Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 29: Killing Kou Qianzhi with a Knife
Just before Wang Xianzhi killed Song Jue, on a narrow slope between a wheat field and hills, a young man, leaning on a precious sword, confronted the awe-inspiring Kou Qianzhi, the deputy governor of Taining Army.

This young man was naturally Zhu Wen, who had become the chief strategist of Huang Chao's army and the greatest contributor to the victory of the rebel army in the Battle of Songzhou!

"A master once said that before a fight, masters would often inspect the battlefield in advance, stepping on every inch of the soil. This is because the different soil qualities can affect the lightness of the body. If you use 70% strength and can only jump 10 feet on soft, wet ground, you can jump 15 feet on hard, dry ground."

Zhu Wen said slowly, with a hint of regret in his words: "But when masters fight, every inch and every second can sometimes decide life or death."

"But General Kou, do you feel any regret for being surrounded by our army while helping General Qi rescue those mediocre people?"

Kou Qianzhi, standing opposite him, looked calm, showing no sign of panic from being surrounded. He truly had the demeanor of a great general. "Since you've said this, why bother asking me if I regret it?"

"General Kou is indeed extremely clever," Zhu Wen said. "Although Wen is a native of Songzhou and is familiar with the terrain, he was able to take a shortcut to get in front of General Kou's troops behind the palace. However, if he had missed the target by even a fraction of an inch, he might not have been able to complete the encirclement."

"And this tiny fraction, the difference between life and death, may well have hinged on General Kou's kindness. In times of war, little details are naturally overlooked. However, General Kou, out of kindness, tried his best not to trample on the people's wheat fields during his march. This wasn't a pedantic act; it was an unconscious one."

"But the siege has been established, and all our elite troops are here. The enemy commander is outnumbered and I'm afraid he can't escape."

On the other side of the encirclement, Meng Kai, with his upper body naked, punched his muscular chest with all his might, making a sound like a loud bell, demonstrating to Kou Qianzhi's team.

"You look like you want to kill me." Kou Qianzhi said calmly.

Zhu Wen said, "But I want to kill you today because I have an answer that I'm afraid I can only reveal when you are on the verge of death."

"Hahahaha... Kou has always been open and honest, without any ulterior motives. If it weren't for the imperial secrets, what would I be afraid to say?"

"No, I have doubts, and so does you. Some things can be seen through the eyes, but some things can only be perceived suddenly by a single thought."

"However, if you want to keep me, all your elite troops will be killed or wounded."

Zhu Wen clapped his hands and said, "General Kou is a master at training his troops, and I have witnessed the loyalty of his men. But what if I say that I am willing to fight General Kou to the death alone, and regardless of who wins, all of his men can withdraw at ease? What then?"

For a moment, the soldiers on both sides were all stunned, thinking that Zhu Wen had gone crazy!
Because Zhu Wen had fought with Kou Qianzhi before and was almost killed on the spot by Kou Qianzhi, it was obvious that there was a big gap in strength between him and Kou Qianzhi.

However, when Zhu Wen had a huge advantage, he proposed to fight Kou Qianzhi alone and even offered such favorable conditions. In the eyes of many people, Zhu Wen was tantamount to selling his own head!
But he was full of confidence, as if he had absolute faith that he could kill Kou Qianzhi with his sword!
Where does his confidence come from?

Meng Kai also shouted loudly: "Junior brother, no! Even if it means the death of the master, it should be me who fights!"

Zhu Wen shook his head: "Brother, there is no need to say more. Master has already told me that today's matter is entirely under my control."

Meng Kai opened his mouth to say something, but in the end he just gave a look.

Zhu Wen muttered to himself, "I've been troubled for long enough." He suddenly took a deep breath and said loudly, "Today I will solve this mystery - why should I care about my life!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhu Wen had already advanced, his red battle robe fluttering in the wind. In the reflection of the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sword, he was like a red flame breaking through the air, heading straight for Kou Qianzhi.

Junior sister Duan Hongyan covered her mouth with her hands, showing a look of surprise, and worry was hard to hide in her clear eyes.

Zhu Wen's second brother Zhu Cun just smiled naively as usual, but his eyes were always fixed on his younger brother's moving figure.

He always had unconditional trust in his third brother and would never doubt any decision made by Zhu Wen.

Kou Qianzhi had no reason to refuse Zhu Wen's challenge.

Because this condition seemed too favorable for the Taining Army. Zhu Wen had taken the initiative now, and even if he was defeated and killed, the Cao Army would have no face to regret it.

