Upon hearing Shen Lang's words, Qin Long was momentarily speechless. He never expected that Qin Yidao, in whom he had placed so much hope, would ultimately be defeated by Meng Xinghun.
However, Qin Yidao's loss to Meng Xinghun was not undeserved. Had Meng Xinghun not shown mercy, that sword strike would have been enough to end Qin Yidao's life.
"Fifth match, Lu Qing of the East Capital Martial Guard Department versus Yu Ziyuan of the West Capital Martial Guard Department."
While Qin Long was lost in thought, Lei Shen, standing on the stage, called out.
As his voice faded, two girls emerged from the crowd. After exchanging a glance, they quickly ascended to the high platform.
Lu Qing stood at 1.7 meters, tall and slender, with a delicate and beautiful oval face, the kind of woman everyone liked. Yu Ziyuan was no less impressive. Although slightly shorter than Lu Qing, she was still 1.68 meters tall, with her long hair tied up, exuding a heroic and valiant demeanor.
"It's these two formidable ladies again. If the draw wasn't random, I would almost suspect this year's matches were intentionally arranged."
Looking at Lu Qing on the stage, Qin Long chuckled wryly and said.
"Team Leader, the sister-in-law seems to be getting more beautiful."
Xiong Zi glanced at Lu Qing and smiled.
"Sister-in-law?"
Hearing Xiong Zi's address, Shen Lang asked curiously, "Does Lu Qing have any connection to our Team Leader Qin?"
"Ah... it's a long story."
Qin Long sighed and uttered two words: "Ex-wife."
"Ex-wife?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's gossipy heart was instantly ignited. He turned to Qin Long and asked, "Team Leader Qin, I want the details, you know, the details!"
"There's not much to say, really. Lu Qing and I were university classmates. I was a senior when she was a freshman. Later, I was responsible for training their combat skills, and that's how we met. Then we got married."
"However, after I graduated from university, I was assigned to Nanling. After we started living separately due to the distance, she graduated this year and went to East Capital, hundreds of miles away. We divorced after that."
"Is that so?"
Shen Lang heard this and smiled, "I never expected Team Leader Qin to have such a past. But honestly, Lu Qing wasn't suitable for you."
"What do you mean?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Qin Long and Xiong Zi looked at him curiously and asked, "Because she has a strong competitive spirit deep down. Unless she finds someone who can absolutely suppress her, you'll only find yourself embroiled in endless arguments and contests with her, leading to a breakup in the end."
Shen Lang smiled and said, "Although Team Leader Qin's abilities in all aspects are not bad, Lu Qing is an absolute genius. She's your equal. It would be truly strange if you two could have lasted forever."
"Brother Shen is indeed wise, hitting the nail on the head with such clarity."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Qin Long gave him a thumbs-up and praised, "You're right. We broke up after endless arguments. Thinking back now, we were indeed not a good match."
"Haha, since you weren't a good match, don't dwell on it."
Shen Lang clapped Qin Long on the shoulder and said with a laugh, "You deserve someone better, and Lu Qing deserves someone better too."
After saying this, Shen Lang looked towards the stage and saw that Lu Qing and Yu Ziyuan were already at each other's throats, radiating killing intent.
Without waiting for Lei Shen to call "start," Lu Qing and Yu Ziyuan engaged in close-quarters combat. Both adopted fierce and sharp styles. Lu Qing's fists rained down on Yu Ziyuan like a torrent, while Yu Ziyuan parried and continuously swept her sharp leg techniques towards Lu Qing.
Their styles were similar, and their strength was comparable, making their match highly watchable. The referees on stage and the audience below cheered continuously.
"Bang—"
Five minutes later, Yu Ziyuan landed a kick on Lu Qing's abdomen, while Lu Qing quickly landed a punch on Yu Ziyuan's shoulder. Both fighters retreated seven or eight steps simultaneously and then drew the bayonets strapped to their legs to attack each other.
The bayonets were for training and not very sharp, but they were still dangerous.
In the hands of Lu Qing and Yu Ziyuan, the bayonets were no longer mere bayonets but extensions of their will. The glint of steel was so swift that it was almost impossible to discern whose blade was being wielded.
Initially, Yu Ziyuan launched a fierce assault on Lu Qing, forcing Lu Qing into a defensive stance. Ten minutes later, Lu Qing found an opening in Yu Ziyuan's offense and directly slashed across Yu Ziyuan's throat.
In this strike, Lu Qing did not use the blade but opted for the flat of the bayonet. Yu Ziyuan was unharmed but was instantly defeated.
"That strike was excellent."
At the same time, Song Shaodao, standing on the stage, chuckled and remarked, "Lu Qing truly has talent. To achieve this level of close-quarters combat skill at such a young age is remarkable. Yu Ziyuan's loss was not in vain."
"Indeed, that strike was truly impressive. A clean, decisive throat strike."
Lin Jingmeng echoed Song Shaodao's sentiment, saying, "As expected of the special operations team leader of the East Capital Martial Guard Department, she indeed possesses strength. However, the Jiang Province Martial Guard Department is currently brimming with talent, so it's still too early to determine the victor."
"Since it's too early to say, let's wait and see."
Lei Shen smiled and said, "The Jiang Province Martial Guard Department is indeed producing many talents now. I'm also eager to know who will ultimately win this individual skill competition."
"Does that even need to be asked?"
Song Shaodao heard Lei Shen's words and said with a smile, "There can only be one champion, and that is my nephew, Shen Lang."
"Director Song seems very confident in your nephew. Are you not afraid he might falter?"
Lei Shen asked with a playful tone upon hearing Song Shaodao's statement.
"He's my nephew. No one understands his strength better than I do. In this kind of competition, he could defeat everyone single-handedly."
Song Shaodao stated, "If not for the competition rules, he would have been the champion by now."
"Director Song, aren't you being a bit immodest?"
Song Shaodao's words were immediately met with dissatisfaction from Zhao Shentong of the Dongchuan Martial Guard Department, who retorted, "If it weren't for my little brat of a nephew voluntarily forfeiting, his strength would never have been inferior to your nephew Shen Lang."
"Is that so?"
Song Shaodao heard this and smiled, "Let's set aside the debate of whose nephew is stronger for now. How about we have a match first?"
Upon these words, Zhao Shentong fell silent.
Zhao Shentong was a martial artist, and his martial cultivation was also formidable. However, when facing the "Mad King of Killing Dao," he had no confidence at all.
Actually, that wasn't entirely accurate. Facing Song Shaodao, aside from his senior brother Shen Tianjun, perhaps no one in the world would have had confidence.
"Perhaps Director Song's proposed competition mechanism isn't unchangeable. This year, let's change it, shall we?"
While Zhao Shentong remained silent, Lei Shen suddenly smiled and said, "For the upcoming matches, Shen Lang will challenge everyone alone. If he wins, he is the champion. If he loses, he is directly eliminated."
"Agreed—"
"Everything will proceed according to Lei Shen's arrangements."
Shen Lang's demonstrated strength had already instilled a sense of apprehension in the other directors. If they could eliminate Shen Lang in this manner, they would not object.
After all, if Shen Lang were eliminated, their own chances of winning the championship would increase significantly.