Eternal Saber-Chapter 229 - 14: Lion-Tiger Arhat

"He won!"

"Brother Chen won!"

Changsun Ming was so overwhelmed with emotion that he nearly couldn't stand.

Murong Haitang quickly supported him and couldn't help but smile, saying, "Yes, he won!"

Yuan Qingmo let out a long breath, finally able to relax the heart that had been on edge.

The citizens of the Capital City erupted into cheers.

In recent days, Sang Han had shown off on the Capital City's stage, causing the death and injury of Qian Country's martial artists, leaving everyone with pent-up frustration.

Now, seeing Sang Han being slain by Chen Tang on the spot truly was exhilarating and satisfying!

The officials and nobles at the Vermilion Bird Tower all had different expressions upon witnessing this scene.

Some were surprised, some delighted, while others remained calm.

"Haha!"

Yuan Qingshan laughed heartily, exclaiming repeatedly, "Good, good, good! What an amazing Chen Tang!"

"State Preceptor, you truly have keen insight. He indeed turned defeat into victory!"

Yuan Qingshan glanced at the Profound Celestial Sect Leader beside him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Previously, the Profound Celestial Sect Leader had slyly remarked that perhaps Chen Tang would turn defeat into victory, as he was the emperor's chosen candidate after all.

Yuan Qingshan had no rebuttal at the time.

Until this moment, he felt vindicated by returning this phrase to the Profound Celestial Sect Leader.

"State Preceptor, is this what you call destiny?"

Yuan Qingmu said with a cheerful smile from the side.

Faced with the ridicule from the Yuan siblings, the Profound Celestial Sect Leader remained expressionless.

That Chen Tang could surpass Sang Han indeed exceeded his expectations.

He had misjudged.

But it didn't matter.

This round, even if the Emperor won, so what.

To challenge him, to rival the Profound Celestial Sect, this Emperor was still far from the mark!

He knew nothing of the Profound Celestial Sect's power.

As for this Chen Tang, he was even less of a concern.

"How could this be possible?"

The people on the Barbarian Land Delegation's side were ashen-faced, struggling to accept all of this.

Could Sang Han really have died just like that?

Slain on the stage with fist techniques by a young martial artist who seemed under twenty!

Sang Han was a genius martial artist even praised by the Barbarian Lord.

The hope of the Barbarian Race's future.

This Chen Tang had snuffed out the future Grandmaster of the Barbarian Race!

Unacceptable!

Just as the crowd was rejoicing, a figure suddenly leaped out from the Barbarian Tribe Delegation, flying onto the stage, a blade flashing coldly in hand, charging towards Chen Tang.

This was a woman from the Barbarian Tribe Delegation, seemingly in her twenties, who had clearly cultivated inner qi.

And Chen Tang, having just gone through a fierce battle, was at his most vulnerable.

Clang!

Just as the Barbarian woman reached Chen Tang, an Eight-sided Long Sword came across from the side, blocking her blade.

The sword then twisted, knocking the short knife from the Barbarian woman's hand, and with a level thrust!

Thud!

With a single sword stroke, it pierced through the woman's throat!

Yuan Qingmo was already standing in front of Chen Tang, blocking the blow for him, making a decisive move to counter-kill the Barbarian woman!

"Seeking death!"

Looking at the corpse on the ground, Yuan Qingmo's eyes fell coldly on the Barbarian Land Delegation, asking, "What is the meaning of this, friends from the Barbarian Race?"

"Boo!"

"The Barbarian people can't afford to lose."

"Still trying to sneak attack, utterly disgraceful!"

The crowd broke out into a round of booing.

The faces of the Barbarian Tribe Delegation turned sour.

A middle-aged man flushed, loudly arguing, "Who says we can't afford to lose? We conceded earlier, but he didn't stop, taking it too far with his ruthless attack!"

"Ruthless?"

Yuan Qingmo sneered, saying, "How many martial artists of my Qian Country did Sang Han kill? Did he ever show mercy? You dare speak those words!"

The Barbarian Tribe Delegation members, knowing they were in the wrong, were at a loss for rebuttal.

