Chapter 176 Contest of Swords, Zi You Shocks the Soldiers
But the feeling of an illicit affair was very good. It was much more exciting than playing with tongfang yatous. Zhao HongXiang thought of Yu Lanxuan and his heart was itchy and unbearable. His lower body stirred. He boarded the horse carriage and no longer looked at Zi You as he left.
Mount Yunmeng had a lot of strange stones, ancient caves, waterfalls, and different plants. It had a beautiful landscape and tough terrain.
40,000 people were stationed here for training. Zi You thought that this was on a huge scale.
But Old General Mu said to her, “The soldiers aren’t at the level to go to Nanjiang’s forests yet. There are many different tribes there who are familiar with the geography. They also know how to use poisons. As long as they dispatch dozens of people, they can deal with hundreds of our people.”
Zi You was even more determined not to take one step away from her grandfather. This was not the same as in the past when her grandfather used real swords and spears to battle enemies on the battlefield openly and aboveboard. She used to be able to relax with her grandfather and uncle’s abilities.
However, pacifying the rebellion in Nanjiang was not the same. Their enemies were hidden in the dark. It would be like her grandfather and the others going into a cave of snakes. They wouldn’t know where a poisonous snake would be hiding. It could come out at anytime to bite you. It really would be hard to defend against it.
The army arrived at Mount Yunmeng. It was after noon, so Old General Mu ordered the army to make camp and make food. The army brought limited provisions because they were supposed to learn how to forage.
Men and women formed teams. It was the first time that the soldiers had seen women in the barracks. Although they weren’t old and mostly around Zi You’s age, the soldiers were still very happy. They enthusiastically set up tents while looking at and discussing the female soldiers.
“Our general’s Di granddaughter is worthy of being a military family’s descendant. She’s not the same as those frail and delicate n.o.ble xiaojies.”
“En. It’s good now. We don’t have to be afraid of poisonous snakes, ants, or spiders. I’m not afraid of the enemy, but I’m scared of those poisonous insects.”
“The medicinal sachet that the female medical team handed out really works. I took it out earlier and a big ant didn’t dare to come close to it.”
“……”
Zi You had given each soldier a sachet. The medicinal herbs inside exuded a medicinal scent. It could not only refresh and clear the mind, but it could effectively prevent a variety of poisonous insects from approaching them.
Fortunately, there weren’t a lot of poisonous insects on Mount Yunmeng. But Nanjiang was different. Her grandfather had told her that one would become unconscious in thirty minutes after being bitten by a tiny spider.
Zi You’s military training on the mountain began. It was the same as in the capital. She woke up at Mao Shi [5 – 7 a.m.] to practice martial arts. Then she went to train with the army after breakfast. The female medical team served as cooks. When the troops rested, Zi You taught the females medicine.
There was collective activity at night, such as a night march. That was Zi You’s own time to cultivate. She set up an array around her tent and no one could get close.
She had brought all five pots of black mandara flowers and her spirit pets here. The little things had played happily when they arrived. Weishali haf watched over them so Zi You didn’t need to worry.
When night fell, Zi You would bring the black mandaras and spirit pets to the highest peak. She would collect the essence of heaven and earth and cultivate her spiritual power. Although she was very tired, there were no plots, schemes, or fighting. She lived fully and happily.
Only, that lecherous dandy would pop up in her mind from time to time and disturb her.
What was that rascal doing at this time? Would the Empress and Taizi be angry at him because of Shangguan Lingluo and her brother’s deaths? Even if Zi You was extremely unwilling to admit it, she knew that that scoundrel had quietly entered her heart.
The days pa.s.sed very quickly. It was soon the Lantern Festival [January 15th]. Old General Mu announced a day off. The soldiers were very happy. That was because Zi You and the girls had hung lanterns that they had made themselves. After eating sticky dumplings, the females had also sung and danced for the soldiers.
The girls were unwilling at first. After all, they were not singers or dangers. And many of them were actually daughters of officials. It was very normal for them to be unwilling to perform for a group of coa.r.s.e soldiers.
