Chapter 74: Shock

Chapter 74: Shock

There was no need for speculation. Lu Yan thought that among the top-notch experts of Xianling, there were only so many, and two of them were eunuchs. In an occasion like this, where dignitaries gathered, it was naturally inappropriate to let eunuchs step forward. The emperor, as the supreme ruler, would not go up either. That left only...

He Jian Shuang, the Chief Envoy of Longquan Department?

Lu Yan's gaze fell to his lower right, where sat a man with a noble bearing. Although he was dressed in a martial general's qilin robe due to the banquet and not in armor, it was not hard to see the aura of someone who had seen battlefields.

Lu Yan could already feel the immense pressure on him.

If He Jian Shuang went up to compete, it would be fine if he won. But if he lost, it would easily reveal the true strength of Xianling. After all, everyone knew that he was the pillar of the military.

Leaning closer to Shang Jun Nian, Lu Yan whispered, "Is there any way?"

Shang Jun Nian shook his head. "No, unless you don't fight for those two items."

But since others were competing, as the host country, Xianling would look too abnormal if they didn't send someone up. It would make them seem even more guilty.

Shang Jun Nian looked across and saw an elderly man in black robes sitting behind Zhao Yu Xi. His eyes were hollow and sunken, with a hooked nose and a pointed chin. Strange totems were painted on his skin, and he was so thin that he seemed like nothing but bones covered by wrinkled skin. There was something eerie about him.

Shang Jun Nian had met most of the top-notch experts from Wu Yun, but he had never seen this old man before. He felt an inexplicable unease.

Minister Liu, the emperor's confidant, rose to address the guests:

"I assume each swordsman has their own preferred weapon. However, within three feet of the imperial presence, weapons cannot be displayed. Besides, this is a banquet for entertainment, and seeing blood would be unpleasant. For fairness, why don't we use wooden swords for the competition? Within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, whoever can knock their opponent off the stage wins. What do you think?"

Everyone naturally agreed. Weapons varied in quality, often determining victory or defeat. If they all used wooden swords, it would indeed be fair.

Zhao Yu Xi smiled and agreed, "Indeed, it's a good idea."

In no time, servants set up a combat stage in the middle of the hall and added many more imperial guards to prevent accidental injuries to the emperor during the competition.

Minister Liu temporarily took on the role of a master of ceremonies. Looking around, he asked, "The competition begins now. I wonder which hero among the countries is willing to display their prowess and open our eyes?"

The guests exchanged glances, none moving. After all, they didn't know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so it was better not to rush up. Even the emperor observed everyone's reactions from above.

Finally, a man eight feet tall leaped onto the stage briskly, speaking in a coarse voice, "I am General Xue Yan of Wu Yun, my skills are mediocre, not worth mentioning, but I'm willing to lead the way and start this for everyone!"

The Xuan Grandmaster subtly made a gesture, and a graceful young man stepped out from behind him, also leaping onto the stage: "I am Gong Sun Liao, Deputy Commander of the Heavenly Water Infantry. I'd like to learn from your skills, brave warrior!"

Lu Yan, munching on melon seeds below, turned to look at Gong Sun Wu You and curiously asked, "That young man shares your surname. Could he be some distant cousin of yours?"

Gong Sun Wu You nodded excitedly, his eyes sparkling. "Yes, yes, yes, he's my cousin. His sword dance is so handsome!"

Lu Yan said with a half-smile, "I wonder if he'll still look so handsome when he gets knocked down later."

Gong Sun Wu You frowned angrily. "What do you mean?!"

But Lu Yan just continued munching on melon seeds, saying no more. He vaguely sensed that Wu Yun and Heavenly Water seemed to have reached some sort of agreement. Well, it wasn't really an agreement; perhaps these two countries wanted to test Xianling's strength, so they temporarily joined forces.

As for that general and cousin, they were likely just decoys, soon to be knocked down.

The combat on the stage was intense, with over a hundred moves exchanged. The wooden swords clashed, producing muffled sounds. Finally, Xue Yan unleashed a fierce blow, breaking Gong Sun Liao's wooden sword in half and sending him flying with a punch.

"Bang—!"

Gong Sun Liao was heavily thrown off the stage, landing in a less than handsome manner, instead spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Gong Sun Wu You called out anxiously, "Oh! Cousin!"

Then he muttered under his breath, "How annoying is that big guy!"

Lu Yan raised his head and drained a cup of wine. "Don't rush to curse him. That big guy will be knocked down soon."

As if to prove his words, other experts gradually came up to the stage, knocking Xue Yan down.

