"Sir, please accept this thousand taels of gold. Zhao Dan begs you to save Zhao Country …"
As soon as Xia Pingan opened his eyes, he saw a handsome young man with two tufts of beard kneeling in front of him and solemnly bowing to him. The young man got up, but his face was still full of worry.
A thousand taels of gold were placed on the table in front of them. The table was covered in gold.
Zhao Dan, King Zhao Xiaocheng. Sure enough, he had become Zhuangzi.
Xia Pingan was a little excited. He had guessed that this Realm Pearl was going to become Zhuangzi because the story of the Emperor's Sword came from Zhuangzi. He did not expect it to be true.
Zhuangzi was a big shot in Chinese culture. He was a figure who was on par with Laozi. Because of the many stories about Zhuangzi, the Realm Pearl was only named after the Emperor's Sword.
While thinking, Xia Pingan smiled, "Your Highness, you are too polite. Zhao Country is now strong and powerful. They have Lin Xiangru, Lian Po, Lord Pingyuan, Zhao She, and other officials supporting them. I really don't know why Your Highness invited me to Handan and gave me so much gold."
"Zhao Dan really doesn't dare to disgrace you with this amount of money. This money is only for the fee of your entourage. Thank you for escorting you to Handan. Zhao Dan heard that you are wise and holy. How can this amount of money measure your great talent? It's just that Zhao Country is in danger now. Zhao Dan also received advice from an expert. He said that only a wise and capable person like you can save Zhao Country. Zhao Dan invited you to Handan and wanted to meet you!" At this moment, Zhao Dan was extremely sincere in front of Zhuangzi. He was as respectful as a primary school student in front of his teacher.
"Oh, I wonder what kind of danger Zhao Country is in that made Your Highness so worried?" Xia Pingan asked.
"Sir, you took a carriage into the city before. Do you see anything different about Handan City now?" Zhao Dan asked.
"Handan City is very prosperous, but I see a lot of people carrying swords on the streets …" Xia Pingan said.
"Exactly!" Zhao Dan sighed, "Zhao's biggest worry right now is the sword. To tell you the truth, my father has been obsessed with swordsmanship for the past three years, and is now recruiting three thousand swordsmen in Handan. Every day, he is either practicing swordsmanship or watching swordsmen compete in swordsmanship. He has lost all interest in state affairs. Now, in Handan, there are people dying or being injured in the swordsmanship competitions every day. Everyone in Handan City is talking about swordsmanship, but they are not concerned about the state affairs at all. Servants from other countries come to Handan City to investigate, and when they see Zhao's situation, the surrounding vassals are already eyeing Zhao covetously. If this continues, Zhao will be in danger. That is why Zhao Dan sincerely asks Mister to save Zhao. It would be best if Mister could meet my father and ask him to stop this hobby of swordsmanship and focus on state affairs again."
As he spoke, Zhao Dan once again bowed to Xia Pingan.
Xia Pingan smiled and looked at his robe, "That's easy. Your Highness, please dress me up as the swordsman your father likes, and take me to see your father!"
Zhao Dan was stunned. Looking at the sage-like Xia Pingan, he hesitated for a moment, "Would this be disrespectful to Mister? The swordsman my father likes all have unkempt hair, protruding hair, low hat, thick tassels, tight clothes, and wide eyes. They don't like to talk and are brave and fierce …"
"It doesn't matter. Just say that I am good at swordsmanship and take me to see your father like this!"
Seeing Xia Pingan's confident look, Zhao Dan immediately ordered his subordinates to prepare Xia Pingan's outfit for a swordsman. It took three days for everything to be ready.
Zhao Dan prepared an exquisite swordsman outfit for Xia Pingan, a fitting swordsman uniform, a hat, and a sword. Then he sent someone to the palace to report to his father that he had brought a swordsman expert and wanted to enter the palace to show his swordsmanship to his father.
King Zhao Huiwen had been watching the swordsman competition in the palace for the past two days. When he heard that the Crown Prince had found a swordsman expert for him, he immediately became interested and immediately agreed to let Zhao Dan take Xia Pingan to the palace.
