Realm or higher.
But from the initial exchange, in terms of pure strength, the general was clearly superior to Ma Yulin, both being in the Fifth Realm.
So much so that Ma Yulin fell behind right from the start, suppressed by the opponent’s copper hammers.
Both sides exchanged moves with considerable force and an open, wide style.
After several rounds, the smile on Xie Shihuan’s face had waned somewhat.
He noticed the chances of victory for his side decreasing.
After dozens of rounds, the faces of the Chief Patrol Guards were not looking too good.
By this time, Ma Yulin was panting heavily, covered in sweat from the fighting, clearly showing defeat.
Finally, it was as expected.
As Ma Yulin’s strength waned, the opponent seized the opportunity, a copper hammer crashing down. Ma Yulin blocked with his sword but lost his footing, sitting down on the ground.
The outcome was decided!
"Well done, both sides displayed extraordinary strength. Very impressive, impressive!" Xiao Jingchuan clapped with a smile.
By praising both, he eased the atmosphere, ensuring the defeated did not lose face.
"Thanks for going easy on me!" Shi Lie laughed loudly.
Ma Yulin, face red with shame, retreated.
"I always thought I excelled at charging while mounted, but it seems I can make a decent living in the city too," Shi Lie said with a playful hint, looking at the group of Chief Patrol Guards across, taunting them.
Clearly implying that these patrol guards weren’t much.
"Enough, Shi Lie, come back," Captain Fan Yun said at this time.
"Sir, I just got into it, haven’t fought enough. Let me have a few more bouts," Shi Lie said, unwilling to return.
"Changming, Lu Zheng, which one of you will go?" Xie Shihuan turned to the two, his eyes and tone no longer as gentle as before.
"I’ll go, there’s no need to trouble Brother Lu," Song Changming said, setting down his bowl and chopsticks, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"Alright," Xie Shihuan nodded.
Among all the Chief Patrol Guards now, only Song Changming and Lu Zheng had the strength to reassure him.
Song Changming stood up and walked to the center of the open ground, with the Dragon Pattern Saber on his back, leaving his waist saber behind.
"Mr. Xie, sending such a young lad, really no problem?" Shi Lie asked, glancing at Song Changming and then at Xie Shihuan.
"No problem. General Shi can fight with full strength, don’t worry about anything," Xie Shihuan smiled calmly.
Shi Lie smirked; having been in the military camp for years, he had no impression of Song Changming.
Just considering common sense, being so young, no matter how skilled, how formidable could he be?
Seated at the head, Xiao Jingchuan also examined Song Changming with interest.
He had heard from Xiao Shuyun several times about the potential and prowess of this young man Song Changming.
"Hopefully, he won’t disappoint," Xiao Jingchuan thought, resting his chin on one hand.
"Then let’s go!" Shi Lie hoisted up the large hammer, the muscles on his arms bulging like rocks, seemingly about to burst through his armor.
He decided to achieve another crushing victory and put a dent in the arrogance of these Patrol Guards.
They risk their lives on the battlefield, while this bunch only dares to catch petty thieves in the city. By what merit should they receive the Governor’s commendation?
How do they even have the face to attend this celebration banquet?
Many officers, like him, were dissatisfied and disdainful of these Patrol Guards’ status and treatment.
Song Changming did not waste words with him; they had just suffered a defeat. This battle, under the eyes of all, represented the General Department’s Patrol Guards, and he absolutely could not allow another loss.
He directly drew the Dragon Pattern Saber with one hand, the blade hanging downward, casting cold glints.
"Good saber!"
Among the officers, many masters of battlefield swordsmanship were staring bright-eyed at the hefty saber in Song Changming’s hand.
"Hmph!" Shi Lie strode aggressively towards Song Changming, gathering his strength and directly smashing down the copper hammer at him.
The fierce wind pressure assaulted, causing Song Changming to squint his eyes.
"You asked for this, won’t blame me for being injured!" Shi Lie didn’t hold back much, growled lowly.
