Cui Ling turned her head and saw a man in black attire, holding a silver spear, crouching on a sorrel horse, like a flash of lightning, rushing towards him.

  The man had a full beard and his complexion was somewhat haggard and dim, but his eyes were burning with towering anger.

  He turned over and abandoned his horse, and in an instant he was close at hand.

  The long spear pierced through the icy wind in the night, and with a speed that was too fast to cover one's ears, it reached Jidi's neck, pressing against the most vulnerable vital point behind his ear.

  It's Mustache Man!

  Cui Ling seemed to have seen a lifeline and shouted desperately, "Save me!"

  Yuan Wulang raised his gun and the sharp iron blade cut a small opening on Ji Du's neck.

  "He rebuked, 'Ji Du, I originally thought you were a straightforward and upright man, so last time you lost, I didn't take advantage of the situation to pursue and attack. It's just that I still hoped that one day, I could meet you again on the battlefield and have a fair and open duel."

  "Who would have known that you're such a despicable person, still playing these sneaky and thieving tricks? It's truly disappointing!"

  They call him a hero who respects his enemies. For opponents with equal strength, even if they are sworn enemies, Yuan Wulang still treats them with respect.

  Ji was the first brave warrior of Rouran, and his military strategy and tactics were outstanding.

  Generous and heroic, never resorting to petty tactics, a truly respectable opponent.

  Yuan Wulang had also thought that if the Daye Dynasty and Rouran State were to make peace one day, he and Ji might still have a chance to clink glasses and celebrate together.

  However, he never thought that a general who should have been fighting on the battlefield would actually be doing the dirty work of a sneaky rat.

  Ji Du heard the words and burst out laughing, "Thank you for having once held me in high esteem, but now you know, I'm just a despicable little person who only knows how to scheme and plot, really not worthy of your admiration."

  A long spear was pressed against his vital point, but there was no sign of panic on his face.

  He also never relaxed his grip on Cui Ying. He just hoped that the commotion here would not attract that fierce and cruel Nai Ya.

  Yuan Wulang only needed to exert a bit more force, and the sharp spearhead would penetrate Ji Dou's body.

  But the rat is afraid of the device. Cui Ling is still in Ji Du's hands, he is afraid that he has not killed Ji Du yet. Cui Ling has already died at Ji Du's hands.

  The two houses were at a stalemate, and for a moment they maintained this frightening yet ridiculous posture.

  Choi Yong noticed that Ji Du's hand had loosened its grip a lot compared to before and thought this was a very good opportunity to escape.

  But she still needs an opportunity.

  She thought for a moment, and then softly suggested to the two motionless people, "The weather is so cold, I think just standing here won't solve the problem. Why don't you two discuss a way to decide who wins?"

  A bitterly cold winter's night, in the northwest mountains and forests, it was still the coldest half of the night.

  Choi Yeong was kidnapped while wearing a thick cloak, but after being blown by the cold wind for so long, his whole body had already become icy cold.

  Dizzy and heavy-headed, body also feels a bit feverish.

  She felt like she was about to get sick.

  If these two people still plan to continue this stalemate, standing in the bone-piercing night wind for an entire night, then she won't be able to hold on for much longer. Perhaps after just a little while longer, she'll collapse.

  So she made a strenuous appeal to them, "Otherwise, let's have a good fight. Whoever wins will take me away. If you feel that using your fists is a bit too rough, then you can also engage in a battle of wits, guessing riddles from the classics or history books, either one is fine."

  In short, just don't keep standing still anymore, because she might not be able to hold on for much longer.

  Yuan Wulang has a toothache.

  Heaven knows how much effort he put in to track her down all the way here, and just as the villain was choking her neck, he appeared in a heroic pose, timely stopping Ji Du from harming her.

  She didn't shed tears of gratitude, and that's it.

  That flawless white jade face still had tears on it, he looked at it with heartache. At this time, as long as she was safe and sound, it was his greatest comfort. Who would care about gratitude or not?

  But now, what is she going to do?

  It is suggested that he and Ji should either have a literary or martial duel, even if it's just a fight, to quickly determine the winner.

  He and Ji were at a stalemate, not because they were cautious of each other and didn't dare to make a move, but because they were carefully observing each other's situation and weaknesses, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

  This is the difference between a master showing off his skills and a rogue fighting recklessly!

  Cui Ling saw the increasingly stiff face of the bearded man and couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed, "Can't you just relax a bit?"

  Ji Du heard this and smiled, saying "A bit more straightforward? You're quite interesting."

  His sharp eyes glanced at Yuan Wulang, "Come on, let's have a good fight here. If you can win, I'll let you take the person away. If you lose, don't complain, I've already given you the opportunity."

  If he had been true to himself, he would never have stooped to such a base and contemptible act of kidnapping.

  But this time, it was Taizong's order, and as a minister, he had no choice but to obey.

  Even if he is willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of integrity, can he still ignore the danger that his family will face?

  Besides, his sister is the queen of Rouran. If Rouran were to perish, it would be hell and doomsday for her and her two young nephews.

  For these things, even if I have to abandon myself, I will see this dark conspiracy through to the end.

  Yuan Wulang snorted, "You said it yourself. If I win, I'll take the person away. At that time, I hope you can keep your promise and not bother me again."

