Chapter 441 The Empress's Thoughts on Spring
Deafening!
When Zhao Duan, who had suppressed the accumulated energy for more than a month, swung it out with a devastating blow, those armors that were strong enough to withstand the arrows were torn into pieces like tofu and paper.
The shattered armor fragments flew everywhere, and one of the fragments brushed past the cheek of the blindfolded young man Qiye, lifting a strand of hair and cutting off a strand of hair.
A strong wind swept through the square, and everyone stood there in shock, unable to recover from the shock.
Mo Chou still maintained the posture of reaching out to grab Zhao Duan's sleeve, but she seemed to be under a spell of immobilization, motionless, with a dull look in her eyes.
The large group of eunuchs headed by Tang Jinzhong and Song Jinxi almost popped their eyes out of their heads.
Chai Keqiao's pupils suddenly narrowed as he stared at a white mark that appeared on the bluestone floor tiles after the row of dummies fell.
The look of watching the fun disappeared from Xiao Ran's eyes, and was replaced by a brief confusion and deep fear.
As for Qi Ye who was the first to be hit... this Qingshan disciple who had just ignored the dissuasion and loudly threatened to challenge, "stared" at Zhao Duan who was holding the hilt of the knife and "looking" at him, suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, and heard a "swish" sound in his ears.
He raised his hand and touched his chest, and found that the black clothes there were torn by the residual sword energy.
what happened?
This was the first thought that came to everyone’s mind, followed by a strong sense of unreality.
"Fifty-six..."
A soldier of the Imperial Guards almost whispered the number: "Zhao Shaobao, fifty-six pieces of armor have been destroyed."
There is something fishy going on... Many of the Imperial Guards had this thought in their minds, but after careful inspection, they discovered that it was indeed genuine armor.
But……
How could Zhao Shaobao, who was only of the middle rank of the Divine Chapter, deliver such a terrifying blow?
The number of armor penetrations is more than double that of Qiye.
"Could it be that... Lord Zhao has already entered the realm of the 'worldly world'?" A priest unconsciously raised the question in his mind.
The more they know about it, the more incredible it is.
"Bang..." Zhao Duan threw the knife handle to the ground. Although he looked very satisfied, there was also a sense of emptiness on his face.
It's like abstaining from sex for a month and then... ugh.
It's like being constipated for a week, and then... vomit...
The Qi that was nearly bursting his Qi Sea was instantly released, soothing the meridians that were overwhelmed by his progress. At the same time, the result of breaking through fifty-six armors with one sword also made his eyelids twitch.
Even though he knew that the blow he had been preparing for would be very powerful, the result was still far beyond his expectations.
Moreover, there were only fifty-six suits of armor left on the field, and they were all chopped to pieces. Doesn't this mean that this is not the limit?
"I'm so strong..." Zhao Duan was shocked and confused.
His face showed no trace of emotion, but he said calmly with a cold demeanor:
"It seems that Qingshan's disciple is no more than this."
carefree!
Hearing these casual words, the worshippers of the Martial Arts Hall and the surrounding imperial guards woke up as if from a dream, and felt refreshed at the same time.
I wanted to cheer loudly: Lord Zhao is mighty!
Just as Qingshan Wu Ren was talking nonsense, he was slapped in the face at the speed of light the next moment. With just this one slash of the sword, as dirty as Qiye's sarcasm just now, as miserable as he is now.
"You..." Qiye's face flushed.
"What do you mean?" Zhao Duan sneered.
"I wanted to give Senior Wu Xiankui some face, but I didn't expect the dogs on Qingshan Mountain to bark even more fiercely."
"You don't..." Qiye's forehead was bulging with veins. He wanted to say something, but saw Chai Keqiao had already flashed in front of him and shouted at Qiye:
"Who gave you permission to speak like that? If I had known this, I wouldn't have brought you here. For a Qingshan person, if you lose, you lose. Or do you think you can also break through fifty-six armors?"
Qiye breathed rapidly and closed his mouth.
