This was the second time Hong Yi had seen the Champion Marquis. This Da Qian dynasty had commanded hundreds of thousands of soldiers at a young age, suppressed the frontier fortress, and fought against Yun Meng.
The first time was half a month ago in the desolate Heavenly Witch City. At that time, he was in high spirits and had a heroic spirit. He was arrogant and overbearing, as if he could kill gods and destroy Buddhas, and even the heavens and earth had to submit to him.
But now, at the state banquet of the Yun Nation, this Champion Marquis had a different temperament.
He fanned himself with one hand and held a luminous cup in the other, drinking elegantly. The two headbands that bound the purple-gold crown on his head hung down. His eyes were like stars, and his face was like jade. He had an indescribable air of elegance and elegance.
He was on an equal footing with the ruler of a nation, drinking and chatting merrily. He was also a minister of the nation, holding great diplomatic power, and contacting various nations. He had the demeanor of a prime minister.
Seeing the Champion Marquis's behavior, Hong Yi had originally thought that this person only knew how to lead troops to war and kill on the battlefield. But now, he had a deeper understanding of this person.
"He really does have a bit of the meaning of 'when on horseback, he can govern the army, and when off horseback, he can pacify the people'. I wonder if he will become another Hong Xuanji in the future?"
Hong Yi thought to himself. Comparing the Champion Marquis and Hong Xuanji, these two Da Qian ministers, one old and one young, were both brave youths and invincible commanders on the battlefield. Their experiences were also quite similar.
For a nation, such a legacy from generation to generation was a symbol of prosperity.
However, Hong Yi did not have a good impression of this Champion Marquis.
Not only did he kill the imperial envoy, General Xiao Tianyao, but the fact that the Champion Marquis had the same experience as Hong Xuanji. This was enough to make Hong Yi unhappy.
Logically speaking, Hong Yi's current achievements were not low, and he could be considered as one of the top figures in the world of Taoism. They were both young. One was Ghost Immortal, and the other was Wu Sheng. Both of them were ministers of the Da Qian, and they should have a slight appreciation for each other. However, Hong Yi did not have the slightest of such feelings.
Moreover, he did not intend to change his disgust. Although he had cultivated to become a ghost immortal, he did not cultivate the Supreme Path of Forgetting Emotions. All his emotions were expressed in his temperament. If he had a good impression, then he had a good impression. If he had a bad impression, then he had a bad impression. He would definitely not try to suppress or change it.
"It's the jealousy in my heart that caused me to feel disgusted. If Hong Xuanji had allowed me to practice martial arts from a young age, then my achievements wouldn't have been any less than this Champion Marquis. This kind of person, I can't blacken him right now, but I have to think of a way to properly suppress him. I have to make him feel a sense of defeat. Only then will I be able to dispel his spirit of killing gods and exterminating Buddhas and the eight desolate lands and rivers beneath his feet. This is his Dao heart. As long as his Dao heart is broken, his achievements will stop here. It's already a headache for the Da Qian court to produce a Hong Xuanji. If another person like Hong Xuanji were to appear, wouldn't that be terrible? "
The moment Hong Yi stepped into the great hall of the Yun Nation's imperial palace and saw the Champion Marquis, he decided to find an opportunity to ruthlessly strike at the Champion Marquis' confidence.
In the words of Taoism techniques, he wanted to break his Dao heart.
The Champion Marquis' Dao heart was a spirit that could control creation and exterminate Buddhas. As long as he felt a sense of defeat, his Dao heart would definitely be shaken, and his cultivation would come to a halt.
Although the Champion Marquis did not cultivate Taoism techniques, but martial arts, the will of the heart was the foundation of everything. Once it was shaken, his entire person would be crippled.
Hong Yi did not want the Champion Marquis to become a Worldly Immortal like Hong Xuanji in the future.
Although it was extremely difficult to cultivate from Wu Sheng to Worldly Immortal, it was much more difficult than the Life and Death Barrier of Dao techniques and the Ghostly Immortal Realm. Even a genius like Saber Sage Gong Yangyu could not break through.
Even a person like Hong Xuanji was stuck at this barrier for a full 20 years.
Yin Yue had only barely reached the Worldly Immortal Martial Dao after cultivating the Rulai Sutra.
But even if it was difficult, Hong Yi felt that the Champion Marquis had hope of breaking through.
