Volume Three: The Xuanwu Gate Incident, Chapter 108: Breaking the Deadlock

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Hearing Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, issue his command, Yuwen Bao’s expression changed slightly, and his heart began to pound uneasily.

Yuwen Bao had not risen to become one of the commanders of Prince Qi’s guards without possessing some genuine ability. Though he came from a collateral branch of the Yuwen clan, he had practiced the family’s martial arts from childhood. Fist techniques, blade and spear, sword and halberd, fighting on horseback and on foot—he had neglected none of them for more than a decade.

When Li Yuanji was defending Jinyang, Liu Wuzhou happened to launch an attack. Yuwen Bao had escorted Li Yuanji through the encirclement and back to Guanzhong to seek reinforcements. Along the way, he had hacked his way through countless enemies, his armor soaked through with blood, and taken more heads than anyone could count. He was, by any measure, a fierce veteran of the battlefield. Otherwise, Li Yuanji would never have treated him as a trusted confidant and entrusted him with such heavy responsibilities.

Yuwen Bao did possess some self-awareness. Though he prided himself on his exceptional martial skill, he had just seen Yuchi Gong move with the speed of lightning and the force of rolling thunder. A true expert knew at once whether another had real ability. Yuwen Bao understood that compared with Yuchi Gong, his own skills were worlds apart—like earth and heaven, beyond even the hope of matching.

But with Prince Qi having spoken, he dared not refuse. Now that matters had come to this, he could only steel himself and step forward.

“General Yuchi, I beg you to offer me your guidance.”

Yuwen Bao clasped his fists toward Yuchi Gong.

Yuchi Gong had disliked him from the beginning, and this was the perfect opportunity to teach him a lesson. He gave a cold laugh.

“Certainly, certainly. Shall we compare fists and feet, or weapons?”

Yuwen Bao looked at Yuchi Gong, who towered like an iron pagoda, and felt a genuine sense of dread. Yuchi Gong was broad-backed and powerfully built, tall and massive, with a pair of fists resembling two small iron hammers. His armor would keep one punch from killing him outright, perhaps—but a single blow would surely leave bones broken and sinews torn.

Yet he would never dare compare weapons, not even at the cost of his life. He had only a saber at his waist, whereas what Yuchi Gong held in his hands was a completely different matter: a pure-copper crane lamp weighing more than a hundred pounds. Add to that the force of the swing, and the instant their weapons met, his saber would likely be sent flying.

“Er…” Yuwen Bao hesitated before saying, “Weapons are dangerous. Let us compare fists and feet instead. We shall stop once one of us has gained the advantage.”

“Good! As you wish.”

Yuchi Gong set down the bronze crane lamp, loosened his limbs, and produced a string of crisp cracks from his entire body. Then he raised both fists and said, “Come on!”

When Mingyu heard the name Yuwen Bao, a thought suddenly stirred in his mind.

According to Duan Hu’s confession, Yuwen Bao had been the one who ordered his kidnapping, while the mastermind behind it all was Li Yuanji. Li Yuanji could not be touched for the moment, but Yuwen Bao was another matter entirely. Since the two were about to fight, Mingyu might as well deal with him first and collect a little interest. Later, he would settle the full account with Li Yuanji.

Mingyu had plans of his own. Although there appeared to be harmony on the surface, the situation remained deadlocked.

He had Li Yuanji under control, but an unknown number of ambushers still lay concealed all around them. The moment Li Yuanji escaped danger, they would surely rush out. They would then find themselves in the same predicament as before—a situation where death was certain and survival impossible. Li Yuanji could afford to wait them out, but the few of them could not.

Their only option now was to take a dangerous course and establish his authority through overwhelming force, making Li Yuanji hesitate and preventing him from acting rashly.

Li Yuanji’s only reliance was Yuwen Bao and the hidden ambushers. Since this was not yet the time to tear openly with Li Yuanji, Mingyu could only use Yuwen Bao as his first target.

With that thought, Mingyu exchanged a glance with Li Shimin and said, “Wait! Uncle Yuchi has already displayed his might today and shown us what he can do. Why not let Mingyu take this round? Allow me to seek General Yuwen Bao’s instruction.”

“This…” Yuchi Gong hesitated and turned to look at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin did not know what Mingyu intended, but he knew that Mingyu was exceptionally clever and full of ingenious ideas. From time to time, he would produce plans so brilliant that they left others applauding in amazement. He had been like that at Hulao Pass, and again during the interrogation of the assassins. Li Shimin could only hope that it would be the same this time—that Mingyu’s clever scheme would break the deadlock and turn danger into safety.

