Li Man'er won another match, her third consecutive victory. Only the last of the Four Great Vajras remained.
"Yang Yitian."
The silent middle-aged man was about forty years old. He was of medium build and unremarkable appearance, standing there like a dark, plain stone, barely noticeable. He was too simple and unpretentious.
However, Li Man'er knew that the more ordinary a person seemed, the less they could be underestimated.
"What does General Yang wish to compete in?"
"Life."
Compete for life? Damn, playing that big?
Upon hearing this, Li Nian's pupils constricted sharply, and he immediately stepped forward, wanting to confront Yang Yitian.
Li Man'er, however, remained calm. "General and I have no past grievances, no present enmity. I believe this is our first meeting today? You are considered a fierce general under the Marquis. Knowing I am the Marquis's eldest legitimate daughter, you still wish to gamble for my life. Are you perhaps trying to avenge General Feng? Defeating me and reclaiming the token is not enough; you must risk your life?"
This reason didn't make sense, did it?
Yang Yitian glanced at her and suddenly asked, "Who is your master?"
Master? Where did she get a master?
Yang Yitian said with deep meaning, "Even if you don't say, I know. Your master is the eccentric Feng."
Feng?
Li Man'er had a bad premonition. This cruel heaven had let her transmigrate, but it wouldn't just send a killing god named Feng because she casually made something up, would it?
"You said something during your match with the general."
A million alpacas stampeded through Li Man'er's mind. Could it be such a coincidence?
"'Let us decide the victor and the vanquished, and also life and death.' This is a phrase the eccentric Feng always uttered. He was obsessed with martial arts, yet he would often end lives during his duels, never leaving any room for mercy. This person has committed countless wicked deeds, his crimes filling volumes of bamboo slips. Thirteen years ago, my master died at the hands of the eccentric Feng."
Li Man'er sneered inwardly, unsure of what to say.
That was just a line from a play, a line! Okay?
Coincidentally, they both had the surname Feng.
Li Man'er genuinely wanted to ask cruel heaven if it had done something, if this was fun.
"So, General Yang's implication is that you believe I am a disciple of the eccentric Feng and wish to kill me to avenge your master?"
"Why not?"
Li Man'er smiled. "What an arrogant claim! Setting aside whether you can kill me, what evidence do you have to prove that the killer demon named Feng is my master? I merely said something similar to him. Are my movement techniques and combat styles the same as his?"
Yang Yitian thought for a moment and honestly shook his head. "They are not the same."
"Exactly. If I were his disciple, yet did not learn his martial arts, what kind of master-disciple relationship would that be? From what you say, the eccentric Feng was a master. He wouldn't let his own successor learn someone else's martial arts, would he?"
Yang Yitian fell silent. This was indeed unlikely.
"If I may be so bold, General Yang, did you learn your master's ultimate techniques?"
"Naturally."
Li Man'er spread her hands. "There you have it! I don't know any eccentric Feng. Perhaps it's just a coincidence. Your master was killed thirteen years ago. I was only three or four years old then. You can't seek revenge from me, can you?"
Li Man'er narrowed her eyes slightly. Li Nian's hand also quietly moved to his saber hilt.
Yang Yitian, perhaps thinking of something, actually nodded, tacitly agreeing with Li Man'er's statement. He even honestly cupped his hands to her. "If that is the case, then I was presumptuous. We do not need to compete, honored lady. You have won."
"That won't do. We agreed to compete. How can I win unjustly?" Li Man'er didn't think this was a good thing. If someone were to criticize it, she would still be illegitimate and unauthorized.
"Then, perhaps the honored lady could propose something?"
"Archery," Li Man'er said. "We've competed in unarmed combat, weapons, and strategy. I believe only archery remains."
"Do you really want to compete?"
"We must compete," Li Man'er said resolutely and had someone fetch two bows.
Zhang Jingfeng, still with his usual roguish air, remarked, "To compete in archery with Old Yang is suicidal."
Lu Fang, though silent, disagreed with Zhang Jingfeng's assessment. He felt that since Li Man'er dared to propose it, she must have confidence. After all, no one would compare their weakness to others.
Soon, two large bows were brought, along with two quivers full of arrows.
The two briefly examined the bows and both declared them satisfactory.
"How does the honored lady wish to compete?"
Li Man'er then asked, "What is General Yang's usual archery skill?"
"Passable."
"General Yang is too modest. How about we have someone set up torches in the distance? You and I will each shoot five arrows. Whoever hits all of them wins, how about that?"
Yang Yitian couldn't help but ask, "What if we cannot hit all of them?"
"Even if General Yang cannot hit all of them, I certainly can."
Zhang Jingfeng coldly snorted, adopting his arrogant demeanor again, as if he had already seen through Li Man'er's boasts.
"Good!"
Soon, five torches were set up one hundred and fifty meters away. They burned brightly and swayed slightly.
This distance was not short, nor was it particularly far. On a clear day, one could shoot at two hundred meters.
"General Yang, please go first."
Yang Yitian gave it no further thought. He drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and quickly shot the first one.
With a *swish*, the torch was extinguished. Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Soon, all five arrows were shot, and all had hit their mark.
Zhang Jingfeng looked at Li Man'er with considerable pride. "Miss Li, you must be careful. If you miss even one, you lose."
Li Man'er smiled. When the torches were relit opposite, she took off the long scarf around her neck.
Everyone was startled, not knowing what she was about to do.
Zhang Jingfeng's expression changed drastically. "No way?"
Lu Fang remarked, "It seems she has some skills."
She was going to shoot blindfolded!
Even Li Nian broke out in a cold sweat for her.
Li Man'er covered her eyes, drew her bow, and shot, the movements fluid and seamless, without the slightest hesitation.
With a *thwack*, the first torch was extinguished. Soon, the second arrow was loosed. Li Man'er seemed to be able to sense the location of all the torches as the arrows flew rapidly towards them.
All five torches were extinguished in succession.
A deathly silence fell over the scene. Li Man'er slowly removed the scarf and looked ahead, a smile blooming on her lips.
"General Yang, who won?"
Li Nian was beside himself with excitement, his palms covered in sweat.
Both had hit all their targets, but one had done so with eyes open, the other blindfolded. The winner was clear.
"Honored lady's skill is superior. I concede defeat."
Li Man'er's aura suddenly changed. Killing intent flashed in her eyes, and her sharp gaze seemed capable of instantly slaying everyone before her.
"Who else is unconvinced?"
No one answered, but this time, they were subdued.
Even Zhang Jingfeng had nothing to say.
Li Man'er raised the Iron Blood Camp token high. Everyone bowed in submission.
"Greetings, General!"
"Greetings, General!"
"Greetings, General!"
The cheers were like a tidal wave, unending!