Chapter 110: The Dominant Guo Dongdong

(This revision adds a few hundred words, as it completes the sequence of events. PS: Thanks to Brother Du She for the tip!)

The man in the sable fur coat glanced at the blade in Guo Dongdong's hand and gave a sinister chuckle. "Little lady, are you sure you can handle that blade? Don't hurt those fair, tender hands of yours—that would be a real pity!"

The man was named Zhang Xing. As soon as these words left his mouth, the expressions of both Guo Xixi and Guo Dongdong shifted. They had likely not expected that, during their very first solo journey through the martial world, their true identities as women would be exposed by two different groups in such short order. They felt a sense of inevitable embarrassment.

It seemed the martial world was not as easy to navigate as they had thought. Previously, when they had traveled alongside Guo Feng, they had felt that wandering the world was no big deal. After all, their martial skills and social standing were exceptional, and few local thugs or common wanderers could stand against them. Furthermore, they often saw that as soon as Guo Feng revealed his background, a large number of rivals would immediately transform into friends, leading the pair to believe that life in the martial world was quite simple. They never imagined that on their first trip out, they would run into trouble before even half a day had passed.

Seeing the two beauties—disguised as men—change their expressions, Zhang Xing assumed his wit and presence had intimidated them, and he grew smug. "As long as you two little ladies join us brothers for a couple of drinks, we’ll let you go. How about that?"

Even with her lack of experience, Guo Dongdong was not naive enough to believe Zhang Xing. Especially when she looked at his face—crude and repulsive from every angle—a surge of disgust rose within her. She didn't want to tangle with these people. She grabbed the impulsive Guo Xixi, preventing her from acting as rashly as she had with Qin Cheng and his men, and said coldly, "We are in a hurry. You would be wise not to block our path!"

Having said this, Guo Dongdong ignored Zhang Xing and turned to Bai Dabei, who had already reached the group but was too timid to step forward and collect the payment. She tossed a pouch of silver to him. As Bai Dabei’s bulky frame jolted in surprise and he scrambled to catch it, she added, "Keep the change," then shoved Zhang Xing aside and pulled Guo Xixi toward the exit.

Caught off guard, Zhang Xing was pushed back two steps, allowing the women to slip past him. Humiliated and furious, he roared, "Damn it! Stop them! Don't let a single one get away!"

As the command echoed, Guo Dongdong and Guo Xixi moved with perfect synchronization, leaping out of the stall and sprinting toward their horses.

Following Zhang Xing’s order, the lecherous man shouted, "Grab them!" and the entire group lunged forward. They were clearly seasoned in such predatory behavior; half of the seven or eight men chased after the women toward the horses, while the others sprinted to the main road to block both directions.

Had Guo Dongdong and Guo Xixi not stopped to reach for their horses, they might have shaken off their pursuers. But as they reached for the reins, the men closed the distance, leaving no time to mount.

Zhang Xing, being the closest to Guo Xixi, took advantage of the moment she reached for her horse and lunged, arms outstretched, attempting to grab her from behind.

Had he succeeded in pinning her, no matter how skilled she was, she would have been unable to escape; the sheer number of men following them would have made resistance futile.

Guo Dongdong, who had been reaching for her horse, stepped back as Zhang Xing lunged, and without turning around, she whipped her leg back in a lightning-fast strike, slamming her heel into Zhang Xing’s chest.

Zhang Xing hadn’t expected such a maneuver. As the kick connected, he realized he had been outplayed. He let out a muffled groan as his body was sent flying backward!

...

"General!" Seeing that the two women had engaged in combat with Zhang Xing’s group, Qin Qingzhi and the others grew anxious. They looked urgently at Qin Cheng, unable to stop themselves from requesting permission to intervene.

From where he stood, Qin Cheng had a clear view of the fighting, and he saw the predicament the two women were in. Yet, he remained indifferent, showing no sign of wanting to intervene. In truth, his men did not know if he intended to act; they only wanted his permission to join the fray. But Qin Cheng simply watched the fight with a detached air, looking every bit like a mere spectator.

