The archery targets in the hunting grounds were quickly removed, leaving only Meng Yuxiu and Chu Moyu standing in the vast field.
Two tall figures, one in gray and one in black, faced each other. Both were upright and their expressions were unclear, but one could feel the tense atmosphere between them, as if a conflict was about to erupt.
The emperor ordered his men to bring up a weapons rack, which displayed all kinds of weapons, including swords, spears, and clubs, for them to choose from.
Chu Moyu turned around and looked at the weapon without hesitation, choosing the spear as his weapon. Meng Yuxiu, however, hesitated for a moment after turning around.
Chang Lili was still a little dazed, not knowing why things had turned out this way.
She wasn't nervous during the archery competition, but now she was getting nervous. After all, swords and spears have no eyes, and if something happened, it would be no small matter.
But she had a vague feeling that the Emperor was quite happy for them to fight.
She temporarily dismissed the terrible thought and looked at Meng Yuxiu.
As his fingertips danced between the swords, Chang Lili began to tense up. Only when Meng Yuxiu grasped the longsword did she relax, exhale a breath, and smile with satisfaction.
The eunuch's sharp voice rang out again: "Let's spar and stop when we've made a point. The competition is about to begin."
As soon as the sound stopped, the room fell silent, and everyone was tense.
Chu Moyu and Meng Yuxiu bowed to each other, and then both picked up their weapons.
The wind whipped their hair and clothes around their necks. Chu Moyu shifted his stance, his legs shoulder-width apart, his spear pointing directly at Meng Yuxiu.
All that could be seen on Meng Yuxiu's face was coldness and solemnity. His body was as straight as a pine tree, and his long sword was close to his side, pointing straight to the ground.
Chang Lili didn't even dare to blink, and soon she saw Chu Moyu stab at Meng Yuxiu first.
The sudden attack struck her head. She thought to herself, "This Chu Moyu is too young and seems a bit impatient. That's not necessarily a bad thing; he might just lose because of it."
Having witnessed his archery skills, she was certain that his martial arts were also formidable, and thought to herself that Meng Yuxiu should not underestimate him.
The spear was right in front of him in the blink of an eye. Meng Yuxiu dodged it with lightning speed, and at the same time, he slashed at the spear shaft from below with his longsword.
Chang Lili couldn't help but cheer, but found that Chu Moyu reacted very quickly and swiftly withdrew the spear.
She felt quite regretful that her thoughts had been discovered, and this would be a tough battle.
The hunting grounds were vast, and in such a wide area, the long spear naturally had the upper hand. As long as Chu Moyu maintained his distance from Meng Yuxiu, he could ensure his invincibility.
However, the attack range of a longsword is far less than that of a spear. If one cannot get close, one will likely remain in a passive state.
The exchange just now lasted only a brief moment, but it was clear that their strengths were quite evenly matched.
To outsiders, Meng Yuxiu's choice of a longsword as his weapon was irrational, and he had already lost half the battle.
Chang Lili disagreed, believing that the spear was indeed a weapon suitable for use in open spaces.
Even the finest spear must be made of lightweight wood, and even the finest wood can be broken by a sharp sword.
Therefore, Meng Yuxiu had intended to cut off the spear shaft and completely destroy the spear.
The two continued to fight. Meng Yuxiu made no attempt to conceal his intentions, while Chu Moyu remained on guard. After several rounds, Meng Yuxiu failed to succeed, while Chu Moyu found himself struggling.
At the banquet, the young women began to talk about Meng Yuxiu, saying that he, a general, would stop at nothing to win the competition.
Chang Lili stood up angrily and said, "Is this what you call using any means necessary? This is a strategy. If we don't try to turn the tide, are we just waiting to be stabbed? Women are so unreasonable!"
Her words rarely reached the ears of the girls who only had eyes for Chu Moyu, but they silenced the men around her who had just tried to agree that Meng Yuxiu was unscrupulous.
These words also reached the ears of Chu Moyu, who was highly skilled in martial arts and had sharp hearing and eyesight. He was slightly surprised, but resentment welled up in his heart. He naturally understood this principle, but he was unwilling to lose to Meng Yuxiu.
He swung his spear faster and harder.
As the surroundings quieted down, Chang Lili heard a crisp voice calling her: "Sister Lili, Sister Lili!"
She turned her head and saw Lu Ming waving at her, and ran over without thinking.
Seeing Meng Yuxiu and Chu Moyu locked in a stalemate, she frowned and watched the scene nervously, but complained with dissatisfaction: "It's really unreasonable for these women who are blinded by beauty to interfere in a fair competition between two men."
Lu Ming was shocked by Chang Lili's loud remarks and agreed with admiration, saying, "Yes! They are all shallow women!"
Suddenly, a muffled thud was heard; it was the longsword striking the spear shaft. Chang Lili's eyes lit up, a smile appearing on her face, and she tensed up.
Although Chu Moyu quickly withdrew his spear, judging from the attack and Chu Moyu himself, the spear shaft must have suffered considerable damage.
Even if it's not broken now, as long as there's an opportunity to strike again, the gun barrel shouldn't be able to withstand it. Chang Lili is very confident.
Chu Moyu tightened his grip on the spear, and a nick appeared in the shaft. He knew there couldn't be a second time.
He had just taken up the position of deputy commander-in-chief, and it was precisely the time when he needed to win over the hearts of the people. Many people already disapproved of him because of his appearance, and if he lost to Meng Yuxiu at this moment, it would be a great disadvantage to him.
He absolutely must win; at the very least, he cannot afford to lose.
His obsidian-like eyes flashed with a fierce light, the whites of his eyes slightly reddish.
Watching him continue his duel with Meng Yuxiu, Lu Ming wondered, "Why doesn't he switch to a different weapon? What if his spear breaks?"
Chang Lili was surprised for a moment, then looked at her with amusement and said, "Does changing weapons mean he doesn't lose?"
Lu Ming blinked in confusion.
At this moment, the situation on the field changed. Chu Moyu, who had been at a disadvantage, suddenly turned the tables and launched an attack. Moreover, his moves were fierce and fast, making it difficult for anyone to keep up.
Fortunately, Meng Yuxiu was someone who had repeatedly brushed with death, and he managed to dodge Chu Moyu's ruthless move without serious injury.
But Chu Moyu's attacks became increasingly fierce, and his movements became increasingly unpredictable.
The fight between the two was so intense that most people could no longer see it clearly; it was a dizzying spectacle.
Chang Lili watched the scene with a tense expression, her worry evident, and her heart was beating faster and faster. This couldn't go on.
At this moment, a group of men in black rushed into the hunting grounds. They were few in number but moved with incredible speed.
Everyone was focused on the competition in the arena, and by the time they noticed, the men in black had already appeared in the enclosure.
The men continued running towards the center of the field, shouts of panic rising everywhere. The eunuch's scream rang out: "Assassins! Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!"
Chaos erupted instantly in the hunting grounds as guards rushed out and surrounded the emperor, brandishing spears and standing ready for battle.
Chu Moyu and Meng Yuxiu stopped fighting, but a group of men in black rushed in front of them in the blink of an eye and attacked Meng Yuxiu without saying a word.
These people were actually after Meng Yuxiu!
The men in black, wielding short knives, slashed at Meng Yuxiu.
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