OFTLHFRO C124

Chapter 124: Provocation

Truth be told, even Xiao Lin hadn’t expected it to turn out like this.

No matter what, Huo Yan was an imperial-appointed general, yet these men had dared to show up so brazenly late.

If not for the sheer number of eyes watching, Xiao Lin would have spat out some biting remark already.

But Huo Yan had long anticipated this. Calm and composed, he led Luo Mingchen and Xiao Lin up onto the platform.

“You’ve all arrived quite early.”

Liu Changlian’s face stiffened. They had deliberately delayed half an hour to throw Huo Yan off balance. Yet here he was, strolling in as if nothing had happened.

Ruan Feng remained expressionless. “General Huo is not late, either.”

Luo Mingchen studied the five men quietly. Four he had already met—among them Xue Kang. The last one, judging from appearance, must be the strategist.

The massive training ground was packed. Luo Mingchen had heard the Huo Army numbered over thirty-four thousand; he’d once thought it was in the hundreds of thousands.

But Huo Yan had told him that all the elite troops in the Great Yan Dynasty added together barely reached three hundred thousand.

And the Huo Army was the cream of the elite.

In real battle, the expendable meat shields pushed forward first were the conscripts. They weren’t counted among the elite troops, received no stipends, no death pensions, barely enough food to survive, and were forced to labor.

Though many dynasties boasted of “hundred-thousand-strong armies,” the reality was far less. Any nation fielding half a million elite troops would never even be considered an invasion target.

Huo Yan looked at them. “I have heard the deputy generals of the Huo Army are all valiant men. Since we are gathered at the training grounds, why not spar a little?”

Liu Changlian froze. Did he really dare say that aloud?

Before Ruan Feng or the others could answer, Liu Changlian, itching for action, barked, “Then forgive my offense!”

Huo Yan draped that pink scarf around Luo Mingchen’s neck.

Already bundled in thick layers, Luo Mingchen now felt almost hot.

“Mingchen, let’s make room for General Huo,” Xiao Lin said with a grin, stepping aside first.

“Oh.”

Luo Mingchen moved next to him, his eyes never leaving Huo Yan.

When they had retreated a safe distance, Huo Yan finally said, “All of you at once.”

Xue Kang quietly edged toward the sidelines. “This subordinate has no doubts about General Huo’s strength.”

Seeing him withdraw, the scholarly-looking man followed, smiling faintly. “This humble one is a strategist. I know nothing of martial arts.”

Liu Changlian sneered. “General Huo, our skills were forged on the battlefield. You’re so young—how could we bully you? Let me test you first!”

Ruan Feng and Li Yunde stepped back of their own accord.

Huo Yan gave no objection.

Liu Changlian hefted his massive iron hammer. “What weapon does General Huo use?”

“The spear passed down through the Huo family, of course.”

He paused. “But against you, bare hands will suffice.”

Killing a deputy general in full view of the entire army would be inconvenient.

To Liu Changlian, those words dripped contempt. “Boasting so soon? Don’t throw your back out, General!”

How could he possibly lose to some soft-faced weakling? A weakling who even liked pink scarves!

Huo Yan gestured for him to come.

Seeing Huo Yan truly intended to fight unarmed, veins bulged on Liu Changlian’s forehead. With a roar, he swung the massive hammer down.

The soldiers lined in neat rows below were supposed to keep quiet, but their eyes gleamed, fixed on the clash.

Those at the back could only see shadows, unable to hear a word.

To Luo Mingchen, Liu Changlian’s strength was decent, but his speed—too slow.

Still, for most men, dodging that blow would be impossible.

Huo Yan could easily have sidestepped, but instead, he caught the hammer with his bare hands.

Feeling as though he’d struck a harder stone, Liu Changlian froze. No matter how he pressed, he couldn’t force it down.

Huo Yan looked up at him, then with a single long-legged kick, sent both man and hammer flying. Liu Changlian nearly tumbled right off the stage.

Gasps rippled through the soldiers below.

Liu Changlian’s strength was legendary—why else would he stand here as a deputy general? Yet now he had been kicked away, hammer and all, as though he weighed nothing.

This new general’s power was terrifying!

Luo Mingchen clapped. “Well done!”

Xiao Lin blinked. Was it his imagination, or was Huo Yan far stronger than before?

Since when had his strength reached such a level?

That was an iron hammer! Blocking it with a spear would’ve been simple enough—but bare hands? Was his body made of steel?!

Unable to make sense of it, Xiao Lin could only rant inwardly.

Huo Yan’s gaze softened at Luo Mingchen’s applause. He turned to the remaining two. “Don’t waste time. Come together.”

Finally staggering to his feet, Liu Changlian shook his head. “That didn’t count. Again!”

Ruan Feng and Li Yunde, shock fading into exhilaration, exchanged glances.

Still, Ruan Feng asked, “General Huo, are you certain?”

“Yes.”

Huo Yan turned to Luo Mingchen. “Spear.”

For one instant, Luo Mingchen thought he meant the spear hidden in his spatial storage. Then, realizing, he plucked one from the wooden rack behind and tossed it to him.

Huo Yan caught it midair, twirled it with ease. Even dulled, its lethal aura made hearts tremble.

Seeing him grow serious, the three became all the more excited. Ruan Feng and Li Yunde took up their weapons.

At first, Ruan Feng had worried injuring Huo Yan too badly would be impossible to explain. But after just a few exchanges, he realized he needn’t worry in the slightest.

They might know the Huo family spear techniques well, but Huo Yan wielded them more fluidly than Huo Yuntao himself—sometimes light and swift, sometimes crushingly heavy.

Even three men together, fighting with practiced coordination, after dozens of moves, could not touch him.

Luo Mingchen’s eyes sparkled. “Yes! Hit them harder! Give it to them!”

Arrogant lot, daring to keep them waiting half an hour just to posture. Did they know how boring that hour was?!

Grinding his teeth, Liu Changlian pressed on.

Ruan Feng noticed something peculiar: after Luo Mingchen shouted, Huo Yan’s strikes grew harsher, angles sharper, often grazing vital points with chilling precision.

The three had thought dragging the fight out might wear him down. But soon enough, it was their stamina that faltered.

With a flick, Huo Yan knocked Ruan Feng’s blade flying, then swept him off his feet with a strike.

Moments later, Li Yunde and Liu Changlian were down as well, battered and humiliated.

Expressionless, Huo Yan retracted his spear.

Watching the flourish, Luo Mingchen felt like a prairie dog squealing in his chest, fighting the urge to run up and kiss him.

Who could understand? He was so handsome!

Xiao Lin: “…”

That deadly precision during the fight, and now this flashy spear flourish—clearly not meant for the fallen deputies, nor for the soldiers below.

Glancing at Luo Mingchen’s starry eyes, Xiao Lin thought he understood…