Chapter 118: Defeating Dou Jiande

Upon hearing Fei Qingnu’s request, General Lai Huer’s expression shifted slightly, and with a tone full of earnest concern, he said, “Qingnu, in the battle against Zhang Jincheng, although you had the upper hand at first, you ultimately suffered defeat. Qin Qiong is steadily gaining the advantage on stage. Are you sure you can win this time? I think it’s best to let it go—you are no match for him…”

Fei Qingnu’s face flushed through a spectrum of colors—from cherry red to banana green, like a young apprentice in a dyeing room—changing hues several times in an instant, filled with deep shame. Lai Huer’s implication was clear: you have already lost once, and now you want to go up again and embarrass yourself?

Having followed General Lai for most of his life, Fei Qingnu had never heard such a harsh judgment against himself. Yet twice in front of Li Dong and Qin Qiong, Lai had plainly stated, “You are not his match.”

If Fei Qingnu knew that Qin Qiong’s martial art was also taught by Li Dong, he might have been so furious as to spit blood and collapse.

Lai Huer pondered for a long while, his confidence somewhat wavering, then slowly spoke, “In my opinion, it would be more appropriate for me to face Qin Qiong.”

Fei Qingnu was shocked and hurriedly advised, “Absolutely not, General Lai! I do not mean to stop you, but Qin Qiong’s moves are extremely strange, elusive like ghosts, unlike anything seen before. It’s better not to take the risk. As usual, at the end, just exchange a few moves with the champion for practice.”

“My mind is made up; there is no need for further words!” Lai Huer suddenly displayed great authority, radiating a powerful aura.

Fei Qingnu swallowed his remaining objections and respectfully responded, “Understood!”

At this moment, on the stage, Qin Qiong and Dou Jiande had exchanged over a hundred moves without a clear victor.

From their manner and expressions, Dou Jiande grew increasingly restless, his moves slowing, lacking the earlier swiftness and force. Qin Qiong, however, remained calm and composed, handling the fight with ease as if it were a mere game—using the opponent’s force against him without directly counterattacking.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before Dou Jiande was defeated by Qin Qiong.

Suddenly, Dou Jiande leapt back, panting and shouting angrily, “Wait! I have something to say!”

Qin Qiong retracted his moves, folding his arms across his chest and asked, “Brother Dou, what advice do you have? I am all ears.”

“Why do you look down on me, Dou Jiande?” Half ashamed, half angry, Dou Jiande asked.

“We are brothers; I would never show off in front of you,” Qin Qiong replied, clasping his fists respectfully.

“Is it Li Dong who ordered you to act this way?” Dou Jiande pointed toward the audience, loudly commanding, “As your elder brother, I order you not to dodge endlessly. Defeat me swiftly—I do not want to remain on stage and continue to embarrass myself!”

“Brother Dou, I dare not,” Qin Qiong said humbly. He was indeed ashamed. His brother was fighting in front of everyone, only to become a laughingstock for the militia. Yet without doing so, how could he stop Dou Jiande’s ambition for fame? Honor was trivial; life was paramount. He had no choice but to comply.

“What? You treat Li Dong as your brother and heed his orders, but do not consider me your brother, unwilling to follow my commands?” Dou Jiande’s eyes flashed fiercely as he stared at Qin Qiong, demanding loudly.

“Well…” Qin Qiong was momentarily at a loss, not expecting such words from Dou Jiande. “Then your humble servant will respectfully obey. I will now counterattack!”

“That’s the spirit!” Before Dou Jiande finished speaking, he lunged forward.

Countering his move, Qin Qiong smoothly executed the “Hand Swings the Pipa,” slipping through Dou Jiande’s midsection gap, deliberately avoiding vital chest points, instead striking three inches below the chest with the back of his hand.

Dou Jiande quickly withdrew his hands, pressing downward in an attempt to block.

But Qin Qiong suddenly twisted his wrist, palm facing forward, and unleashed a powerful palm strike. As their hands collided, the force landed squarely on Dou Jiande’s body.

