Chapter 23: Best of Three

Yang Qing’s words left Shen Xing silent.

Because Yang Qing was not wrong; Shen Xing did indeed have an innate affinity for the military. However, he also realized at this moment that the military here was no longer the force he once held in his memory.

In the distance, Apollo lit a cigarette between the two parties. The ember glowed and faded in the night air, syncing with his breath. Although the military personnel were indignant, no one dared to provoke him.

After a long silence, Apollo spoke:

"We have the person in our hands, so logically, you have already lost. But I must admit, your secrecy was truly top-tier. We knew this person was important, but we had no idea what you saw in him to justify launching a Grade-A combat mission."

"So, let’s make a deal. We each take a step back: you provide the information, we provide the person, and we share the results."

Ouyang Lin refused point-blank: "Absolutely not! The military’s principles will not yield even a fraction. To share such a level of classified information with the Dawn organization—you vastly overestimate your own weight."

Apollo did not seem surprised by this response. Without hesitation, he continued:

"Then Plan B. Let's have a gamble. Best of three rounds. If we lose, I return the person to you. If you lose, we follow my previous proposal and share the intelligence. How about that? A word of advice: don't just think about your own merits; think about your subordinates. If you keep fighting, none of you will leave here alive."

Hearing this, Ouyang Lin looked back at her wounded officers and soldiers, falling into a tense silence.

"I agree. We share responsibility for this operation, and my decision holds equal weight."

A moment later, Song Yuanqing, standing beside Ouyang Lin, stepped forward and spoke. Ouyang Lin looked at him with a complex expression, and Song Yuanqing returned a gaze filled with love. Whoever made this decision would undoubtedly bear the full brunt of the consequences. Success would be fine, but failure was unthinkable.

"Straightforward. Then it’s king against king, general against general. I’m guaranteed one point, so we can reveal our fighters first and let you choose your opponents."

Apollo flicked away the remaining half of his cigarette and offered a charming smile. He nodded toward Xiao Fang, who then stepped forward to stand alongside him and the woman in red.

Seeing this, Ouyang Lin’s expression turned grim. While the mission had indeed deployed elites, there were few true masters among them. The original plan had relied on four experts—Ouyang Lin, Song Yuanqing, Yang Qing, and Xiao Fang—to anchor the operation. Unexpectedly, a series of accidents had led to this awkward predicament.

They currently had only one and a half fighters capable of holding their own. Song Yuanqing was at full strength, but Ouyang Lin was already wounded. The Black Plum needle was highly toxic; even with an antidote, she would remain weak for some time.

Song Yuanqing saw her dilemma and whispered to her: "None of us can handle Apollo, so we’ll forfeit that point. I don't know much about the woman in red, but based on her aura, she and Xiao Fang are evenly matched. I have a good chance of beating Xiao Fang, so the key lies in the match against the red-clad woman."

Ouyang Lin gritted her teeth: "I have to be the one to go. We have no other candidates."

Song Yuanqing said anxiously: "I don't advise it. Haven't you thought about why Apollo proposed this? I believe he anticipated our arrangement and instructed the red-clad woman to wound you severely beforehand. The residual poison in your system hasn't been cleared; intense exertion will trigger a toxic reaction. Even if your life is saved, you’ll be finished, and they won't have to face the military's wrath for it. This is a calculated trap!"

Ouyang Lin frowned deeply and sighed: "But what else can we do? Surely you don't expect someone to fall from the sky and save us right now?"

As the two consulted, Apollo began a countdown.

"Sorry to interrupt, but don't forget the time. The rules allow one minute for selection; I hope we can all abide by them. Ten seconds left. Have you decided?"

Song Yuanqing whispered an apology to Ouyang Lin and then delivered a swift chop to the back of her neck. Ouyang Lin went limp. He had controlled the force perfectly; she wasn't unconscious, but she was paralyzed, able to see but unable to move a muscle.

Song Yuanqing took a deep breath. When he agreed to this, he had already prepared for failure. Taking the blame for the person he loved felt like a romantic gesture to him.

"Five, four, three... two..." Apollo counted down.

"Count me in."

Suddenly, a woman's voice came from the distance. Everyone looked over, and Song Yuanqing showed clear astonishment. Ouyang Lin, without even needing to look, recognized the voice as Yang Qing's.

*How did she get here? Did she escape?*

A wave of doubt washed over Ouyang Lin. She couldn't believe such a brilliant soldier would not understand the implications of desertion. At worst, it would ruin her future and burn away all her past contributions.

More importantly, Yang Qing’s strength wasn't enough. Ouyang Lin desperately wanted to warn Song Yuanqing that Yang Qing could never defeat Xiao Fang, nor would she have any chance against the woman in red. She was merely a body double and lacked the combat focus of someone like Xiao Fang. Even by surface-level rankings, they were separated by three full tiers—a gap almost impossible for a martial artist to bridge.

"You... are you confident?" Song Yuanqing asked as Yang Qing approached.

"Do you have a better option? You pick the one you're sure about, and leave the rest to me."

Yang Qing, dressed in a black trench coat, walked over to Song Yuanqing. Ouyang Lin was just behind and to the side, and though she could see her by slightly turning her head, she chose not to look.

"Then I'll handle Xiao Fang, and you take care of the woman in red," Song Yuanqing decided after a moment of hesitation. He would take the guaranteed point to avoid further risk.

"Fine. It's settled." Yang Qing nodded, appearing lighthearted.

Song Yuanqing communicated their choice. Apollo took the point for his own match, leaving the other two to unfold. Both sides retreated, clearing a wider space for the combatants. Standing apart, they locked eyes.

Song Yuanqing said in a low voice: "You are pathetic, but also hateful. I won't hold back, and you should give it your all. If you lose, I will represent the military in executing you, a traitor."

Xiao Fang remained silent. With a shout filled with hatred, she lunged forward.

In the distance, the stranded Shen Xing watched the two figures blur into shadows as they clashed, unable to keep himself from worrying about Yang Qing.

"Why did you suddenly run out to help? You could have at least consulted me, hey! If you don't win, I don't think even your life will be spared!"