Chapter 462: Chapter 462: Show No Mercy!
Dugu Yan and Tuoba Xiong stood firm.
“The hour has arrived, let the match begin!”
As Si Yuzhang’s voice fell on the arena, the originally noisy crowd below fell silent instantly, and all eyes focused on the center of the Martial Arts Arena.
Upon hearing the sound of the war drum, Tuoba Xiong immediately swung his fist, as large as a sandbag, towards Dugu Yan, who swiftly dodged aside.
Tuoba Xiong’s fist, powered by the strength of his body, swung again at Dugu Yan, who gracefully dodged once more.
Si Yun frowned, wondering if the subordinate Zhan Lan had chosen was competent or not.
But seeing Zhan Lan sitting on a nanmu chair with such a calm demeanor, he felt somewhat reassured.
Mu Yan walked over to sit beside Zhan Lan, casually pushing over a plate of candied fruit.
Zhan Lan smiled brightly, as Mu Yan sat by her side, casting a glance at those harboring ill intentions toward his Lan’er.
The eyes from below the stage immediately shifted their gaze away.
On the stage, Tuoba Xiong swung his fists towards Dugu Yan, “Little beauty, don’t run away!”
Dugu Yan smiled slyly, and in the next moment Tuoba Xiong’s fist smashed into the stone pillar behind her.
A corner of the stone pillar shattered, and a gasp rose from the crowd.
Someone despaired, “This Western Rong Eldest Prince is too strong, we might lose this round!”
Someone, with emotions, said, “Does General Zhan even know how to pick people?”
Someone scolded, “Shut up, the woman on stage is General Zhan’s personal guard, Dugu Yan. Haven’t you heard of her, wielding two purple gold hammers, making enemies tremble in fear.”
Someone was surprised, “Oh, so it’s her! Then it’ll be worth watching!”
Under everyone’s gaze, Dugu Yan suddenly swung her fist fiercely towards Tuoba Xiong, the wind howling with her punches, each strike more fierce than the last, targeting the opponent’s vital points.
A dull thud landed on Tuoba Xiong’s temple, and he gradually couldn’t defend, staggering back until his body hit the chains behind, the clinking sound echoing as Tuoba Xiong began to pant heavily.
He underestimated Zhan Lan’s subordinate; this woman was so powerful!
The spectators below grew increasingly enthusiastic, raising their arms and cheering, “Dugu Yan will surely win!”
Emperor Qingwu sitting above, finally relaxed, indeed assigning this match to Zhan Lan’s full control was a safe choice.
Xue Lingling excitedly jumped below the stage; she liked Dugu Yan so much. She glanced at Xue Yifeng, whose gaze occasionally landed on Dugu Yan, “Brother, I want a sister-in-law like Dugu Yan!”
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Xue Yifeng grumpily poked her forehead, then looked towards the stage where Dugu Yan’s boxing skills were indeed remarkable.
Xue Lingling didn’t pay attention to what Xue Yifeng said, gripping her hands excitedly in front of her chest, looking at the stage.
Dugu Yan coldly looked at Tuoba Xiong, “I told you before, you’ll regret it!”
Tuoba Xiong gritted his teeth, “Come on, continue!”
Dugu Yan’s fist lashed out with roaring gusts, violently striking at Tuoba Xiong.
Her punches were swift, as fast as lightning. Tuoba Xiong was forced back step by step, stepping firmly at the edge of the stage, his footing breaking the bricks beneath.
Tuoba Xiong was driven back with no retreat by Dugu Yan, his eyes darkened, relying on his massive physique to pounce over at Dugu Yan, seemingly about to pin her petite body beneath him.
“Ah!” The citizens couldn’t bear to watch; if Dugu Yan were pinned under Tuoba Xiong, then no matter how great her strength, she might not be able to break free.
“Shameless!” The citizens cursed.
How shameless of the Western Rong Eldest Prince, to trap a woman beneath him in a martial arts match, what kind of man is he!
Xue Yifeng’s fist clenched unconsciously!
He didn’t know whether it was the work of the poisonous insect within his body, but he suddenly felt a strong protective urge towards Dugu Yan.
Just when many were holding their breath for Dugu Yan.
Suddenly, everyone heard a muffled groan.
“Ah!”
The crowd’s eyes fell on Dugu Yan’s fist; she actually punched Tuoba Xiong’s abdomen, and Tuoba Xiong clutched his abdomen in pain, crashing heavily to the ground.
Dugu Yan’s attack was extremely fast, and before Tuoba Xiong could pin her down, she had already finished her blows and dodged away.
No one noticed her slightly raised knee had hit Tuoba Xiong’s lower body.
Tuoba Xiong’s face turned pale as he lay on the ground, curled up in agony.
“Ah…” He wailed continuously on the stage; though his body was like copper and iron, his only weakness was struck by Dugu Yan.
He groaned painfully, and the citizens burst into waves of cheers.
“Ah! Victory!”
“General Zhan’s subordinates are all so remarkable, upholding our Nanjin pride!”
Si Yuzhang, seeing the Western Rong Eldest Prince down, immediately shouted, “Stop!”
Si Yun gasped; he hadn’t had time to see clearly how Dugu Yan launched her punch, and Tuoba Xiong was already down.
Fortunately, nothing fatal happened. His initial intention was just to intimidate the other three nations.
Dugu Yan looked at Zhan Lan, who returned a smile.
Dugu Yan felt proud inside; see, she had made the Main General look good!
Xue Lingling excitedly grabbed her brother’s sleeve, looking at the gradually softening expression of Xue Yifeng.
Her large eyes swirled around; her brother and Dugu Yan were a perfect match!
Baili Jiang immediately ordered people to bring Tuoba Xiong back. The battered Tuoba Xiong was in such pain that he was rendered speechless, having forgotten why Dugu Yan’s two punches could hit his vital points so precisely.
“Quick, call for the witch doctor!”
Tuoba Xiong looked at Baili Jiang, his expression twisted as he whispered, “Don’t hold back next!”
Baili Jiang nodded in agreement.
Next was Eastern Wei’s strongman Xue Qiang’s fight with Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan had already expended her energy in the previous round with Tuoba Xiong, ending in a draw with Xue Qiang this time.
Emperor Qingwu viewed Western Rong and Eastern Wei differently and didn’t want to offend the strongest nation, Eastern Wei, so he announced that the second round was a draw between Eastern Wei and Nanjin.
Dugu Yan rubbed her shoulder, sore from the punches, a bit dejectedly getting off the stage, Zhan Lan patted her shoulder, “Very well done!”
“It’s a pity we didn’t win!” Dugu Yan took off her hairpin, her long braid falling to her waist.
Zhan Lan said meaningfully, “Sometimes there’s no need to prove a win or loss. Look at the eyes of the Nanjin citizens, you’ll know you’ve already won.”
Dugu Yan looked out to see the citizens waving toward her and Zhan Lan, and she beamed brightly, the Main General was right.
They had indeed won!
The citizens had not looked towards their newly enthroned emperor, but towards the Main General and her.
The people’s hearts were more important!
Below the stage, Xue Yifeng took out a porcelain bottle, handing it to Xue Lingling, speaking with a slightly unnatural tone, “Give this to Dugu Yan!”