Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Confrontation

At that moment, Long Youwei, the attendant standing beside Zhong Yuanxing, turned and spoke to him, "Your Highness, I still believe this is unwise."

Zhong Yuanxing retorted, "What’s unwise about it? The people of the Liu Trading House are always so arrogant. If we don’t take the chance to humble them now, they’ll never know that the Zhong family rules the Southern Dian Kingdom. Besides, with you—the greatest warrior in Southern Dian—at my side, what is there to fear? Enough. If they don’t open the doors soon, we’ll force our way in."

Long Youwei sighed helplessly, compelled to obey.

After a while, just as Zhong Yuanxing was about to order the doors rammed, the gates of the Liu Trading House swung open. Under Wu Jieming’s command, several guards quickly lined up on either side of the entrance, raising their brown Berthier rifles toward Zhong Yuanxing’s soldiers in a stance ready to fire.

Soon, Zhang Desen strode out. Behind him, inside the threshold, Li Longfang and his guards from the Zhang estate stood at attention to the left, while Zhou Yongli and the Liu estate’s riflemen stood to the right, awaiting orders.

Zhong Yuanxing saw Zhang Desen emerge and called out with a smile, "Who are you? Where is your manager, Zhou Jintang? Have him come out immediately. Stop dawdling and hurry!"

Zhang Desen, witnessing the arrogance of this so-called second prince of Southern Dian, felt a surge of anger but kept his composure. He replied, "You have some nerve. Our manager Zhou was injured by your men, yet you show no remorse. Instead, you come here spewing nonsense. I wonder which villain laboratory you were bred in."

Though neither Zhong Yuanxing nor those around him understood the reference to a villain laboratory, it was clearly an insult, and several couldn’t help but laugh.

But seeing this, Zhong Yuanxing was instantly enraged. He shouted, "You little brat, how dare you! Your Liu Trading House has long profited in Southern Dian. Now, we merely require some of your goods for the protection of the kingdom, and not only do you refuse, you even dare to oppose the court with force. Do you think Southern Dian exists only to be exploited?"

Zhang Desen realized then just how shameless a person could be when all sense of decency was lost. Smiling, he replied, "Your court truly is muddled. Especially you. Don’t forget, during the plague two years ago and last year’s drought, our Liu Trading House donated half of what you needed each time. And now you call us stingy? Perhaps your head needs a trip to the repair shop."

Zhong Yuanxing couldn’t fully grasp Zhang Desen’s last words, but he had no patience left. Pointing at Zhang Desen, he barked, "I don’t care what you say. Bring out whoever’s in charge, quickly!"

Zhang Desen responded, "Manager Zhou is recuperating. For now, I’m in charge!"

Zhong Yuanxing said, "If you’re in charge, very well. Hand over all your assets at once, or face the consequences."

Zhang Desen gave a cold laugh. "If you’re in need, we will help. But if you’re here to rob us, you’ll get nothing."

Zhong Yuanxing’s fury deepened. "Fine. Very well. It seems your Liu Trading House has grown too used to arrogance, thinking none can subdue you. Let’s do this…" He pointed to Long Youwei beside him. "Do you know who he is? He’s Long Youwei, Southern Dian’s greatest warrior. If any among you can defeat him, I’ll let you be. Otherwise, life or death, your trading house will pay the price. Well, does anyone dare accept the challenge?"

Zhang Desen and the others suddenly realized that Zhong Yuanxing’s attendant was indeed Southern Dian’s famed first warrior. Zhang Desen, sizing up the burly Long Youwei—who stood half a head taller than him—felt confident he could win and declared, "What a shame. Though he’s your nation’s greatest warrior, in a time of crisis he’s not at the front fighting enemies, but here, robbing the people alongside a fool. Truly worthy of the title."

Long Youwei felt a pang of guilt at these words, immediately wanting to leave. But Zhong Yuanxing snapped, "Long Youwei, dare to flee and your whole clan will pay!"

Long Youwei was cowed, and stepped forward, "Who among you will fight?"

Zhang Desen drew his triangular bayonet and said, "I will."

Long Youwei drew his sword. "I take no pleasure in fighting you. But military orders are absolute; I must obey. I will show mercy."

Zhang Desen shook his head with a smile, "No need."

They stepped toward each other. Yet facing Long Youwei, Zhang Desen didn’t dare act as he had against the first warrior from Liaogu, Xiao Libar, for while Xiao Libar was tall and strong, his techniques were simple. Long Youwei, however, seemed different.

They soon engaged, and Zhang Desen found that Long Youwei’s swordplay combined formidable strength with remarkable agility, prompting him to take the fight seriously.

In the first few exchanges, Zhang Desen met him head-on and felt his arm go numb from the impact. Zhang Desen’s technique, honed by special forces for speed, precision, and brutality, had previously allowed him to defeat all close combat opponents; none could match him in quick, ruthless strikes. Yet now, Long Youwei’s strength left his arm tingling—proof of his prowess as Southern Dian’s greatest warrior.

But Long Youwei was equally astonished. As the kingdom’s first warrior, he hadn’t encountered a worthy opponent in a long time. Now, suddenly, someone could match him blow for blow, and he grew excited, shifting tactics and fighting in earnest.

They clashed again. This time, to Zhang Desen’s surprise, Long Youwei, finding brute force insufficient, switched strategy—adding even greater agility to his formidable strength. Several times, he nearly slipped through the weak points in Zhang Desen’s bayonet web to strike him.

This forced Zhang Desen, so often dominant in close combat, to reassess his opponent. Long Youwei, too, was unnerved; he had thought Zhang Desen strong but less agile, yet the latter had managed to evade every surprise attack, wounding his pride.

After several rounds, both set aside any underestimation and focused on each other as equals.

They fought again, blades flashing. Zhang Desen defended fiercely, seeking every chance to counterattack. Long Youwei likewise pressed every opening, aiming for Zhang Desen’s vulnerabilities.

In this intense back-and-forth, Long Youwei suddenly faltered, his endurance failing; his footing slipped and he nearly fell, exposing a weakness.

Zhang Desen seized the opportunity, thrusting through the opening. Long Youwei, startled, tried to parry but was too slow. Zhang Desen’s bayonet pierced his abdomen, blood spilling along its grooves.

Zhang Desen quickly withdrew the blade and sheathed it.

Clutching his wound, Long Youwei said with admiration, "Your swordsmanship is superb. I must admit defeat."

Zhang Desen replied, "Go tend your injury quickly. My blade causes heavy bleeding—it’s deadly. No need for further words."

Zhong Yuanxing and his men were stunned. Their first warrior had never lost before, yet now he’d fallen to a mere merchant. Zhong Yuanxing, voice trembling, demanded, "Who are you, really?"

Zhang Desen glared at him and shouted, "Enough useless words. I repeat—if you truly need help, we have plenty of supplies. If you’re here to rob us, you’ll get nothing. Those who wish to live, leave now. And you—"

He pointed at Zhong Yuanxing, "Go inside and apologize in person to our manager Zhou Jintang, or else you know the consequences!"

Zhong Yuanxing was furious, but with his first warrior defeated and his soldiers dispirited, he had no choice but to comply.

After all was done, Zhong Yuanxing could only slink away with his troops.

Meanwhile, as Zhang Desen and his people continued their preparations to advance into space that night, a powerful tremor shook the ground, as if an army were approaching. Everyone paused in surprise, anxiety rising in their hearts.