Young Jiang Ziya

Several days later.

Beneath a surface of order, an uneasy undercurrent was stirring within Xiqi City. The frequency of garrison patrols had noticeably increased, and checks on unfamiliar faces had become much stricter. Rumors about "blood puppets eating people outside the city" and "a certain village being wiped out overnight" were quietly spreading through the streets and alleys like weeds in a cold wind.

At noon that day, a series of urgent alarm bells and a commotion came from the direction of the West Gate!

"An enemy attack?!"

"It's not a blood puppet! It's a person riding a horse!"

"He broke in!"

Ji Fa was supervising the new recruits' drills at the training ground when he heard the news. He immediately led a squad of personal guards, with Lü Shang following closely behind, and sped towards the west gate. Ji Chang, also under the protection of Yun Zhen, Wu Dan, and others, arrived from the direction of the Marquis's residence.

The main street inside the West Gate had been cleared by the guards, creating an open space. In the center of the open space, a man and a horse stood silently.

The man was completely shrouded in a tattered but heavy black cloak, and his face was covered with a rusty metal mask that only revealed his eyes.

He rode a similarly thin, sunken-eyed black warhorse, which was unusually quiet, almost silent.

The man and his horse exuded an aura of deathly stillness, completely out of place with the vibrant world around them.

The sunlight fell on them, but it seemed to have its warmth absorbed, leaving only cold shadows.

What is most striking is his armor, which is ancient in style, covered with marks of chiseling and blackening and dark red stains. Its style is very different from the standard armor of the Xiqi garrison today, but some older veterans feel that it looks vaguely familiar.

The guards were on high alert, surrounding him with layers of spears and shields, while archers drew their bows and arrows from rooftops and walls. But the black-armored warrior seemed oblivious to the swords, spears, and arrows around him. He simply sat quietly on his horse, his gaze slowly sweeping over Ji Chang, Ji Fa, and the others who were approaching through the gaps in his visor.

His gaze was cold and empty, like a bottomless icy pool, devoid of any human emotion.

"Who goes there? What are you doing trespassing in Xiqi?!" Lei Kai stepped forward, sword in hand, and shouted sternly. He was on duty today and was the first to arrive upon hearing the news.

The black-armored warrior did not answer. He didn't even glance at Lei Kai; his gaze finally settled on Ji Chang.

Then, he moved.

His movements were stiff yet precise. He took something from his pocket—a folded piece of gray parchment with worn edges—and with a flick of his wrist, the parchment landed precisely three feet in front of Ji Chang's horse.

He didn't utter a single word from beginning to end.

The parchment was unfolded, revealing only one sentence written in a dark red, almost dried-blood-like handwriting:

"Three days from now, at noon, on the training ground, who will challenge me to a duel?"

A naked challenge.

"Arrogant!" Lei Kai roared in fury. "This cowardly coward dares to challenge my Xiqi?! Take him down!"

"Wait a minute." Ji Chang raised his hand to stop Lei Kai. He stared at the challenge letter on the ground, then looked up and took a deep look at the black-armored warrior on horseback, his brows furrowed. This armor... this aura... why does it feel so strangely familiar?

"My lord! These people of unknown origin are clearly provoking us!" Lei Kai said urgently.

Just then, a young soldier stepped forward from the guard, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and proclaimed loudly, "My lord! Young master! This humble general, Du He, is willing to fight for Xiqi and confront this cowardly and treacherous madman!"

Du He is young, but he is burly and has sharp eyes. He is a rising star who has performed bravely in the recent operation to eliminate the scattered blood puppets. He is full of enthusiasm and eager to make contributions and prove himself.

Ji Fa looked at Ji Chang. Ji Chang pondered for a moment, then said to the black-armored warrior, "Your challenge is accepted by Xiqi. Three days later, at the training ground, Du He will fight you."

The black-armored warrior remained silent. He glanced at Ji Chang one last time, then seemed to quickly sweep his gaze over Ji Fa, Lü Shang, and the others, before pulling on the reins.

The thin horse silently turned around, began to stride, and headed slowly back towards the city gate it had come from. The onlookers, guards and civilians, instinctively parted to the sides, and no one dared to stop it.

Only when the figure of the man and his horse disappeared into the shadows of the city gate did the crowd seem to breathe a sigh of relief and begin to whisper among themselves.

"Who is that person?"

"Such a heavy killing intent..."

