Chapter 102: Life and Death Arena, Meeting a Matching Match
Zhao Qinglian laughed.
"really?"
Shang Yuwan spread his hands: "I'm in your hands, what tricks can I play?"
Twelve lives were at stake, and Shang Yuwan was not familiar with this person, so naturally he didn't dare to be clever.
Zhao Qinglian's eyes flickered slightly, and she changed her address. "Well, Princess Qi is worthy of being the descendant of a military commander from the Shang family. You're so straightforward."
"In that case, General, you might as well tell me the conditions." Shang Yuwan smiled and did not argue about his identity.
Anyone with eyes could see how important Twelve was to her.
Since everyone has their own opinions about her identity, she doesn't need to explain. After all, she is indeed a member of the Shang family. Saying more will only expose bigger flaws.
Xiao Qinggu stood on her side, and she also had the leverage over the eldest princess.
Shang Yuwan thought about it carefully and thought that this man would not kill her. At most, he would just hurt her or grab her to pry open her mouth and get the account book.
But this reckless rush is not enough, Xiao Qingxu should be able to rescue Lu Heying in time and rush over.
Shang Yuwan pondered to himself.
She had to buy time. Or, if she couldn't wait for rescue, she would have to fight no matter how weak she was.
Zhao Qinglian pointed at the martial arts stage. "Your Highness Princess Qi—no, what do you prefer I call you?"
The reason why Twelve was used to plot against Shang Yuwan this time was, firstly, that Zhao Qinglian realized that they were getting closer and closer to Kyoto and wanted Twelve to escape in time to avoid being killed; secondly, it was to test whether this person's identity was who they thought.
If this were true, then Baijialou, the Fifth Princess, and Prince Qi would all be guilty of deceiving the emperor. However, the Empress and the Princess felt guilty about the extermination of the Shang family and had no intention of killing Shang Yuwan and Twelve. As for exposing them, the time had not yet come.
Shang Yuwan had saved Xiao Qinggu's life. If possible, Xiao Tong would not kill her. He would only cripple Shang Yuwan to prevent her from opposing them all the time.
"These three words 'Lord Shang' are very good." Shang Yuwan said.
"Master Shang, we are both martial artists, how about we have a duel?"
Shang Yuwan didn't think it was just a simple duel. "If you have any other conditions, please state them at the same time."
Zhao Qinglian smiled and said, "—You lose, both your hands and legs must be left behind."
These words fell into the ears of Shang Yuwan and Twelve in the next courtyard at the same time.
Twelve was unable to move his hands or feet, unable to speak, until he heard Shang Yuwan say without hesitation, "Okay, I promise you. If I win, you will give Twelve back to me."
Tears welled up in her eyes like rain.
Don't promise her...
When Twelve heard the noise of Shang Yuwan and Zhao Qinglian flying onto the stage, his weapons were drawn.
Shang Yuwan took the dual blades that were easy for her to wield, and the blades reflected her peach blossom eyes, which were tinged with a hint of coldness. "But I have one condition."
Zhao Qinglian said, "As long as Your Excellency is willing to tell me, I will present it to you."
Even if Zhao Qinglian didn't want to admit it, Shang Yuwan's talent was extremely rare in Langjiang. Zhao Qinglian felt a little reluctant deep in her heart to see such a good woman being beaten into a cripple.
If the request is not excessive, she is willing to give in.
"I heard that there is a medicine in Langjiang that can... bring people back to life."
Zhao Qinglian raised an eyebrow. "It's just a rumor."
The Kingdom of Langjiang is indeed famous for its medicine and poisons, but if such medicine really exists, even the empress will not be able to suppress the jackals and tigers below.
Shang Yuwan smiled and said, "I know."
"But it also has the ability to prolong life, am I right?"
"That medicine is very difficult to prepare. Half an ounce is worth a thousand gold. I have no more than five Langjiang pills, and I only have half one." Zhao Qinglian saw that she seemed to have other intentions. "Is your Excellency not feeling well?"
A light flashed in Shang Yuwan's eyes, and in that glimmer was an emotion that even she herself did not understand.
"There's a man who needs this medicine."
Zhao Qinglian looked at her intently. "Okay. But I need to change what I want."
"Please go ahead."
"If you lose, you'll lose your life. Our duel will be transformed into a life-or-death duel."
