C22 The Wine Is Not Intoxicating

Yang Chuxia's movements were elusive and swift, leaving Sean in a state of shock and awe. A direct hit could paralyze a general, though not kill him!

Edi reacted with lightning speed, snatching at Yang Chuxia's wrist with his right hand. She quickly withdrew her hand, but Edi's right foot countered with a kick to her right foot, turning defense into offense. Yang Chuxia hastily drew back her right leg to evade.

Edi's left fist met Yang Chuxia's face head-on, while his right foot struck like lightning at her left knee. Yang Chuxia's right leg was still in the air, and Edi's kick had already connected with her left knee.

Sean's heart leapt into his throat.

He watched as Yang Chuxia's left hand tightly gripped Edi's fist, using his momentum to evade his threatening right foot. Simultaneously, she landed on Edi's left side, her right arm shooting up to forcefully collide with Edi's right arm joint.

Their exchange was a blur of speed, with several moves passing in the blink of an eye, yet neither landed a decisive blow.

Sean's eyes were dazzled, his mind racing with alarm. This was no ordinary fight; they seemed hell-bent on destroying each other!

Edi flexed his left hand, which Yang Chuxia had grabbed, and her right arm slammed into Edi's with a resounding "bang," sending them both staggering back several steps.

Yang Chuxia's form was incredibly agile. After retreating, she leaped up, unleashing a flurry of kicks at Edi's chest.

Edi, spurred into action, blocked Yang Chuxia's right flying kick with his left elbow, then delivered a powerful punch to her left foot.

Yang Chuxia couldn't afford to take a hit to her sole. Her right foot grazed Edi's elbow, and she executed a backward somersault, retracting her legs.

Edi advanced, seizing the belt at Yang Chuxia's waist, spinning her around and hurling her toward the edge of the Fighting Platform.

Unable to contain himself, Sean let out an involuntary cry of alarm.

Yang Chuxia's body neared the edge of the Fighting Platform, her toes tapping the surrounding ropes, propelling her back into the fray with a scissor kick aimed straight at Edi's neck.

Edi extended his left hand to grasp Chuxia's right foot, while his right elbow blocked her left calf. Chuxia mustered her internal energy to break free from Edi's grip and swiftly retracted her right foot. She slid downward, wrapping her legs around Edi's waist in a swift motion.

Before Edi could retaliate with a palm strike, Chuxia clamped onto his waist and spun behind him. She pressed her palms against the back of General Edi, narrowly evading his grasp as he reached for her legs. Pushing with the force of her palms, she sent Edi stumbling forward several steps.

So far, each had managed to gain the upper hand once, but Edi was visibly more disheveled than Chuxia, who had landed two solid hits on him.

Sean watched, utterly astonished, thinking, "It seems General Edi's unbeatable reputation is about to be relinquished."

Chuxia charged forward, elbowing Edi in the lower back, causing him to collapse onto the Fighting Platform. In a swift countermove, Edi rolled over and, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, snatched Chuxia's flying form into his embrace.

Chuxia crashed onto Edi, and as she breathed in, a distinctly masculine scent filled her senses.

Caught off guard, Chuxia found herself pinned beneath Edi, who now wore a triumphant and suggestively warm smile on his chiseled face.

Her mind reeled in confusion.

Edi towered over her, and now, with her pinned beneath him, her face was level with his chest.

Chuxia's eyes involuntarily lingered on Edi's gracefully moving Adam's apple, elicited by his low chuckle. She swallowed hard, feeling an impulsive desire to sink her teeth into his throat...

At that moment, Edi's resonant voice whispered in her ear, "Dr. Yang Chuxia, you've been defeated."

Jolted by his words, Chuxia's cheeks flushed crimson. She stammered, "Yes, I... I've lost."

She had assumed that upon her admission of defeat, General Edi would rise. Instead, he leaned in closer, his alluring lips gently approaching hers.

Yang Chuxia's heart raced uncontrollably. One moment she wanted to push him away, yet there was an inexplicable sense of anticipation. She involuntarily closed her eyes.

Edi's lips grazed her ear as he whispered, "Dr. Yang, is it the wine that's intoxicating, or is it just you?" His voice was barely audible, like the faint buzz of a mosquito.

Embarrassed and annoyed, Yang Chuxia was still processing her emotions when Edi had already rolled over to the other side of the Fighting Platform.

They had fought with exhilarating intensity. During the battle, they felt invincible, but once they stopped, they were overwhelmed by an immense soreness and weakness. Both lay motionless on the Fighting Platform.

Sean approached with concern and asked Edi, "General, are you okay?"

Edi grunted in affirmation, "I'm fine, just a bit tired." He reached out his hand to Sean.

Sean promptly helped him to his feet.

Edi then offered his hand to Yang Chuxia, saying, "Let me help you up."

With her face buried in her hands, Yang Chuxia mumbled, "I can't. I'm unable to move."

Sean's expression grew tense as he crouched down and asked with concern, "Did you injure yourself?"

"No, it's just that my whole body feels limp. I don't want to move," Yang Chuxia replied, shaking her head.

Edi cleared his throat and suggested, "Then have the treatment robot take you to the Medical Cabin for a few minutes of rest." He paused, then teased, "I'm not feeling weak. Why are you?"

Sean sensed an odd undertone in Edi's words but couldn't be certain of his intent.

Yang Chuxia rolled over on the Fighting Platform, hiding her face in her arms, too mortified to face anyone. How could a man be so alluring?

Sean's gaze softened as he offered, "Why not let the robot take you to the Healing Chamber?"

Yang Chuxia rose to her feet, her head bowed, avoiding Edi's gaze. She inquired, "Now, General, you should be able to fulfill the promise you made to me, right?"

Edi's eyes rested on the top of her head as he prompted, "What promise did I make to you? Look up and talk to me, hmm?"

Sean was standing nearby, and Yang Chuxia didn't want him to be privy to what was happening. Frustrated by Edi's deliberate teasing, she stomped her foot and dashed out of the Fighting Field.

Sean stepped forward, intending to follow her, but then he hesitated. Turning to Edi, he asked, "General?" and offered the towel in his hand for Edi to wipe off his sweat.

Taking the towel, Edi mopped his brow and remarked, "We've been held up long enough today. Sean, unless you fancy working overtime all night, you'd better get back to your duties."

Sean's face blanched. What had he done to displease General Edi now? With a respectful nod, he answered, "Yes, General! Are you heading back to the office?"

Edi shot him a look and replied, "I'm off to take a shower. You go on ahead." He tossed the towel back to Sean, grabbed his coat, and strode out.

With a sigh and a shake of his head, Sean clutched the towel and followed suit.

After bolting from the Fighting Field, Yang Chuxia made a beeline for her dormitory. To her surprise, as she cut through the small garden, she spotted Yag and several young recruits gathered under a large tree on her path.

Yag, spotting Yang Chuxia approaching, waved enthusiastically in her direction.