Chapter 142: The Contest, Part Six (Requesting Three More Updates)

Hearing Inugami Shunji rise to the bait and stubbornly agree, Yue'er slowly pulled back on the reins, turning both herself and her horse around.

With a cold, sweeping glance at Inugami Shunji, Yue'er offered a faint, indifferent smile and spoke, "Very well, then. Pray, state the rules of your Japanese archery contest to me."

"Hmph!" Inugami Shunji narrowed his eyes in displeasure, glaring at Yue'er with a dead fish-like stare.

Composing himself, the corners of Inugami's mouth curled upward into a rather smug smile as he declared, "The rules of my nation are very simple. You and I each hold one bow and ten arrows. Whoever surrenders first, or perishes first, shall naturally be deemed the loser, while the one who remains shall be the victor!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Inugami felt an ominous sensation, as though he had walked right into a trap.

Yet, upon second thought, he reminded himself that throughout the entire realm of Japan, he had never once lost a single mounted archery duel conducted under their traditional rules, and he had rarely even sustained an injury.

Although he had indeed lost to Yue'er just moments before, that had merely been shooting at a stationary target.

Inugami Shunji was certainly not a stationary target; he would not stand frozen in place waiting for Yue'er to harm him.

Moreover, the fact that his proudest skill in mounted archery had been defeated by a mere maidservant left him feeling thoroughly humiliated, his masculine pride instantly surging to his head.

If he did not exact revenge today, he would no longer be Inugami Shunji, nor would he be a true samurai of Japan!

At this thought, a tranquil smile inevitably crept back onto his cheeks.

Radiating pure provocation, Inugami smiled and goaded her, "Well then, do you still dare to compete against me? Swords and arrows are merciless. If you are a coward who clings to life and dreads death, you would do better to surrender now rather than throw away your life!"

Inugami stared at Yue'er with a beaming, contemptuous smile, his face plastered with mockery and disdain.

After all, competing under Japanese rules meant wagering one's very life.

Inugami did not believe that, once she understood the rules, Yue'er would actually be willing to gamble her life against his in a mounted archery duel.

Thus, he put on this deliberate display.

His objective was simple: to infuriate Yue'er so that she would fall for his provocation, enabling him to personally wash away his shame.

Yet, to Inugami's utter astonishment, without a single moment of hesitation or contemplation, Yue'er stared at him expressionlessly and replied coldly, "In that case, enough idle chatter. Go back and get your arrows, and prepare for the duel!"

"Uh... Ha, ha!" Startled at first, Inugami then threw back his head in laughter, his face turning chillingly stern. "Fine! Since you are hell-bent on courting death, do not blame me later for showing no mercy and ruining a flower!"

With a slight curve of his lips, Inugami turned his horse, distancing himself from Yue'er as he retreated to the rest area to summon a Tang official for more arrows.

Yue'er likewise rode back to the rest area and called upon a Tang official to replenish her quivers.

Once both sides' officials confirmed the preparations, they withdrew from the practice grounds and rushed to inform Li Shimin, waiting only for his nod to commence the match.

A bleak, howling winter wind swept across the desolate training field, stirring up an atmosphere of grim solemnity.

Inugami Shunji and Yue'er waited quietly at their respective rest areas for the imperial verdict.

...

Upon hearing the report delivered by the Tang official before the central dragon throne on the viewing platform, Li Shimin was slightly startled before bursting into a hearty laugh.

Turning to look at Inugami Odate-aki and Hiei beside him, Li Shimin smiled and asked, "Two ambassadors, are you still willing to let Inugami Shunji have another match with the female guard of our Great Tang?"

Hearing this, Inugami Odate-aki and Hiei exchanged a mutual glance.

They were well aware of the situation.

If they fought according to Japanese rules, regardless of how much upper-body strength Yue'er possessed, she could never be a match for Inugami Shunji.

After all, Inugami was a top-tier mounted archery expert who had clawed his way up through seas of blood and blades.

Throughout the entire nation of Japan, when it came to mastery of mounted archery, none could rival Inugami Shunji.

Furthermore, a duel under their country's rules was one where arrows decided life and death.

Until someone surrendered or died, the contest simply could not end.

Should Inugami kill Yue'er, they would successfully restore face for Japan.

However, they were currently on the soil of the Tang Empire. If Inugami truly injured someone, there was no guarantee the Tang Emperor would not hold them accountable.

And if this maidservant died, would that obnoxious fellow Li Yi not seek revenge against them on her behalf?

Contemplating the severity of the consequences, Inugami Odate-aki and Hiei quickly reached a consensus in their hearts.

"Your Majesty," Inugami Odate-aki offered a slight bow, speaking in a deeply tactful tone, "Since both of them are willing, this subject ought not to obstruct them. However, if they duel according to our nation's rules, I fear that swords and arrows are blind and lives might be lost."

