He… he won… Nangong Qianrou’s expression was complex. Suddenly, she felt her face burning as if she had been slapped.
Although he relied on Confucian magic to achieve victory, the fact that he could defeat two fourth-rank experts meant he could defeat us too… The golden gong bearers felt conflicted. They felt that their half-life of hard cultivation might not be enough to beat a young man who was only at the Refining Essence realm half a year ago.
The blow was too heavy, leaving the golden gong bearers speechless for a moment.
“We won, we won…”
Biaobiao let out a small cheer. If not for considering her image and dignity as a princess, she would have jumped three feet high, hopping like a little rabbit.
The coquettish little miss was overjoyed.
During the duel with the Buddhist sect, it wasn’t surprising that he won with the support of the Supervising Censor… But this time, he defeated two fourth-rank experts with pure sixth-rank warrior cultivation… Huai Qing wouldn’t cheer without regard for her image like Lin’an, but her shock was no less.
“Wasn’t it said that the gap was too big? Why did this boy win?” The Marchioness’s eyes, hidden under her veil, stared at Chu Xianglong accusingly.
Chu Xianglong’s eyes widened, his mouth slightly open. He wanted to explain, but recalling the battle scene just now, he felt any rebuttal would be pale and weak.
The corner of the Marchioness’s delicately carved mouth lifted slightly as she inwardly snorted.
Cheers rose one after another. The common people were generous with their applause and praise for the young man slowly coming ashore.
A nobleman with a complex expression sighed, “How many years has it been since the capital has seen such a young man so beloved by the people?”
The people’s cheers and enthusiasm reminded them of the Shanhai Pass battle years ago when the army returned victorious and the capital’s citizens lined the streets to welcome them.
Only Wei Yuan, at the height of his prestige back then, could achieve this.
Another nobleman said in a deep voice, “Have you noticed that since the duel, his reputation has been growing higher and higher?”
“After all, the Buddhist duel was a rare opportunity. Anyone who wins in such a duel would see their reputation soar.”
“Hmm, one can only say his luck is too good.”
Elder brother won, and he used our Confucian magic… Xu Xinnian felt doubly proud. He turned to look at the King family’s eldest daughter, whose face still showed traces of shock, and said in a boastful yet praising tone:
“My elder brother always manages to achieve feats that ordinary people cannot.”
And I will bravely pursue him… Second Young Master Xu added in his heart.
Wang Simu nodded with a smile. She liked the pride in Second Young Master Xu. It was because of this pride that he didn’t fade into obscurity under his cousin’s brilliance, wallowing in self-pity.
On the riverbank, Xu Qi’an, holding Li Miaozheng, slowly swept his gaze over the excited crowd, the dumbfounded martial artists, and the faces with various expressions.
He nodded slightly, then flapped his invisible wings and flew away with Li Miaozheng in his arms.
Chu Yuanzhen watched his figure disappear, the second half of the poem still echoing in his mind: “Today I show you, who has any injustice?”
This was what Xu Qi’an had whispered in his ear.
For a moment, Chu Yuanzhen felt as if struck by lightning, his body inexplicably trembling. So he released his grip on the sword, no longer concerned about the outcome of the Heaven and Human contest.
“Today I show you, who has any injustice…” he murmured.
I’ve nurtured my sword for years, intending that when it’s drawn, it would be unrivaled, killing gods and Buddhas alike… I originally wanted to unsheathe it in the Heaven and Human contest, defeat Li Miaozheng, and repay the Human Sect for teaching me swordsmanship… But I was wrong, terribly wrong. Li Miaozheng upholds justice and has an upright character. She shouldn’t die by my sword. For my selfish reasons, killing a good person would surely become a demon in my heart, haunting me for life… Xu Ningyan was saving me.
He deliberately didn’t say the second half of the poem that day, anticipating this moment… “Today I show you, who has any injustice,” this was the original intention of nurturing my sword… Chu Yuanzhen took a deep breath, his heart full of emotion.
He bowed deeply towards Xu Qi’an’s retreating figure.
“Look, Chu Yuanzhen has accepted his defeat wholeheartedly. He’s even bowing deeply to Xu Yinluo.”
