"Xie Lanzhi." Si Xitong could no longer contain herself. Her beautiful eyes blazed with anger, and her aura was chilling: "You'd better give up that idea!"
Chapter 133 She Has the Upper Hand
She knew Little Phoenix was worried about her, but this time she had to go, not just for the sake of gaining control of Huayin South. Most importantly, it was a signal. Artu was the right-hand man of the new Xiongnu king, Aqina.
Then this person must have been sent by Achina.
He sent a challenge to Xie Lanzhi as soon as he went north, using sovereignty as leverage to ask her to fight him.
Xie Lanzhi knew very well that even if she didn't accept the challenge, it was only a matter of time before Huayin's southern sovereignty fell into the hands of Little Phoenix, so Artur's bargaining chips were simply not enough.
She went there to confirm one thing.
Was Aqina a time traveler?
If he's like her, then it means he knows the plot even better than she does. If someone who knows the second half of the original story better than she does harbors even the slightest evil intention, the world's situation could be turned upside down.
At that time, Little Phoenix may no longer be the protagonist, but Little Phoenix was originally the protagonist in this world. If this world follows certain natural laws, there will be no phenomenon that changes the ending.
The only thing that worried her was that Little Phoenix's path to becoming emperor would be even more difficult.
Her villainous character was originally intended to be an obstacle to Xiao Fenghuang's path to becoming empress. Now, however, the obstacle has become an asset. From the various changes over the past two years, she has realized that Xiao Fenghuang's storyline and destiny will remain unchanged. Xie Lanzhi is completely at ease about this.
There is only one variable, Achina.
Since the other side has sent someone to contact her, why not take this opportunity to find out what's going on with Aqina? Any amount is better than nothing.
"I've always indulged you and given in to you." Xie Lanzhi's expression darkened, but she dared not meet Si Xitong's eyes, afraid that if she did, Si Xitong would soften and agree to her request. She wouldn't go.
If we don't go, she'll miss out. And there's no way to prevent the huge changes that will happen to her future after she misses out.
She can no longer be like the rootless duckweed she came from, with no way home, drifting aimlessly wherever she goes.
"You always make me so uneasy. Even if you have your own reasons, have you ever thought about me?"
Si Xitong's pupils dilated, and shock spread across his eyes.
"I am Xie Lanzhi. I inherited Xie Ying's inner strength. I am the change in this world." Xie Lanzhi tilted her head and said in a calm voice again and again, "Only by stabilizing myself as a change can I make things easier for you."
"Now, I sense my own powerlessness."
"We found that the road ahead was getting more and more difficult. So difficult that it was almost suffocating."
Xie Lanzhi felt the woman beside her gradually tense up, and then tremble almost imperceptibly.
Her expression finally darkened: "I am confident that I will come back alive from this battle."
"You can't always act like a child; it's time to be independent."
After Xie Lanzhi finished speaking, she turned around, her lower lip trembling slightly. The reluctance in her heart surged and tore at her chest. Finally, she moved her lips and said the words that had been buried in her heart: "The phoenix and the dragon are both supreme emperors."
“I never thought it would happen, but sooner or later one of us will have to take this position.”
Finally, she carried the long halberd on her back and left the yamen, her figure disappearing inch by inch from Si Xitong's sight. Until she was out of sight, Si Xitong slowly walked into the main hall, sat down at her desk, and began to write diligently. Her handwriting trembled and became blurred, until a final tear fell onto the folded paper, revealing two bright characters: Lanzhi.
Xie Shangguang peeked into the yamen, his face full of worry, and dared not go in.
In truth, why did the marshal say such hurtful things? If he had simply spent some time coaxing the mistress, she might have agreed. But instead, the marshal chose this method of provocation, trying to make the mistress give in.
He even seemed to be in a hurry.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "The Marshal seems to be in a constant state of urgency lately."
What is she in such a hurry for?
Xie Lanzhi, who had ventured out of the mountain alone, was restless after descending. The long halberd in her hand trembled violently, releasing her fighting spirit.