Shang Yuwan lowered his eyes and suddenly fell silent.
Zhao Qinglian thought she was going to back out. "Are you scared, my lord? I have no intention of making things difficult for you, but that medicine is really..."
"If I lose, will you treat her well?"
She was stunned by Shang Yuwan's words.
Twelve, who heard everything clearly in the courtyard next door, was also stunned.
Zhao Qinglian asked, "What?"
Shang Yuwan's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she raised her eyes to look at Zhao Qinglian. "If I lose, please don't make things difficult for her."
Zhao Qinglian was silent for a moment and said, "She is my sister."
Shang Yuwan nodded. The moment she learned of Zhao Qinglian's identity, she had already guessed it.
"I know that the general loves his family and will not harm her. But if she wants to leave Langjiang one day, please let her go."
Let me go...
The blood-stained scene flashed through Shang Yuwan's mind like an old scroll. Her heart trembled, but her face showed no sign of it.
"Whether it's Shang Twelve or Zhao Qingyi."
"She is herself first, and then, a sister."
Or maybe, she is Shang Yuwan's sister.
A sister who is three years older than her, but needs to be taken care of, needed, and must not be abandoned.
Twelve closed her eyes in pain, her brows furrowed, veins popped out of her neck, blood flowed out of her mouth, and a low whimper came from her throat due to the pain.
The servant wanted to wipe away her tears, but she suddenly opened her eyes and glared at him fiercely.
His eyes were bloodshot, and the servant was so frightened that he withdrew his hand.
Zhao Qinglian's mind fluttered slightly, and her pupils shrank. "Is she that important to you?"
"The person who asked you to fight for that medicine must be a very important person to you, right?" Zhao Qinglian glanced at Shang Yuwan seriously for a rare moment. "Is she the one Shang Shang loves?"
"For Yiyi, are you willing to abandon your sweetheart?"
A fleeting expression flashed across Shang Yuwan's face, and she said, "I owe him my life."
"If I can't give him anything in this life, or can't save him."
"Then I can only work like a slave for him in my next life to repay him for saving my life."
Love between men and women has never been Shang Yuwan’s first choice; family is the most important.
Zhao Qinglian's expression changed slightly, but she changed the subject, "Does your Excellency like dual swords?"
"What's wrong?"
A long time ago, my parents also used dual swords.
The past scene flashed through Zhao Qinglian's mind, and she shook her head. "It's okay."
Shang Yuwan's gaze fell on Zhao Qinglian's hands, which were two green swords.
A double-edged sword hurts both herself and others. She still prefers to use two swords, one side is the sharp edge to kill the enemy, the other side is the back of the sword to protect the important people.
Before the fight began, the two men exchanged a fist-clasping salute. As soon as the salute was over, Zhao Qinglian dodged and attacked.
As soon as the two of them fought for the first time, Shang Yuwan was shocked to find that this person's martial arts skills were far above the twelfth level!
After all, Zhao Qinglian is bigger than Shang Yuwan, and her brute strength, like that of an ox, is exactly the same as Twelve's.
Shang Yuwan retreated a few steps, intending to test the opponent's weaknesses first.
Zhao Qinglian didn't intend to waste time, and seeing that the first attack failed, he immediately rushed forward with the next sword.
The two exchanged several moves, and Shang Yuwan, holding his breath, held on for an hour.
Not bad, he could hold his own against her for so long. Aside from the Empress, she hadn't felt this worthy of a match in a long time.
Zhao Qinglian admired Shang Yuwan in her heart, but her actions became more and more ruthless.
“Zheng——”
The swords clashed, sparks flew, and the cold light of the blades illuminated the determination and unconcealable pain in Shang Yuwan's eyes.
"She is my sister." Zhao Qinglian was at ease. Her eyes fell on Shang Yuwan's wound that was bleeding continuously. For some reason, she suddenly said this.
Shang Yuwan had dozens of wounds all over her body from the sword, of varying depths, almost staining her dark-blue outfit into a bloody garment.
Seeing that Shang Yuwan was having trouble breathing, Zhao Qinglian pushed her away.
"I know."
Shang Yuwan was thrown to the ground. He tried to steady his breathing and raised his hand to wipe the blood off his face.
"My mother gave you a chance. But you gave up the chance to take her away from me."
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