Zhao Huan went to the imperial post station in the capital to find Princess Yanran out of curiosity about this exotic princess and a desire to learn about the realities of Goryeo from her. Well, the author is making excuses for this idiot emperor; he really just wanted to woo the princess.
This time he brought Linghu Yunlong with him, because the postmaster would pester him to spar with him whenever he saw him, so Zhao Huan had to be on guard this time.
"Linghu Yunlong, when I go to the post station this time, I want you to change your identity." Zhao Huan said.
Linghu Yunlong was surprised: "Your Majesty, what are you changing?"
"From now on, my name is Linghu Yunlong," said Zhao Huan.
This was really confusing. "What about me? What's my name?" Linghu Yunlong asked.
"You?" Zhao Huan thought for a moment and said, "Just call yourself Platypus."
Don't bother with this. Platypus, what kind of a name is that? The dog emperor always makes some weird things. Fortunately, no one except Zhao Huan knows what a platypus is.
"Last time, I used your token to impersonate you and entered the post station. The postmaster admired your kung fu and insisted on sparring with you. I brought you here this time because I wanted you to be the first to do so for me." Zhao Huan said to him.
Linghu Yunlong finally understood: "But, Your Majesty, there is still one thing I don't understand. Why do you call me a platypus?"
Zhao Huan suppressed his laughter. "The platypus, huh? It's a mythical beast. Legend has it that it can fly over rooftops and walls and disappear without a trace. I gave you this name to scare it."
Linghu Yunlong nodded. Although he had never heard of a mythical beast called the platypus, it looked very mysterious, so he believed it.
"Haha" Zhao Huan couldn't help laughing. Linghu Yunlong's mouth was flat and thick. If you looked closely, it really looked a bit like a platypus.
When Zhao Huan returned to the post station, he had transformed into Linghu Yunlong. When the post station chief Zhu Chengen saw him approaching, he grabbed him and said, "Hero Linghu, you can't escape this time. You must spar with me."
His arms were very strong, pinching Zhao Huan's shoulders slightly painfully. He pushed Zhu Chengen away and said, "Well, this time I am still following His Majesty's orders to see Princess Yanran. Princess, are you okay?"
Zhu Chengen blocked his way and said, "The princess is fine. If you want to see her, there's no need to rush. Let's exchange a few moves first."
This time he was well prepared, carrying a pile of swords from the house. "Hero Linghu, don't say you didn't bring a sword. Here are the ones I prepared for you: Qinggang swords, Longquan swords, wide swords, long swords, short swords, thin swords. Pick the one you like."
Zhao Huan stroked his chin, looking at the dazzling array of swords on the ground. "Well, since the Postmaster insists, I will respectfully obey your command. However," he changed the subject, "I've recently been experiencing a shortness of breath while practicing, and my internal energy has been depleted. Let me, your disciple, spar with you for a few moves."
Zhao Huan pointed at Linghu Yunlong behind him and said, "This is my disciple. He has at least learned a little bit of my swordsmanship. You can try your luck with him."
Since this is a competition, the rules of the martial arts world must be followed. Zhu Chengen clasped his fists and asked, "What is your name, brother?"
Linghu Yunlong glanced at Zhao Huan in astonishment. Zhao Huan suppressed a smile and nodded. Linghu Yunlong had no choice but to return the greeting with a fist. "Yes, I am Duck-Platypus."
Zhu Chengen was stunned. What a strange name. But he nodded and clasped his fists, saying, "Thank you!" Then he drew his sword, pointing the tip at an angle.
Linghu Yunlong drew the long sword from his back and took a stance ready to fight the enemy.
When masters compete, one can tell the other's strength by just looking at their moves. Zhu Cheng'en was shocked to see this fellow holding a sword in his right hand and a round ball in his left, with not a single flaw in his body. He was indeed a master.
Zhao Huan couldn't tell what the two were up to, but seeing how focused they were, he knew Zhu Chengen was definitely quite capable, so he said, "You two go ahead and fight. I'm going to go see the princess."
Although Zhu Chengen's right leg is a prosthesis, his movements are just as good as ever, and he is still extremely agile when jumping around.
Linghu Yunlong didn't want to take advantage of him, so he stood still. The two men's swords flashed as they engaged in a fierce battle.
Zhao Huan was too lazy to read these. He didn't know any of them and couldn't figure out what they were.
The post station was beautifully decorated. As a place to receive foreign envoys, it had to reflect the majesty of the Song Dynasty. The post station had three floors, with rows of corridors decorated with carved dragons and painted buildings. At the back was a garden with a pavilion, stone terraces, rockery, fish ponds, and exotic flowers and plants.
Princess Yanran was currently admiring the flowers and feeding the fish in the back garden, but her mind was not on the beautiful scenery. She was thinking about her country and her father.
"Your Highness the Princess!" Zhao Huan shouted from afar.
Princess Yanran turned around and saw that it was him. She rushed forward happily and said, "Guard Linghu, has your Majesty agreed to send troops?"
Zhao Huan sighed and feigned helplessness, saying, "Alas, I am powerless and alone. I have tried to persuade Your Majesty several times, but Your Majesty remains unmoved."
Princess Yanran's expression quickly darkened: "I knew your emperor wouldn't help us."
Zhao Huan wanted to find something to talk about with her, but seeing her heartbroken expression, he was at a loss for words. Suddenly, an idea lit up his mind: "Princess, why don't I secretly bring you to the palace and let you meet His Majesty in person? If you go and tell His Majesty in person, maybe he will agree to your request."
Princess Yanran was surprised and delighted. She held Zhao Huan's hand tightly and said, "Really? Can you really take me to see the emperor?"
Zhao Huan felt a little regretful after saying this, but seeing her expectant eyes, he had no choice but to say, "Of course."
Princess Yanran was filled with joy, and she danced and shouted while holding Zhao Huan's hand. Zhao Huan could only feel her small hand was so soft and tender, so soft that it seemed as if it had no bones, and he could not help but be a little mesmerized.
"But how do we leave here?" Yanran began to feel sad again. She had been placed under house arrest since arriving at the post station. Postmaster Zhu Chengen had forbidden Princess Yanran from leaving the post station, fearing she would cause trouble in the palace.
In fact, Princess Yanran tried to sneak out several times, but was intercepted by Zhu Chengen every time. There were maids and servants at the post station, and they provided her with everything she needed for food, clothing, and daily necessities. They served the princess wholeheartedly, but the postmaster refused to let the princess leave the post station. In fact, this was also Zhao Huan's order.
At that time, Zhao Huan thought that he must not see this princess because he did not want to send troops for the time being. Although he had sent troops to instruct Yue Fei to deploy 30,000 troops between the Song Dynasty and Goryeo, he also wanted to wait and see for the time being.
Zhao Huan really couldn't bear to see her sad, and an idea came to his mind: at worst, he could get her out of the post station and bring her into the palace. Then he could find an excuse to tell her that the emperor was not in the palace, which would be considered as helping her.
Thinking of this, Zhao Huan said, "It's not difficult to get out of the post station. I have a way."
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