Chapter 202: Peak Showdown

The news of Meng Qian challenging Ye Qingran in the street spread quickly, causing a great commotion.

If it were an ordinary challenge, perhaps it would not attract so much attention. But when the parties involved are Ye Qingran and Meng Qian, the attention reaches an unprecedented height.

One is a rising star, recently famous in Xiliang City; the other has always been a talented girl, achieving fame young, the flower of the army.

Both are daughters of generals, of legitimate birth, exceptionally noble.

What is most anticipated is that this is no ordinary challenge—the stake is one arm!

It means that whoever loses must pay the price of a severed arm!

What sparks will their clash produce?

……

"Did Meng Qian really say that?"

"Miss Hui, I heard it with my own ears. Ye Qingran also agreed."

"This is heaven helping me!" Ye Huanhuan jumped up excitedly, "Meng Qian is still as impulsive and hot-tempered as ever, just a brave but reckless fool! Ye Qingran is also arrogant, daring to lightly accept Meng Qian's challenge. She doesn't know Meng Qian has been tempered in the army since childhood and is astonishingly talented—even Zhou Meng is no match for her, is he?"

Ye Huanhuan's face was full of glee, "A Ye Qingran with a severed arm isn't even qualified to be my opponent!"

……

Before the hour of Si on the second day, the area before Xuanwu Platform was already crowded with people.

Compared to the previous duel between Ye Qingran and Ye Sisi, today is obviously more lively.

"How did Miss Meng suddenly challenge Ye Qingran? And she even wagered an arm? That's too bloody, isn't it?"

"You wouldn't know this, but it's said that Ye Qingran was dissatisfied with Zhou Meng, Commander Zhou, for insisting on choosing Ye Huanhuan as his lord, so she broke one of Commander Zhou's arms, and Miss Meng couldn't stand it, leading to this."

"Ah, I see! But isn't Ye Qingran a waste? Commander Zhou is strong, how could Ye Qingran cripple one of his arms?"

"Then I don't know..."

……

This match not only drew the eyes of these onlookers, but also many noble young ladies and even high officials of Xiliang City rushed over upon hearing the news to join the fun.

"This Ye Qingran dares to accept Meng Qian's martial contest? She's truly a clueless fool!"

Dongfang Xuan stood in the spacious area beneath Xuanwu Platform, wearing a disdainful cold smile.

Meng Qian has long been a renowned talent in Xiliang City; if not for her long-term association with the Grand General of the Cavalry's garrison, Ye Huanhuan might have been outshone by her.

"She probably thinks she's gotten arrogant after beating Zhou Meng. She doesn't know Meng Qian is far stronger than Zhou Meng! Today, that arm of hers is as good as gone!" Mu Qingrou's lips beneath her veil curled into a cold, wicked arc; she couldn't wait to see Ye Qingran's gruesome severed-arm scene.

……

Xia Zhimeng, who had just arrived, couldn't stand it any longer, frowned, and retorted, "Yeah, you think you're smart! If you were smarter than my sister Ye Ran, you wouldn't be one or two people getting beaten like dogs by my sister Ye Ran..." She pointed at Mu Qingrou from afar, "Especially you, your face is ruined, and you still haven't learned a lesson?"

Dongfang Xuan and Mu Qingrou both had unpleasant expressions. Especially Mu Qingrou, she trembled with anger. A ruined face is a thorn in her heart; whenever it's mentioned, it pierces her to the core.

"Xia Zhimeng, keep your mouth clean!" Dongfang Xuan shouted in a low voice.

"When you were badmouthing behind my back just now, why didn't you keep your mouth clean?" Xia Zhimeng showed no fear whatsoever despite the other being a prince.

Ye Huanhuan watched the few people argue, unmoved, with a teasing smile. Seeing Xia Zhimeng's back, Gu Dongliu and Ling Shaoyang approached, her eyes flickered, and she then advised, "Alright, you two stop arguing!"

Xia Zhimeng pursed her lips, a flash of disgust crossed her eyes, and she softly cursed, "Hypocritical woman!"

……

Meng Qian then stepped onto the Xuanwu Platform. Today she wore a red combat outfit, her hair tied in a ponytail, heroic and imposing, vigorous and spirited, everywhere exuding brisk neatness, fully embodying the identity of a general's daughter.

That red attire made her look like a blazing ball of fire.

Not long after, Ye Qingran also arrived.

She still wore the same simple outfit, her clothes without excessive adornment, appearing plain and pure.

If Meng Qian is a ball of fire, then Ye Qingran is a drifting cloud, elusive and intangible.

Below the platform, Ye Huanhuan saw both had gone up, turned to look at Dongfang Qingxuan, worried, "Brother Qingxuan, if they lose later, can you step in to stop them from severing their arms? One is my sister, the other my best friend—I don't want to see either lose an arm."

Her voice was not low; many nearby heard it, and with her worried expression, people sighed that the Second Miss of the Ye Family truly had a bodhisattva's heart.

Dongfang Qingxuan smiled, pinched Ye Huanhuan's cheek, and said helplessly, "You... I can't do anything about you, but rest assured, I'll do my best!"

Ye Huanhuan lowered her face, a flicker of self-satisfaction crossing her eyes.

On the Xuanwu Platform, Meng Qian was somewhat surprised that Ye Qingran actually showed up on time.

"Ye Qingran, the people of Xiliang City are watching; if you lose later, don't go back on your word!" Her voice echoed in all directions.

Today she will definitely give Ye Qingran a lesson that leaves a deep impression! Let her understand that, although she is the daughter of General Dingyuan, she cannot act lawlessly!

"I won't." Ye Qingran said lightly.

Meng Qian blinked, truly unable to comprehend how someone once timid and cowardly, after not seeing for many years, could have changed so completely.

"Today's match, out of consideration for your lack of spiritual root, I will not use mysterious force! As for weapons, for fairness, we can only use those provided here!"

On both sides of the Xuanwu Platform, weapons were symmetrically arranged—swords, spears, staffs, everything one could need.

Ye Huanhuan had told her the night before, Ye Qingran possesses a firewood stick, strange indeed, and it was with that stick she defeated Mu Qingrou and the Seventh Prince.

Meng Qian had originally planned to use that Moon Killer Whip, but to be safe, she decided neither side may use their own weapons.

"Give it your all—I won't hold back!"

Facing Meng Qian's confident arrogance, Ye Qingran remained calm.

"Number One in Chinese Ancient Martial Arts," this honor was not obtained out of thin air, but earned by her in a past life after visiting many sects and clashing with numerous Heavenly Pride powerhouses!

Even if the opponent is Meng Qian, acclaimed as the Number One in Martial Power Among the Younger Generation of Donglin Country, she feels no fear.

Instead, she wants to see just how strong the pinnacle of martial power of the younger generation of Donglin Country really is!