Chapter 226: A Beating for Your Arrogance
Chapter 226: Chapter 226: A Beating for Your Arrogance
Jiang Zhi was weak, and Chen Shaobei quickly had her taken away for medical treatment.
Mo Lingwei looked at Shen Ningning and asked softly, "Do you know him?"
The little one shook her head, looking very confused.
The man in black cupped his fist in his hand and chuckled coldly. "I am Matsuboto, from Changliu Country."
"Many years ago, when Cangyun Country and Changliu were at war, the Xie family’s Second Young Master, Xie Dizhi, blinded our Great Sun King’s left eye with a single arrow."
"For my people, this is a grievous mark on our history. We have trained arduously for many years, hoping to challenge the man they call the Martial God of Cangyun, Second Master Xie, and avenge our Great Sun King!"
"Unfortunately, after arriving in Cangyun Country, we heard he has become a complete cripple who needs a wheelchair to get around. We have no desire to claim a dishonorable victory."
Mo Lingwei extended an arm, shielding Shen Ningning. "If you want to test your strength against the Xie family," he said coldly, "you should be looking for Xie Mingxu. Or are you so afraid that you’ve come to challenge a child instead?"
Matsuboto’s lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Crown Prince, that’s where you are mistaken."
"We’ve long heard of General Xie’s prowess. It’s just a shame he’s too young. Even if we were to defeat him, people would say we were bullying a boy."
"That is why, upon hearing that the Xie family had taken a Commandery Princess as their goddaughter, we came specifically to find Princess Funing. It is said the Commandery Princess has the ability to command a pack of wolves. As it happens, we in Changliu also have clansmen who specialize in raising savage beasts."
"Today, I have brought one such beast with me. If the Commandery Princess is willing, we hope you will send forth one of your black wolves to battle the beast our clan has raised."
"On this dueling platform, the victor will be decided by drawing blood and a bite to the throat. When one falls, the match is over. Only the one left alive will be considered the winner!"
"As long as the Commandery Princess agrees, then regardless of the outcome, the feud between the Xie family and our Changliu royalty will be wiped clean."
Shen Ningning frowned. "I refuse. Langlang is my family, not a sacrifice for some fighting pit."
Besides, the little girl knew perfectly well how formidable the Black Wolf King and Wolf Three were.
But when Wolf Three heard there was a chance to fight, it leaped to its feet in excitement. A wild light burned in its lupine eyes, and its black, glossy fur bristled with anticipation.
The Black Wolf King remained lying lazily, its icy lupine eyes simply fixed on Matsuboto’s throat.
One still and one in motion, their presence was extraordinary.
Matsuboto stroked his handlebar mustache, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"So, the Commandery Princess is simply afraid. Then again, what could a five-year-old child possibly know of patriotism and honor?"
Wolf Three bared its fangs with a low growl, clearly displeased to hear Matsuboto provoking Shen Ningning.
Mo Lingwei’s tone was glacial. "You are a despicable cur, a defeated foe of Cangyun Country. What right do you have to stand here and demand a battle?"
"Guards! Drag him away and behead him." At his command, the Crown Prince’s personal guard immediately stepped forward.
But unexpectedly, Matsuboto threw his head back and laughed. "HA HA HA!"
"So what if I die? My death would be a sacrifice for Changliu, and the Great Sun King would surely praise me as a peerless warrior."
"And as for you, from the Cangyun Country that boasts of its many talents... you don’t even dare face a single animal. It’s utterly laughable."
"It seems we’ll have no choice but to discuss this grudge with Chancellor Xie himself."
Hearing this, the young lords and ladies in the stands grew furious.
’How dare this Japanese man from Changliu Country disparage them like this?’
Suddenly, a small, pink hand slapped the table.
Shen Ningning’s dark eyes shimmered with cold resolve.
A gentle north wind blew, but the biting winter chill only served to make the little girl’s cheeks seem whiter than snow.
"I will not permit you to insult Cangyun Country, and I certainly won’t permit you to threaten my godfather."
"We will accept your challenge, but I have two conditions. First, if you lose, you must declare yourselves vassals of Cangyun Country and pay tribute every year for the next ten years!"
