Chapter 126: Gathering Numbers

Zuo Feichen's expression was indifferent, not caring at all about Xiao Yin's cold-as-a-knife gaze.

At this moment Gu Jiu Ling no longer had time to be tangled over Zuo Feichen's sudden appearance; she looked at Xiao Yin and whispered, "What now?"

Xiao Yin raised an eyebrow, "The real map!"

Gu Jiu Ling gave an incredulous glance at Zuo Feichen; Zuo Feichen slightly lowered their brows, their uniquely handsome face hidden in light and shadow, exuding an indescribable suppressed eeriness.

She inhaled, took the map from Xiao Yin's hand, lifted it slowly, unfolded it piece by piece, and looked at Tuo Ba Heng, "Prince, this is the landscape map; can you examine it closely?"

Tuo Ba Heng hurried a few steps forward, lunged ahead, stared at the map Gu Jiu Ling raised, his complexion flickered slightly, as if he wanted to snatch it immediately.

His eyes were practically glued to the map, about to glance again, when Gu Jiu Ling folded it up and clutched it tightly to her chest.

Tuo Ba Heng, still unsatisfied, stepped back a few paces, stared intently at Gu Jiu Ling, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes as he coldly laughed, "Fine! We'll duel in a moment!"

He paused, then glanced at Xiao Yin, "This time I, the Prince, will fight personally; I hope the Prince can still handle the pole?"

Xiao Yin gave a faint smile, "I not only can handle the pole, but I can also handle your… dog head!"

Tuo Ba Heng's complexion changed instantly, he gave a cold smile and turned to walk toward his side.

The atmosphere in the arena grew even more heated; this competition was exceedingly thrilling, not just because of the prize, but also because the participants on both sides were truly exciting.

Seven years ago, when Xiao Yin was the war god of Southern Qi, no one knew how many times he clashed with Tuo Ba Heng; the two fought to the death, yet Tuo Ba Heng was never Xiao Yin's match, suffering defeat after defeat.

Until the battle at Qi Sha Gu seven years ago, when Tuo Ba Heng led his men to drive Xiao Yin's army into Qi Sha Gu, almost a one-sided slaughter, that fight finally restored some face to Tuo Ba Heng.

However, everyone held reservations about that battle; after all, abnormal events must have some hidden cause, and some matters are inexplicable.

Now, seven years later, the two face off again—simply too exciting to anticipate.

The lineup on the Bei Di side is truly formidable, yet there is also a bean‑sprout‑like Tuo Ba Yu.

But Gu Jiu Ling's side is hard to describe; after all, there are almost no usable people here, the Imperial Guard's faces have turned pale, had they known it would be like this they wouldn't have taken the field earlier, yet they can still follow the Prince.

These days Xiao Yin has taken charge of the Imperial Guard; rewards and punishments are clear, his conduct makes them comfortable, and they gradually come to respect Xiao Yin.

Everyone mocks them as useless, as idlers; only Xiao Yin treats them as dust‑covered jewels, saying he'll lead them to achieve glory, to show those who mock them.

At this tense moment, they can't help, nearly driving them mad.

Tuo Ba Heng and Princess Yuan Qing both donned basket‑style jackets; Yuan Qing coldly looked at Gu Jiu Ling and laughed, "Princess Consort of Rui, your side indeed produces people; if you lack enough, shall I lend you a foot‑washing maid?"

"Hahaha…" the Bei Di side burst into laughter.

Although the Bei Di side has few people, they are quite infuriating; the Southern Qi nobles also have grown some resentment toward Gu Jiu Ling.

All because of this woman, she has embarrassed Southern Qi; she doesn't care about winning or losing—if she loses, will Southern Qi's face be lost as well?

Troublemaker!

Those people began murmuring, wishing Gu Jiu Ling would die to avoid such humiliation.

Gu Jiu Ling knew the atmosphere had shifted; if she loses this time, not only would she fail to retrieve her grandfather's personal item, even Rui Wang Fu would lose all face.

Her expression grew colder; this time ten people are needed, and from her side she puts forward only Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin slowly signaled Ling Feng; Ling Feng, who had been holding his breath, stepped forward in large strides, donned a red jacket, and didn't forget to dress his own Prince as well.

But the brothers beside Xiao Yin who excelled at horse‑ball are all dead, leaving only Ling Feng; Xiao Yin himself was previously gravely wounded, and now his health is poor, uncertain if he can endure.

"Master! Yun Duo is willing to try!" Yun Duo, beside Gu Jiu Ling, strode forward.

Gu Jiu Ling was slightly startled, meeting Yun Duo's resolute eyes, recalling the girl's domineering act of killing a tiger at the Third Prince's mansion, and patted her shoulder.

"Go then! Know your limits! Lives are more important than face!"

Yun Duo nodded, her black robe flowing, lithe and spry, stepped out, put on a red jacket; the stark black‑and‑red made heads turn slightly.

Every maid beside the Princess Consort of Rui is this outstanding? Indeed, the Princess Consort of Rui is no ordinary person!

Xiao Yin took these two onto the field first, still seven short!

Princess Yuan Qing laughed, "Just these three not enough?"

"Who said there are only these three, are you blind?" a clear, sharp voice rang out as a petite, charming woman in teal armor rode a maroon horse, approaching slowly.

"Ah? Isn't that Miss Lin Rujun of An Guo Gongfu?"

"What's going on? Didn't they say Miss Lin Rujun of An Guo Gongfu is a delicate girl proficient in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting? How is she playing horse‑ball?"

"Good girl! See the whip around her waist? So majestic!"

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Lin Rujun, silently wailing in her heart, "Don't ruin me! Sister!"

Can you do it?

Seemingly to confirm Gu Jiu Ling's suspicion, Lin Rujun suddenly untied the soft whip at her waist, swung it through the air, and cracked it hard against a nearby flagpole.

Bang! The flagpole snapped in two, such arm strength truly rare!

Everyone fell silent instantly.

Gu Jiu Ling exhaled, this girl's martial skill is not weak; wasn't she from a scholarly family? When did she acquire such ability?

Under the colorful canopy of An Guo Gongfu, a dead silence prevailed; Li Furen was so angry he nearly burst into tears, and on the same side Lin Jingyuan, eyes reddened, complained, "Look, look, does your sister now refuse to marry?"

Lin Jingyuan sighed, "Mother, let her be!"

Four now!

Gu Jiu Ling wished she could step in herself, but among the Shang Jing aristocracy, those who can play horse‑ball have already taken the field, and there's that ridiculous rule that a participant cannot play twice.

Gu Jiu Ling anxiously glanced at the aristocratic circle, when suddenly a young commander in silver armor, a heavy sword at his waist, rode forward with three armored attendants.

The surrounding onlookers gasped, "Has Young Lord Cheng Ming of the Princess' Mansion arrived?"

Cheng Ming had undergone surgery earlier; his recuperation was nearly complete, though his complexion remained slightly pale.

He exuded a certain arrogance, like a proud little peacock; he lifted his head to glance at Gu Jiu Ling, his gaze sharp as a knife, and ordered his attendants to don red jackets.

Gu Jiu Ling twitched the corner of her eye, "If you're helping, then help, but why stare at me with such hateful eyes?"

Princess Yuan Qing coldly laughed, "Princess Consort of Rui, we're still short two people!"