Lu Shang stood behind Ji Fa, his brows slightly furrowed. During that brief standoff, his spiritual vision had been activated subconsciously for a moment.

He saw that the black-armored warrior was shrouded in an extremely thin, yet condensed and persistent gray-black mist. It was neither the light of life nor the filth of blood plague, but a strange energy that was closer to "death" and "obsession".

The horse's condition was equally strange. But he dared not look at it too closely, much less make a sound.

Ji Chang ordered his men to put away the challenge letter and returned to the Marquis's residence with a solemn expression. Ji Fa then comforted Du He, who had volunteered for the battle, and told him to prepare well.

That night, at Shi Yuan Pharmacy.

Lu Shang couldn't help but tell Shi Yuan in detail what he had seen during the day, especially the eerie "deathly stillness" emanating from the black-armored warrior.

After listening, Shi Yuan remained silent for a long time, his face appearing obscure under the oil lamp.

"Sir, do you know that person's background?" Lü Shang asked tentatively.

Shi Yuan sighed deeply, not answering directly, but muttering, "That armor style... thirty years... could it really be..."

He suddenly stood up and said to Lü Shang, "You wait here, I'm going out for a bit." After saying that, he hurriedly left the medicine courtyard, seemingly heading towards the Marquis's residence.

Lü Shang's doubts deepened.

**The Marquis's Residence, Study.**

Shi Yuan requested an audience, but Ji Chang dismissed his attendants.

"My lord," Shi Yuan said bluntly, his voice low, "that black-armored warrior during the day... I dare to guess that his identity is probably related to someone from thirty years ago."

Ji Chang's eyes narrowed slightly: "Who?"

"Former garrison commander - Cha Rong."

"Cha Rong?" Ji Chang's pupils contracted slightly, then he shook his head decisively. "Impossible! Cha Rong is already dead. Thirty years ago, I personally... verified his identity and buried him. How can the dead be brought back to life? Mr. Shi Yuan, are you perhaps blind with age?"

Shi Yuan met Ji Chang's suddenly sharp and even slightly cold gaze, and said with a forced smile, "This old man dares not speak presumptuously. But the style and pattern of the armor, especially the unique repair mark on the left shoulder blade, are exactly the same as the one Cha Rong wore back then! And that aura... although it is strange and deathly still, the figure and posture seem familiar to this old man."

"My lord, this matter is suspicious; we must investigate it thoroughly!"

Ji Chang remained silent, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk. The air in the study seemed to freeze. After a long while, he slowly said, "I personally supervised the construction of Cha Rong's tomb. If you don't believe me, you can go and see for yourself."

As for the people here today… perhaps someone is deliberately impersonating us, wearing our old armor to sow discord among our troops. I know what I'm doing in this matter.”

His tone returned to calm, yet carried an undeniable distance: "It's late, Mr. Shi Yuan, please return. Do not mention this matter to anyone else."

Shi Yuan opened his mouth, but in the end he could only bow and say, "...Yes, this old man takes his leave."

Leaving the Marquis's residence, Shi Yuan's doubts deepened. Ji Chang's reaction, rather than being disbelief, was more like...resistance?

He returned to the pharmacy and saw Lü Shang still waiting. He simply shook his head and said, "This matter is complicated. Don't ask too many questions for now. Tomorrow... come with me somewhere."

**On the other side, outside Ji Fa's residence.**

Daji found an opportunity to meet Ji Fa alone.

"Ji Fa," she said with a worried look on her face, "I...I'm a little worried about the duel in three days."

"Are you worried about Du He?" Ji asked.

"Hmm." Daji nodded. "That black-armored warrior gave me a bad feeling. Du He is brave, but he is still young and inexperienced. I'm afraid he... might make a mistake. You... could you..." She hesitated.

Ji Fa understood her meaning, and shook his head with a wry smile: "Miss Su, I understand your good intentions. But Du He volunteered for the mission in front of everyone as a soldier. This concerns his honor and the morale of the army."

If I were to propose taking over at this moment, it would not only be an insult to Du He, but it would also demoralize the other soldiers, making them believe that their commander does not trust his subordinates and is even trying to steal credit. This is a major taboo in the army.

Daji understood this principle, but the unease in her heart was hard to dispel: "But..."

"No buts." Ji Fa said firmly, "Since Du He has accepted the challenge, it is his battle."

All we can do is trust him and let him give it his all. Besides, Father and Lei Kai will be there; they won't let that madman run rampant.

