Beneath the Surface Chapter 58

Everyone in the competition was very measured, after all, they were brothers who saw each other every day. In the later rounds of sparring, no one was injured.

Song Chuzhao’s critiques were sharp and accurate, providing a concise introduction to the styles and strengths of the several fierce men on stage, and offering a preemptive analysis of the tense battle situation. She was almost never wrong.

The young ladies listened with rapt attention, even learning a few things herself, and their respect for Song Chuzhao grew even higher.

If she wasn’t so brilliant herself, how could she possibly understand all this?

Until Fan Chongqing took the stage.

Fan Chongqing’s first match was a display of power that silenced the crowd.

He wielded a sword, as did his opponent. Both were skilled swordsmen, their styles characterized by bold, sweeping movements, clashing head-on. Fan Chongqing, relying on his formidable inner strength, overpowered his opponent with brute force.

The battle was one-sided, and even without Song Chuzhao’s commentary, everyone could see who was stronger.

Tang Zhirou gasped, clutching Song Chuzhao’s arm tightly, whispering, “This Fan… Second young master Fan, he seems really strong, doesn’t he?”

The young lady beside her said, “Seems? He is strong. Otherwise, why would those martial artists follow him like a leader? You don’t know how many renowned masters the Minister of War has hired for him. He even learned a few moves from General Fu. He’s a formidable figure.”

Tang Zhirou sighed, “I really couldn’t tell.”

Tang Zhirou, about to face her own challenge, suddenly felt intimidated, her grip unconsciously tightening.

Song Chuzhao struggled, “Let go of me, you’re pinching my flesh!”

Tang Zhirou quickly released her grip.

Meanwhile, Fan Chongqing had just repelled another opponent, raising his arm high and asking the crowd, “Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?”

Tang Zhanglian watched the stage with a knowing smile, as if observing a future member of his own ranks. He was clearly pleased with Fan Chongqing.

The crowd murmured amongst themselves, their nods and whispers filled with praise.

“Young master Fan’s martial arts have improved again.”

“His skill is profound.“carpreads.pages.dev

“Last year, General Huang took the top prize. Is he not participating this year?”

“General Huang is seven or eight years older than young master Fan. He probably won’t compete for this title anymore.”

“It seems young master Fan is the clear winner this year. Truly, talent abounds.”

The young lady, besides being amazed, had already begun to blindly admire him:

“Is young master Fan really as strong as they say?”

“It’s a pity Third Girl can’t participate. Otherwise, she might give him a run for his money.”

“Third Girl, you haven’t analyzed Second young master Fan’s martial arts yet.”

Everyone was talking, but no one stepped forward.

Tang Zhanglian gestured with his eyes, and Fu Changjun stepped forward, asking, “Is there anyone else who wishes to step up and challenge?”

A voice boomed from the crowd, “Yes!”

The crowd looked around, eager to see who this hero was, but they couldn’t find anyone raising their hand among the young men.

Song Chuzhao raised her voice, “Here!”

All eyes turned to Song Chuzhao, who remained calm and composed. Tang Zhirou stood beside her, but the concentrated gaze made her feel uneasy.

Tang Zhirou whispered, “Third Girl! Are you really going to do this?”

Song Chuzhao said, “Once you’ve made a decision and spoken your mind, there’s no turning back. What’s there to be afraid of?”

Tang Zhirou glanced at Fan Chongqing and said, “I… I think it’s pretty scary.”

The young ladies were collectively stunned, their jaws dropping in disbelief. They remained frozen in place, unable to recover for a while.

Tang Zhanglian, however, perked up. He even stood up from his seat in surprise. He took two steps forward and said, “Third Miss Song, are you serious, or are you just playing around?”

Song Chuzhao said, “Of course I’m serious.”

Tang Zhanglian: “You want to go up on stage and compete?”

Song Chuzhao: “Is there a problem with that?”

“Of course not! If you want to, then go ahead. I’ve never said that women can’t go up on this stage.” Tang Zhanglian said, “Fan-lang¹, what do you think?”

Fan Chongqing’s voice faltered, his eyes darting back and forth between Song Chuzhao, Gu Fengjian, and Tang Zhanglian. He stammered, “N-no, that won’t do! Your Majesty, you want me to compete against a woman?”

