Chapter 29: Cleaving Kou Qianzhi with a Blade

Shortly before Wang Xianzhi struck down Song Jue, in a sloping field nestled between a wheat field and a hillside, a young man stood leaning on his precious saber, confronting Kou Qianzhi, the imposing and majestic Deputy Commissioner of the Taining Army.

This youth was none other than Zhu Wen, now the chief strategist for Huang Chao’s rebel army and the greatest contributor to the insurgents' victory at the Battle of Songzhou.

"A great master once said that before experts clash, they often inspect the battlefield, treading every inch of soil. Because the soil quality affects one's lightness skills—if one exerts the same seven parts of force, one might leap ten feet on soft, damp ground, but ten and a half feet on hard, dry ground," Zhu Wen remarked leisurely, his tone tinged with a hint of lament. "But when experts duel, a single inch or a fraction of a point can determine life or death."

"As for you, Commander Kou, you fell into our encirclement for the sake of rescuing those mediocrities under Commander Qi. Do you have any regrets?"

Across from him, Kou Qianzhi looked calm, showing no fear despite being surrounded, displaying the true stature of a great general. "Since you have already said all that, why ask if I have regrets?"

"Commander Kou is indeed brilliant," Zhu Wen said. "Although I am a local of Songzhou and familiar with the terrain, allowing me to take a shortcut and reach the front of your rear guard, even a hair's breadth of difference could have prevented the encirclement."

"And that hair's breadth, that line between life and death, likely depended on your benevolence. In the heat of war, one naturally ignores small details, yet when you marched, out of kindness, you avoided trampling the villagers' wheat fields as much as possible. This was not pedantry, but an unconscious act."

"But the trap is set, and our elite forces are all here. You are outnumbered, Commander; I fear you cannot escape."

On the other side of the encirclement, the bare-chested Meng Kai struck his muscular chest with a thunderous sound, showing off to Kou Qianzhi’s troops.

"You seem very eager to kill me," Kou Qianzhi said calmly.

"Normally, I should say: 'Please, sir, meet your end to fulfill your loyalty,'" Zhu Wen replied. "But I wish to kill you today only because there is an answer I fear I can only obtain from your lips when you are near death."

"Hahahaha... I have lived my life honestly and openly. Unless it is a state secret, what is there that I cannot say?"

"No, I have doubts, and so do you. Some things can be seen with the eyes; others are sudden flashes of inspiration."

"But if you want to keep me here, your own elite troops will surely suffer heavy casualties."

"Your training is impregnable, Commander. A frontal assault would indeed be costly. However, our army fights a mobile war; there is no need to annihilate the official forces' vital strength entirely. To take your head alone is enough to shake the world."

Kou Qianzhi laughed aloud. "Young man, you don't intend to persuade me to trade my life for the lives of my soldiers, do you? The kindness of a woman—to be slaughtered without a fight, there is no greater shame! Even if I agreed, would my brothers ever consent?"

Upon these words, Kou Qianzhi’s soldiers shouted in unison, "The boy is delirious! Our commander treats us like brothers; even in this death trap, we will fight to the last man to protect him. There are no cowards here!"

Zhu Wen clapped his hands. "Your training is effective, and your men are loyal; I have seen it for myself. But what if I said I am willing to fight you in a one-on-one duel to the death? Regardless of who wins or loses, your soldiers may withdraw safely. How about that?"

For a moment, the soldiers on both sides were stunned, thinking Zhu Wen had lost his mind. In their previous clashes, Zhu Wen had nearly been cut down by Kou Qianzhi, and his strength was clearly inferior. Yet, with a massive advantage, he proposed a duel with such favorable conditions—to many, it seemed like he was begging for death. Yet, he appeared full of confidence, as if he were certain he could strike Kou Qianzhi down. Where did his conviction come from?

Meng Kai shouted, "Junior brother, no! Even if it is a challenge to the death, I should be the one to fight!"

Zhu Wen shook his head. "No need to say more, brother. Our master has already decreed that I have full authority over today’s affairs."

Meng Kai opened his mouth to protest but finally just gave him a look. *To hear the Way in the morning, one can die in the evening.* As a martial artist pursuing the limits of his craft, Meng Kai understood the significance of Zhu Wen's obsession.

