The Woman Disguised Herself as a Man and Abolished the Prince, Married a Princess and called the Empress - Chapter 15

An Epic Challenge and Deepening Friendships

When Peng Yong-shen saw Huang Yu’s sudden change of mind, a flash of suspicion crossed her eyes.

Without a change in her expression, she clenched her fists so hard her nails nearly dug into her palms. She grumbled to herself, “What’s going on? He acts like I’m some kind of prodigy, asking me to take on someone stronger. Does he really think I have supernatural powers? I’ll settle this score with him later.”

Seeing Peng Yong-shen’s expression, Xiong Shao-qing sighed inwardly. There wasn’t time to explain now, but it didn’t matter. She believed Peng Yong-shen would soon understand the reason for her arrangement.

As the fight began, Peng Yong-shen’s eyes widened in shock.

Her opponent’s attack was fierce, their sword thrusting toward Huang Yu’s chest like a shooting star. Yet, Huang Yu remained calm, her sword moving lightly. With a twist of her wrist, she skillfully deflected the strike. Their blades met with a series of loud, clattering sparks.

The sword light flashed ceaselessly as the two figures wove back and forth, their sword energy clashing. The battle was in a stalemate, with no clear winner for a long time.

Watching the situation, Xiong Shao-qing praised Huang Yu’s strength, noting how well she was handling the fight.

Peng Yong-shen was also impressed. She never expected this unassuming vice-captain to be stronger than the one who looked more formidable. If she had been the one fighting, she would have lost already.

The battle continued, with both sides locked in a tense struggle, their sword energy nearly enveloping the entire training ground. Suddenly, Huang Yu’s sword style changed. She simplified her moves and thrust her blade directly at her opponent’s throat.

A look of surprise flashed in her opponent’s eyes, but she quickly regained her composure, positioning her blade horizontally to block the attack.

In the nick of time, Huang Yu’s sword tilted at the last moment, gently tapping the back of her opponent’s blade, barely an inch away from their skin.

Ultimately, Huang Yu won by a narrow margin. Though it was only a touch, both women were a bit disheveled.

In the second match, Peng Yong-shen took the stage. Xiong Shao-qing watched her from behind, silently hoping she would perform at her best.

The moment Peng Yong-shen stepped up, she felt a surge of strength, feeling better than ever. Facing her opponent’s nimble swordplay, she countered movement with stillness, her strikes steady and powerful. Every move was solid.

Peng Yong-shen slowly wore down her opponent’s stamina. Her opponent, who had started with an exuberant and high-spirited style, gradually became exhausted, and her sword light began to dim.

The duel had already lasted for more than six hours. The watching female soldiers, who had been excited at the beginning, were now growing restless.

“How much longer are they going to fight?”

“It should be over soon. Stamina has its limits, so it depends on who gives up first.”

“Yeah, let’s just wait and see.”

The female soldiers whispered among themselves. The duel continued, and the sound of clashing blades echoed across the field.

The veteran vice-captain attempted a final counterattack, her sword flashing like a shooting star. But Peng Yong-shen was ready for it, meeting every change with a steady response. Each block was perfectly timed, giving her opponent no openings.

Finally, after a fierce offensive, the veteran vice-captain stumbled, her sword tip trembling. Her stamina had clearly reached its limit. She stood her ground, looked at Peng Yong-shen, slowly lowered her sword, and said in a low voice, “I surrender.”

The match lasted for nearly eight hours, from early morning until dusk. All the female soldiers watching were exhausted.

Xiong Shao-qing glanced at the darkening sky, then at the tired crowd. She looked at Xiao Li and said in a calm but firm tone, “My apologies, but I’m in a hurry. I need to end this quickly.”

With the referee’s signal, a cunning glint appeared in Xiong Shao-qing’s eyes. She shifted her body and vanished instantly. Before Xiao Li could react, a sharp surge of sword energy came rushing toward her.

In that instant, Xiong Shao-qing’s speed reached its peak. She appeared behind Xiao Li like a ghost, her long sword thrusting out like lightning, aimed directly at the side of her neck.

The entire field went silent, and time seemed to stand still. Xiao Li’s sword was not yet fully sheathed. She only saw a blur flash before her eyes, followed by a chill.

A shock went through her heart. It was too late to dodge. She could only watch in stunned silence as the tip of the sword drew closer.

“Clang!” The crisp sound of the sword broke the silence. Everyone came to their senses, seeing the tip of Xiong Shao-qing’s blade halted an inch from Xiao Li’s neck. Xiao Li’s face was pale, her body rigid. The victory had been decided.

The female soldiers watched in stunned silence, as if they had just witnessed an impossible dream. Not until Xiong Shao-qing sheathed her sword did the new recruits erupt in a roar of applause. The veteran soldiers came to their senses, their faces showing defeat.

Xiong Shao-qing’s victory in a single move impressed Camp Commander Lin Jing-mo, who now looked at her with newfound respect.

Xiong Shao-qing became a legend, and the new recruits won the final victory.

As night fell, the Xuan Bing Camp was brightly lit, and a festive celebration was underway.

Camp Commander Lin Jing-mo gave a speech, commending the new recruits’ hard work, honoring the captains and vice-captains, and finally announcing a pay raise and better food for all new recruits. The new recruits erupted in cheers.

