One night passed without incident. The next morning, Xiao Yunlong was eating breakfast in the villa courtyard when Zhuge Yabei hurried in from outside, holding a letter.
"Mr. Xiao, the Fourth Commander asked me to bring you a letter. Oh, right, this Fourth Commander is Wu Zhiming's father, Wu Shenyong!" Zhuge Yabei said.
"Bring the letter here!" Xiao Yunlong put down his chopsticks and reached out to take the letter.
Below, Zhuge Wushuang, Tu Fu, Tang Bowen, Jun Bufan, and the other four turned their heads to look at Xiao Yunlong, who was reading the letter. They undoubtedly wanted to know what was written on it, or rather, what the Fourth Commander Wu Shenyong planned to do next.
Xiao Yunlong merely glanced at it, and his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised.
"Master, what does it say?" Tu Fu couldn't help but ask.
"You can read it yourself!" Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and teasingly, handing the letter over.
Tu Fu took it and looked, his eyes widening in surprise. He exclaimed, "What? That dog Wu Shenyong actually proposed that I commit suicide to atone for his son's death, and even demanded that Master cripple his own hands as an apology, and then get out of the Eastern Domain Grand Camp?"
Zhuge Wushuang couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this, and coldly snorted, "The Fourth Commander of the Eastern Domain Grand Camp, Wu Shenyong, dares to make such a demand. He's truly arrogant!"
"Damn it!" Wu Shenyong slammed his palm on the table, gritting his teeth. "He actually wants me to commit suicide. Master, please grant my request! I want to immediately twist off Wu Shenyong's dog head!"
Xiao Yunlong gave Tu Fu a sidelong glance and ignored him. Instead, he turned to Zhuge Yabei and instructed, "Go and tell that Wu Shenyong that I know."
Zhuge Yabei couldn't help but freeze, and retorted, "Mr. Xiao, you're only responding with 'I know'?"
Xiao Yunlong thought for a moment, then added, "Then add a bit more. Tell him that Wu Zhiming broke the law knowingly and deserved his death, and that Wu Shenyong should accept his condolences!"
"Mr. Xiao, your reply like this might just pour oil on the fire. Then that Wu Shenyong..." Zhuge Yabei frowned with some difficulty.
Xiao Yunlong's expression darkened, and he coldly retorted, "What, do you need me to repeat myself?"
Seeing the cold expression of the Northern King in front of him, Zhuge Yabei finally came to his senses and quickly said, "No need, Mr. Xiao. I'll go deliver the message immediately!"
After speaking, Zhuge Yabei hurriedly turned and left.
Tang Bowen couldn't help but say at this moment, "Master, judging from the content of the letter, it seems that Wu Shenyong doesn't intend to let this matter rest?"
Zhuge Wushuang also nodded in agreement, "I can see that too. Wu Shenyong is known as 'Wu the Lion' in the Eastern Domain Grand Camp. He has a violent temper and is brave but reckless. Moreover, he only has this one son, so he'll likely seek revenge for him!"
Xiao Yunlong sneered faintly, "As the saying goes, a tiger fallen to the plains is bullied by dogs, and a dragon in shallow waters is harassed by shrimp. The world thinks I've lost my power, and everyone wants to suppress and bully me. Next, I'll see if they have the ability!"
After speaking, he shook his head and picked up his chopsticks again to eat breakfast.
Seeing this, Zhuge Wushuang and the others didn't say much more. After all, they also knew that the Northern King's current situation was indeed awkward and special.
After breakfast, Zhuge Yabei returned. It seemed he had rushed back immediately after delivering the message, fearing that the Fourth Commander Wu Shenyong would make things difficult for him.
After a brief update, Xiao Yunlong suggested a visit to the Eastern Domain Grand Camp. After all, it had been completely dark when they arrived last night, and nothing could be seen in the dark.
Led by Zhuge Yabei, Xiao Yunlong and his group walked out of the courtyard villa and strolled along a clean and tidy main road.
The main road was clean and tidy, lined with trees, and the environment was indeed pleasant. The surroundings were residential areas, and further ahead was a training area, enclosed by high iron fences.
The training area was divided into square sections of varying sizes by iron fences, like pieces of tofu. The area near the foot of the distant mountain was covered with green grass and trees. However, in the vast training area, hardly any soldiers could be seen practicing.
Xiao Yunlong noticed that there were very few patrol teams in the entire Eastern Domain Grand Camp. This was an unbelievable situation for such an important camp in the Dragon Country.
Zhuge Wushuang also noticed this phenomenon and couldn't help but ask Zhuge Yabei, who was leading the way, "Fifth Uncle, why is it that the Eastern Domain Grand Camp doesn't require regular drills? Why are there almost no soldiers training in such a large training area?"
