Outside the Taiji Palace.
Xiao Ziwu stood facing the wind, the chilly wind billowing his fluttering clothes, and the faint blue veins on the back of his pale hand, which gripped the sword sheath tightly.
His eyes were as deep as black jade, but there was no trace of brilliance in them. His cold gaze fell upon Huyan Hongxue as if he were looking at a dead object.
His last bit of patience was worn away by Hu Yanhongxue's reckless provocation.
Standing opposite him, Hu Yanhongxue's handsome face was flushed with alcohol, and he met Hu Yanhongxue's terrifying gaze without flinching.
The two exchanged only a glance before launching their attack on each other with perfect coordination!
Hu Yanhongxue fought bravely and fiercely for a time, but it was obvious to the discerning eye that Xiao Ziwu was always on the winning side!
His sword flashed like lightning. Although Hu Yanhongxue wanted to fight him, Xiao Ziwu's swordsmanship was so profound that he had no way to deal with it!
Xiao Ziwu showed no mercy, as if he would not rest until he killed him!
The man who wielded the sword was irreconcilably vengeful for the theft of his wife.
Hu Yanhongxue was increasingly outmatched and retreated hastily. Seeing this, Xiao Ziwu did not slow down his moves. He became even more agile and unleashed a series of sword techniques at Hu Yanhongxue.
Hu Yanhongxue was dodging attacks while also dealing with Xiao Ziwu's attacks, feeling extremely frustrated.
From the crowd, Gu Yi couldn't help but clasp his hands and shout, "That was a brilliant move!"
Sudden--
Hu Yanhongxue felt a sharp pain in his left waist. It turned out that Xiao Ziwu had stabbed him during the moment he dodged.
Xiao Ziwu completely neutralized Huyan's sword moves, and Huyan's sword was instantly knocked away, falling to the ground with a series of mournful cries!
Exhausted, Hu Yanhongxue collapsed to the ground, injured by the pure and powerful internal energy, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
Xiao Ziwu did not hesitate for a moment. Carrying the still-dripping longsword, he slowly walked towards him step by step.
His towering figure blotted out the sky, gradually obscuring the light, and he exuded a chilling aura of death, making him look like a jade-faced Yama who had stepped out of hell!
The officials were stunned into silence by this unexpected outcome, watching intently as he approached the wounded Huyan Hongxue with his sword in hand.
"Your Highness!"
A soft voice rang out just in time, bringing everyone back to their senses.
"Your Highness has won; there is no need to continue the competition."
Huyan Hongxue is the young prince of Siam. If he were to be seriously injured by His Highness in Daliang, it would be difficult to explain.
Therefore, Tianyun hurriedly stopped him from continuing the competition.
Xiao Ziwu pursed his thin lips, and when he looked at the woman who had spoken, the frost in his eyes faded. He neatly sheathed his sword and said with a faint smile, "Gentlemen, please excuse my rudeness. The banquet is not over yet. Please move back to the hall."
The hostility emanating from him vanished completely, and he seemed to have complete control over it.
This imposing presence is no less impressive than His Majesty's in his youth. The assembled officials, regaining their senses, all gasped in astonishment.
"Yes, yes, there's no need to compete anymore."
Did the Third Prince intend to kill the young prince of Siam just now?
His whole body exuded such a murderous aura!
No, the key point is: the Third Prince, who is neither good at literature nor martial arts and seems almost transparent compared to the Second Prince, actually has such high martial arts skills?!
Even the civil officials watching, who were not skilled in martial arts, could discern some of the underlying principles—
The Third Prince was agile and powerful; every time he swung his sword, it would make Huyan Hongxue's arm go numb.
Not to mention Gu Yi, who was obsessed with martial arts, looked at Xiao Ziwu as if he were looking at a sparkling treasure!
The Emperor of Liang narrowed his usually calm and composed eyes slightly. This son, whom he had rarely met, had truly given him a huge surprise.
Some cunning old foxes, adept at reading people's expressions, were secretly alarmed when they saw the barely suppressed admiration in His Majesty's eyes.
The situation in Kyoto is likely to see a new wave of change!
The Emperor of Liang withdrew his increasingly intense gaze and said in a calm voice, "Quickly summon the imperial physician and send the little prince to a side hall for proper care."
Hu Yanhongxue agreed to the duel herself, and now that she is injured, it cannot be blamed on Xiao Ziwu. However, she should fulfill her obligations and not give others cause for criticism.
Back in the hall.
The Siamese delegation presented generous gifts to pay homage and then excused themselves to visit the injured prince.
After everyone left, the Emperor of Liang could not contain his delight and laughed heartily, "You have truly broadened my horizons today!"
"Your martial arts skills surpass those of your elder brother. If I had known this earlier, I should have assigned you the task of escorting grain supplies!" Upon hearing this, Consort Lin's pale face turned ashen.
The mixture of blue and white was quite unsightly.
Yan'er was still unconscious, but His Majesty slapped him hard in the face in front of the court officials, clearly because he felt that he and his mother were not as heavy as before.
Moreover, that person also asked her to facilitate the marriage between Huyan Hongxue and the Fourth Princess, but Huyan Hongxue had already been moved to a side hall, and the main character was not there, so how could she make the request?
The officials in the hall were all trembling with fear, except for Gu Yi, who took a couple of sips of wine and said bluntly, "Your subject wholeheartedly agrees."
No one dared to comment on such matters concerning the selection of an heir, except for Gu Yi, a second-rank general who dared to speak up.
He commands a large army, and whichever prince he supports will be his strongest ally.
He was also the military general that Xiao Ziyan most wanted to win over.
Xiao Ziwu put down his sword, cupped his hands and said humbly, "Thank you for your praise, Father. I am unworthy of such praise. It would be more appropriate to leave important military matters to my elder brother. I have no experience and I am afraid I will not do a good job."
"Your elder brother is good in every way, except that his martial arts skills are too poor." The Emperor of Liang looked down at the crowd below with their various expressions, and then focused on Mu Chengye, whose face was cold and stern. Suddenly, he had a brilliant plan in his mind.
He smiled and said, "From now on, you will follow General Fuhu to the army for training. You two brothers, one a scholar and the other a warrior, will be my most capable assistants in the future."
The matter of Yan'er's succession can be postponed, but Mu Chengye, who wields immense power, must be guarded against. He is supporting the second prince, so the emperor promotes the third prince to suppress him.
Being able to enter the military camp for training would allow him to cultivate his own power within the army, which would be like adding wings to a tiger.
"Your subject obeys the decree."
However, Xiao Ziwu did not show too much surprise. Even if the emperor did not make arrangements today, he would find an opportunity to go in.
"I hope General Gu will give me more guidance."
After saying that, he calmly sat down and began to search for the woman by the door with his eyes.
A faint worry lingered between the woman's brows as she slowly asked him with her lips, "Is Your Highness injured?"
Xiao Ziwu, with his keen eyesight, naturally understood her question, and his tense jawline relaxed slightly. He shook his head reassuringly, indicating that there was no problem.
My heart is completely soft.
"Of course, of course!" Gu Yi grinned as if he had found money, clasped his hands and laughed, "Your Majesty, I have a request to make, but I don't know if I should say it?"
"Tell me about it."
"The Third Prince is not young anymore, and as far as I know, he is still unmarried, isn't he?"
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