Chapter 463: Chapter 463: Today, he absolutely cannot lose!
Xue Lingling’s eyes lit up when she saw the porcelain bottle, “Healing Pill!”
The Healing Pill is a secret medicine of the Poisonous Insect Clan, refined with ninety-nine kinds of herbs over ninety-nine days, and it rapidly aids in wound recovery.
This was a treasure of her brother, and asking for one pill from him would take half a day of persuasion, yet he actually took the initiative to give it to Dugu Yan.
However, Dugu Yan helped them fiercely defeat Tuoba Xiong, and just thinking about it felt satisfying.
Xue Yifeng remained calm, “Don’t read too much into it, her helping you teach a lesson to Tuoba Xiong is not a big deal.”
Xue Lingling agreed cheerfully, prepared to go and give it to Dugu Yan, but Xue Yifeng tugged at her sleeve, looking slightly awkward, “Uh… don’t say it’s from me!”
“Don’t worry!” Xue Lingling quickly went to Dugu Yan’s side.
“Thank you, Dugu Sister, for avenging me, you were amazing just now!” Xue Lingling excitedly held Dugu Yan’s hand.
Dugu Yan’s face hurt, and she looked at Xue Lingling and said generously, “No worries, being your sister means that such scum deserves a beating!”
Recently, she had been pestered by Xue Lingling, with no way out, and was forced to recognize her as a sister.
Although they were about the same age, she couldn’t resist Xue Lingling’s sweet words and innocent demeanor.
“By the way, this Healing Pill is my brother’s gift to you!” Xue Lingling handed a small porcelain bottle to Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan looked towards where Xue Yifeng had been standing, and their eyes met.
When she saw Dugu Yan looking over, Xue Yifeng immediately looked elsewhere. His tall stature had nowhere to hide, and his ears turned red in an instant.
He awkwardly clenched his sleeve, wondering if Xue Lingling had told the truth to Dugu Yan.
He had forgotten that his sister was good at everything, except lying!
Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow, playfully withdrawing her gaze from Xue Yifeng.
Was this man in love with her, possibly lingering on the memories of that night’s fleeting affection?
Thinking of her bold actions, Dugu Yan’s cheeks flushed.
Xue Lingling didn’t notice Dugu Yan’s oddness, and continued, “There are three Healing Pills inside, even one pill is miraculous.”
Dugu Yan immediately opened the porcelain bottle, tipped out a pill, and tossed it into her mouth, saying as she ate, “I’ve heard about the Healing Pill of the Poisonous Insect Clan being worth a fortune, thank your brother for me.”
Xue Lingling embarrassedly scratched her head, “If only I could refine poisons, then it should be me giving you Healing Pills.”
Dugu Yan curiously asked, “Can you make me some poison to weaken someone completely?”
“Yes!” Xue Lingling said excitedly.
Dugu Yan curved her lips into a mischievous smile, “Good, then help me make some, your sister needs it.”
“Sure!” Xue Lingling promised, patting her chest.
Zhan Lan looked at the two, “Dugu Yan, what are you scheming again?”
“Nothing, truly nothing!” Dugu Yan pulled Xue Lingling aside, and the two went off to whisper secrets.
The third round of the tournament was riding skills, and Zhan Lan glanced towards the person sitting not far behind.
She had asked Si Yun for the person, Xiao Chen.
In a black riding outfit, Xiao Chen looked at Zhan Lan and slightly smiled.
When Xiao Chen stood and walked to Zhan Lan’s side, he heard her whisper, “Brother, you don’t need to win, a draw is enough.”
Xiao Chen understood Zhan Lan’s intention. Western Rong’s cavalry was indeed strong, but his riding skills were excellent too, and winning the competition was possible.
A draw was Emperor Qingwu’s wish, as Nanjin had already won the first round of archery.
Earlier, the martial arts competition was a draw between Eastern Wei and Nanjin, and if this round of riding skills also ended in a draw with Western Rong, it would maintain Nanjin’s dignity while leaving some face for the opponent.
Dugu Yan had already taught Western Rong a lesson earlier, and provoking Western Rong too much could end the event unpleasantly, which wouldn’t be good for the harmony between the two countries.
Xiao Chen mounted his horse and reached the designated position as four riders lined up side by side holding the reins.
Zhan Lan also arrived at the best spot for watching the competition.
The Deputy General of Western Rong looked at Xiao Chen and sneered provocatively, “General Xiao, you are half a Western Rong yourself, weren’t your riding skills taught by us Western Rong?”
Xiao Chen glanced at the opponent lightly, just about to retort, when Zhan Lan suddenly appeared beside him and said coldly, “Mr. Xiao, compete earnestly, don’t hold back your strength; our Nanjin’s Minister of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, doesn’t only solve cases!”
Zhan Lan’s voice resonated around the martial arts arena’s track, as the people’s cheers erupted repeatedly.
“Certainly!” Xiao Chen looked into Zhan Lan’s suddenly sharp gaze and recognized that Zhan Lan was standing up for him, even if the emperor’s decree was that a draw meant victory.
Yet, Zhan Lan was defying the imperial wish for him.
Emperor Qingwu’s brows furrowed; Zhan Lan had defied him!
Mu Yan’s lips curled up slightly; though he didn’t particularly like Xiao Chen, he was quite looking forward to Xiao Chen defeating Western Rong.
Western Rong was like a mouse dropping among the four countries, causing annoyance.
Zhan Xinzhang and Zhan Beicang exchanged glances. Western Rong had carried out burn, kill, and loot at the borders back then, slaughtering Nanjin’s people, hence there was no need to show them any good face.
They also felt exhilarated by Zhan Lan’s decision!
The people looked at Western Rong’s riders with hatred, their blood boiling as they remembered those years when Western Rong slaughtered their compatriots.
The elderly who couldn’t run were raised overhead by Western Rong soldiers who slashed down with scimitars, falling into pools of blood.
The babies still in swaddles, who were not shielded by their frail mothers, were stabbed through the body by Western Rong soldiers.
The commoners begging for mercy were beheaded one by one…
The people’s voices clashed, “Mr. Xiao, victory is certain!”
“Nanjin, victory is certain!”
People looked at Zhan Lan, knowing Mr. Xiao was General Zhan’s pick, Zhan Lan’s former deputy, the Brave Army’s acting General. They trusted Zhan Lan’s judgment.
The sound of drums and gongs started to play, marking the beginning of the competition. Xiao Chen withdrew his gaze from Zhan Lan and galloped away with powerful vigor.
The four splendid horses lined up perfectly, sprinting like arrows off the string.
The riders chased each other in close competition, none willing to concede. Dust flew across the track, with human shouts and horse neighs, creating a spectacular scene.
Western Rong’s rider quickly distanced himself from the other three countries.
The nobles and elites began to discuss.
“Western Rong people are indeed raised on horseback, riding like the wind!”
“Ah, I wonder if Mr. Xiao can surpass him?”
The commoners also worriedly held their breath for Xiao Chen; after all, Western Rong provoked first, and they hated Western Rong extremely. Many continued to cheer for Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen left Beiyue and Eastern Wei riders behind, as Western Rong’s rider arrogantly looked at him trying to break his mental defense.
“General Xiao, your mother was humiliated in Western Rong’s palace, while you enjoy power in Nanjin, such a good son you are!”
Xiao Chen’s eyes turned crimson; only by eliminating Western Rong could he reunite with his mother.
Today, he absolutely couldn’t lose!