“Xu Yinluo is truly a heaven-sent talent.”
The people were happy to see Xu Yinluo subdue his opponent.
…
I need to leave quickly. If I don’t, everyone will see me suffering the backlash from the Confucian magic, and my image will be completely ruined… Xu Qi’an frantically flapped his invisible wings, heading back to the capital.
He mentally reviewed the pros and cons of his participation in the Heaven and Human contest:
“The Vajra Skill has reached the small accomplishment stage as desired. There won’t be any more progress before reaching the fourth rank… The benefit is that my defense is comparable to a fourth-rank warrior, perhaps even stronger, though my actual combat power is far behind.
“I used five pages from the ‘magic book’ given by the great Confucian scholars. One page recorded the Daoist golden pill; one page recorded Buddhist precepts; two pages recorded Confucian ‘words become reality,’ and one page was destroyed by Li Miaozheng… The loss is quite heavy. I need to find a way to visit the Cloud Deer Academy again and freeload some more. I wonder how much stock the great scholars have of such items…
“Golden Lotus Daoist still owes me a treasure. I’ll ask him for it later.
“This forceful intervention in the Heaven and Human contest, the Human Sect should be fine since Luo Yuheng is a beneficiary. As for the Heavenly Sect…”
Thinking of this, Xu Qi’an looked at Li Miaozheng, patted her cheek, and chuckled softly, “You’re really beautiful. Be my concubine, haha…”
As soon as he finished speaking, his shoulders started shaking, but he found he couldn’t generate any air currents. The invisible wings had disappeared. Immediately after, a tearing pain surged through his brain. His vision went black, and he fell straight down.
In his last moment of consciousness, he held Li Miaozheng tightly in his arms, ensuring that the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect wouldn’t die from the fall.
…
At Lingbao Temple.
Luo Yuheng had no heart for cultivation today. Sometimes she fiddled with tea sets, sometimes she read Daoist scriptures, sometimes she stood in the courtyard, staring blankly at the blue sky beyond the wall.
Emperor Yuan Jing wisely didn’t come to seek her for cultivation and breathing exercises.
The disciples in the temple were as quiet as cicadas in cold weather, walking and talking softly. Lingbao Temple was enveloped in a suppressed and tense atmosphere.
Until a blue-robed man carrying a sword on his back silently entered Lingbao Temple, passing through hall after hall and garden after garden, walking towards the depths of the Daoist temple.
“Chu Yuanzhen is back?”
“The Heaven and Human contest is over… Brother Chu, did you win or lose?”
“Brother Chu, did you defeat Li Miaozheng?”
The suppressed atmosphere was broken. Human Sect Daoists came upon hearing the news, surrounding Chu Yuanzhen with questions.
Chu Yuanzhen shook his head and said in a deep voice, “I lost.”
The clamor of voices stopped abruptly. The Human Sect Daoists looked at each other, crestfallen.
Chu Yuanzhen ignored the despondent Daoists and went straight to Luo Yuheng’s small courtyard. As soon as he entered the yard, he saw a figure as beautiful as an immortal standing by the pool.
“Imperial Preceptor,” Chu Yuanzhen bowed in greeting.
Luo Yuheng nodded slightly: “I already know the outcome. You didn’t draw your sword, you must have your reasons. I won’t blame you. The Human Sect cultivates using the dynasty’s fortune, yet our fate is so short-lived.
“This is heaven’s decree, no one can change it…”
I only said I lost, but I didn’t say Li Miaozheng won… Should I clarify the situation now and tell her that Xu Qi’an was the winner… It seems I might be killed with one slap by the Imperial Preceptor… Chu Yuanzhen hesitated inwardly.
Luo Yuheng looked over, saw his strange expression, and comforted him, “There’s no need for self-blame. I said this matter is not your fault.”
… Chu Yuanzhen cleared his throat and said, “Imperial Preceptor, I didn’t win, but Li Miaozheng didn’t win either. For some reason, Xu Qi’an intervened halfway through, forcibly interfering with the Heaven and Human contest, and defeated both Li Miaozheng.
“The Heaven and Human contest, in fact… hasn’t even begun yet.”