Zhuge Yabei gave a wry smile and shook his head. "Of course, it's necessary. In the early years, at this time, soldiers in the entire training area would have been sweating profusely. However, in recent years, the Eastern Domain King has been engrossed in alchemy and the pursuit of immortality, neglecting the camp's affairs. As a result, the training matters have gradually slackened, leading to neglect."
"This is too outrageous. If what you say is true, then this Eastern Domain King is too reckless. If this continues, what combat effectiveness will the entire Eastern Domain Grand Camp have? This is the grand military camp guarding more than half of the eastern territory of our Dragon Country!" Zhuge Wushuang sighed.
Tang Bowen couldn't help but snort coldly, "Before coming, I had high expectations for the Eastern Domain Grand Camp, but after arriving, I am filled with disappointment. It's one thing that the regular soldiers don't train, but not only are there people from all walks of life roaming the entire camp, even Fusang ronin warriors can swagger around. This is simply too absurd!"
Perhaps to verify Tang Bowen's words, as the group slowly walked forward, they suddenly saw a small team of Fusang ronin warriors on the training ground to their left.
This team of five or six Fusang ronin warriors was the same group they had encountered last night at the Eastern Domain Grand Hotel!
In addition, there were two small teams of Eastern Domain Grand Camp soldiers in the training ground. It seemed that the two sides were sparring.
Suddenly, with a "swoosh," a long saber in the hand of a ronin warrior shot through the air and stopped at the neck of his opponent.
The Eastern Domain Grand Camp soldier, whose neck was pressed by the opponent's samurai sword, froze and dared not move. He could only lower his head in shame.
"Weak, too weak. The combat power of your Eastern Domain Grand Camp soldiers is simply pathetically weak!"
The leading Fusang ronin warrior captain suddenly grinned mockingly, and the other ronin warriors also laughed proudly.
The two teams of Eastern Domain Grand Camp soldiers opposite them, totaling more than thirty people, clenched their fists. Although they were angry, they could not refute.
This was because according to the agreement between the two sides, they were to compete in five matches. However, they had already lost two consecutive matches, which was a complete disgrace.
"I'll do it!"
A small team leader, judging by the uniform, seemed to be a captain of the Eastern Domain Grand Camp. He let out a low shout and stepped forward.
"Captain Pan, are you sure you still want to compete? You've already lost two matches in a row. If you lose again, it might not be good for you."
The leading Fusang ronin warrior captain chuckled twice and said in reasonably standard Dragon Country language, "Why don't we just call it a day? After all, in terms of individual combat strength, you can't compare to us, because our Dragon Country's martial arts are the authentic ones!"
Captain Pan said in a deep voice, "Since both sides have already agreed, we naturally must compete. Even if we are defeated, we will not retreat from the battle. As soldiers of the Eastern Domain Grand Camp of the Dragon Country, we cannot do such a cowardly thing. Moreover, we are not sore losers!"
"Come on, it's my turn to spar with you!" Captain Pan said, getting into a fighting stance.
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly upon hearing the opponent's words from afar. Setting aside Captain Pan's individual combat strength, his fighting spirit and mettle were quite good.
Xiao Yunlong deliberately slowed his pace, as he wanted to see what Captain Pan's strength was. Frankly speaking, this fellow was quite talented.
"Alright, since you insist on embarrassing yourselves, then don't blame me. We Fusang warriors always uphold the spirit of Bushido, so we will never hold back. Next, let me show you the authentic martial arts of Fusang!"
The ronin warrior captain on the training ground finished speaking, straightened up, and drew his samurai sword with a clang.
"There's no need to hold back. After all, when it comes to the battlefield, it's a life-and-death struggle, not child's play. Please make your move!"
Captain Pan was fearless. With a cold shout, he raised his spear and charged towards the opponent with a "swoosh."
Being able to become a captain, this man, who was around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, was naturally not an ordinary person. In fact, his martial arts cultivation was not weak; he was an experienced internal energy grandmaster.
However, his opponent, the leading ronin warrior, had one foot in the transformation realm, making him a quasi-grandmaster.
So, after only a few rounds, Captain Pan's red-tasseled spear was suddenly flicked away by the opponent's samurai sword with a "clang!"
With a flash of the blade, Captain Pan felt a cold sensation on his neck. Before he could even react to block, the opponent's samurai sword was already at his throat.
"Sorry, you lost!" The ronin warrior captain sneered mockingly.
"I concede!" Captain Pan gritted his teeth and said in a low voice. Although he was unwilling, there was nothing more to say when he was outmatched.
