Chapter 114: You Cannot Defeat This Woman

Among the twenty men Yu Wenshi had brought over, many had witnessed Jiang Chen in action and deeply understood his formidable skills. After all, they themselves were victims, and some still harbored an instinctive fear of Jiang Chen.

But Duanmu Qing was different. She was a beautiful woman, at most with a few sharp features hinting at a spirited nature. Even if she possessed some skill, how formidable could she truly be? If someone like her were to train them, wouldn’t the word spread and become a joke?

Deep down, these men held such shallow thoughts, convinced that a woman had no right to be their mentor.

Jiang Chen addressed them sternly, “I know what you’re thinking. Now, here’s an opportunity—anyone who isn’t convinced can step forward and challenge Miss Duanmu.”

“But let me warn you, even I’m not sure I could beat her. Be cautious.”

They exchanged glances, yet some still stepped forward, unwilling to believe such a thing.

Duanmu Qing asked Jiang Chen beside her, “Should I go easy on them?”

Jiang Chen shrugged, “It’s better not to leave them bedridden. I still have to report to Yu Wenshi afterward.”

“If it weren’t for your request, I wouldn’t want to teach these useless men. By Qishan’s standards, they wouldn’t last a single day.”

With that, Duanmu Qing concealed one hand behind her back and faced the fool who dared challenge her using only her left hand. Even so, the outcome was immediate.

“Too slow, no power in your lower body. Have you really trained in martial arts?” Duanmu Qing remarked, toppling the seemingly strong man with a single move.

The others gasped in surprise; this exceeded their expectations. Yet, soon others stepped forward to challenge her again.

“I refuse to believe it. If I can’t beat Young Master Jiang, how could I lose to a girl?” boomed a burly man, even larger than the previous challenger. Confident in his strength, he proposed an arm-wrestling match with Duanmu Qing.

“Miss, you said just now you’re willing to compete in anything, right?”

Duanmu Qing replied calmly, “Feel free.”

Moments later, a pig-like scream erupted from the burly man’s mouth.

Everyone watched clearly as Duanmu Qing nearly broke his wrist. Despite the disparity in their physiques, the difference in strength was staggering, making the scene almost unbelievable.

“Broken... broken!” The man’s face contorted in agony.

Duanmu Qing said coldly, “This pain is nothing. I haven’t even used my full strength yet. If you’re screaming like this, how can you call yourself a man?”

Relentlessly humiliated by her overwhelming power, the twenty men were thoroughly subdued. Finally, they understood how to behave instead of harboring unrealistic fantasies about defeating this woman.

With Yu Wenshi’s men handed over to Duanmu Qing for training, Jiang Chen could finally attend to his own matters with peace of mind.

The bustling breakfast shop in Liu Alley had been closed for five or six consecutive days, much to the dismay of those who craved its exquisite delicacies, leaving the patrons feeling as though time passed slowly.

Shen Xueying had her Night Punishment Division agents tail Jiang Chen and Han Yuyang for days, but all efforts proved fruitless. She wondered where they could have hidden, as even her own division found no trace.

Miao Wuying returned from a patrol outside and told Shen Xueying, “It’s the same as yesterday. Jiang Chen and Han Yuyang have vanished as if from Jin Yang City altogether.”

Beside them, Lü Santong asserted, “Once their whereabouts were exposed, they wouldn’t dare linger near the imperial city. If it were me, I’d find any means to escape. Perhaps they already have.”

“The house they rented before is now inhabited only by a perpetually drunken old man who can’t answer anything. No need to keep watching him.”

Miao Wuying ignored Lü Santong’s words and said directly to Shen Xueying, “I suspect they’re still hiding somewhere; we just haven’t traced them yet. Since they risked coming to Jin Yang City, they won’t leave easily.”

Shen Xueying nodded. “Indeed. Leave this matter to you. The envoy from Bei Yan should arrive today. Our Night Punishment Division must spare no effort to monitor them, to prevent any schemes.”

Mention of Bei Yan stirred Lü Santong’s anger anew. He cursed furiously, “Those damned dogs from Bei Yan dare swagger in the royal capital! Just thinking about it enrages me. When did Da Qian become so weak?”

“Is our emperor really considering peace talks?”

Shen Xueying warned, “Don’t speculate on state affairs. Just focus on our duties.”

“Bei Yan initiated peace talks. They clearly hold the upper hand in the war and have occupied most of Da Qian’s northern border. If we lose Liao City as well, we’ll have to retreat south of the Dian Gu Mountains.”

“A national humiliation! A national humiliation!”

In the restaurant, some patriots discussed the tense northern border conflict, where misfortunes kept coming, but no victories were reported.

Under such circumstances, few dared to be optimistic about Da Qian’s ability to withstand Bei Yan’s relentless assault.

Some even openly declared that if the court failed to satisfy Bei Yan’s demands and reached peace, half of Da Qian’s territory might fall.

Such bold words were remarkable, considering this was the royal capital, the emperor’s seat. The widespread despair among the common people reflected their deep disappointment in the Da Qian court.

“Hey, how much do you think the Bei Yan envoys will demand this time? Will our emperor agree?”

Suddenly, a young noble asked the crucial question. Bei Yan’s initiative to negotiate peace was obviously a tactic to pressure Da Qian into concessions while holding the advantage.

Thus, the core issue was whether Da Qian would yield to Bei Yan’s harsh conditions.

In short, the other side would demand exorbitantly with no mercy, while Da Qian found itself trapped in a dilemma, with no hopeful prospects in sight.

“There’s no way they won’t demand land or reparations. When did Da Qian’s army become so weak?”

One person slammed the table in despair, exposing his helplessness and regret at the current state.

“If the Da Qian emperor still has any backbone, he must not negotiate with Bei Yan. Such a thing is unthinkable.”

A loud, resolute voice cut through the crowd. The speaker strode away swiftly, leaving only a tall, upright silhouette in the crowd’s sight.