Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 191: Integrity

Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Integrity

Dugu Jing was struck with such overwhelming force that he sustained internal injuries, dropping to one knee while blood poured incessantly from his mouth.

"Good, the Eldest Young Master is invincible!" The military generals erupted in deafening cheers, their roars echoing across the hunting ground.

Xie Zhang had preserved his strength from beginning to end, refusing unnecessary resistance. If he attacked, it had to be a decisive blow. Otherwise, it would only waste his energy and power.

In terms of physical stamina and strength, he did not possess an advantage over Dugu Jing.

Dugu Jing glared fiercely at Xie Zhang. "Flowery and superficial techniques!"

He unleashed another surge of immense force, lunging at Xie Zhang. The barrage of punches forced Xie Zhang to retreat repeatedly, his chest and abdomen struck multiple times. His internal organs burned with searing pain. Despite this, Xie Zhang endured the assault, his defenses appearing utterly ragged. The two were locked in such a fierce entanglement that neither could gain the upper hand, with both having depleted half of their strength.

The fight was a visual spectacle.

Prowess in physique, elegance in form, and sheer combative brutality—strength and aesthetics were blended to perfection, leaving every spectator immensely satisfied.

When Dugu Jing threw Xie Zhang to the ground, Xie Zhang took advantage of the motion to clasp his legs around Dugu Jing’s neck. A slight application of force would have broken his neck, but Dugu Jing grabbed Xie Zhang’s arm, striking his waist and abdomen with punches. Each blow carried enough power to shatter the stage, and landing on flesh and bone was unspeakably terrifying. Blood gushed from Xie Zhang’s mouth and nose, staining the floor red.

"General..." Several junior generals were red-eyed with rage, wishing desperately to take his place.

Xie Xun and Xie Jue suddenly stood up in alarm. Xie Xun’s eyes glistened with redness as he gripped Xie Jue’s wrist tightly. "Second Brother..."

Think of something—call for a stop or do anything!

Eldest Brother will be beaten to death!

Marquis An Yuan was stricken with terror and urgently called out Marquis Zhenbei’s name. "Xie Yuan, say something!"

That’s your most beloved eldest son!

Xie Yuan gripped the wine cup, his expression as unmoving as a mountain. His brows were furrowed, lips pressed into a straight line. Everyone knew that this was his favorite son—the heir chosen to assume command of the Iron Cavalry Army.

The Marchioness’ eyes reddened, her lips bitten to the point of bleeding. "Shouyu..."

"I believe in him!" Marquis Zhenbei’s voice was calm and steady. This was his handpicked successor, trained since youth, and regardless of the outcome, he would trust Xie Zhang. The Marchioness choked with emotion, gripping his arm fiercely but said no more.

"Kill him, avenge our king!"

"Kill him, offer him as a sacrifice to the Heavenly God!"

The Beiman Soldiers roared with fervor, their cries piercing. The waves of sound grew increasingly frenzied as Dugu Jing, amidst the clamor for revenge, savagely pummeled Xie Zhang. Blood splattered wildly from his mouth.

This was an absolutely brutal duel.

"I will kill you—to avenge my father, the king!" Dugu Jing roared in fury. His opportunity had finally arrived. In the electrifying moment when the Beiman Soldiers cried for blood and the Yanyang officials watched in terror, the seemingly unconscious Xie Zhang suddenly unleashed a surge of tremendous power. His legs, still locked around Dugu Jing’s neck, violently constricted.

The sound of bones twisting was barely audible amidst the cacophony of "kill, fight" chants, but it caused Dugu Jing’s vision to blacken instantly. The stench of blood filled his throat, and black blood sprayed from his mouth. Xie Zhang moved to snap his neck, but Dugu Jing was sharp as a wolf. Summoning his remaining strength, he drove his knee forward, crashing it against Xie Zhang’s leg. It was a fight that led to mutual destruction, but Dugu Jing cared little.

A second slower, and Dugu Jing’s neck would have been snapped by Xie Zhang.

Xie Zhang indeed relented. A moment before victory, the previously confident Beiman Soldiers fell silent, staring at the stage in astonishment. Across the Yanyang side, a deathly stillness prevailed, as all eyes focused on the unfolding scene.