The allure of that treasured sword and the "Ascending Immortal Scripture" was clearly enormous. Lu Yan keenly noticed that both the King of Nanxun and the King of Guxu secretly sent their top fighters to compete. The combat on the stage was intense, starting without bloodshed, but ending with limbs flying everywhere. It was bloody, leaving only a one-eyed wandering swordsman standing on the stage.

Shang Jun Nian leaned over and whispered in Lu Yan's ear, "This man is a top-notch expert of Wu Yun, known as the Three-Eyed Gentleman. He joined Zhao Yu Xi's faction early on. His moves are vicious; beware."

Lu Yan's gaze darkened. "Who would win if he faced He Jian Shuang?"

Xianling had already sent several top fighters, but they all fell. Another loss would be too shameful.

Shang Jun Nian shook his head. "If using fair and open moves, He Jian Shuang would win. But if dirty tricks are used, it's hard to say."

As they spoke, Minister Liu had already loudly asked the crowd, "Is there anyone else who wants to challenge this Master Fu? If no one dares to fight, the prize will belong to this master!"

The situation on the stage had been too chaotic earlier. No one knew the origin of this green-robed swordsman. His moves were ruthless, specifically targeting people's eyes and lower body areas, incapacitating many. Therefore, the hall was silent, with no one daring to step forward.

After an awkward silence, someone suddenly burst into laughter, drawing everyone's attention:

"Hahahaha! They say Xianling is vast and rich in resources, with talents emerging in abundance. How come their strength is so weak, unable to send out a single top fighter? Truly unworthy of being the lord of the twelve continents!"

Lu Yan frowned, wondering who dared to be so bold, acting so recklessly in front of the emperor. Following the sound, he saw a white-haired, drunk old man.

Eunuch She whispered to the emperor, "Your Majesty, it's the lord of Kunlun Continent. Since his only son died in the Battle of Bright Moon Crossing, his behavior has become increasingly deranged. He's an old man with one foot in the grave. Don't take him seriously."

The emperor's expression remained unchanged as he calmly ordered, "Drag him away and sober him up. Don't let him disrupt the banquet!"

"Yes."

With a wave of Eunuch She's hand, two guards immediately dragged the lord of Kunlun Continent away. Still, his words caused quite a stir.

The one-eyed green-robed swordsman stood on the stage, bowing and clasping his fists. "Since no one is challenging, I shall humbly accept these two prizes. Thank you all for your generosity today..."

Before he could finish, his words were interrupted by a cold, deep voice. "He Jian Shuang of Xianling wishes to learn from your skills!"

Having received the emperor's hint, He Jian Shuang finally made his move. With a powerful kick to the corner of the table, he used the force to leap onto the stage, his movements clean and neat, catching everyone's attention.

The Azure Swordsman chuckled, his lone eye gleaming with a cold light, reminiscent of a venomous snake lurking in the shadows: "I've long heard of the Frostfall Sword of the He family. Please enlighten me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, their figures rapidly entangled in combat, so swift that even their sword techniques were indiscernible. He Jian's moves were grand and forceful, imbued with a spirit of strength, a rare combination of power and speed. The Azure Swordsman was clearly outmatched, nearly tumbling off the martial stage several times, only to regain his balance through sheer martial arts prowess.

Lu Yan was too engrossed to make idle chatter. A melon seed between his fingers, he intently watched the Azure Swordsman's techniques. In the previous matches, he had noticed that the opponent seemed to conceal other weapons in his sleeves, causing his adversaries to fall inexplicably. Unfortunately, the speed was too great for him to see clearly.

Three-Eyed Prince...

How could this man, who clearly had only one eye, be called Three-Eyed?

In the blink of an eye, He Jian had closed in on the Azure Swordsman, striking at his chest. Amidst fluttering sleeves, a green shadow suddenly darted out at lightning speed, aiming to bite He Jian's wrist—

Lu Yan's eyes narrowed at the sight, and the melon seed between his fingers shot out, hitting the green-eyed viper squarely. The slender body of the venomous snake slid from the Azure Swordsman's sleeve onto the red martial stage, its presence glaringly obvious.

He Jian exclaimed in shock, "You actually hid a venomous snake in your sleeve?!"

A gasp echoed throughout the hall.

The Azure Swordsman's expression changed dramatically, but his concern wasn't for his reputation. Instead, he frantically knelt down to scoop up the stunned green snake, his face pale with horror. "My precious snake! Who hurt my precious snake?! Show yourself! Come out!"

He Jian kicked him off the martial stage, his voice deep with anger. "Filthy scoundrel, you disgrace the He family's swordsmanship! And you dare to cause a commotion before the throne. Begone!"

