CCWAD – Chapter 28

Chapter 28: The Arena of Life and Death

Prologue:

“When Dong Ping challenged me to a duel to the death on the training ground, I knew it was Song Jiang’s test. ‘What shall we compete in?’ I asked. He sneered, ‘In what you’re best at: sumo wrestling.’ Amidst the uproar from the crowd, I untied my hairband, letting my raven locks cascade down: ‘Fine, but I have a condition.'”

—

The day after the verbal battle in the Hall of Righteous Gathering, an unusual atmosphere settled over Liangshan Marsh. On the surface, everything seemed normal, but beneath the calm, currents of tension swirled. When Yan Qing stepped out of her courtyard the next morning, she found two guards stationed outside, ostensibly sent by Steward Lu to protect her. Yet, she knew in her heart that this was as much surveillance as it was protection.

Indeed, as the sun climbed higher, a messenger announced that Brother Song Jiang had summoned all the chieftains to the training ground for a meeting.

The training ground was already teeming with people. Besides the 108 heroes, there were also key figures from various camps and strongholds, numbering no less than a thousand. In the center of the field, a three-zhang square arena had been erected. Flags fluttered all around, but they carried an air of grim finality.

Song Jiang and Wu Yong sat at the head table. Seeing Yan Qing arrive, Song Jiang forced a smile. “Little Yi has arrived. I’ve gathered all the brothers today to discuss a matter of great importance.”

He paused, surveying the crowd. “Yesterday, Little Yi proposed negotiations with the imperial court. This matter concerns the very survival of Liangshan, and we must proceed with utmost caution. After much thought, your brother believes we need to deliberate further on this.”

Yan Qing inwardly scoffed, knowing he intended to go back on his word.

As expected, Dong Ping was the first to step forward. “Brother Gongming is right! Negotiation is too perilous. If the court turns hostile, we will all perish without a burial place!”

“Precisely!” Zhang Qing chimed in. “Moreover, whether Brother Yan Qing’s words are true or false remains to be verified. If we fall into the court’s trap of sowing discord, wouldn’t that be our own destruction?”

Murmurs erupted throughout the crowd. Those who had been persuaded by Yan Qing yesterday now wavered.

Just as Yan Qing was about to speak, Dong Ping suddenly turned to her, cupping his fists. “Brother Yan Qing, you’ve certainly improved your eloquence during your months in the capital. But I wonder, has your martial prowess also waned?”

The sudden question silenced the crowd.

Yan Qing calmly replied, “Brother Dong Ping, why do you ask?”

Dong Ping sneered. “Liangshan was founded on martial strength. To lead troops, one must command respect through martial skill. I, Dong Ping, am untalented, but I wish to spar with Brother Yan Qing a few rounds, so that all the brothers can see if you are indeed qualified to lead negotiations!”

His words were high-sounding, but the true intention was to overpower Yan Qing in martial arts. Everyone knew Yan Qing was “recovering from an injury,” while Dong Ping was one of Liangshan’s Five Tiger Generals of the Cavalry, known as the “General of Double Spears,” a master of martial arts.

Lu Junyi’s expression changed, and he was about to speak when Yan Qing interrupted. “Brother Dong Ping, how do you wish to compete?”

“Simple!” Dong Ping leaped onto the arena. “We’ll fight with fists and feet! You and I will have a true contest here in this arena, and fate will decide our lives!”

“A duel to the death!” The crowd erupted in shock.

While Liangshan often held sparring matches, a duel to the death was no trivial matter; it meant risking one’s life!

Yan Qing met the murderous intent in Dong Ping’s eyes, understanding perfectly. This was no ordinary match, but a meticulously planned strategy by Song Jiang’s faction. If she refused to fight, her prestige would be shattered. If she accepted, given her current physical condition, she would likely die at Dong Ping’s hands.

What a brilliant plan to kill two birds with one stone!

All eyes turned to Yan Qing. Li Kui stamped his feet in agitation, wanting to say something, but Wu Song held him back. Yang Bamei’s hand rested on her silver spear, her gaze icy.

Under the scrutiny of thousands, Yan Qing slowly stood up. She didn’t answer immediately, but walked deliberately towards the arena, each step measured and steady.

Arriving before the arena, she didn’t rush to ascend. Instead, she turned to Song Jiang. “Brother Gongming, do you permit this match?”

Song Jiang was taken aback by her direct question. After a moment’s pause, he replied, “This… since Brother Dong Ping proposed it, I cannot reasonably object.”

“Good,” Yan Qing nodded, then turned to Dong Ping. “Brother Dong Ping said he wished to compete with fists and feet. Is that truly what you want?”

Dong Ping proudly declared, “Of course! We’ll compete in what we are both most skilled at: sumo wrestling!”

This was even more malicious. Who didn’t know Yan Qing’s sumo wrestling skills were unparalleled at Liangshan? Dong Ping deliberately chose her strongest suit. If he won, it would severely damage her prestige; if he lost… Dong Ping never imagined he would lose.

The entire audience held their breath, awaiting the outcome.

Under everyone’s gaze, Yan Qing performed an action that caused the crowd to gasp – she reached up and untied her hairband, letting her raven hair cascade down!

“Fine, I accept your challenge,” her voice clearly resonated through the arena. “But I have a condition.”

“What condition?” Dong Ping frowned.

