Chapter 56 (1/2)

Chapter 56

Excitement

The camp's training ground are full of people watching the fight.  They finally understand what 'an expert meeting his equal' means.  The fight is too intense; too exciting.

When Han Yi Xiao reaches the field, one of the soldiers who saw him wanted to announce his arrival, but he stops that soldier and simply watches the fight in silence.

After a lot of strikes later, Chi Cheng starts to feel worn out.  Bai Jiu, on the other hand is getting even faster, her moves are unpredictable.

Han Yi Xiao secretly order one of his people to bring two horses over.  Seeing the horses, Bai Jiu immediately exclaims, ”Since the Deputy General is from the cavalry camp, you must be really good at horse-back riding.  Why don't we compare our horse-riding abilities?”  She flies over and settles herself on top of one of the horses.

Chi Cheng is not willing to be outdone.  He flies and sits on the other horse and the battle continues.

However, Bai Jiu's martial arts moves are really weird, Chi Cheng has never seen this before.  After a couple of strikes later, Bai Jiu pushes Chi Cheng off his horse.

One must know that for a cavalry soldier, being pushed out of his horse is the biggest humiliation they can get.

Chi Cheng's face turns ugly.  Remembering the bold words he uttered just now, Chi Cheng feels like he does not have the face to face the crowd.

Bai Jiu laughs as she asks Chi Cheng, ”Deputy General, do you still want to duel with me?”'

Chi Cheng sighs, ”General Bai, you have won.  I have lost.  I will honor our deal and leave the camp.”  He turns around to leave.  By addressing her as General Bai, he has acknowledged her ability as a general.

Seeing that, Bai Jiu laughs roguishly, ”Please wait, Deputy General Chi.”

Chi Cheng stops, not turning around to face her.  He coldly asks her, ”Is there anything else, General Bai?”

Bai Jiu raises her eyebrows, ”Deputy Chi, shouldn't you be following my order as I am your General?”

Chi Cheng turns around in displeasure, ”Aren't I honouring our promise, what else do you want?”

Bai Jiu laughs crudely, ”Nothing!  I just don't want to let Deputy go!  I don't want the cavalry team to lose such a good soldier, that's why I want to sincerely invite the Deputy to stay.”

Chi Cheng freezes as he looks at Bai Jiu, not understanding why so.

Bai Jiu continues speaking, ”Actually, I should be thanking the Deputy.  I know a lot of people are unhappy with me, they think I am not worthy of this position.  They probably changed their mind after watching our duel.”  She looks at the crowd before asking, ”Any of you still unhappy?  Come on out and duel with this general.  If any of you managed to beat me, I will leave this camp!”

The crowd look at each other before shaking their heads.  They know they are not Bai Jiu's opponents, ”The general is mighty.”

Bai Jiu laughs while looking at Chi Cheng, ”See, Deputy Chi?  They are finally accepting me because of you.  I should be thanking you!  You have been in the cavalry for so long; even though I might be able to beat you in martial arts, I am still not as good as you in other things.  I will still need a lot of your teachings in the future!  I hope you can stay and help me manage the cavalry camp so that our camp can be even more formidable.  I hope you can forgive me; I am young and therefore reckless.  If I offend you somewhere, do forgive me.  Do not keep it at heart.”

These sugary words from Bai Jiu are really useful against Chi Cheng.  One must know that soldiers are usually straightforward.  Getting their hearts is not hard; you must beat them first, show them your abilities, make them respect you.  Once you get their respect, soften your hands a little and say some nice things that can soften their hearts.  If you do all that in the right order, they will pledge their loyalty to you through life and death.  Chi Cheng may seem temperamental from the outside, but he is actually very simple on the inside.  Appeasing him is very easy; just win over him and she will be 90% done.  The remaining 10% will be gained by utilizing his love for the camp.  Though he promised to leave if he lose, he didn't think he would actually lose.  He underestimated his enemy.  Now that he has to leave, his heart will be filled with yearning and regret.  But, in order to honor his promise, he must live up to what he said he would.  It is during this time that she needs to give him face, so that he will stay.  If she does, he is 100% hers.