Desperados Attack - Chapter 69 - Artful Debate

“Is it not true that you are autocratic? Is it not true that you impose heavy taxes? Is it not true that you show no regard for human life? Is it not true that you deplete the treasury to build a new palace? Each of these charges is enough to sentence you to death. Do you confess?”

Sun Zi waved his hand repeatedly and said, “These four examples are completely fabricated!”

“Hmm?”

“What evidence do you have of my autocracy? A few days ago, the King of Han ordered the fourth young master to lead an army of twenty thousand to block Wei’s troops. If I were autocratic, could I even have the power to divide troops for battle?”

“…….”

“Secondly, the accusation of heavy taxation. Is it not just me relaying orders? As the king’s confidant, does the king not even trust me to convey commands?”

“……”

“Moreover, you claim I show no regard for human life. Tell me then, whose life have I disregarded?”

Seeing Sun Zi’s eloquence, Jing Ke immediately retorted, “I haven’t seen it, but can you dare say you’ve never done it?”

Upon hearing this, Sun Zi immediately raised three fingers and swore to the heavens, “I, Sun Zi, have never done anything that disrespects human life. May I be struck by lightning if I’m lying!”

“……”

Seeing that Jing Ke was still unconvinced, Sun Zi continued, “You also accused me of depleting the treasury, but I say, in Korea’s prosperous times, what’s the harm in some construction?”

At this point, Jing Ke realized he couldn’t argue with such an eloquent person, no matter how persuasive he tried to be. He deeply regretted not having stabbed him earlier.

“Such sophistry! Watch me take your life!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jing Ke swung the knife he held in his hand. This was no ordinary knife.

With one fierce strike, it was unstoppable; any opposing knife or sword was broken in this decisive blow.

Clearly, he was determined to take Sun Zi’s life.

But assassinating a senior minister is no easy feat. As expected, a loud roar came from the crowd as a person emerged.

This person held a powerful bow and was clad in armor; his movement was unaffected, proving his exceptional skills.

Jing Ke naturally didn’t recognize him, but Han Lan remembered him vividly.

“Ah? Xiong Qu?”

Who is Xiong Qu? He is Korea’s top archer, famed for his remarkable ability to shoot a leaf from a hundred paces. His skills of recognizing sounds and hitting targets blindfolded remain unmatched to this day.

As a general in the army, Han Lan had requested King of Han to have Xiong Qu at his side, but Sun Zi cleverly detained him.

Thinking of this, Han Lan couldn’t help but mutter, “Sigh~ if he had accompanied me into battle, maybe fewer lives would have been lost.”

“Boy, run quickly, or I’ll use this bowstring to slice your head off!”

Xiong Qu had a fair complexion but a savage heart.

A true guardian, loyal to his master.

“And who might you be?”

“Hmph, just hearing my name will scare you stiff.”

“Oh?”

“I am Xiong Qu, the top general from Yu City. Do you recognize me?”

“Haha, how utterly ridiculous, a mere steward’s dog, why would I know of you?”

“You truly do not know whether you’re alive or dead!”

No sooner had he spoken than Xiong Qu drew a steel arrow from the quiver on his back and pulled back his iron bow, releasing the arrow with a “whoosh” that hummed as it flew.

Seeing this, Jing Ke could only retreat repeatedly. He was not afraid of the arrow itself, for it was just one arrow, but why should he dodge?

Because it was an arrow shot by Xiong Qu.

At first glance, it seemed no different, but the difference was indeed extreme.

“Boy, prepare to die, give me your life!”

Jing Ke was startled. Seeing the steel arrow approaching, he was untroubled, but then, following the arrow, came a charging Xiong Qu.

What was he planning to do?

Jing Ke’s drunkenness vanished instantly. He loved his liquor dearly and never imagined that he would sober up out of fright.

With a forceful step, he could only keep retreating. Sure enough, he saw Xiong Qu accelerating, his lightness skill matching the speed of the steel arrow. He grabbed the tail of the arrow, and perhaps aided by the momentum of the arrow, he ran even faster.

What an extraordinary occurrence! They were only 50 meters apart, and in the blink of an eye, he was upon him.

The bystanders watched with bated breath. They all wished for Sun Zi, that corrupt official, to die, but it was not so simple. From Xiong Qu’s agile movements, it was clear that Sun Zi was surrounded by master fighters, and there was truly no chance.

Realizing this, Jing Ke shifted and dodged, but even with all his skills, he couldn’t overcome the unusually swift attack.

“Whoosh!”

Suddenly, a black line streaked through the air. The common people might not notice it, but Jing Ke and Xiong Qu felt something different.

“Another master?”

Xiong Qu muttered, but he could not stop now. He had poured at least fifty percent of his internal energy into the arrow. If he withdrew now, he would have to retract all his energy, which would leave him, even if made of iron and copper, with all his muscles and bones broken, leading to his death.

Indeed, this person did not want him to die.

“Hey, don’t you dare stop!”

“Hmm?”

Xiong Qu was puzzled; his first thought was that this person was still mocking him, but if he did not stop, he would surely be hit by this hidden weapon. Wouldn’t that be a great injustice?

But he listened closely, and the voice was very familiar. As he thought, the black line hit right on the arrowhead of his steel arrow. With a “snap,” the arrowhead was knocked to the ground.

Following the arrowhead to the ground was a man, dressed in lavish clothing, his long hair covering his face. But when Xiong Qu shifted his gaze to the open pale chest of the man.

Xiong Qu exclaimed, “Fourth Young Master, what are you doing? I was just about to capture this assassin!”

It was Han Lan.

Wow, you recognize me like this?

A tightness gripped Han Lan’s heart; indeed, his charm was too great, so much so that even with his face covered, one could still recognize him.

“Ah, General Xiong, what are you saying? Today, I am rewarding the soldiers, and everyone, present or not, is here. There are three to five hundred people in this restaurant, and others are dining elsewhere with different generals. It’s a good day, why not do me a favor?”

“Are you implying I should show favoritism? He is an assassin who has committed violence on the street!”

“Ah, you are mistaken. If he were a murderer, he would have acted as one. Have you seen him commit any violence?”

“He carries a knife in public, if not to commit violence, what is his intent?”

“Ah, carrying a knife does not necessarily mean he intends to kill. I think he looks like a drunkard who came to present a treasured blade!”

Constrained by Han Lan’s status, Xiong Qu could only reply, “Then what about his verbal abuse?”

“Well, that’s simple. If he insults you, just insult him back.”

“What? How is that reasonable? Is there no law?”

“Ah, don’t be angry. If you killed him just because he insulted you, that would truly be lawless, wouldn’t it?”

Xiong Qu’s mouth twisted in anger.

And Han Lan just waved his hand and chuckled. Who was he? His skills in debate were rarely matched, and Xiong Qu, a mere military officer, was no match for him.