Since Qin Cheng gave no order, his men dared not act. The great battle against the Xiongnu the previous year had established Qin Cheng’s absolute authority within the army. No one would dream of questioning his commands. Even if the soldiers didn't understand his motives, they trusted that he had a plan, for past events had proven him right.

The fight outside was fierce, yet Qin Cheng and his men remained still, creating a stark contrast. Bai Dabei was only a small man, terrified of trouble and death. He didn't understand the ways of the martial world and knew he shouldn't interfere. But seeing these imperial soldiers watch idly as two women were bullied by a gang of thugs, his anger flared, and his initial favorable impression of Qin Cheng vanished.

Watching the dangerous fight, Bai Dabei suddenly recalled Guo Dongdong’s remark: "Don't break the shopkeeper's stall!" His heart ached for them.

He was a man, after all. To watch two young women being bullied without saying a word made him feel suffocated. As he thought this, his face gradually flushed with indignation.

...

When Guo Dongdong kicked Zhang Xing away, he had been caught off guard. However, he was no novice. As he flew backward, he used the momentum to perform a mid-air flip, landing on one knee and bracing himself. Though he looked somewhat disheveled, he managed to avoid the humiliation of crashing to the ground.

The moment his feet touched the earth, his eyes turned bloodshot, and he glared at Guo Dongdong with venomous intent.

After Guo Dongdong forced Zhang Xing back, the lecherous man closed in. Despite his grotesque appearance, he was skilled. Having fought alongside Zhang Xing many times, they had developed a rhythm. As Zhang Xing was pushed back, the man launched a horizontal kick aimed at Guo Dongdong’s temple!

Before Guo Dongdong could recover her balance from the previous kick, the man’s leg was already upon her. In a moment of desperation, she pivoted on her right foot and launched herself into the air, narrowly avoiding the blow with a mid-air backflip.

While airborne, she didn't remain idle. Taking advantage of the man’s overextended kick, she struck his temple hard with the fabric-wrapped sword in her hand! The man let out a grunt, collapsed to the side, and fell to the ground, dazed and unable to rise for the time being.

Having successfully fended off two attackers, Guo Dongdong held the upper hand. Guo Xixi was doing just as well; though she hadn't repelled her two attackers yet, she handled them with ease and grace. At this rate, she would subdue them soon.

As children of a prominent, powerful family, the two women had been trained by masters since childhood. It was only natural that their skills surpassed those of common thugs like Zhang Xing.

After knocking out the lecherous man, Guo Dongdong intended to mount her horse. However, she suddenly felt a rush of air behind her! Her sharp reflexes allowed her to react instantly. Without knowing the nature of the attack, she didn't risk a counter-strike, choosing instead to dive and roll, ending up two yards away by the time she stood up.

She expected to have shaken off Zhang Xing, but before she could catch her breath, a green blur flashed before her eyes—Zhang Xing was using his sheathed sword like a club!

Perhaps he didn't want to draw blood, fearing it would interfere with his "business" after capturing them, so he kept his sword sheathed. In fact, when wanderers fought, they rarely drew their steel. While a hot-blooded man might "spill blood five paces away," very few people truly disregarded their own lives. A sword drawn meant death or injury was inevitable. By keeping it sheathed, one could admit defeat and save their life. Every mature wanderer knew this.

Guo Dongdong was forced to block with her own blade. With a sharp crack, she used the momentum to retreat, her hand numbing from the impact, but she finally managed to create distance.

Seizing the gap, Guo Dongdong yanked a thread at the end of her bundle. The silk cloth fell away, revealing the shape of a long saber!

So, she was a saber user!

A beauty wielding a saber instead of a sword added a fierce, enchanting allure to her grace.

Gripping the hilt, she moved with surprising speed. Her saber technique was fierce and domineering; had one not seen it, it would be hard to believe a woman could display such overwhelming power. Beyond its dominance, her technique was defined by its speed. Zhang Xing felt as though he were facing a thousand shadows—every strike seemed like a phantom, yet every strike felt real. Having lost the initiative, he was slowly forced into a purely defensive position under her relentless assault.

If the saber had such power while sheathed, what would it be like once drawn?

Qin Cheng’s lips curled into an intrigued smile.

