Truly a Tiger General

Yuan Gang remained standing there, clearly conveying an attitude of "anyone else can try."

Niu Youdao also called out, "Monkey, don't mess around. Come back. This isn't a place for you to fool around!"

"I'm not fooling around. If I lose, I'll submit to the Prince's judgment," Yuan Gang made a promise.

Shang Chaozong was secretly delighted upon hearing this. He was considering recruiting Yuan Gang into his ranks. Based on the accounts from Xiaomiao Village, the ability to lead villagers in resisting bandit raids was enough to prove that this person possessed a certain level of combat command proficiency.

Yuan Gang then tilted his chin slightly towards Chen Shulin opposite him, "And if you lose, what then?"

Chen Shulin also said, "If I lose, I'll also submit to your judgment!"

Yuan Gang calmly replied, "You are the Prince's soldier. Can your word be counted?"

"..." Chen Shulin was rendered speechless and couldn't help but look to Shang Chaozong for help.

Shang Chaozong laughed heartily, "Granted!"

Yuan Gang turned his head to look at him, "I don't want to deal with anyone. It's just that after this long journey, I'm looking for someone to run errands. If I win, I hope the Prince will allow me to pick anyone to run errands. What does the Prince think?"

Shang Chaozong waved his hand grandly, "Granted!"

Niu Youdao shouted again, "Monkey, stop this nonsense!"

However, his words seemed to have little effect. The personal guards wouldn't listen to him, and even Yuan Gang was indifferent. The others were even less likely to pay attention.

Once the stakes for the competition were set, everyone became spirited. The long journey was indeed tedious and boring. Now, at least there was some excitement to watch. They all stepped aside, clearing an open space. Two horses were led to them, and the personal guards' standard Horse-chopping Sabers were presented.

Chen Shulin mounted his horse, took the thrown Horse-chopping Saber, and holding the reins, rode his horse far away before stopping and turning to look at them.

Niu Youdao, however, did not retreat. After the people who brought the horses and sabers withdrew, he stepped forward and reprimanded Yuan Gang, "What are you messing around for!" He then added softly in a low voice, "Can you do it? Don't push yourself!"

Yuan Gang also replied in a low voice, "I fought with bandits in Xiaomiao Village for several years. You guessed right, the cultivation speed of Hard Qi Cultivation here is far beyond imagination!"

Hearing this, Niu Youdao was relieved. As long as he had confidence, it was fine. He then pointed at Yuan Gang and scolded him. However, his scolding was useless, and in the end, he flicked his sleeve and turned away, accompanying Shang Chaozong and the others to observe.

In the distance, Chen Shulin swaggered, brandishing his Horse-chopping Saber and making various provocative gestures towards them.

Yuan Gang glanced at it, tossed the reins back onto the saddle, and then slapped his Horse-chopping Saber against his warhorse's hindquarters. The horse, in pain, galloped away to the side, where it was held by nearby personal guards.

The onlookers on both sides were stunned, and Chen Shulin, who had been swaggering on the other side, was also taken aback, not understanding Yuan Gang's intentions.

However, Yuan Gang's next action was even more surprising. He casually flipped the Horse-chopping Saber and tossed it to his side.

Whoosh! The Horse-chopping Saber flew over and landed with a thud, stuck in the ground in front of Shang Chaozong.

Everyone exchanged glances, bewildered. What was going on? Was he planning to fight Chen Shulin, who was galloping on horseback, with bare hands? If that were the case, the power disparity in the duel would be a huge disadvantage. The impact force of a warhorse was astonishing. Being hit by a warhorse would leave one dead or crippled, and the power of a saber strike from a person on horseback was even more terrifying!

Shang Chaozong stared intently at Yuan Gang's every move. He saw a calm and composed demeanor in Yuan Gang, possessing the bearing of a great general, and his admiration grew with each passing moment.

Niu Youdao leaned on his sword as a crutch, his expression calm, with a hint of interest in his eyes. He also wanted to witness Yuan Gang's current strength.

Under everyone's gaze, Yuan Gang suddenly raised an arm, clenched his fist, and gave Chen Shulin a thumbs-up. Then, he flipped his fist, thumb pointing downwards!

Although only Niu Youdao understood the meaning of this gesture at the scene, everyone else was not foolish and could guess that it was a provocative gesture they didn't understand.

Chen Shulin opposite him sneered, his heart burning with anger. How dare he provoke him with bare hands? It was as if he didn't take him seriously at all!

"Giddy up!" Chen Shulin waved his saber and then slapped his horse's hindquarters. He tapped the horse's belly with his heels, and the warhorse immediately galloped forward with all four hooves flying. Dirt and grass splashed from under its hooves, and the man and horse charged forward like a gust of wind.

Yuan Gang, who had lowered his arm, stood as still as a mountain, his legs spread apart. His naturally hanging arms gradually tensed into fists, and his bones emitted faint cracking sounds. His eyes were fixed on the charging warhorse. Suddenly, he shot out like a leopard, charging straight towards the warhorse head-on!

Many people gasped, all thinking, "Is this guy crazy?"

As the man and the warhorse were about to collide, Chen Shulin, who was galloping with one arm holding the saber, flipped the saber. The blade turned into the saber's spine, and he swung the saber towards the charging Yuan Gang. This move was considered a magnanimous gesture. Seeing the Prince's appreciation for this person, and since this was a competition and not a killing, he temporarily hid the blade and decided to use the saber's spine to teach him a lesson!

Using a feint to lure the enemy, Yuan Gang drew Chen Shulin's saber to the right. With his charging momentum, Yuan Gang suddenly dug his feet into the ground and dodged to the left, evading Chen Shulin's saber attack. He passed by the galloping horse's hooves almost at ground level. As he moved, he swung out with one hand, grabbing the horse's left front hoof.