Chai Keqiao turned around and gave Zhao Duan an apologetic smile:
"Master Zhao, please don't bother with my junior brother. He never leaves the mountain and has a strange personality..."
Zhao Duan smiled and said, "Brother Chai, if you want to apologize, you don't have to apologize to me, but to everyone in the Martial Arts Hall."
Chai Keqiao took a deep breath and clasped his fists towards a group of eunuchs with unfriendly looks:
"My junior brother spoke without thinking, and I, Chai, must apologize on his behalf. We lost today's duel."
Immediately, he turned to Eunuch Hai, who looked like a Maitreya Buddha, and said:
"Master Hai, please allow my three brothers to return and we will discipline them."
The young master of the Chai family, who once challenged many masters in the capital, now showed a maturity that was completely different from his past.
Eunuch Hai remained calm and smiled, "I am old now and will not get involved in the affairs of you youngsters."
You call that not getting involved? Didn't you say "Why should I endure it any longer" just now? Chai Keqiao cursed inwardly, but on his face he acted like a junior.
He bowed respectfully and was about to take the two of them away.
“Wait!”
Zhao Duan suddenly spoke up and stopped the Qingshan trio who wanted to retreat.
Chai Keqiao asked curiously, "What advice do you have for me, Shao Bao?"
Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes and said, "You've offended someone, and you're just going to leave like that? Just apologize and think that's it? Have you asked me?"
"And..." He raised his hand and pointed at Qiye who was blocked behind him, his tone was neither positive nor negative:
"Children make mistakes, and adults apologize for them. I can't quite remember what this Qingshan disciple said about cowardice, but the gist seems to be that warriors should have courage. How can... you make a mistake, lose a duel, and yet you refuse to apologize yourself? Instead, you bother others with it? That doesn't seem reasonable in the world."
After these words were spoken, the eunuchs in attendance echoed:
"Master Zhao is absolutely right."
"What the young guard said makes sense."
"People from Qingshan, do they need others to admit defeat for them?"
Eunuchs also have tempers, not to mention they are martial arts masters. With Zhao Duan leading the charge, the others couldn't contain themselves and retaliated.
Even the nearby imperial guards cast contemptuous glances at him.
“That’s enough!”
Amidst the noise, Qiye, blindfolded with a black cloth, suddenly spoke, interrupting the crowd's "verbal criticism". He took a step forward and firmly pushed Chai Keqiao away.
Then, under Zhao Duan's calm gaze, he held the sword horizontally in front of him, spread out his left palm, grabbed the sword fiercely, and slashed along the blade from the hilt to the tail of the sword.
It was visible to the naked eye that one hand was covered in blood, and the bright red blood drops were spilling on the ground like broken strings.
Everyone was stunned when they heard Qiye say in an emotionless voice:
"We are from Qingshan and can afford to lose. Is Zhao Shaobao satisfied with this? If it's not enough..."
He placed the blood-stained sword against his chest again and slashed it hard, soaking his torn black coat with blood.
Qiye seemed to feel no pain and looked up at Zhao Duan:
"Are you satisfied with this?"
Zhao Duan looked seriously at this guy who was constantly hurting himself, and suddenly smiled:
"I was just joking with you just now, and my words were a little disrespectful. Now that Brother Chai has apologized, that's enough."
Qiye: “…”
Xiao Ran looked strange.
Chai Keqiao took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Then I will take my leave first."
After a pause, he added a meaningful sentence:
"In half a month, we will have a formal duel. I hope to see Young Master Zhao's skills."
According to tradition, they will communicate and exchange ideas with each other for the next half month, and there will be a formal competition before they leave.
"Let's talk about it later." Zhao Duan said casually.
…
After watching the trio leave, a group of worshippers finally realized what was happening and surrounded Zhao Duan, recalling the power of the knife. Some even asked him whether he had entered the world of the living.
