Chapter 138: The Sparring Match (Part 2)

On the viewing platform, seeing Inugami Shunji effortlessly defeat Cheng Chumo, the expressions of Inugami no Mitasuki and Hien became exceptionally radiant.

The two men exchanged a glance, and the smug grins on their faces were on full display.

Those smiles were even more dazzling and vibrant than fully bloomed chrysanthemums.

However, neither of them spoke up prematurely; instead, they deliberately maintained an air of silence and humility, eager to see how Li Shimin would respond to this defeat.

After all, this was on the soil of the Tang Empire, and the competition had strictly followed Tang rules. Yet, in the end, the Tang representative had lost.

And they had lost in such a dismal and disgraceful manner.

In this contest of equestrian archery between the two nations, Inugami Shunji had thoroughly dealt a humiliating blow to the faces of the Tang people on behalf of the people of Wa!

Li Shimin and the other Tang officials turned visibly grim at this sight.

Especially Cheng Zhijie, who watched his son Cheng Chumo suffer an "undefeated defeat" without even putting up a fight. Feeling that his old face had completely lost its luster, he furrowed his brows deeply and narrowed his eyes.

Looking at Cheng Chumo, who was walking down from the martial arts field with a dejected and soul-crushed expression, Cheng Zhijie genuinely wanted to give him a severe beating right on the spot.

This was an event concerning the nation's dignity. Cheng Zhijie never imagined that not only would Cheng Chumo impulsively thrust himself forward, but he would also lose so miserably.

"That good-for-nothing eldest son of mine, just wait and see how I deal with you when we get home!" Cheng Zhijie cursed through clenched teeth internally.

He had already secretly decided to send him off to Qin Shubao to properly learn the arts of riding and archery.

Meanwhile, Cheng Chumo walked toward Li Yi with a heavy expression. But only halfway there, he suddenly snapped back to his senses and headed straight toward Li Shimin.

Cupping his hands heavily together, Cheng Chumo lowered his head deeply, biting his lip in overwhelming shame as he said, "Your Majesty, this subject's skills are inferior, and I willingly accept defeat!"

Cheng Chumo had never felt so humiliated in his entire life; he was too ashamed to even lift his head.

At that exact moment, Cheng Chumo felt certain that his cheeks must be far redder and much more unsightly than a monkey's rear end.

Yet, upon seeing this, Li Shimin merely smiled.

"Lord Cheng, you need not be so hard on yourself. It was merely a match of equestrian archery."

Li Shimin waved his hand dismissively with a chuckle, saying, "Besides, you were never someone skilled in riding and archery to begin with. You lost, so you lost; it is no matter. Go on back and take your seat."

Hearing this, Cheng Chumo could not help but freeze slightly. He dizzily raised his brows to look at Li Shimin, but seeing the smile on the emperor's face, he genuinely believed that Li Shimin was not blaming him.

Thus, letting out a deflated nod, Cheng Chumo cupped his hands and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Following that, Cheng Chumo slunk back to his seat in dejection.

Only this time, in front of Li Yi and the others, Cheng Chumo no longer possessed his previous swagger. Instead, he sat there blushing, only keeping himself occupied with drinking in gloomy silence.

Even when Luo Tong spoke up from beside him to offer words of comfort, Cheng Chumo was too ashamed to even bother responding.

Seeing this, Li Yi couldn't help but purse his lips into a smile, and in a teasing tone, he said, "Brother Chumo, come, Bo'an offers you a cup to help wash away the fire in your heart."

"..." Instantly, Cheng Chumo glared at Li Yi in annoyance, let out a soft, disgruntled huff through clenched teeth, and complained, "Brother Bo'an, even you are making fun of me?"

Li Yi shook his head with a smile and said, "Brother Chumo, victory and defeat are routine matters for soldiers. Besides, even His Majesty said that you were never skilled in riding and archery, while that fellow is an expert in equestrian archery from the nation of Wa. Losing to him is no disgrace."

"..." Cheng Chumo's mouth twitched on the spot. He let out another soft huff, fiercely clinked his wine cup against Li Yi's, and then downed it in one gulp.

"..." Li Yi found himself between tears and laughter. Cheng Chumo was already a grown man, yet he was still acting like a child.

At the same time, Inugami Shunji had already descended from the martial arts field and slowly arrived before Li Shimin.

Inugami Shunji offered a slight, cupped-hand bow, straightened up, and said with a calm expression, "Your Majesty, since General Cheng is not skilled in equestrian archery, my victory over him today feels somewhat unearned. I am ashamed."

Inugami no Mitasuki and Hien were extremely satisfied with Inugami Shunji's performance, feeling a surge of joy in their hearts.

However, Li Shimin and the Tang officials present caught the sarcasm hidden within Inugami Shunji's words.

"Heh," Li Shimin chuckled softly, shaking his head as he said, "You are mistaken, Inugami Shunji. To possess such superb equestrian archery skills at such a young age—you truly are an outstanding talent among men. Name whatever reward you desire, and We shall grant it to you."

"This subject thanks Your Majesty." Hearing this, Inugami Shunji let out a smug grin.

He then turned his gaze around, scanning the surroundings. Spotting the direction where Li Yi was seated, Inugami Shunji smiled haughtily. Suddenly, his eyes landed on Yue'er, who was standing beside Li Yi, and a flash of inspiration struck his mind.

"Your Majesty, Shunji has thought of one." Inugami Shunji turned back, bowed respectfully to Li Shimin, and said with a smile, "This humble subject, Inugami Shunji, dares to request that Your Majesty grant Shunji a concubine as a reward."

"A concubine?" All the Tang officials present instantly wore expressions of astonishment, breaking out into soft whispers and discussions.

Only the faces of Inugami no Mitasuki, Hien, and Inugami Shunji wore identical smiles.

Yesterday inside Chang'an City, their Wa mission had been bullied by Li Yi, and among those who had humiliated them was Yue'er, who served by Li Yi's side.

Inugami Shunji had not expected that Li Yi would actually bring this maid along today as well, prompting him to instantly hatch this scheme.

Seeing this, Li Shimin was also slightly surprised for a few moments before looking toward Inugami Shunji and asking aloud, "Inugami Shunji, which one do you want?"

Inugami Shunji bowed to Li Shimin once more with cupped hands, then leisurely extended a finger, pointing directly at Yue'er in Li Yi's direction, and stated, "Your Majesty, this subject desires that maid by the side of Physician Li."

Boom!

As soon as Inugami Shunji uttered those words, an uproar instantly erupted through the entire venue, and the officials began whispering among themselves in hushed tones.

Even Li Shimin was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, before smiling and saying, "Inugami Shunji, you wish for Us to bestow upon you the maid who serves by Lord Li's side?"

"Indeed." Inugami Shunji nodded solemnly, then bowed once more with cupped hands, wearing an utterly earnest expression as he said, "This subject is so bold, and begs Your Majesty to grant this favor!"

Li Shimin's gaze involuntarily shifted toward Li Yi first.

Immediately, Li Shimin saw Li Yi stand up directly from his seat, offer a slight, cupped-hand bow, and then say with a cold sneer, "Your Majesty, Yue'er is this subject's maid; Your Majesty cannot bestow her to others."

Seeing this, Li Shimin couldn't help but feel amused inside. Chuckling inwardly, he stared at Li Yi with a smile and asked, "Then, Lord Li, how do you suppose this matter ought to be handled?"

(End of this chapter)