"Neigh!" The warhorse neighed, as if it had encountered a tripping rope, and instantly toppled over, falling and rolling away.

Chen Shulin, on the horse's back, was thrown into the air, "Ah!" The personal guards watching from the sides cried out in alarm.

Before Chen Shulin, who had been thrown to the ground and was still rolling, could stop, Yuan Gang, who had used the force of the horse's stumble to stop himself, brought himself up and then charged back, directly pursuing the rolling Chen Shulin.

Chen Shulin, having galloped on horseback for a long time, was experienced in combat. After falling from his horse, he knew how to protect himself, using the momentum to roll on the ground and dissipate the force. Just as he was using the momentum to stand up, he heard his comrades exclaim, "Be careful!"

He turned his head to look, but before he could react, the charging Yuan Gang had already leaped forward and delivered a side kick, hitting Chen Shulin squarely in the back.

With a bang, Chen Shulin was sent flying again, about ten feet away, landing on the ground with a thud. The Horse-chopping Saber in his hand also flew out.

Yuan Gang rushed forward, flicked his toe on the ground, hooked Chen Shulin's fallen Horse-chopping Saber, grabbed it, and continued to charge towards the rolling Chen Shulin.

Shang Chaozong shouted urgently, "Show mercy!"

After two consecutive falls and a heavy kick, Chen Shulin was dazed. Blood trickled from his nose and mouth. He shook his head, struggled to stand up, and felt a chill on his neck. He saw two figures flashing before his eyes, but in reality, his vision was blurred. It was only Yuan Gang, holding a saber with one hand and pressing it against his neck!

"Hmph..." Chen Shulin let out a muffled breath and completely spread his limbs, lying on the ground with a wry smile.

Yuan Gang moved the saber away, casually and with a swish, plunged the Horse-chopping Saber into the ground. He turned and walked away expressionlessly, his tall figure striding with steady steps, unaffected by the surrounding gasps of admiration.

Niu Youdao, leaning on his 'crutch,' curved the corners of his mouth into a slight smile. He realized that Monkey's Hard Qi Cultivation was indeed extraordinary, daring to grab the hooves of a galloping horse with his bare hands.

"Truly a fierce general!" Shang Chaozong murmured to himself, looking at Yuan Gang with immense admiration, as if he were looking at a peerless beauty. With his discerning eye, he could tell what kind of person would be effective on the battlefield. It wasn't just about martial prowess; the ability to remain calm and adapt to changing situations on the battlefield was extremely important.

Guan Tie, standing beside him, glanced at the Prince and saw that the Prince was exceptionally impressed with Yuan Gang. He couldn't help but smile wryly to himself.

Shang Shuqing and Lan Ruoting also couldn't help but exchange glances again. They naturally understood what it meant to gain a capable general. During a fierce battle, a capable general was far more useful than an attendant mage. Mages could be attracted if the conditions were right, but capable generals were rare and sought-after treasures. Others wouldn't give them up!

The personal guards on the sides looked at the approaching Yuan Gang and secretly marveled. To touch the hooves of a galloping horse with bare hands, an ordinary person would likely have their flesh and bones crushed by the hooves. Yet, this person managed to trip the horse. His strength was simply terrifying!

Previously, many people had been angered by Yuan Gang's words, but now they had calmed down considerably. It wasn't for any other reason than the fact that he indeed had the qualifications to boast like that. Perhaps they didn't understand the achievements of the Yingyang and Wulie Guard!

A group of people ran over. Some took the fallen horses to check for injuries so they could be treated promptly, as horses were a very important resource in this era of war. Others helped Chen Shulin, who had fallen, to his feet and walked him away, supporting him by the arms.

Yuan Gang walked over and made eye contact with Shang Chaozong. Ignoring Shang Chaozong's intense gaze, he quietly walked behind Niu Youdao and stood in silence.

Niu Youdao, on the other hand, chuckled at Shang Chaozong and said, "It was just a sparring match, Your Highness. Please don't take it to heart. The bet doesn't count."

Shang Chaozong was reminded by this and stared at Yuan Gang, saying, "I stand by my word. Of my five hundred personal guards, Brother Yuan, just say who you want to run errands for you!"

Yuan Gang replied calmly, "We'll see when the time comes!"

"Nonsense!" Niu Youdao turned and scolded. Then he smiled at Shang Chaozong and said, "Your Highness, you are busy. We will not disturb you further!" He cupped his hands and left with Yuan Gang, drawing everyone's attention.

Watching them go, Shang Chaozong couldn't help but sigh and lament, "Such a fierce general, instead of making a name for himself on the battlefield, is running errands and following someone around. It's such a waste, a pity!" He truly wished he could trade a large group of his men for Yuan Gang, but he currently had no capital to negotiate with Niu Youdao, who already found him bothersome.

Shang Shuqing and Lan Ruoting both sighed softly. They could understand Shang Chaozong's feelings. Shang Chaozong was currently in dire need of men and generals. Of course, he also lacked mages, and not just mages – he lacked everything. However, as everyone could see, Niu Youdao's intention to leave seemed set, they just didn't know when he would depart.

Two days later, a large number of wooden rafts were prepared. People were sent across on small rafts to inform the forces in Guangyi Commandery, so as to avoid any misunderstandings.

After receiving permission from the garrison on the opposite bank, all the warhorses had their eyes covered and were led onto the wooden rafts. They were then ferried across in groups.

PS: I'm throwing a tantrum and rolling on the ground, begging for recommendation votes!