"If you can beat me, I'll submit to you!"
Chilled by the wind, Qu Duan's drunken state surged again. He belched and immediately challenged Han Mo.
"How dare you!"
As soon as Qu Duan finished speaking, Jiang Yan, who was standing beside Han Mo, kicked out at Qu Duan.
Han Mo understood. Jiang Yan was testing Qu Duan's strength for him.
Although Han Mo's martial arts were decent, he hadn't practiced in a long time. If he lost to such a reckless fellow, what was the point of continuing? Thus, he made no move to stop them, standing still and observing their fight.
While Jiang Yan was not a top-tier master, every move he made was aimed at the enemy's vital points, focusing on a swift victory. He was more than capable of fighting a general like Qu Duan. Moreover, as Han Mo's guard, losing to Qu Duan would not be a disgrace.
Seeing Jiang Yan's kick heading towards his chest, Qu Duan neither dodged nor evaded. Instead, he countered with a punch aimed directly at Jiang Yan's foot.
At this sight, Han Mo understood that Qu Duan's martial arts, like his personality, were grand and powerful, relying on brute force.
Although Jiang Yan was not known for his strength, it was common knowledge that a leg strike carried more power than a punch. Seeing Qu Duan's dismissive attitude, Jiang Yan decided not to dodge and met the kick head-on.
"Good skills!"
The moment their fists and feet clashed, Qu Duan was involuntarily pushed back three steps, while Jiang Yan was sent flying back seven or eight steps.
Despite Jiang Yan being at a disadvantage, Qu Duan couldn't help but praise him.
In just an instant, Han Mo judged that this man's strength was almost on par with Li Bao's.
However, seeing his unsteady footing, it was clear Qu Duan had drunk a lot today. If it were purely a contest of strength, Han Mo felt he might have a chance.
As Han Mo's thoughts raced, the two were already fighting again. After exchanging a move, Jiang Yan knew how formidable Qu Duan was and no longer engaged him head-on.
Instead, he changed his tactics, employing the strategy Han Mo had discussed with him earlier, striking at Qu Duan's joints with every blow.
Jiang Yan wore a simple, loose-fitting hemp garment, while Qu Duan, even more intoxicated, was nearly bare-chested.
As they clashed, Qu Duan immediately felt uncomfortable.
No matter how he attacked, Jiang Yan, relying on his agility, engaged in a flanking battle, with every punch landing on his joints.
Even though Qu Duan was skilled and resilient, without armor, he began to struggle.
After all, his resilience, no matter how strong, was still that of a mortal. Being repeatedly struck at vulnerable joints would be unbearable even for an immortal.
"Hey, hey, hey! Have the guts to fight me head-on! What's this style of yours?"
After several punches landed on his elbows and armpits, Qu Duan finally lost his temper. He retreated three steps, stepped out of the fray, and pointed at Jiang Yan, yelling.
"Good! This is better. You want to compete in strength? I'll compete with you!"
Seeing Qu Duan's arm movements becoming distorted, Han Mo cast an appreciative glance at Jiang Yan and, with a light chuckle, stepped forward.
1
Qu Duan's strength was comparable to Li Bao's. If he were in his prime, he would undoubtedly be stronger than Han Mo. However, he had drunk heavily today and was even swaying slightly as he walked.
Furthermore, after this fight with Jiang Yan, with continuous heavy blows to his joints, his strength was bound to be further diminished. If they were to compete purely in strength now, with Han Mo's innate divine power, he might not be without a chance.
"If you lose, you're not allowed to play dirty behind my back!"
Shaking his dizzy head, Qu Duan slurred.
"Fine. But if you lose, you must obediently follow my military orders from now on!"
Although Han Mo had indeed resorted to a clever tactic, given his civilian status, he naturally cast this unsavory trick aside.
"Good!"
Qu Duan agreed without a second thought.
"Someone, bring me a thick rope!"
Seeing his agreement, Han Mo smiled and instructed a servant behind him.
"Yes, sir!"
As the servant dashed off, under Qu Duan's puzzled gaze, Han Mo broke off a branch from a nearby tree and casually drew three circles on the ground: two large and one small.
"Later, we will each stand within a circle. I will tie this silk scarf to the center of the long rope. After the signal, we will both hold one end of the rope and pull with all our might. If we can make the scarf on the rope move out of the small central circle without leaving our own circles, then that person wins. How about it?"
After briefly explaining the rules, Han Mo looked at Qu Duan.
"You're a scholar, I'll let you have one hand!"
As Han Mo expected, Qu Duan completely disregarded him.
After all, Han Mo's appearance and status were incredibly deceptive. In the Great Song Dynasty, weren't scholars always drinking, or taking medicine when they had nothing else to do?
A contest of strength, if both sides were equal, would not be glorious even in victory!
"I don't need you to concede. Be careful, you only get one chance. Don't renege on your word if you lose!"
"Are you looking down on me, Qu Da? I'm a man of my word. What I say, I mean!"
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, Qu Duan confidently retorted.
"Good. Then let's see how capable you are!"
Han Mo didn't bother arguing with Qu Duan's attitude, knowing that he wouldn't submit without suffering a loss.
Soon, under everyone's watchful eyes, Han Mo was ready.
"Shouldn't you check the rope? Don't go back on your word if you lose later!"
After everything was prepared, Han Mo smiled at Qu Duan.
"A rope, what's there to check? Let's begin!"
As he spoke, Qu Duan directly gripped one end of the rope with his right hand.
"My lord!"
Just as Han Mo was about to step forward, Jiang Yan quickly stopped him again.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen!"
Han Mo smiled, then strode forward and took the other end of the rope.
A tug-of-war!
Looking at Qu Duan opposite him, who was still shaking his head to stay awake, Han Mo's eyes held a hint of pity. A child who hadn't experienced the harshness of the world.
Fortunately, he hadn't bet his head today, or he wouldn't have known how he died!