Chapter 514 - 448: Zhenxi Army (2)

Chapter 514: Chapter 448: Zhenxi Army (2)

Clearly, Xu Dingchun and Gao Xiong had done this sort of thing more than a few times.

Bai Yuan instinctively took a step back.

’Getting into trouble with your superiors builds camaraderie, but just hearing about their past mischief? That’s not necessarily a good thing.’

...

Bai Yuan stayed in Lonely Wolf City for three days.

The Border Army wasn’t as extreme as the rumors made it out to be.

Most of their time was spent drilling. The Night Patrol would occasionally have small-scale clashes with sand bandits from Ximo. Sometimes there were a few casualties; other times, it was just a matter of exchanging a few shots from the dark.

Large-scale battles only happened a few times a year.

If every clash was a head-on battle, the Zhenxi Army would have been wiped out long ago. Forget the Zhenxi Army; even the nations of Ximo would have been left utterly devastated.

Neither side was willing to see such an outcome.

Ximo was after benefits; they weren’t truly blood-crazed.

"Lord Bai, while there may not be much for entertainment in Lonely Wolf City, it still has plenty of interesting things."

Lu Wu led Bai Yuan through the streets of Lonely Wolf City.

Soon, the two reached a large, open space in the center of the city.

"This area is usually used for drilling. The Zhenxi Army trains here once a day, and for the rest of the time, the soldiers like to have fun here."

No sooner had he spoken.

A furious roar rang out.

"BREAK!"

Two shirtless, brawny men, drenched in sweat, were locked in a grapple, their terrifying muscles bulging.

Lu Wu explained, "This is a combat art we learned from the people of Ximo. It’s quite effective on the battlefield."

Bai Yuan stopped to watch.

Although he had once fought and killed the Ximo expert Jiu Moshi, he didn’t actually know much about their techniques.

The two soldiers were using no weapons; it was a pure clash of bodies.

Bai Yuan had led troops before.

Such scenes of fierce competition were common in any army.

Some generals even deliberately arranged duels to cultivate their soldiers’ fighting spirit. They would place bets to make things interesting, and the men were happy for the chance to earn some extra money.

However, the Zhenxi Army’s situation was somewhat different.

To be precise, the techniques of the two Martial Artists were very interesting.

They were grappling with what looked like a version of the Barbarian Body Technique, yet their moves were laced with a deceptive softness. Their fists swayed side to side like venomous snakes, making them impossible to guard against.

’Interesting.’

Bai Yuan nodded.

Lu Wu chimed in with an explanation. "Lord Bai, you might not know this, but the people of Ximo were once a branch of the Central Plains Human Race. They were exiled to Ximo long ago, before the appearance of the Three Religions Saints. As a result, Ximo inherited the Ancient Body Techniques. However, because the desert is rife with snakes, insects, and the Demon Race, they adapted the techniques into what you see today."

"I see."

The Northern Plains are full of ferocious beasts, so the Barbarian People often must rely on brute strength in combat. The body techniques they inherited are therefore the purest form of brawling.

In contrast, the people of Ximo chose a path of suppleness and control in order to survive.

It’s not that overwhelming force is ineffective, but for Martial Artists who haven’t reached a high realm, it’s simply not cost-effective.

’Before you become one of the strongest, the most important thing is simply to survive.’

’Everything else is secondary.’

Bai Yuan watched intently.

He was already a master of the Barbarian Body Technique, so he picked it up quickly.

Lu Wu chuckled. "Lord Bai, care to give it a try?"

Bai Yuan shook his head. "No, thank you."

’I’m already a Mingxin Grandmaster. The strongest of these soldiers are only Sensing Martial Artists. It would be bullying.’

Lu Wu added, "These matches are split into ’scholarly’ and ’martial’ bouts. A scholarly bout is a test of pure technique, without using force. Lord Bai wouldn’t necessarily win one of those."

The surrounding soldiers had already noticed Lu Wu and Bai Yuan.

"Lord Bai, give it a go!"

"Lord Bai, I, Zhou Ba, wish to challenge you!"

...

The soldiers began to hoot and holler.

Though none of them had ever met Bai Yuan, they had all heard tales of his exploits.

Especially the story of him slaying Jiu Moshi.

They fought against Ximo year-round and knew all too well how powerful that "Sand-Burier" was. The fact that Bai Yuan could kill Jiu Moshi had already earned him the respect of the Zhenxi Army.

They weren’t challenging Bai Yuan because they doubted his reputation. On the contrary, it was a sign of respect.