Daji sighed and said no more, but the shadow in her heart lingered.

The three days passed quickly amidst intense preparation and anxious waiting.

At noon on the third day, at the Xiqi Grand Training Ground.

Despite the biting wind, the drill ground was surrounded by a large crowd. Besides the soldiers on guard duty, many brave civilians also squeezed to the outside to watch.

On the high platform, Ji Chang sat in the center, with Ji Fa, Lei Kai, Wu Dan, Yun Zhen and others standing on his left and right.

Lu Shang, as Ji Fa's personal male servant, stood not far behind him. Daji was also allowed to watch from the sidelines.

Shi Yuanze stood in an inconspicuous corner, his expression solemn.

In the center of the arena, Du He, already fully armed and holding a spear, paced back and forth, stretching his limbs, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit. He was the face of Xiqi today.

Noon at the exact time.

At the entrance to the training ground, the skinny black horse, carrying its silent master, reappeared.

The black-armored warrior slowly rode into the arena, stopping twenty paces from Du He and dismounting. His movements still carried an unnatural stiffness.

He still did not carry any long weapons, only a simple bronze longsword hanging at his waist.

The supervising officer loudly announced the rules: foot combat, weapons are not limited, until one side admits defeat, falls to the ground, or dies.

The drums are beating!

Du He roared and launched the first attack! His steps were swift, and his spear was like a poisonous dragon emerging from its cave, whistling through the air, as it pierced straight into the chest of the black-armored warrior!

This spear strike was powerful, swift, and ruthless, drawing cheers from the surrounding Xiqi soldiers!

The black-armored warrior neither dodged nor evaded, nor even drew his sword. He simply raised his left hand, gloved with iron, and grabbed at the spearhead with a fierce strike!

"Clang!!"

A piercing metallic scraping sound! He had actually managed to grab the spear tip firmly in his hand! Du He's forward momentum abruptly stopped, his expression changed, and he struggled to wrest the spear back, but it didn't budge an inch!

The black-armored warrior then placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword, and with a "clang," drew his sword from its sheath.

The sword was dull and lifeless, yet it exuded a somber chill. With a flick of his wrist, the longsword slashed upwards along the spear shaft, aiming straight for Du He's hands!

Du He had no choice but to let go of the spear, leap backward in a disheveled manner, and at the same time draw his own sword.

At the first encounter, their weapons were seized, and the Xiqi side immediately fell silent.

Ji Fa frowned deeply. Ji Chang's face was ashen. Lei Kai clenched his fists.

The black-armored warrior casually tossed aside the spear he had seized and stepped forward, sword in hand.

His movements were slow, even somewhat sluggish, but each step was frighteningly steady, as if he were tireless and unaffected by his opponent's attacks.

Du He rallied his forces and launched a fierce attack. His swordsmanship was a deadly technique honed on the battlefield, ruthless and direct.

However, the black-armored warrior's swordsmanship was exceptionally concise, efficient, and even... mechanical.

There were no fancy moves, no superfluous actions. Every block and every counterattack was precisely aimed at the weakest link in Du He's offensive, as if he could predict Du He's every move.

What was even more terrifying was his strength. When the swords clashed, Du He's arms went numb from the impact, and he had to retreat repeatedly.

The black-armored warrior, however, seemed rooted to the spot, remaining unmoved. After dozens of rounds, Du He was panting heavily and drenched in sweat, but the black-armored warrior showed no signs of fatigue, and his movements remained perfectly fluid.

"Is this...is this guy made of iron?" a soldier exclaimed in a low voice.

"Du He can't hold on much longer!" someone worried.

Lu Shang stared intently at the arena. In his spiritual vision, the gray-black death aura surrounding the black-armored warrior seemed to be... becoming more active as the battle continued?

"This can't go on..." Ji Fa whispered to Lei Kai beside him.

Lei Kai's face was grim, but he also knew that this was a public duel and no one else could interfere.

Just as Du He's powerful slash was parried, leaving him wide open, the black-armored warrior's sword, like a venomous snake that had been waiting for a long time, suddenly stabbed towards Du He's waist and abdomen at an extremely tricky angle!

Du He couldn't dodge in time and could only barely turn to the side.

"laugh--!"

The sword tip grazed Du He's ribs, leaving a trail of blood! But because of this sidestep, Du He's sword also struck the black-armored warrior's left arm at the same time, shattering the armor plates with a dull thud.

The two passed each other.

