Under everyone’s shocked gaze, Chen Liang successfully slide-tackled beneath Chilie’s crotch.

His expression remained cold and elegant!

But Chilie was now standing on just one leg.

His left foot on the ground, right foot raised high!

Just as Chen Liang was about to swing his sword, the right foot slammed down!

Boom! A dull sound echoed throughout the great hall!

In that moment, the air in the hall froze.

In everyone’s ears, the screams of agony and sound of breaking bones seemed to linger…

Chen Liang’s chest had been stomped into a depression. It was unclear if he was alive or dead.

His eyes were tightly shut in pain, though still retaining the quality of a brooding handsome man.

Emperor Jing’s eye twitched twice, his throat moving involuntarily.

The slide tackle… didn’t work?!

He had thought…

He had assumed Chilie’s large frame made him clumsy and inflexible, but his technique proved surprisingly masterful.

Chen Liang was considered skilled among the palace guards, yet he was knocked unconscious with a single move.

Emperor Jing’s face couldn’t help but fall.

With a gloomy expression, he waved his hand, “Someone take him to the Imperial Physicians!”

Guo Tianyang’s face turned bitter, his heart racing with panic.

How could Chen Liang be so useless! He didn’t even last one round.

When His Majesty returned to his chambers tonight in a rage, he would surely face a scolding!

A trace of satisfaction flashed in Paba’s eyes before he bowed to Emperor Jing, “Your Majesty, Chilie was reckless and didn’t control his strength. Please forgive him!”

Emperor Jing’s face was as cold as water, “It’s fine. In combat, accidents happen. This is normal.”

“I hadn’t expected Warrior Chilie to be so skilled. Are you satisfied now?”

Paba turned to translate.

Chilie’s face showed disdain, “Too weak, not nearly as good as Zhang Biao.”

“Zhang Biao?” Emperor Jing’s brows immediately furrowed as he looked questioningly at Guo Tianyang.

The name sounded so familiar. Was there such an expert in the capital?

Guo Tianyang quickly bent down to whisper in his ear, “Your Majesty, Zhang Biao is the one from Taoyuan County who sewed up that man’s rear end!”

“The other day, it was reported that Zhang Biao competed with him in feats of strength in Banshan District…”

With this reminder, Emperor Jing suddenly understood.

It was the Zhang Biao he’d first heard about in Taoyuan County, the strongman who carried around a thousand taels.

He hadn’t expected Chilie to think so highly of him.

But recalling Zhang Biao’s feat of sewing up someone’s posterior, Emperor Jing looked down at the food on the table and immediately lost his appetite…

Such a person would probably only use underhanded tactics. Even if he won, it wouldn’t look good!

“Chilie, since you’re here today, I’ll let you have a satisfying fight! The palace is full of skilled fighters. Take your pick!”

Chilie shook his head, “Thank you, Your Majesty, but I still wish to test myself against Zhang Biao.”

During his brief exchange with Chen Liang, Chilie had already determined that this man’s skills were extraordinary, comparable to the Khan’s personal guards.

Chen Liang must have been carefully selected by the Jing Emperor.

Yet such skills were still inadequate before him!

The best fighters in the palace would probably be no better!

Seeing his attitude, Emperor Jing grew angry inside but had nothing to say.

After all, they had lost the match. Inferiority was the original sin.

He turned to Fang Zheng, “Minister Fang, I recall Zhang Biao is always by your side. Since Chilie wishes to compete with him, why not have him come over? I’d also like to see how skilled this Zhang Biao really is.”

Li Yuanzhao, seated below, was practically jumping with excitement.

These two fierce warriors meeting would definitely be a spectacle!

Now that Imperial Father had spoken, there might be a chance!

When Chilie mentioned Zhang Biao, Fang Zheng’s face had darkened.

Damn this Chilie. Why did he have to drag Zhang Biao into this?

Had he taken a fancy to him?!

“Your Majesty, Zhang Biao is indeed often with me, but he fell ill yesterday. I fear his physical condition won’t allow him to compete.”

You all can fight however you want! But the Young Master won’t join you in gambling with Zhang Biao’s life!

Emperor Jing looked slightly disappointed, “In that case, let him rest and recover.”

Paba was simultaneously translating.

Chilie looked at Fang Zheng and loudly challenged, “Impossible! The other day he looked perfectly healthy. How could he fall ill so suddenly?”

“Is it that Minister Fang is afraid?!”

“Even if he’s sick, it doesn’t matter. I can wait! Surely he can recover in a day or two?”

Fang Zheng’s cold eyes fixed on Chilie, “He’s gone home now, not in the capital.”

“I can wait!”

Chilie also stared at Fang Zheng with his bull-like eyes.

Since suffering that setback against Zhang Biao the other day, he had grown increasingly frustrated.

Today’s battle hadn’t relieved his pent-up feelings. Instead, they’d only intensified.

Fighting a weakling was truly unsatisfying!

At the same time, he was more curious about Zhang Biao’s true abilities.

He hadn’t expected that now a minor official would dare to stand in his way.

Emperor Jing carefully observed the expressions of both men, noticing the increasingly tense atmosphere.

The officials exchanged glances with each other.

Though they didn’t understand why Fang Zheng was so firmly against letting Zhang Biao compete.

But it seemed Chilie had many grievances against him, and their relationship wasn’t good.

Was this troublemaker going to harass others now?

Whatever the case, it was great news!

Seeing this, Paba hurriedly intervened.

These two absolutely couldn’t get into a conflict! Fang Zheng still had an important task. If he was angered, would their business still proceed?

Paba tugged at Chilie’s sleeve, but Chilie remained unmoved, still staring directly at Fang Zheng.

After a moment… Fang Zheng smiled.

His whole body relaxed as he called out loudly, “Fine! Then I’ll accept on Zhang Biao’s behalf!”

“Your Majesty! If we’re going to have a match, let’s do it properly!”

“Though Taihe Hall is large, the area isn’t sufficient. I fear they won’t have enough room to display their skills!”

“Banshan District recently built a venue called a football field, meant for public entertainment, which hasn’t yet been put to use.”

“In my view, why not schedule the match at the field five days from now? Five days is enough time for Zhang Biao to recover.”

“The area is spacious, allowing them to fight freely, and the capital’s citizens can watch together. Your Majesty can also enjoy it with the people!”

“I request Your Majesty’s approval!”

The hall immediately fell silent, officials looking at each other in confusion.

Winning a match was important, but was it necessary to make such a grand spectacle?

Letting the common people watch? What if they lost! Where did this confidence come from?

Li Yansong immediately stood up, “Your Majesty, this is just an ordinary match. We have training grounds for such contests. I believe there’s no need for such elaborate arrangements, which might disturb the common people.”

Emperor Jing didn’t speak, looking toward Fang Zheng instead.

This young man never fought unprepared battles, especially now with national face at stake.

Just moments ago he had firmly refused, but now he suddenly agreed. He must have his reasons.

But what was he thinking? Could Zhang Biao really defeat Chilie in combat?

Fang Zheng looked at Emperor Jing and slowly nodded once.

Emperor Jing carefully weighed his options, then seeing his reaction, suddenly felt confident and decided to take a gamble! He spoke formally, “Two nations meeting in friendly combat, witnessed by the people, aligns perfectly with my wishes!”

“This matter has my approval!”