Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

This time, Li Mingxuan didn't dare to announce his name before Lin Ping, after all, the spears and lances in the other's hands were not vegetarians, they only drank blood.

Lin Ping's introduction drew countless surprised glances. If it weren't for Jiang Yunying's sake, Pang Xingji would probably have already attacked Lin Ping.

Even so, he still asked sternly, "What right does a mere spendthrift have to lay a hand on me?"

Being a spendthrift is not a symbol of status. In some ways, Lin Pingzhen is not as noble as Pang Xingji.

Li Mingxuan and his men had already stopped ten meters away, ready to make a quick getaway at any moment, not daring to offend the general who was risking his life.

"So what if I hit you? This is a leather whip bestowed by the city lord himself. He can even hit the heir apparent, let alone a mere captain?"

Lin Ping spoke arrogantly, completely disregarding Pang Xingji.

Pang Xingji was amused by the situation and rushed forward, saying coldly, "I, Pang Xingji, am not afraid of any imperial whip. Today, I will avenge my brother Diao Hui!"

To be honest, Qin Xiaohui and Pang Xingji were not close; they were just from the same military camp. Now that Qin Xiaohui was bedridden and unable to walk, and it was said that one of his eggs had been ruptured, Pang Xingji, feeling a sense of shared hatred, wanted to teach Lin Ping a lesson.

Lin Ping panicked. How could he possibly be a match for Pang Xingji? Even if the other party were unarmed, he would still be in serious trouble.

"My wife, save me!"

Lin Ping screamed inwardly, even covering his head with his arms, unable to bear watching this tragic scene.

Jiang Yunying naturally wouldn't stand idly by. She drew her sword and stood in front of Pang Xingji, wanting to hear what Lin Ping had to say next.

As expected, after Pang Xingji was forced to retreat, Lin Ping became emboldened and said contemptuously, "Qin Diaohui was beaten because he was not as skilled as others and did not understand the meaning of the art of war."

The rumors among soldiers were not baseless, as writers often did; they were detailed and specific, and each rumor was true and true.

Everyone knew that Qin Diaohui was inferior in skill, and there were two reasons for their anger: first, Jiang Yunying ultimately sided with Lin Ping; second, Lin Ping did not play by the rules when the two fought.

Hearing Lin Ping's words, he secretly nodded in agreement.

Military campaigns don't rely on brute force alone; the key to victory lies in deception. Lin Ping's early attack during their duel was a perfect example of this principle.

"You despicable scoundrel, don't think you can act recklessly just because you have the princess's favor."

Pang Xingji said angrily, without any attempt to hide his anger from Jiang Yunying.

"That's not quite right. Personally, it's only natural for my wife to help her husband; it's a sign of marital harmony. But publicly, Qin Diao Hui's reckless command led to a decrease in salt production, and he should be punished. I was just acting on my wife's behalf."

Lin Ping spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Furthermore, my wife is strict with you because she sees you as the hope of the city lord, while she neglects to discipline me because I am dispensable within the city lord. Alas... all my wife's good intentions have been wasted..."

Lin Ping shook his head helplessly, giving off a feeling of "the mountain has trees, but the trees have no branches; I love you, but you don't know."

Upon hearing this, Pang Xingji was slightly taken aback, instantly realizing he had done something wrong. However, he couldn't back down in front of a spendthrift, so he stubbornly said, "Dare to have a match with me? If you win, I'll believe you!"

Lin Ping was a complete spendthrift, and his words were highly unreliable. These timid and impetuous soldiers were all on high alert towards him.

Jiang Yunying immediately stood in front of Lin Ping. She knew that Lin Ping was quite skilled, and this competition could result in injury or even disability.

She was already quite surprised that Lin Ping could say such a thing. Not only did he spare Pang Xingji's life, but he also reshaped her image in the army. She dared not hope that Lin Ping could perform even better.

"Hmph! All that sweet talk, but all you're doing is hiding behind a woman's back!"

Pang Xingji said dismissively.

These 10,000 private soldiers were all tough men with unyielding integrity, and naturally despised pretty boys like Lin Ping who hid behind women. Therefore, what he said just now was probably not credible.

Lin Ping stepped out from behind Jiang Yunying, giving her a firm look, as if to say: Your man, Jiang Yunying, is definitely not a coward.

Jiang Yunying glared at Pang Xingji but did not stop him. She knew the consequences of stopping Lin Ping and had unknowingly placed her hopes on a spendthrift son.

"Let's have a wrestling match. Brother Pang's brute strength gives him a better chance of winning."

Lin Ping smiled, actually thinking of the other party's best interests.

Strong men like Pang Xingji, with their well-developed limbs, are usually not very bright and easily fall into Lin Ping's trap. Sure enough, Pang Xingji refused, saying, "Looking at your skinny arms and legs, why don't we have an archery contest instead!"

There are only three kinds of competitions in the army: wrestling, horseback riding, and archery.

Lin Ping was no match for Pang Xingji, and he knew nothing about riding a horse, so he was likely to be ridden by the horse instead.

Therefore, by deliberately using reverse psychology to avoid the first two types of competitions, half of the desired outcome is achieved.

As for the other half's demands...

You still need to fight for it yourself.

"Just as Brother Hu said, I'm too skinny to even draw this bowstring..."

Lin Ping shamelessly said that he had even become sworn brothers with Pang Xingji.

The soldiers all cast disdainful glances at him, thinking to themselves: This guy is really shameless.

Actually, Lin Ping's ultimate goal was to see who could swim the farthest, but it was somewhat inappropriate for Jiang Yunying to be present, and it was not something he could boast about.

"Then let's use crossbows instead!"

Pang Xingji had already come up with a solution for Lin Ping: since you can't pull the bowstring, then use a crossbow that's already cocked; that would be fair.

Moreover, with the continuous advancement of weaponry, crossbows have gradually replaced bows and arrows, and are now more commonly used in battle. Therefore, if Lin Ping can surpass Pang Xingji in this aspect, it would indeed prove his strength.

Surrounded by a crowd, the two quickly arrived at the archery range, where a row of targets fixed to wooden stakes stood before them.

A white line was drawn with lime sixty paces from the target, which was clearly the normal practice distance for archery.

Pang Xingji drew an extra white line fifty paces from the bullseye and said disdainfully, "If you can win at fifty paces, I will be completely convinced."

Who is Lin Ping?

Since the other party made such a special request, it was natural to agree. However, considering the effect of showing off, he finally shook his head and said, "I heard that there was a man named Yang Youji in ancient times who could shoot an arrow through a willow leaf from a hundred paces away. I, Lin Ping, might as well follow the example of the ancients."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned. Lin Ping, there should be a limit to your showing off. Being able to hit the bullseye twice out of sixty steps is considered acceptable, hitting the bullseye four times is considered excellent, and hitting the bullseye four times in a row is extremely rare.

Even Pang Xingji could only barely hit the bullseye from eighty paces away. You, Lin Ping, are asking for a distance of a hundred paces and to shoot through a willow leaf. Aren't you afraid that the wind will be too strong and scare away your eighth brother?

"Brother Pang, stay where you are right now, and I will never say that you are bullying me!"

Lin Ping said in a very serious tone.

Jiang Yunying rolled her eyes at her husband, finally understanding what was going on.

Even Pang Xingji wasn't guaranteed to hit the target at a distance of one hundred paces. If both of their crossbow bolts missed, it would only be a draw. Pang Xingji was always arrogant, and if he missed, he might surrender. In that case, Lin Ping would have achieved his goal.