The riot was quickly quelled. Thirty of Horse Divine Association's agile members still weren't able to hold a candle to one of the imperial court's warriors. Our escort team's pugilists were able to take one two men each. The chubby midget from Qian Clan and Tea Lake Manor brought over a lot of men, but Night Fortress' surprises outnumbered them. There were fifteen to sixteen teams supporting Ming Feizhen. Each carriage transported, at the very least, thirty men. Furthermore, the midget and manager must've taken action of their own volition judging from the fact their subordinates were in the dark and had no desire to fight. As a consequence, the enemy forces weren't able to coordinate a defence.
The lanky adept didn't have a lot of men, but they were a ruthless bunch. He waited for an opening to swing a broadsword at Lyu Yaoqin. Though the girl learnt martial arts, she never used it practically, resulting in her freezing up in a real fight.
"Get lost!" Emperor Yuansheng brayed, palming the assailant just moments before he was about to succeed. Emperor Yuansheng sent him reeling over six metres and smashed the blood right out of him. Emperor Yuansheng then supported Miss Lyu and asked, "Are you all right, Miss Lyu?"
"I… I…"
Lyu Yaoqin seldom interacted with males owing to her family background and upbringing. Her face and body were ablaze when she was suddenly leaning on a tough and handsome man. Emperor Yuansheng's true qi augmented his masculinity to the point he charmed the maiden, but he was oblivious to the fact. He was lost in his old world, enjoying the thrill of a fight after so many years. He demonstrated exceptional proficiency of Six Harmonies Fist, a commonly utilised style in the martial world. The fight also served to allow him to let off some steam.
"Luo Sword Manor is the trigger in all of this. I must get to the bottom of it," decided Emperor Yuansheng, after he was done thrashing a few more men. "Long Zaitian, keep watch outside. I need to have a word with Miss Lyu in the carriage."
"Yes Sir! You do what you have to. I will not let even a fly through!"
Emperor Yuansheng dragged Miss Lyu into a carriage. Lyu Yaoqin's heart beat faster and faster after hearing Long Zaitian's response. In reality, Emperor Yuansheng never insinuated anything. Lyu Yaoqin didn't know how to react. The carriage they climbed into was big enough for seven people and, therefore, spacious.
Emperor Yuansheng released Lyu Yaoqin's hand: "Please take a seat."
Lyu Yaoqin felt strange when Emperor Yuansheng released her hand. Her father sent her on the delivery job in hopes she'd interact more with men as opposed to books, musical instruments and go pieces. If Ming Feizhen took a liking to her, he'd even celebrate. Lyu Yaoqin touched her hand, hoping Emperor Yuansheng would hold it again. She let her mind wander and imagined the appearance of her future husband, leading to her lust blazing across her face. She couldn't comprehend why she suddenly imagined such bold ideas.
"Miss?"
"Eh? Oh, ah, yes, sorry." Lyu Yaoqin hurriedly sat down after snapping out of it.
Emperor Yuansheng thought Lyu Yaoqin was still in shock after being caught in the crossfire: "Haha, worry not, Miss. With me here, nobody will lay a finger on you."
"Thank you, Sir… May I ask for your name?"
"Oh, my surname is Li. My first name is…"
Emperor Yuansheng almost never used his first name since his coronation. Regardless, to avoid anybody who might remember it identifying him, he needed a new name. His title, "Yuansheng" kept smashing against his lips until he remembered the name Ming Feizhen gave him. He didn't need to declare his name since asking an elder for their name was impolite. Alas, since he started answering, Lyu Yaoqin followed up with a smile: "Is…?"
"Li, Li, Li…"
"Li?"
"… Li Fangzhang."
"Fangzhang?"
Lyu Yaoqin giggled. Emperor Yuansheng cursed in his mind, "Look at the name you gave me, Ming Feizhen! Who uses 'abbot' for a name?! If he didn't mess with my head, I wouldn't have come up with such a ridiculous name!"
Unable to face Lyu Yaoqin alone with the name, he ordered, "Long Zaitian, come in!"
Long Zaitian brushed aside the curtain door and smiled: "Are you already done, Master? That was fast. Do you still have it in you?"
