Chapter Thirty-Three A Confrontation

In the previous chapter, it was told how Murong Yan, disregarding Ye Feng’s pleas, led her troops out of the city to confront the ferocious Mengkeshu. This left Ye Feng in a panic; he hurried back to camp to marshal his forces and prepare for support.

Let us set aside Ye Feng’s arrangements for now, and focus on Murong Yan. After leaving the city, she pressed on without rest, passing through several checkpoints within a single day before arriving at the front lines. That night, her army made camp. At dawn the next morning, Murong Yan hastily washed, donned her armor and helmet, and led her generals to challenge the enemy.

Not long after her soldiers began hurling insults across the field, the demon camp gates flew open. Mengkeshu emerged at the forefront, accompanied by a host of demon generals and soldiers.

At the sight of Mengkeshu, Murong Yan’s hatred blazed; she pointed at him and cursed, “Mengkeshu! Last time you escaped me. You should have learned your lesson and stayed quietly in your Myriad Demon Kingdom, living out your days as a fiend! Yet you have not repented, and again you trespass on our borders, even murdering my brother without cause. This time, I will not let you go!”

She spurred her horse forward, intent on battling Mengkeshu to the death. But Li Yiqing stopped her, saluting with clasped fists and saying, “Marshal Murong… to kill a mere chicken, why use such a mighty blade? Allow this humble general to handle this. Why not let your subordinate fight the opening bout while you rest?”

Knowing Li Yiqing’s abilities, Murong Yan nodded. “Mengkeshu is no easy foe. Be careful.”

Li Yiqing harbored deep hatred for Mengkeshu, for the demon had slain his brother Wang Erbao. Seeing Mengkeshu today, his eyes turned bloodshot and he was the first to step forward, bounding toward the enemy in a few leaps.

Li Yiqing brandished his Golden Dragon Claw, pointing at Mengkeshu and shouting, “You… you… old fiend! You… you… killed my… my brother, Wang… Wang… Erbao. Today… today… you must pay… with your life!”

Mengkeshu was taken aback. “I’ve killed so many—who is this Wang Erbao you speak of?”

Li Yiqing’s anger mounted. He spat thickly on the ground. “Don’t play dumb, old fiend! Wang Erbao is the big fellow you slew just a few days ago!”

Mengkeshu burst into laughter. “You two don’t look much alike, but your stammers are a perfect match! What a pair!”

As the saying goes: never strike a man’s face, never expose his faults. Mengkeshu’s words made Li Yiqing blush with embarrassment, unable to lift his head.

He shouted back, “You… you… old monster! First you killed my brother, now you insult me—your grandpa will fight you to the end!”

Li Yiqing, the “Little Spirit Monkey of the Impassable Cliffs,” leaped up, swinging his Golden Dragon Claw at Mengkeshu’s face.

Mengkeshu was about to draw his blade when a demon general nearby stepped in. “Marshal, there’s no need for you to dirty your hands with such a whelp. Let me handle him!”

Before he finished speaking, the general leaped out with a clang, raising his twin hammers to block Li Yiqing’s attack.

Li Yiqing felt a shock run up his arms, his hands burning, his arms numb. Looking closer, he saw that the demon general’s iron hammers were enormous and, as for his appearance—he was hideous beyond compare. The brute stood over eight feet tall, broad and stout, with bulging muscles and thick, bristling body hair. A tuft over half a foot long sprouted from the center of his chest. His round head sported blood-red eyes, wind-catching ears, bulging cheeks, and a broad, pointed mouth with sparse whiskers. His chest and abs jutted out in slabs, taut and springy, and his long arms, when extended, matched his height. He walked hunched, shoulders raised, taking three swaying steps for every stride.

Li Yiqing drew a sharp breath. In his heart he thought: Isn’t this just a gorilla? Where did it come from?

Despite his thoughts, he asked, “Hey! Who are you, and where did you crawl out from, you freak?”

The other replied, “I am Xing Yousheng, chief of the Ape Garden Fortress of the Myriad Demon Kingdom. And who are you, little monkey brat?”

Li Yiqing grinned. “You want to know who I am? Your grandpa is Li Yiqing, known far and wide as the ‘Little Spirit Monkey of the Impassable Cliffs.’ Go back now, don’t throw your life away for Mengkeshu!”

Xing Yousheng cursed furiously, “Where did this little runt come from, spouting such nonsense? Today you’ll taste your grandpa ape’s might!”