Crown Prince Dan and Xia Pingan sat in a carriage and directly entered the palace.
After entering the palace of the Zhao Kingdom, Xia Pingan saw King Zhao Huiwen in the main hall.
King Zhao Huiwen was actually an old acquaintance and was not a stranger. Xia Pingan had already seen him when he merged with the Returning the Jade to Zhao Kingdom Pearl.
King Zhao Huiwen was wearing a royal robe and a crown with nine heads on his head. He was very dignified. A crown with twelve heads was the Emperor of Zhou. Among the vassals, no one dared to let themselves wear a crown with twelve heads.
After the Crown Prince's introduction, Xia Pingan stood straight and had no intention of bowing. Zhao Dan watched from the side and kept winking at Xia Pingan. He almost broke out in cold sweat.
King Zhao Huiwen narrowed his eyes and looked at Xia Pingan. "Why don't you bow when you see this King?"
"I heard that the King likes swordsmanship. You should know that a true sword would rather break than bend. I cultivate my body with the sword and greet the King with my swordsmanship. There is no need for me to bow!"
King Zhao Huiwen heard this and was not angry. Instead, he became interested. He felt that Xia Pingan was different from the swordsmen he had seen before. "Oh, what realm has your swordsmanship reached? You actually dare to speak to this King like this?"
"My swordsmanship has reached the realm of killing one person in ten steps and not leaving a single trace for a thousand miles!"
"Killing one person in ten steps and not leaving a single trace for a thousand miles!" King Zhao Huiwen was shocked. His eyes lit up and he stood up from the throne. "Then wouldn't you be invincible? Tell me how you did it."
"The essence of swordsmanship is twelve words. Show it as a feint, open it as an advantage, launch it as an attack, and reach it first!"
When King Zhao Huiwen heard this, he seemed to have understood something. However, a so-called swordsman could not only talk, so he asked directly, "You are right. However, do you dare to compete with my swordsman on the spot?"
"Of course!"
"Hahaha …" King Zhao Huiwen laughed happily and said three good words. "Since that's the case, Sir, you can go and rest for a few days. When I choose the strongest swordsman, I will come and compete with you!"
…
Zhao Dan once again brought Xia Pingan out of the palace, his back drenched in cold sweat. Sitting in the carriage, Zhao Dan somewhat nervously asked Xia Pingan, "Mister, the 3000 swordsmen under my father's command are all sword experts of the State of Zhao. Mister didn't pay respects to my father in the main hall today, and even said that you could kill one person in ten steps without leaving a trace. My father has already become competitive and wants to fight for the title of invincible to dampen Mister's spirit. In a few days, he will definitely choose the strongest swordsmen to compete with Mister. Those swordsmen are one in ten thousand, and during the competition, they will all fight to the death. Killing can be done in the blink of an eye.
Zhao Dan couldn't be blamed for being nervous. He originally thought that when he brought Xia Pingan to the palace this time, he would be able to listen to Xia Pingan's glib tongue and persuade his father. He didn't expect that Xia Pingan had only said a few words in the palace this time, but his father was like a fighting cock and was directly provoked. He even wanted to choose experts to compete with Xia Pingan in swordsmanship. As the saying goes, a monarch's words are not joking. How could this be a joke?
"Your Highness, don't worry. We will see the result in a few days!" Xia Pingan said calmly.
Seeing that Xia Pingan was so confident, Zhao Dan could only listen to him.
For the next few days, Xia Pingan stayed in the residence that Zhao Dan had prepared for him, leisurely and carefree. On the other hand, Zhao Dan sent people to report to him every day, and those reports were all about how his father had arranged for the experts under his command to compete against each other, and who had been selected to spar with Xia Pingan in the main hall.
In order to select the experts to compete with Xia Pingan, King Zhao Huiwen had already lost dozens of swordsmanship experts in Handan City in the past few days.
In the past few days, the news that King Zhao Huiwen wanted to select swordsmanship experts to compete with an expert who could kill a person in ten steps without leaving a trace in a thousand miles spread all over Handan City. All the swordsmen went crazy over the news.