At the banquet, wine and delicious food filled the air with their aroma. The new recruits gathered around, toasting one another. Because she had a wine allergy, Xiong Shao-qing raised a cup of tea to everyone instead.

Suddenly, Peng Yong-shen’s face went pale. She swayed a few times and then collapsed. Several female soldiers nearby rushed to her side.

“Don’t worry, she’s just overtired,” Xiong Shao-qing said, turning to Huang Yu. “Take a few girls and get her back to the barracks to rest.”

Huang Yu nodded and called for a few new recruits to help carry Peng Yong-shen from the banquet back to the barracks.

The new recruits watched them leave with concern in their eyes. Everyone knew that Peng Yong-shen had exhausted herself for the new recruits’ victory. The atmosphere at the banquet became a little heavy for a moment, but the new recruits’ excitement did not fade.

After the banquet, Xiong Shao-qing returned to the barracks and was greeted by an excited Huang Yu.

“I’ve been waiting for you! Tell me, how did you know the real strength of those two veteran vice-captains? And Peng Yong-shen, I saw you pull her aside this morning. What was that all about?”

Huang Yu spoke frankly, her eyes full of questions, hoping for answers.

“It’s normal for veteran soldiers to hold back. They must have a trump card,” Xiong Shao-qing said calmly, looking at Huang Yu.

“Ah, that’s it?” Huang Yu asked in disbelief, scratching her head. “But what if you were wrong? This isn’t a small matter!”

The corners of Xiong Shao-qing’s mouth turned up in a faint smile, her tone casual but certain. “Luck is also a kind of strength. If I had been wrong, I would have just gone with the flow.”

She lowered her eyes, not mentioning that her bloodline talent gave her a keen sense of a warrior’s strength.

Huang Yu let out a long sigh of relief, her chest rising and falling as she exhaled. She wiped her forehead with her hand. “Thank goodness we had good luck! Oh, I was so focused on that, you still haven’t told me what happened to her!”

She pointed to the unconscious Peng Yong-shen, her eyes fixed on Xiong Shao-qing, filled with curiosity.

“I can tell you about this, but you have to promise to keep it a secret,” Xiong Shao-qing said, her expression becoming serious.

Huang Yu’s face instantly became serious. She raised her hand above her head. “I, Huang Yu, swear to the heavens that if I leak a single word of this, may lightning strike me…”

Xiong Shao-qing quickly raised her hand to stop Huang Yu. “It’s fine, it’s fine. I believe you. You don’t need to swear.” Seeing Huang Yu’s sincerity, her affection for this straightforward girl grew.

She paused, suppressing her feelings. Her voice became softer. “Have you heard of the Medicine Immortal, Su Xian-feng?”

Huang Yu clapped her thigh, her voice bright. “How could I not have heard of her! I’ve been traveling the martial arts world since I was a child. Su Xian-feng’s name is very familiar! She’s a mysterious person, and her medical skills are incredible. I heard she even saved Princess Qing-lan a few years ago by curing her of poison. It was a huge sensation!”

Xiong Shao-qing nodded slightly. “Exactly. She gave me a pill that can temporarily and significantly increase a warrior’s strength and energy. But the effect only lasts for eight hours, after which you’ll fall into a deep sleep. You’ll wake up after eight hours, but you’ll be weak and lose your internal energy for a full day.”

Huang Yu’s eyes widened. She couldn’t help but gasp. “Wow, there’s a magical pill like that! But the side effects are deadly—you’re completely out of commission afterward!”

“Nothing is perfect. This pill has its risks, but when used at a crucial moment, it can be a life-saving trump card,” Xiong Shao-qing replied solemnly.

Huang Yu scratched her head. After a moment’s hesitation, she couldn’t help but ask, “For the Medicine Immortal to give you such a precious pill, your relationship must be unusual, right?”

Xiong Shao-qing’s expression was calm. “She is my master.”

Xiong Shao-qing had been secretly observing Huang Yu and felt she was a person worth befriending, so she didn’t mind revealing a few things.

“So that’s it!” Huang Yu slapped her forehead, her face filled with understanding. “I was wondering why your skills are so great. It’s because you have a famous master like the Medicine Immortal guiding you!”

Huang Yu was full of enthusiasm. She leaned closer to Xiong Shao-qing. “You’re already incredibly skilled! The last time I was confused about my sword practice, you gave me a few pointers, and I understood right away. You’re amazing!”

As she spoke, her eyebrows shot up, and her eyes were filled with uncontainable admiration for Xiong Shao-qing.

“It’s good that you understand. We can spar more in the future and get stronger together,” Xiong Shao-qing said, extending her hand. Huang Yu gave her a high five.

Ten days later, Xiong Shao-qing was training with the new recruits on the field when she saw the camp commander’s personal guard approaching her.

“Captain Xiong, the camp commander wants to see you. Please follow me.”

Xiong Shao-qing nodded and followed the guard to Lin Jing-mo’s barracks. The moment she entered, she saw a familiar figure: Xu Jing. She was dressed in red, her lively eyes filled with curiosity and a mischievous smile on her lips.

“Sister, you’re here.” Xu Jing was about to go up to her but was stopped by a look from Xiong Shao-qing.

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