The Reincarnated Female‑Oriented Villain Who Laughs Madly While Holding Command Over 100,000 Troops - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: Why Should I Accept Your Challenge?

Clap, clap, clap!

At that moment, the sound of clapping rang out. Gu Yixuan stepped out from among the soldiers surrounding the two men, a smile lingering in his eyes as he looked at them. “Gentlemen, what brings you to my camp at this hour?”

Gu Shan followed right behind him, his gaze filled with killing intent. That long spear just now had been thrown by him. He hadn’t expected someone to actually have the audacity to infiltrate the army camp and try to assassinate Gu Yixuan. If those two had succeeded, he wouldn’t even know how to face Gu Cangbei.

“To dare sneak into the army camp and attempt to assassinate this General… Who would have thought that the famed Wang brothers from the martial world are nothing but reckless fools!”

Looking at the panicked pair, the smile in Gu Yixuan’s eyes gradually turned mocking. The moment he laid eyes on them, he recognized their identities—Earth-rank assassins from Crimson Sleeve Tower.

He hadn’t expected Xie Zhaoning to send just two Earth-rank assassins to take his life in the middle of a heavily guarded army camp. He couldn’t tell whether she was overconfident or simply foolish.

Wang Hu’s voice trembled, “Big Brother, what should we do?”

Facing hundreds of elite soldiers, Wang Hu’s eyes were full of panic and fear. When he first accepted this mission, he already felt that it was impossible for the two of them to assassinate Gu Yixuan within an army of 100,000 troops. But due to his brother’s pressure and his loyalty to the young lady, he gritted his teeth and went along with the plan. Yet before they could even reach Gu Yixuan’s central command tent, they were surrounded.

“This time we’re probably finished. I’ll distract Gu Yixuan—when the time comes, find a chance to escape!” Wang Long was also rattled by the current situation, but as the older brother, it was his responsibility to create a chance for his younger brother to live.

“Brother…”

“Don’t say anything. In a moment, I’ll challenge Gu Yixuan. A proud noble like him definitely won’t refuse. You must find a way to get out and take care of our mother for me!” Before Wang Hu could finish speaking, Wang Long cut him off. At this point, he knew it would be nearly impossible for both of them to get out alive. He could only hope his brother would escape and look after their elderly mother.

Looking into Wang Long’s determined eyes, Wang Hu knew he couldn’t change his mind. He could only nod tearfully.

Gu Yixuan wasn’t in a hurry. Watching the two whisper among themselves, he could guess they were putting on a little show of “You go!” “No, we go together!” But this was a military camp, not a place where one came and went freely.

However, the two brothers kept on whispering endlessly. Gu Yixuan was starting to get impatient and was about to order their execution when Wang Long finally stepped forward.

“I’ve heard that General Gu is unmatched in martial prowess and has slain countless enemies from the Azure Veil Empire. I, Wang Long, would like to witness your might firsthand. What do you say, General?”

Ignoring the hostile glares from the hundreds of armed guards, Wang Long walked straight up to Gu Yixuan, gripped his long saber, and looked at him with nothing but provocation in his eyes.

Gu Shan stepped forward and blocked Gu Yixuan, saying, “Young Master…”

He was genuinely afraid Gu Yixuan would be provoked into accepting the challenge. After all, his Young Master had a habit of charging into battle personally, even when advised otherwise.

Gu Yixuan patted Gu Shan’s arm down and said, “Uncle Shan, don’t worry. I’m not that impulsive.”

He understood what Gu Shan feared. The original body was indeed versed in military strategy and tactics, but also had a flaw—he loved showing off and getting into fights. Back in the capital, he had brawled with noble sons so often that Gu Cangbei constantly worried.

Gu Yixuan stepped forward under Gu Shan’s anxious gaze and looked at Wang Long like he was staring at an idiot. “And why should this General accept your challenge?”

Wang Long froze at the question. Indeed, why should Gu Yixuan accept? Just because he wasn’t as handsome?

But he quickly composed himself, raised his saber, and pointed it at Gu Yixuan in an attempt to provoke him. “What’s wrong, General Gu? Are you afraid of me?”

Gu Yixuan shook his head with a look that said, This kid’s hopeless. Then he turned around, raised his hand, and gave a low shout, “Archers, ready!”

Swish, swish, swish!

The armored guards holding spears beside him quickly stepped aside, revealing several dozen archers with crossbows in hand. Upon hearing Gu Yixuan’s command, they drew their bows, and dozens of arrows gleamed coldly in the moonlight, aimed directly at Wang Long.

Wang Long’s pupils shrank. “Gu Yixuan! You have no martial honor!”

He roared in fury and tried to turn and flee.

Gu Yixuan’s mocking voice followed behind him, “This isn’t some one-on-one duel between martial world nobodies. This is the battlefield!”

Wang Long turned back at the sound, only to see Gu Yixuan’s raised palm falling.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

In an instant, the dozen arrows shot through the air like falling stars, flying straight toward Wang Long.

“Little Brother, run—” Wang Long looked back at Wang Hu, who stood frozen in fear. But before he could finish his words, several arrows pierced through him. Carried by their momentum, his body staggered forward a few steps before collapsing to the ground.

Seeing his older brother fall, Wang Hu finally snapped out of his daze. Realizing he couldn’t escape, his eyes turned red with fury. He stared at Gu Yixuan’s back and shouted hysterically, “Gu Yixuan! You despicable bastard! The young lady will never forgive you!”

Gu Yixuan turned around with a cold glint in his eyes. “Don’t worry. This General will soon lead troops to wipe out all of you Crimson Sleeve Tower rats. The young lady you speak of… she’ll be joining you in death soon enough.”

Realizing Gu Yixuan had already identified them, Wang Hu completely broke down. With a roar, he raised his saber and charged at Gu Yixuan.

“A dying struggle!”

As Gu Yixuan’s words fell, another volley of arrows flew forth. Wang Hu was shot into a porcupine mid-charge.

When all was said and done, Gu Yixuan looked down at the corpses of the Wang brothers without the slightest discomfort—instead, he felt a surge of satisfaction.

“So this… is the feeling of power? No wonder so many people are desperate to climb to the top. It really does feel good!”

He had not only changed his fate, avoiding death, but for the first time had tasted the pleasure that power brought. And it left him intoxicated.

But recalling the original body’s memories, Gu Yixuan couldn’t help but feel a little conflicted. “Sigh, it’s a shame the Emperor treats me pretty well. Otherwise, I really would have loved to do the whole ‘Why are you rebelling, Your Majesty?’ thing.”

“But then again, being the highest-ranked official under the Emperor isn’t bad either. After all, being Emperor means waking up earlier than a rooster and sleeping later than a dog…”

Gu Shan gazed at Gu Yixuan in the distance with emotion in his eyes. The Young Master was different now. In the past, he definitely would’ve accepted Wang Long’s challenge without hesitation. While the outcome might not have changed, that wasn’t something a true general should do.

Pulling himself from his thoughts, Gu Yixuan looked around at the soldiers quietly awaiting his orders and raised his voice.

“Today, our army has won a great victory against the Azure Veil Empire, forcing them into retreat. You are all heroes. Once we return to the capital, I will personally petition His Majesty for your rewards!”

“Pass down my order. The entire army will rest for three days.”

“In three days, we return to court!”

“Yes, General!!!”

The soldiers all beamed with joy and saluted in unison. No one liked war. Everyone wanted to go home.

Gu Yixuan turned toward the direction of the capital, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

“Are you ready, my dear protagonist brother…”