In the seventeenth year of the Kaihuang era, I wrote my will in the examination hall.

Although Li Mi also practiced martial arts, how could he not know his chances of winning against a humanoid beast like Yang Xuangan?

The Prince of Changning in front of him is clearly setting a trap for him!

But when he looked at the group of eager soldiers behind him, and at the scarred-faced captain whose hope had just been ignited by his words, the word "no" felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat, impossible to spit out.

If he were to back down now, swallowing back those passionate and boastful words, not only would Li Mi be a laughingstock, but the Longxi Li clan would also have no reason to mention their past glory!

Li Mi took a deep breath and looked at Yang Yan in front of him, feeling a slight ache in his teeth.

Yang Yan remained calm and composed, seemingly unaware of the immense challenge he had presented to Li Mi. He even raised an eyebrow slightly, as if urging Li Mi to make a decision.

Where is this gentle and refined eldest grandson of the emperor? This is clearly a smiling tiger who will devour people without spitting out the bones!

Li Mi cursed inwardly, but on the surface he had to force himself to maintain an arrogant demeanor.

He straightened his somewhat disheveled robes, bowed slightly to Yang Yan, and spoke with a mixture of scholarly aloofness and helpless stubbornness:

"Your Highness, as a family of generals, we should use our wisdom and strategy to conquer the world."

"I, Li Mi, am a military genius, trained in the art of defeating ten thousand men, not in the bravery of a mere brute."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Yang Xuangan's imposing figure. A hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by an even more resolute light.

"If we only compare bravery and fighting skills, I know I am no match for Brother Yang's prowess."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xuangan let out a sneer and was about to speak sarcastically.

But then Li Mi's voice suddenly rose: "But! Today's matter is not for Li Mi's personal honor or disgrace, but for the justice on this training ground, and for the dignity of my comrades who have fought a hundred battles behind me!"

Even knowing he was outmatched, Li Mi was determined to fight!

"I, Li Mi, accept this challenge!"

The wind whipped up sand, causing Li Mi's clothes to flutter loudly.

Although he said "not as good as," these words were more impactful than any grand pronouncement.

To do something knowing it's impossible is what truly shows a hero's character.

Looking at Li Mi's young yet resolute face, Yang Yan's smile finally blossomed completely.

It became.

This fire not only cut off Li Mi and the arrogant young masters of Guanzhong, but also threw this rough gem into the whetstone.

"good!"

Yang Yan clapped his hands and laughed, his clear voice carrying far and wide.

"In that case, seven days from now, at noon, right here!"

"I will invite veteran generals from the army to judge, ensuring fairness and impartiality."

He turned around, his back to the sunlight, casting shadows over Yang Xuangan and Yuwen Zhiji, and said in a low voice, "I hope that when the time comes, you will not disappoint me, and also not... bring shame to the banner of the Great Sui."

Yang Xuangan snorted coldly, turned his horse around, and spurred it away: "Let's go!"

Yuwen Zhiji glared fiercely at Li Mi, then led his group of纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families) away in a roar, leaving behind only a mess of hoofprints and a cloud of dust.

Once those plague-ridden people have gone far away.

Li Mi's tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly. He turned to look at Yang Yan and said with a wry smile:

"Your Highness, you're putting Li Mi on the hot seat of trouble."

"Yang Xuangan possesses extraordinary strength, earning him the title of 'Overlord Reborn'; Yuwen Huaji is also a ruthless and vicious individual. Even with me, we'll still be short two people in the competition seven days from now..."

"Moreover, even if we manage to gather all the people, our chances of winning against them are probably less than 30%."

Yang Yan remained completely calm.

He walked up to the scarred man in front of him, reached out and patted the man's hard, iron-like shoulder guards, feeling the temperature beneath the rough armor plates.

"Who says they have to be sons of noble families?"

Yang Yan turned around, looked at Li Mi, pointed to the scarred-faced squad leader, and then to the old soldier in the corner who was still silently sharpening his knife, his eyes gleaming with an unusual light.

"Brother Li, didn't you just say that they were the cornerstone of the Sui Dynasty?"

"Since it's a cornerstone, let them see if it hurts when it falls on someone."

"This first person is both far away and right before our eyes."

Li Mi was taken aback. Following Yang Yan's finger, he looked directly into the scarred-faced captain's eyes, which were filled with wildness and longing.

"this……"

Li Mi was startled, and a crazy idea began to sprout in his mind.

Use the imperial guards to fight Xun Gui?

This is... a rebellious yet exhilaratingly strange move!

Yang Yan leaned close to Li Mi and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"As for the third person... Brother Li, don't panic."

"I happen to have a sharp knife here, and I was just wondering where to show it off."

"Just wait and see what happens in seven days."

……

The wind, swirling withered grass, danced beneath the towering gate of Daxingyuan.

The hustle and bustle of the training ground in the distance had been left behind, and the carriage inlaid with gold and jade, symbolizing the noble status of the Prince of Changning, was quietly parked beside the passageway.

The old horse snorted, its white breath vanishing in the cold wind.

Yang Yan stood beside the carriage with his hands behind his back, not in a hurry to get in.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on the young figure behind him who was following closely behind, his expression excited yet unable to hide a trace of unease.

"Xuansui, when you stood up for them today, did you consider the consequences?"

Li Mi paused, his previously straight spine stiffening slightly.

"Yang Su wields immense power in the court, with his protégés and former subordinates throughout the land; Yuwen Shu commands the Imperial Guards and is a favorite of His Majesty and the Prince of Jin. Even the current prime minister would give them a wide berth."

Yang Yan's voice was very soft: "Today, for the sake of a few unfamiliar soldiers, you publicly humiliated their sons, even forcing them to stake their family's honor in seven days. By taking this step, you have completely placed yourself on the opposite side of these two powerful clans."

"You should know that this is not only for yourself, but also for your already weakened Duke Pushan's mansion, by creating two powerful enemies for nothing."

Yang Yan took a half-step forward, his dark eyes fixed on Li Mi: "Was it worth it?"

Li Mi fell silent.

He glanced down at the sword at his waist, then looked back towards the training ground—where he could still vaguely see the soldiers packing up their tattered belongings. The eyes that had looked at him with awe and gratitude just moments before were now lingering in his mind.

A moment later, he raised his head, and the slight unease in his eyes was replaced by an unprecedented determination.

He took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "This humble servant...didn't think much at the time."

"This humble servant only knows that my Li family ancestors rose up with Emperor Taizu of Zhou, relying on military prowess to achieve fame and fortune, not on bowing down to the powerful and wealthy. If we dare not even intervene in such injustices, if we dare not even lift up the spines of the Sui soldiers when they are trampled on..."

Li Mi's voice trembled slightly, yet remained exceptionally firm: "Then I, Li Mi, have wasted my time studying the classics and honing my martial arts skills!"

The wind howled, as if cheering for these words.

"very good."

Yang Yan nodded, the scrutiny deep in his eyes finally fading, replaced by a satisfaction bordering on admiration.

He didn't get into the car, but turned around and slowly walked along the empty passageway.

"Walk with me for a while."

Li Mi was taken aback, then quickly followed. The two walked side by side, their boots making a rhythmic rustling sound as they stepped on the hard, yellow earth.

"Xuansui, have you ever thought about what kind of person you want to become in the future, and how you want others to record you in history books?"