Chapter 77: Your Choice
On the day of the competition, a large crowd gathered near the training ground on the outskirts of Jiling City. Not only did the local governor arrive, but many local officials from neighboring counties also came to show their faces.
When the hour of Si (9-11 AM) arrives, the bugle will sound, and the competition will officially begin. The sword energy on the stage will be like a rainbow, creating a magnificent spectacle. Therefore, in addition to the government soldiers present, ordinary people from the city have also come to join in the fun.
Everything is in place, awaiting only the arrival of the Great General.
The appointed time was 9:00 AM, but General Wang Shanshan arrived late, a full hour and a half later than scheduled. It was unclear whether he was genuinely delayed or simply disrespectful to the martial arts practitioners who had come to compete.
Although the swordsmen in the martial arts world harbored some complaints, they had all come to seek official positions, so they consciously restrained their arrogance. Even though the Grand General was late and offered no explanation, the entire room remained orderly, and no one dared to question him or embarrass the Grand General.
With the interlude over, the most important thing now is to start the competition.
Many important figures attended the opening ceremony, including General Wang, Prefect Wang, the Commandant of Shangping County next door, and even the Left Chancellor Ji Fukun, who was on leave to visit his hometown and happened to pass by Jiling, took the opportunity to pause his trip and show his support.
For the contestants, the more spectators, the better.
The more important the figures who come, the more it shows that the imperial court attaches great importance to this competition. In this way, if one can win first place in front of everyone, one will gain even more face.
Bai Hua arrived early, following closely behind the two Rong sisters. Madam Rong and Master Rong walked at the front, trying to secure the best viewing spot inside.
There were no seats left in the row, so Madam Rong, Master Rong, and Rong Chifei sat together, while Rong Chifang and Bai Hua moved to another row and found other seats.
“Hua’er, look, that’s the Great General Wang. He looks much younger than I imagined.” Rong Chifang had just finished speaking when she suddenly realized something. She then smiled sheepishly and said, “I don’t need to introduce you. Hua’er grew up in Jingqi. How could she not know the famous Great General Wang? I’m just being redundant.”
Bai Hua had a good impression of her older cousin. After moving into the Rong Mansion, her older cousin treated her kindly, and Bai Hua naturally reciprocated with a friendly attitude.
She smiled and replied, "It's not an unnecessary thing. Back in Jingqi, I was a young lady who rarely left the house. I only had the chance to see some royal relatives and nobles when I attended palace banquets. Now I've been away from Jingqi for three years, and I can't remember the faces of many old friends. If my cousin hadn't pointed it out, I probably wouldn't have recognized that it was the Great General King."
Rong Chifang looked at Bai Hua and met her smiling face, and suddenly felt that the distance between the two of them had shortened a lot.
In fact, Bai Hua had been in the Rong family for two years, but the two were not very close. Even though the Bai family had fallen on hard times, Rong Chifang would still unconsciously show his timidity in front of this once noble earl's daughter from Jingqi, and would not know how to get along with her.
She still remembered when she was a child, she went to visit relatives in Jingqi with her mother. Her mother said that her aunt's house was very spacious and had a beautiful courtyard. Even though she was mentally prepared, she was still amazed by the exquisite garden scenery when she entered the mansion. She felt that it was a fairyland described in the storybook.
Rong Chifang remembers that experience very clearly. Many years have passed, but when she thinks back now, she can still recall her aunt and uncle's noble demeanor, her cousin's otherworldly air, and her little cousin's exquisite beauty, like a fairy maiden.
The person she once looked up to is now sitting on equal footing with her. Rong Chifang couldn't quite describe how she felt, but the kinship was real, so she was still willing to be good to Bai Hua.
The drums on both sides of the arena began to beat loudly. The first two challengers stepped onto the stage, and the surroundings immediately fell silent, their casual conversation also ceasing.
Time flew by, and more than an hour had passed since the match began. The six swordsmen took to the stage one after another, fighting neck and neck until a winner was finally decided after a long while. Since both sides were of average or below-average strength, the match was not very exciting to watch, and some of the spectators even started to doze off.
Even the Grand General and Prefect Wang looked listless and dispirited. The two sat on the armchairs, one on the left and one on the right, and their postures gradually changed from being upright and proper to being as comfortable as possible.
