Chapter 21: Striking First to Gain the Advantage

Around Yuanbi City, an abrupt silence fell!

No one had ever seen that gesture before. Nor could anyone accurately interpret its meaning. Yet everyone sensed the provocation it carried, and Zheng Yanqing's disdain for Mai Zizhong... One could not deny, the gesture was striking—so striking that it left everyone utterly astonished. Zheng Yanqing, the boy who was always smiling warmly and appeared so sunny to everyone, had just provoked Mai Zizhong in such a manner...

“Father, what does that gesture mean?”

Changsun Wugou wriggled free from his mother's embrace and ran to Changsun Sheng’s side, clutching his arm to ask.

Changsun Sheng suddenly smiled. “He’s declaring war!”

Little did he know, at the very moment he spoke, the youth standing behind him had flames flickering in his eyes.

Not only the youth but many adults were immersed in the wildness and arrogance stirred by the throat-cutting ritual.

“Zitong, do you still think Ban Yuanjun is not defiant?”

Empress Xiao was silent, her beautiful eyes fixed on Zheng Yanqing in the arena, speechless for a long time.

Originally, Zheng Yanqing had only intended this move to enrage Mai Zizhong and throw him off balance. But the effect far exceeded his expectations. After a while, a woman’s loud voice rang from the city tower: “Ban Yuanjun, kill him!”

Turning to look, beneath the large banner marked with the emblem of the Pei family from Hedong, a young woman was raising her arm and shouting.

Her cry instantly stirred a roar like a mountain earthquake and a sea storm.

“Kill him, kill him…”

Kill whom?

In fact, even the shout’s originator probably couldn’t say clearly. It was simply the fierce bloodlust unleashed by Yanqing’s audacious act. Who was killed was irrelevant; what mattered was that this would be a thrilling match.

The advancing drums sounded once more!

Ignoring the grim-faced Mai Zizhong, Zheng Yanqing turned his horse and returned to his side.

“Brother, where did you come up with that move just now?”

Pei Xingyan shouted excitedly, “Did you see? Mai Zizhong is provoked to near madness…”

Indeed, no one could withstand such an insult-laden provocation from Yanqing. Mai Zizhong, young and fiery, could hardly endure it. Were it not for the emperor’s watchful gaze in Yuanbi City, he might have already charged out, eager for a genuine fight with Zheng Yanqing.

Zheng Yanqing glanced at Mai Zizhong in the distance; the latter’s eyes blazed as if about to spew flames, fixed on him.

Poor boy!

Zheng Yanqing smiled inwardly, then brought himself back, saying, “Listen up, everyone. Mai Zizhong is already furious. I doubt he’ll have any tactics once the match starts. I will keep him occupied. You all must seize a strong advantage before he regains his composure.”

Xu Shiji and Xue Shou exchanged glances: this guy was full of tricks—they knew he wouldn’t act without a plan.

Indeed, everyone knew that Mai Zizhong’s cavalry, honed by countless matches in Chang’an, was far superior in skill and coordination to their hastily assembled team. Victory would not come easily. Yanqing’s provocation was meant to secure the upper hand before Mai Zizhong could regroup.

After the three drumbeats, with the clang of a gong, both Zheng Yanqing and Mai Zizhong urged their horses into the arena.

At the same time, Yang Guang rose and approached the city tower’s edge. From an attendant, he took a wooden ball and hurled it forcefully down below...

Seizing the ball meant gaining possession.

The side to first capture the wooden ball would hold the offensive advantage. Of course, control could shift repeatedly; losing possession was common.

At the moment Yang Guang threw the ball, Yuanbi City seemed to turn green!

Sixteen warhorses thundered forward, their sixty-four iron hooves pounding the earth like a stampede, stirring adrenaline in every spectator.

Mai Zizhong waved his mallet, charging at the forefront. Beneath him, his steed, the black Zhuima, galloped like lightning toward the arena’s center. Zheng Yanqing did not falter, leading his horse forward to meet Mai Zizhong head-on.

Black and white steeds raced fiercely, meeting in the arena’s heart in a flash.

At that moment, the wooden ball fell. Mai Zizhong swung his mallet to strike, while Zheng Yanqing urged his horse Jade Hoof to leap. The crimson mallet clashed against the black one with a muffled sound.

Mai Zizhong’s strike, certain to succeed, was disrupted by Zheng Yanqing, fueling his rage.

The black Zhuima suddenly whipped its head, striking Jade Hoof’s neck. Fortunately, Jade Hoof was strong; an ordinary horse might have broken its neck from such a blow. The white horse let out a long neigh, halted abruptly, then charged sideways at Zhuima, frightening it into retreat as it shrieked wildly.

The horses battled fiercely, their riders equally unyielding.

Mai Zizhong swung his mallet in a series of chops and cuts, Zheng Yanqing countered with firm parries... After Jade Hoof forced Zhuima back, the wooden ball hit the ground with a hollow thud. A fiery red shadow flashed as a rider leaned sideways, striking the ball, sending it flying. Xue Shou spurred his horse to follow, striking the ball again midair, directing it toward Yao Yi.

Meanwhile, Shen Guang and Xu Shiji intercepted the charging Mai riders.

Seeing the ball fall into Zheng Yanqing’s camp, Mai Zizhong panicked and turned his horse to charge at Yao Yi.

Suddenly, a warhorse darted diagonally, blocking Mai Zizhong’s path.

