Shan Da walked up to Xiao Man's side, "Xiao Qin, what do you want to do?"
"I just think this child is cute and want to fulfill a small wish of hers," Xiao Man said softly. "Chieftain, there are many cute and interesting children among your tribesmen."
Shan Da looked at the arena without a change in expression, "A Lai's footwork is agile, but she has no combat experience. She can maintain an advantage in a short period, but if it goes on for too long, she won't be Qi Hong's match."
"Chieftain, my opinion is different from yours," Xiao Man looked at Shan Da. "Are you willing to bet with me, Chieftain?"
"Bet on what?"
"I bet that within ten moves, A Lai will win, and Qi Hong will fall."
"Impossible!"
"Alright, since that's the case, let's bet like this. If Qi Hong doesn't fall within ten moves, you win. If Qi Hong falls within ten moves, I win. If I win, you must grant me three requests. If I lose, I will do three things for you, Chieftain. How about it?"
"Deal."
Xiao Man's eyes immediately crinkled into a smile, the curve of her lips enigmatic. However, Shan Da knew Qi Hong well. A Lai could never be Qi Hong's opponent, and Qi Hong had excellent stamina. In the end, A Lai would be the one to collapse from exhaustion.
But Shan Da's thoughts were quickly overturned. In the eighth move, Qi Hong staggered and fell to the ground. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't get up. This scene stunned everyone watching, who couldn't understand what had happened!
A Lai looked at Qi Hong, who was lying on the ground unable to move, then at the staff in her hand. She let out a scream and ran to Xiao Man, rushing into her arms, "I won, I really won!"
Xiao Man rubbed A Lai's head, "Very good!"
Shan Da quickly stepped forward to check on Qi Hong. Qi Hong's face was red with frustration, and he tried desperately to stand up, but no matter how he struggled, half of his body was numb, completely immobile. "You... what did you do?"
A Lai shrugged innocently. She hadn't done anything, only attacked according to Xiao Man's instructions. Even she didn't understand why Qi Hong had fallen, as her attacks felt like mere tickles to him!
"Qi Hong, how are you?"
Qi Hong felt both wronged and embarrassed. "Half of my body is numb and I can't move."
"Xiao Qin, this..."
"It's fine. He'll be alright after two hours of rest. It's just that the left side of his body is paralyzed. Once the blood flow is restored, he'll be back to normal," Xiao Man said with a smile. "Chieftain, now you know how destructive an ambitious girl can be. A girl in her early teens can bring down a strong adult. Never underestimate women, or you will suffer losses."
"How did you do it?" Shan Da asked calmly. If he could learn this method, where even a little girl could defeat an adult, then perhaps they could escape their current cruel and helpless way of life.
Xiao Man took the wooden staff from A Lai's hand. "Chieftain, would you like to spar with me?"
Shan Da did not hesitate. He had Qi Hong carried away, and he picked up the wooden staff that had fallen on the ground. "Please guide me."
Xiao Man smiled and nodded, instantly appearing before Shan Da. Shan Da had no chance to react before Xiao Man struck his left waist. Shan Da was startled and quickly retreated, but Xiao Man was faster. As soon as he pulled back, Xiao Man pressed forward again, hitting his left thigh.
Xiao Man's attacks only made Shan Da feel a numb sensation, but combined with Qi Hong's situation, he knew that Xiao Man's attack points were definitely problematic. He couldn't let Xiao Man get close to him, so he immediately dropped the wooden staff and engaged Xiao Man in close-quarters combat.
A mocking smile flickered on Xiao Man's lips. She let Shan Da grab her wrist, but fiercely rammed her elbow into Shan Da's left chest. Shan Da felt his breath catch, and for a moment, he couldn't muster any strength. Xiao Man then counterattacked, grabbing Shan Da's arm and performing an over-the-shoulder throw, slamming the mountain-like Shan Da heavily onto the ground, shaking it.
The entire area fell silent. Although they were still wary of Xiao Man killing the Snake God, they believed that if the Chieftain had acted, he could have also killed the Snake God. Yet their proudest warrior couldn't last three moves under Xiao Man's hands!
Shan Da felt a sharp pain in his back, and half of his body was numb. He wanted to roll over and jump up but couldn't. He lay on the ground to recover for a moment before sitting up. "As expected of someone who could kill the Snake God, you are indeed formidable."
"You flatter me, Chieftain. I was merely using a trick," Xiao Man reached out and pulled Shan Da up. "Chieftain, my apologies for the offense."
Shan Da brushed the dust off his clothes and looked at Xiao Man with complex eyes. He had always thought Xiao Man killed the Snake God purely by luck, but today Xiao Man had given him a harsh lesson! This person was far more powerful than he had imagined. If she could stay in Hong Huang, perhaps she could change the current situation!
Moreover, this person was quite cunning. First, she had A Lai, who had never learned to fight, challenge Qi Hong in front of everyone and win decisively, shaking the villagers' belief that women couldn't practice martial arts. Then, she sparred with him in front of everyone, ensuring that men were no longer superior to women, and at the same time earning the tribe's greater respect. What meticulous planning, what terrifying methods! What did she truly want to achieve?
"Master!" A Lai knelt directly before Xiao Man and kowtowed three times. "Master, please accept me as your disciple."
"I don't take disciples," Xiao Man said with a smile. "However, I can teach you a few moves."
The girls who had been watching hesitantly stepped forward, some kneeling and calling her Master, while others hesitated or remained unmoved. The boys' gazes flickered between Shan Da and Xiao Man. Their rationality told them that following Xiao Man would allow them to learn a great deal, but their reality prevented them from betraying their Chieftain.
"Thank you, Master." A Lai didn't care whether Xiao Man accepted disciples or not. She had already decided that Xiao Man was her Master and was determined to learn all of Xiao Man's skills to become the first female warrior of the Hong Huang tribe!
Shan Da didn't know what Xiao Man intended to do. With Xiao Man's abilities, he couldn't do anything to her, so he let her have her way, allowing Xiao Man to do as she pleased. When he discovered Xiao Man training the girls in the tribe who were willing to learn combat, he unhesitatingly ordered the boys to join them.
Qi Hong was puzzled, not understanding why Shan Da would let the young men of the tribe mingle with Xiao Man. "Chieftain, how can you let them mingle with Xiao Qin? That outsider is of unknown origin and mysterious identity. She must have some ulterior motive."