Kou Qianzhi's long sword, "The Moon in the Well," was unsheathed with a clang, and the precious sword rang out, with the sound of gold and jade, and the melody of zither and qin.

Ten Anti-Heaven Styles, strike again!
The invisible field unique to masters is as infinite as the heaven and earth, inexhaustible as rivers, and like mercury pouring on the ground, penetrating every pore, once again enveloping the heaven and earth.

Even people outside the field could vaguely feel the awe-inspiring majesty emanating from Kou Qianzhi.

But when Zhu Wen went into battle this time, facing Kou Qianzhi who was more powerful than him, under the pressure of his aura, he was still as agile as a fish. He pointed east and hit west, pointed south and hit north, and for a while he and Kou Qianzhi were evenly matched!
In the armies on both sides, drums were beating to cheer them on, and the three armies shouted like a landslide.

Meng Kai was so delighted and amazed by what he saw that he could hardly contain his emotions - this little junior brother was making such rapid progress!
Although what Zhu Wen learned in his early years were all crude and unconventional, he made rapid progress after receiving instruction from a famous teacher like Huang Chao, who taught him skills and tricks, and was also instructed on the key points by the world's number one master, Wang Xianzhi.

The most crucial thing is that Zhu Wen specially trained Kou Qianzhi in the "Ten Anti-Heaven Styles".

Although Huang Chao's skills were not as good as Wang Xianzhi's, he was also a master of martial arts. He was also familiar with various martial arts schools, especially swordsmanship.

Upon learning that Zhu Wen had nearly died at the hands of Kou Qianzhi, Huang Chao, deeply concerned for his apprentice, invited Zhu Wen into his tent overnight to discuss strategies to counter Kou Qianzhi and devise a countermeasure. Consequently, Zhu Wen's second duel with Kou Qianzhi lasted a prolonged period.

At this moment, Kou Qianzhi was surrounded by Zhu Wen's army, and the Taining army was defeated, losing momentum. Zhu Wen had fought Kou Qianzhi before, and had a deep understanding of his moves. Now, when facing Kou Qianzhi again, he seemed to be at ease, not at all restricted by his field.

The two men drew their swords and fought back and forth, the bright sword soaring like lightning, the cold air was freezing, one with a red glow brighter than the sun, the other with a gleam like surging ice, the two swords were separated into upper and lower, and the flags were waving in the wind, the flames were red.

Even a martial arts genius like Meng Kai couldn't help but feel thrilled and dazzled by the scene. He was so eager that he wanted to go up and fight in place of Zhu Wen!
Of course, Kou Qianzhi's skills were still superior to Zhu Wen's. Therefore, even if Huang Chao had spent the whole night to comprehend and figure out a sword move specifically to restrain Kou Qianzhi, Zhu Wen still mainly relied on blocking when facing Kou Qianzhi, with less attack and more defense.

However, even if Kou Qianzhi used his ultimate sword, he would still be unable to harm Zhu Wen. When Kou Qianzhi attacked with all his might, Zhu Wen only needed to find the weaknesses in Kou Qianzhi's swordsmanship and protect the vital points. By combining offense and defense, Kou Qianzhi would not be able to hurt him at all.

The Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sword, far superior to Kou Qianzhi's Moon in the Well, was wielded with unbridled force by the passionate and belligerent Zhu Wen. As the fight dragged on, Zhu Wen's spirit intensified, his eyes gleaming with a glint like a lacquer. This heroic presence only served to accentuate his refined and elegant features, like a banished immortal descending to earth.

Although beads of sweat had already seeped out of the necks of both men, it was obvious on both sides that Zhu Wen was attacking more and more, while defending less, and was gradually making up for his disadvantage.

Kou Qianzhi was renowned for his bravery and accustomed to prolonged battles. But the twenty-eight riders of Xingyun couldn't help but feel uneasy, like fifteen buckets of water being drawn, their hearts pounding with anxiety.

They were not ignorant people and could see that the young man who looked handsome and indescribable had a heart as strong as steel and was extremely tough. His resilience and endurance were even better than that of the battle-hardened Kou Qianzhi!

This was certainly due to the effectiveness of the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sword, but it was also due to Zhu Wen's own innate talent. Without this unwavering tenacity, how could he have had the sudden flash of inspiration in such desperate circumstances to discern Qi Kerang's three-pronged attack plan and propose a counterattack strategy using underground tunnels, thus turning the battle of Songzhou into victory?
The two fought relentlessly, a light drizzle falling from the sky, and the battle lasted for hundreds of rounds. At this point, everyone could see Zhu Wen's strategy: to rely on his ability to restrain Kou Qianzhi's swordsmanship, make up for his disadvantage in skill, and then use his unparalleled tenacity to wear down his opponent and thus win.

