Chapter 629: Develop your rear strength!

The watching soldiers shouted:

"Old Zhao! Go!"

"Exactly! It's a rare chance to spar with Xiao Er!"

"Old Zhao! You're so young, don't be scared! Give him a good fight!"

A crowd of soldiers surged forward, pushing Lu Wu into the circle.

Lu Wu, caught in a dilemma, also took off his upper garment and stood before Xiao Er.

He slowly lifted his head to look opposite, and his heart suddenly tightened.

Xiao Er was a full head taller than him, with broad shoulders, a sturdy waist, and muscles bulging like mountain ridges, rising and falling slightly with his breath.

His arms were terrifyingly thick, veins knotted, muscles in bundles like twisted iron chains.

Lu Wu swallowed, then lowered his head to look at himself.

Good heavens! Though this body is solid, compared to Xiao Er it's like a chick standing before an eagle!

If I had known, I should have picked that broad-shouldered, thick-waisted Old Qian this morning!

Tuan Tuan stared fixedly at Xiao Er's back, heart aching.

His back was covered in scars.

From his left shoulder to his back ran a diagonal long scar, as if hacked hard by some sharp weapon, plus several round scars—clearly from arrow wounds.

These scars are both military merit and honor.

The soldiers fell silent, holding their breath, their eyes full of awe.

Tuan Tuan stood on the chair and shouted at Xiao Er: "Uncle Two! Don't get hurt again!"

Xiao Er felt warm inside, lifted his head and gave her a faint smile.

Gongsun Yue and Xiao Jin also shouted: "Xiao Er! Go for it!"

Xiao Er calmly looked at Lu Wu, his gaze tranquil as water.

He cupped his fists toward Lu Wu and said, "Please."

Lu Wu's calves began to cramp.

Xiao Er threw a punch, and Lu Wu gritted his teeth to take it.

"Bang!"

Fist and palm met—he actually caught it!

Although Xiao Er didn't use full force, the blow still carried nearly a hundred jin, numbing his whole arm.

But he did indeed catch it!

Lu Wu felt a surge of wild joy.

This body has a decent foundation!

Old Zhao's martial arts seem up to a fight!

"Good!" the soldiers cheered in unison.

Xiao Er raised his brows slightly, seeming somewhat surprised.

He increased the force, turned his fist into a palm, and slashed diagonally at Lu Wu's shoulder and neck.

Lu Wu had no time to think; he instinctively sidestepped and raised his hand to block.

"Thwack!" He caught it again!

This time he didn't even feel it was taxing.

Lu Wu's spirits lifted greatly.

Perhaps the situation isn't as bad as he thought.

Old Zhao's skill is no worse than those soldiers who just fought!

His courage surged, and he actually threw a punch on his own initiative.

Xiao Er tilted his head to dodge, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

The soldiers erupted in an even greater clamor:

"Old Zhao's got it!"

"He can even fight back!"

"Xiao Er, don't capsize in the gutter!"

Zhang Wu'an laughed heartily: "Old Zhao, what did you eat today? You're so strong!"

Tuan Tuan bounced on the chair and shouted: "Uncle Two, keep it up!"

Xiao Feifei also joined in, jumping and calling "eh eh eh".

Lu Wu grew more confident as he fought.

Left punch, right palm—relying on Old Zhao's physique, he genuinely exchanged a dozen moves with Xiao Er.

He even felt he had grasped a hint of the technique.

However, on the twentieth move his fist lagged half a beat.

Xiao Er sidestepped, then with a backhand palm slapped his shoulder, staggering him two steps.

Lu Wu steadied his stance and began to pant heavily.

No, he's ultimately an old man; even borrowing Old Zhao's body, he seems to have reached his limit.

Sure enough, his breathing grew heavier, his arms and legs ever more leaden.

Lu Wu gritted his teeth and took two more blows; each punch he threw felt like dragging a thousand-jin iron weight.

He couldn't go on—really couldn't.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye toward the outside of the circle.

Yeah, how could I be so stupid? I could just not fight him.