"It's just luck." Zhao Duan curled the corner of his mouth and thought to himself, if I were still alive, I would have gone to pester Zhenbao to practice dual cultivation with me, and I would never have gotten involved with a bunch of eunuchs like you.
Mo Chou's expression was complicated, and she looked at him tenderly. Suddenly, she whispered:
"You only promised not to cause trouble for the other party before. There's no need to be so aggrieved and endure it after what you did just now."
"No... Big Ice Tuozi, do you really think I was just being cowardly for your sake? I kept refusing to fight back despite being repeatedly confronted? You're overthinking it..." Zhao Duan looked at her strangely.
I really want to say: It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I can’t.
First, he was not sure whether he could defeat Qiye by releasing his Qi Hai. If he lost, it would be very embarrassing.
Secondly, and more importantly, he remembered Zhenbao's advice. If he did not release the accumulated internal energy in time, most of the hard work and treasures he had swallowed in the past month would be wasted.
This was the core reason why he was acting out of character and making repeated concessions. As for agreeing to Mo Chou's promise, it was only one of the reasons.
Therefore, it was not until he asked Eunuch Hai to confirm whether he could take action and received a response from this "legendary priest" that he finally let go of his worries and drew his sword.
"Father-in-law, you should have thought of using me to break the deadlock a long time ago, right?"
Zhao Duan walked up to the old eunuch in the python robe and whispered:
"You deliberately made me hold it in for a month, wasn't it just for today?"
Eunuch Hai said in confusion, "What did you say? I don't understand."
You just pretend... Zhao Duan curled his lips. During the whole process, Eunuch Hai remained calm and composed. People who didn't know him would really think that he was so noble that he didn't care about honor, disgrace, victory or defeat at all.
Seeing that there was nothing for her to do, Mo Chou immediately turned around and rushed to the imperial study. She knew that His Majesty must be concerned about the situation here.
…
…
Imperial study.
When Mo Chou knocked on the door, she saw Xu Zhenguan, dressed in white like snow and with long black hair like a waterfall, sitting leisurely by the window in a room decorated with exquisite elegance.
The slender white hands held the scissors and focused on trimming a peach blossom in their hands.
"Your Majesty, the two sides have met."
Mo Chou stared at the beauty cutting peach blossoms by the window, then quickly lowered her eyes and respectfully reported.
Xu Zhenguan cut off a branch and asked gently without turning his head:
"how?"
Mo Chou did not dare to hide anything and recounted the entire process in detail, from Qi Ye's provocation to Zhao Duan's astonishing performance, without hiding a single thing.
"Oh, is that so? That's right. Pass the order down and reward everyone in the Wugong Hall with a silver." Xu Zhenguan said casually without any surprise.
Mo Chou was stunned and looked up in surprise: "Your Majesty, are you not surprised?"
Xu Zhenguan placed a perfectly trimmed branch into the vase, turned his head to reveal his moon-like face, and smiled:
"What's the surprise?"
"Of course..." Mo Chou said, and suddenly an idea came to her mind, and her eyes lit up:
"Your Majesty, could it be that you had anticipated this? No... maybe even arranged it in advance?"
Xu Zhenguan smiled and said softly:
"To best digest the medicinal power, one must find the right opportunity. Test your sword with a green mountain. Where in the world can one find such a fine whetstone?"
Mo Chou opened her mouth, and she suddenly realized that His Majesty's arrangement for Zhao Duan to enter the palace for hard training these days was not without basis.
Instead, he also included the people from Qingshan in his plan, using this group of martial arts geniuses as a stepping stone for Zhao Duan.
Jealousy had distorted her.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. If the two sides get into a big fight, Wu Xiankui will be unhappy..."
Xu Zhenguan shook his head slightly and said with a smile:
"So what? It's fine if he's bullied outside, but he can't be wronged in the palace."
The "he" here undoubtedly refers to a certain person named Zhao.
Mo Chou: “…”
Jealousy tore her apart.