After seven days of selection, King Zhao Huiwen chose the five strongest swordsmen among his 3000 swordsmen to compete with Xia Pingan in the palace.
After the preparations were made, King Zhao Huiwen let Zhao Dan bring Xia Pingan to the palace again on this day.
When they arrived at the palace again, the atmosphere in the palace today was particularly somber. The palace guards in armor were all ready in high spirits. King Zhao Huiwen had also prepared the arena for the competition in the main hall. Some ministers in the court heard that King Zhao was selecting swordsmen to compete with others for the title of invincible swordsman, so they also came.
When Xia Pingan arrived at the palace, he saw that outside the main hall, there were already five swordsmen with swords waiting for him. The five swordsmen had different appearances. Some were arrogant, some were cold, and some were murderous. However, when they looked at him, their eyes were like swords, carrying an indescribable sharp killing intent. Sword intent surged all over their bodies.
King Zhao Huiwen had selected these five people among his 3000 swordsmen. There was no doubt that these five people were the top swordsmanship experts in the Zhao Kingdom.
Looking at the five swordsmanship experts, Xia Pingan sighed in his heart. These five people were also worthy of respect.
Seeing that Xia Pingan had arrived on time, King Zhao Huiwen was very happy and excited. "Sir, can we start the competition?"
"Yes!"
"I don't know what style and length of sword Sir needs. I have all of them here!"
"My swordsmanship is the same for both long and short swords. However, I have three sword techniques here for Your Majesty to choose from. Please let me explain first before we start the competition."
There were actually three sword techniques?
King Zhao Huiwen was also suddenly interested. He curiously asked, "What are the three sword techniques that Sir knows?"
Xia Pingan looked around and said loudly, "My three sword techniques are the Sword of the Emperor, the Sword of the Marquis, and the Sword of the Commoners. Which sword would Your Majesty like to choose?"
Hearing Xia Pingan's words, everyone was shocked. King Zhao Huiwen directly stood up from his seat. His attitude towards Xia Pingan suddenly became respectful. He asked, "I don't know what Sir's Sword of the Emperor is?"
"The Sword of the Emperor, with Yan Creek Shicheng as the edge, Qi and Dai as the edge, Jin and Wei as the spine, Zhou and Song as the core, Han and Wei as the pinnacle, with the Four Barbarians, with the Four Seasons, with the Bohai Sea, with the Changshan Mountains, with the Five Elements, with the Morality of Punishment, with the Yin and Yang, with the Spring and Summer, and with the Autumn and Winter. This sword is unparalleled in the front, unparalleled in the front, unparalleled in the bottom, and unparalleled in fate. Above the floating clouds, below the absolute earth. Once this sword is used, the Marquis, and the world will submit. This is the Sword of the Emperor, and the one who can use it is the Emperor … "
Xia Pingan's voice resounded throughout the palace like thunder. The entire palace was silent for a moment. Everyone was shocked.
Hearing this Sword of the Emperor, King Zhao Huiwen was absent-minded for a moment. His gaze looked outside the palace, somewhat blurred. It was as if he saw Shicheng, Mount Tai, the Central Plains … After a long time, he finally recovered.
"I don't know … what is Sir's Sword of the Marquis?" When he spoke again, King Zhao Huiwen's voice was different from before. There was a slight tremor, and there was a hint of bitterness.
"The Sword of the Marquis, with the wise warrior as the edge, the honest warrior as the edge, the virtuous warrior as the spine, the loyal warrior as the core, and the unyielding warrior as the pinnacle. This sword is unparalleled in the front, unparalleled in the top, unparalleled in the bottom, and unparalleled in fate. The Upper Law, the Round Sky, the Three Lights, the Lower Law, the Square Earth, the Four Seasons, and the people's will, the Four Villages. Once this sword is used, it is like the shock of thunder. Within the Four Kingdoms, there is no one who does not obey the Emperor's orders. This is the Sword of the Marquis. In today's great struggle, the Marquis will fight to use it … "
The palace was silent again!
