Chapter 120

“How many have fallen?”

“Now it’s the sixth, sir.”

Finally joined by Du Bin and Takbal Yeokmi, they stepped back to watch. Both understood why Chang-ran initiated such an event upon their arrival.

A late arrival meant they had to grasp the situation themselves—a metaphorical show of force. It was a rough message: if dissatisfied, argue through the logic of power.

“Is she really Han? She seems to watch us intently. Not Ma Chao, whom the Qiang follow, and with such prowess for a woman.”

As Du Bin marveled, Takbal Yeokmi nodded in agreement.

Though feigning calm, Takbal Yeokmi’s astonishment was several times greater than Du Bin’s.

‘Can a person really be like that…’

Chang-ran fought as the challengers desired.

If they wanted mounted combat, she mounted; if ground combat, she dismounted; she even engaged in bare-handed combat without hesitation.

Her swift movements and precise joint attacks were a martial art beyond anything Takbal Yeokmi had ever seen.

“Wow! Even her horse is divine!”

Again, Du Bin exclaimed in awe.

Takbal Yeokmi quickly regained his composure and looked ahead. The challenger’s horse lay on the ground, while Chang-ran’s horse lifted its front leg, displaying its strength.

It seemed the horses had clashed and toppled each other. Like master, like horse. Despite its beautiful appearance, its strength was unbelievable.

“Is there no next challenger?”

The woman’s majestic shout from atop her radiant white horse resembled a deity descending from heaven.

Perhaps that’s why. Unconsciously, the words slipped from Takbal Yeokmi’s lips.

“She is a heavenly maiden…”

A woman descended from the heavens.

The term wasn’t particularly special. Chang-ran had once been nicknamed “Little Heavenly Maiden,” likened to the legendary Guqian Xiannü.

Even now, in some parts of Jing Province, stories of the Little Heavenly Maiden circulated.

But to Takbal Yeokmi, the title “Heavenly Maiden” held special significance.

‘Yeokmi, you are born of a heavenly maiden. Do not forget the special energy you were born with.’

Their father had said this when choosing Takbal Yeokmi, not his elder brother Takbal Pilgo, as his successor.

And until his death, Takbal Hilbun entrusted Takbal Yeokmi with his legacy, choosing him despite his lack of external support.

In contrast, Takbal Pilgo, with considerable external support, changed his name to Dobbapilgo and led his followers to establish the Dobbahu tribe.

Initially, Takbal Yeokmi believed in his special power, being born of a heavenly maiden.

To prove his father’s choice right and stabilize the tribe shaken by Dobbapilgo’s independence, he waged war against Western Leader Bodogeun.

The result was defeat. Not a crushing one, but it was clear the tribe’s safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

Ultimately, Takbal Yeokmi swallowed his pride and sought refuge with Du Bin of the Molokhuibu tribe.

His shattered confidence and blurred self-esteem made him doubt the existence of the heavenly maiden. But Chang-ran’s display dispelled such doubts.

How could she not be a heavenly maiden?

A delicate woman, consecutively defeating warriors—such a woman couldn’t exist on earth.

‘Is this the Mandate of Heaven the Central Plains speak of?’

The Central Plains’ deity, Emperor Huangdi, learned military strategy from Guqian Xiannü and conquered the world.

Guqian Xiannü, the pinnacle of heavenly maidens, was also the zenith of martial prowess.

Born from a heavenly maiden, learning from a heavenly maiden.

How could that not be the Mandate of Heaven?

After underestimating Bodogeun, who had become a Central Plains pawn, Takbal Yeokmi studied the Central Plains.

Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. Takbal Yeokmi had fought without knowing himself or his enemy, making defeat inevitable.

But if he could understand himself through the heavenly maiden and learn from the Central Plains, completing the knowledge of self and enemy, what then?

‘Good. I will gladly join you. But before that, I will test you one last time.’

Amidst his excitement, Takbal Yeokmi didn’t forget his status as a guest.

Maintaining composure and making rational judgments in any situation was his greatest strength.

