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Duel
Who dared to offend the non-voting delegates while the High Command was in congress?!
Even the usually composed Yang Ming Hua seemed agitated: “Who?!”
ZiChuan Xiu was already on his feet, staring in anger; he could tell it was Di Lin’s voice!
Everyone could feel the sudden chill in the room when one of the three Heroes of ZiChuan, the Red Banner Master Di Lin, walked into the room.
Di Lin was quite tall and walked in large strides. Despite his imposing size, his face was rather feminine. He had crescent eyebrows over sparkling eyes, thin lips, a handsome nose and smooth skin. Just walking down the street, all sorts of perverts would have hit on him, were it not for his large, broad shoulders. In fact, when he was younger, he had so many admirers that they could fill up his entire backyard… But sadly, most of them were men, and the only girl among them was a lesbian. Perhaps one might wonder how his delicate features could fit so well with his unruly arrogance and cruel demeanor, but that was exactly his unique charm..
However, at that very moment, no one would treat him like a girl, because no girl would ever appear so threatening and overbearing at the same time. At that very moment, every follicle of his skin reeked the scent of provocation.
He was a capable general under Yang Ming Hua’s command.
…
He glanced at ZiChuan Xiu in disdain as he apologized to Yang Ming Hua: “Upon hearing about my good friend Master Xiu’s return from the Far East, I was so excited that I couldn’t resist, and I had to come see him for myself. I’m terribly sorry for interrupting the Conference. I will gladly accept any punishment you deem fit, Sir!”
Even though Di Lin spoke to Yang Ming Hua the whole time, his ominous gaze never left the face of ZiChuan Xiu, as if he would suddenly disappear from his sight given the opportunity. Clearly he hated his “good friend” ZiChuan Xiu very much.
All of the commanders present knew the story. A couple of years ago, when the three young heroes of ZiChuan: ZiChuan Xiu, Di Lin and Stirling were still in the Far Eastern Army Academy, they were the closest friends, before they all fell in love with the same girl, Lin Xiu Jia…
A fierce contest later, Di Lin successfully won over the girl, but the friends became enemies, like water and ice. With ZiChuan Xiu and Stirling on the losing side, and Di Lin on the winning side, they had fought each other many times in secret, with no clear victor. Their grievance had only deepened since then.
In the end, Stirling went to serve the Headmaster of the family: ZiChuan Shen Xing, while Di Lin went to join the Supreme Commander Yang Ming Hua. Thanks to his talents, he easily won Yang Ming Hua’s favor, which led to his career on a fast track. By the age of 24, he had already been promoted to the rank of Red Banner Master and had become a capable lieutenant under the command of Yang Ming Hua.
…
“Di Lin, you are out of line!” Yang Ming Hua snapped at him, as though he could barely suppress his anger: “Where do you think you are? Take a close look around you. This is the High Command! It is not a place where you can just come and go as you please!”
Di Lin apologized again more sincerely: “I was too excited to see my “good friend” Master Xiu and I couldn’t control of myself… I deserve to be punished by death!” Even though he said “death”, he was not worried in the slightest for someone in his position. His tone revealed an aura of arrogance.
“I suppose it is understandable!” Yang Ming Hua instantly softened his voice: “The downside of being young is being often too emotional. What wouldn’t you do in the name of friendship? Since you are being such a good sport, I will spare you this time… Remember to not do it again!”
“Yes Sir! I will not repeat the same mistake again!”
Just like a pre-rehearsed script, the two echoed each other, turning a death penalty for interrupting the Conference held in High Command into something insignificant, and then into nothing at all.
…
“Di Lin, after coming here in such hurry, what is it that you want with Deputy Commander Xiu?”
“I have not seen Commander Xiu for many years and I have missed him dearly. I wished to invite him over so we can talk and catch up on lost times… I wonder if Commander Xiu is willing to grant me this request.”
Di Lin stared at ZiChuan Xiu with his eyes unmoving, and his mouth smirking in a provocative way. The way they eyed each other was like two hungry wolves challenging each other for territory in the forest!
It was a duel invitation!
ZiChuan Xiu muttered under his breath, but didn’t answer him directly. He was probably thinking about whether or not he should accept the challenge, and how likely it was that he would win… It wasn’t too surprising, because after all, Di Lin’s fast sword technique was notorious for its deadliness. If there was an official ranking, he would probably be considered to be ranked in the top ten fighters of House ZiChuan.
…
Yang Ming Hua: “Oh come on, you’re being too hasty… Can’t you see Ah Xiu is here in his official capacity? Right now he is just going to politely refuse due to being on official business. And guess what, it will be a great excuse, especially when a “good friend” is asking to “speak” to you. In the end, we all treasure our lives! Ah Xiu, I’m sure you will do the right thing, no?”
Yang Ming Hua wasn’t trying to mediate; instead, it was more like he was adding fuel to the fire.
ZiChuan Xiu was getting nervous.
Di Lin smiled coldly: “Ah Xiu, my friend. I hope it is not because you have been fighting demons for so long and have even learned their favourite move… Actually, why don’t you get yourself a shell as well and wrap yourself with it, then you would be truly safe!” He was comparing him to a turtle.
Lei Xun commented in a peculiar manner: “Di Lin, don’t be so mean to Commander Xiu… What if he starts crying?”
Di Lin suddenly seemed to have realized something: “Right, I shouldn’t have assumed… I can’t believe I thought he was a man all this time… Isn’t that stupid of me?”
Facing such humiliating insults, even ZiChuan Xiu couldn’t resist any longer!
Ignoring Fang Jin’s pull on his sleeves and Ge Ying Xing’s eyes hinting the obvious, he answered defiantly: “I humbly request permission to have an extended “talk” with Red Banner Master, Di Lin!”
“What a touching friendship!” Lei Xun chuckled: “What reason do we have to deny the reunion of such “good friends”?”
Yang Ming Hua nodded in agreement: “Very well then, I will allow Ah Xiu to excuse himself. You may find a room here in High Command to “catch up”!”
ZiChuan Xiu and Di Lin both bowed in respect: “Thank you for your understanding, Sir!”
…
Di Lin and Yang Ming Hua gave each other a look of understanding, and then walked towards the door before ZiChuan Xiu could.
Just as ZiChuan Xiu was about to follow, Fang Jin whispered to him from behind: “Be careful of his blade! Don’t let him take the initiative; close in on him first!” He added: “If things don’t work out, make sure to cry for help… We will intervene as fast as we can! There is no shame.”
ZiChuan Xiu nodded, showing that he understood. But his stubborn face clearly indicated the opposite: He had already made up his mind; he wouldn’t call for help even if he was about to die.
Ge Ying Xing kept his silence, but his gaze was filled with concern. They looked at each other, and everything was spoken without a single word… Ge Ying Xing nodded slightly, and ZiChuan Xiu bowed towards him in gratitude. His expression was exceptionally calm, as if he had nothing left to worry about. Ge Ying Xing had already sworn a vow that he would never break: If anything happened to ZiChuan Xiu, he would protect Lady ZiChuan Ning with his life.
Escorted by everyone’s gazes, Di Lin and ZiChuan Xiu went inside a room and closed the door behind them: Soon sound of curses, punching, kicking, weapons clashing and furniture breaking exploded from behind the doors…
When the door opened, who would be the one to come out alive?
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