Chapter 158 Competition

By this time, the area around the training ground was already packed with people.

Zhao Ziyuan and several others who came to join the army today were present, with Xiao Qing and Zhao Yong at the very center.

Xiao Qing walked calmly across the armory, looking back and forth, seemingly hesitant.

Zhao Yong had already patted his chest and put on his shirt. He picked up a long spear, thought for a moment, then put it down and went to get a long stick.

He's just a child; it wouldn't be good if he got hurt.

Xiao Qing happened to see this scene and made up his mind. He grabbed a short knife but did not unsheathe it.

Having chosen their weapons, the two stood in the center of the arena.

Zhao Yong didn't seem to care that she had a knife.

The knife wasn't even as long as his forearm. He figured that as long as he kept the other person at bay, it didn't matter how sharp the knife was.

Even if he wasn't on horseback, he wouldn't let his opponent get close easily.

Zhao Yong asked, "Should we ride on horseback first or dismount first?"

Xiao Qing slightly raised his chin. "Whatever. Brother Zhao, please choose one."

The way they sounded made it seem like they had everything under control and victory was within their grasp.

Zhao Yong felt uncomfortable.

The kids are being way too arrogant!

"Then I'll take it now." He casually picked one, forcing a forced smile.

Xiao Qing nodded and quickly got into a fighting stance.

Zhao Yong suddenly exuded an aura of power, shouted loudly, and also assumed a fighting stance.

As mentioned earlier, Zhao Yong was tall and muscular, standing there like a mountain, exuding an aura of dominance. Compared to the petite Xiao Qing opposite him, everyone thought Zhao Yong would definitely win.

They just demonstrated two extraordinary skills, neither of which are things that ordinary people can do.

This seemingly immature young man must be fearless like a newborn calf, which is why he is so calm and arrogant.

Unbeknownst to them, Xiao Qing was exceptionally skilled in any skill related to escaping.

The type of weapon is not important; it is not what she relies on.

Since Fu Mingyi chose Zhao Yong as her opponent, she had to subdue him, and do so with absolute superiority, in order to win Zhao Ziyuan's heart, make him itchy, make him excited, and make him...

"You make the first move," Zhao Yong shouted.

Xiao Qing gripped his knife and said, "I'm not good at making moves, so Brother Zhao should make the first move."

That's not a lie. The active attack techniques she learned were all related to hidden weapons; the rest were mostly passive techniques. When Mr. Wu taught her, his teaching objective was very clear: not to be the best in martial arts, but to prioritize survival.

Seeing her arrogance, Zhao Yong sneered inwardly, then shook his hand holding the long stick and leaped up.

Xiao Qing watched him jump up with regret, only two words in her mind: Too slow.

She stood motionless, while the soldiers watching the spectacle gasped in disbelief.

Why isn't this kid dodging?

That stick is about to hit her!

Ouch—just thinking about it hurts!

Some people were anxious and wanted to push Xiao Qing away, but Xiao Qing calmly closed her eyes.

Did he close his eyes?

He closed his eyes!

Zhao Ziyuan found it unbelievable!

Zhao Yong's eyes widened, a cold smile emanating from them.

"Kid, I'm here!"

Come on, why are you shouting?

Xiao Qing pursed her lips, and when she heard the wind was very close, she suddenly raised the hand holding the short knife.

Someone nearby couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

The sword was not drawn, but the scabbard did indeed block the sweeping long stick.

However, Xiao Qing's strength was no match for Zhao Yong's.

She felt her hand go numb from the shock just now, and she almost dropped the knife.

He's definitely got the makings of a great general!

Xiao Qing was taken aback, but inwardly praised him.

But right now, she dared not let Fu Mingyi down.

She casually held the short knife and slid it along the long stick, partly to dissipate the force, and partly to get closer to Zhao Yong.

Little did she know, Zhao Yong was even more surprised than she was.

He knew exactly how much strength he had used. He never expected this seemingly thin and small boy to be able to withstand it, and even attempt to get close!

He quickly turned the stick around, and while retreating, he struck Xiao Qing's lower back with the long stick.

Having missed his first strike, he added even more force this time.

But Xiao Qing kept her eyes closed.

It seems like she never opened her eyes!

When the long stick came down again, the gasps around them grew even louder.

Everyone could see that Zhao Yong had hit harder this time than last time. Besides, they weren't far apart; if that blow had landed on Xiao Qing's lower back...

Xiao Qing sensed the movement and sound of the wind. She quickly spun around and then leaped lightly, like a swallow in the forest, landing precariously on Zhao Yong's long staff.

She gripped a short knife in one hand and moved swiftly along the stick, her target still Zhao Yong.

Zhao Yong could hardly believe his eyes!

Zhao Ziyuan's eyes widened for a moment, wondering if she had misjudged the situation.

Zhao Yong brandished his long stick, trying to throw Xiao Qing off.

But for some reason, no matter which way he went, as long as he still had the long stick in his hand, the other party could always get close to him as if walking on flat ground.

He noticed that her feet never left the long stick more than ten centimeters away each time, as if there was some kind of magnet on the long stick that was drawing the kid over!

That's so weird!

Throughout the entire process, the kid didn't open his eyes once!

After suffering two setbacks and facing such a bizarre situation, Zhao Yong couldn't help but feel fear.

But then he realized this was his last chance! If he couldn't enlist, he wouldn't have a good life wandering the country. For survival, for his reputation, and for his future, he had to win!

With that thought in mind, he steeled himself and flung the long stick out.

"He threw the long stick!" someone shouted.

Zhao Ziyuan's expression turned serious.

This Zhao Yong is a seasoned veteran of the martial world. He's physically fit, and judging from this battle, he's not just a rough, inflexible guy. With some training, he might become a capable general!

But what surprised him even more was this person named Fu Qingran.

Zhao Ziyuan watched as Xiao Qing fell to the ground after the long staff was violently thrown out. But even after being thrown down, the boy rolled over, then got up and stood there steadily, seemingly trying to determine Zhao Yong's location.

He still didn't open his eyes!

Li Qinghe glanced at Fu Mingyi to the side and saw that he looked indifferent. He thought to himself that Fu Mingyi was really carefree. If anything happened to him, even if the entire Fu family were to atone with their deaths, it would be useless.

How can you be so at ease?

Unconvinced, Li Qinghe looked at Fu Mingyi more closely. This time, he noticed that one of Fu Mingyi's hands was behind his back, and although it was hidden by his sleeve, the lines there seemed to be...

He couldn't help but take a step closer.

Zhao Yong shouted, "Hey kid!" This time, without the long stick, he charged forward on his own.

Thankfully, he yelled, and Xiao Qing was finally able to pinpoint his location.