Li Shimin smiled, waved a hand dismissively, and replied unconcernedly, "No matter. Since both of them consented of their own accord, regardless of who wins or loses, I shall never hold anyone at fault!"

Inugami Odate-aki's throat tightened slightly.

How could he not discern Li Shimin's underlying intent?

It was nothing more than an opportunity to deliver a resounding slap to the faces of the Japanese delegates, letting them witness the might and majesty of the Tang Empire.

And had Inugami Odate-aki himself not desired for Inugami Shunji to win this bout and demand Li Yi's maidservant as a prize, venting the fury burning in his chest?

Yet, he could not ignore the potential aftermath of such a duel.

After a brief moment of silent deliberation, Inugami Odate-aki finally spoke.

"Your Majesty, if Shunji were to accidentally take the life of Master Li's maidservant, I fear..."

Halting mid-sentence, he cast a glance toward Li Yi, lowered his gaze slightly, and stammered, "I fear Master Li might hold a grudge against us and seek bloody retribution in the days to come."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Li Shimin chuckled, shook his head, and directed his gaze straight toward Li Yi. He instructed the eunuch standing nearby, "Eunuch Gao, go summon Official Li to My presence. I have something to ask him."

"As you command, Your Majesty." Eunuch Gao bowed immediately and strode toward Li Yi.

...

Li Yi, who was chatting cheerfully with Cheng Chumomo and the others, was somewhat surprised to see Eunuch Gao approaching with a summons from the Emperor.

"Eunuch Gao, may I ask what business His Majesty has with this subject?" Li Yi inquired curiously as he walked alongside the eunuch toward the dragon throne.

Eunuch Gao made no secret of it. With a faint smile, he replied frankly, "To be frank with Master Li, the two Japanese ambassadors fear that if Lady Yue'er and Inugami Shunji fight according to Japanese rules, someone might lose their life."

"They worry that Master Li might retaliate afterward, which is why they sent this old servant to fetch you and verify both sides' consent."

Eunuch Gao recounted the entire sequence of events to Li Yi.

Hearing this, Li Yi could not help but find it amusing, and casually asked, "Eunuch Gao, do you think my Yue'er will lose this match?"

Startled for a moment, Eunuch Gao smiled and shook his head. "What is Master Li saying? Lady Yue'er's archery must have been imparted by Madame herself; how could she possibly lose? His Majesty has already consented to the match; it is merely these Japanese who are harboring reservations."

"Ha, ha!" Li Yi and Eunuch Gao exchanged a knowing, tacit smile.

Arriving before Li Shimin, Li Yi stopped, bowed slightly with cupped hands, and feigned ignorance as he greeted, "This subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise." Li Shimin smiled faintly, pointed toward Inugami Odate-aki and Hiei, and slowly said, "Official Li, your maidservant intends to compete in mounted archery with Inugami Shunji using Japanese rules. Should either of them suffer death or injury, will you cause trouble for these ambassadors?"

Li Yi paused, straightened up to glance at the two Japanese delegates, and shook his head. "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Since my maidservant is willing of her own accord, this subject is naturally willing as well."

"After all, weapons have no eyes, life and death are decreed by fate, and wealth is in the hands of heaven."

With that, Li Yi turned his gaze back to Inugami Odate-aki and Hiei. Feigning a brief moment of thought, he offered a light, smiling proposal: "If the two ambassadors are worried I might go back on my word, why not draw up a pact of life and death before His Majesty? That way, everything will be perfectly fair!"

Upon hearing this, Inugami Odate-aki and Hiei felt the profound satisfaction of wanting to sleep and immediately being handed a pillow.

Without hesitation, Inugami exchanged a glance with Hiei. Understanding the cue perfectly, Hiei took a deep breath and formally stated, "In that case, nothing could be better. After all, weapons are merciless, and this way, we can avoid any lingering ill will."

"Splendid!" Li Shimin was overjoyed.

Without delay, he instructed Eunuch Gao to immediately bring paper and brush to draw up a life-and-death pact.

"Honored ambassadors, please go first," Li Yi said with a smile, gesturing for them to sign.

"Heh..." Inugami and Hiei exchanged a nod of indescribable delight, signing and pressing their fingerprints onto the pact without a shred of hesitation.

Turning back to Li Yi, Hiei smiled and prompted, "Master Li, it is your turn."

"Certainly!" Li Yi walked forward unconcernedly. Seeing that the ambassadors had already signed and sealed the pact, he promptly affixed his own signature and fingerprint without the slightest trace of hesitation or delay.

Since they were so eager to court death, Li Yi was more than happy to oblige.

Seeing that both parties had signed and sealed the life-and-death pact, Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction and instructed the nearby official, "You two, hurry back and relay the message. Let the match begin!"

"As you command, Your Majesty." The two officials acknowledged the order and sprinted back toward the training field.