Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The cold wind howled, blowing up the dust on the ground and swirling around in the open space in front of the city gate.

Gongsun Yi and Zhao Yu stood facing each other, murderous aura in their eyes, and the air around them seemed to be frozen because of the confrontation between the two.

Just as the two were about to clash...

"Wait a minute!"

Chu Ning's voice sounded leisurely, breaking the solemn atmosphere.

Gongsun Yi frowned and turned to look at Chu Ning impatiently: "What? The Crown Prince of Chu changed his mind?"

Chu Ning smiled slightly, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes:

"General Gongsun, since this is a competition, how can there be no stakes?"

Gongsun Yi's eyes flashed with amusement when he heard this, and then he sneered, "Oh? What does Your Highness want to bet on?"

Chu Ning's eyes were deep, and he spoke slowly:

"Minister of Rites Deng Hongwen has been sent as an envoy to the barbarians, and there has been no news since. But I know you must have brought him with you this time."

He paused, and his tone suddenly turned cold:

"If General Zhao Yu wins, you—hand over Lord Deng!"

When these words came out, Gongsun Yi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter:

"Hahaha! Great! What a great prince of Chu!"

His laughter suddenly stopped, and a fierce light flashed in his eyes:

"What if I win?"

Chu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm:

"Conditions—whatever you want!"

"Okay! Have fun!"

Gongsun Yi sneered, "If I win, Chu must cede the three northern cities!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Chu soldiers changed color in anger!

The three cities in the north are important barriers for the Chu State to defend against the barbarians. If they are really ceded, it would be tantamount to destroying the Great Wall!

However, Chu Ning just smiled faintly:

"can."

His tone was eerily calm, as if he was just talking about a trivial matter.

A hint of surprise flashed across Gongsun Yi's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by arrogance.

"Alright! Then let me see how capable your Chu generals are!"

Before he could finish his words, he suddenly jumped up and smashed the mace towards Zhao Yu with a whistling sound!

"Despicable!" the Chu soldiers roared.

However, Zhao Yu was prepared!

"Well done!"

He roared angrily, and swung his spear like a dragon, with the tip of the spear accurately blocking the blow of the mace!

"clang--!"

The sound of metal clashing rang out, and sparks flew!

The two separated as soon as they touched each other, and then rushed into each other again!

Gongsun Yi's attack was as violent as thunder. The swing of the mace brought up gusts of wind. Each blow was powerful and heavy, as if he wanted to smash Zhao Yu into a pulp with both his body and gun!

"die!"

He roared, and the mace swept through the army, heading straight for Zhao Yu's waist!

Zhao Yu's eyes fixed, and he suddenly lowered his body. His spear stabbed out along the ground like a snake, attacking Gongsun Yi's lower body!

Gongsun Yi was forced to retreat, but then rushed forward again with a grim smile, raised his mace high, and chopped it down suddenly!

"boom!"

A deep pit was smashed into the ground, and dust was flying everywhere!

Zhao Yu's body was as fast as lightning, he dodged sideways, and at the same time he shook his spear, and the tip of the spear pierced Gongsun Yi's throat like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue!

Gongsun Yi blocked hastily, the mace was blocked, the tip of the spear collided with the iron rod, sparks flew!

The two of them fought back and forth, and in a blink of an eye they had fought dozens of rounds!

Gongsun Yi was unable to capture the city after a long time of attack and became anxious, so his attacks became more and more violent.

He swept across fiercely, forcing Zhao Yu to retreat, then roared angrily, his muscles tensed up and veins bulged under his armor!

"Barbarian secret technique - Wild Beast Fury!"

His speed suddenly increased, and the mace turned into an afterimage, smashing towards Zhao Yu like an overwhelming force!

Zhao Yu's pupils shrank and he retreated quickly, but he was still hit on the shoulder by a stick, and his silver armor broke and blood oozed out!

"General Zhao!" the Chu soldiers exclaimed.