Blood gushed from Du He's ribs, staining his battle robe red, but he gritted his teeth and stood firm, his gaze fixed on his opponent. The black-armored warrior's left arm armor was damaged, but he seemed completely unconcerned, not even glancing at the wound.

A brief pause.

The black-armored warrior raised his sword again and stepped forward. Du He took a deep breath, preparing to face an even fiercer attack. However, perhaps due to blood loss leading to decreased stamina, or perhaps due to anxiety from prolonged fighting, Du He slipped slightly while parrying a heavy blow from his opponent.

It's this tiny, insignificant flaw!

The black-armored warrior's swordplay suddenly changed, from slashing to thrusting, as fast as lightning! Du He swung his blade to block, but was a fraction too slow!

"puff!"

The longsword pierced through the leather armor and plunged deep into Du He's abdomen!

Du He's body stiffened abruptly, his eyes widened, and blood gushed from his mouth.

"Du He!!" Exclamations rang out from all around the training ground.

Ji Fa suddenly stood up. Ji Chang also gripped the armrest tightly.

The black-armored warrior withdrew his longsword, drawing a spray of blood. Du He staggered backward, using his sword for support to avoid falling, but he was clearly severely injured.

The outcome seems to be decided.

The supervising officer was about to step forward to stop the fight and announce the result.

However, the black-armored warrior did not stop. He raised his sword again, the tip pointing at the swaying Du He, his eyes still devoid of emotion, only cold, command-driven killing intent.

"Stop! He's already lost!" Ji Fa couldn't help but shout.

But the black-armored warrior seemed not to hear. He stepped forward and walked towards Du He again, brandishing his sword—this time in a decapitation stance!

"Damn it!" Ji Fa's eyes were bloodshot as he was about to rush onto the field!

"Ji Fa!" Ji Chang shouted in a low voice. At the same time, Lei Kai and several guards blocked Ji Fa's path.

In the arena, the heavily injured Du He looked at the sword falling down on his head, his eyes bursting with final unwillingness and madness. With his last bit of strength, he threw the knife in his hand at his opponent's face!

The black-armored warrior tilted his head slightly, the blade grazing his visor. His sword, however, had already fallen mercilessly.

Du He slowly collapsed to the ground.

The drill ground was deathly silent.

Immediately following were suppressed gasps and indignant growls.

The black-armored warrior sheathed his blood-dripping longsword as if he had done something insignificant. He then took out another piece of the same gray parchment from his robes, flicked his wrist, and sent it flying towards the platform, landing in front of Ji Chang.

The lettering above is still in dark red:

"Three days later, at noon, here again. We'll decide then."

Then, he turned around, walked to his skinny horse that stood still, mounted it, and amidst the deathly silence and countless angry, furious gazes, he once again left the training ground unhurriedly.

"Ah—!! I'm going to kill you!!!" Du He's fellow villager and friend, the young soldier Wang Zhi, with bloodshot eyes, roared as he rushed out of the crowd to give chase.

"Wang Zhi! Stop right there!" Lei Kai roared.

Wang Zhi stopped in his tracks, turned abruptly to face the high platform, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed, his voice choked with emotion but firm: "My lord! Young master! This humble general Wang Zhi and Du He are from the same hometown and joined the army together, and we are like brothers!"

This scoundrel slaughtered my brothers and showed utter contempt for Xiqi! This humble general requests to fight! Three days later, we will fight him to the death! I beg Your Excellency to grant my request!

Ji Fa looked at Du He's corpse, at Wang Zhi kneeling and begging for battle, and at the suppressed anger and grief of the soldiers around him, his chest heaving violently.

The veins on his sword-wielding hand bulged, and he longed to chase after the black-armored warrior and tear him to pieces.

However, Ji Chang's cold voice rang out, silencing all the commotion:

"allow."

Wang Zhi kowtowed repeatedly, blood trickling from his forehead: "Thank you, Lord Marquis!"

Ji Chang rose, no longer looking at the tragic scene, and turned away, leaving only the words: "Give Du He a proper burial and provide compensation to his family. We will discuss it again in three days."

The crowd dispersed with heavy hearts. On the training ground, only the cold wind blew across the bloodstains, and the two declarations of war, soaked with anger and sorrow, remained.

No one noticed that as the crowd dispersed, Shi Yuan quietly pulled away Lü Shang, whose face had turned pale.

"Come on," Shi Yuan's voice was low and urgent, "come with me to a place."