Chapter 630: Chapter 630

Fengyu still hoped that Xie Jue could persuade Dugu Jing, but unexpectedly, the next day she heard that in a fit of rage, Dugu Jing forgot he was a prisoner and started fighting with Xie Jue. Fortunately, Fang Chuning was right beside Xie Jue and blocked Dugu Jing’s attack. Dugu Jing, either out of sudden anger or confusion, recklessly promised Xie Jue that if anyone could defeat him in a duel, he would consider the Beiman’s surrender and lead his people over Sha Ling Tian Mountain to live in Beining.

Is this really possible?

"Second Brother is truly efficient." Just mentioned the matter of Beiman’s surrender yesterday, and today it’s done. Although there are conditions, and harsh ones at that, it has been accomplished.

Where there is a target, there is hope.

Fengyu, while having lunch with Xie Xun, heard the news and held a sense of admiration. Newest update provıded by ɴovelfire.net

She had been dealing with Dugu Jing for a long time and knew his temperament well. Dugu Jing absolutely, absolutely would not surrender. She didn’t know how Second Brother managed to speak with Dugu Jing, but it had confused Dugu Jing, making him speak irrationally.

"Dugu Jing must have regretted speaking as soon as he said it." Xie Xun and Dugu Jing are both fierce generals on the battlefield, well aware of each other’s thoughts. Dugu Jing would never willingly surrender. "The Beiman highly value promises and rarely lie. They truly abide by their word; if you can defeat Dugu Jing, the hope of Beiman surrendering greatly increases. If he fails, he might not even survive, as the Beiman King wouldn’t spare him, nor would he continue living shamelessly."

"Second Brother saw through the Beiman’s character and understood Dugu Jing’s temper, hence deliberately provoked him." Fengyu pondered, "I have tried to provoke him too, but Dugu Jing completely ignored it. His temperament now is much more stable compared to a few years ago. If provoking him was possible three years ago, it’s not so easy now. I wonder what Second Brother said."

"Now, what was said doesn’t matter. The bet has been set, and Dugu Jing accepted it. Whether he regrets it or not, he will fully commit to the duel. Finding anyone who can match Dugu Jing in fairness is a rare sight indeed."

Since the bet was struck, only two people appeared in Xie Xun’s mind capable of equaling Dugu Jing on the stage: himself and Fang Chuning. Others going onto the stage would be courting death, because although Dugu Jing agreed to the bet, he added a condition: this is a fight to the death, where life and death are determined by fate, and wealth by heaven.

A single match decides the victory!

This is not like the contest on Xiyanshan a few years ago. Although it was also a fight to the death, peaceful negotiations were impending at that time. Even though Dugu Jing wanted to kill Xie Zhang, he still hesitated. Back then, Dugu Jing was new, stubborn, and conceited. Xie Zhang could use strategy to win against him. Now, it may not be so easy.

Fengyu understood it after Xie Xun explained, "You are now the emperor, and it’s impossible for you to be put in danger. Even if you were to enter the stage, the civil and military officials wouldn’t agree, and would rather forego Beiman’s surrender. That leaves only Brother Fang."

Xie Xun pursed his lips. This bet was set by Second Brother, so he should be the one to fight. He desires Beiman’s surrender, so he should also lead the charge, not Fang Chuning.

The duel agreed between Dugu Jing and Xie Jue quickly spread throughout the Capital City. In less than a day, everyone knew that Dugu Jing initially asked to compete with Xie Xun, a request Xie Jue declined.

Dugu Jing also knew that Xie Jue wouldn’t take the risk, and thus, nonchalantly and arrogantly spread the word, indifferent about who came to challenge him, proclaiming that if he lost, he would acknowledge the bet.

The civil and military officials talked amongst themselves, vividly recalling the perilous battle between Dugu Jing and Xie Zhang on the stage years ago. Xie Zhang narrowly avoided death at Dugu Jing’s hands. At that time, the platform rule was whoever fell off lost, but this time it was a fight to the death. Victory is not determined unless one person dies or becomes unconscious and cannot stand.