Once one reached the Worldly Immortal Realm, one's fist intent would be at the peak. No evil could invade and no demons could enter. Even a Demon King like the Peacock King, who had gone through three or four lightning tribulations, could not do anything about it. Such an existence was extremely terrifying.
No one knew that the moment he walked into the great hall and saw the Champion Marquis, Hong Yi had already roughly analyzed his opponent. At the same time, he had made some plans in his heart.
Although Hong Yi had decided to suppress the Champion Marquis, when he walked into the great hall, the Champion Marquis did not seem to care about him at all.
When Hong Yi, Chan Yinsha, and Arachnida Gigantea walked into the great hall, the Champion Marquis' eyes only lingered on him for a moment. After a slight flash, he looked at Chan Yinsha and the little girl, Arachnida Gigantea, who was completely condensed from God's soul.
Hong Yi had completely retracted his God's soul and spread it all over his body. He appeared to be an expert who had just entered the Martial Grandmaster Realm. Moreover, he had used the Thoughtless Tranquility realm to condense the True Martial Fist Intent. From this point, many people found it hard to imagine that he was a Dao technique expert. They only thought that he was a pure martial arts practitioner.
Although a Martial Grandmaster was rare, in the eyes of a person like the Champion Marquis, it was not a big deal.
The Qiankun Dragon Guards that he commanded were all Martial Grandmasters with profound martial arts.
"Hmm?"
Hong Yi even heard the Champion Marquis exclaim when he saw Arachnida Gigantea, as well as the flash of doubt on his face.
Behind him, Sect Leader Fang Xiandao, Xiao Anran, and the Divine Eagle King had their eyes on Chan Yinsha. They did not seem to care about Arachnida Gigantea.
With this, they could determine the level of his eyesight.
Sect Leader Fang Xiandao, Xiao Anran, and the Divine Eagle King did not have the eyesight of the Champion Marquis.
When a Thunder Tribulation expert's God's soul deliberately transformed into something, even a ghost immortal would not be able to detect it.
Of course, if Xiao Anran and the Divine Eagle King used their thoughts to scan Arachnida Gigantea's body, they would still be able to sense that it was a spiritual manifestation.
However, at the Rising Cloud Nation's national banquet, the two ghost immortals were not willing to split their thoughts. It should be known that a Ghost Immortal expert's thoughts could cause a bone-chilling wind to blow. Ordinary people would feel very uneasy.
"The Princess has arrived. Musicians, halt!"
The etiquette officer of the Yun Nation issued an order.
Immediately, many of the musicians who were striking the bronze bells and jade plates stopped. The beautiful music was also cut off, and the banquet in the hall was temporarily interrupted. The civil and military officials of the Yun Nation were all looking at the arrival of Princess Chan Yinsha.
"My son, you're here. Hurry and come to my side. You've been training in seclusion. I didn't want to disturb you, but today, the Da Qian champion Marquis has come to the Yun Nation. I had no choice but to disturb you."
The King of the Rising Cloud Nation had white hair at his temples and a squarish face. Between his brows, one could tell that he was a capable and hardworking person. However, when he saw Chan Yinsha, his expression changed to one of benevolence.
The king of the Rising Cloud Nation, Chan Huicang, was Chan Yinsha's father in this life.
In this life, Chan Yinsha's reincarnation was the biological daughter of the King and Queen of the Yun Nation. She wasn't a princess from a side family.
According to the Yun Nation's historical records, when the queen gave birth to Chan Yinsha, she dreamt that thousands of silver sharks were worshiping her in the ocean. They placed a pearl in her arms, which was how she gave birth to Chan Yinsha.
The people of the Yun Nation knew that the moment this princess was born, she could command the ferocious silver sharks in the ocean and even ride them to travel. Since then, the people of the Yun Nation had never encountered sharks or other sea monsters when they went fishing. Sometimes, when their boats were capsized, the silver sharks would rescue them and send them ashore. When they encountered bandits, the silver sharks would destroy their boats and kill them.
This kind of supernatural phenomenon naturally made the people of the Yun Nation revere Chan Yinsha as a celestial being and the reincarnation of the Sea God.
This was what the common people said, but the cultivation experts all knew that Chan Yinsha was the reincarnation of Silver Shark.
