Peninsula: I'm being supported by a top idol.

Kim Yu-shin strode into the arena, his steps steady, as if guided by an invisible drumbeat.

The old general didn't look at the weapons scattered on the ground, nor at his dejected juniors.

His gaze.

The burden fell solely on Cui Yuan from beginning to end!

That gaze was like a deep, still well, calm and undisturbed, yet it contained a powerful will and killing intent forged through countless trials of blood and fire.

For the first time, a serious expression appeared on Cui Yuan's face.

He straightened his armor, bowed slightly to the renowned veteran of the peninsula, and gave a deeper salute than before.

This is a tribute to our predecessors, and also to the truly strong.

Kim Yu-shin nodded slightly in return.

Then, he slowly drew the sword from his waist.

It was not an ornately decorated item; the sword was simple and unadorned, with dark red bloodstains on the blade. As soon as the sword was drawn, an aura of iron-blooded killing intent spread out, even dimming the surrounding firelight.

He didn't adopt any fancy starting stance; he simply held the sword with both hands, upright in front of him.

But in that instant, his entire demeanor changed!

It was as if a frail old man had suddenly transformed into a roused lion, or an immovable mountain, with an overwhelming pressure looming over us!

Then, he took a step forward, his movements seemingly slow, yet carrying a strange rhythm, as if shrinking the distance to an inch, and instantly appeared in front of Cui Yuan!

The ancient sword in his hand slashed down without any fancy moves!

This sword strike, though seemingly simple, embodies the veteran's lifelong will to fight and kill!

Before the sword wind even arrived, a fierce and domineering aura enveloped Cui Yuan as if it were a tangible entity, causing his blood to freeze slightly!

All the Tang envoys present, including Heichi Changzhi, became serious, and Wang Jian's palms were sweating.

Cui Yuan's pupils contracted slightly, realizing that he had truly encountered a master.

He didn't take the hit head-on; instead, he changed his footwork and his figure drifted away to the side and back like a willow catkin in the wind.

At the same time, the ring-pommel sword transformed into a streak of light, not to parry, but to slash diagonally at the opponent's sword-wielding wrist, attacking where the opponent would have to defend!

Kim Yu-shin flipped his wrist, changing the sword's momentum from a slash to a sweep, and precisely struck the side of the blade.

A deafening clang, far more resounding than any previous clash, rang out!

Sparks flew everywhere under the moonlight!

The two touched and separated, only to collide again like magnets!

Kim Yu-shin's swordsmanship is seemingly simple yet profoundly skillful. Each strike is powerful and heavy, carrying the fierce momentum of a thousand troops charging forward. The wind from his swords is so strong that it even causes the nearby torches to flicker.

Cui Yuan's sword, on the other hand, was like a petrel in a storm—agile, swift, and precise.

He was no longer confined to a small space, but instead unleashed his full potential, sometimes as slippery as a fish and sometimes as swift as a hawk swooping down from the sky.

The swords clashed and clashed so fast it was dazzling, the sounds of their dense, rain-like collisions never ceasing, each strike sending chills down one's spine.

More than twenty rounds have passed in the blink of an eye!

The two figures moved nimbly and darted around the field, their figures almost completely obscured by the flashing blades.

This is the true art of battlefield combat, extremely dangerous, and completely different from the previous "sparring"!

Everyone held their breath and stared wide-eyed.

In the thirtieth move, Jin Yuxin suddenly exhaled and let out a low roar like muffled thunder. The ancient sword suddenly shone brightly, transforming into a streak of light, abandoning all other changes, and pierced straight into Cui Yuan's central palace!

This is a sword strike that embodies the essence and spirit of the entire body, charging forward without hesitation and with no turning back!

"Well done!" Cui Yuan's eyes flashed with divine light, and he neither dodged nor avoided, exhaling loudly!

He strode forward, twisting his waist and turning his arm, his ring-pommel sword drawing a stunning reverse arc from bottom to top, the blade meeting the sword with perfect precision:

"Hey!!"

"Clang—Buzz!!!"

A deafening explosion! Louder than all the previous sounds combined!

The sparks exploded like fireworks!

Kim Yu-shin trembled violently, feeling an irresistible force and an incomparably sharp spiraling energy coming from the sword at the same time. His tiger's mouth instantly split open, blood gushing out, and his five fingers could no longer hold on!

"Whoosh—Pfft!"

The ancient sword that had accompanied him through half his life of battles flew out of his hand, drawing an arc in the air before diagonally embedding itself in the ground not far away. The blade was still trembling violently, emitting a long, unwilling hum!

Kim Yu-shin staggered backward, taking a full five steps before he could barely regain his footing.

He looked down at his right hand, which was bleeding profusely and trembling slightly, then slowly looked up at the Tang general in the arena, who was breathing slightly rapidly, holding a knife, and whose eyes were still clear and firm.

Silence spread between the two of them, and throughout the courtyard.

After a long while, Kim Yu-shin took a deep breath, as if suppressing all the shock, resentment, and complex emotions into his heart.

He straightened his somewhat disheveled robes and bowed deeply and solemnly to Cui Yuan:

"The younger generation is truly formidable... I, an old man, am utterly defeated."

These words shocked the entire audience!

What was Kim Yu-shin's status? What was his prestige?

He actually admitted defeat himself, saying that he was "completely convinced"!

Cui Yuan immediately returned the greeting with a full salute, his voice slightly panting from the intense battle, but still clear:

"The great horn was yielded to Cui Yuan, who was fortunate to have done so."

He sheathed his sword, turned, and faced the throne again, bowing with his hands clasped. His robes were spotless, except for fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead in the firelight.

"In his haste to win, Cui Yuan disrupted the banquet and overstepped his bounds. I humbly beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

His voice was calm, as if the one who had just defeated thirteen generals was a completely different person.

Kim Beop-min sat on the throne, the smile on his face long gone.

He stared at Cui Yuan, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. After a long while, he slowly spoke:

"Sir Cui's martial arts are superb; what crime has he committed? Guards, bring him wine."

A maid brought over a golden cup.

Cui Yuan took it and drank it all in one gulp.

Just as he tilted his head back to drink, his gaze inadvertently swept across the heavy gauze curtains on his right side of the table—

Behind one of the gauze curtains, a slender figure stood quietly, seemingly having been watching for a long time.

The candlelight shone through the gossamer-thin gauze curtain, vaguely outlining the woman's slender figure.

She wore the most formal red gorye skirt for noblewomen of Silla, with a light gold brocade jacket on top and a skirt as beautiful and dazzling as the sunset. However, a light veil covered her face, concealing her features.

Only a pair of eyes, clear as the purest waters of the Han River under the autumn sun, were staring at him intently, unblinking.

Their eyes met silently in the air, separated by swaying light and shadow and a noisy crowd.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment.

Cui Yuan saw the flickering firelight clearly reflected in her eyes, saw his own figure standing with a cup in the firelight, and also saw the throbbing hidden deep in her eyes.

Finally, in the deepest recesses of those clear eyes, a ripple stirred that even she herself might not have noticed…

The girl seemed to realize that her focused gaze had been noticed, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes. Like a startled fawn, her long eyelashes drooped suddenly, and she hurriedly disappeared into the depths of the gauze curtain.

Only a faint, delicate fragrance remained, subtly permeating the aroma of wine and smoke, lingering around Cui Yuan's nose for a long time...