Chapter 100: Defeating Two Opponents Alone

Many items in the system shop are priced according to the value standards of my previous life, and this jade seal in my hand is undoubtedly a priceless treasure, both now and in my past life.

Li Xinyue stared for several seconds before reacting, then solemnly said to Jiang Jinshi, 'These two cannot leave!'

Because of the distance, Wei Xikang and Yan Wu didn't hear what the two said, but noticing the woman's expression was off, Wei Xikang's heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Jinshi looked at Li Xinyue with some surprise, and after seeing her serious expression, he also realized she wasn't joking.

Even if he didn't know the reason for now, he would certainly choose to believe Li Xinyue.

'Since you don't want to leave, then don't!' Jiang Jinshi said, snatching up his spear and charging at the two.

The bandits scattered in an instant to avoid hurting their chief, and Yan Wu, seeing this, had no choice but to pick up the seized broadsword to defend.

In his view, that female bandit already had such skill, and this young man could become the chief of the stronghold at his age, so he must certainly have some ability; therefore he had to be on guard.

This is also an opportunity; if I could capture the opponent, I could not only retrieve the jade seal but also escape safely with His Highness.

Wei Xikang also held a broadsword taken from the bandits; know that the royal family's training wasn't just to make him a bookworm—he was also versed in the Six Arts of a gentleman.

If the situation turned bad, even if it meant two against one, he would still have to step in.

Jiang Jinshi's spear tip thrust straight at Yan Wu's face; as the saying goes, an inch longer is an inch stronger, so his spear against a broadsword must exploit its advantage.

'Ding!'

Yan Wu was agile; he first found an angle to block the spear with his broadsword, then turned the blade, sliding it along the spear shaft to cut the opponent's arm, or at least knock Jiang Jinshi's weapon from his hand.

That move was executed beautifully, but Jiang Jinshi didn't underestimate his opponent; without surprise, he pulled the spear back forcefully, the cold crescent blade aiming for the opponent's neck.

'Yan Wu, be careful!' Wei Xikang exclaimed, heart pounding, and had to shout a warning.

Seeing Jiang Jinshi's move, Yan Wu didn't even need to turn his head to know what had happened, as if he had eyes in the back; he bent his body to dodge the crescent blade, then lifted his broadsword to deflect the spear.

Then Yan Wu quickly moved out of the spear's attack range, his expression growing even more solemn.

This brief exchange took place in a flash, forcing both sides to take the other's strength seriously.

Yan Wu only felt the opponent's strength was unfathomable; the earlier clash was merely a probe, and now the killing moves would decide the outcome.

It would be rude not to return the favor; since Jiang Jinshi struck first, Yan Wu would not yield, gripping his sword with both hands and taking the initiative.

'Ha!'

A loud shout exploded like thunder; Yan Wu swung his broadsword with both hands, drawing a silver arc to slash at the waist.

Jiang Jinshi did not retreat but advanced, angling his spear to meet it; the clash produced a piercing screech.

Neither stepped back; Yan Wu's assault came like a raging storm—his chops, cuts, lifts, and sweeps all carried the force of splitting mountains.

Jiang Jinshi was like a rock in a torrent, his defense impenetrable; the spear's little crescent hooks repeatedly caught the broadsword's shaft, causing the fierce blade to veer off repeatedly.

After thirty bouts, Yan Wu felt the rebound force on the hilt not weakening with time but instead growing stronger; he knew the battle could not be dragged out.

Yan Wu no longer hoped to capture his opponent alive; he grit his teeth and suddenly changed his move, thrusting the broadsword upward from below—the killing move to pierce armor and strike the groin.

Jiang Jinshi saw the move and countered, turning his body to let the lethal strike pass, then the spear's butt pushed off the ground, launching the whole spear like a living thing.

'Clang!!'

As Yan Wu's broadsword was knocked away, the spear tip loomed larger in his eyes—had the battle just ended?

'Clang!'

It wasn't over yet; Wei Xikang had been looking for an opening on the side, and now he had to step forward to help Yan Wu block this strike.

'Young master, be careful!' Yan Wu said without hesitation, then immediately withdrew, rolled out of the attack range, and picked up the fallen broadsword.

Wei Xikang had some moves, but in Jiang Jinshi's eyes they were mere flowery displays—his strength and technique were far inferior to Yan Wu's.

After only two exchanges, Wei Xikang almost lost his head, thanks to Yan Wu's timely support.

'What kind of hero is it to gang up two against one? I'll take you on too!!'

Zhang Honghong, already furious, finally found an opportunity and shouted loudly, preparing to step forward to help.

'No need, I can handle it!' Jiang Jinshiyi replied while waving his spear.

Hearing that, Zhang Honghong could only relent, but she kept her eyes fixed on the battlefield; if the chief showed any sign of weakness, she would defy orders and rush to help.

Even Li Xinyue beside Xiao Hu was secretly telling him, determined not to let Jiang Jinshi come to harm.

The two fought Jiang Jinshi, but it was nowhere near as easy as they had imagined.

Wei Xikang's martial ability was only average; after all, as the Crown Prince he couldn't devote all his energy to training, so it was normal he hadn't mastered it.

But this hurt Yan Wu; before he could focus entirely on fighting Jiang Jinshi, now he had to split his attention to watch the Crown Prince, fearing any mishap.

Originally Jiang Jinshi could have pressed him, but this distraction made it impossible to fight; the two could only keep retreating, repeatedly finding themselves in peril.

Naturally Jiang Jinshi also noticed this person was attending to the young master, so he launched a fierce attack—this was seizing the weakness and breaking them one by one.

Now Wei Xikang was unwilling, yet even gritting his teeth he still couldn't match his opponent.

All along he had never encountered such a ferocious bandit; with such strength, why not join the army to serve Da Qian instead of becoming a mountain bandit harming the people? This made his view of Jiang Jinshi extremely hostile, yet he could do nothing about it.

Coincidentally, Jiang Jinshi liked it when others disliked him but could do nothing.

The spear tore through the air with a wail; Jiang Jinshi put all his strength into a horizontal sweep at Wei Xikang, and with two clear sounds, Wei Xikang's broadsword snapped, and Yan Wu's blade was knocked away again.

Jiang Jinshiyi stepped on Wei Xikang's back, the spear tip pressing against the back of his head.

Seeing this, Yan Wu immediately begged for mercy: 'We admit defeat, we won't fight anymore!'

'Yan Wu, no surrender—I'm not afraid to die!' Wei Xikang tried to rise, but his body felt as heavy as a thousand jin, rendering him immobile.

This might have been Yan Wu's first defiance of an order; even though Wei Xikang said that, Yan Wu still knelt and surrendered, pleading for mercy.

'Hero! Hero! Spare us, we admit defeat.'

Yan Wu wasn't afraid of death, but he couldn't let the Crown Prince die before him; if his dignity could buy the Crown Prince a path to life, he would trade it.