On the other hand, the Left Prime Minister, who was visiting relatives in Beijing and happened to come and see the excitement, stood up straight, was in high spirits, and gave full respect to the contestants on stage.
When it was Rong Linyan's turn to take the stage, the atmosphere in the audience finally reached a small climax.
Unfortunately, the person he was facing was not skilled in martial arts, and he was defeated in three moves and was knocked off the stage in a sorry state. A chorus of boos rose from the audience, and as a result, Rong Linyan was unable to perform to his full potential in front of the Grand General and the Left Prime Minister.
Rong Chifang's tone was slightly excited and proud: "My brother won, as expected."
Bai Hua responded in agreement, "Yes, cousin, that's normal."
The eldest cousin was content, but her aunt and uncle sitting in the front row, as well as the disciples of Guihong Sword Hall behind them, all had sour faces. They were furious with the new swordsman who had just fought Rong Linyan, blaming him for ruining the opportunity for the hall master to perform on stage.
Bai Hua thought to herself, "How can anyone blame others for this? The opponent is determined by drawing lots, which is both random and fair. If you draw badly, you can only rely on your luck."
Moreover, from the other party's perspective, why would they want to encounter a powerful and renowned sword hall master like my cousin in the first round? To be eliminated in the first round, knocked off the stage in three moves, is truly frustrating.
Even if it wasn't perfect, we still advanced, so it's something to be happy about.
Therefore, when Rong Linyan stepped down, the disciples of the Sword Hall and their relatives clapped enthusiastically to show their support. Rong Chifang did the same, and Bai Hua, not wanting to appear abrupt, silently followed suit.
Ahead, Rong Chifei disregarded her ladylike composure and kept shouting and yelling—
"That's my elder brother! The number one swordsman in Jiling!"
“My brother didn’t even use 30% of his strength just now, and he wasn’t using his usual sword. If he were serious, it wouldn’t be as simple as just knocking someone off the stage. Anyway, everyone signed a death waiver, so seeing blood wouldn’t be surprising, would it?”
"Brother is amazing! He slaughtered them all without leaving a single one alive!"
Rong Chifei's voice was shrill, and her shouting was really jarring and noisy.
Not to mention others finding it annoying, even Rong Linyan himself felt uncomfortable standing on the stage. He frowned slightly, glanced at Rong Chifei, and signaled her to stop her rude behavior immediately.
Rong Chifei reluctantly sat back down, looking amazed and proud. She didn't think she had done anything wrong, thinking that today was a day to make a name for herself, and the more actively she promoted her brother, the more attention he would receive from important figures.
In the central seat directly opposite the arena, the so-called important figure was indeed attracted by the sound and glanced at Rong Linyan a few more times.
General Wang stroked his beard, lowered his voice, and turned to speak with Prefect Wang: "I thought the head of a sword hall would be somewhat aloof and arrogant, but it turns out he's so eager to become an official. What about the other disciples of his sword hall? Will they all go to the government office to become clerks?"
These words carried a deeper meaning. The people on the stage could not hear them, but all the officials sitting around the Great General could hear them.
Left Chancellor Ji Fukun smiled and casually remarked, "Isn't that perfect? How can the court entrust the recruitment of talent with the confidence of those who are too arrogant? If Your Highness wants to find the chivalrous spirit in them, you shouldn't do it in this fame-seeking and profit-driven setting."
General Wang turned his head and met Ji Fukun's gaze. He replied with a half-smile, "What the Left Prime Minister said is true. It was the Left Prime Minister who originally proposed setting up a competition to recruit talents. Now that His Majesty has put me in charge, the Left Prime Minister has traveled a long way to visit relatives and passed by. He has put a lot of thought into this."
The Left Prime Minister calmly replied, "Your Highness is joking. My ancestral home is Yunting County. Coming from the capital, I would inevitably have to go through Jiling on the official road. In addition, this remonstrance was indeed submitted by me, so it is inevitable that I would be concerned about the progress of the competition. It is all for the sake of the country, and as a subject, I should do my best."
These words left the Grand General speechless. Civil officials are known for their eloquence, so he simply decided not to argue with them.
The first round of competition has ended, and the winners have advanced, with a total of twelve people selected.
