Chapter 120: Defeating the Northern Yan Forces

This was precisely why Xueying Shen trusted Chen Jiang so much—he appeared calm and composed, yet observed everything keenly, understanding it all deeply.

Indeed, for their Night Execution Division, the most urgent and thorny matter at hand was to keep a close watch on the Beiyan envoy, ensuring they caused no trouble in the royal capital.

At this point, Jiang Chen recalled the challenge arena that Xiao Tong had set up.

Xueying Shen said, “Our Great Qian Dynasty is brimming with talent, hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Didn’t you say so yourself? I believe that when the time comes, capable heroes will step forward to restore our nation’s honor.”

“You say that because the Night Execution Division’s position makes it inconvenient to intervene directly. If we clashed fiercely with the envoy, it would be difficult to manage the aftermath. It’s much easier for non-officials from the martial world to handle such matters,” Jiang Chen remarked once again, hitting the nail on the head.

Out of goodwill, he warned Xueying Shen, “There’s one person who wouldn’t care about this at all. I advise you to keep an eye on him and prevent any reckless actions.”

Xueying Shen smiled knowingly; she understood he was talking about San Tong Lü.

It was said that after the Beiyan envoy entered the city, they deliberately avoided the official roads, choosing instead the bustling market streets to flaunt their power. They arrogantly and rudely made outrageous claims before all the city’s inhabitants, which nearly infuriated Lü San Tong to the point of bursting.

When a chance arose to teach the Beiyan men a lesson, he naturally refused to miss it.

The next day, the Beiyan envoy’s inn displayed the Beiyan flag and hung a banner with black characters on a white background, boldly declaring a challenge to the entire city. Anyone who dared step into the inn, win or lose, would receive ten taels of gold.

Their aim was to crush the morale of the Great Qian people right in the royal capital, making it clear to all that opposing Beiyan was utterly hopeless.

Within a mere hour, more than thirty warriors, unable to withstand Beiyan’s provocation, stepped forward to challenge them. Yet, without exception, all were carried out on stretchers.

Among them, some succumbed to their injuries on the way to the medical hall.

For a while, a dark cloud hung over Jinyang City. The entire populace was aghast. Were the Beiyan truly invincible monsters?

A despairing silence spread rapidly. If the people fell silent and dared not speak out, it meant their hope in the Great Qian was utterly shattered.

Jiang Chen and Xueying Shen sat in a private room at the Drunken Life Pavilion. The hot tea on the table was brewed by Jiang Chen himself, specially brought for Xueying Shen to taste.

Outside the window, messengers came and went, bringing news eighteen times in succession—all bad. So far, no one had managed to defeat the Beiyan, and the people still could not hold their heads high.

During the day, the Drunken Life Pavilion had no guests, yet everyone was deeply concerned about the ongoing challenge at the inn, resulting in the current gathering.

Even the courtesans, though bound to the pleasure houses, cared about the nation’s honor. Great Qian was not beyond saving, and none of those brave enough to challenge had accepted the humiliating ten taels of gold.

“If this continues, the streets will surely fall silent,” Xueying Shen said calmly, her expression unreadable—whether worried or indifferent was unclear.

Jiang Chen said nothing in reply but asked her, “How do you find this floral tea?”

“Rich and fragrant, with a unique flavor. I have drunk many fine teas reserved for the palace, yet none are as special as this,” she replied.

Shifting topics, Xueying Shen asked, “Are you really not going to intervene? If it were you, the Beiyan would surely be subdued.”

Out of consideration for the Night Execution Division’s position, Xueying Shen did not want the court’s dignity to be tarnished, nor did she want a reckless person to provoke a serious conflict with the Beiyan.

Thus, in her heart, Jiang Chen was the ideal candidate to handle the matter.

“I could intervene, but not now.”

“Why not?”

Jiang Chen smiled faintly. “If I’m the only one in all of Great Qian who can fight, how much does that truly uphold our nation’s dignity?”

“Besides, Lü San Tong is bound to go. Let him take the lead, and we’ll clean up the mess afterward.”

Xueying Shen was about to remind him that she had warned Lü San Tong not to meddle, but before she could speak, fresh news arrived: Lü San Tong had appeared at the inn’s doorstep.

“You see, your subordinate doesn’t give you the courtesy of heeding your warning.”

Jiang Chen poured another cup of tea for Xueying Shen, hoping to calm her nerves. It would be embarrassing for her to lose her composure now.

While they chatted quietly, Lü San Tong showcased his prowess on the arena, defeating three Beiyan warriors in succession and finally earning some dignity for Great Qian. But he had yet to face the arrogant Xiao Tong.

“After three consecutive victories, Lü San Tong is now set to face the Beiyan envoy Xiao Tong. If he wins, the Beiyan will lower their flag and publicly kneel to the city’s populace in apology.”

The messenger’s face could hardly conceal his excitement.

Lü San Tong’s actions had lifted everyone’s spirits. Victory would erase all past humiliations and release the pent-up emotions of the city’s people.

Jiang Chen finished his last cup of tea, rose slowly, and said, “It’s time to go clean up the mess.”

“Do you really think Lü San Tong will definitely lose?”

Xueying Shen knew Lü San Tong well. Though he had many flaws in character, he was by no means an average fighter.

She could not understand why Jiang Chen was so certain of Lü San Tong’s defeat. After all, he was one of their own, and they owed him an explanation.

Jiang Chen replied matter-of-factly, “It’s not that Lü San Tong isn’t capable. His opponent is just very strong, and I can’t see through his background. Lü San Tong is impulsive and angered, and even before the fight began, he had already lost ground.”

“So his chances of winning are slim.”

As they spoke, they arrived in front of the inn, where Lü San Tong’s long spear was planted firmly in the pole bearing the Beiyan flag—a gesture brimming with defiance.

A crowd gathered eagerly, eyes fixed on the scene, desperate to know the outcome. The previous victories had given them hope; Lü San Tong simply could not afford to lose now.

The sounds of combat inside abruptly ceased. Lü San Tong’s tall figure emerged slowly, his face pale.

In the next moment, his body wavered, about to collapse forward, but Jiang Chen stepped up first, catching him by the shoulder.

Without Jiang Chen, Lü San Tong would have fallen disgracefully. It was Jiang Chen who preserved his last shred of dignity.