Duel

Someone had actually dared to provoke those attending a Commanders' Office meeting!

Even Yang Minghua, who was usually so impassive, changed expression and demanded sternly, "Who?!"

Zichuan Xiu had already shot to his feet, glaring furiously. He recognized Di Lin's voice!

When Di Lin, a Red Guard Captain and one of the Three Heroes of Zichuan, entered, everyone felt the temperature in the conference room drop by several degrees.

Di Lin was tall and slender, his stride bold and commanding, his presence heroic and imposing. Yet his features were somewhat feminine: delicate willow-leaf brows, limpid beautiful eyes, thin lips, a straight refined nose, and skin as soft and white as snow. If not for his tall stature, he would have been accosted by playboys on the street. In fact, during his youth, he had no fewer than a reinforced platoon of admirers—but tragically, almost all of them had been men, while his sole female admirer had been a lesbian. People had once marveled at how such a "delicate, beautiful" face could blend so perfectly with his wild arrogance and cold, ruthless aura, creating his unique charm.

But at this moment, no one could possibly mistake him for a woman. No woman could possess such heavy killing intent and oppressive force! At this moment, every pore on his body seemed to radiate provocation.

He was one of Yang Minghua's most capable and formidable generals.

After casting Zichuan Xiu a contemptuous glance, he first apologized to Yang Minghua. "This subordinate heard that my 'good friend,' Vice Banner Captain Zichuan Xiu, had returned from the Far East. Eager to meet an 'old friend,' I was unable to contain my excitement and ended up disrupting the Commanders' Office meeting. I beg President Commander Yang to punish me!"

Although Di Lin was speaking to Yang Minghua, his malicious gaze never left Zichuan Xiu, as though afraid Xiu might sprout wings and escape his sight. It was clear just how deep his hatred for this "old friend" ran.

Almost all the commanders present knew this story. Years ago, the three young heroes of the Zichuan Family—Zichuan Xiu, Di Lin, and Sterling—had been as close as brothers while attending the Far East Military Academy. Later, however, they fell in love with the same woman, Lin Xiujia...

After a bitter contest, Di Lin successfully won the beauty, but the three became enemies from then on, irreconcilable as fire and water. Zichuan Xiu and Sterling stood with the defeated, while Di Lin stood among the victors. The two sides fought several secret duels, each suffering casualties. Their hatred became utterly irreconcilable.

In the end, Sterling pledged loyalty to the Zichuan Family Patriarch, Zichuan Canxing. Di Lin promptly sought refuge with President Commander Yang Minghua and, thanks to his exceptional talent, won Yang Minghua's favor. He received repeated extraordinary promotions and became a Red Guard Captain at the age of twenty-four, turning into Yang Minghua's most capable enforcer.

"Di Lin, you are far too insolent!" Yang Minghua thundered, seeming unable to contain his anger. "What place do you think this is? Look carefully—the Commanders' Office! Is this somewhere you can barge into and make a racket as you please?"

Di Lin bowed again in apology. "This subordinate was simply too eager to see my 'good friend,' Lord Xiuchuan, and truly could not control myself. I deserve ten thousand deaths!" He said he deserved ten thousand deaths, yet he showed none of the fear or unease expected of a guilty man. His tone instead revealed an unyielding, arrogant spirit.

"But that is understandable!" Yang Minghua suddenly changed his tone. "You young people are always so impulsive. For the sake of brotherhood and loyalty, what would you not do? Since you are so loyal, I will spare you punishment this time—but remember not to do it again!"

"Yes, sir! This subordinate obeys! It will never happen again!"

The two of them sang the same tune, turning the grave offense of barging in without permission and disrupting a Commanders' Office meeting—a crime that could have warranted the death penalty—into nothing at all...

"Di Lin, why did you barge in looking for Deputy Commander Xiuchuan?"

"This subordinate has not seen Lord Xiuchuan for many years and has missed him greatly. I wished to invite him for a private talk, to exchange sentiments of friendship. I simply do not know whether Lord Xiuchuan is willing—or dares—to honor me with his presence."

Di Lin stared fixedly at Zichuan Xiu, a provocative smile hanging from the corner of his mouth. Their gazes met—like two starving wolves encountering each other in the forest!

This was practically an invitation to a duel!

Zichuan Xiu gave a low, muffled snort but did not answer, as though considering whether to accept the challenge and whether he had any chance of winning... That was understandable. Di Lin's fast sword was famously terrifying. If ranked, he would unquestionably place among the Family's ten greatest masters.

"Oh my, you are far too impatient," Yang Minghua said. "Can't you see Axu is in a meeting? He will surely say that official duties prevent him from accompanying you. Of course, that is an excellent excuse, especially when a 'good friend' asks for a 'heart-to-heart talk.' People always cherish their lives, after all! Axu, I know you will put official duty first, won't you?"

Yang Minghua's attempt at mediation was less like mediation and more like pouring oil on the fire.

Zichuan Xiu's expression shifted between light and shadow.

Di Lin sneered. "Little brother Axu, could it be that after fighting the Demon Race so much in the Far East, you learned their abilities? Why not buy yourself a hard shell and crawl inside? Then you would truly be safe!" He was calling Zichuan Xiu a turtle.

Lei Xun said in a strange, mocking tone, "Di Lin, do not push Lord Xiuchuan so hard. What if he starts crying?"

Di Lin put on an enlightened expression. "Right, right, right. I should not have misunderstood little brother Axu. All this time, I actually thought he was a man. Isn't that funny?"

Even Zichuan Xiu could no longer endure such humiliating provocation!

Ignoring Fang Jin's forceful tug on his sleeve and Ge Yingxing's repeated signals, he raised his head and answered, "I beg President Commander Yang to grant permission for this subordinate to have a proper 'talk' with Red Guard Captain Di Lin!"

"What touching friendship!" Lei Xun said with a sinister smile. "What reason could we possibly have to deny these two 'good friends,' so deeply bound by friendship?"

Yang Minghua also nodded in agreement. "Since that is the case, I will let Axu leave early. Find them a room inside the Commanders' Office so they can properly 'reminisce'!"

Zichuan Xiu and Di Lin bowed at the same time. "Thank you, sir, for granting this!"

Di Lin exchanged a glance with Yang Minghua, then turned and headed for the door first.

Just as Zichuan Xiu was about to follow, Fang Jin quietly told him from behind, "Watch out for his fast sword! Do not give him a chance to strike. Block off his sword paths!" Then he lowered his voice even further. "If things go badly, call for help immediately—I will rush in and intervene! There is nothing shameful about it."

Zichuan Xiu nodded to show he understood. But the stubborn set of his lips made one thing clear: he had already resolved that he would rather die fighting than call for help.

Ge Yingxing said nothing. He looked at him, his eyes filled with concern. Their gazes met, and everything passed silently between them. Ge Yingxing slowly nodded, and Zichuan Xiu gratefully bowed to him. His expression became calm, as though a great weight had been lifted from his heart. Ge Yingxing had made a promise worth a thousand pounds: if anything happened to Zichuan Xiu, he would protect Miss Zichuan Ning.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Di Lin and Zichuan Xiu entered an empty room one after the other and shut the door. Then came shouts of abuse, sounds of fighting, the whistle of fists and swords, and the crash of furniture breaking...

When the door opened, who would emerge alive?