When Chan Yinsha heard the greeting, he nodded slightly at Hong Yi and sat down next to Chan Huicang.
"Royal Father, give them a seat as well."
Chan Huicang looked at Hong Yi and Arachnida Gigantea and couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Royal Son, these two are?"
It had to be known that this was a state banquet, and the Yun Nation was a place that paid great attention to etiquette. It could be seen from the brothels on both sides of the royal road that they strictly followed ancient etiquette.
The sudden appearance of two untimely people at a state banquet was an extreme breach of etiquette.
Hong Yi was fine, he had a dignified appearance and the temperament of a scholarly official, but Arachnida Gigantea was too much of an embarrassment. Her head was wide open, her hair was braided into two ponytails, and she constantly looked around like a naughty little girl.
"This is the Patrol Envoy of the Da Qian Pacification Navy. He has business dealings with me, and that is a fellow Daoist with whom I cultivate."
Chan Yinsha calmly said.
"En, give them a seat! Royal Son, your fellow Daoist can sit with you. Since that young man is the Patrol Envoy of the Da Qian Pacification Navy, he can sit below the Champion Marquis. "
Chan Huicang instructed the eunuch.
"No need, move the seat to my side." Chan Yinsha waved his hand and said to the eunuch.
"This …" The eunuch looked awkwardly at Chan Yinsha, then at Chan Huicang.
"Do as Princess says." Chan Huicang waved his hand.
"Your Majesty, Princess, this subject has something to say." At this moment, an official dressed in court robes with a long beard stood up and walked in front of Chan Huicang. He bent down and said in a barely audible voice, "Today, the emissary of the Celestial Empire has arrived. My country is hosting a state banquet, and I hope that Your Majesty and Princess will abide by etiquette. Otherwise, when the emissary returns, he will mock our Rising Cloud Nation as barbarians who don't understand etiquette. I hope Your Majesty and Princess will reconsider."
"This … Royal Son, the Grand Secretary's words are reasonable. It's fine if that young lady is your fellow Daoist, but that young man is the Patrol Envoy of the Da Qian Pacification Navy. According to the etiquette of the state banquet, he shouldn't sit on the same level as Your Majesty," Chan Huicang said.
"Grand Secretary, it's fine. This princess is a cultivator and doesn't need to pay attention to etiquette. However, your advice is also reasonable. You may be rewarded with a pearl and thirty bolts of silk. You may leave."
Chan Yinsha smiled and said.
This official was the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Cabinet of the Rising Cloud Nation. He was loyal and a renowned scholar who was proficient in Confucianism. When he was young, he had studied etiquette in the Da Qian and was a member of the Imperial College. His advice now was indeed reasonable, so even though Chan Yinsha didn't listen to his advice, he still rewarded him.
"Yes!" The Grand Secretary originally wanted to remonstrate again, but with the Champion Marquis present, arguing with the king would seem impolite, so he retreated.
The eunuch then brought over a table and placed it next to Chan Yinsha.
After such a small interlude, the entire hall of the State Banquet was filled with whispers.
The civil and military officials of the Rising Cloud Nation were whispering among themselves, guessing why Princess Chan Yinsha would allow a young man of low status to sit next to her.
Hong Yi was the Patrolling Sea Envoy of the Pacification Navy. Although he was also a general, the difference between him and the Champion Marquis was like heaven and earth. Any of the personal guards of the Champion Marquis would probably have a higher status than Hong Yi.
The state banquet was a place where etiquette was the most important, and no mistakes could be made. This was especially so for the entire Imperial Court of the Rising Cloud Nation, which strictly followed Confucian etiquette.
"The Patrolling Sea Envoy of the Pacification Navy? Who is he? There's actually a general in the Pacification Navy who has reached the Martial Grandmaster Realm? "
At this time, the Champion Marquis was paying close attention to Hong Yi. Seeing Hong Yi calmly eating after sitting down, the Champion Marquis couldn't help but frown.
"Marquis, this is the illegitimate son of Senior Grand Tutor Hong, and his name is Hong Yi. This year's Spring County Examination, he was the top scorer and has some literary talent. Later on, because of the oppression of the family's Eldest Mother, he switched allegiance to Prince Yu and was recommended to join the Pacification Navy. After achieving military merits, he wants to set up his own family. "
Just as the Champion Marquis asked this question, a guard behind him leaned over and whispered in his ear.