"Your Majesty..." Mo Chou forcedly changed the subject:
"I'm worried that those people in Qingshan might be restless. Take that Xiao Ran, for example. Although she doesn't dare to offend Your Majesty, she clearly harbors resentment because of the 'Xiao family'. Especially since she's entering the palace this time and must see Noble Concubine Xiao... This is another nuisance. Should we send someone to take Noble Concubine Xiao out of the palace and hide her out?"
Xu Zhenguan was humming the Ballad of the Goddess of Spring softly. She was feeling particularly lazy and relaxed today.
She raised her hand and the pink peach blossoms on the ground were blown up by the wind and gathered in her palm:
"If she wants to see him, then let her see him. He's a pitiful person, too."
Mo Chou hesitated and said, "Your Majesty is kind and benevolent, but..."
"Don't worry, if you can think of these things, Zhao Qing must have thought of them a long time ago. Let him take care of these things." Xu Zhenguan slowly lay down on the soft couch, and soon, a soft snoring sound was heard.
Mo Chou opened her mouth, then reluctantly lowered her footsteps and left the imperial study. After closing the door, she couldn't help but let out a sigh, her eyes full of suspicion:
"Your Majesty, what's going on these days..."
"Meow--"
Suddenly, Mochou noticed that several palace maids in the distance were throwing stones at an orange cat on the roof with its tail raised high.
Accompanied by a low complaint: "Damn cat, it's moaning again."
…
…
Martial Arts Hall.
Eunuch Hai went to rest, and when Zhao Duan came back surrounded by a group of eunuchs, he immediately enjoyed the treatment of being the center of attention.
Each one offered him all kinds of flattering words, which made him feel ecstatic.
"Alright, alright, I'm going to be mad if you keep praising me for this drug-induced knife attack."
Zhao Duan sat calmly in the armchair in the hall.
Behind his back, on his legs, on his arms... there were six eunuchs massaging his shoulders, legs and arms.
If it weren't for the wrong time, I would have brought him hot water to wash his feet.
Zhao Duan was extremely uncomfortable with the enthusiasm and flattery, and the cold and domineering filter of the "Foreign Master" was completely shattered.
Who would have thought that the mysterious and powerful royal priest would be like this in private?
Well... that makes sense. After all, the tributes are selected from the eunuchs. Even if they are powerful, they still leave the mark of serving others... However, I suddenly understand why the warriors of the royal family are getting worse with each generation.
Six hundred years ago, the "Ten Eunuchs" either joined Old Xu in conquering the world, or were powerful individuals recruited by him... And in the following centuries, peace reigned, and the emperor became increasingly powerless. Unable to suppress the truly rebellious and powerful, he naturally tamed the attendants like sheep...
The consequence is that even with the support of the royal family's resources, the people worshipping the Martial Arts Hall are indeed considered first-class masters if they are placed outside.
But compared with the green mountains, it has already withered, and is only supported by Hai Chunlin, who is one or two hundred years old, and there is no successor.
"Have you arranged the close surveillance of those three people that I asked for?" Zhao Duan asked with narrowed eyes, enjoying the massage.
Song Jinxi, who looked like a monkey, stood aside and responded:
"We've arranged for someone to keep an eye on him. Are you worried that Qiye might be unwilling to give in and make some unpleasant moves?"
Zhao Duan shook his head, opened his eyes, and said:
"Keep an eye on Xiao Ran."
Xiao Ran?
The woman who holds a rapier, doesn't talk much, and looks indifferent to everyone?
The worshippers looked at each other in bewilderment.
…
In the evening, the setting sun dyed the western sky red, and the afterglow fell on the palace walls.
Xiao Ran put on a conical hat, held a thin sword, avoided the important areas of the palace, and with stealthy skills, passed through numerous "checkpoints" and appeared in the corner of the palace, outside a remote and deserted palace with few people.
The heroine raised her head and stared at the locked door of the cold palace, half of her face hidden in the shadows.
"aunt……"
——
ps: I accompanied my family to the hospital for a follow-up check today, and will update more words tomorrow.
(End of this chapter)
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