Chapter 40: Martial Challenge:
“I really don’t understand what the Emperor is thinking. A man who relied on bribing bandits to surrender—how can someone like that lead troops?” Qin Qingxue couldn’t understand at all.
Ever since her status had risen, she looked down on Li Ye more and more. She absolutely couldn’t accept following him, only to be mocked by others for the stench of money that clung to him.
So after achieving fame and success, she didn’t hesitate to abandon Li Ye and joined forces with Shi Wushuang.
“Isn’t it obvious? No matter how unfavored he may be, he’s still the Emperor’s son,” Shi Wushuang said. “We underestimated how much the Emperor cares for his children.”
“But the more favored the Sixth Prince becomes, the worse it is for both of us!”
Qin Qingxue immediately grew anxious after hearing Shi Wushuang’s analysis. “You mean... the Emperor is using this method to take revenge on us? What should we do then?”
“That’s simple. If we can’t act personally, we’ll pull in other princes. Now that the Sixth Prince holds military power, the other princes will definitely see him as a threat and try to suppress him. We just need to go with the flow and offer help from the shadows. Even if he dies, it’ll just seem like fallout from the struggle for the throne,” Shi Wushuang said with a cold smile.
“That makes sense. Let’s do that! With the Crown Prince supporting us, what is there to be afraid of?” Qin Qingxue finally relaxed.
“Not just the Crown Prince. Any prince we can use mustn’t be spared. All the princes are trying to recruit me, except for the Sixth Prince, who holds deep hostility toward us. He must be eliminated.”
Shi Wushuang’s expression was icy, and his eyes burned with murderous intent.
The next morning, just as Li Ye woke up, Lei Ying and Lei Zhan arrived at his residence.
Li Ye received them and immediately noticed the uncontrollable smiles on their faces.
“Judging by your smiles, something good must’ve happened?”
Lei Ying respectfully replied, “Your Highness, the court has begun to settle the mountain men in batches, just as you promised. Some of the merchants have also gone to the camp to recruit workers. We don’t have to worry about our future anymore.”
“As long as you’re satisfied,” Li Ye nodded slightly.
Lei Ying continued, “We both wish to follow Your Highness and serve you wholeheartedly.”
“Of course. You two became leaders of the stronghold not just because of your martial skills, but also your ability to manage affairs. I was planning to keep you by my side, but it’s fine if you want to settle your people first and then return.”
“It’s no problem. There are respected elders among our people who can manage the clansmen. We don’t need to worry about it.”
“I see. Then stay. From now on, follow Lin Yue’s arrangements.”
The two men glanced at Lin Yue. She was just a young girl—they clearly weren’t convinced.
They had come to obey Li Ye, not some little girl.
When Lin Yue heard them scoff, she knew they were unconvinced and decided to teach them a lesson.
“You two dare to look down on me? How about a match?”
Lei Zhan, who already had a hot temper, immediately shouted, “Fine, let’s fight! But if you lose, what then?”
“Simple. If I lose, I’ll follow your lead from now on. But if I win, you’ll do as I say without question,” Lin Yue replied.
“Alright, I’ll even let you have three moves!”
“Tch, you both come at me together. Save me the trouble,” Lin Yue said, casting them a disdainful glance and raising her chin proudly.
Lei Zhan was so angry he laughed.
This little girl probably wasn’t even twenty and dared to look down on them?
At that moment, Li Ye spoke. “Lin Yue is right. Both of you should attack together. If you can beat her, then the win is yours.”
Lei Ying and Lei Zhan were shocked.
Even the Sixth Prince looked down on them?
Lei Ying protested, “Your Highness, aren’t you underestimating us? If we can’t even beat a little girl, how can we protect you?”
“No, I’m not underestimating you at all. Lin Yue’s master is incredibly powerful. She’s been trained by an expert since childhood. I asked you both to attack together to protect you. Don’t hold back—use everything you’ve got, or you’ll lose very quickly.”
“Alright, alright. Since Your Highness says so, we won’t hide our strength.”
Lei Ying and Lei Zhan drew their longswords.
“We’re coming!”
They charged from the left and right.
Lin Yue snorted and rolled her eyes. With ghost-like movements, she easily dodged their first joint attack.
Though it was just a probing move, Lei Ying and Lei Zhan had used eighty percent of their strength—yet it was completely ineffective.
They exchanged glances and saw shock in each other’s eyes.
A true expert can tell with a single move.
Now they finally realized that Li Ye wasn’t exaggerating.
They immediately became serious, shouted, and launched a full-strength attack.
Their sword techniques were sharp and deadly, each strike carrying great force.
Unleashing their ultimate techniques, the space was suddenly filled with shadows of blades, crashing toward Lin Yue like a tsunami.
But Lin Yue didn’t even draw her sword. Holding her blade along with the scabbard, she suddenly struck.
Her attack pierced into the ocean of blade shadows like a lone boat in the sea, seemingly on the verge of capsizing at any moment.
Yet no matter how wild the waves, that small boat refused to sink.
“Clang, clang, clang...”
A series of rapid metallic clashes rang out.
In the blink of an eye, the three had already exchanged dozens of moves.
“Drop your blades!” Lin Yue shouted sternly.
Lei Ying and Lei Zhan’s weapons were knocked flying.
They clutched their wrists and staggered back several steps.
Staring at Lin Yue in disbelief, they were utterly shocked.
They had fought together with full strength and couldn’t last even fifty moves.
And Lin Yue hadn’t even drawn her blade from its scabbard—it was clear she hadn’t gone all out.
“Not bad. To last this long against Lin Yue, your skills are actually quite good,” Li Ye praised.
“You call that good? We didn’t last fifty moves even with both of us attacking. I’m too ashamed to stay here,” Lei Ying muttered, his confidence crushed.
He had always believed himself to be one of the top fighters on Vulture Mountain, training in martial arts since childhood, undefeated before the age of twenty.
He thought his strength was already top-tier.
Yet he had just been effortlessly beaten by a little girl.
He couldn’t describe how awful he felt.
“How is this possible? How old are you? Did you start training in the womb?” Lei Zhan was equally stunned.
Lin Yue stood tall, hugging her sword proudly, too disdainful to even speak to them.
Li Ye smiled and helped ease their embarrassment. “I told you—Lin Yue was guided by a renowned master since she was young, and she’s incredibly talented. Her martial arts are very powerful. Losing to her is nothing to be ashamed of.”