“Clap! Clap! Clap!” Zhao City Lord smiled and was the first to applaud.
Following his lead, the audience below clapped thunderously, and a roaring sound filled the air.
Ning Yue held his long blade inverted, his silver robe draped neatly over him. The handsome young man with a jade-like face was now undoubtedly a true Zongqi.
Under the gaze of all, he turned his head and looked around.
Below the stage, Xue Ren, his good elder brother, had brilliant eyes and a face that could not hide his joy, though he tried to restrain it. He clapped his hands indifferently, unlike Xue Youwei, a Lian Rou Realm martial artist whose palms were already red from clapping.
Meanwhile, Wei Xian, Liu Song, and others were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes.
Then there was Young Master Xie, looking around with a dazed expression, as if his mind had wandered.
Not far from him, Shi Lei looked puzzled, filled with countless questions: Why had Ning Yue, who had given him the original Jie Mai Qinlong (Arresting Dragon Vein) cultivation method, actually succeeded in cultivating it?
And why was he himself still unable to even get started, his qi and blood always losing control whenever he circulated the method, almost leading to qi deviation?
Why?? Shi Lei fell into deep thought.
Ning Yue also saw Yu Chengdong and Feng Yong, who had resigned from their posts to him previously, standing among a group of black-armored guards, their heads bowed in silence.
“Ning Zongqi is truly a brave man. To have slain Zhu Qimo under his command, it truly justifies the high regard I had for him back then,” Han Yu, Han Qianhu, said with a chuckle.
“Hmph, if not for the Cold Light Blade bestowed by Han Qianhu, Ning Yue would likely have been powerless, despite his brute strength. Eh? That doesn't seem to be the Cold Light Blade in Ning Yue’s hand,” Mo Zhenfu (Prefect Mo) said with a puzzled expression.
“Eh? How is it that the blade at the waist of that burly distant relative of the Xue Family looks very similar to the blade Han Qianhu wore that day? How very strange.”
Xue Zhenfu looked straight ahead, smiling but saying nothing.
Only then did Han Yu realize that it seemed... it was indeed the case!
His expression changed, and he could no longer smile.
The two Qianhu announced the outcome of the second round of the martial arts demonstration. Zhu Qimo, along with his great halberd, fell before the threshold of advancing to the Forging Bone Realm, and also fell beneath the Whispering Blade.
After Ning Yue held his blade and looked around, he realized that those waiting to fight below the stage had already disappeared, each having gone their separate ways.
He couldn't help but smile sadly and say, “Is there anyone who can face me and not be defeated?!”
Below the stage, there was a profound silence, but Han Yu on the stage chuckled and spoke.
“I have a personal guard named Li Muqiang. He came from a humble background, but his bone structure is excellent, and he is obsessed with martial arts. He is only twenty-six this year, but he has already entered the initial Forging Bone Realm. He and Ning Zongqi are both young heroes.”
“I was thinking, since they both hold Ninth-Rank positions, it would be a suitable match. However, his realm is a bit higher, and I wonder if Ning Zongqi would mind?”
Ning Yue had his back turned, pretending not to hear.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate!” Xue Zhenfu interrupted, “A man reaches adulthood at twenty. Since he’s already nearing thirty, calling him ‘young’ might be a bit unsuitable, and could even invite ridicule.”
This was not the Qianhu banquet, and Xue Zhenfu’s status and position did not require him to be polite to Han Yu. Thus, he retorted directly, leaving no room for courtesy.
“I think it’s quite suitable. Since there’s no one among the Zongqi who dares to fight, and we’ve only completed two of the three challenges, and Li, the personal guard, and Ning Yue are both young... uh, young heroes,” Mo Zhenfu interjected.
“Heh! If you want to fight, then fight! Stop rambling. All I see is that Ning brat showing off on stage, and no one can stop him!”
Xie Zhenfu’s teeth were almost ground to dust. Before today, he would never have believed that Zhu Qi would lose!
He wondered where the Xue Family had found this martial arts monster? Before reaching adulthood, he had already comprehended the true meaning of martial arts, and could even unleash a strike with power almost comparable to a Heaven-grade martial technique.