Lu Yan leaned back into his chair, slowly cracking another melon seed, watching as the Azure Swordsman and his precious snake were thrown out of the hall together.

Minister Liu, seeing He Jian's victory, spoke with noticeable relief. "Let us count that match as General He's win. I wonder if any other heroes wish to challenge him. If not, today's prize will go to General He..."

"Hold on—!"

An elderly voice interrupted him.

The black-robed elder behind Zhao Yuxi slowly rose to his feet, approaching the martial stage. His voice was hoarse and aged, as if he hadn't spoken in centuries, grating on the ears. "This old man is Zui Ling. I wish to learn from this general's skills."

All those who had fought on the stage today were renowned heroes, yet no one had ever heard of this black-robed elder. His aura was ghostly, indicating he was no ordinary being.

Minister Liu glanced at his unusually thin figure, which seemed like a pile of bones that would break at the slightest touch. "Sir, do you truly wish to compete?"

The black-robed elder nodded. "Yes."

Minister Liu made a gesture of invitation. "One incense stick. Begin."

He Jian must have sensed the danger this man posed, for his expression turned grave. Once the black-robed elder was in position, He Jian said, "Please enlighten me," and launched a swift attack. Unexpectedly, within fifty moves, he began to retreat.

Zui Ling extended two fingers, revealing sharp nails two inches long on his bark-like hands, pitch-black as if dipped in poison. They swiftly aimed for He Jian's face, intending to gouge out his eyes!

He Jian tried to dodge, but when he met the elder's gaze, it was as if his soul was captured. He stood motionless, and the celestial ministers grew frantic.

"General He! Dodge quickly!"

"General He, be careful!"

In the blink of an eye, just as Zui Ling's nails were mere inches from He Jian, a melon seed flew from nowhere, infused with inner strength, striking his wrist hard.

"Hmm?!"

Zui Ling's eyes turned cold. He pushed He Jian off the martial stage and suddenly looked towards the guests' seats. "Who struck just now?!"

The melon seed was too small to notice, and his sudden question left everyone baffled.

Emperor saw He Jian's defeat and clenched his fist under the table. His face, illuminated by the peacock lanterns, seemed to age, lines deepening. He asked solemnly:

"Zui Ling, why do you ask?"

Zui Ling met Emperor's gaze unflinchingly. His eyes were a strikingly different shade of blue, pupils as narrow as needles, eerily similar to some animal's. "Celestial Ling is prosperous and wealthy, yet it resorts to such despicable acts, attempting to assassinate in secret when unable to win fairly. May I ask, Your Majesty, what is the reason?!"

Before Emperor could respond, Minister Liu slammed the table in anger. "Impudence! Zui Ling, do you think your high martial arts allow you to spout nonsense before the throne?! General He has already been knocked off the martial stage by you. Who attempted assassination?!"

Zui Ling calmly raised his hand, pointing to the right side of the hall, uttering a single word—

"Him!"

Everyone instinctively looked over, only to find Zui Ling pointing not at anyone else, but at Lu Yan, the third prince known for his frivolous ways and lack of scholarly pursuits!

Minister Liu was taken aback, almost laughing when he realized. "Ridiculous! Our Prince Fengling is... naturally refined, only interested in literature and calligraphy, never fond of warfare. He rarely holds a sword, how could he attempt to assassinate you?!"

Indeed, officials possessed tongues adept at spinning tales, and it was quite a feat for Minister Liu to portray Lu Yan's lack of learning in such a refined manner.

Emperor also found it unlikely, his brows furrowed. However, his words were more direct. "My son is usually a rogue, with mediocre martial arts. Could you have mistaken him for someone else?"

"No, it's him!"

Zui Ling stared straight at Lu Yan. "Your Highness, during the match between Three-Eyed Prince and General He, you secretly assisted. That can be forgiven, since Three-Eyed Prince was indeed inferior. But when this old man fought General He, I used no underhanded tactics. Why did you interfere?"

He laughed coldly, his aged voice sending shivers down everyone's spine. "If you wish to compete with this old man, why not come up here openly? To strike from below is bound to tarnish your noble name."

His words carried a wealth of information, and suddenly all eyes in the hall were on the man in crimson robes seated among the guests, filled with uncertainty.

He Jian, supported by others, finally regained his senses after rising from the ground. Seeing the pile of melon seeds on Lu Yan's table and recalling the green snake that had inexplicably fallen out during his match with Three-Eyed Prince, everything became clear. He was astonished, never expecting that it was this unlearned Third Prince who had saved him.