The leading Barbarian Envoy sighed softly, saying, "The woman just now was Sang Han's sister, in her haste, she made a grave mistake. Since she is already dead, let this matter rest."

At this point, even with resentment and anger in their hearts, the Barbarian people couldn't reverse the situation.

"Good!"

On the Vermilion Bird Tower, Yuan Qingshan's voice rang out, drawing countless eyes.

Yuan Qingshan loudly proclaimed, "The outcome of this battle is decided; though there were setbacks in this Qilin Ranking, it concludes perfectly. The first place in the Qilin Ranking remains with Changsun Ming, and the other vacancies will be filled by others."

If Sang Han hadn't appeared, the first in the Qilin Ranking would indeed have been Changsun Ming.

Moreover, as Changsun Ming suffered serious injuries in this battle, retaining the title of first place in the Qilin Ranking for him also served as compensation.

Of course, there was also an element of favor towards the Changsun Clan.

Yuan Qingshan's arrangement made sense.

Only, Chen Tang had just performed a great deed by killing Sang Han, thus reclaiming the face of Qian Country and resolving the Emperor's predicament. How should he be rewarded?

Yuan Qingshan paused momentarily, then continued, "For Chen Tang's meritorious defense of the country, I bestow upon him the title of Lion-Tiger Arhat and appoint him as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince!"

The streets erupted in cheers.

"Lion-Tiger Arhat!"

"Lion-Tiger Arhat!"

In the Buddhist Sect, an Arhat is a symbol of suppressing demons and expelling heretics, and a legendary figure of Buddhism.

Chen Tang, in the just-concluded battle, had repeatedly clashed with Sang Han using the Arhat Fist, and finally killed him on the spot with a combination of the Lion's Roar Technique and Tiger Subduing Fist!

He truly deserved the title of Lion-Tiger Arhat.

Chen Tang didn't care much about the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

But Lion-Tiger Arhat sounded far stronger than the likes of Young Hero Tiger Subduing, Panda Blade Master, and such second-rate sobriquets.

Watching the cheering crowd around him, he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the suffering had been worthwhile, and muttered softly, "Finally earned a decent title..."

Yuan Qingmu, watching Chen Tang below, saw through his thoughts and couldn't help but laugh.

Now he could finally shake off the title of Young Hero Tiger Subduing.

"Lion-Tiger Arhat?"

Yuwen Mao slightly raised an eyebrow, saying, "This youngster is not yet twenty, the title of Arhat is too grand; he might not be able to bear it."

"The Grand Commandant is absolutely right."

"Should we discuss it with His Holiness?"

"Indeed, the rank of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince is too high, a First Grade position, such an award is unheard of."

Immediately, a few officials jumped out to agree, with ingratiating smiles.

"With such accomplishments in defending the country, if he isn't worthy, whom does Brother Yuwen think would be?"

Murong Daoye countered.

Yuwen Mao chuckled, saying, "I'm concerned that the title 'Arhat' is too grand, and he might not be able to uphold it, leading to his downfall due to a mere title."

Murong Daoye said, "Whether he meets an untimely end has nothing to do with the title. After all, fate has its design; some people, even without a title, could just die."

Yuwen Mao's expression darkened, turning to stare at Murong Daoye, slowly asking, "Who are you referring to when you say 'some people,' Brother Murong?"

"Of course, it's Sang Han."

Murong Daoye cheerfully retorted, "Who else did Brother Yuwen think of?"

Yuwen Mao snorted coldly.

Murong Daoye's earlier remark was obviously referring to Yuwen Dong, who was killed by the Evil Emperor!

Seeing the two highest-ranking military leaders verbally clashing with explosive tension, the officials were so frightened that they dared not intervene.

The officials who had jumped out earlier also quietly retreated.

However, Prime Minister Cui Yuan broke the atmosphere, diverting the topic, and remarked with emotion, "Who would have thought, the so-called genius of the Barbarian Race was just beaten to death like this."

Murong Daoye calmly stated, "Throughout history, countless geniuses have existed; in life and death, success and failure, only those who survive are called geniuses. Those who die young will ultimately be forgotten."

The crowd nodded silently.