TTW Chapter 151: Spar with Esdeath

"Brother, be careful. Our general is not only just formidable. Even without using the Imperial Arms, ordinary people can't withstand a few moves from her."

"And also..." The squad leader swallowed hard. He wanted to say that every time Esdeath faced an opponent, she would torture them to death. But after a moment of hesitation, he held back and said, "Anyway, be careful. If you can't handle it, just admit defeat early."

"Don't worry, it's just a normal spar. It shouldn't go too far."

Lin Yi patted the other man's shoulder, not taking it too seriously.

The War God of the capital, General Esdeath, is actually having a duel. Every soldier not on a mission has come to watch the excitement.

Even though it's nighttime, the entire square is brightly lit by bonfires and torches.

Some even started betting. The odds are staggeringly in favor of Esdeath, and almost no one is rooting for Lin Yi, this 'pretty boy'.

In the shadows, some mocked, "Who is this young guy who dares to confront General Esdeath?"

The center of the square has been cordoned off into a makeshift arena.

"Do you need any weapons?"

Esdeath, waving a slender sword in her hand, asked.

Lin Yi glanced around and said to the squad leader, "Let me borrow your sword."

The squad leader was stunned for a moment. His weapon was just a standard long sword, issued to every soldier. After recovering, he obediently drew his sword and handed it to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi casually swung it a couple of times. It felt light, probably because he was used to Ye Mengjia's weapon.

"You announce the start of the duel," Esdeath's aloof voice commanded.

The squad leader, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, had no choice but to step forward and shout, "The duel... begins!"

The moment his voice fell, the previously nonchalant Lin Yi immediately charged forward at an astonishing speed, covering the distance of more than ten meters in a blink.

Even Esdeath was taken aback by this speed, but the next moment, an excited smile appeared on her face.

"Clang~!"

The two swords clashed.

A powerful strike shook both fighters, causing them to involuntarily retreat. Lin Yi had to admit that this woman was the most skilled he had ever encountered.

However, Esdeath was clearly sent flying even further, even feeling a numbness in her palm.

To Esdeath, Lin Yi's strength was inhuman, so much so that even users of Teigu, which could enhance one's body, might not match him.

He seemed more like a dangerous beast.

Before Esdeath could regain her balance, Lin Yi vanished from her sight. Almost instinctively, she turned and swung her sword.

Their swords clashed again. Lin Yi pressed his advantage, launching a series of four or five aggressive strikes, each one lethal.

The soldiers watching were stunned. They were more surprised by Lin Yi's strength, seeing him overpowering General Esdeath.

This wasn't just a duel; they seemed to be fighting for their lives.

"This woman... is interesting," Lin Yi thought.

In his past life, from the original work, Lin Yi knew Esdeath was strong. But now, he felt the speed of her progress.

After just a dozen exchanges, Esdeath had already largely adapted to his fighting style.

Since she couldn't overpower him in strength, Esdeath chose to completely abandon defense, intending to trade blow for blow. But this was just a test, and Lin Yi didn't want to cause any trouble for himself.

He didn't want to be covered in injuries or reveal his full power too soon.

He chose to dodge, which ironically put him on the defensive.

But this crazy woman obviously didn't think so.

Lin Yi sighed internally, regretting his decision to accept this duel. She was clearly getting ahead of herself.

"Clang!"

Esdeath used her familiar tactics, forcing Lin Yi back. But her face looked grim, her voice filled with anger.

"If you keep holding back, I'll kill you."

In Esdeath's eyes, his 'restraint' was no different from insulting her.

"Alright, I apologize. So... General Esdeath, be careful not to be killed by a nobody like me."

With a headache, Lin Yi's gaze turned icy, a murderous intent flickering in his eyes.

During this duel, he felt compelled.

In his eyes, Esdeath could have been a valuable pawn.

Lin Yi pushed off with his right foot, and the ground cracked under the force. His aura was now identical to that of a dangerous beast.

With a simple and brutal strike, he swung his long sword like an axe, aiming straight for Esdeath's face.

Esdeath had no choice but to retreat.

The ground where she had stood now bore a large indentation and cracks. Before she could stabilize herself, the image of the standard sword grew larger in her pupils.

With no room to retreat, Esdeath could only raise her sword to block, but the moment they touched, her sword was cleanly cut in two.

As the standard sword almost pierced into her eye, there was a sudden blast. Esdeath caught Lin Yi's sword with her hand, and a deep blue frost spread, freezing the entire blade.

Silence fell. All the soldiers gulped, unable to speak for a while.

By the rules of the duel, using the power of a Teigu meant Esdeath lost.

Otherwise, the duel would have been 'unfair'.

"I lost."

Esdeath admitted defeat, but there was no embarrassment or rage on her face. Instead, her cheeks were slightly red, her eyes shimmering like blooming peach blossoms.

Esdeath's personality was unique. She was taught from a young age that only the strong survived. An invasion by a northern foreign tribe during a hunting trip had wiped out her entire clan, reinforcing her belief in the way of the strong.

Though she was ruthless and had killed countless people, she was kind and generous to her subordinates and civilians.

Many recognized her leadership, but few dared to truly get close to her.

Deep inside, she was a mix of gentleness and madness. If one were to describe her with modern terms, she would be considered a "yandere."

"I really don't want to let you go now," Esdeath said with a smile. "But I respect the wager and won't force you. You can come to me whenever you have a request."

"I'm lucky then," Lin Yi replied, touching his head. Although Esdeath was truly beautiful, his rational mind told him to avoid provoking her for now. Otherwise, she would surely watch him closely, and he wouldn't be able to execute his plans.

The duel ended.

The soldiers now had a new topic for their gossip, enough to last a lifetime.

Esdeath thoughtfully arranged a new room for Lin Yi.