Lyu Yaoqin lowered her head. Emperor Yuansheng gave Long Zaitian a scowl: "Come in and listen to Miss Lyu explain Refining Divine Convention."
Long Zaitian awkwardly sat on half of a cushion as he didn't dare to sit as if he was Emperor Yuansheng's equal. Emperor Yuansheng then cleared his throat: "Ignore him, Miss. I want to ask about Refining Divine Convention. Please share with us everything you know about it."
"Well…"
"Please do not worry, Miss! You can trust me."
Lyu Yaoqing stared at Emperor Yuansheng. She took in a few deep breaths: "All right, Mr. Fangzhang!"
Emperor Yuansheng's expression looked as if someone hammered him in the face: "… Can you please not mention my name…?"
Sitting with only one butt cheek on the cushion and the other on thin air, Long Zaitian wore a stern and focused expression.
Lyu Yaoqin didn't hear Emperor Yuansheng's utterance, unfortunately. She explained, "Mr. Fangzhang, it is as I said before. After my father received the invitation three months ago, he planned to go. The reason it is named Refining Divine Convention is bec-."
"Because Luo Sword Manor has the longest history, so they treat the clan as a mythical sword furnace - Refining Divine Cast, correct?"
"You know about it, Mr. Fangzhang?"
Every time "Fangzhang" was mentioned, Emperor Yuansheng felt an urge to hit something. Long Zaitian refrained from commenting; else, he'd burst out in laughter if he opened his mouth.
"I heard about it when I was younger. Refining Divine Cast's flame is capable of refining the entire length of the sword into an extraordinary weapon worthy of being called a divine item."
"You are not old at all, Mr. Fangzhang. They mentioned in the invitation that they wanted to use the works accumulated over a decade to forge a rare and extraordinary weapon but are missing materials worthy of the weapon. They said it was impossible to find satisfactory material in nature."
Emperor Yuansheng nodded: "Long Zaitian, do you know anything about it?"
Long Zaitian cleared his throat: "According to what I know, the body of a weapon can be nurtured from natural material, but the core must be forged in life and death battles of the swordsman. Luo Sword Manor is right, but how does it have to do with Refining Divine Convention?"
"Luo Sword Manor has tried for many years but has been unable to produce the materials they need. Consequently, they reached out to others in the martial world. They offered to compensate anyone who could find the most compatible body and core."
Emperor Yuansheng frowned: "How can someone help with that? A weapon's core and body are the equivalent of the wielder and the weapon. It is not a question of quality; it is as absurd as asking to change one's arms and legs."
Lyu Yaoqin was reacted astounded: "You are very knowledgeable, Mr. Fangzhang. I do not know so much, but my father said something along those lines. He laughed and set the invitation aside. Besides the invitation, they sent us a metal sword yet to be unsheathed. The invitation accompanying the sword stated it was a sword suited for my father as a gift from Luo Sword Manor. They claimed it was only a mid-grade sword and to come to the convention if he wanted to see a true divine weapon."
Long Zaitian crossed his arms: "They gifted a sword specifically for him? Colour me bewildered."
A quality weapon didn't automatically imply it was suitable for someone; it had to suit the wielder's personal style, as well. For instance, the weight of the weapon and the wielder made drastic differences. Even if they utilised the same style, the sword would need to be different. Most established figures in the pugilistic world already had their own weapon that was usually as famous as they were. If Luo Sword Manor sent someone established a weapon and claimed it was the best weapon for them, it would be arrogance at its finest.
"My father's renowned Thousand Yang Swordplay is categorised as Jiaxing's best swordplay…"
Lyu Yaoqin suddenly realised she was in the presence of two martial arts experts; the two could've misunderstood she was gloating. She made the additional explanation out of habit. Emperor Yuansheng noticed her embarrassment and suavely smiled: "Hero Chun Yangzi certainly is a heroic swordsman in Jiangnan worthy of being ranked in the top six there, so I would believe he is Jiaxing's best."
Long Zaitian thought to himself, "Mount Lu Sword Sanctuary's master, deputy master, our grand commander, Yan Shisan, Master Luo and Preceptor of State Lai. Hah, the top six spots are already taken!"