Lin Muyu had broken the proud work of the weaponsmithing master, Yuchi Yan, with a single strike. This was undoubtedly shocking news. Many important officials had thought that Lin Muyu, a member of the Imperial Guard, would definitely lose, but no one had expected that Lin Muyu would win so cleanly. The Yuchi family's treasured sword had not been damaged, but had been directly broken and destroyed!
"Mu has indeed won!"
Tang Xiaoxi stood behind Feng Jixing in her position as a princess. She was dressed in a fiery red embroidered princess robe and looked very beautiful. She was also the first person present to speak. Perhaps she was the only one who was full of confidence in Lin Muyu?
Beside the Emperor's throne, Qin Yin also covered her mouth and laughed. "Imperial Father, you are the witness. Shouldn't you announce the results?"
Qin Jin recovered from his shock and smiled. "As the witness, I now announce that Lin Muyu has won the competition. Then … according to the previous bet, Lord Yuchi Yan will have to pay the Imperial Guard, Lin Muyu, 200,000 Jin Yin coins. I heard that the Yuchi family has been operating in Heaven's Pivot Province for many years. 200,000 Jin Yin coins should be a small token, right?"
"As Your Majesty has decreed!"
Yuchi Yan's face was deathly pale. After he respectfully cupped his fists and bowed, he took out a gold note from his bosom. The amount of 200,000 Jin Yin coins was clearly written on it. It was also stamped with Yuchi Yan's handprint and personal signature, as well as the Yuchi family's seal. With this, the gold note was in effect. He presented the gold note with both hands and said with a cold look in his eyes, "Lin Muyu, this is what you deserve."
Lin Muyu took the gold note and stuffed it into her Cosmos Sack. She cupped her fists and smiled. "Thank you, Lord Yuchi Yan, for your reward."
Emperor Qin Jin laughed and said, "Yu, you may enter the ranks!"
"Yes!"
Originally, Lin Muyu did not have the qualifications to be one of the ministers in the imperial court. After all, he was only a mere Level Six Xiang Dragon General. Those who were able to stand here were at least of the Third Grade. However, today was the day of the Sword Duel Tournament, so he was exempted from being a military general. There were two people standing behind Qin Lei, one was the Dragon Guard Commander Chu Huaiying, the other was the Tiger Guard Commander Zhuge Yun. Hence, there was still one more position that belonged to Lin Muyu, the Eagle Guard Commander.
But just as Lin Muyu was about to walk over, Yuchi Yan, who was behind her, growled, "Lin Muyu, wait!"
"What's wrong?" He slowly turned around.
There was a trace of doubt in Yuchi Yan's eyes as he said, "According to what I know, a weapon that can break a Profound rank third level sword should at least be a saint rank weapon. Just now I saw the saint beast soul of your sword, you … where did you get this sword from? Logically speaking, with your age, it's impossible for you to comprehend the 'Craftsmanship of Fire and Iron' and forge a saint rank weapon, right? "
He knew that this matter would not be resolved so easily. If he did not give an explanation, Lin Muyu would definitely not be able to get past this obstacle. Hence, he cupped his fists and smiled, saying, "Not long ago, a hermit who was well-versed in the art of blacksmithing passed by Lanyan City and just happened to stop at the back of Eagle Nest Mountain. Thus, I have some relations with him, so I bought the materials and asked him to forge this Purple Ying Sword for me to present to Her Highness. Lord Yuchi, our bet was only to see who could take out a stronger sword, it did not say that I had to forge it myself!"
"I see …"
Yuchi Yan actually laughed. He must have felt that he was still the strongest blacksmith of the younger generation in the world. Hence, he regained some confidence and cupped his fists with a smile, saying, "Although Lord Lin Muyu played a trick, but … I, Yuchi Yan, am willing to concede defeat. These two hundred thousand Jinyin coins shall be considered as a gift to the Eagle Nest Camp, heh …"
"Thank you, Lord Yuchi, for your generosity!"