In the next moment, Song Changming took a heavy step forward, swinging his arm.
The saber that was hanging down rose up, slicing against the wind, creating waves of energy, colliding against the copper hammer with spikes.
Bang!
With a piercing yet slightly muffled loud crash, Shi Lie’s copper hammer was thrown high, causing his upper body to tilt back, almost as if struck down by an impact force.
"This brat!!"
Shi Lie’s eyes widened, astonished by the terrifying force accompanying Song Changming’s saber, biting his teeth and stepping back a step to steady himself from falling.
If he fell, that would be a huge embarrassment!
Song Changming followed up by twisting the saber in his hand, sweeping horizontally with both hands.
Shi Lie was forced to defend with the other copper hammer, once again feeling a stronger force that pushed him back several large steps, almost crashing into the table behind.
"Really? Shi Lie actually can’t match this brat in strength!"
"Shi Lie, didn’t you eat enough, starving for strength?!"
Some officers at the back were also very surprised by the scene.
"Shut up!" Shi Lie was furious.
Xie Shihuan, seeing this, finally returned a natural smile.
Song Changming had never disappointed him over the years.
That’s why he consistently favored this youngest Chief Patrol Guard in the department.
"Interesting! Even a standard cultivation to the Fifth Realm of Bone Forging seldom yields such brute strength. To suppress Shi Lie, is it innate divine power..."
Xiao Jingchuan recognized Song Changming’s body refining cultivation, observing Shi Lie wasn’t slacking; purely in the clash of strength, Song Changming outmatched him, causing him to be butchered so helplessly by those strikes.
In fact, Song Changming, practicing Great Strength Bull Demon Skill, had attained Five Bulls Power, inherently stronger than the fatigue-whip of typical Martial Artists.
Both being in the Fifth Realm of Bone Forging, in terms of strength, Song Changming wouldn’t lose to anyone!
This advantage comes from a Top Grade Body Refining Skill, not so-called innate divine power.
His physical traits column did not include such characteristics.
Besides, his concurrent practice of Barbarian Bear Skill, though at a low current level, did add some strength.
This concurrent practice benefit enhances his already advantageous traits, making them even stronger!
Song Changming glanced at the table, already close behind him, and didn’t press his advantage to attack, instead stepping back two steps, waiting for Shi Lie to come back himself.
Xiao Jingchuan had reminded earlier, no knocking over tables and food.
But in Shi Lie’s eyes, this move was silent contempt and mockery.
Instantly, his rage grew, fiercely determined, bursting with speed like a real Barbarian Bear, roaring, and charging at Song Changming.
His momentum was overwhelmingly intense, infused with battlefield bloodlust, instilling fear.
Yet Song Changming’s expression remained calm, lifting his saber, instantly stirring up equally terrifying gusts of wind.
The Soul-breaking Saber of Great Perfection Realm was thus deployed, gusts of sinister wind, causing Shi Lie to seem trapped in a swamp, as if dragged by countless vicious ghosts, perpetually influencing him.
For a moment, he couldn’t even sense his own momentum, completely overwhelmed by Song Changming’s sword momentum!
In terms of utilizing ’momentum’, Song Changming was indisputably victorious over him.
For the onlookers, they missed the fierce feeling of Hundred Ghosts Invasion, only seeing Shi Lie and Song Changming’s blades clashing twenty to thirty times before Shi Lie started looking dazed.
Even blown left and right by Song Changming’s stirred gusts.
The Soul-breaking Saber, now capable of Upper Vehicle High grade Blade Skill power and achieving Perfection Realm, Song Changming wielded it with exceptional mastery, peak of perfection.
Technically, Song Changming could end the battle swiftly.
However, he wanted the opponent to gain some memory, meanwhile, also allowing himself to warm up, hence he tortured him with a few more strikes.
Clang clang!
Two heavy copper hammers were knocked to the ground by Song Changming’s saber, and with them fell Shi Lie, almost face-planting.
"Thanks for the lesson." Song Changming sheathed his saber, nonchalantly said.