Such terms are extremely harsh, and everyone knows how brave and fierce Dugu Jing is.

During the morning court session, Lin Helin asked Xie Xun if he intended to honor the bet.

The officials were silent as the news had already spread. Not following through would make Beining, a significant nation, a laughingstock, so naturally, Xie Xun intended to honor the bet as it was the best way to minimize casualties.

No need for war, winning Dugu Jing’s sincere submission instead.

Xie Xun said, "The bet will be honored. After negotiations in Sannan conclude, we shall fight Dugu Jing. I will personally duel him!"

"Absolutely not!" Several generals and young civil officials all protested in unison, kneeling collectively, "Your Majesty is a valued figure, cannot be put at risk. Our dynasty’s military generals are abundant with talents, surely one can be found to combat Dugu Jing. Your Majesty, please reconsider."

Everyone knew that besides Xie Xun, few on earth could match Dugu Jing in combat. Fang Chuning was not present in the court, while Xie Jue was, remaining silent. The bet was propelled by him to provoke Dugu Jing, and others hoped Xie Jue had a backup plan.

Yet, throughout the court session, Xie Jue did not utter a word. The Ningzhou-affiliated generals were perceptive. Though Xie Xun was now the emperor, the generals previously mingled with him as if brothers, but dared not act indiscriminately before Xie Jue, nor did they now, so no one dared mention Fang Chuning.

A few civil officials, however, were not perceptive and recommended Fang Chuning.

Fang Chuning is a renowned general known for his exceptional martial skills. The civil officials had long heard of his bravery and prowess in battle, and back in the day, he had narrowly defeated Dugu Jing in a chase on Xiyanshan.

Xie Xun looked at his silent Second Brother, saying nothing.

Lin Helin spoke, "Fang Chuning is a viable option, Your Majesty can consider it."

The generals, in truth, were all willing to risk their lives for Beining, but they also knew they couldn’t defeat Dugu Jing. A single match to decide victory, one would certainly lose on the stage. This battle is crucial; they cannot easily respond, and at least need a general capable of matching Dugu Jing in a tie.

"Beining has abundant talents, and it’s not necessarily just myself and Fang Chuning who can face Dugu Jing. The Great Marsh and Han Ziqi are arriving in the Capital City tomorrow; negotiations will take time. Why not widely recruit and organize a martial arts competition? Whoever wins, I will grant him the rank of first-class military marquis to combat Dugu Jing. How does that sound?" Xie Xun pondered, anyway, he had a fallback. If all else failed, he would enter the stage himself, ignoring whether the civil and military officials agreed or not!

The civil ministers all felt this was a good idea. Martial prowess speaks truth, and no one could be forced to fight Dugu Jing. Those willing to enter the stage are practically those willing to confront Dugu Jing.

Looking throughout Beining, no one dared claim to be the top martial talent. What if there’s someone exceptionally skilled but hasn’t joined the military? Now, the court offers a first-class military marquis treatment; finding a general to rival Dugu Jing would be the best solution.

Mrs. Fang and Fang Chuning were in a cold war, not speaking during lunch, and the news from the morning court had also arrived: Xie Xun would hold a martial arts competition, selecting someone to fight Dugu Jing.

Ever since the bet between Xie Jue and Dugu Jing became known, Mrs. Fang had confined Fang Chuning at home for self-reflection, exempting him from morning court. Because the bet wasn’t set by Xie Jue and Dugu Jing!

It was set by Fang Chuning and Dugu Jing!

"Mother, you cannot stop me. Looking across Beining, aside from the emperor, only I can face Dugu Jing. If it can lead to Beiman peacefully surrendering, and Ningzhou not needing to expend any soldiers, even if I die, it’s worth it." Fang Chuning thought to himself, even if he died, he would take Dugu Jing with him. Once Dugu Jing perished, the spirit of Beiman would dissipate.

Mrs. Fang coldly stared at him, "There’s no need to try convincing me. You wish to challenge Dugu Jing, not knowing the outcome of life or death, I absolutely disagree. Since you’re considering mutual destruction, Dugu Jing is alone in the Capital City, why not kill him? It would be much simpler."