Tai Chi is not about grand, sweeping motions but about seizing opportunity in the smallest space. The power used is compact but explosive, seemingly plain yet with astonishing force and unending follow-through, like a mighty river, unstoppable.

As soon as Dou Jiande’s arm touched Qin Qiong’s wrist, the force had not yet fully connected, but his upper abdomen was already struck.

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, he fell hard onto the stage floor and slid several yards backward.

Eyes flashing brightly, Dou Jiande rolled eighteen times on the spot, arriving beside Qin Qiong, his body lengthening as he launched an upward attack at Qin Qiong’s abdomen, attempting to redeem himself.

Qin Qiong responded with a “Wild Horse Parts the Mane,” deflecting the move, then swiftly followed with an “Advancing Seven Stars” strike, hitting Dou Jiande’s head from above.

Dou Jiande squatted half down, curling up on the stage, covering his head with both hands, shrinking himself, and slipped beneath Qin Qiong’s hips.

Qin Qiong remained still in his upper body, crossed his knees and spun sharply, driving his left arm to deliver a “Flash Back Thrust.”

Before Dou Jiande could rise completely, Qin Qiong’s punch struck again. Unable to defend in time, Dou Jiande closed his eyes, bracing for impact.

At that moment, Qin Qiong turned his body and, seeing Dou Jiande’s resigned expression, felt a pang of guilt. The punch had just touched him when Qin Qiong executed “Grasp Sparrow’s Tail,” grabbing Dou Jiande’s arm and pulling him close.

Dou Jiande stumbled back, about to fall, but Qin Qiong held onto his arm, preventing him from tumbling off the stage.

In an instant, the crowd below was bewildered, unable to grasp what had happened, but Dou Jiande deeply understood the gap between himself and Qin Qiong was vast.

Three moves.

Qin Qiong had only used three moves in counterattack.

Dou Jiande had already lost two.

Continuing was only a humiliation.

Dou Jiande flushed deeply, shouting angrily, “I admit defeat! Thank you for your mercy!”

With that, he leapt down into the crowd, seething with anger.

The militia below still did not fully understand who had won, but seeing Dou Jiande jump off the stage, his face twisted in obvious frustration, they knew he had suffered a loss he could not openly admit, and could only simmer in silent anger.

Though the crowd dispersed quickly, Li Dong watched closely from the sidelines: Dou Jiande had lost, and badly at that. No wonder he was so furious. But to save his life, and to have future control over him, making him obedient and useful, he had to let him suffer some losses now. No pain, no gain; no loss, no blessing.

Liu Heita greeted Dou Jiande with kind words, urging him to let go and look forward. Dou Jiande, silent, stood there practicing “Qi Gong.”

Seeing Dou Jiande storm off, Qin Qiong knew he was deeply hated now, his heart heavy with helplessness. As he prepared to leave, someone else leapt onto the stage again.

The Left Wing Guard General—Lai Huer!

Qin Qiong recognized him immediately, startled briefly, then quickly saluted and said anxiously, “Greetings, General Lai!”

Lai Huer, a towering figure like a half-wall, smiled heartily, saying, “No need for such formalities. How about we exchange a few moves?”

Qin Qiong was greatly embarrassed, his smile strange and awkward. After a long silence, he said, “General Lai, you must be joking. How could I possibly spar with you? It would be like a small fry challenging a giant!”

“Farewell then!” Qin Qiong clasped his fists slightly and swiftly turned to leave.

Once Qin Qiong left, he was the only one left on stage, and Lai Huer was even more embarrassed.

Quickly launching a move from behind, he loudly warned, “Watch out!”

Qin Qiong did not turn around or glance back; he simply continued on his path.

With a “pop,” Qin Qiong’s back was firmly struck.

Like a butterfly, his body was knocked off balance and flew backward.

“Ah!” Tens of thousands of militia below cried out in unison, unable to believe their eyes.

An incredible act! General Lai had attacked from behind—an unseemly move for a general!