Who put the yellow robe on me?

Zuo Yongyu slowly walked out of the shadows, revealing his stern face. A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "Waiting for you."

"Wait for me?" Xian Yulinyuan was startled, feeling a sense of foreboding. His hand unconsciously tightened around the sword at his waist, his fingertips feeling the cold scabbard, and his heartbeat quickened.

"Yes, I have long seen that you will go to rescue this villain from the Western Regions, so I set an ambush for you on this necessary route." Zuo Yongyu's voice was low and cold, as if without a trace of emotion.

Upon hearing this, Mammon glared at him and clenched his fists: "You, a lackey of Daliang, actually spied on us!"

Zuo Yongyu sneered, his eyes swept over Mammon without any concern: "You are a thief from the Western Regions, it is not your turn to say anything more."

Xianyu Linyuan took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner turmoil. He knew that he had to stay calm now, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

"General Zuo, please have mercy!" Xianyu Linyuan said, cupping his fists, a hint of pleading in his tone. A glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes, hoping that Zuo Yongyu would give them a chance to live.

Zuo Yongyu stared at him, his eyes as cold as ice. "General Xianyu, you should know that military law is ruthless. You have already committed the death penalty by letting the prisoner go without permission."

Xian Yulinyuan gritted his teeth, beads of sweat oozing from his forehead. He felt the night wind brushing against his face, bringing a hint of chill, and his clothes on his back were soaked with sweat.

"General Zuo, I know I am guilty, but Mammon is not an unforgivable criminal. Please give him a chance to live." There was a hint of despair in Xianyu Linyuan's voice.

Zuo Yongyu shook his head and said firmly, "Now you have two options. First, you and I will duel. If I win, you will go to His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan and die. If I lose, I will not see you tonight."

Xianyu Linyuan frowned: "What about the second one?"

Zuo Yongyu smiled coldly: "Second? The second is that you all come together, kill me, and then kill the 500 elite soldiers outside the city before you can leave."

Mammon took an angry step forward, his eyes burning with rage: "Brother Xianyu, let's go together and kill this thief general from Daliang!"

Hearing Mammon call him "Big Brother," Xianyu Linyuan's heart couldn't help but move, as if a warm current surged through him. He recalled their old friendship, fighting side by side on the battlefield, and the years of life and death together.

But at this moment, he knew that this was a matter of life and death, and he couldn't relax even a little. If he acted rashly, not only would he be unable to escape, but he might also implicate more people.

He looked at Mammon deeply, his eyes full of determination: "Brother Mammon, wait for me for a moment, and remember not to take action."

Mammon wanted to say something, but seeing Xianyu Linyuan's unquestionable gaze, he could only clench his fists tightly, stand aside, and look at Zuo Yongyu with gritted teeth.

Zuo Yongyu drew out his sword, the blade flashing coldly in the moonlight, reflecting his stern face.

He leaned slightly to the side, assuming a fighting stance, his voice as cold as the collision of ice cubes: "General Xianyu, please!"

Xianyu Linyuan also slowly drew his sword, feeling the cool touch of the blade. He took a deep breath, smelling the faint scent of grass and trees in the air, and his mind gradually calmed down.

The two stood facing each other, surrounded by a silence so hushed that even the wind seemed to have stopped. The distant cries of crows only added to the darkness and solemnity of the night.

"General Zuo, I'm sorry!" Xianyu Linyuan shouted, taking the lead. His swordsmanship was sharp and swift, and the flash of his sword went straight to Zuo Yongyu's vital point.

Zuo Yongyu, unwilling to be outdone, swung his sword to block. Their swords collided in mid-air, emitting a crisp metallic clang. Sparks flew, reflecting the focused and stern gazes of both men.

Xianyu Linyuan knew in his heart that Zuo Yongyu's martial arts were by no means ordinary, and if he wanted to win, he had to give it his all.

"Ding! Dang!" The two swords intertwined at such a speed that it was dazzling. Mammon watched on in amazement, worried about Xianyu Linyuan and shocked by Zuo Yongyu's strength.

Xianyu Linyuan took advantage of the opportunity and leaped sideways, aiming his sword straight at Zuo Yongyu's shoulder. Zuo Yongyu reacted quickly, turning his body and narrowly avoiding the attack. He then swung his sword back, aiming for Xianyu Linyuan's waist.

Xianyu Linyuan quickly retreated, tiptoeing to the ground and standing firmly. He felt a chill at his waist and looked down to find that his clothes had been cut open by a long and narrow cut, but fortunately he was not injured.

"What a fast sword technique!" He praised in his heart, but did not show it on his face.

Zuo Yongyu smiled coldly: "General Xianyu, there is no need to hold back, otherwise you will have no chance."

Xian Yulinyuan's eyes fixed, and he said in a deep voice: "General Zuo is indeed powerful, then I will not be polite!"

He adjusted his breathing, gripped the sword with both hands, and concentrated all his strength on the tip of the sword. The blade trembled slightly, emitting a low humming sound, as if telling of the power that was about to burst out.

Zuo Yongyu did not dare to be careless. He locked his eyes on the opponent, lowered his body slightly, and prepared for defense.

At that moment, Xianyu Linyuan suddenly struck out, the sword flashing like lightning through the darkness, going straight for Zuo Yongyu's throat. Zuo Yongyu quickly turned sideways, the sword's tip brushing his shoulder, lifting a wisp of his clothes.

Xianyu Linyuan seized the opportunity and attacked, unleashing several blows, each one carrying the force of thunder. Although Zuo Yongyu fought back vigorously, he was still forced back repeatedly, sweat oozing from his forehead.

The two men were engaged in a fierce battle. The surrounding vegetation was damaged by the sword energy, branches and leaves flying, and deep scratches were carved into the ground. The air was filled with the faint smell of dust and the fragrance of cut grass.

Xianyu Linyuan was secretly pleased to see that his opponent was struggling. However, he didn't let his guard down. Instead, he became even more cautious. He knew that Zuo Yongyu was no pushover. A single misstep would lead to a complete loss.

Sure enough, just as he was about to draw his sword again, Zuo Yongyu suddenly revealed a flaw, his body tilted slightly, as if his center of gravity was unstable.

Xian Yulinyuan's eyes flashed, and he seized the opportunity, thrusting the sword straight into the opponent's chest.

However, just as the tip of the sword was about to touch him, his heart suddenly moved: Could this flaw have been made intentionally by Zuo Yongyu?

In a flash, he quickly adjusted the sword's momentum, changing from stabbing to slashing. The sword tip passed through Zuo Yongyu's shoulder, only scratching a layer of flesh.

Zuo Yongyu groaned, took a few steps back, covered the wound with his hand, and blood seeped out from between his fingers.

He raised his head and looked at Xian Yu Linyuan with complicated eyes, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.

"General Xianyu's swordsmanship is indeed powerful. I lost!" There was no trace of regret in his voice, but rather it was unusually calm.

Xianyu Linyuan knew in his heart that Zuo Yongyu had deliberately given him this flaw.

"General Zuo, you..." He wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.

Zuo Yongyu waved his hand, interrupting him: "No need to say more, I, Zuo Yongyu, always keep my word. I haven't seen any of you tonight. General Xianyu, please come in!"

Seeing this, Mammon stepped forward happily and said, "Brother Xianyu, let's go!"