Such combat power, even if not unprecedented in the Yijin (Tendon Changing) Realm, was probably unmatched within a decade or so.
The Zhenfu argued amongst themselves for a while, then all turned their gaze to Zhao City Lord, who sat in the center.
Zhao Nan Ting chuckled, “I don’t think it’s necessary. These three challenges are meant to be a martial arts trial for newly appointed Zongqi. Since Ning Yue has already defeated Zhu Qimo and Young Master Mo, his record is naturally beyond question.”
“Moreover, there’s no one left below the stage now, so sending another personal guard would be superfluous.”
Han Yu listened, feeling very unconvinced, and was about to argue.
But then he saw Zhao City Lord raise an eyebrow and say, “The military merits for this martial arts demonstration will be doubled according to the three-challenge standard and awarded to Ning Zongqi, along with a hundred taels of gold to aid his cultivation!”
Xue Zhenfu raised an eyebrow at this, looking at the City Lord in surprise. There were countless brave warriors and numerous clans in the army, and countless who had achieved merits and established careers, yet the City Lord had never shown such favor. Why today was he showing such partiality to a young man from a humble background?!
Ning Yue, facing the high platform, was also delighted.
He thought to himself: As expected of his future father-in-law, he is truly generous!
One tael of gold was ten taels of silver. Though the money wasn't much, the military merits were substantial!
With the military merits for successfully completing the three challenges doubled, Ning Yue would likely have more than enough to choose two or three Earth-grade cultivation methods.
Only the Celestial Mystery Arts were not easily imparted; otherwise, if he saved up a bit more and had his good elder brother smooth things over, it would be almost enough.
Currently, just one Jie Mai Qinlong (Arresting Dragon Vein) had allowed Ning Yue to comprehend the true meaning of martial arts, making him almost invincible within the Outer Heaven Complete Realm.
If he acquired two or three more, Ning Yue was genuinely worried whether his good elder brother, in the Forging Bone Realm, would be able to hold onto his Baihu position, and if he could withstand the crazy ambition of his younger brother below him.
However, on the high platform, everyone else frowned.
“City Lord, I fear this is inappropriate.” Han Zhenfu, who had been silent for a long time, spoke first.
Han Zhenfu was the oldest, and his seniority was even deeper than the City Lord’s by a few points.
He had guarded Gu City for over fifty years throughout his life, and even now, though he was below the City Lord and nearing retirement, he still held considerable influence.
His opinion carried significant weight, and everyone present had to consider it carefully.
Han Zhenfu stroked his white beard lightly, stood up, bowed, and said, “Those who receive rewards without merit are not accepted by generals. Ning Yue is young and has already achieved a high position. If we continue to bestow favors upon him, it is like cooking with raging fire and oil, which may lead to an early demise!”
“If the City Lord truly trusts this son, he can wait until he is older before bestowing honors. For now, we should follow the old rules.”
“I imagine all the esteemed sirs think the same.”
After Han Zhenfu finished speaking, he stood up and spread his hand.
Han Yu immediately bowed and said, “That is only right. I ask the City Lord to reconsider!”
Upon hearing this, Mo and Xie, the two Zhenfu, along with a dozen Qianhu, all stood up.
“We ask the City Lord to reconsider!”
“We hope the City Lord does not spoil this son!”
...
Xue Chengwu also finally couldn't sit still. After pondering for a long time, he slowly stood up and echoed, “I also hope the City Lord reconsiders!”
The high platform of the martial arts arena was full, and in the blink of an eye, more than half of the people had stood up.
Aristocratic families kill without shedding blood; they strike at subtle, crucial points, often making it impossible for people to move forward!
Zhao Nan Ting looked around. Apart from his two children by his side, there were few others left.
But his expression showed no anger; instead, he chuckled and also stood up.
“Gu City has never been a one-man show. This City Lord has his own plans regarding the concerns of all you esteemed sirs!”
He extended his hand, and his five fingers suddenly clenched. From the side platform of the herald, a thin yellow military order paper seemed to grow wings, floating gracefully to his hand.
“Xingwu, pass the newly drafted military order to all the esteemed sirs.”