Zi You didn’t blame them. Instead, she told them, “Don’t treat the soldiers as soldiers. Think of them as your brothers. When you sing or dance for your parents and brothers, would you have such thoughts? If you don’t look down on yourselves, the soldiers won’t either.”
The truth was just like this. The Mu army had strict discipline. Although one wouldn’t dare to say that all of the 40,000 soldiers were pure, at least most of them were good people. Even if they had other thoughts, they didn’t dare to put them into action.
So, after the female medical team finished their performance, many soldiers stood up, sung, waved swords, and competed in martial arts.
Zi You was interested. She said to two military officers competing with each other, “I want to compete with you. Can I?”
The two young military officers were sixth-rank Battalion Chief Zhang Wei and fifth-rank Deputy General Wei Mingchao. They were young; around twenty years old. They were both startled by Zi You’s question.
Wei Mingchao was a bit embarra.s.sed as he rubbed his head. “That’s not good, Xiaojie! What if we use tree branches instead?”
He really didn’t put Zi You in his eyes. She was as beautiful as a fairy. She was young and not even as old as his sister. Old General Mu and Young General doted on her so much. Let’s not talk about how they wouldn’t agree to this, but even he couldn’t agree.
Mu YingYi, on the side, couldn’t help but laugh. He said to Zi You, “You’er, he’s using a tree branch, so you use a ribbon. Don’t overdo it and don’t get hurt.”
Zi You nodded. He looked down on her by suggesting he use a tree branch. She would indeed be bullying him if she used a sword. Using a ribbon it was!
Because today was a day off, Zi You wasn’t wearing a military uniform. She wore a water-blue horse-riding outfit. Her hair was rolled into double buns and they were tightly tied by Shiyun with the same blue colored ribbons. Her perfect goose egg face was revealed. Her skin was like snow and tender like water.
She pulled out a red ribbon that was as wide as an adult’s arm. She twirled it around her arm and walked over. She cupped her fists at Deputy General Wei and modestly said, “Deputy General Wei, please don’t hold back. Let’s have a match.”
Wei Mingchao casually held a tree branch used to light fires. He nodded with a red face and thought, ‘She’s so beautiful. She doesn’t need a sword or spear and can dazzle the enemy’s eyes. He’ll faint away before the fight.’
Zi You could tell what he was thinking. She didn’t say anything else, but jumped into the air. Everyone seemed to have seen a kingfisher flying. They hadn’t noticed anything else before they saw a flying red cloud wrap around the dazed Wei Mingchao.
Wei Mingchao was wrapped up like a python was twisted around him. Then he was thrown into the air and flung to the ground with a “bang.” The spectating soldiers all widened their eyes in shock. They were in disbelief. Wei Mingchao was at least 165 pounds. How much did Zi You weigh? She was at most 66 to 77 pounds. She actually used a ribbon to fling a man more than twice her weight to the ground.
Defeated with one move! Deputy General Wei simply couldn’t fight back. Everyone froze for two minutes before issuing deafening applause.
Wei Mingchao flipped up from the ground. He stared at Zi You without any more contempt. This young general was a flexible person. He immediately raised his fists and apologized to Zi You. “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have looked down on you, Xiaojie. Let’s have a real contest now.”
He then picked up his sword. Zi You pressed down on her waist and a soft sword appeared in her hand. It was her Yinxiao Sword. The reason she called it Yinxiao Sword was because it cut iron like mud and sounded like a flute when it was waved.*** This sword was something Old General Mu had ordered someone to tailor for her.
[“Yin” is a song/ sound. “Xiao” is a musical instrument similar to panpipes.]
After the attempted a.s.sa.s.sination in the mountain, Old General Mu had spent 1,000 gold taels to get sword master Yin Fu to forge this soft sword.
When Zi You received the sword, she jumped and hopped around Old General Mu, making Old General Mu sad for a long time. Other girls picked up needles and thread, but his precious granddaughter was like a boy — Other than waving swords around, she was handling medicinal herb and poisons.