After a while, King Zhao Huiwen opened his mouth again. His voice had become softer, as if he had lost something. "What is Teacher's Sword of the Commoners?"
Xia Pingan smiled slightly. "The Sword of the Commoners, the unkempt hair, the drooping crown, the Manhu tassels, and the short back clothes, is difficult to speak of. Striking at the front, the upper part cuts the neck, the lower part cuts the liver and lungs. This Sword of the Commoners is no different from a cockfight. Once one's life is gone, there is no use in the affairs of the state. Today, the King has the throne of the Emperor, and likes the Sword of the Commoners. I have chosen it for the King … "
Hearing Xia Pingan's words, the five swordsmen chosen by King Zhao Huiwen looked at each other. They all lowered their heads and remained silent. They did not dare to look at Xia Pingan again.
When King Zhao Huiwen heard this, his face was full of shame. He personally walked down from the throne and held Xia Pingan's hand as they walked into the main hall. He quickly ordered his subordinates to prepare good food and wine to entertain them. "Teacher's words today are like the evening drum and morning bell, waking me up. Thank Teacher for teaching me, thank Teacher for teaching me!"
Because he was too excited, King Zhao Huiwen paced around the main hall. He walked around the manor three times, but he did not know what to say.
Xia Pingan smiled slightly. "My King, please sit down and calm down. I have finished my report on the matter of swordsmanship. It is up to my King to decide what to do!"
…
Zhao Dan personally sent Xia Pingan out of the palace. Sitting in the carriage, Zhao Dan was extremely excited. He was too happy. He already respected Xia Pingan as if he was a god.
It was not an exaggeration to say that the words spoken in the manor hall just now were equivalent to saving the Zhao Kingdom from a great disaster.
"Teacher's words about the Sword of the Emperor are deafening. Dan has also benefited greatly. I ask Teacher to stay in Handan for a few more days and let Dan entertain Teacher well. If Teacher has any other requests, feel free to ask. I will definitely satisfy them …"
Xia Pingan looked in the direction of the palace. Just now, King Zhao had warmly entertained him in the palace. As for the five swordsmen chosen by King Zhao who were originally going to compete with him, no one cared about them anymore.
Although Xia Pingan did not know the names of the five swordsmen, they were people he truly admired. Their character and integrity made one sigh with emotion. They were true swordsmen.
In the story of Zhuangzi's swordsmanship, the one that Xia Pingan truly admired, other than Zhuangzi, was not King Zhao Huiwen or Zhao Dan, but those swordsmen who had committed suicide after realizing the greater good.
Xia Pingan's face did not have the slightest trace of happiness. Instead, he sighed, "Your Highness, the five swordsmen that His Majesty selected before were all loyal and righteous men. After listening to my words, they were all ashamed and did not dare to look at me again. In order not to delay the King and the Zhao Empire, I'm afraid that they have already committed suicide. Among the 3000 swordsmen before His Majesty, I'm afraid that many of them have committed suicide. They used their own lives to make the King cut off his love for the swords of the commoners. Such strength of character is admirable. Your Highness, please give the thousand taels of gold that you rewarded me to their families and give them a proper burial. Bury them with their swords and build a tomb for them.
Zhao Dan was also stunned. He did not expect Xia Pingan to make such a request.
"Teacher, rest assured. I will definitely do as you say!" Zhao Dan nodded seriously.
…
A few days later, on a hillside outside Handan City, there were hundreds of new graves. Among them, five were particularly eye-catching. These were the swordsmen who committed suicide under King Zhao after realizing their righteousness.
Xia Pingan personally brought two carriages of good wine to the graves to pay their respects. Zhao Dan also brought many attendants with him.
Looking at the new graves, Xia Pingan's heart surged. He pulled out his long sword and sang in front of the graves for the righteous swordsmen.
With a sword in hand, Xia Pingan's body moved with the sword. The sword light was like a dragon. It was true that he killed one person every ten steps. He did not stop for a thousand miles. The people around him looked at each other in shock.