Mai Zizhong quickly reined in, focusing to see an unfamiliar rider—one of Pei Xingyan’s men—tasked with helping Yanqing block Mai Zizhong.

Seizing the moment Mai Zizhong was halted, Zheng Yanqing charged fiercely forward.

“Yanqing, strike the ball!”

Several of Mai’s riders shook off Xu Shiji and Shen Guang’s defenses, rushing toward Yao Yi. But Yao Yi remained calm, dragging the ball aside and striking it empty-handed. The ball flew almost through the horses’ legs, landing in the rear field. At this time, Mai’s goal was left utterly undefended.

“Stop them!”

Mai Zizhong, ignoring the man blocking him, turned back.

A white flash weaved through the crowd, racing to the ball. Zheng Yanqing squeezed his legs tightly around his horse, employing a hidden stirrup skill to lean sideways on horseback, striking out with his mallet. The ball flew toward the goal.

“Well done!”

From the city tower, Li Yuan and others burst into applause.

The spectators, many familiar with military affairs and horseback ball, instantly recognized the cleverness of this attack.

“Goal! Goal! Goal!”

Changsun Wugou waved his arms excitedly, shouting, “Father, the young master scored!”

Changsun Sheng nodded repeatedly, a faint smile on his lean face. “These youngsters clearly practiced hard.”

He turned to the youth behind him: “Wuji, do you see the strategy?”

The boy was Changsun Sheng’s youngest son and Madame Gao’s biological child, twelve-year-old Changsun Wuji.

He nodded slightly. “A good strike, with a clear route...

“But Mai Zizhong seems flustered, almost completely falling into the opponent’s trap during that contest, unable to demonstrate his true skill. Father, the key to this match depends on how soon Mai Zizhong can calm down.”

Changsun Sheng’s eyes narrowed, offering no reply.

In the arena, Mai Zizhong reined in, stunned. He hadn’t expected Zheng Yanqing’s side to score the first goal so easily. Though he told himself to stay calm, Mai Zizhong was still a fiery youth who couldn’t bear such humiliation. Moreover, after Zheng Yanqing scored and turned toward him with a scornful expression, he pointed at Mai Zizhong, first giving a thumbs-up, then flipping it downwards.

A soldier may be killed but never humiliated!

Mai Zizhong’s briefly calmed mind flared up again...

This guy was too arrogant, too outrageous, utterly unbearable!

“Attack, attack!”

Provoked repeatedly by Zheng Yanqing, Mai Zizhong’s anger burst forth completely. Catching the ball passed to him, he swung his mallet to strike. At that moment, Zheng Yanqing charged close, raising his mallet to cleave at Mai Zizhong. The mallet, made from zhe wood, could easily break bones when it struck.

Startled, Mai Zizhong dodged swiftly, but Zheng Yanqing’s strike was fierce yet light, hooking the ball up and striking it away. This time, Yao Yi, Xue Shou, and others stepped forward to block the riders. Xue Wanche brushed past Mai Zizhong, executing a midair pass, only to be intercepted squarely by Pei Xingyan from behind.

Mai Zizhong turned to pursue, but at that moment, Jade Hoof bit fiercely into the tail of Zhuima.

Having been collided with moments before, Jade Hoof bore a grudge.

Such an opportunity could not be missed. Zhuima howled in pain and kicked back. Zheng Yanqing dodged the kick with a spurred dodge, turning sideways to block Mai Zizhong.

At that instant, cheers erupted again from the city walls.

While Zheng Yanqing tangled with Mai Zizhong, Pei Xingyan had once more struck the ball into Mai’s goal.

In a short time, Yanqing’s side had scored twice, leaving Mai Zizhong’s face ashen.

“Mai Fei, what are you doing?”

A furious roar came from the city wall.

Mai Zizhong looked up to see Yu Juluo, red-faced and shouting curses at him.

“You good-for-nothing brat! Stop dawdling and quarreling with that young master! If you don’t know how to play, get out of the way. I could go up there and play a hundred times better than you!”

If it were anyone else, Mai Zizhong would have retorted immediately.

But in front of Yu Juluo, he dared not utter a word.

Changsun Sheng chuckled endlessly, turning to say, “Old Yu’s authority remains as fierce as ever. When he scolds, he spares no one.”

Dou Wei snorted coldly. “Of course. I heard he bet an entire year’s salary on Mai Zizhong’s team. If they lose... ha, he might starve.”

“Who knows?”

Changsun Sheng shook his head. “Zheng Yanqing’s team caught Mai Zizhong off guard, scoring two goals before he cooled down. But if Mai Zizhong regains composure, this will be a bitter fight.”

Sure enough, after Yu Juluo’s harsh words, Mai Zizhong gradually calmed.

He rode in circles, shouting sharply, “Steady, steady... don’t panic! We’ve lost two goals, but stay calm. There are still eight chances—we can turn this around... everyone stay steady.”

Mai’s cavalry, battle-hardened as they were, had indeed been thrown off by Yanqing’s unexpected strikes.

But following Mai Zizhong’s rallying cry, the riders steadied, dispersing in groups of three to five. It seemed chaotic but bore order.

Zheng Yanqing frowned, turning to look up at the city wall.

Damn old man—why must he shout now, forcing Mai Zizhong to calm earlier than expected?

It seemed this match was only just beginning...

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Being overwhelmed, yet remaining calm...

Let things unfold as they will. I’ll focus on writing and stop worrying about those damned monthly votes.

Damn it, utterly disgraceful!!!!!!!!!

@!!