This was somewhat similar to the long-term deliberation technique in chess, which uses delay to wear down the opponent physically and mentally. However, a martial arts match was a constant drain on physical strength, and Kou Qianzhi was renowned for his bravery and fighting prowess, while Zhu Wen's resilience was even greater. So what was there to say?

Zhu Wen finally couldn't hold back any longer and uttered a low gasp, his eyes lingering as he asked, "General Kou, are you tired?"

"Men fight on the battlefield, some die in battle, but they never complain of being tired! You and I are in a life-and-death duel, what else is there to say!" Kou Qianzhi's sword moves obviously slowed down, but his words were still so sharp and full of edge.

"No, I mean, I can see the weariness that has worn on Kou Shuai over the years. For example, even though Kou Shuai is dressed in brocade, looking bright and beautiful, I can see the dust on his clothes."

When Zhu Wen said this, he truly felt a sense of empathy; he had already seen the outline of the answer he wanted.

Kou Qianzhi said, "As a soldier of the country, you should eat wind and drink dew. If there is dust on your clothes, isn't it normal?"

Zhu Wen said, "But if the dust settles into your heart, it will turn into sand and gravel, which will never dissolve."

During the conversation, there was a loud clang, and the two swords collided again, with dazzling sparks flying everywhere.

Kou Qianzhi also gasped and flew more than ten feet away. But Zhu Wen could clearly see the determination in his eyes.

Suddenly, Kou Qianzhi let out a long roar towards the sky, and the purple-gold crown on his head suddenly cracked apart. His messy hair flew all over the sky, and his murderous intent roared like a dragon, turning into a gust of wind and rushing towards Zhu Wen.

The light of the Moon in the Well sword suddenly increased, and it pointed towards the sky and slashed down.

Wherever the knife passed, a shallow knife mark appeared silently on the ground, spreading rapidly like a running snake.

This is exactly the manifestation of the invisible knife force acting on real matter.

At this moment, the murderous intent in Kou Qianzhi's eyes was almost solidified. This one sword blew out all his courage and fighting spirit, and he moved forward courageously wherever the sword went!

"Junior brother, be careful!"

Meng Kai and Duan Hongyan called out at the same time, their faces solemn, their eyes filled with worry for Zhu Wen.

Zhu Wen also roared, and the Great Xia Dragon Bird's long sword broke through the air without leaving any trace, but the color of the sword changed rapidly. The originally blood-red sword body turned into a translucent green-green color in an instant, like crystal.

Behind him, all kinds of green shadows appeared, as if the Green Emperor was nurturing all kinds of creatures, and all the trees were sprouting, creating a lush green and full of vitality. The swaying shadows of the lush trees were like balls of burning and undulating green fire.

And in this vast vitality, it seemed that there were thousands of green vines breaking through the air, flashing golden light, and strangling Kou Qianzhi with the intention of killing.

This was of course merely an image transformed from the sword's will, not a physical entity. However, the field condensed from the sword's will actually suppressed Kou Qianzhi, and he was not at all at a disadvantage.

"Cheep!"

The falcon that had been holding tightly to Kou Qianzhi's shoulder suddenly let out a cry that startled the sky and clouds, then suddenly soared into the sky, reaching a height of hundreds of feet and circling endlessly.

The light was so bright that it caught the eyes of all the spectators. When the sword light fell, Zhu Wen's Dragon Sparrow Sword had already pierced Kou Qianzhi's chest.

But Zhu Wen's body also shook violently, and blood spurted out of his mouth.

"General Kou!" The twenty-eight riders of Xingyun cried out in grief.

Duan Hongyan's rosy lips were still slightly parted. She wanted to cheer for Zhu Wen, but for some reason, she couldn't say a word in this tragic situation.

Only Meng Kai seemed relatively calm. "Junior brother has already figured it out. Since Kou Qianzhi can't break his attrition tactics, he can only make a desperate move and launch a desperate attack before his strength is exhausted."

"At this point, Kou Qianzhi's killing intent will be at its peak, but he'll also be vulnerable. If we calculate normally, he has a 30% chance of killing Kou Qianzhi, but a 70% chance of dying in Kou Qianzhi's desperate struggle."

"May the gods and Buddhas protect me! My junior brother finally won the bet." At this point, Meng Kai could not contain his excitement.

"Why a 30% chance?" Zhu Wen swallowed a mouthful of blood. "Many times, a 10% chance is worth a gamble. Besides, when General Kou failed to kill me in our first duel, I realized he lacked the most important thing—the determination to kill."

