Volume Three: The Turmoil at Xuanwu Gate Chapter 103: Seizing the Spear

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Li Yuanji struck out in anger, his momentum extraordinary. The man relied on the horse’s strength, and the horse lent the man its power. The black steed neighed and roared, shaking its head and flicking its tail, galloping like a dragon soaring through the skies.

Li Yuanji took a deep breath, shouting fiercely from his dantian, unleashing a deadly move. His horse spear spun in his hand, delivering a thunderous strike aimed straight at Yuchi Gong’s vital chest.

Prepared for Li Yuanji’s aggressive assault, Yuchi Gong twisted his foot, shifted his body aside to dodge the spear’s tip, then used the shaft of his own spear to parry Li Yuanji’s charge outward.

Li Yuanji’s spear found no purchase. With a powerful shake of both arms, he used the rebound of the spear shaft to bend his horse spear into a bow shape, swinging the spearhead to slap Yuchi Gong’s shoulder.

Yuchi Gong planted his legs wide, adopting a stable stance like a drawn bow, holding his spear shaft with both hands to block, shouting, “Give way!”

With a loud clash, the two spears collided, and Yuchi Gong forcefully deflected Li Yuanji’s spear.

Li Yuanji, a seasoned fighter, flicked the horse’s head, flipped his body, and lifted his spear to continue the battle.

These two men—Li Yuanji on horseback, wielding his spear with the momentum of his steed, striking horizontally and vertically with the speed of a violent storm and the force of thunder.

Yuchi Gong faced him on foot, wielding only a spear shaft without a spearhead. Though at a disadvantage, it granted him greater agility.

Li Yuanji unleashed all his learned skills, his horse spear flying up and down like dancing pear blossoms.

Yuchi Gong twisted and turned, dodging left and right with calm composure. Some strikes couldn’t be avoided, so he used his spear shaft to block and parry.

Li Yuanji thrust over twenty times in succession, but all attacks proved futile—not even brushing Yuchi Gong’s clothing.

Frustration mounted in Li Yuanji. Despite the cold weather, beads of sweat formed on his forehead and temples.

He pondered inwardly: this burly black-haired man seemed simple-minded, yet his agility and reflexes were so sharp. It was as if every move and tactic was anticipated by him, always one step ahead. Could this dark-haired fellow be practicing some sort of sorcery or forbidden art?

The more anxious he grew, the more agitated he became. Though his spear strikes grew faster, his haste caused mistakes and lapses, which Yuchi Gong seized, lightly tapping Li Yuanji’s body with his spear shaft as a warning.

Standing nearby, Ming Yu secretly applauded. He was also skilled in combat, having trained under his master for many years.

Though Li Yuanji’s skills were formidable, each move executed with flair, he lacked mental fortitude. The more he fought, the more impatient he became, likely because during daily sparring with subordinates, they feared his status and held back, pretending to be weaker—giving him a false sense of prowess. Moreover, Li Yuanji seemed inexperienced in life-or-death battles, a complete novice, which explained his arrogance and shallow breath.

In contrast, Yuchi Gong was different—battle-hardened, having fought countless large and small battles, often placed in deadly situations and surviving by sheer skill and experience.

Simply by observing the subtle movements of Li Yuanji’s shoulders, Yuchi Gong could predict his next moves with the seasoned insight of a veteran, always staying one step ahead.

Ming Yu watched the infuriated Li Yuanji and sneered inwardly: “So you wanted to show off and act like the best warrior under heaven, looking down on everyone. How’s that working out for you? Serves you right to be humiliated!”

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Ming Yu deliberately shouted at Li Yuanji, “Prince Qi, your spear technique is superb! That thrust was perfect—ah, but just a little too high! Wow! That last move was truly divine! Just missed by two inches!”

“Ah! Now I understand! Prince Qi is indeed formidable! Could it be the legendary Compassionate Spear? Reaching the highest realm of martial arts where one fights without killing!” Ming Yu slapped his forehead, mocking him deliberately.

Emperor Taizong laughed and asked, “Compassionate Spear, a realm without killing—what’s that about?”

Ming Yu grinned wickedly, raising his voice, “Second Uncle, you don’t know. I only realized it now. Prince Qi is kind-hearted, unwilling to harm General Yuchi, so he deliberately aimed off target. He wanted to warn him gently, to stop at a point without serious injury—thus the name Compassionate Spear! As the strategists say, the best warriors boast no great achievements. The sages say, the truly divine are mighty yet do not kill. The Mohists preach universal love and non-aggression. Martial arts follow the same principle, naturally.”

Emperor Taizong, amused by Ming Yu’s nonsense, nodded approvingly, “Sounds like there’s some truth to that. Maybe I’ve misjudged the Fourth Prince!”

Li Yuanji, hearing their mockery in unison, turned pale with rage, eyes bulging.

Shamed and furious, he bellowed at Yuchi Gong, “Why don’t you fight back? Do you look down on me? Am I not worthy to spar with you?”

Yuchi Gong smiled simply, replying, “Your Highness, perhaps we should call it a day. You can’t land a hit, and I dare not truly harm you. How about a draw?”

“Bah! Draw my foot!” Li Yuanji was trapped. Having spoken recklessly before, his arrogant and reckless nature refused to back down. Gritting his teeth, he reined his horse, ready to fight again.