Lin Muyu walked forward with the Purple Ying Sword in her hand. She looked up at Qin Jin from afar and said, "Your Majesty, Lin Muyu hereby presents this seventh rank saint rank Purple Ying Sword to Her Highness. I hope that Your Majesty will allow it."
Qin Jin smiled happily and said, "Of course. Xiao Yin is your sister, so it is only right that you, as her brother, should do the same … Xiao Yin, hurry up and accept your Big Brother Yu's gift!"
Qin Yin was even more overjoyed. She walked to the edge of the golden steps and reached out to hold the tassels under her princess robe. She walked down the steps in a very ladylike manner. Her beautiful eyes were in high spirits as she looked at Lin Muyu with a smile. Her eyes were filled with deep affection. She raised her face to look at Lin Muyu, and her facial features suddenly became restrained. She obediently made a face at Lin Muyu and said with a smile, "Big Brother Yu, thank you for your Purple Ying Sword!"
Looking at the Eldest Princess who was as beautiful as a fairy, Lin Muyu couldn't help but feel her heart sway at this moment. She presented the sword and said, "Your Highness, please examine it and see if you like it."
"Mm."
Qin Yin took the sword and pulled it out of the sheath with a "dang" sound. The blade was surrounded by a faint flame dragon pattern, and the overall design was very exquisite and elegant. Near the hilt of the sword, the two words "Qin Yin" were engraved. That was her own handwriting. Under the surging power of the sword spirit, a flame lingered around the engraved words, and a flame actually appeared one centimeter away from the blade: "Qin Yin". It was very beautiful, and after cutting Yuchi Yan's sword in half, there wasn't even a scratch on the edge of the sword. The eight compound edges were not fake!
"Do you like it?" Lin Muyu asked with a smile.
Qin Yin sheathed the sword and caressed the sheath lovingly. She said, "Mm, I like it. Thank you, Big Brother Yu!"
"Mm, as long as you like it. I'm going to join the ranks."
"In a while, Big Brother Yu, do your best at the Sword Duel Tournament!"
"Got it. Thank you, Your Highness, for your encouragement!"
Lin Muyu smiled lightly and returned to Qin Lei's back. He didn't show that he was overly intimate with Qin Yin in the hall. After all, this wasn't a good thing. Qin Yin was Her Highness, and who knew how many princes and nobles were thinking about this heir to the Empire. The closer Lin Muyu and Qin Yin were, the more enemies they would make. With the current situation, Lin Muyu didn't want to attract more jealousy and hatred. After all, his strength was still not enough. If it was … if it was the Longdan Army Camp that had developed and was able to have a hundred thousand elite troops, then Lin Muyu could be unscrupulous.
Before his strength was not enough, he should first endure. This was the first principle that Lin Muyu learned in this world.
…
Qin Yin held the Ziyin Sword and returned to the Emperor's side. Qin Jin smiled slightly and said, "Today is a big day. The Sword Duel Tournament that is held once every three years. All the outstanding talents of the Empire will participate in this banquet. I wonder who will get the Dragon Talisman this year. Let's go. My beloved subjects, follow me out of the Ze Tian Palace and to the viewing platform."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Qin Jin shook his arms and walked down from the throne. Qin Yin chased after him and held her father's arm. Under Qin Lei's gaze, Lin Muyu and Chu Huaiying protected the Emperor and the princess on both sides. Qin Yin turned around and saw Lin Muyu. She couldn't help but smile. "Big Brother Yu, your injuries haven't completely healed. Don't force yourself in today's Sword Duel Tournament …"
"Don't worry. My injuries have more or less recovered."
"Mm, that's good."
At the side, Tang Xiaoxi quickly caught up and said with a smile, "Mu, if you meet my older brother, Tang Bin, you must be careful. His Fire Fox Seal has already been cultivated to the seventh layer. Its power is extremely shocking."