“Sir, I will step forward.”

“Oh? Takbal Yeokmi himself?”

“Yes. I’ve heard she’s a renowned female general in the Central Plains. Shouldn’t we verify if she’s suitable to be our comrade?”

Du Bin, already uneasy about joining Chang-ran without action and wary of sending Molokhuibu warriors to disgrace, found Takbal Yeokmi’s words welcoming.

Winning would be ideal, but even losing wouldn’t disgrace Du Bin, as it would be the guest Takbal Yeokmi’s defeat.

No loss, potential gain—what could be better?

Du Bin, delighted, patted Takbal Yeokmi’s shoulder.

“Indeed! My judgment isn’t wrong. Go and show the strength of our Xianbei tribe!”

With Du Bin’s permission, Takbal Yeokmi rode towards the arena where Chang-ran stood alone, no challengers in sight.

Pushing through the crowd, Takbal Yeokmi stood before Chang-ran. All eyes turned to the new challenger.

“I am Takbal Yeokmi, leader of the Takbal tribe! I challenge you!”

§

‘He’s here.’

Takbal Yeokmi, a precious figure, appeared as the seventh challenger.

Unlike his elder brother Dobbapilgo, who was nearly fifty, Takbal Yeokmi appeared to be in his early thirties.

But something was off. Unlike previous challengers driven by a strong desire to win, Takbal Yeokmi showed no such aspiration.

Instead, it felt like facing a disciple seeking to learn from her.

Perhaps he sensed the difference in strength after seeing her defeat challengers consecutively. But there must be a reason, though it was hard to guess.

‘First, win, then think.’

Takbal Yeokmi’s thoughts and reasons were unknown. But his appearance as a challenger was a firm fact.

“Choose how to fight.”

“Since challengers have chosen so far, I will follow your choice.”

Confidence? Takbal Yeokmi was quite bold.

Feeling the strain, Chang-ran thought it would be good to conserve energy. But she couldn’t ignore the surrounding gazes.

After defeating six challengers, the rest seemed demoralized, with only significant tribal leaders like Takbal Yeokmi remaining.

Showing weakness now might embolden the demoralized. Perhaps only one more challenger would remain after Takbal Yeokmi.

“Let’s fight mounted.”

Thus, it was right to fight in their most confident style.

Though nomads excel in mounted combat several times over the Han, a steed like Gold-Spirit Phoenix could easily bridge the gap.

“Good! The Central Plains’ top female general is indeed bold.”

Takbal Yeokmi used a spear closer to Central Plains’ style, unlike other Xianbei.

Without a referee, we took the end of our conversation as an implicit signal to start and charged at each other.

Clang!!

The clear sound of spears clashing was drowned by the horses’ hooves.

After the first exchange, we turned our horses and charged again.

As shadows lengthened, dazzling spear shadows danced chaotically on the ground.

Decades later, Takbal Yeokmi, alongside Dobbasukineng, led various tribes, including the Xianbei. His strength surpassed ordinary men.

A nomad’s mastery of mounted combat, man and horse as one. Had I been on an ordinary horse, I might have faltered against Takbal Yeokmi’s attacks targeting my steed.

But Gold-Spirit Phoenix dodged attacks before I even pulled the reins, moving to perfect positions as if reading my mind, smoothly connecting the flow of attacks.

More than a fine steed, it was a spiritual being.

With Gold-Spirit Phoenix’s aid, I quickly disarmed Takbal Yeokmi. His eyes wandered emptily over his empty hand.

“The match is decided.”

With the sun setting behind me, I spoke.

Takbal Yeokmi nodded silently, deep in thought.

Leaving the contemplative Takbal Yeokmi behind, I surveyed the surroundings.

Wondering if there were more challengers, but all avoided my gaze.

Just then, dusk began to fall.

Amidst the silence, only I spoke.

“The challenge is over. As promised, I command you.”

Receiving sincere gazes never seen before, I told them.

“Prepare to depart. It’s war.”