"To be honest, your Dragon Country's martial arts have really declined. Now, our Dragon Country's martial arts are the authentic ones. Of course, if you are willing, you can become my disciples, and perhaps I can teach you Fusang martial arts!"
The leading Fusang warrior captain grinned and laughed heartily, and the other Fusang warriors also burst into laughter.
Captain Pan said solemnly, "There's no need to become disciples. Although we are not as skilled as you, it does not represent the entire Dragon Country's martial arts. After all, our Dragon Country has countless experts. Although you have defeated us, you cannot say you have defeated our Dragon Country's martial arts. However, please rest assured, we will fulfill the bet according to the rules!"
"You say your Dragon Country has countless experts? Are you kidding me? We've been in your Dragon Country for quite some time, and we haven't encountered a single truly decent Dragon Country expert!" one of the Fusang ronin warriors couldn't help but sneer and shout.
"Exactly! I've sparred with your Dragon Country seven or eight times since arriving. But honestly, it's been very disappointing. Your Dragon Country's martial arts are very weak, having long declined to a pathetic state. Now, our Fusang Bushido is the authentic martial arts!"
The leading ronin warrior captain roared with laughter, his laughter filled with mockery and arrogance.
The more than thirty Eastern Domain Grand Camp soldiers, including Captain Pan, listened, clenching their fists with indignant expressions. However, they were powerless to refute. After all, what bravery could a defeated general show?
Just then, Xiao Yunlong entered the training ground with his entourage.
"You've sparred a few rounds and defeated a few insignificant martial artists, and you think you're invincible? Your Fusang, a small country that has always only known how to plagiarize and steal from my Dragon Country's martial arts, dares to claim to be the authentic martial arts. Can you still have any shame?"
Xiao Yunlong's voice was cold and stern as he walked step by step in front of the ronin warriors.
The faces of the Fusang warriors instantly darkened, and they gritted their teeth and shouted, "It's you guys again! How dare you slander us Fusang for plagiarism and theft! Damn it, it's too damn infuriating!"
The leading ronin warrior's eyes blazed as he stared intently at Xiao Yunlong, gritting his teeth and humming, "What do you mean by that statement just now? I want you to give us a reasonable explanation!"
"Give you an explanation? What do you think you are? Let alone you, even the leader of your Warrior Alliance doesn't have the qualification!" Xiao Yunlong shouted.
"Baka!" The Fusang ronin warriors were instantly enraged. With clangs, these guys actually drew their samurai swords from their waists.
"What, you're not convinced? Alright, then let's spar. You want to see my Dragon Country's martial arts, right? Next, I'll let you see what true Dragon Country martial arts are!" Xiao Yunlong said coldly.
The leading ronin warrior captain gritted his teeth and asked, "How do you want to spar?"
Xiao Yunlong directly pointed at Zhuge Wushuang and said, "I won't bully you. He'll go alone, and all of you can attack together!"
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Wushuang stepped forward. Tu Fu, on the other hand, was naturally itching with anger, but since his master hadn't pointed to him, he naturally wouldn't act.
The leading ronin warrior captain narrowed his eyes and hummed, "Your Excellency means that he alone will challenge all six of us? Is that true?"
Xiao Yunlong clasped his hands behind his back and chuckled, "Of course it's true. He challenges the six of you because there are only six of you now. I can give you ten minutes. However many Fusang warriors there are in the Eastern Domain Grand Camp, you can all call them over, and he will still be the one fighting!"
"How many of you are there? Call them all over!" Zhuge Wushuang stood in the center of the field like a javelin and shouted in a deep voice.
"No need. For a mere you, the six of us are enough!" The leading ronin warrior captain coldly shouted, his face filled with disdain.
Captain Pan, who was standing nearby, quickly came to Zhuge Yabei's side and whispered, "Deputy Commander Zhuge, isn't this too childish? He wants to challenge these Fusang ronin warriors alone. I just sparred with them, and their skills are..."
However, before he could finish, Zhuge Yabei interrupted him with a wave of his hand, "You don't need to worry. Just watch quietly!"
The leading ronin warrior captain drew his samurai sword, the tip pointing directly at Zhuge Wushuang, and said, "Your Excellency, please show your weapon."
Zhuge Wushuang slightly raised the corner of his mouth and sneered, "To deal with insignificant ronin warriors like you, I don't need to use a weapon!"
"Baka, truly arrogant! Attack!"
"Go on, cripple this arrogant brat!"
The six Fusang warriors were enraged. They all brandished their samurai swords and charged towards Zhuge Wushuang in the center like a storm.