Chapter Six: The Hero

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When the unfamiliar sword in Zhao Huaian’s hand was knocked away, a buzzing sensation hit his head, his scalp tingling. Yet when the iron spear thrust toward him from across, facing life and death, Zhao Huaian suddenly accelerated. He bent low to slip past the spear, then grabbed the opponent’s belt, circling behind him.

The Tubo warrior was battle-hardened and reacted swiftly when Zhao Huaian moved behind him. He dropped his spear, reached to grab Zhao Huaian’s arm, intending to pull him in close, while leaning forward to avoid being easily thrown down.

This sequence was all instinctive for the Tubo warrior, reflecting his extensive combat experience. Unfortunately, he was unaware of a technique called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and didn’t realize that the Tang warrior had no intention of throwing him.

Once Zhao Huaian had secured the Tubo warrior’s back, he followed with a quick combination. Holding the opponent’s waist, he lowered his center of gravity and fell backward. To prevent losing leverage, Zhao Huaian cunningly stepped on the back of the opponent’s left knee.

Though the Tubo warrior was large and armored, he was still dragged to the ground by Zhao Huaian. Just as the Tubo warrior was dazed, uncertain of Zhao’s actions, Zhao’s arms wrapped around his neck, then another hand locked in, forming a classic rear naked choke.

At this moment, Zhao Huaian’s legs locked around the Tubo warrior’s waist from behind, while he arched his back downward, exerting relentless pressure with his hands. Within a second, the face opposite him turned as red as a boiled shrimp.

The Tubo man, already flushed from the high-altitude environment, now looked like a deep-sea red prawn from the chokehold. Just as Zhao Huaian thought he had subdued the man, he noticed the enemy’s hand slowly reaching toward his calf, where a bone dagger was lodged.

Zhao Huaian’s eyes reddened, and he summoned every ounce of strength. Yet he clearly underestimated the Tubo warrior’s endurance and lung capacity; though slow, the man’s hand was resolutely reaching for the dagger.

Just as Zhao Huaian was about to release the choke, someone sprang out and pinned the Tubo warrior’s hand firmly to the meadow. It was Zhao Liu, hiding behind a rock.

With no chance left, the Tubo warrior took his last two breaths, his face pale and lips blue, dying beneath Zhao Huaian’s chokehold.

Throughout this, the remaining ten Tubo soldiers in leather armor and cloth watched silently, none daring to step forward.

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Zhao Liu cut the hemp ropes and helped three Tang warriors to their feet. Meanwhile, Zhao Huaian picked up the unfamiliar sword and stood before the Tubo soldiers. Seeing their hesitation, Zhao Huaian brandished his sword and shouted:

“How about it? Do you want to come at me all at once or one by one?”

The ten soldiers exchanged glances. An older soldier with graying hair stepped forward, saluted Zhao Huaian, and said:

“Respected warrior, your bravery astounds us. We were merely servants enslaved by the Tubo. Now that the Tubo areI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.