She wasn't someone who enjoyed fighting and killing, but the world was different; many things required fighting and killing to bring order.
No matter how much information she can get from Artur, she must get the answer today!
Xie Lanzhi rode her horse to the designated long, narrow valley.
Artur was also alone, wielding a long sword with a black lacquered handle and a blade embroidered with a coiled dragon pattern. The sword was nearly two meters long and weighed about two hundred pounds, yet in his hands, it was as easy as an ordinary knife.
He rode his black horse closer and closer to Xie Lanzhi.
Xie Lanzhi rode her black horse toward him. The two figures faced each other, glaring at each other in the knee-high grass of Pinggu.
Artur could tell at a glance that her sinister aura was no less than his own. Her eyes were gentle like a gentleman's, but the coldness in her bones was undeniable.
This is a born killer. A strategist and commander.
Seeing his round belly, strong and fat physique, and seemingly vigorous energy, Xie Lanzhi concluded that this man was the standard general of ancient times.
"My name is Xie Lanzhi."
Artur didn't care whether her name was Xie Ying or Xie Lanzhi, because it didn't matter; what mattered was testing her strength.
He replied, "I didn't expect Marshal Xie to accept my challenge so quickly. I thought I would have to wait ten days or half a month."
He quickly changed the subject, his voice turning serious: "But if it really takes ten days or half a month, I will give up this match!"
"Even if Huayin South belongs to you, do not forget that the North will forever change hands."
At that time, regardless of whether it is in the north or south, the ruler of Anyi will be in an awkward position.
"I am here today in response to any of the benefits listed in your challenge. Regardless of whether the North and South are divided, the status of the King of Anyi will not change." Xie Lanzhi solemnly emphasized: "The South will always prioritize the royal family of Huayin."
“My wife is also a member of the royal family, and she understands the bitterness of being displaced and having one’s home destroyed. She will definitely not let this tragedy happen again.”
Artur was slightly taken aback, but he quickly suppressed his emotions and said, "Since it is Princess Fengning's wish, then I will also exercise some of the privileges on behalf of the king and agree to Marshal Xie's request that no matter how the north and south are divided, Anyi will be recognized as the ruler of the country, and the royal family of Huayin will be preserved."
The promise the two men made before the battle was also a promise made before the war. More importantly, it was a promise between the two nations.
Xie Lanzhi said, "General Wang is indeed a generous and forthright person."
Artur said, "Marshal Xie knows perfectly well that he will gain all these benefits, so why does he have to confront me head-on? But you've come anyway."
"I have to admire him."
"Then stop talking nonsense!"
Xie Lanzhi took the initiative to strike, instantly disrupting Artu's position. His horse felt a chill from the blade and was immediately frightened and retreated. Artu blocked with his longsword, and as he spun back, the blade struck the horse's head. The owners of the two black horses leaped from their saddles, and the two black horses immediately fled in different directions.
They attacked and defended, no longer resorting to trickery or tactical maneuvers to win; they fought with sheer brute force.
Xie Lanzhi relentlessly swung her long halberd at Artu, who blocked it again and again. After five rounds, the two leaped up and kicked each other, causing the other's thigh to break with a crack.
The two were oblivious to pain, testing each other's strength.
The long halberd, imbued with internal energy, broke through the gale and swiftly pressed down on Artu's crown. Artu channeled his internal energy to withstand the blow. The blade and the long halberd collided with each other, producing a resounding "hum."
However, Xie Lanzhi's powerful internal energy made her resilient and capable of fighting. Artur kicked her in the abdomen, and the next second, Xie Lanzhi's right fist slammed down, shattering his kneecap. At this moment, Artur finally felt the strange internal energy mentioned in the intelligence report.
Artur had never confronted Xie Ying, but someone had fought Xie Ying five years ago. According to that person's description, Xie Ying at that time did not have such profound internal strength.
