Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 76 In Three Moves

Silence stretched through the air, tension settling heavily among them.

A soldier under the Lennox family stepped forward, his boots striking the ground with controlled firmness. His expression remained respectful, yet there was no submission in his eyes.

"As a soldier, it is my duty to serve the leader of the fortress. However, being able to speak and write rules is completely different from leading soldiers into danger. I do not look down on women, nor am I against a woman leading, but you..." His gaze moved over Ling Xuan briefly before returning to her face. "You look nothing more than a well-kept wife, shielded by wealth."

At his words, many soldiers and socialites nodded in agreement. Even the workers couldn’t help but discuss among themselves.

"We need a leader who will not retreat when death stands before us, and one the soldiers can trust to hold their lives in steady hands."

Chris, who was standing at the far end of the room, watched with an unimpressed expression, as though this outcome had been obvious from the very beginning.

Ling Xuan did not respond immediately. She looked at the man, her eyes calm and unreadable.

Then she stepped forward.

"What is your name?" Ling Xuan asked.

"Captain Rowan Hale," he replied without lowering his gaze.

"Captain?" She drawled, "I appreciate soldiers who speak their minds," she said evenly. "It is far better than silent doubt festering within the ranks."

Her fingers moved to the cuff of her gloves, removing them slowly before handing them to Gabriel without sparing him a glance.

"Since you question whether I can stand in the face of danger," she continued, her tone calm and cold, "I will give you the chance to see it for yourself. Take three moves from me. If after three moves you remain standing and still believe I am unfit to lead, I will step down without argument."

The entire hall seemed to freeze. Wasn’t that wager a little too high? They all thought that, although they would prefer to have a man take leadership of the fortress.

Rowan’s brows tightened slightly. He had expected dismissal at best, punishment at worst, but not this open challenge. But why would a woman as frail-looking as her think she could win against him in three moves?

Rowan Hale was not a man easily shaken or to be trifled with. Two decades on the battlefield had earned the highest merit with the nickname Eagle, a title only reserved for the best. And a woman looked down on him? Insolent!

"You are serious?" he asked, his eyes narrowing at her.

Ling Xuan met his gaze without blinking. "A commander who relies only on words has already lost half the battle."

There was no arrogance in her voice, only certainty.

The soldier inhaled quietly before nodding. Years of discipline settled into his posture as he rolled his shoulders once and stepped into the open space before her.

Ling Xuan did not assume a stance. She stood as she was, relaxed, her hands resting loosely behind her back, as though this were nothing more than a passing interruption.

That calm unsettled him more than aggression would have.

The crowd watched with curiosity burning in their eyes. Alexander was worried, but he stopped in his tracks when Ling Xuan shot a warning glance.

Meanwhile, Chris’s eyes narrowed at her, ever since that night, he had been suspicious of her. If she could really take down Captain Rowan, that would confirm his suspicion that Laurel wasn’t just Laurel.

Captain Rowan charged towards her, speed had always been his advantage, and he closed the distance in a single decisive stride, his hand reaching to seize her shoulder and force her off balance before she could react.

However... he never touched her.

One moment he was advancing, completely certain of his control over the exchange, and the next a sharp force struck his stomach with terrifying precision. The air vanished from his lungs as the world tilted violently, and before his mind could even process what had happened, his back slammed against the ground hard enough to rattle his bones.

A stunned gasp escaped somewhere in the crowd.

The soldier lay there, eyes wide, his thoughts scrambling uselessly. He replayed the moment again and again, yet there was nothing to grasp. No obvious strike, or movement. Just a single, efficient action that ended the fight before it had even begun.

Ling Xuan looked down at him, as though the outcome had been long decided before he moved.

Dread trickled down the back of his neck, at the murderous aura that was emanating from her. It was like he was in front of a warlord.

"On a battlefield, hesitation is death," she said calmly. "If an enemy can read your intention before you move, then you are already lying on the ground."

The soldier dragged in a painful breath as his lungs finally obeyed him again. His pride burned hotter than the ache spreading through his torso, yet training forced him upright despite the protest in his muscles.

Now that he faced her again, realization settled heavily in his chest. She had not overpowered him, she had dismantled him effortlessly.

He lowered his head and saluted, the motion sharp despite the lingering shock.

"This soldier spoke out of ignorance. Forgive my disrespect." His expression was stern, deep down he wanted to really understand what had happened.

Ling Xuan studied him briefly before giving a small nod. "I will not hold it against you this time."

She turned her gaze toward the rest of the hall, letting the silence stretch until it pressed against their ribs.

"If anyone else believes strength is measured by appearance," she said evenly, "step forward now. I do not mind correcting the misunderstanding."

No one moved. Even Jade, who moments ago had looked ready to incite unrest, remained perfectly still. The guards held her down... she couldn’t help but wonder how Laurel defeated a Captain in one move.

Chris’s lips curved faintly, though whether it was approval or amusement was difficult to tell.

Ling Xuan clasped her hands behind her back once more, glancing at Jade. "Throw her out." She ordered curtly.

Jade’s eyes widened in horror, there was no freaking way she would survive out there.

Before the guards’ hands could tighten on her, she used the last bit of strength and broke out of their hold, and ran towards Grandpa Wayne, sobbing as she fell beside his feet.

"Grandpa, Laurel wants to throw me out!" She cried. "I was just suggesting that Mr. Wayne should be in control as he is a man and her husband... Grandpa, don’t let them throw me out."