In the sword light, Xia Pingan's voice was bleak and vast, resounding among the graves …
"My friend has a treasured sword. We are as close as friends. I hand it over with glue and paint. We drink together in the hall.
The wine reveals the liver and gallbladder. I hate that I can't cut open before my eyes. I sing the song of Jingqing loudly. I strike wildly.
I strike back and sing even more. I drink even more and live longer. The white rainbow flies up and roars from the green snake box.
I smell something strange. I suspect it is a puppet. I pray for you again. Can you see the divine object?
What you say is important to me. I will take it for you. I have burned incense in the box. I am close to the scabbard.
I draw the blade inch by inch. I bend the elbow. I kill the frost on the front. The moon is near.
I patrol and leap. I am shocked left and right. Thunder and lightning fill the room. The flood dragon walks around.
I cry for it. I have not seen this sword for a long time. When it is cast, it is broken near the mountain. It is hidden in the pine and osmanthus.
You are buried at the bottom of the prison. The deity is guarding the heart of the water. It was originally quenched in mud. It is not the thunder.
I want to comment on the sword art. I hope you will listen. The sword can bite the rhinoceros. The sword can cut Qiongjiu.
The sword art is in the clouds. The sword fights in the sun. The sword is in the belly of the demon snake. The sword strokes the head of the courtier.
At the beginning of the Archaic era, King Wu personally attacked Zhou. Yan Dan rolls the map. Chen Pingwan is a flower ribbon.
It was once pierced by the branches of the osmanthus. It was once used to cast agricultural tools.
The divine object finally changed. It became a dragon mound. At the end of the Jin Dynasty, the armory was burned.
In order to sweep away the crowd, it scattered like a broom. When one loses one's place, heroes and heroes are together.
Who cast it today? It will be a thousand years later. Since it is not the ancient style, it is not the Near Crow Nine.
I travel with you. My life is full of myself. Kuang Qing's sword is drawn. It is heavy with ambition.
How strange is this sword? How thick is this heart? I advise you to use it carefully. Do not use it carelessly.
A hidden general can ward off evil spirits. Do not guard against concubines. Stay to kill the flood dragon. Do not test the dog on the street.
You are trapped in the mud. I am also trapped in the dust. Vulgar ears shock big words. Do not open your mouth when you meet people. "
When Xia Pingan was wielding his sword, a gust of wind suddenly rose, and the sun and moon lost their light. The gust of wind blew the pines on the mountain like waves, the streams whimpered, and the sand and stones flew. In the mountain ridge, there was the sound of ghosts wailing and wolves howling, which resounded in all directions. Gusts of swirling sand mixed with pine needles and fallen leaves from the mountain ridge flew around Xia Pingan, accompanying his sword. It was as if Xia Pingan was practicing swordsmanship with him.
In the song, Xia Pingan rose into the air. On the cliff next to the swordsman's tomb, he left words in the air. Under the flying stone chips, five big words appeared on the cliff.
— Tomb of the Swordsmen of Huaxia!
After the song, the memorial ceremony was over. The long sword in Xia Pingan's hand shook. The long sword in his hand broke into pieces and turned into nothingness. The world of the Realm Pearl also shattered at the same time.
…
The new divine power was a total of 95 points!
Xia Pingan's body once again went through the process of surging divine power pouring into his body.
When everything calmed down, there was an additional golden relief sculpture in Xia Pingan's secret mandala. In the middle of the relief sculpture was the Son of Heaven holding a sword. The image of the Son of Heaven was exactly the same as the majestic Son of Heaven that Xia Pingan had seen when True Lord Minghe had summoned the Son of Heaven's Sword. Under the command of the Son of Heaven, there was an army of swordsmen led by five swordsmen.
The Son of Heaven, the five swordsmen, and the army of swordsmen were all brilliant and could be summoned.
This time … it seemed to be a breakthrough fusion …
Other than the Son of Heaven's Sword, there was also the Commoner's Sword.
Ordinary people who fused with the Son of Heaven's Sword would only have one summoning slot. They would not be able to summon other swordsmen.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