This is not the kind of inner strength that a young man in his early twenties could accumulate; it's more like a foundation built up over a century, erupting at this moment.
Artu's internal strength was equally formidable, though his stamina was slightly lacking. He didn't withstand a single blow, but instead observed Xie Lanzhi's reaction. She didn't seem to be crying out in pain at all. Her eyes burned with a frenzied fighting spirit, a bloodthirsty glint that had already devoured her gentle gaze.
Finally, Artur struck during an opening, then retreated a few steps. Seeing that he seemed to be stopping, Xie Lanzhi hesitated, wondering whether to rush over and continue beating him.
Artur said, "It seems you haven't lost your mind yet."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lanzhi finally gave up the idea of continuing the pursuit.
"You talk too much." She glared at him with displeasure, sheathed her halberd, and stood still. "So, shall we continue?"
Artur looked at the long sword in his hand. The blade was worn and there were several cut marks on the hilt. In such a short time, it looked as if it had been ravaged by time and was about to decay.
"The knife is unusable."
"Then let's fight bare-handed." Xie Lanzhi thrust her long halberd into the mud and grass with her backhand. The halberd sank five inches into the ground. She quickly raised her fist and rushed forward. Artu's arms trembled, and he lifted his belly to take the blow. Then he gathered his inner strength and sent Xie Lanzhi flying back five steps.
Xie Lanzhi felt a numbness in her right fist, as if she had slapped a ball with a reaction force.
The opponent's internal strength was indeed formidable. While others with mortal bodies would succumb to a single blow from her, this person withstood several punches without collapsing.
Artur's forehead was covered in cold sweat. Although he used his internal energy to calm himself down, the pain he could feel in his body would not disappear just because he endured it.
He had been observing Xie Ying's internal strength. It was indeed unlike that of ordinary people.
Xie Lanzhi let him observe her, and whatever his purpose was, she just wanted to beat him into submission right now.
The two charged toward the ground bare-handed again, when suddenly a horn sounded from the valleys to the north and south.
Xie Lanzhi ignored the bugle call, but Artu suddenly braked, withdrew his fist, and then quickly dodged Xie Lanzhi's fist, which grazed his ear. The force of the punch was so strong that it made his eardrums buzz.
Artur immediately said, "Thank you, Marshal Xie. You've won."
Xie Lanzhi's brows furrowed with annoyance; the feeling of not playing half the game made her feel uncomfortable all over.
When she threw her last punch, Artur gritted his teeth and stood there, ready to take the final blow, but her fist stopped less than an inch from his nose before she withdrew it.
Artur immediately stepped back and clasped his hands in a fist salute to her: "Marshal Xie's internal strength is truly rare!"
"You weren't bad either. It's just that you lacked stamina." Xie Lanzhi said with particular regret, "Then our first match can be considered a draw."
Although it's said to be a draw, Xie Lanzhi actually has a slight advantage.
Artur was quite pleased with her for giving him a way out, but he also felt that there was something strange about her. She clearly craved killing but kept restraining herself, but killing was a physical reaction and her nature was something that could not be controlled.
Continuing to restrain herself will only make her health worse.
They are all people with the title of monster.
Artur, as an enemy, specifically reminded her: "Marshal Xie, something is wrong with your health."
Xie Lanzhi was already feeling unwell, and now that he brought it up, she immediately thought of taking action again.
“If you feel unwell, it’s best not to push yourself,” Artur said. “I’ve only ever seen this happen to one person before, and I never expected to see it happen again today.”
These words caught Xie Lanzhi's attention.
Her eyes narrowed: "Who?"
“King Aqina,” Artu said truthfully, a dark undercurrent rising in his eyes, “It’s a pity that we are all chosen ones, all killers, yet… each serves as a ruler.”
After Artur finished speaking, ending the battle, he discovered that Xie Lanzhi had the same problem as the King: she was different from ordinary people and went against the way of Heaven.
She was destined to die young.
But the king is different; he has broken free from his constraints and will not repeat the same mistakes.