Seeing this, Bai Hua finally felt relieved. Just as she had thought, the young master was indeed not in Jiling at the moment and had no time to get involved in the arena. Otherwise, given his personality, even if he wasn't interested in the arena, he would have deliberately gone on stage to show his face and stimulate his cousin's not-so-strong heart.
At noon, everyone had a simple meal at the training ground, and the second round of competition was about to begin.
As Madam Rong sat down, she muttered uneasily, "The soldiers at the drill ground gate are checking too strictly. They forbid us from bringing our own food. Otherwise, how am I supposed to prepare a proper meal for Lin Yan? How can he possibly swallow that meager fare? What if it affects his performance..."
Bai Hua was speechless upon hearing this.
Uncle-in-law spoke up fairly: "It's alright, everyone eats the same thing, there won't be any problem with Lin Yan."
Aunt retorted, "How can that be the same? Lin Yan is a sect leader with a reputation. How can he be compared to those rough and uncouth martial artists from out of town who eat rough food? They can get used to coarse food, but my son can't. If you ask me, why is the Great General so stingy?"
Uncle quickly glared at her: "Shh, Madam, watch your words! This is the training ground, so we should eat the same food as the army. How can you be picky here? Alright, alright, stop thinking about this. No matter how good or bad the food is, the competition will start on time."
The drums sounded again, and the scene gradually quieted down, silencing the two men's argument.
Bai Hua regained her composure and looked towards the arena. At this moment, she was also hoping that her cousin could successfully win the title. It had nothing to do with anything else, but only because her brother's fate was also involved.
In the second round, the twelve winners will be divided into six groups for a head-to-head competition. The six who advance will no longer be divided into groups. The final six will compete in a round-robin format, taking turns on stage in the order drawn by lot. Whoever can last until the end and wins will be the ultimate winner.
Because those who remained after the selection process were all quite capable, the competition became increasingly exciting and entertaining.
Of course, a duel in the arena is all about seeing the best of the best. Compared to the lukewarm reaction just now, cheers and applause are now heard from time to time, creating a lively atmosphere.
After the second round, only six people remained, and Rong Linyan was naturally among them.
Because the swordsman who had just fought Rong Linyan was quite skilled, and the two exchanged blows with fluid and impressive movements, Rong Linyan successfully came into the sights of General Wang and Prefect Wang.
The draw for the gauntlet began. According to the rules, the person who drew the first lot was at a disadvantage because they had to stand all the way through and face attacks from five people in turn. If they lost in the first round, there was nothing to say. But if they wanted to fight all five people and stand until the end, it would be quite a spectacle.
Everyone was curious about who would be the first to go on stage.
The drums beat again, enhancing the grand atmosphere around them. A man dressed in a black robe ascended the steps to the beat of the drums. His eyes were firm as he drew his sword, the tip pointing forward.
It was Rong Linyan.
He drew number one and went on stage first.
Once he stood still, facing his opponent, he exuded an imposing aura, as if he were determined to win the upcoming match. Everyone held their breath, watching with bated breath.
After a thrilling competition, Rong Linyan emerged victorious, striking his opponent in the throat first and winning the first match.
Next, a second and a third challenger took to the stage. Rong Linyan, sword in hand, was composed and full of vigor, winning with ease once again.
When the fourth challenger came on stage to fight him again, Rong Linyan showed signs of exhaustion. Three rounds of competition were concentrated in one day, which was a great test of a swordsman's stamina. He had persisted until now and was the first in the gauntlet battle, so it was understandable that he was physically exhausted.
This match lasted a little longer, but fortunately the result was good.
Meanwhile, Rong Linyan's three wins in three matches undoubtedly made him the most watched swordsman in the entire event.
The battle reached the fifth position, where victory became even more difficult. Despite an arm injury, Rong Linyan gritted his teeth and persevered, knocking his opponent off the stage.
Up to sixth place.
This is the last challenger of the entire event.
If they win this match, Rong Linyan will achieve his goal of winning first place, successfully entering the sights of the powerful and wealthy, and leading the Rong family back into officialdom. Bai Hua knows he will give it his all in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This battle was fierce and bloody.
The sword tip pierced the flesh, the blade stained with blood, and when the wind blew, the smell of blood went straight into people's nostrils.