Tang Zhanglian said, “No, she’s the one who wants to compete against you, it has nothing to do with me.”

Fan Chongqing turned around and frantically waved his hands at Song Chuzhao. “Third Miss Song, please calm down. How can I fight you? I don’t fight women!”

Song Chuzhao walked towards the weapons rack nearby, picking and choosing. As she selected a weapon, she said sternly, “Be serious. If you truly want to be a general, then don’t say things like that on the battlefield, saying you won’t fight someone.”

Fan Chongqing said angrily, “Fifth Son Gu and I are brothers! How can I duel with you? You’re forcing us to turn against each other!”

Tang Zhanglian, who loved to stir things up, pointed his chin towards the audience and asked, “Fifth Son Gu, do you disagree?”

Gu Fengjian stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and replied, “Third Girl can make her own decision. I have no objections. If she wants to go up on stage, I’d also like to see the Song family’s martial arts.”

Song Chuzhao picked up a long spear, spun it in her hand to test its length and weight. Finding it suitable, she slung it over her shoulder, took two steps to build momentum, and gracefully leaped onto the stage.

Fan Chongqing, on the other hand, was startled and took several steps back.

Fu Changjun followed her onto the stage, standing behind Song Chuzhao, as if to provide her with support.

“Stop this nonsense.” Fan Chongqing pleaded with Song Chuzhao, his pride swallowed. “Third Girl Song, I’m a fierce fighter, I don’t hold back. The battlefield is no place for a woman, you should go down.”

Tang Zhanglian suppressed a smile and instructed, “General Fu, go up on stage and watch over her, just in case Third Miss gets hurt. Fan-lang, since Third Miss is willing, why are you refusing so many times? Be a man, and fight her. What’s the big deal?”

Fan Chongqing said, “But she’s a—”

Before Fan Chongqing could finish his sentence, a flash of silver caught his eye. He wasn’t prepared, so he instinctively raised his sword to block.

The other party wasn’t actually trying to hurt him, and she used the momentum to strike the spearhead against his blade.

A resounding clang!

The force of the impact sent a dull pain through Fan Chongqing’s abdomen and wrist. He stumbled back several steps before regaining his balance.

…She’s a tough one.

Fan Chongqing was stunned and deeply impressed. He raised his hand to rub his neck, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“You’re overthinking things. Looking down on me, should I agree to it?” Song Chuzhao said with a smile, “Do you want to have a real fight?”

“Whoa…” The young man exclaimed belatedly, “This Third Girl Song, she’s truly not simple.”

A commotion began on their side, and the young ladies finally reacted.

It was unclear who started it, but this group of well-bred young ladies began to shout at the top of their lungs:

“Ah—Third Girl! Third Girl Song, go for it!”

“Zhaozhao, little sister! Don’t be afraid!”

“Sister! Third Sister, take down that Second Fan!”

“Zhaozhao, they look down on you, don’t let them get away with it!”

Fan Chongqing’s younger brothers also responded enthusiastically, shouting, “Hey, how can we lose to them? Who can’t shout?”

“Brother Fan, if you lose, you’ll lose face!”

“Such provocation cannot be tolerated! Give them a taste of their own medicine! Brother Fan, go for it!”

Tang Zhirou was angered by their shouts and argued with them.

Regardless of the reason, the scene was unprecedentedly heated.

The movements of the two on stage were faster than they had anticipated, and they were already engaged in combat.

Although Song Chuzhao’s strength was greater than that of most women, compared to Fan Chongqing, she was still inferior.

She had carefully observed Fan Chongqing’s attack patterns from the sidelines, avoiding direct confrontation with him and engaging in a flanking battle.

Her long spear was incredibly agile, its tip twisting and turning like a dragon in the water, constantly attacking and changing direction.

Fan Chongqing, mindful of her being a woman, did not dare to attack directly, nor did he dare to use a fatal blow. His movements were passive, hesitant, and focused on defense. He wanted to observe the situation and achieve a decisive victory with one move.

His mercy and underestimation were Song Chuzhao’s opportunity for victory.

Gradually, Fan Chongqing’s expression turned serious, and cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He realized that the advantage he had lost from the beginning was no longer recoverable.

Song Chuzhao’s attacks were incredibly fast, her offensive growing increasingly fierce, forcing him to defend with all his might.