"Oh? Senior Grand Tutor Hong's son. Senior Grand Tutor Hong has 16 sons and seven daughters. The ones who are truly outstanding are Hong Xi and Hong Kang. The rest are just spoiled brats. I didn't expect such a character to appear. "The Champion Marquis waved his fan.
With the status of the Champion Marquis, he naturally wouldn't know someone like Hong Yi.
Although Hong Xuanji was famous, Hong Xuanji had 16 sons and seven daughters. If they weren't outstanding, no one would pay attention to them.
Although Hong Yi had made a small contribution, how could it attract the attention of the Champion Marquis?
They were of the same age, but the difference in status was too big.
"Marquis, that Chan Yin seems to be interested in that Hong Yi! Actually, Marquis is famous and his cultivation is top-notch. In the future, he might even become a Worldly Immortal. Although this Chan Yinsha is a Demon King, he is still in human form. He is a good match for you, Marquis. Moreover, now that Daoist Condor King is working for Marquis, it can't be considered a disgrace to Silver Shark. "
At this moment, Xiao An Ran smiled and whispered to the Champion Marquis.
Xiao An Ran naturally knew that the Champion Marquis had come to the Yun Nation not only to investigate the death of the Fubo Army's Grand Marshal, but more importantly, to meet Chan Yinsha, and then …
"Although that Hong Yi is not bad, he is only a Martial Dao Grandmaster. How can he be a good match for a Demon King or a Ghostly Immortal? I think that Silver Shark treats him favorably only because of that little girl. " The Champion Marquis gently waved his fan and smiled. "I know that the Yuan Tu Princess, Consort Yuan, is the reincarnation of Monarch Sweetyfox. A Demon King as His Majesty's concubine is a beautiful story. This Silver Shark is comparable to Consort Yuan."
"Has Marquis been moved?"
Xiao An Ran smiled.
Xiao An Ran also vaguely knew that the Champion Marquis and the Da Qian Emperor had an unclear relationship. He was most likely an illegitimate child, or else he would not be so trusted. The matter of an illegitimate child, as well as the fact that the Da Qian Emperor had married Monarch Sweetyfox, Consort Yuan, was unknown to the officials and the people. Even some of the princes did not know about it. However, as the leader of the Daoist Sect and a Ghostly Immortal expert, Xiao An Ran, who frequently entered and exited the palace, knew many secrets that no one else knew.
Many cultivators secretly envied the Emperor's luck with women.
It had to be known that Daoist priests were not forbidden from marrying. If they could dual cultivate with a Monster Immortal woman, this was something they could only wish for.
"Father married Monarch Sweetyfox, so as a son, I naturally want to marry Silver Shark, one of the Eight Great Monster Immortals," Xiao An Ran muttered to himself.
"However, how do we investigate the deaths of General Fu Bo and Shaonan? If this was done by this Silver Shark … "Xiao An Ran thought to himself. But when he saw the Champion Marquis's expression, he did not say anything.
"Champion Marquis, your military exploits are illustrious. This time, you defeated Yun Meng's fleet and relieved us of our suffering at sea. This is truly worthy of the Rising Cloud Empire's civil and military officials celebrating. Come, on behalf of the Rising Cloud Nation, I offer a toast to the Champion Marquis and the Da Qian Celestial Dynasty. "
At this time, the country's ruler, Chan Huicang, saw that the Champion Marquis's expression was not good. He was afraid that the Champion Marquis would be unhappy because of Chan Yinsha, so he hurriedly raised his cup and toasted the Champion Marquis.
Chan Huicang was the ruler of a country. He knew that the Champion Marquis had most likely come to the Rising Cloud Nation because he had heard of Chan Yinsha's reputation.
As for what the Champion Marquis was planning, the country's ruler could roughly guess.
The Champion Marquis was young and full of vigor. His reputation had spread far and wide. No woman could be a match for such a talent.
And his daughter, Chan Yinsha, was the reincarnation of the Sea God. The two of them were a perfect match. Moreover, it would be of great benefit to the Rising Cloud Nation.
However, the Champion Marquis's matter was not something that he, as his father, could make a decision on his own.
But the Champion Marquis was someone that could not be offended.
