For onlookers, a sword fight is certainly more exciting than someone foolishly wielding a sword.

Yuan Xiu was human too, and he had the same thoughts. He looked at Zhou Chuan and said, "Since the swordsman from Southern Zhou is interested, why don't you play along with him, Master Zhou?"

Showing off...showing off...

Zhou Chuan only had those two words Zhao Cheng had said in his mind. He ignored Yuan Xiu completely and instead slowly turned his neck to look around at the crowd.

Try not to talk, and if you do talk, keep it brief... Zhou Chuan recalled some key points Zhao Cheng mentioned when he talked about showing off.

Yuan Xiu's facial muscles twitched. If this were during a court assembly, and someone dared not respond to him, he might drag that person out and behead them in a fit of rage.

He tried his best to convince himself that this was a state banquet... he should be happy today... this hero was a man of the martial arts world... he had rendered meritorious service to the country... and he was just like his sister...

Don't get angry... Don't get angry...

Zhou Jinghuan shouted, "Zhou Chuan, your emperor is asking you a question!"

Zhou Chuan put his index finger to his lips: "Shh..."

Zhou Jinghuan asked, "Do you want to pee first?"

Zhou Chuan said, "I'm looking for a place."

Zhou Jinghuan said, "If you need to pee, just have someone take you to the outhouse! What place are you looking for? Do you think you can just pee anywhere in the palace?"

"Vulgar," Zhou Chuan said indifferently. "I meant finding a place to have a sword fight."

As he spoke, Zhou Chuan looked around again and said, "It's easy to hurt someone here."

"Damn it..." Zhou Jinghuan pulled Chen Chong aside and asked, "Is what he said true? It could easily hurt someone?"

Chen Chong nodded and said, "I don't know if his sword will hurt people, but my Hunyuan Sword is indeed prone to accidental injury."

Zhao Chengzhen wanted to shout at Zhou Chuan: "Learn from him! Learn from him! Look how well he pretends!"

"Step back a bit and give them some space." Yuan Xiu raised his hand and smiled. "It's just a contest. There's no need for the two heroes to fight to the death. Let's stop here when we've made our move."

The meaning is very clear: you can just go through the motions. If you can stop using your sword energy, then stop. We're not here to see who killed whom; we're here to see the sword moves!

Since the emperor had said so, the people in the first few rows of the surrounding area stepped back, making room for more people.

Chen Chong then walked to the opposite side of Zhou Chuan, slowly removed the strip of cloth from his back, and gently lifted the cloth.

Zhou Chuan also placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at any moment.

After Chen Chong completely removed the cloth strips, a long sword that was entirely black was revealed inside.

Yuan Xiu suddenly asked those around him, "Does our Great Jing have a law that prohibits envoys from bringing bows, crossbows, and iron weapons into the capital?"

He Yin immediately replied, "Yes, there is such a law."

Yuan Xiu looked at Zhou Jinghuan, and was about to speak when Zhou Jinghuan quickly said, "Emperor Jing, isn't this a bit pointless..."

Yuan Xiu turned his face away and said, "Don't panic, I was just asking casually."

"Let the two heroes begin!"

Zhou Chuan said, "Your Majesty thinks we are still preparing, but in fact we have already begun."

Chen Chong said, "Gazing at one's opponent is a form of swordsmanship in itself."

Zhou Chuan said seriously, "My gaze is my sword intent."

Chen Chong shook his head slightly and said, "Then your sword intent is not sharp enough, because I am not afraid of your gaze."

Yuan Xiu's lips twitched, and he took a few steps back, saying with a forced smile, "It was my ignorance, gentlemen, please continue..."

Zhou Jinghuan gave a cold laugh, plopped down on the long table where the food was placed, and grabbed some fruit to stuff into his mouth.

He had complete confidence in Chen Chong.

The Hunyuan Sword was renowned for its power, dominating the martial arts world of Southern Zhou for thirty years, and Chen Chong was its most authentic successor.

Despite his young age, everyone who has fought him says he's incredibly shrewd!

Although the opponent was a master who defeated the Seven Generals of Yangmen at Lingshan, Zhou Jinghuan had always looked down on the Seven Generals of Yangmen.

He's nothing but a servant of the Yang family!

These seven men were indeed skilled in military campaigns under the tutelage of the Grand Commander, but when it came to individual martial arts, none of them were truly capable fighters!

It's not surprising that they died at the hands of true masters.

Zhou Jinghuan looked at Zhou Chuan with an air of confidence, as if he were looking at a loser.

The weakness of the Seven Generals of Yangmen highlights your strength. Now, let Chen Chong redeem himself in the Battle of Lingshan!

After exchanging a few more words with Chen Chong, Zhou Chuan fell silent.

Zhou Chuan gripped the hilt of his sword, which was still sheathed.

Chen Chong pointed his long sword at the ground, the black blade gleaming in the sunlight.

The two simply stared at each other.

Staring into the other's eyes, staring into the other's hands, staring into the other's sword.

A breath passed,

Ten breaths passed,

A hundred breaths passed...

Du Yu and Chang Chang yawned and patted their mouths.

Yuan Xiu, growing increasingly impatient, said, "May I interrupt?"

"No," Zhao Wu said almost reflexively.

Zhao Cheng immediately pressed his head down, yelling angrily, "Do you fucking want to die?"

Zhao Wu squatted down and said, "I misspoke."

Fortunately, there were many people in the arena, so Zhao Wu's voice could not reach Yuan Xiu's ears. No one from the Yan Chuan formation would complain; they just rolled their eyes at Zhao Wu.

Zhou Chuan's mind was still echoing Zhao Cheng's instructions. He tightened his grip on the sword hilt, as if he was finally about to draw his sword.

He turned his head and said, "Your Majesty, please step back a little further, so as not to harm your imperial body."

Yuan Xiu flicked his long sleeves and waved to the people on both sides, saying, "Come, come, all of you, follow me and retreat a little further!"

Seeing that most of them had retreated, Yuan Xiu cupped his hands into a megaphone shape and asked loudly, "Can we draw our swords now?"

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