  As soon as the words fell, two figures were entwined together in a fierce battle.

  Chui Rong was thrown aside by Ji Du and finally let out a breath.

  She took deep breaths of fresh air and leaned against a nearby tree.

  Originally, she wanted to slip away quietly while those two were fighting.

  According to her observation, Ji Du still had an accomplice, but that person should not be around here at this moment. The mustachioed man couldn't have come alone on horseback, so there would be reinforcements.

  She only needs to find a way to ride the crimson horse of the mustachioed man, heading in the direction down the mountain. If nothing unexpected happens, she will run into other people from Ling Yin's residence who have come to rescue her.

  So this method must be feasible.

  But she overlooked two things.

  She is now almost exhausted, dizzy and lightheaded with a heavy head, stiff body, and soft legs, without any strength in her entire body.

  Don't mention strenuous exercise like running, even walking a few more steps in this snowy terrain that refuses to thaw is an enormous task for her. All her energy seems to have been drained away, and she can't even lift her legs to take another step.

  Besides, she can't ride a horse...

  Otherwise, as long as there is still strength to get on the horse, it can still be fought.

  Considering this, Cui Ling felt that there was no point in struggling anymore. Rather than exhausting herself to death without changing the current situation, she might as well just sit here and rest until those two men settled their dispute.

  If Mustache Man wins, she will naturally be overjoyed and saved.

  If the mustachioed man loses, she can't bear it. She'd find a sturdy tree and dash herself to death against it!

  Two evenly matched men fought, like a dramatic play of colorful dust.

  You thought it was over, but there's a desperate counterattack.

  You thought it was all over, but in an instant, another dramatic turn of events occurred.

  After various ups and downs and successive climaxes, Cui Ying had been dazed by the dazzling fighting scene until she was sleepy.

  It was unknown how long had passed when she opened her heavy eyelids again, and the scene before her eyes was still two figures entwined together.

  But compared to just now, both of them have their own colors on their bodies.

  Ji Du's cheek was streaming with blood beads, while the wound on Hu Xu Nan's arm seemed to have split open, wetting a patch of his shirt.

  Choi Yong's consciousness in her mind was slowly fading away, her body also becoming heavier and heavier by the second, even her breathing was getting weaker. It seemed as if in the next second, she would sink into a deep sleep and never wake up again.

  She really wanted to tell them to hurry up because she felt like she was going to die soon.

  If she died, what's the point of continuing to fight for the two people? Even if there was a winner or loser, who would be the winner?

  Rouran doesn't need a dead Yuan Wuniang.

  The bearded man carried her body back to Lord Yun's mansion, but he couldn't report it to his master.

  She narrowed her eyes and spoke in a very weak tone, "Don't..."

  Stop dragging your feet and let's get a clear result already!

  A gust of cold wind blew by, blowing away what she had yet to say...

  At this time, a ugly face with a mouse-like head appeared in front of her, "Hehe, so you're the unlucky old ladies who are here!"

  Naye casually slung the person over his shoulder and loudly shouted at Ji Du, who was entangled in battle, "Lord Ji Du, I've caught this woman! I'll take her back to the horse carriage first. You quickly finish your fight and shake off your tail, then follow me immediately!"

  He shouldered his burden and strode towards the direction of the mountain where the horse carriage was.

  As he walked, he continued to scold Cui Ying harshly, "You wicked woman, how dare you run away? Wait and see how I'll deal with you later! You're the fifth lady of the Yuan family, aren't you? Born with a pretty face, but what's the use of that? Just watch as I don't need to whip your face into a mess!"

  Yuan Wulang was furious and attacked with all his might. He didn't even notice that he was still entangled in a fight with Ji Du, and flew over to rescue Cui Ying.

  He shot a flying dragon in the sky, a silver gun flashed like a snake, and between the lightning and flint, it was inserted straight into the back of his head. Suddenly, blood flowed like a libation, and the stench of fresh blood stained the white snow on the ground.

  Naye fell to the ground, and Cui Ying, whose consciousness was already somewhat unclear, also fell into the snow pit.

  Yuan Wulang leapt up and scooped her up in his arms, letting out a soft "hush" as he led the crimson stallion over, then mounted it swiftly and galloped down the mountain.

  Ji Du originally wanted to chase after him, but he changed his mind and stopped in his tracks instead.

  He sighed, muttering in a low voice, "Yuan Wulang, you didn't force me into desperation that day, so I'll let you off this time. This way, we're even. Next time we meet, it will be a matter of life and death."

  After all, his heart is still not ruthless enough.

  Ji was somewhat regretful and at the same time thinking about how to return and make amends with Da Han.

  But the huge stone that had been pressing on his chest for a long time finally fell off, making him feel much more relaxed.

  After a long while, he stepped forward and kicked it with his foot. There was no reaction. He turned the person over and checked their breath, which was icy cold.

  He sank his gaze, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he picked up the dead Naya with one hand. He hummed a gentle folk tune as he slowly walked up the mountain.

  ps：

  Sorry for the late update today. Today I saw off my aunt and had a chat with relatives, gaining many insights. I feel that life is short, so we should make the most of it while we can, cherish every moment!