Even Old General Mu was shocked when he saw her extract snake venom skillfully.
Wei Mingchao looked at this thin and narrow soft sword. Its hilt was made out of white jade. If he didn’t look carefully, he would have thought that it was a belt around her waist. But this sword made flute sounds and reflected a blue light under the sun. Wei Mingchao’s eyes turned deep. He knew that this was a precious sword. He didn’t dare to drag things out. He looked at her sword and was ready to move.
Zi You held her sword still with a cold expression. She looked at Wei Mingchao without moving too. They were obviously waiting for the other to reveal his flaw.
At this time, a mountain wind blew Zi You’s loose hair on the sides of her face. Wei Mingchao’s iron sword took the opportunity to swing out towards Zi You’s face.
Zi You retreated two meters without panic or hurry. Her back touched a tree trunk.
Wei Mingchao saw that she wasn’t in front of him anymore. His iron sword changed directions and stabbed.
There was nowhere else that Zi You could retreat to. She suddenly started climbing up the tree.
Wei Mingchao shouted and flew up. His iron sword also turned into a rainbow. For a moment, he and his sword seemed to have become one.
His Qi [energy, aura] made dead branches fell to the ground. The scene was desolate and bleak!
Zi You’s arms shook and she fell down with the branches.
Wei Mingchao roared and flipped. A rainbow suddenly turned into countless streams of light and spilled down over Zi You’s head.
Zi You seemed to have no more paths of retreat. Everyone exclaimed out loud.
At this time, she turned into a green light and dove into the lights.
Everyone exclaimed, including the startled Old General Mu and Mu YingYi.
Wei Mingchao’s martial arts weren’t the best among the soldiers, but he was ranked amongst the top.
His sword Qi could hurt anyone within two feet of him. Even if Zi You wasn’t dead from charging through his sword Qi, she would certainly be hurt all over.
Just as everyone was stunned silly, they saw that the situation had changed. The green light rotated nonstop around Wei Mingchao. Then everyone heard a click.
When the light stopped turning, Zi You was standing there and pointing her Yinxiao Sword at Wei Mingchao’s throat.
The soldiers looked at Zi You’s intact blue riding outfit.
Then they looked at Wei Mingchao’s armor. Pieces of armor fell to the ground. They couldn’t help but exclaim out loud again.
Let’s talk about Great Yan’s military armor. The two most common armors used on battlefields were Liangdang and Mingguang.
Liangdang armor consisted of small pieces of fish scale-shaped pieces put together. It extended to the abdomen. The armor on the torso was crescent shaped and there was a lotus-shaped piece to protect the lower half and enhance defense.
Mingguang armor protected the chest and the back. That was because most of this round-shaped protection was made from copper, iron, and other materials that were polished until it shone like a mirror. Wearing Mingguang armor on the battlefield would make you shine dazzlingly on the battlefield under the sunlight.
There were a lot of styles for this type of armor. It was also very simple. Some would add two round pieces around the crotch and b.u.t.tocks area. Others were equipped with shoulder pads, knee pads, and heavy shoulder pads. Most body armor fell to the hips and strapped around the waist.
Wei Mingchao was wearing leather armor today. Zi You’s sword stripped off all of the leather from his armor, but did not hurt him.
It could be imagined what it would look like if Zi You was facing an enemy. His whole body would be b.l.o.o.d.y and mutilated already.
Wei Mingchao cupped his fists with an admiring expression. “I lost. I accept my loss wholeheartedly!”
Zi You faintly smiled. Her smile was bright and dazzling and made the whole mountain lose its color. “Deputy General Wei let me win. You actually haven’t used all your strength yet. If you did, I’m afraid that it won’t be so easy for me to win.”
Wei Mingchao shook his head. “I have already used 90% of my internal strength. But you can still charge through my sword Qi. Your internal strength is already much stronger than mine.”
Wei Mingchao was in admiration and puzzled. He looked at Zi You and couldn’t understand why her internal strength was so high at such a young age……