Sword of Light: Humanoid Self-Propelled Artillery

Chapter 123 Intercepting Duan Peng
Of course, it was precisely because of Duan Peng's action of carrying the sack that Wei Dayong discovered that Duan Peng was a martial arts master hidden among the people.

It's worth noting that Wei Heshang is usually very strict and critical in the show, rarely giving others positive feedback. However, Duan Peng made him willingly give a thumbs up for the first time. This recognition is undoubtedly the best proof of Duan Peng's strength.

Although the TV series did not directly give a clear answer as to who had the better martial arts skills between Wei Heshang and Duan Peng.

However, a casual remark by Li Yunlong reveals a subtle meaning, prompting people to secretly compare the two men's strengths.

In the drama, Wei Heshang, relying on his status as a veteran, deliberately assigned Duan Peng a bunch of miscellaneous tasks. Duan Peng was naturally unhappy about this, so he started arguing with him, and the two of them started arguing back and forth.

Initially, Monk Wei didn't pay much attention to Duan Peng, thinking that he was just a novice who had practiced martial arts for a few days and was definitely not worth mentioning compared to him, who came from Shaolin Temple.

However, when they actually started fighting, Wei Heshang noticed something was off. He sincerely said to Duan Peng, "Your legwork is pretty good, kid!"

Next, the two sides engaged in another fierce battle, but this time the situation was different. Wei Heshang seemed to have become a solid defensive line, while Duan Peng transformed into a fierce offensive, constantly launching attacks on Wei Heshang, forcing Wei Heshang to retreat repeatedly and turn defense into offense.

From this scene, it's clear that Monk Wei doesn't have the upper hand in his duel with Duan Peng. He might be able to hold his ground and avoid defeat, but winning will be no easy feat; the two are evenly matched.

Next, when Li Yunlong rushed over and spoke, he said to Duan Peng in a way that made everyone suddenly realize, "Give him a beating and let him know that there are always people more capable than you, and there is always something beyond your understanding."

This statement subtly leaves room for Wei Heshang, considering that although Wei Heshang's position is only that of a guard, he is still of higher rank than the ordinary soldier Duan Peng. This approach demonstrates respect while maintaining a harmonious team atmosphere.

Generally speaking, given that Wei Heshang held a higher position and was indeed a cut above Duan Peng in martial arts, it was highly unlikely that Li Yunlong would suggest that Duan Peng teach Wei Heshang a lesson, a suggestion that seemed illogical. After all, logically speaking, if Wei Dayong were more skilled, Li Yunlong wouldn't have made that suggestion.

Then, Duan Peng's next words further confirmed this point. He said firmly, "Commander, what you just said, hitting him doesn't count as violating discipline."

Imagine this scene: Duan Peng has personally experienced Wei Heshang's amazing martial arts skills. However, instead of feeling any fear, he is filled with the impulse and determination to compete with this master again.

This scene shows that Duan Peng's martial arts skills are clearly superior to Wei Heshang's; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so confident in challenging him. After all, one shouldn't take on a task beyond one's capabilities.

Therefore, based on various events in the Bright Sword storyline, it can be inferred that Duan Peng's combat prowess is higher than Wei Dayong's. Of course, even if he is higher than Wei Dayong, it wouldn't be by much; the difference between the two is not significant.

If the gap between the two sides is too large, then it's a matter of one move to resolve the issue, just like when Wei Dayong knocked Li Yunlong down with one palm.

Of course, only a short while passed when Wang Gensheng was recalling information about Duan Peng from "Bright Sword" in his mind. Then, Wang Gensheng saw Wei Dayong planning to report to Li Yunlong about rescuing Duan Peng.

Wang Gensheng knew it was his turn to act; he couldn't wait any longer.

If we wait any longer, Duan Peng, this fierce general, will be lured away by Li Yunlong.

So Wang Gensheng immediately stood up from the table and quickly ran to Duan Peng's side.

At this moment, Duan Peng was still giving way to the puppet soldiers and Japanese soldiers, not wanting to kill anyone. However, the Japanese soldiers had already been provoked and were preparing to draw their guns.

Wang Gensheng showed no mercy, grabbing the Japanese soldier's head and, with a gentle squeeze, releasing all his strength with a crack, leaving him limp on the ground. "Alright! Don't show any mercy to these puppet troops! Let's get out of here!"

After saying that, Wang Gensheng decisively killed the two puppet soldiers. Before Duan Peng could react from his confusion, Wang Gensheng pulled Duan Peng and ran into a small alley on the side of the street.

At this moment, Wei Dayong arrived with Li Yunlong. Seeing Duan Peng being pulled away by Wang Gensheng, Li Yunlong felt for some reason as if he had lost something important.

After Wang Gensheng led Duan Peng into the alley and shook off the Japanese soldiers, he spoke:

"I'm telling you, you're supposed to be a martial artist, how come you have no guts at all! You've been bullied by the Japanese devils so much and you still don't dare to kill them! Do you have to let the Japanese devils beat you to death before you're satisfied?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Peng said with some helplessness:

"Brother, I also want to kill him! But I still have my mother at home!"

In response, Wang Gensheng said:
"If you don't kill them, they'll kill you. Didn't you see that some Japanese soldiers tried to shoot you just now? No matter how good your martial arts are, you can still block bullets. If you die, your mother will have no one to take care of her! But if you join the Eighth Route Army, even if you die in battle, other Eighth Route Army soldiers will take care of your mother!"

Upon hearing Wang Gensheng's words, Duan Peng immediately asked in surprise:

"Brother, are you also a member of the Eighth Route Army?"

"Yes! Wang Gensheng, commander of the 129th Lion Cavalry Regiment of the Eighth Route Army! And you? What's your name?"

Although Wang Gensheng already knew that the person in front of him was Duan Peng, the number one expert in Liangjian, he still pretended not to know and asked Duan Peng for his name.

Duan Peng did not hide anything from the person who had stepped forward to help him:
"Brother, my name is Duan Peng, from Duanjiagou! I never expected you to be a regimental commander!"

"What?! It doesn't look like it!"

"Dude, you'd look quite like him if you hadn't lost your beard!"

As Duan Peng spoke, Wang Gensheng realized that half of his glued-on beard had fallen off during the earlier action, so he simply ripped it off and said:
"Duan Peng, don't let my youth fool you. I am the commander of the Eighth Route Army Cavalry Regiment. If you follow me, with your martial arts skills, I guarantee you'll become a battalion commander within two years!"

Wang Gensheng wasn't bragging. Although he could only directly promote platoon leaders now, and would need the Lion Commander's approval to promote a battalion commander, Duan Peng's skills would make becoming a battalion commander within two years a piece of cake.

As expected, Wang Gensheng's words immediately made Duan Peng's eyes light up, and he immediately said:

"Alright! If you really are the regimental commander, then I, Duan Peng, will follow you!"

Wang Gensheng was not surprised by Duan Peng's words. After all, martial artists also have pride, and Duan Peng would definitely not want to start from the lowest rank like an ordinary soldier.

(End of this chapter)