"Second, if you lose, you will sever an arm—whichever one you used to ambush Jiang Zhi."
The little girl’s voice was soft and sweet, yet her presence was terrifying, carrying all the authority of a Commandery Princess.
The golden hairpin in her hair glinted. She stared at the somewhat astonished Matsuboto and demanded, "Do you dare?"
Matsuboto marveled internally. ’This Princess Funing’s presence is truly something else!’
’She’s only five years old now. When she grows up, she’ll undoubtedly become a fearsome adversary.’
’A pity she has no idea just how powerful the beast I brought with me is!’
A slow, triumphant sneer spread across Matsuboto’s face. "Naturally, that is no problem. I accept Princess Funing’s challenge!"
"However, if the Commandery Princess loses, I demand that a member of the Xie family cut their hair to express their deepest apologies to my Great Sun King!"
One’s body, hair, and skin were gifts from one’s parents. In Cangyun Country, to cut one’s hair was a matter of grave dishonor.
Mo Lingwei frowned and looked at Shen Ningning. "Can the Black Wolf King and the others handle this?"
The little girl reached out with both hands, stroking Wolf Three and the Black Wolf King.
"I’m more worried it’ll be too bloody and scare everyone else."
She hugged their two large, wolfish heads and cooed, "Try to be a little gentle, okay? Don’t be too savage. People here aren’t used to that."
Wolf Three’s blood was already boiling with excitement. The seed of the beast hidden deep in its heart was now sprouting, growing like a wild vine.
Only the Black Wolf King seemed unperturbed, giving Shen Ningning’s small face a lick.
A wolf’s nature is to be warlike and pugnacious; once they strike, they won’t stop until blood is drawn.
That was why Shen Ningning normally forbade them from hunting excessively in the forest.
But a wolf’s nature could not be suppressed; they were born to be fierce and deadly.
Matsuboto chuckled. He clapped his hands, signaling for the guards at the entrance to let his men through.
A moment later, ten men entered, pushing a large cage set on wooden rollers.
The first thing the crowd saw was a pile of human bones in one corner of the cage, stained with blood that had long since dried to a black crust.
Inside paced a massive black panther with a scar above its right eye. Seeing the crowd of people, it opened its cavernous maw and let out an earth-shattering roar.
The Black Wolf King merely twitched its ears, not a single ripple of emotion showing in its lupine eyes.
It lay back down at Shen Ningning’s feet and let out a lazy huff.
It was telling Wolf Three that he only needed to use his cat-catching skills for this.
Wolf Three took two excited steps forward, but Shen Ningning quickly threw her arms around its neck. "It hasn’t started yet! Don’t be in such a rush."
Matsuboto looked at Shen Ningning. "Commandery Princess, my Black Panther is a renowned fighter in Changliu Country. It has killed three male lions and two wild elephants."
"You might as well send out your Wolf King. That would make for a more even match."
The Black Wolf King flicked its ears in annoyance.
Seeing its reaction, Shen Ningning said to Matsuboto, "You needn’t worry about that. Langlang says you aren’t worthy, and it would be beneath him to fight you himself."
"So, he’s sending his son to fight in his place. It’s the same thing. Wolf Three, go!" She gave Wolf Three’s rump a little pat.
Wolf Three shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Just as Matsuboto’s men released the Black Panther from its cage, Wolf Three pounced, knocking the larger beast head over heels.
The arena immediately erupted with savage, bestial roars.
Wolf Three was slightly smaller than the Black Panther, but it was far more agile. The moment the panther lunged in a counterattack, Wolf Three dodged to the side, causing the beast to pounce on empty air.
Matsuboto and the servants he had brought from Changliu Country all scrambled down from the platform, terrified of being caught in the fray.
The crowd watched, enthralled. Every time Wolf Three tore a new gash in the Black Panther’s hide, they erupted into thunderous cheers.
It was as if every wound Wolf Three inflicted upon the panther was another devastating blow that Cangyun Country dealt to Changliu.
’Let’s see them act so smug now!’
Suddenly!
The Black Panther found its chance, pinning Wolf Three beneath its massive paw. Its cavernous maw snapped down, aiming straight for Wolf Three’s throat!