Early morning brought a flurry of activity to Luoyang.
Peddlers and laborers went about their daily lives, everyone bustling about to make a living.
But today, many spoiled young masters woke up exceptionally early.
This unusually early rise wasn't for studying or practicing martial arts, but rather to catch a theatrical performance!
Today was the duel between Lu Ming, the Western Garden Army Commandant, and Wu Kuang, the Tiger General!
The cause was that Wu Kuang's son, Wu Ban, had assaulted Feng Fang's daughter, only to be stopped by Lu Ming, who intervened and drove the boy away.
It was said that even the arm of Wang Yue's nephew, the greatest swordsman in the land, had been shattered. With such a terrifying feat, the outcome was anyone's guess!
If it were just about watching a play, it might not have captured everyone's attention.
But within three days, almost everyone in Luoyang knew about it, and that the Grand Commandant was placing bets on behalf of the Emperor, gambling on who would win!
The emperor using the lives of his ministers as stakes for his amusement is utterly absurd!
Yet everyone flocks to it, and Wu Kuang has spread the word that he will surely take Lu Ming's life on the arena!
This leads many to bet on Wu Kuang, after all, he is a high-ranking official under the Grand General, possessing both ability and fighting prowess.
Court intrigues are none of the common people's business, nor do they want to.
But today is different; everyone can place bets, anyone with spare cash can bet.
Emperor Ling's reputation may be absurd, but he disdains deceiving people.
Therefore, many wealthy people have placed bets, and even some commoners with spare cash have placed bets.
And the imperial ministers, the highest officials, all have to place bets to determine who is right and who is wrong.
In reality, this is completely unnecessary, because their opinions on right and wrong are meaningless.
Whoever wins is right.
So what's the point of betting?
It's simply throwing money into Emperor Ling's pocket!
He could have just robbed it directly, but now he's using a different method to demand it. Emperor Ling is really giving him too much face!
Lu Ming has already bet three thousand taels on himself; that's his limit.
Many things require money. In Luoyang, even buying materials costs money.
Moreover, maintaining the mansion is a considerable expense.
But if he acquires Wu Kuang's assets and gets some shops, he could try to cover his living expenses.
In the morning, he once again climaxed on the alluring Yi Jin, and then had a long French kiss with the young Wang Li.
Lu Ming finally got up; today was the same as always.
Having defeated Wu Kuang, and with the olive branch from the Yang family, his days ahead will be a little better.
But it's limited, because the Yang family is also a powerful clan, and they won't be kind to him for no reason.
If he gets too close, he will inevitably be targeted by Emperor Ling. Currently unable to become a chess player, one can only keep a low profile.
North Gate Training Ground.
The captain on duty today felt more sweaty than ever before, simply because there were too many people here.
Moreover, Emperor Ling would be present to observe, and the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers would also be there. These people, who could crush him with a flick of their toes in normal times, were now all gathered together. If anything went wrong, his head would truly roll!
"Go tell the captain to send reinforcements. His Majesty's safety is paramount." The squad leader wiped away his sweat. He was overwhelmed, and he also had to assign men to prevent commoners from entering the palace—a matter of utmost importance.
Before the training ground, a platform five meters high and ten meters long had been erected. This was for the duels; there was nothing else there, just the platform.
Emperor Ling arrived at the city tower early, and looking at the surging crowd below, he felt a surge of pride. He was the ruler of all under heaven; he was the Son of Heaven, the Emperor, and his word was law.
"His Majesty has arrived! Kneel and pay your respects!" Zhang Rang shrieked, and the eunuch in front of him echoed his cry.
Instantly, all the commoners knelt, paying their respects to the Liu Emperor.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"Hmm, rise!" Emperor Ling enjoyed the feeling of being worshipped by thousands. "Today is the duel to the death between the Lower Army Colonel and General Tiger Might. Let them begin."
Emperor Ling's arrival brought a quiet to the scene. The distance between them was nearly three miles, so there was no need to worry about a surprise attack.
A eunuch stepped onto the platform and shouted, "Please welcome Lower Army Colonel Lu Ming to the stage!"
Lu Ming, carrying a long spear, walked step by step up the steps. Commoners around him were also chanting his name, cheering him on.
He knew this was not out of concern for him, but rather because they had bet on his victory.
His steps were steady, his eyes fixed ahead.
Today's battle was one of victory or defeat!
Emperor Ling whispered to Zhang Rang, "Is everything ready?"
"Ready, Your Majesty, do not worry," Zhang Rang replied, indicating his readiness. In reality, Emperor Ling didn't want Lu Ming to die.
At this crucial moment, he needed to protect Lu Ming, making him obediently serve as his personal physician.
Of course, this was in the guise of a eunuch; whether Lu Ming was willing or not was beyond his control!
If Lu Ming won, this tactic wouldn't be necessary.
Once Lu Ming stood on the platform, the eunuch shouted in a hoarse voice, "Please welcome General Wu Kuang, the Tiger General, to the platform!"
Compared to Lu Ming, who wasn't even wearing armor, Wu Kuang was clad in heavy, gleaming armor, with a breastplate, and held a long spear in both hands.
He immediately assumed an offensive stance, spear pointed at Lu Ming. If it weren't for the opportune moment, he would have attacked immediately.
"You two can begin preparing. Three, two, one, the match begins!" The eunuch had barely finished shouting when Wu Kuang darted forward, spear aimed straight for Lu Ming's head.
Facing the straight-forward spear, Lu Ming merely deflected it a few times. When the spear tip was less than centimeters from him, he suddenly flicked the end of the spear shaft with his right hand, the rebound force deflecting Wu Kuang's spear tip.
This action caught Wu Kuang off guard, sending him flying. Lu Ming then drew a dagger from behind his back, swiftly stepped forward, and decapitated Wu Kuang!
*Thud!* Wu Kuang's head flew high into the air, his body remaining stationary. A column of blood shot into the sky. In the blink of an eye, the battle was decided!
"Utterly worthless trash." Lu Ming wiped the dagger on Wu Kuang's body before putting it away, a gesture brimming with arrogance and disdain!