The chieftain of Tiger Head Mountain, Ruo Hu, stepped forward slowly. Clad in gray, his fierce features carried a cold, mocking smile.
"Chief Hu," he sneered, "this Tang officer dares to rely on brute strength. Today, let me show you the secret arts of our mountain stronghold!"
His voice rang out clearly, causing an uproar among the Tang soldiers.
With that, he glanced at the other two chieftains, then strode forward, cupped his fists, and declared,"I am Ruo Hu of Tiger Head Mountain. I come to test the commander's skill!"
Yang Gang stood firm, his voice full of vigor."No need for courtesy. Make your move."
No sooner had he spoken than Ruo Hu struck out with a palm. Yang Gang raised his hand to meet it—but midway, Ruo Hu feinted with the palm and suddenly lashed out with a powerful kick.
Yang Gang was momentarily startled, but reacted in time, raising his arm to block. Even so, the force of the kick was immense—he was driven several steps back.
Ruo Hu pressed the advantage, launching a relentless barrage of flying kicks. Under the fierce assault, Yang Gang was forced to retreat step by step, dodging left and right.
Then, a roaring gust of palm force swept in.
Yang Gang had just blocked the kicks when a palm strike came straight down the center. He hastily raised his hand to counter—but in his rush, his defense faltered.
Seizing the moment, Ruo Hu closed in and unleashed a flurry of blows to the head. Yang Gang struggled to keep up, barely managing to deflect one strike with his left hand.
In a flash, both men struck out simultaneously—
Bang!
Yang Gang was blasted backward four or five steps, while Ruo Hu remained unmoved.
Ruo Hu sneered."Well, Commander Yang? That's all you've got after just a few exchanges?"
Yang Gang, a Tang captain of high rank, flushed with anger."You only gained the upper hand by striking first. What's there to boast about?"
Ruo Hu glanced at the other two chieftains and burst into laughter."Interesting! Chief Hu, this Tang officer is quite amusing. Since that's the case, why don't you try him next?"
Humiliated and enraged, Yang Gang trembled with fury."This is too much! You think me weak because I haven't shown my true skill!"
With a roar, he launched into the Five-Animal Fist.
Drawing upon the forms of dragon, tiger, leopard, snake, and crane, he unleashed a strike—"Tiger Roars in the Forest!"
His clawed hand shot forward like a tiger's pounce, tearing through the air with a sharp hiss, its force fierce and deadly.
Ruo Hu shouted in approval, sidestepping the attack. Yang Gang's first strike missed—but the second came even faster and more powerful.
Ruo Hu leapt backward, evading the blow. Then, with a sudden burst of movement, he sprang forward, hands forming claws, descending with overwhelming force.
The two clashed claw against claw, neither yielding. For a time, their exchange was a blur of claw techniques.
Suddenly, Ruo Hu changed tactics—his hands shifted into a mix of fists and palms, striking Yang Gang's chest in rapid succession. Right push, left hook—within a few exchanges, Yang Gang was struck multiple times and forced back.
At last, he fell to the ground.
Fortunately, Ruo Hu had been toying with him and did not strike with lethal force.
Still wearing a look of disdain, Ruo Hu mocked,"Well, Commander Yang? Do you yield?"
Yang Gang's anger burned even hotter."I do not! The Tang army fights with blades—let us settle this with weapons!"
At that moment, Qiang Jiang, chieftain of Horse Head Mountain, stepped forward lightly and landed in the arena with a laugh.
"Chief Ruo, you've had your fun. Let me take a turn."
Yang Gang, now thoroughly enraged, shouted,"Yesterday, I wielded my saber and cut down four of your men alone! Do not underestimate me!"
Qiang Jiang advanced step by step, then suddenly halted. Raising his voice, he said,"Your martial skill is admirable. I am Qiang Jiang of Horse Head Mountain. I have come to test the finesse of your blade."
Yang Gang turned, his gaze sharp as lightning."Then today, you shall witness it!"
From the side, Ruo Hu burst into laughter."How amusing—still stubborn as a dead duck!"
Hu Yu exchanged a glance with Ruo Hu and added with a smirk,"Commander Yang's blade must be unmatched. I wonder if Chief Qiang can withstand it!"
Yang Gang nodded, his expression darkening."On the battlefield, I have slain countless enemies. It is by such merit that I rose to the rank of captain!"
With that, he drew his saber. Standing tall, he held it upright and stepped forward boldly. His imposing aura and resolute gaze caused even Qiang Jiang to feel a chill, his heart tightening as he instinctively stepped back.
This man is a hardened soldier, he thought. I must not underestimate him.
Steadying himself, Qiang Jiang drew his own blade. As he swung it, the weapon let out a deep humming roar.
"Excuse me, then!"
With a shout, he leapt into the air. His descending strike came like thunder splitting the sky, crashing toward Yang Gang.
But Yang Gang, seasoned by countless battles, remained calm. He stepped back, shifting his footing, and raised his blade—
Clang!
The weapons collided. In the next instant, Yang Gang countered with a sweeping slash.
Qiang Jiang sidestepped, twisting his body away. Yang Gang pressed forward, and in the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged five or six rapid blows.
Their blades moved at blinding speed—each clash sending sparks flying. Soldiers and bandits alike roared in admiration.
Yang Gang unleashed a fierce offensive, his body moving with the blade—powerful, relentless strikes raining down.
Qiang Jiang defended while counterattacking—one stroke to guard, another to strike.
Suddenly—
A flurry of blows!
In the ringing clash of steel, Yang Gang was struck multiple times and forced backward. Though his armor prevented fatal injury, he still suffered cuts across his limbs. His strength began to falter.
At that moment, Qiang Jiang shouted loudly,"Well, Commander Yang? Do you yield now?"
The proud Tang captain faced an unprecedented defeat. Just as he hesitated—
A flutter of robes sounded.
A figure descended into the arena.
It was a beautiful young woman.
The three chieftains stared as if possessed, their eyes fixed upon her, unable to look away.
She was like a lotus rising from clear water—natural, unadorned beauty beyond compare.
This woman was Ling Xian'er.
Her face was as delicate as a lotus, her brows like willows. Bright eyes, white teeth, a gentle smile—her charm seemed to awaken spring itself. Her gaze flowed with tenderness, her grace beyond words.
Such beauty—such elegance—such a slender, enchanting figure…
What man could see her and not be moved?What man could behold her and not be captivated?
The three chieftains, like men reborn as lustful demons, swallowed hard, their eyes burning with desire—each unable to resist the urge to draw closer and claim her favor.