Faint flashes of lightning pierced the dark clouds in the sky, and a deep rumble of thunder rolled across the air like wheels, while the fishy smell of rain grew stronger in the air.
The bronze whip, as thick as an adult's wrist, was easily broken in Jiang Li's hands like a hemp stalk. Holding the broken whip in both hands, he looked at Meng Ruliu with disdain: "You have another one, right? Throw it over here too."
Meng Ruliu looked at Jiang Li in astonishment, but did not answer. Then she turned to Wei Jingzhuo in fear.
She suddenly attacked, but not only did she fail to injure Zhang Ying, she was also intimidated by the opponent's powerful strength, which only boosted the enemy's morale.
Zhang Ying's expression returned to normal. She raised her hand, gesturing for the Jiang brothers beside her to lower their defensive guns. With a gloating tone, she said to Wei Jingzhuo, "Wei Jingzhuo, do you understand the difference between us now? Even my servants could easily defeat your army. Who do you think you're intimidating by displaying an army of tens of thousands..."
Wei Jingzhuo didn't answer her, but looked at Jiang Li and said, "You're the one who protected Zhang Ying?"
“I am the Tracker, the warrior who guards the core of the Holy Land,” Jiang Li threw the broken copper whip on the ground and arrogantly clapped his hands. “Wei Jingzhuo, I really can’t see what’s so great about you. I challenge you to a duel.”
Zhang Ying kept chattering away, but Wei Jingzhuo ignored her. Just as he was about to glare at her and lose his temper, he heard Jiang Li suddenly challenge Wei Jingzhuo. He immediately clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "What a great idea! How come I didn't think of that?"
Wei Jingzhuo looked directly at Jiang Li and said, "Since you are the one who protects Zhang Ying, then I accept your challenge."
Chu Yi spurred his horse forward and said to Wei Jingzhuo, "Are you crazy?"
Meng Ruliu recovered from her shock, rode up to Wei Jingzhuo, and said shamefully, "Your Majesty, I..."
Wei Jingzhuo raised his hand to stop her self-blame: "If I want to save Awan, I must personally defeat those who stand in my way."
Chu Yi said in a low voice, "The other side is not my fifth brother who went crazy from taking drugs. He has both strength and wisdom. It's okay for us to show weakness for now. Before the war fully breaks out, we will have a better chance of winning if we go back and gather our troops to attack."
To make his point more convincing, he added, "Two fists can't fight four hands; as long as the army swarms in..."
Meng Ruliu also advised, "Your Majesty, I agree. Our goal is to rescue the Empress, not to act rashly."
Just as Wei Jingzhuo was about to reply, Zhang Ying said from the other side, "Wei Jingzhuo, my commander wants to duel with you, and I've decided to add some spice to this duel. If you can defeat Jiang Li, I'll return your empress to you."
Wei Jingzhuo's body stiffened, and he raised his eyes, saying coldly, "Is this true?"
Not only was Wei Jingzhuo surprised, but Chu Yi and Meng Ruliu also looked at the opposite side in astonishment, their expressions showing disbelief.
Things suddenly became simpler. Could defeating Jiang Li save Su Wan?
Zhang Ying laughed and said, "Didn't you keep saying you wanted to save your empress? I'm generously putting an opportunity right in front of you. Don't you dare to accept the challenge?"
Wei Jingzhuo reached out and unfastened the cloak on his back, tossing it to the ground. He then pressed the hilt of his sword at his waist and said, "Alright."
Meng Ruliu said, "Your Majesty, she may be lying."
Wei Jingzhuo said, "It doesn't matter. To defeat Zhang Ying, we must first defeat the person who is protecting her."
Chu Yi shook his head, reached out and grabbed Wei Jingzhuo's horse reins, and with his other hand took off the curved sword from his waist and handed it to Wei Jingzhuo: "I can't persuade you no matter what. This is an ancestral sword that can cut through iron like mud."
Meng Ruliu recognized the curved blade; Chu Yi had used it to easily slice through her iron hammer earlier. She just didn't know if the blade could harm Jiang Li.
Wei Jingzhuo took it and tucked it into his belt, saying, "You all step back."
He dismounted and stood still in the open space. Meng Ruliu and Chu Yi led his mount backward, making room for the two to duel.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, plunging the sky into gloom. The generals in front of the Great Jin army hadn't been able to see clearly what was happening ahead. When Meng Ruliu returned, they all asked him questions.
Meng Ruliu said, "His Majesty agreed to duel with the pursuers. Zhang Ying said that if His Majesty wins, she will release the Empress."
Everyone was shocked to hear this; no one expected that His Majesty would decide to personally duel with the other party.
One of the generals said, "The pursuer who broke the general's bronze whip must have been injected with the secret drug. His Majesty probably has no chance of winning."
Another general said worriedly, "That's right, the enemy is definitely invulnerable to swords and spears, how should we deal with them?"
A general who had experienced the Battle of Yanxun Pass said, "When His Majesty fought the Battle of Yanxun Pass, he shot the Fifth Prince in the eye with an arrow. The monster's body is as hard as steel, but its eyes are still vulnerable. If His Majesty could have pierced that person's eye, perhaps he could have won."
One general countered, "His Majesty was able to wound the Fifth Prince because the Fifth Prince had lost his mind and didn't know how to dodge. What about this person?"
The more they talked, the more frightened they became, and they couldn't help but stare at Wei Jingzhuo, who was standing in the open space.
Meng Ruliu was also somewhat panicked, but on the surface she remained calm and said, "Everyone, calm down. General Qi."
General Qi rode forward and asked, "What are your orders, General?"
Meng Ruliu said, "Quickly select five hundred cavalrymen, the fastest ones, and have them wait behind me. Regardless of whether His Majesty wins or loses, I will personally lead the cavalry to capture Zhang Ying, and you will go to rescue His Majesty."
General Qi accepted the order and left.
Chu Yi said, "You just suffered a setback, and you're already starting to overthink things again."
Meng Ruliu said, "Zhang Ying is standing at the foot of the steps of the Holy Land watching the battle. Now is the best opportunity to capture her. Do we have to wait for her to return to the iron gates of the Holy Land?"
Chu Yi pondered for a moment and said, "That makes sense. I'll go with you."
Meng Ruliu stared intently at Wei Jingzhuo on the battlefield and said, "Thank you."
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