He shifted his gaze, met Kou Qianzhi's eyes, and said slowly, "General Kou, is what I said wrong?"

Kou Qianzhi was stabbed in the heart and was doomed to die, but Zhu Wen still treated him with great respect.

Because Kou Qianzhi is indeed a respectable opponent, and his strength is superior to Zhu Wen.

Even though Zhu Wen miraculously learned the "Green Fire and Golden Light Sword" style of the Qingdi Sword Technique taught by Huang Chao within a few days.

He still had a great chance of killing Kou Qianzhi.

However, Zhu Wen not only needed the fame that came from defeating Kou Qianzhi with a weak advantage, but also needed to go through this life-or-death, critical situation to elevate his state of mind and martial arts.

Therefore, even though there was a high possibility of being killed on the spot, he still did not hesitate to fight with Kou Qianzhi!
"That's true." Kou Qianzhi let out a long breath, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth.

Normally, someone with severe chest and lung damage would have difficulty breathing, let alone speaking so clearly. However, Kou Qian's internal skills were profound, unmatched by ordinary people, and he used his remaining strength to protect his heart meridians. Therefore, in his final moments, he was able to speak without any problems.

The eagle flying high in the sky let out a sharp cry and swooped down towards Zhu Wen angrily, but was driven away by Zhu Wen waving his arms.

Kou Qianzhi also whistled, signaling the Falcon not to attack Zhu Wen, and the overall situation was settled.

"General Kou seems to have promised me that if I can win this fight, he will be willing to answer your question. There's no loyalty to the Tang Dynasty in General Kou's eyes, so why is he fighting?"

Kou Qianzhi sighed, "Indeed, my ancestor was the famous founding hero, Kou Zhonggong. In his early years, he was like the bearded man, and he once wanted to compete with Emperor Taizong for the world."

"Oh, my passion can move others, but not myself. Every time I fight, my heart is as still as a lake, as dead as a tree. To live up to my ancestors' reputation, I strive for promotion and fight, but I cannot see the way out of this era."

Kou Qianzhi said self-deprecatingly, "Don't I see that the government is in chaos, and the royal army kills people like cutting grass? But when your righteous army passes through the border, won't it also leave a thousand miles of barren land?"

"Master and the Alliance Leader have done their best to enforce military discipline," Zhu Wen said. "But the Righteous Army is a mixed bag, and without a base, they fight on the move, consuming a huge amount of supplies. This does indeed often cause disturbances to the people, I don't deny. But if we can establish a new era, all will be well."

"A new era?" Kou Qianzhi smiled bitterly. "Who can save the world? Who can create a new era? How can you and I see it at a glance?"

"My body is beginning to grow cold, but I feel no fear, nor do I harbor the slightest hatred for you. A clay pot left out of the well will break, and a general is bound to die on the battlefield. This is simply a soldier's duty."

"But before I bid farewell to this mortal world, young man, I want to ask you, in these last days, what is the meaning of my life? Has my life been wasted?"

Zhu Wen pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "General Kou, please listen to what I have to say."

"Humans live between heaven and earth, and life is like an everlasting song; that's its true meaning. And Coach Kou, you fought well and gave it your all. Your life is truly wonderful, and your passion is no act!"

Kou Qianzhi was slightly taken aback, then revealed a relieved smile: "It seems that I, Kou, really deserved to die today."

He moved his lips vigorously and continued, "But I, Kou, still have something unfinished, and I would like to entrust it to you, young general."

Zhu Wen said, "General Kou, what is your long-cherished wish? Just tell me."

Kou Qianzhi said, "There's a big bandit in Haizhou who rapes women and slaughters civilians. I wanted to get rid of him, but then I received an order from General Qi to rush to the battlefield in Songzhou..."

Before he finished speaking, Meng Kai, standing beside him, raised his thick eyebrows, patted his muscular chest with all his might, and shouted, "Such a trivial matter is not worth mentioning! Without waiting for my junior brother to take action, I will eliminate this villain and fulfill Commander Kou's last wish!"

Kou Qianzhi showed a look of relief: "Huang Chao has accepted two good disciples..." As he spoke, he slowly closed his eyes, his expression peaceful.

"Please rest assured, Commander Kou. Our righteous army will never forget our original aspirations and fail to live up to Commander Kou's expectations."

As Zhu Wen spoke, he quickly pulled out the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sword, and immediately blood gushed out from Kou Qianzhi's chest, like a waterfall rising three thousand feet!

(End of this chapter)