Chapter 122: Tearing Down the Banner

Jiang Chen was truly composed and remarkably sagacious. His cunning, rabbit-like maneuvers against the arrogant Xiao Tong were an eye-opener for Shen Xueying. Who would have thought that dealing with a troublesome character like Xiao Tong could be handled with such ease?

At this moment, Jiang Chen had only one goal: the Great Northern Yan banner atop the long pole. As he had declared, he was sworn to tear that flag to shreds. Xiao Tong realized this and stood guard firmly before the pole, refusing to let Jiang Chen get anywhere near it. He was already deeply frustrated that he had been careless enough to let Jiang Chen enter the courier station in the first place. He was determined not to let him succeed again, and under his tight defense, Jiang Chen appeared to have no special recourse for the time being.

Unlike the previous clash between Xiao Tong and Lu Santong, this confrontation had evolved into something akin to a game—a gamble to see who could achieve their objective first. One attacking and one defending, like needles against wheat awns, they managed to avoid a direct, head-on collision, sparing them from a result determined solely by whoever was knocked to the ground.

"Jiang Chen, oh Jiang Chen, you always manage to give me a fresh perspective. I suspect only you could come up with such a method," Shen Xueying remarked, showering him with unreserved praise.

Beside her, Lu Santong asked, "What do you mean by that? Does Jiang Chen have another motive for doing this?"

Shen Xueying explained that the relationship between Northern Yan and Great Qian was currently extremely delicate. It was an indisputable fact that Great Qian had been defeated on the front lines and was now undeniably the weaker party. If the Northern Yan envoy were injured within the capital of Great Qian, it would inevitably cause a massive uproar, giving Northern Yan an excuse to demand even more exorbitant reparations during negotiations. Should that happen, the Emperor would be furious.

"To avoid such a scenario, Jiang Chen devised this brilliant plan to seize the flag. He doesn't need to engage Xiao Tong in a direct fight; as long as he shreds the Northern Yan banner, he has already defeated him."

"In doing so, he not only dampens the arrogance of the Northern Yan delegation but also gives us more leverage when we sit down at the negotiating table."

Shen Xueying's words enlightened Lu Santong. He had never imagined that Jiang Chen's seemingly casual decision was actually backed by such meticulous strategy. He found this man profound and inscrutable. It was laughable to think he had once looked down on Jiang Chen; looking back now, he realized it was his own narrow-mindedness that had blinded him to Jiang Chen's true brilliance.

"Do you still think Jiang Chen isn't qualified to join the Night Watch Division?" Shen Xueying asked.

Just then, a chorus of gasps from the crowd drowned out their conversation. Jiang Chen had used the momentum of Xiao Tong’s kick to propel himself backward, stepping onto the Fangtian Halberd that Lu Santong had previously jammed into the pole, and began climbing toward the flag like a squirrel.

Xiao Tong was shocked. He had been certain his kick would strike Jiang Chen in the chest, not realizing it was a trap—a deliberate opening that actually helped Jiang Chen. Seeing Jiang Chen within arm's reach of the banner, Xiao Tong snatched a blade from one of his men and hurled it at Jiang Chen's back.

Those watching drew sharp breaths, but Jiang Chen seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He tilted his body slightly to dodge the attack, though the sharp blade severed half of the thick rope holding the flag. The banner fluttered in the wind, but it would soon slip and fall as the rope gave way.

Jiang Chen was puzzled by Xiao Tong's move, wondering why he would destroy the rope himself. Did he think he couldn't stop him, and would rather see the flag fall?

"Watch out for hidden arrows from below!" someone in the crowd shouted. Hearing the whistling of wind near his ears, Jiang Chen realized several arrows were flying toward him.

Quick-witted and agile, Jiang Chen leaped, grabbed the Northern Yan banner with one hand, and slid down, the sound of the fabric tearing echoing in his grip. Xiao Tong’s face darkened with rage. He rushed forward, intending to seize the initiative while Jiang Chen was off-balance. His goal was to snatch the flag back; otherwise, the reputation of Northern Yan would be trampled into the dirt.

The two clashed again. With one hand guarding the flag, Jiang Chen struggled to fend off Xiao Tong’s fierce strikes. The objectives of the two men had now become quite intriguing: Jiang Chen was determined to keep the flag from being reclaimed, while Xiao Tong seemed prepared to destroy it entirely.

"Don't be impulsive. Your Northern Yan banner is about to be torn to pieces," Jiang Chen said, hiding the flag behind his back and flashing a smile at Xiao Tong.

To his surprise, Xiao Tong retorted, "I would rather tear this flag apart with my own hands than let a scoundrel from an enemy nation destroy it!"

"Very well, then, Brother Xiao. Let’s have everyone here bear witness," Jiang Chen said, handing the flag over, effectively turning the tables on him.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, if Xiao Tong went back on his word, he would find it impossible to remain in Jinyang City. Jiang Chen had handed him not just a flag, but a double-edged sword.

Xiao Tong remained expressionless, but his reaction revealed his internal turmoil.

"This... how could one tear apart their own national flag? Envoy Xiao, you must think twice!"

"Exactly! If you do this, you’ll be playing right into this brat's hands. You mustn't!"

Other Northern Yan officials began to urge Xiao Tong not to do something so reckless. However, they did not realize that the prideful Xiao Tong had no other choice.

"Hmph! I, Xiao Tong, always keep my word. Watch closely!"

With a sharp tug, he ripped the great banner into several strips. The commoners of Great Qian cheered in delight; they had stood there for so long waiting for this very moment.

Xiao Tong swore to Jiang Chen, "I will wait for you to challenge me. If you do not appear within two days, I will come looking for you. No matter where you hide, I will find you!"

Xiao Tong, finally realizing he had been outmaneuvered by Jiang Chen, was filled with profound regret. Tearing apart the Northern Yan banner with his own hands was a terrible omen, and the civil officials accompanying him would surely write scathing reports about this incident upon their return. The man who had brought him to this point was the young man before him, who looked like nothing more than a mediocre scholar. A deep-seated enmity had been firmly established between them.

"Tell me your name!" Xiao Tong demanded, his tone sounding like a command.