"Xiao Xi's older brother?" Lin Muyu was stunned.
At the side, Qin Yin smiled and explained, "In the Seven Seas Tang Sect, Tang Lan has a total of three sons. The eldest son only has a daughter, Xiao Xi. The second son has two sons, Tang Bin and Tang Lu. Duke Lan's third son also has a son and a daughter. The son is called Tang Tian and the daughter is called Tang Wei. It can be said that in the Seven Seas Tang Sect, Tang Bin, Tang Lu, and Tang Tian are all important competitors for Xiao Xi. It is still unknown who will inherit Duke Lan's title in the end!"
Lin Muyu faintly smiled and said, "According to my understanding, in the Qin Empire, the inheritance of titles is passed down to the eldest and not the youngest. If this is the case … … Xiao Xi is the eldest son's daughter, so her chances of inheriting the title should be the highest, right?"
Tang Xiaoxi shook her head and said with a smile, "It's not like what you think, Mu. The Seven Seas Tang Sect cultivates a secret art called 'Fire Fox Seal'. The Fire Fox Seal has a total of nine layers. It is the Tang Sect's most overbearing secret art. Cultivating it with the Fire Fox Martial Soul will yield twice the results with half the effort. So, generally speaking, whoever has the strongest Fire Fox Seal will have the most qualifications to become the successor of the Tang Sect. As for me … … I have almost no chance!"
"Why?" Lin Muyu was puzzled.
Tang Xiaoxi giggled, "Because … … since ancient times, the Fire Fox Seal is powerful and overbearing. All the females in the Tang Sect are unable to cultivate it. Only the males can cultivate it … …"
"So that's how it is … …"
Lin Muyu nodded and said with a smile, "Then Xiao Xi, my condolences … …"
Tang Xiaoxi giggled, "I don't care who the successor of the Tang Sect is. It's fine as long as Grandfather dotes on me."
"Mm."
Lin Muyu didn't say anything else. Perhaps it was better to be like Tang Xiaoxi, who had no desires or demands.
… …
Outside the imperial city, when Qin Jin, Qin Yin, Tang Xiaoxi, Qin Lei, and the other "members of the imperial family" stepped out of the Ze Tian Palace Hall's entrance, the commoners in the distance cheered. Everyone squeezed together, wanting to see the Emperor and Her Highness' true faces.
"Be on guard, protect the safety of His Majesty and Her Highness." Qin Lei shouted in a low voice.
Immediately, a group of Dragon Guards and Tiger Guards spread out one after another, forming a four-sided formation to protect the Emperor, the princess, and the civil and military officials. However, these Imperial Guards didn't use a shield formation, because this would make it seem that the Emperor wasn't close to the commoners.
However, looking at the sea of people and the cheers in the distance, Lin Muyu couldn't help but feel a little astonished. It was really very rare to have such popular support.
As the commander of the Eagle Guards, Lin Muyu's position was getting further and further away from the Emperor and the princess. Instead, she was walking side by side with Feng Jixing. Both of them had long swords strapped to their waists, their hands on the hilts of their swords, and their heroic white robes fluttered in the wind, looking very beautiful.
"Looks like His Majesty can also be considered to have the support of the people …" Lin Muyu said softly with a smile.
The corner of Feng Jixing's mouth curled up, and he said, "Ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, it can be said that he has proclaimed benevolence and virtue to the world. Although he fought in the north and south in the early years, he never raised taxes. Under the protection of the imperial capital, the weather in the eight northern provinces is smooth, and there hasn't been any war for more than ten years. The commoners live and work in peace and contentment, so naturally they will support this good Emperor."
"I see."
Lin Muyu wanted to say something, but she stopped herself. In fact, everyone understood that Qin Jin was more than benevolent, but lacked the authority of a monarch. Otherwise, there wouldn't be such undercurrents surging in the imperial army.
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