After shaking off Xie Zhang, Dugu Jing tried to counterattack but was too slow. Though his neck was not broken, it was dislocated, leaving him in unbearable pain and groggy-headed. Teetering on the brink of death, Xie Zhang summoned pure force and delivered a kick that sent Dugu Jing flying off the stage.

Dugu Jing’s head bent awkwardly, unable to withstand Xie Zhang’s power, and he was unceremoniously hurled off the platform.

"Prince!" Slate and Jin Tu screamed in unison, as Beiman’s military physician rushed forward. Dugu Jing tumbled to the ground, rolling several times before clutching his neck to rise, glaring fiercely at Xie Zhang, who was still standing on the stage.

That had been Xie Zhang’s final burst of strength. His chest and abdomen burned with agony, his head spun, and sweat mixed with blood trickled from his hairline into his eyes, blurring his vision. By then, the roaring shouts of Yanyang’s military generals filled his ears.

"Eldest Young Master, invincible!"

Their voices surged like waves, drowning out the night.

Xie Zhang tried to speak. As soon as he opened his mouth, he spat blood—a flood threatening to choke him. He stood tall, gently wiped away the blood, and adjusted his attire. "Ninth Prince, I acknowledge your skill."

"Victorious in every battle!"

"Victorious in every battle!"

The generals and the Iron Cavalry shouted like thunder, their fighting spirit surging violently.

This was their Yanyang general—a figure of unyielding steel who never surrendered. This was the essence and soul of the Iron Cavalry.

As long as there was even one breath left, there would be no submission.

Xie Zhang stood atop the stage. Though covered in wounds, his radiance remained undiminished. This seemed to be the unique legacy of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. The Iron Cavalry knew that the man who had triumphed over Dugu Jing and now stood proudly on the stage was their new leader.

"Amazing!" Emperor Jianming was exceedingly joyful, applauding with praise. "What an exceptional duel. I am thoroughly impressed."

The officials seemed to awaken from their shock, showering the monarch with compliments and extolling Xie Zhang’s heroism. This triumph was unarguably a feat worthy of inscription into the annals of history.

A one-on-one victory against Dugu Jing revitalized military morale!

Xie Zhang slowly descended the stage, his body unsteady. Xie Jue and Xie Xun rushed forward to support him from both sides. Emperor Jianming smiled, saying, "Escort General Zhaowu for treatment."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xie Xun nodded. Together with Xie Jue, he helped his elder brother leave the arena. Feng Shu, who had been standing in the corner outside the banquet, burst into tears. She had been watching quietly from the latter half onward, not daring to be seen by Xie Zhang. Her heart ached at the sight of him, battered and barely clinging to life.

He must be in unbearable pain!

The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered with a shadow of malice. Dugu Jing had proven himself useless; despite being fully capable of killing Xie Zhang, his singular focus on revenge allowed Xie Zhang an opportunity to escape.

Xie Zhang should have died on the platform!

Foolish wretch, useless scum!

His gaze shifted far away as Xie Jue and Xie Xun supported Xie Zhang’s exit. Feng Shu hurried over, embracing the battered Xie Zhang tightly. Xie Xun tactfully stepped aside. Xie Zhang raised a hand and gently patted her head. Feng Shu’s eyes shimmered with tears as the group escorted Xie Zhang to seek the Imperial Physician.

The Crown Prince nearly shattered his wine cup. The Crown Princess Consort calmly poured him another drink, whispering, "Your Highness, have a cup of wine to warm yourself."

Dugu Jing slammed a fist onto the table. The military physician had already corrected his dislocated neck. Compared to Xie Zhang, his injuries amounted only to skin and muscle—he could return to the mountains and take down a tiger without issue.

"Cunning Yanyang bastards!" Dugu Jing roared furiously. From start to finish, Xie Zhang had relied on defense, whittling down his strength. Midway, he searched for opportunities to inflict serious injuries, reduce his destructive capacity, and numb his hostility with near-death and bloodshed—all the while waiting for a chance to deliver that final kick off the platform.

Dugu Jing’s goal was to kill Xie Zhang, not simply to win. Every time he forced Xie Zhang to the edge of the stage, he restrained himself, determined to beat him to death on the platform.

He had almost succeeded!