Zhu Wen whispered to himself, "I have been troubled long enough." He suddenly gathered his breath and shouted, "Today, I will resolve this doubt—what is life compared to this!"

Before the words faded, Zhu Wen lunged forward. Clad in a red war robe, he looked like a streak of crimson flame piercing the sky, the reflection of his Daxia Longque saber aiming directly at Kou Qianzhi.

His junior sister, Duan Hongyan, covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock and uncontrollable worry. Zhu Wen's second brother, Zhu Cun, wore his usual simple smile, though his eyes remained locked on his younger brother’s movements. He trusted his third brother unconditionally and never doubted any decision he made.

Kou Qianzhi had no reason to refuse the challenge, as it seemed too advantageous for the Taining Army. If Zhu Wen attacked first and fell, the rebel army would have no face to go back on their word.

Kou Qianzhi drew his saber, "Moon in the Well," with a crisp chime—a sound like gold and jade, a melody of strings. The "Ten Forms of Resisting Heaven" were unleashed once more. The invisible domain of a master, boundless as heaven and earth, inexhaustible as a river, seeped into every corner like mercury, enveloping the battlefield. Even those on the sidelines could feel the chilling majesty radiating from him.

Yet, facing an opponent with superior cultivation, Zhu Wen moved as nimbly as a fish in water under the pressure of the domain, feinting east to strike west, feinting south to strike north, fighting to a standstill! Drums rolled and soldiers shouted, sounding like the collapse of mountains.

Meng Kai watched in awe—his junior brother had progressed with terrifying speed! If Zhu Wen’s early training was merely wild, unrefined techniques, his apprenticeship under Huang Chao and the pointers from the world's greatest, Wang Xianzhi, had made him improve by leaps and bounds.

The key was that Zhu Wen had clearly undergone specialized training to counter the "Ten Forms of Resisting Heaven." Though Huang Chao’s skill was not as peerless as Wang Xianzhi’s, he was a grandmaster of martial arts, particularly skilled in saber techniques. After learning that Zhu Wen had nearly died at Kou Qianzhi's hands, Huang Chao had spent the night with him, deconstructing Kou’s moves and devising counters.

Now, with the Taining Army defeated and their momentum shattered, Kou Qianzhi was already at a disadvantage. Having fought him before, Zhu Wen had a deeper understanding of his style and moved with ease, no longer suppressed by the domain.

Their blades met—flashes of lightning, chilling cold air, one shimmering like the scorching sun, the other like flowing ice. Two great sabers danced, while the banners fluttered in the red, fiery air. Even a genius like Meng Kai was so dazzled he wanted to jump in himself.

Admittedly, Kou Qianzhi’s foundation remained stronger; despite Zhu Wen’s specialized counters, he remained mostly on the defensive. However, even Kou’s lethal strikes could no longer finish him. Zhu Wen sought out the weaknesses in Kou’s form, defending the vital spots and striking at the gaps.

The Daxia Longque saber, a weapon far superior to "Moon in the Well," became an extension of Zhu Wen’s spirit. As the fight dragged on, Zhu Wen’s eyes glowed with an intense luster, his handsome, ethereal features making him look like a fallen immortal.

Though sweat beaded on their necks, it was clear that Zhu Wen’s attacks were increasing while his defenses decreased. Kou Qianzhi, known for his endurance, felt the pressure. The members of the Twenty-Eight Stars of the Nebula grew restless, their hearts pounding. They realized that this delicate-looking youth possessed a will of steel, a resilience that surpassed even the battle-hardened Kou Qianzhi.

It was this same resilience that had allowed him to break through the despair of the Songzhou campaign and devise the tunnel strategy that turned defeat into victory.

As a light rain began to fall, they had fought over a hundred rounds. Everyone could see Zhu Wen’s strategy: use the specialized saber techniques to bridge the gap in power, and use his peerless endurance to drag his opponent down.

Zhu Wen finally let out a low gasp. "Commander Kou, are you tired?"

"A man bleeds on the battlefield; he may die, but he does not speak of exhaustion! We are fighting to the death; what is there to say?" Kou Qianzhi’s strikes slowed, but his words remained sharp.

"No, I mean I can see the weariness you’ve carried all these years. You wear fine brocade, yet I can see the dust of the road upon your clothes."

Kou Qianzhi replied, "As a soldier of the state, I am meant to consume the wind and dew; is it not normal for dust to be on my clothes?"