Chu Ning's eyes darkened slightly, but he still stood there silently.

Zhao Yu spat out a mouthful of blood foam, and the fighting spirit in his eyes became even stronger!

"Barbarian secret technique? Nothing more than that!"

He suddenly took a deep breath, the true energy in his body flowed, and the spear suddenly burst into a dazzling cold light!

"White Horse Spear Technique - Breaking the Army!"

The gun shot out like a dragon, and a cold light suddenly appeared!

This shot was so fast that the trajectory was almost invisible!

Gongsun Yi felt a flash before his eyes and a sudden pain in his chest!

"Pfft!"

The tip of the spear pierced through the armor and into the flesh!

Gongsun Yi groaned, staggered back a few steps, looked down at the bloody hole on his chest, his eyes full of disbelief!

"you……"

Zhao Yu put away his gun and stood up, saying coldly:

"You lost."

The whole place was silent!

The barbarian cavalry were stunned, while the Chu soldiers burst into thunderous cheers!

Gongsun Yi's face turned pale, he clutched his chest and gritted his teeth, saying:

"Good...good Zhao Yu!"

Chu Ning walked forward slowly and said calmly:

"General Gongsun, it's time to fulfill the bet."

Gongsun Yi stared at Chu Ning intently, and finally laughed wildly:

"Someone come! Bring Deng Hongwen here!"

A moment later, a prisoner van was pushed forward, and inside the van was the ragged Minister of Rites Deng Hongwen!

A cold light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"General Zhao, thank you for your hard work."

Zhao Yu clasped his fists and said, "I have accomplished my mission!"

Gongsun Yi snorted coldly and jumped on his horse:

"I will remember today's humiliation! We will set up camp outside the city!"

The barbarian cavalry retreated like a tide, leaving only a cloud of dust, and then set up camp three miles outside the city.

Chu Ning looked at their receding figures, the corners of his mouth slightly raised:

"This is just the beginning!"

Chu Ning watched the barbarian cavalry go away. When the dust settled, he turned and walked towards the prison car.

Deng Hongwen staggered out of the car, his clothes ragged and his face haggard, but his eyes were still clear.

"Master Deng, you have suffered." Chu Ning reached out to support him, his voice low.

Deng Hongwen forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for saving me. I am fine."

Chu Ning's eyes darkened slightly as he looked at him carefully: "Have the barbarians ever tortured you?"

Deng Hongwen shook his head. "They didn't do anything to me, but my clothes were torn by thorns during the days of traveling."

He paused, his expression growing serious. "But all the members of the delegation I brought with me have been detained at the barbarian royal court."

A cold light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes: "Oh?"

Deng Hongwen lowered his voice and said, "The Barbarian Khan's move is obviously to use them as hostages to ensure the safe return of his delegation."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning slowly curled up the corners of his mouth into a sneer.

"interesting."

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking towards the north, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

"Since the barbarians want to play tricks on me!"

He spoke softly, each word as if icy: "Then I will play with them."

As soon as the words fell, the air around them seemed to grow a little colder.

But soon, Chu Ning calmed down and turned to Deng Hongwen and said softly, "Master Deng must be exhausted from all the traveling."

"For now, let the imperial physician examine you. It's most important to take care of your health."

He raised his hand and waved, ordering the guards beside him:

"Come here, escort Lord Deng back to the city immediately!"

Several elite guards stepped forward and respectfully helped Deng Hongwen onto the carriage.

Deng Hongwen hesitated to speak, and finally just looked at Chu Ning deeply and whispered, "Your Highness, the barbarians are not here with good intentions. Be careful."

Chu Ning nodded slightly: "I know what's going on. Let's go back to the palace first."

After the carriage drove away, he stood there, with undercurrents surging in his eyes.

"Detain the delegation? Haha..."

He sneered, turned and walked towards the city gate, his robe fluttering in the wind.

"I want to see what tricks you can come up with!"