There was once a large tribe in the steppe that offended him. In a single night, all of them were captured and reduced to slaves. The Rising Cloud Nation's ruler had also heard of this matter.
After raising his cup to raise the mood of the court, Chan Huicang gave a look to the Grand Secretary.
The Prime Minister who had just advised understood. After the King had finished speaking, he raised his cup to the Champion Marquis and said, "Marquis, I heard that not only are you unparalleled in martial arts, your poetry is also extremely outstanding. My Yun Nation has always admired the etiquette and culture of the Da Qian Empire. I wonder if you can compose a poem for us at this banquet? "
This Grand Secretary was extremely astute. The Champion Marquis was not only famous for his martial prowess, but he was also quite proficient in poetry. This was something that he had investigated. Right now, it was time to cater to the Champion Marquis's interest and make him famous.
"Oh?"
The Champion Marquis smiled indifferently. Staring at Chan Yinsha and then at Hong Yi, he casually said, "That is only natural. The Rising Cloud Nation's invitation to this marquis's banquet this time is quite thoughtful. The wine and the peerless beauty of Princess Yinsha are all intoxicating objects. I will compose a poem for them."
"Marquis's poetry is truly superb. Even the officials of the court admire him in private." Xiao Anran secretly smiled.
"Oh? Yes, I have heard that this Champion Marquis also knows how to compose poems. He is a master of both the pen and the sword. "
Hong Yi's heart skipped a beat.
It turned out that the Champion Marquis was not only skilled in martial arts, but he was also good at composing poems. He had once subdued the civil officials and imperial censors. However, Hong Yi was still in Marquis Wu Wen's residence at that time and was unknown. He only read some ancient poems. The poems of the new two years had not been printed yet, so he did not read some of the Champion Marquis's poems. However, when Hong Yi was in the academy, he had heard of it.
"Listen, what poem did he compose?"
Hong Yi saw that the Champion Marquis was looking at Chan Yinsha. He was even more displeased, but he listened attentively.
The Champion Marquis waved his fan and recited word by word, "A man's hand holds a hook, and his spirit is higher than a hundred feet. For ten thousand years, who wrote history? For three thousand miles, I wish to be conferred a marquis."
"Good!"
"Good!"
"For ten thousand years, who wrote history? For three thousand miles, I wish to be conferred a marquis. What a majestic aura."
The Champion Marquis's poem caused a stir in the entire banquet.
Even Chan Yinsha frowned. He felt that this poem was indeed extraordinary. It had a heroic spirit that encompassed the four seas and eight wastelands.
"I heard that Hong Yi, you are the son of Senior Tutor Hong? Furthermore, you are the top scorer of the Jade Capital's Imperial Examinations. You must be a talented scholar. I wonder if you can recite a poem at the Yun Nation's banquet to let the officials of the Da Qian Celestial Empire know the literary style? "
The Marquis Champion slowly stood up, strolled in front of Hong Yi, and suddenly said.
Here it comes!
Hong Yi did not expect that the Champion Marquis would suddenly target him.
"I was just thinking of a way to swindle you, and you came to provoke me first?" Hong Yi felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at by the Champion Marquis. His mind raced, and suddenly, he seemed to have found an idea.
"May I ask, Champion Marquis, what is the Wu Gou in your poem? What is that? "Hong Yi stood up abruptly and asked loudly.
"Wu Gou?" The Champion Marquis was taken aback. He then said, "This is an ancient godly sword. It is curved and hooked at the same time, hence the name Wu Gou."
"I am familiar with the history books, and there is no such godly sword called Wu Gou. Furthermore, you said that the godly sword is curved and hooked? Since ancient times, the Da Qian Celestial Empire has always forged swords in a straight line. That is the integrity of the sword! That is why the scholar-officials carry swords instead of knives. This is the integrity of the sword! You said that the sword is curved and hooked? Is there a sword in this world that is not upright? Which dynasty's godly sword are you talking about? "
In the blink of an eye, Hong Yi had found a loophole in the Champion Marquis' poem and attacked it wantonly. His voice was so loud that everyone in the hall could hear him clearly.
"Yes … the ancient ways of the Da Qian Empire are based on the integrity of the sword. There is no such thing as a curved and hooked sword. Furthermore, we have never heard of this godly sword called Wu Gou."
As soon as Hong Yi said this, the entire hall was filled with discussions.
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