RWNEFE -Chapter 403 Betting and Sparring with Xiao Changgeng

Che Mingyuan casually said, “This is quite a profitable deal!”

Xiao Changgeng immediately felt insulted. If word got out, people would think he was deliberately bullying a woman, taking advantage of Shen Lanxi.

“If I lose, I’ll, like Shen Lanxi, petition His Majesty to resign,” he thought. Of course, he didn’t plan to lose.

Che Mingyuan gave Wei Dongzhu a look, and Wei Dongzhu immediately stepped forward to advise Shen Lanxi.

“My lady, perhaps I should—”

Shen Lanxi said firmly, “No, I cannot. I am the Commander of the Imperial Guards, and Xiao Changgeng is also Commander. This is a contest between equals. If you want to participate, you can spar with the deputy commander instead.”

Wei Dongzhu hesitated, clearly uneasy.

Everyone around could see how worried he was.

Xiao Changgeng felt even more smug.

Don’t think that because Shen Lanxi is a woman, he would go easy on her. Even if he felt some pity, that would come later.

Shen Lanxi had already challenged his authority. If he didn’t strike back decisively, how could he maintain his subordinates’ respect?

He had to teach her a harsh lesson—to let her understand that not every man in the world would fall at her feet.

“Since you’re so unwilling, then no match. Go ahead and petition His Majesty to resign!” Xiao Changgeng said confidently, sure of his victory.

Shen Lanxi immediately countered, “Whoever backs out is a grandson. Whoever breaks the promise will die a terrible death, with their whole family executed.”

Xiao Changgeng was stunned. He hadn’t expected Shen Lanxi to swear such a lethal oath.

She left herself no way out for the sake of face.

A shame—such beauty, if damaged, would sadden him.

Wei Dongzhu worriedly said, “Is Commander Xiao afraid? Does he not want to swear?”

Xiao Changgeng had already seen through Wei Dongzhu—he wasn’t going to be intimidated.

“Fine. I agree!”

Shen Lanxi smiled. “Good. Since Commander Xiao is willing, we need a witness to prevent any reneging on the bet.”

Xiao Changgeng said, “Let some off-duty Imperial Guards come watch.”

Shen Lanxi shook her head. “No, this concerns who will command the Imperial Guards in the future, who will protect His Majesty. We must report to the emperor.”

Xiao Changgeng’s eyes flickered. After a pause, he said, “We don’t need to alarm His Majesty, right?”

Having the emperor witness it would actually be beneficial. If Shen Lanxi later denied making the bet, what could she do? With His Majesty present, denial was impossible.

Moreover, since she initiated this, if the emperor was displeased, it would be her fault alone.

Shen Lanxi immediately sent word to inform His Majesty. Soon, the Renzhao Emperor received the message and sent Wang Bao to supervise as the official witness.

Xiao Changgeng felt reassured seeing Wang Bao arrive.

“The Imperial Guards have a proper training ground. Let’s spar there,” Xiao Changgeng said with an air of superiority.

The Imperial Guards were responsible for palace security and answered directly to the emperor. They were elite troops, entirely different from the ragtag city guards.

To them, the Imperial Guards were heaven; the Capital Guards, mere mud.

Shen Lanxi replied, “No need. We’ll do it right here.”

Xiao Changgeng sneered, “How can you display skill here?”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, something felt wrong.

Shen Lanxi’s aura changed abruptly, and she attacked him with bare fists.

Xiao Changgeng reacted quickly—how strong could a woman’s fists be? If he used full force to counter, those delicate arms of hers might break.

He thought to give her some face; if she was seriously injured, the emperor would blame him.

Yet…

Before he could process it, he was sent flying.

That pair of slender arms, those tiny fists—how could they carry such force?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

After being thrown seven or eight meters, he crashed heavily to the ground. If she had used just a bit more strength, he would have slammed into the nearby wall.

The scene fell silent.

The Imperial Guards stared in disbelief. Shen Lanxi barely seemed to exert herself, and yet their commander had flown across the floor?

If she went all out… he would be smashed into the wall and stuck there!

Surely, their commander had been careless, giving her the chance.

And, of course, she was beautiful—Xiao Changgeng had probably let his guard down because of that.

Xiao Changgeng, red with shame and fury, waved off his men. He could stand on his own.

Che Mingyuan laughed, “My lord, I haven’t even said ‘start’ yet. Why did you strike?”

“Commander Xiao hasn’t even reacted yet?”

Hearing this, Xiao Changgeng’s face improved slightly.

Right—he definitely hadn’t reacted. A woman couldn’t possibly be this strong.

“All right, forget it. We’ll restart the match. This time, I won’t go easy on you!” Xiao Changgeng used the opening Che Mingyuan had offered.

Shen Lanxi smiled. “Fine.”

Wang Bao, as the emperor’s witness, called out the starting words.

Shen Lanxi drew a deep breath and, like lightning, closed in on Xiao Changgeng.

Martial artists can sense difference at the first move. Xiao Changgeng’s expression immediately changed as he hurriedly defended.

After three or five moves, he only felt a fierce wind whip past his ears. His body instinctively dodged, yet the danger did not ease.

Then she charged, leaping several dozen meters in one motion.

With a loud crash, Shen Lanxi struck again before he could think. Xiao Changgeng’s mind was in panic.

How could a woman have such power?

Women’s bones are naturally slender—unsuited for such brutal martial arts.

Impossible!

Shen Lanxi saw someone drawing a weapon toward her. In the next moment, she moved like a phantom behind Xiao Changgeng and delivered a powerful palm strike.

It was too fast. Xiao Changgeng couldn’t dodge and was knocked backward, spitting blood as he hit the ground.

Shen Lanxi looked down at him from above. “Do you want to continue?”

Xiao Changgeng’s face went pale; his eyes were full of disbelief.

He had practiced martial arts since childhood, training diligently every day. How could he be defeated by Shen Lanxi?

The Imperial Guards were silent, utterly shocked at the wall punched through by her strike.

If earlier there had been uncertainty, now it was absolute proof.

Shen Lanxi’s strength and skill completely surpassed Xiao Changgeng.

Humiliation—an immense shame!

Xiao Changgeng struggled upright, ready to continue, but inhaled sharply, feeling a tendon in his chest ready to burst.

He spat another mouthful of blood, eyes rolling, collapsing straight to the ground.

“Looks like he can’t continue,” Wang Bao declared. “Shen Lanxi, Commander Shen is victorious.”

Hearing this, Xiao Changgeng, still trying to recover, became so furious his heart failed him, and he fainted again.