"But when that dust falls into your heart, it turns to grit that never melts away."

With a massive clang, the sabers clashed, sparks flying. Kou Qianzhi gasped and flew back a dozen feet. Zhu Wen saw the resolution in his eyes.

Suddenly, Kou Qianzhi let out a long howl. His purple-gold crown shattered, his hair flew wild, and his killing intent roared like a dragon. The "Moon in the Well" surged with light as he struck downward. The ground beneath the blade’s path cracked, a fissure snaking toward Zhu Wen.

"Junior brother, watch out!" Meng Kai and Duan Hongyan cried out.

Zhu Wen let out a roar. The Daxia Longque saber turned from blood-red to a translucent, crystalline green. Behind him, phantom images of a lush forest emerged—the Green Emperor nurturing life, leaves and vines crackling with golden light, weaving a web of lethal intent.

The hawk perched on Kou Qianzhi’s shoulder shrieked and took flight, circling high above. A blinding flash erupted. When the light faded, the Longque saber was buried in Kou Qianzhi’s chest. Zhu Wen staggered back, vomiting blood.

"Commander Kou!" the Twenty-Eight Stars cried in grief.

Meng Kai remained calm. "My junior brother calculated this. He knew that if Kou couldn't break the war of attrition, he would have to stake everything on a suicidal blow. That was when his killing intent would be strongest, but also when he would have the greatest opening. My brother had a thirty percent chance of success, but a seventy percent chance of dying in the process."

"Heaven be praised! He won the gamble," Meng Kai exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

"It wasn't just thirty percent," Zhu Wen said, swallowing more blood. "Often, a ten percent chance is worth the gamble. In our first duel, when you failed to kill me, I realized you lacked one thing: the true resolve to kill." He looked into Kou Qianzhi’s eyes. "Was I wrong, Commander?"

Kou Qianzhi was dying, yet Zhu Wen treated him with the utmost respect. He was a worthy opponent, and his strength had indeed surpassed Zhu Wen’s. This victory was a miracle born of the "Green Fire Golden Light" technique, but it was the life-and-death struggle that had allowed Zhu Wen to elevate his martial path.

"You are correct," Kou Qianzhi wheezed, blood spilling from his lips.

"You had no loyalty to the Tang in your eyes. What were you fighting for?"

Kou Qianzhi sighed. "My ancestor was the founding hero Kou Zhong. In his youth, he, like the Curly-Bearded Guest, once dreamed of contending for the empire."

The onlookers were stunned. This was not the loyal Deputy Commander they knew.

"You have discovered it—I never possessed my ancestor's spirit," Kou Qianzhi said. "My blood could move others, but it could not move myself. Every battle left me as indifferent as a frozen lake. To live up to my ancestor’s name, I sought promotion and conquest, but I saw no way out for this era. Life is like wearing a mask, performing an endless play on an infinite stage."

He laughed at himself. "I saw the corruption, the government butchering the people like grass. But your rebel army—do you not also leave a scorched earth in your wake?"

"My master and the Alliance Leader do their best to enforce discipline," Zhu Wen replied. "We are a mixed bag, and without a base, we must live off the land. But if we can build a new era, everything will improve."

"A new era?" Kou Qianzhi smiled bitterly. "The sea of bitterness is vast, the war is endless. Who can save the world? Who can open a new era? That is not for us to see." He closed his eyes. "Before I depart, tell me: what is the meaning of my life? Have I wasted it?"

Zhu Wen pondered for a moment. "To live between heaven and earth, to sing a long song that never fades, that is meaning enough. You fought well, Commander. You gave your all. Your life was magnificent; your blood was no performance!"

Kou Qianzhi smiled in relief. "It seems I die as I should." He whispered, "I have one final request. In the Haizhou region, there is a pirate who terrorizes the people. I meant to eliminate him, but I was called to Songzhou..."

Meng Kai stepped forward. "Consider it done. I will behead this villain myself to fulfill your wish."

Kou Qianzhi looked at them with satisfaction. "Huang Chao has two good disciples..." He closed his eyes, his expression peaceful.

"Rest in peace, Commander. We will not forget our初心 (original intention) or fail your expectations."

Zhu Wen withdrew the Daxia Longque saber, and blood surged from the wound like a waterfall.