Li Shimin gave Yuchi Gong a slight nod. Receiving the order, Yuchi Gong stepped back and cleared the space.

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Mingyu untied the saber at his waist and handed it to Li Shimin, calling out loudly, “Second Uncle, please take care of my treasured saber for me!”

Then, in an almost inaudible voice, he added, “Keep a close eye on Li Yuanji. If he gets away, everything is lost.”

Li Shimin signaled that he understood. Taking the saber, he hung it at his own waist, then walked over to Li Yuanji with a hearty laugh. Seizing Li Yuanji by the arm, he said, “Come, come, Fourth Brother. Let us continue drinking.”

From the wolf’s den straight into the tiger’s lair—that was Li Yuanji’s present mood. He had only just managed to get Mingyu out of his immediate vicinity when his second brother, Li Shimin, came over.

They had grown up together, so Li Yuanji knew perfectly well what his second brother was capable of. Li Shimin was an accomplished horseman and archer, no less skilled than any of the great generals of the age. Even someone as proud as Li Yuanji would not dare claim that he could defeat Li Shimin with certainty. All he could offer was a bitter smile.

Mingyu walked over to Yuchi Gong. As they passed one another, he lowered his voice and said, “If anything changes, seize Prince Qi at once and take him hostage.”

Yuchi Gong nodded, picked up the bronze crane lamp from the ground, and moved behind Li Shimin. There he stood, his tigerlike eyes wide and alert. If Li Yuanji made even the slightest suspicious move, he would erupt into action.

As for Yuwen Bao, the instant he heard that he would not be fighting Yuchi Gong but this young boy instead, his heart bloomed with delight. He nearly threw back his head and laughed aloud to express his excitement.

Yuchi Gong was not going to fight. In his place came this little brat! Fortune had finally favored him. Surely this was his chance to show off before Prince Qi.

How old could the boy be? Thirteen? Fourteen? Fifteen at most! He still had the softness of youth about him, and the milk had scarcely dried from his lips. Even if he had begun practicing martial arts in his mother’s womb, how many years could he possibly have trained?

And this boy actually dared to challenge him, without knowing his own limits? Did he truly think Yuwen Bao was some harmless vegetarian? Besides, Yuwen Bao was wearing full armor. With the strength of this child, he doubted the boy could even inflict the slightest injury.

The more he thought about it, the more pleased he became. In a frivolous tone, he said, “Boy, you may strike first. I shall give you three moves.”

Mingyu was delighted inwardly.

So Yuwen Bao really had no idea how close he was to death. He actually dared to offer him three moves.

Very well. Today, he would settle both old and new grievances at once. But first, he had to bind Yuwen Bao with his own words, lest he change his mind.

Mingyu deliberately put on an embarrassed expression, scratched his head, and waved his hands in refusal.

“No, no. We agreed to have a fair contest. Wouldn’t that give me far too great an advantage?”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

Yuwen Bao threw back his head and laughed. Was this boy a fool? He would not even let Yuwen Bao remove his armor, yet he claimed that Yuwen Bao would have the advantage?

He taunted, “Boy, let alone three moves—even thirteen, even thirty—and you still might not…”

Before he could finish, his words turned into a shriek of agony.

Along with the scream, a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips.

Mingyu had already decided to establish his authority through thunderous force. Strike first and seize the initiative. Seeing Yuwen Bao’s arrogant look of triumph, he waited until the man was speaking, then raised his hand and drove a Black-Tiger-Draws-Its-Heart punch into Yuwen Bao’s abdomen.

Yuwen Bao felt that what had struck him was no fist at all, but a massive iron hammer.

Even the iron armor could not withstand the force of that blow. Pain pierced straight into his bones, twisting his very entrails. A hot, metallic sweetness surged up from his stomach, and he could no longer suppress it. Blood burst from his mouth.

Mingyu stepped in at once, sprang into the air, and drove a knee into Yuwen Bao’s chest.

With a resounding clang, the bright breastplate protecting Yuwen Bao’s heart was crushed inward, leaving a huge dent.

Fortunately, Yuwen Bao was wearing armor. The breastplate had saved his life. Otherwise, that knee strike would have shattered his breastbone and driven the fragments into his heart and lungs, killing him on the spot.