"Alright!"

Bai Yuan’s interest was piqued. "A scholarly bout it is."

But just as he said that, Lu Wu stepped forward with a mischievous grin. "If you’ll permit me, I would like to be the one to challenge Lord Bai."

As he spoke, he kicked the soldier at the very front.

"Get lost, you brat. Today’s my show."

What could the soldier do, having his spot stolen by a superior? He could only step aside.

The crowd of soldiers shot Lu Wu looks of contempt as they all backed away to make space.

"Lord Bai, after you."

"..."

Bai Yuan was speechless.

’He even suspected this fellow Lu Wu had been deliberately waiting for this moment.’

Still, how could he refuse a challenge?

He took a step forward.

The soldiers below immediately burst into discussion.

"Who do you think will win? General Lu or Lord Bai?"

"Lord Bai, obviously! Is that even a question?"

"Not necessarily. Even Grand General Gao has admitted he can’t beat General Lu when it comes to Ximo body techniques. In a martial bout, Lu Wu would have no chance, but in a scholarly one? I’m betting fifty taels on General Lu!"

"Damn, you son of a... I’ll put down one hundred taels."

After that soldier’s analysis, more and more people started betting on Lu Wu.

Bai Yuan was strong, true, but that strength came from the overwhelming power a Mingxin Grandmaster held over a Sensing Martial Artist. This match was only about technique.

Since Lord Bai had never been exposed to Ximo body techniques, he most likely couldn’t win against Lu Wu.

"Lord Bai, bring it on!"

Lu Wu was brimming with fighting spirit.

’If I can beat Bai Yuan today, I can brag about this to the new recruits for the rest of my life!’

"Let’s go!"

Bai Yuan was equally enthusiastic.

’If I can learn some Ximo body techniques from this, the trip will have been worth it.’

With that, the two men engaged.

There was no earth-shattering display of power, no grand spectacle of flying sand and stones. Everything unfolded in silence.

Bai Yuan threw a straight punch at Lu Wu’s face.

But to his surprise, Lu Wu didn’t block. Instead, he dropped, landing flat on his back on the ground.

Bai Yuan frowned.

’What kind of fighting style is this?’

He then saw Lu Wu give a sly grin before wrapping his legs around one of Bai Yuan’s arms like a great python and clamping his hands onto the same wrist.

Bai Yuan had never seen a style like this before.

With just a slight exertion of force from Lu Wu, Bai Yuan was forced down onto the ground.

The onlooking soldiers gasped in surprise.

"It’s the Ground Technique!"

"General Lu actually used the Ground Technique!"

...

Seeing Lu Wu drag Bai Yuan to the ground and the two of them grapple relentlessly, the soldiers grew increasingly excited.

A saying had always circulated through the Zhenxi Army.

"Once General Lu drags you to the ground, even the Grand General himself would have to admit defeat."

Lu Wu had his legs wrapped tightly around Bai Yuan’s arm, his hands gripping Bai Yuan’s own hand, using his elbow as a fulcrum in an attempt to snap the arm.

Bai Yuan’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.

’Truly, one can never underestimate the experts of this world.’

Unlike the Barbarian Body Technique, which was about meeting violence with violence, the Ximo style was more like the jiu-jitsu of his past life. It was all about exploiting every possible advantage and an opponent’s weaknesses to force a submission.

Lu Wu’s so-called Ground Technique was simply a method of using the ground to cover his own back, waiting for an opportunity to drag an unfamiliar opponent down, and then pitting his strengths against their weaknesses.

By doing so, he placed himself in an unbeatable position.

Bai Yuan was resigned.

’It’s not that there’s no way to break this hold. The answer is to overwhelm skill with pure strength.’

’But this is a scholarly bout. I can’t use my strength at all, so it’s a dead end.’

From Lu Wu’s cunning expression, it was clear he had used this move many times, and it had never failed.

"I concede."

In the end, Bai Yuan could only concede.

’Even with all my abilities, once I fell into his trap, there was no way to turn the tables.’

But just as Lu Wu was grinning triumphantly—

Bai Yuan pulled a silver note for "five thousand taels" from his robes and placed it on a nearby wooden table.

"I bet five thousand taels."

"On myself to win."

"General Lu, do you dare to go another round?"

Lu Wu was stunned for a moment, then chuckled and tossed out a five-thousand-tael silver note of his own.

"As long as Lord Bai is interested, this subordinate is happy to oblige!"