What he had initially thought would be effortless had unknowingly become a self-imposed trap.

Fan Chongqing had to respond with all his strength.

From a distance, they could no longer discern the trajectory of the silver spear’s feints, only judging the situation by the sound.

The spear and the long sword clashed repeatedly, the dense rhythm more exhilarating than a drumbeat.

Those who understood the art of combat were tense, while those who did not could still sense the rapid changes in the battle between masters.

Tang Zhirou held her breath tightly, afraid that even a single breath would weaken Song Chuzhao’s strength.

Gu Fengjian’s clenched fingers left marks, and he stretched his neck to look up.

Fourth Son Gu, beside him, furrowed his brow and nodded repeatedly, muttering, “The two are now in a stalemate, but Fan Chongqing still can’t let loose… Third Girl Song’s spear technique is truly exquisite! If she were a man, Fan Chongqing would likely not be able to withstand these few moves. Unfortunately, I don’t think she’s going to win, the situation doesn’t look good.”

Gu Fengjian turned his head and asked, “Why not optimistic?”

“Neither her endurance nor her strength is optimistic,” Fourth Son Gu said, “A long spear is not something anyone can wield. It looks simple, but it’s tiring to use. No matter how strong Third Girl Song is, she can’t match Fan Chongqing’s strength.”

Not long after he finished speaking, Song Chuzhao showed signs of fatigue, and her attack clearly slowed down.

Fan Chongqing noticed this and immediately launched a counterattack.

In that instant, everyone on and off the field sensed the shift in the offensive and defensive strategies.

Song Chuzhao, knowing she was outmatched, skillfully turned and retreated.

“Ah—Third Girl!” Tang Zhirou jumped up and shouted, “Kill him! Don’t be afraid, Third Girl!”

The other girls joined in the commotion, shouting: “Fan Chongqing!”

“Zhaozhao, trip him!”

“Zhaozhao, you’re about to win! Hold on!”

Fu Changjun paced along the sidelines, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, ready to intervene at any moment.

Fan Chongqing was even more afraid of injuring Song Chuzhao than Fu Changjun was. As he prepared to pull back his attack, Song Chuzhao suddenly lowered her body, paused, and launched a counterattack.

That strike landed directly on the blade of his sword, which he hadn’t yet fully retracted.

Fan Chongqing’s right hand went numb, and his body froze. Song Chuzhao had already leaped into the air and delivered a powerful kick.

Fan Chongqing quickly raised his left arm to block the blow.

Song Chuzhao’s attacks then intensified, even more ferocious than before. She struck his weapon with relentless force, each blow imbued with a fierce determination. Where was the fatigue she had shown earlier?

That was clearly a feint!

Fan Chongqing, realizing his mistake, found himself struggling to defend against her onslaught.

Fan Chongqing held back, but Song Chuzhao fought with no reservations. As he spread his legs, trying to stabilize his stance, she went straight for his vital points.

Fan Chongqing dared not engage in such a dangerous game. His heart pounded in his chest as he quickly abandoned his defensive posture and moved to protect his most vulnerable areas. Song Chuzhao’s kick, aimed at his lower body, landed on his leg.

Screech—

The sole of his shoe scraped against the ground as Fan Chongqing lost his balance and stumbled. Song Chuzhao reached out and grabbed him, steadying him.

Fan Chongqing blinked in astonishment, letting out a sigh of relief.

Song Chuzhao stepped back and bowed to him, saying, “Thanks for the win.”

Fan Chongqing: “…What?”

Song Chuzhao said, “I won! Who told you not to fight seriously?”

Fan Chongqing thought to himself, “I was fighting seriously, damn it!” He was stunned by the reality of the situation: “I really lost?”

Song Chuzhao said, “Ask Uncle Fu! Does that count as a win?”

Fu Changjun, standing behind them, nodded in confirmation: “You did indeed lose.”

“Ah—aaah!”

Cheers erupted from the audience, a mixture of disbelief and unbridled joy. The shouts grew louder and louder, like the roar of a thousand soldiers.

“Third Girl Song—” Tang Zhirou was about to kneel before her, tears welling up in her eyes, “You won!!”

Author Note:

Fan Chongqing: This is the first time I’ve lost to a woman!

Song Chuzhao: No, it’s the second time. You’ll get used to it.