Ming Yu grew impatient. Li Yuanji was so clueless, so full of himself, failing to see Yuchi Gong’s superior skill. This endless tussle was a waste of time; they weren’t here to be his sparring partners. He needed a plan to make Li Yuanji give up, recognize the gap, and get down to serious matters.

With that thought, Ming Yu deliberately asked Emperor Taizong, “Second Uncle, I heard General Yuchi’s famous battle was when he single-handedly snatched the golden-tipped Zhaoyang spear from Dan Xiongxin, a top general under Wang Shichong, forcing him to flee in defeat. Which is harder, snatching a spear or dodging one?” He winked at the emperor.

Emperor Taizong caught the hint, stroked his beard, and mused, “Hmm, I can’t say for sure. Jingde, what do you think?”

Yuchi Gong chuckled, “Naturally, snatching the spear is harder.”

Emperor Taizong, displeased with Li Yuanji’s behavior, seized the opportunity to reprimand him, nodding, “In that case, why don’t you try to snatch the spear from Prince Qi? Let us witness your skill.”

“Gladly!” Yuchi Gong responded eagerly when the prince gave the order.

Li Yuanji heard this clearly, his anger and resentment boiling over. He thought bitterly: you say I’m arrogant, but you are even more so. I am no child; I’ve trained hard for years, undefeated among officers. Do you think I’m easy prey? If you take my weapon, how can I lead troops? You think you can just snatch my spear? Ha! I’ll cripple you so that life becomes worse than death, and take off your arm as well!

With that, Li Yuanji kicked his horse, grasped his spear shaft with both hands—one forward, one back—flicking the spear into a flower of light, thrusting at Yuchi Gong’s distracted moment.

“Well struck!” Yuchi Gong shouted, raising his spear shaft with one arm, using unparalleled strength to deflect Li Yuanji’s spear over a foot high, then reached out with his left hand like iron pincers to firmly grasp Li Yuanji’s spear shaft.

Li Yuanji was shocked to have his spear caught. Realizing the danger, he tried to pull back with both hands, but Yuchi Gong’s strength was unmatched; the spear did not budge.

“Let go!” Yuchi Gong roared, his arms straining as he shook Li Yuanji’s spear shaft up and down.

Li Yuanji felt his spear suddenly come alive, writhing like a monstrous python, his hand numb and aching.

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Seizing the moment, Yuchi Gong pulled hard, yelling, “Come here!” The horse spear was wrested from Li Yuanji’s grip with one arm.

Immediately, Yuchi Gong thrust forward with his right hand, pointing at Li Yuanji’s throat. Had his spearhead been attached, a slight touch would have pierced Li Yuanji’s windpipe, killing him instantly.

Holding the captured spear, Yuchi Gong smiled warmly, “Prince Qi, I thank you for the challenge!” Then lightly tossed the spear back, which returned to Li Yuanji’s hand.

“Well done! Excellent!” Ming Yu shouted loudly, clapping his hands red with applause as he witnessed Yuchi Gong’s skillful spear snatching.

Li Yuanji glared fiercely, still defiant, his face flushing blue and white, protesting, “Just now I was careless and you took advantage! Again!”

He spurred his horse to create distance of dozens of yards, clamping the spear shaft under his arm, spearhead aimed at Yuchi Gong’s face. He cracked his whip, urging horse and rider to full speed, charging forward.

Facing the onrushing horse, Yuchi Gong remained vigilant. This warhorse weighed a thousand pounds; combined with Li Yuanji’s strength, their charge could shatter iron armor, let alone flesh and blood.

Yuchi Gong planted his feet in a wide stance, muscles coiled like a drawn bow. Holding the spear shaft with both hands—one at each end—his eyes gleamed sharply, focusing intently on the charging horse.

In a blink, the distance was closed. Li Yuanji leaned forward, thrusting his spear at Yuchi Gong’s face.

Yuchi Gong, skilled and fearless, neither dodged nor parried, instead timed perfectly to tap the spear about three feet from Li Yuanji’s spearhead—the weak spot, the “seven-inch” of the spear.

Instantly, Li Yuanji’s spear was deflected, missing its mark. Yuchi Gong sidestepped the horse, grabbed the spear shaft, and with full strength pulled it back—Li Yuanji’s spear slipped free again, seized a second time!

Yuchi Gong returned the spear, but Li Yuanji, unwilling to concede, challenged him thrice more.

Each time Yuchi Gong took advantage, striking the horse’s knee joint with his spear shaft. The horse lost balance, stumbled, and both horse and rider fell with a thud. Li Yuanji was dazed, his spear dropped and seized once more.

After three successive disarms, even Li Yuanji’s arrogance waned. He realized the gap between them and felt his pride wounded.

Ashamed and furious but powerless, he could not lose face before the onlookers. Instead, he vented his rage on his warhorse.

Li Yuanji grabbed an iron hammer from a nearby weapon rack, swung his arm full circle, and struck the horse’s head, shouting, “Beast! You disgrace me!”

With a loud crash, the horse cried out in pain, its skull shattered by the hammer. Blood and brain matter splattered, covering Li Yuanji’s body and face.

Still burning with anger, Li Yuanji cast a dark, shifting gaze at Emperor Taizong and the others. His expression twisted into grimaces, sometimes fierce, sometimes brooding.

After a moment’s thought, he finally said, “You all wait in the study. I will change clothes and come shortly!” Then turned away in a huff.