The entire Rong family wore expressions of deep worry, and they all held their breath. Madam Rong, in particular, could not sit still and rudely stood up from her seat, craning her neck and looking around anxiously. The injury to her own son was like a knife to her heart.
The sixth challenger's swordsmanship was unpredictable and did not follow the usual path, which aroused discussion among the disciples of the Sword Hall. The crowd whispered among themselves, and Bai Hua happened to overhear it. It turned out that the people of the Sword Hall had never heard of this person before, and now they all guessed that he was probably from out of town.
One of them whispered, "Ji Ling has been really unsettling lately. A lot of swordsmen from other places have poured in, trying to take our place. Ning Jue was enough to give the hall master a headache before, and now another one like this has arrived."
Upon hearing the name Ning Jue, Bai Hua's breathing became heavier. Her spectator mentality shifted, and she turned her attention away from the arena, listening intently to the idle chatter of the others.
Someone else chimed in, deliberately lowering their voice: "You probably didn't see firsthand how the deputy hall master was utterly defeated by Ning Jue's sword. The person on the stage is quite strong, but compared to Ning Jue, he's still far inferior. I'm only saying this to you, so keep your mouth shut and don't let it get back to the deputy hall master."
“I know, I know, but tell me in detail, is Ning Jue really that powerful? Didn’t the deputy hall master say that Ning Jue’s victory that time was a narrow one?”
"A narrow victory my ass! Their swords were even broken. In the end, the hall master had to go up to reinforce them, and it was only because it was two against one that the deputy hall master wasn't injured."
"I see. No wonder Ning Jue is so feared. I've also heard..."
At this point, when the fight on stage reached its most exciting part, General Wang stood up and led the cheers, drawing everyone's attention back to the stage.
Bai Hua also glanced over and saw that Rong Linyan was gradually falling into a disadvantageous position. The opponent was chasing fiercely, and several times, Rong Linyan almost couldn't handle it and had to dodge the attack.
Rong Linyan was covered in sweat and panting heavily. He gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands and used it to block the opponent's fatal blow. At the same time, his knees were bent, and he was struggling to keep up.
The scene suddenly fell silent; no one spoke anymore. Everyone knew that the winner and loser would be decided within ten moves.
Rong Linyan's eyes flashed with malice, he changed his sword moves, and with a turn of his body, he switched from defense to offense.
Others might not be able to see it, but Bai Hua's eyes narrowed, and she quickly discerned the mystery of the sword move.
In desperation, my cousin used the latter part of the Lone Goose Sword style to secure a safe victory.
The sword technique was immediately effective, its sharpness multiplying and forcing the opponent into a desperate retreat, bewildered and incredulous.
Rong Linyan looked smug and left his opponent no room for counterattack, delivering a single, decisive blow that knocked the man off the stage.
The outcome is decided.
As the drums began to beat loudly, the Left Prime Minister stood up and clapped first, leading the cheers from the audience to a climax.
Rong Linyan raised his sword high, walked around the arena, and finally stopped in front of the Grand General Wang.
Following the pre-arranged procedure, General Wang bestowed the jade pendant upon Rong Linyan, patted him on the shoulder, and praised him, saying, "Young man, well done. The Left Chancellor and Prefect Wang were stunned by your sword dance; they probably all want to snatch him from me."
The Grand General, the Left Chancellor, the Prefect... these are all powerful figures who wield real authority.
Being favored by them was something Rong Linyan was overwhelmed with gratitude; it was something he had never dared to imagine before.
However, the protagonist today is indeed the prince. Rong Linyan stepped forward, bowed his head, clasped his hands, and spoke very politely: "The great general has traveled a long way to Jiling to hold a competition to recruit talents, which has boosted the morale of many sword halls in Jiling. I have received this jade pendant and am willing to serve the great general with utmost loyalty!"
This isn't meant to be disrespectful to others.
Since the prince was the most distinguished person present, who else would really compete with him? The polite words exchanged between the nobles, whether genuine or not, did not actually require his expression.
The Great General Wang smiled with satisfaction and said, "See? He only wants to be with me."
Bai Hua was in the audience, and she stood up and clapped along with her cousin.
At this moment, she was naturally happy, knowing that her brother would soon receive help and be released from prison.
besides……
With that heavy weight lifted from her heart, will she be able to walk her own path and make her own choices from now on?
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