Chapter 130: Tu Tu Kesiluo's Plan

Zhang Zhang Jiani whirled around abruptly, her long sword leaping from its scabbard; a silver-white blade-light flared with cold, biting radiance, the tip aimed straight at Tu Tu Kesiluo's throat. Her eyes were like ice as she spoke in a grim tone: "You lecher, there is nothing good left to say between us. Speak one more useless word, and do not blame this sword in my hand for failing to recognize you!"

Yet Tu Tu Kesiluo only smiled, his voice soft and calm: "Miss Zhang, though your sword arts are superb, your temperament is unstable. I, Tu Tu Kesiluo, challenge you today, to see if your martial prowess is truly unmatched."

He added: "If I am defeated, life and death are yours to decide; dispose of me as you wish, even flaying me alive. But if you fall to me, you must remain in the City Defense Camp to assist Jiang Da Ren in training the soldiers. What say you?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood aside, anxious and uneasy; he knew well how formidable Tu Tu Kesiluo's Wu Gong was, yet he had also witnessed Zhang Zhang Jiani's ferocity. That day, her rage had soared to the heavens, beating Tu Tu Kesiluo nearly to death. He hurriedly tried to dissuade them: "No, no, Tu Tu Kesiluo, you are absolutely no match for her. Calm yourself."

His anxiety was not without reason; if Zhang Zhang Jiani truly killed Tu Tu Kesiluo, the City Defense Fortress would lose a vital general. In that case, when external enemies attacked, how could they possibly defend Shang Mu's territory?

However, Zhang Zhang Jiani was unmoved by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's admonition; her fury still burned within her heart. She snorted coldly: "Very well. Since you seek death, I shall grant your wish."

The words had barely left her lips when she leaped upward, her form swift as lightning; the sword tip blurred into a streak of silver light, cleaving the night sky like a bolt of thunder as she thrust toward Tu Tu Kesiluo.

A hint of appreciation flickered in Tu Tu Kesiluo's eyes; showing no weakness, his sword-light flashed, shimmering like starlight, colliding with Zhang Zhang Jiani's blade-ray in a ring of clashing metal.

The two crossed rapidly in midair; sword shadows bloomed into a sky-full of flower-like rain, blade-lights scattering in all directions, enveloping the entire arena in fierce combat. The soldiers watched tensely, their heartbeats seeming to synchronize with the ebb and flow of the sword techniques; every collision struck like a hammer against their chests.

One soldier muttered under his breath: "The Black-Faced King of Hell was once beaten into a wretched state by that mad woman; how could he possibly be her match?"

Another asked in puzzlement: "Jiang Da Ren looks displeased; why is Tu Tu Kesiluo so confident?"

Someone said: "Could he be deliberately holding back? Then what exactly is he up to?"

Someone else said: "Perhaps he has taken a fancy to her? Is he using this method to court her?"

One whispered into another's ear: "Perhaps there is some hidden circumstance; Lord Tu's behavior seems to conceal something."

Amidst the clamor of speculation, Zhang Zhang Jiani's sword arts grew ever more fierce; her strikes flowed endlessly, each thrust carrying intent to kill, aiming to take Tu Tu Kesiluo's life. Yet Tu Tu Kesiluo remained composed; his sword technique was bizarre and agile, neutralizing Zhang Zhang Jiani's offensives without engaging her head-on.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of moves; sword techniques shifted unpredictably, blade shadows interwove in layers, resembling a life-or-death struggle. Zhang Zhang Jiani's assault surged like a storm, while Tu Tu Kesiluo stood stable as a mountain, parrying every strike with perfectly timed angles, never showing signs of defeat.

Finally, both struck simultaneously; sword tips collided with a crisp crack. Zhang Zhang Jiani snorted coldly and said: "Good. You lecher do have some skill. I underestimated you. Again."

As she spoke, she prepared to launch another attack, but she failed to notice the flicker of eerie amusement that passed through Tu Tu Kesiluo's eyes. He said: "Miss Zhang, you have no more chances."

The moment the words left his mouth, his figure suddenly became blurred and indistinct.

Zhang Zhang Jiani felt her vision blur, then sensed a chill rise from her neck. Looking down, she saw Tu Tu Kesiluo's long sword already resting against her throat.

She raised her head in shock, staring at Tu Tu Kesiluo, unable to believe this was real.

She simply could not fathom how he had done it.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu also stared dumbfounded at the scene, various emotions churning within his heart. He felt glad for Tu Tu Kesiluo's victory, yet regretful for Zhang Zhang Jiani's defeat. He could not understand whether this Tu Tu Kesiluo, who now stood triumphant, was the same person who had been beaten half to death by Zhang Zhang Jiani before.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, withdrew his blade with an air of triumph and said to Zhang Zhang Jiani: "Miss Zhang, I thank you for yielding."

He continued: "Please honor our wager, do not resign from the City Defense Camp, and continue assisting Jiang Da Ren in training the soldiers."

In truth, he had long taken a fancy to this willful woman. His defeat at her hands that day had been entirely deliberate; he had intended to attract her attention and make her feel some affection toward him.

But he had not expected Zhang Zhang Jiani to feel absolutely nothing for him, even wishing to leave the City Defense Camp.

Unwilling to accept this, he had devised this plan: challenge her again, using a wager as leverage to make her stay.

He had not wished to humiliate her publicly, but to achieve his goal, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and strike hard.

He hoped that through this method, she would change her opinion of him.

Though anger simmered in Zhang Zhang Jiani's heart, she knew that a loss was a loss. Unwilling to break her word, she reluctantly agreed to Tu Tu Kesiluo's demand, saying: "I, this lady, keep my promises; there is no need for your reminders."

Seeing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was overjoyed. He hurriedly bowed to both of them, saying: "This is excellent indeed. I am endlessly grateful."

He added: "Let us treat today's events as if they never happened. Henceforth, I will respect your opinions and arrangements. As long as I remain Shang Mu's acting Commandant, matters of the City Defense Camp shall be decided by you two."

The soldiers, who had just been cheering for Tu Tu Kesiluo, instantly changed expression upon hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words. They knew this meant their hard days were about to begin again.

Zhang Zhang Jiani paid no heed to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words of gratitude; she turned and departed immediately.

A trace of unwillingness still lingered in her heart; she could not understand why she had lost to Tu Tu Kesiluo.

She wanted to find his flaw and challenge him again to settle the score.

Watching her retreating figure, Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed: "Tu Tu Kesiluo, I never expected you to hold such a trick in reserve."

"Could it be that you took a fancy to her that day, felt pity for a delicate beauty, and thus withheld your true strength?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo gazed at her departing silhouette, a trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

He said to Jiang Jiang Mingyu: "Jiang Da Ren, do not worry. I will not harm Miss Zhang."

"I merely wish for her to stay by my side longer, to understand me a bit more. Perhaps one day, she will discover I am not as she imagines."

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but laugh. He said: "Tu Tu Kesiluo, you are truly a man of feeling and righteousness. Since you have feelings for Miss Zhang, you must display more of your virtues to change her opinion of you."

He continued: "Do not go too far, after all, she is a woman; you must give her some respect and consideration. You cannot always resort to force to solve problems."

Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded, indicating he understood. He said: "Rest assured, Jiang Da Ren; I will mind my limits. I only wish for her to know that I am someone worthy of trust."

Seeing his sincere expression, Jiang Jiang Mingyu silently cheered him on in his heart.