*Thud!*

Finally, a dull sound rang out. Guo Dongdong struck Zhang Xing’s ribs with her saber; a sharp *snap* followed—one of his ribs had surely broken! Having landed the hit, she followed up with a kick to his chest, sending him flying. She then spun, leaped onto her horse, grabbed the reins, and kicked the horse's flanks, ready to bolt!

Though she had wounded him, she had underestimated Zhang Xing. He couldn't be the leader of this band of thugs without some capability. As he was sent flying, he had already anticipated her move. He leaped up, dashed toward her horse, crouched low, and with a *shing* sound, drew his long blade and severed the horse's leg!

The horse collapsed, and Guo Dongdong was thrown off balance, tumbling to the ground.

By now, Zhang Xing had realized her true skill and would no longer hold back. His strike had crippled her escape, but after witnessing her terrifying technique, he dared not be careless.

Since his blade was now drawn, he decided to go all the way. Today’s events had exceeded his expectations; the women's skills were far beyond what he had anticipated. Fearing for his life and determined to capture them at any cost, he shouted to his men, "Draw your blades!"

His followers hesitated no longer. They tore off the green cloth from their weapons and unsheathed their blades.

The four men who had been blocking the road, seeing that Guo Dongdong’s horse was out of commission and realizing it was time for a fight to the death, left their posts and joined the fray, surrounding the two women.

"Stop! Don't fight anymore!"

Just before the blades were fully drawn, a terrified Bai Dabei summoned the courage to run toward one of the wanderers, shouting in an attempt to mediate.

It was all he could do. At that moment, it was the only act of masculine pride and justice he could muster.

The moment he finished, the wanderer’s blade was unsheathed. Thinking Bai Dabei was courting death, the man kicked him aside and swung his sword toward him!

"Kill them all. Leave no one alive!"

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out.

By the time Qin Qingzhi and his men realized it was Qin Cheng’s order, he was already gone from his spot.

...

As soon as the words left Qin Cheng’s lips, he was in the air. His long saber flashed horizontally, instantly decapitating the wanderer who was about to kill the terrified Bai Dabei!

Blood sprayed like a fountain!

A hero may remain still, but when he strikes, he kills.

A hero may keep his blade sheathed, but when he draws it, it must taste blood!

"Kill!"

Qin Qingzhi roared habitually, and along with two other bodyguards, he drew his blade and charged out of the stall toward the thugs surrounding the women.

Having been restrained for so long, their strike resulted in a brutal slaughter!

Though they were eager, they did not lose their heads. Charging out, the three of them did not scatter; they formed a small triangular formation, supporting each other and using their military tactics to teach the wanderers a lesson.

Such a method might be slower in killing, but it was the only way to ensure their own survival while dealing maximum damage!

As Qin Cheng entered the fray, it became a storm of blood!

He held nothing back; every move was a killing blow.

Simple and direct!

From the very beginning, he had never intended to let this group of so-called wanderers walk away.

Wanderers who could be this arrogant, bullying men and oppressing women, surely had a history of victimizing the poor and the weak.

And what Qin Cheng hated most were those who bullied the poor!

That was why he had intentionally remained still, waiting for them to draw their blades.

Without drawn blades, the situation would be categorized as mere malicious assault or unseemly intentions; even if he captured them, he couldn't truly punish them. But once they drew their blades, it became attempted murder. Within the borders of the Han Empire, those who use weapons to kill are to be executed!

Bullying, oppressing the local people, and tormenting the poor—such acts are intolerable to heaven and earth. Death is the only answer!

This was Qin Cheng’s purpose today.

He could not kill every such person in the world, but he would never tolerate a Han Empire—the very empire he and his brothers had bought with their lives on the battlefield—becoming a place filled with thugs where the poor were wantonly oppressed. He had to uphold the fruits of their victory.

When he went to pay his respects to his fallen comrades, whose bodies had been torn apart on the battlefield, he hoped to be able to say with a clear conscience that the living had honored the dead.

The dead gave their lives so the living could survive; the living, in turn, must fulfill the wishes of the dead and honor their fragmented remains!

Protect what must be protected.

That was all Qin Cheng wanted to do.

Nothing more.