The Bodyguard King's CEO Wife-Chapter 1405: Martial Arts Sparring

The fortress is a very narrow place. Helian is an old general of the Wolf Clan, battle-hardened, having fought the Qin Army more than seventy times. Precisely because of the strategic importance of Stone Peak Fortress, the Wolf Clan sent him to take charge of it. However, it was also because of his frequent victories that he became careless, stepping into the trap set by Ye Shikai without realizing it. Even though he fought desperately like a trapped beast, he could not escape death. If he had been a little more cautious, this outcome might have been avoided.

"I already understand the situation with Ma Peng. He sold arrows illegally and conspired to betray the pass, leaving him no escape from a death sentence. As for his family, they can be spared from execution." Meng Tian nodded and said. Frankly, he was undoubtedly in a situation of "a bad news and a good news." A general intended to surrender the fortress, but another general took care of it, annihilating three thousand enemies and capturing one thousand. Meng Tian was deeply fearful afterwards. If the fortress had fallen, allowing the Wolf Clan to advance unimpeded, sending even fifty thousand more soldiers would not have helped.

"General Meng is wise," Ye Shikai nodded in agreement.

"By the way, I heard your martial skills are quite impressive, is that so?" Meng Tian changed the topic and continued to ask.

"Well... it’s just a small trick, not worth showing off," Ye Shikai said humbly. He didn’t quite understand why Meng Tian asked this, but... it’s better to be low-key.

"No need to be too modest. How about sparring with this general?" As soon as Meng Tian finished speaking, all the generals present shivered. Meng Tian was not only a renowned strategist, but also a warrior who charged into battle fearlessly. In the entire Qin Country, hardly anyone could confidently challenge Meng Tian in a duel.

"General Meng, you have great responsibilities. How can you engage in such duels? Moreover, your martial prowess is well-known throughout the Great Qin. How can a mere chiliarch be your opponent?" Han Hao said with a smile. However, drawing swords and engaging in combat could harm the harmony, especially since the opponent was General Meng of the Qin Dynasty.

"Haha, being part of the Great Qin Army, whether as generals or soldiers, one should fear neither swords nor blades. If even I feared them, how could I establish authority?"

"So, Ye, would you be willing to spar with me?" Meng Tian pointed at Ye Shikai, asking. For him, it was a difficult choice. If he refused, and Meng Tian invited him a few more times, he might be accused of disrespect or even disobedience. If he accepted, he would have to ’fight’ Meng Tian. Among the Qin Army, he was probably the only one who had a chance to challenge a military commander one-on-one.

"Since General Meng insists, I shall not refuse any longer."

"Good, have the soldiers set up a platform in the open area. Let’s go out." Meng Tian happily slapped the table, taking Ye Shikai by the hand and walking out of the barracks.

..............................

"Ye, make sure you don’t use your full strength," outside the barracks, Han Hao pulled Ye Shikai into a corner, nervously reminding him, "General Meng is an imperial general with a noble status. Although it was his idea to duel, if he actually gets hurt, we’ll all lose our heads." Han Hao said, gesturing a light mark across his neck.

"General Meng might be testing you, but he might also just be having a whim. Losing is not shameful, and you’ll save his face, which is a win-win. If you stubbornly go all out, even if you win, there is no benefit. You might even offend him."

"Alright, Lord Han, I understand, I’ll only go as far as necessary."

"That’s good, that’s good, don’t forget."

"Ye, are you ready?" On the platform, Meng Tian had already changed into light armor. Han Hao initially wanted both sides to use wooden swords and knives instead, but was firmly rejected by Meng Tian.

"Ready." Ye Shikai also changed into his attire, taking his sword onto the platform. They both chose to use swords, not spears or long knives.

"You’ve chosen a sword. Is it to intentionally let this general win?" Meng Tian asked in return.

"I am not adept at using a spear. Instead, this sword suits my skills, allowing flexibility. General Meng, please." Ye Shikai saluted and said.

"I am older than you, and if you let me win, people might say I’m not worthy. How about this: you attack first, I’ll give you three moves." Indeed, Meng Tian was not an ordinary person. If it were anyone else in a duel, they would never let an opponent have moves without at least an eighty percent chance of winning.

"Then I shall humbly accept." Ye Shikai understood. After all, Meng Tian was a commander of an army and needed to maintain his ’War God’ image in front of the soldiers. If he lost face, the morale of the Qin Army would drop.

Thus, Ye Shikai had to lose, but he had to make Meng Tian feel that he had used all his strength...

Ye Shikai suddenly thrust a sword, the sword edge slightly tilted left, easily dodged by Meng Tian. Ye Shikai swung the sword backhand, which was also easily blocked. The clash of blades sparked, and Ye Shikai kicked, but Meng Tian stepped back, missing the kick entirely.

Three moves had passed.

"Ye, if you keep holding back, this general won’t show mercy. Use your full abilities to fight me." Meng Tian said softly. Ye Shikai was quite surprised. Although he had deliberately held back in his moves just now, he was confident he could ’fool’ everyone, yet Meng Tian saw through it.

"The first thrust, you deliberately slanted the sword edge left. The second swing, your target wasn’t me, but my sword, clearly letting me block. As for the third move, even though the kick missed, you softened your force in the end. Even if it hit me, it would have been painless."

Meng Tian hit the nail on the head.

Now it was Ye Shikai’s turn to be shocked. In just a blink of an eye in battle, Meng Tian had already clearly seen the flaws. Even if Ye Shikai had used his full strength, he probably couldn’t have prevailed over Meng Tian.

"Next, be careful." Meng Tian warned. As he finished speaking, he charged directly, cutting down with a sword. Ye Shikai blocked horizontally, feeling immense pressure, as if facing not a sword edge, but a mountain. He even had to kneel on one knee to catch the blow.

"Excellent."

"Excellent."

"General Meng’s mighty!"

Under the platform, the uniform cheers were all in celebration of Meng Tian. Ye Shikai had to admit, Meng Tian’s martial art was indeed formidable. Without Inner Strength, he was not Meng Tian’s match. This blow proved who was stronger, and Ye Shikai felt Meng Tian was still holding back; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been just a ’Hasty Block.’

"Ye, keep fighting."