Yan Qing slowly ascended the arena, her dark hair fluttering in the wind. “If you lose, you must not only admit my qualification to lead troops, but you and Brother Zhang Qing must personally apologize to Steward Lu!”

Upon hearing this, the crowd suddenly remembered that Dong Ping and Zhang Qing had indeed offended Lu Junyi yesterday.

Dong Ping’s face changed, and he gritted his teeth. “And if you lose?”

“If I lose…” Yan Qing smiled faintly. “I, Yan Qing, will immediately leave Liangshan and never return!”

“Good!” Dong Ping roared. “It’s settled then!”

Lu Junyi leaped to his feet. “Little Yi, no!”

Everyone could see that Yan Qing was acting out of defiance. In her current state, how could she possibly be Dong Ping’s match?

However, Yan Qing shook her head at Lu Junyi, signaling him not to worry.

On the arena, the two faced each other. Dong Ping shed his outer robe, revealing a physique of lean muscle, and adopted a sumo stance, exuding an imposing aura. In contrast, Yan Qing, clad in a simple blue robe, appeared slender and delicate, seemingly no match for Dong Ping.

“Begin!” Dong Ping roared and lunged forward!

Sumo wrestling involved close-quarters combat. Dong Ping’s charge was powerful and heavy. If he managed to grab hold, the outcome would likely be decided in an instant.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Yan Qing did not meet his charge head-on. Instead, her figure flickered, drifting away like a willow catkin. Her footwork was uncanny; she seemed to barely touch the ground. Dong Ping’s determined lunge missed completely!

“Excellent footwork!” someone from the audience shouted.

Dong Ping was momentarily stunned, then enraged. He charged again, this time with full force, his palms cutting through the air as he aimed directly for Yan Qing’s chest.

Yan Qing still didn’t confront him directly. Her body shifted again, her dark hair swirling as she moved behind Dong Ping. Her movements were fluid and graceful, possessing a beauty akin to dance.

“Yan Qing! Do you only know how to dodge?” Dong Ping yelled in frustration.

Yan Qing did not reply, continuing to circle. Her movements grew faster and faster, her blue robe billowing, leaving afterimages across the arena. Dong Ping, despite his strength, couldn’t even touch a corner of her garment.

The spectators watched in stunned silence. Was this sumo wrestling? It looked more like a cat playing with a mouse!

Wu Yong gently fanned himself, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. He could tell that Yan Qing was not using Liangshan martial arts, but rather some long-lost light body technique.

After dozens of exchanges, Dong Ping was already panting, while Yan Qing remained calm and composed. Only then did she make her first offensive move!

Her figure suddenly stopped, and her right hand shot out like lightning. Instead of attacking a vital point, she lightly tapped his shoulder.

The tap appeared gentle, but Dong Ping felt as if he had been struck with immense force. He staggered backward, nearly falling off the arena!

“What sorcery is this!” Dong Ping exclaimed, both shocked and enraged.

Yan Qing still didn’t answer. She moved again. This time, she didn’t circle but attacked the center. Her palms moved like butterflies flitting through flowers, striking several acupoints around Dong Ping’s body in quick succession.

Dong Ping tried to defend himself, but found his movements becoming slower and slower, his strength seemingly drained away. Finally, with a gentle push from Yan Qing, the General of Double Spears fell straight down!

The arena fell into dead silence!

No one had expected this outcome! Yan Qing had subdued Dong Ping with her bare hands within ten moves!

Yan Qing stood in the center of the arena, her dark hair falling to her shoulders, her face unperturbed. She looked at the fallen Dong Ping and said calmly, “I concede.”

Only then did everyone realize that although Dong Ping had fallen, he was not injured. He was simply weak and unable to move.

“Sorcery! This is sorcery!” Zhang Qing leaped onto the arena, helping Dong Ping up, glaring at Yan Qing.

Yan Qing ignored him and turned to Song Jiang. “Brother Gongming, does this match count?”

Song Jiang’s face turned ashen. After a long moment, he replied, “It counts.”

“Good,” Yan Qing nodded, then looked at Zhang Qing. “Brother Zhang Qing, don’t forget your promise.”

Zhang Qing gritted his teeth, but had nothing to say.

Yan Qing spoke no further and gracefully descended from the arena, her blue robe fluttering in the wind. As she passed, people parted, their gazes filled with awe.

Yang Bamei stepped forward and whispered, “What exquisite martial arts! What is that footwork?”

Yan Qing smiled faintly. “It’s called ‘Flowing Cloud Steps,’ taught to me by an extraordinary person in the capital.”

She naturally didn’t mention that it was actually a life-saving technique taught to her by Li Shishi, originating from the imperial court of the previous dynasty, and most suitable for women to practice.

After this battle, Yan Qing’s position at Liangshan was thoroughly solidified. No one dared to question her qualifications anymore.

However, Yan Qing knew that the real crisis had just begun. Song Jiang’s faction would not give up easily, and a greater storm was yet to come.

That night, she received a second secret letter from Li Shishi. It contained only four words:

“Beware of the provisions.”

Yan Qing’s brow furrowed as she read these words. Provisions were Liangshan’s lifeline. If anything were to go wrong…

She immediately rose and headed towards Lu Junyi’s residence. Some things had to be prepared for in advance.

—

(End of Chapter 28)