No sooner had he spoken than his massive hammer came swinging down with great force. Li Yiqing knew better than to take the blow head-on, dodging nimbly aside.

But as soon as he slipped away, the iron hammer whistled through the air again, aimed at his head! Li Yiqing showed no fear. Instead of retreating, he leaped three feet high, darting straight into his opponent’s arms! One was long-armed and wielded his hammers with sweeping, mighty blows; the other small and nimble, bouncing around like a slippery eel, playing hide-and-seek.

Before long, Xing Yousheng was left panting, out of breath, cursing, “You little monkey, stop moving! Let me bash you with one swing!”

Li Yiqing just laughed, “Move! Move! Of course I’ll move! Come catch me if you can!”

Suddenly, he crouched low and, with a slippery sound, darted between Xing Yousheng’s legs, his Golden Dragon Claw striking upward with lightning speed. Xing Yousheng had no chance to dodge—the claw raked his groin, leaving four bloody gashes. The pain made him drop his hammers with a clatter, clutch his crotch, and collapse to the ground, howling in agony, his whole body convulsing.

“You little brat, let’s see if you can still talk tough!” Li Yiqing, seeing his move succeed, leaped atop Xing Yousheng’s chest, brandishing the Golden Dragon Claw toward his throat.

Suddenly, a shout rang out, “Little monkey, do not harm General Xing—Xiao is here!” A flash of silver, a spear thrust forward!

Sensing the cold wind, Li Yiqing knew the newcomer was formidable. He had no time to finish off Xing Yousheng and somersaulted back a yard away.

He saw that the newcomer was a young general, clad all in white and mounted on a white horse, wielding a silver spear nearly eight feet long. His features were striking: tall and slender, with a wasp waist and broad back, skin like white jade, a face as fair as peach blossoms, sword-shaped brows, starry eyes, a straight nose, and square jaw.

Li Yiqing had long heard of Xiao Ling’s handsome looks and formidable skills, and guessed this must be him. He asked, “Are… are… you General Xiao… Xiao Ling?”

The other, proud and aloof, barely glanced at him. “Indeed, I am. Since you know who I am, withdraw now and send Ye Feng to fight me instead!”

Li Yiqing snorted. “Ye… Ye… Feng isn’t here today. If you… you… won’t fight me, then… then… send Mengkeshu instead!”

Xiao Ling barked, “Nonsense! Marshal Meng is our supreme commander. How could he stoop to fight the likes of you? Since Ye Feng isn’t here, I’ll duel you for three hundred rounds. If you best me, you may face Marshal Meng!”

Li Yiqing bristled at this, cursing, “Insolent fool! I called you ‘General’ because you don’t look like a demon. Who knew you’d be so devoted to the Myriad Demon Kingdom—truly despicable! Prepare to die!”

He leaped forward, swinging his Golden Dragon Claw. Xiao Ling was momentarily startled, but seeing the claw coming, he had no time to think and retorted, “Nonsense! Little runt, you think to turn me against my kingdom? Dream on!” He leveled his silver spear to meet the attack.

The two clashed, dazzling onlookers. Silver light flashed, spear shadows danced, enveloping Li Yiqing so tightly that neither wind nor water could penetrate. Such masterful spearwork would have slain any other opponent.

But Li Yiqing was different—he ducked and rolled like a ball, darting before and behind Xiao Ling’s horse, leaping up and down like a mouse, so that Xiao Ling couldn’t pin him down.

After a while, Xiao Ling began to suffer. Being tall and mounted, he was forced to crane his head to track Li Yiqing’s rapid movements, but even then, he couldn’t keep up—Li Yiqing moved so swiftly he seemed a ghostly blur, leaving Xiao Ling overwhelmed.

Secretly, Xiao Ling was impressed. No wonder General Xing lost to you—you truly have some skill. If this continues, I, Xiao Ling, will be shamed before all! No—I can’t let that happen. If I can’t beat you head-on, I’ll use my special technique: the Vajra Whip-Tail! I’ll catch you off guard and seize victory!

With that thought, he intensified his spearwork, confining Li Yiqing to a small area. At the same time, he channeled his demonic power to his tail, which quietly snaked out from beneath his saddle.

Suddenly, he roared, “Die, wretch!” A black shadow lashed out at Li Yiqing like lightning!

Did the whip strike true? Find out in the next chapter!

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