Even so, Yuwen Bao was in terrible shape. The impact shook blood from his mouth in great heaving gulps, and he had completely lost the ability to fight back.

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“Bang! Bang-bang!”

Mingyu pressed his advantage without mercy, unleashing a continuous combination of punches. Every blow landed on Yuwen Bao’s chest or abdomen.

He deliberately controlled the rhythm. Whenever Yuwen Bao staggered to the left, Mingyu immediately followed with a right hook, and vice versa. He battered Yuwen Bao from side to side until the man was swaying helplessly, like a roly-poly toy. Heavy punches repeatedly destroyed his balance, yet Mingyu never allowed him to fall. Yuwen Bao could only remain upright like a target and endure the beating.

Yuwen Bao screamed again and again. Blood poured from his mouth as though it cost nothing. Before long, thin streams of blood began to seep not only from his lips, but also from his nostrils and ears.

Mingyu, meanwhile, was enjoying himself immensely.

Since arriving in this world, he had never dared to use his full strength, whether in martial contests or ordinary fights. Even when dealing with Duan Hu and his gang of villains, he had held back because he still needed to extract information from them.

If he struck with all his strength, even Xiao Hei, a beast king among beasts, would howl in agony and be unable to endure the pain. What chance did an ordinary human have, whose physique was worlds apart from that of a wild beast? Yuwen Bao was wearing armor and had a tough, sturdy body. Mingyu could therefore attack without restraint. He was the perfect punching bag.

Mingyu fought with exhilaration, but the few watching from the side could only stare in disbelief, their eyes twitching wildly.

No one had imagined that Yuwen Bao would be so utterly helpless before Mingyu.

Li Shimin watched with a smile at the corners of his mouth, nodding repeatedly in approval. He had known that Mingyu’s martial skill was formidable, but even he had underestimated the boy’s ability. Mingyu was dealing with a hardened battlefield veteran like Yuwen Bao as effortlessly as if he were taking a leisurely stroll. It was obvious that he still had not used his full strength.

Mingyu’s every movement flowed like drifting clouds and running water, smooth and effortless. Most remarkable of all, he had completely mastered the rhythm of the battlefield. It was as though Yuwen Bao were throwing himself forward of his own accord, begging to be beaten.

Yuchi Gong watched with blazing eyes and cheered again and again. Mingyu’s performance seemed to have opened an entirely new door in his understanding of martial arts. He had never seen techniques like these before, yet they were so simple, so efficient, and so much better suited to killing on the battlefield.

Li Yuanji, by contrast, was shaken to the core and secretly grateful that he had not acted rashly a moment earlier. Otherwise, with this boy’s skill, he might not have been able to withstand even a single exchange.

Damn it. He had originally thought the boy’s movements were merely as swift as lightning because his youth made him nimble, his body light and agile. Now it seemed that he had vastly underestimated the boy’s strength.

How could his martial skill be so terrifying? Yuwen Bao had trained for years and was a fierce general who had hacked his way through countless enemies in the midst of armies. Yet before this boy, he could not even defend himself. Mingyu was handling Yuwen Bao as effortlessly as an old man playing with an infant.

The thought sent another wave of fear through Li Yuanji. Cold sweat streamed down his back.

After Mingyu finished his combination, even Yuwen Bao’s full armor could not withstand the succession of heavy blows that followed. His seven orifices were bleeding, and his internal organs had been badly injured. By then, he was breathing out far more than he breathed in, with more than half his life already gone.

He had survived only because his armor had shielded him. Without it, he would have been dead beyond any hope of recovery.

Yuwen Bao would not die immediately, but with his internal organs so grievously damaged, and given the medical methods available in this era, he had likely already been entered into the register of the dead. He might linger for a few more days, suffering through each one, but that was all.

Mingyu ended the beating with a hand strike to the back of Yuwen Bao’s neck. At last, Yuwen Bao’s miserable existence as a punching bag came to an end. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

Mingyu was also exhausted. He shook his slightly trembling hands and muttered with a sigh, “What a tough tortoise shell. Damn it, that armor has made my knuckles ache.”

No matter how powerful his body was, he was still made of flesh and blood. Anyone who struck iron armor barehanded for long would eventually be unable to endure it.

Just as he had finished dealing with Yuwen Bao, a burst of chaotic footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall. Judging by the sound, there were quite a number of people.

Then a shrill, piercing voice rang out:

“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!”