I could just fling myself out!

Then it would be over—I wouldn't get hurt, and nobody would say anything.

Seeing Xiao Er's palm coming, Lu Wu went with the momentum, leaned back, and flung his whole body out of the circle.

His heart eased.

It's been so hard! Finally, I don't have to fight anymore.

But immediately, a big hand like an iron clamp fiercely grabbed his wrist.

Lu Wu's whole body froze mid‑air.

Xiao Er gripped his wrist and gently pulled him back into the circle.

Xiao Er said calmly, "Steady yourself, Lao Zhao—we're not done yet."

Lu Wu: "……"

A burst of laughter rose from the crowd.

"Lao Zhao, where are you trying to fall to?"

"Xiao Er won't let you go, so just stay put honestly!"

Zhang Wu'an laughed doubled over: "Lao Zhao, what's wrong with you? You were fierce just now—do you want to run now? No way out!"

Tuan Tuan clapped her little hands: "Second Uncle is awesome! We can't let him run!"

Gongsun Yue and Xiao Jin also jumped up laughing: "Exactly! No running!"

"We're not done yet!"

Lu Wu's legs went weak, and his heart sank straight down.

Can't I even admit defeat? Do I have to fight until I can't get up?

His punches and kicks grew sluggish, while Xiao Er's became faster and heavier.

Lu Wu was left struggling, his steps staggered, his footwork in chaos—he was merely relying on the stamina of this Lao Zhao body to hold on.

"Bang!"

A punch smashed into his shoulder, numbing half his body.

"Bang!"

Another punch drove into his ribs, making him suck in a cold breath from the pain.

Lu Wu staggered back, still unsteady, when a leg swept across and slapped his thigh with a "crack," burning pain flashing from flesh to bone.

No, I can't keep taking this!

I'm here to catch that kid, not to be a sandbag for this big black guy!

I must get out now, leave this body, and save myself first!

Worst case, I'll rest a few days and come back!

Lu Wu clenched his teeth, lips twitching, and began to chant the spell silently.

He focused all his mind on the spell in his mouth, and in an instant took two more punches.

Finally, the chant was done—go!

But the next moment—"Bang!"

A foot slammed heavily into his chest.

Lu Wu's whole body flew out and hit the ground hard.

He lay on the ground, his mind blank—had he really not escaped?

Why?

Tuan Tuan's voice came from the platform: "Great! Second Uncle is awesome!"

Lu Wu jerked his head up.

The child was clapping happily, his face lit up with deep dimples.

Right, it's always been like this.

Every time, as long as that child is around, my magic inexplicably fails.

His bindings can't hold her, his Shikigami gets chased and beaten by her, and his magic is useless before her.

What to do? Pretend to be dead!

What about Deputy Commander Zhang? Hurry and shout one, two, three!

Lu Wu lay motionless on the ground.

Zhang Wu'an's voice rang out: "One, two, three! Xiao Er wins!"

Several soldiers rushed into the circle and helped Lu Wu up.

"Not bad, Lao Zhao! You held out that long!"

"Yeah, you fought well!"

"Even in loss there's honor, Lao Zhao!"

Lu Wu felt like he was falling apart, hardly able to tell what hurt and what didn't.

He could only smile and nod—finally it was over, and nothing else would happen.

His heart, which had fluttered up and down many times, finally settled into his stomach.

At least he'd gotten through it.

This will do—it's not dark yet, I still have a chance to lure that child out of the Main Camp.

Xiao Er, having dressed, gave him a glance: "Your stamina's okay, your technique's passable, but your staying power is lacking—you still need more practice."

That remark reminded Zhang Wu'an: "Makes sense, Lao Zhao—stop guarding the accounts, go be a patrol scout and build up your endurance."

Lu Wu froze, what is a Patrol Scout?

A soldier grabbed him: "Being a Patrol Scout is great! You can also go out for a walk!"

Another soldier also pulled him: "Come on, Old Zhao! Let's go patrol the mountains with us!"

Patrol the mountains?

Lu Wu's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.