The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 654 - 447. Dust Settled (5k)_3

The crowd followed orders.

Xu Zhenguan then looked towards Zhao Douan, who seemed a bit distracted, her beautiful eyes flickering: "Mr. Zhao, take a walk with me."

Zhao Douan collected his thoughts and respectfully said: "I, obey your command."

...

...

The martial arts trial in the Peach Garden ended. As the crowd dispersed, details about the competition swept through the Capital like a whirlwind, informing those who were paying attention.

Imperial Court, Governor Hall.

Today, besides Zhao Douan, the Censors of the other eight halls gathered here. In Lihua Hall, Qian Kerou, the secretary representing Zhao Douan, also came over.

It wasn’t to discuss any official business, but rather all were seated around a round table in the inner hall, waiting for news from the palace.

"Lord, it should be almost over now. I wonder what the exact result is." Haitang, arms crossed, leaned against a high-back chair.

Ma Yan, sitting upright at the head, glanced at the sky and nodded: "News should arrive soon."

A Censor sighed: "It’s a pity that the Lord left the palace early, no longer counted among the Martial Arts Hall Tributors, and is busy today, unable to watch in person. Otherwise, we could have followed to watch the spectacle."

Haitang rolled her eyes and said: "Do you think every spectacle is easy to watch?"

She had a familial relationship with Eunuch Hai, yet didn’t have the nerve to beg to watch, not because she was too lazy to go, but because she dared not.

Similarly, Ma Yan’s so-called "official business" was just an excuse. In reality, he dared not.

He dared not witness the failure of the Martial Arts Hall Tributor.

As for Ma Yan not participating, it was because he had been busy with official duties for years, neglecting martial arts cultivation, knowing well that he couldn’t match Tang Jinzhong’s prowess.

And with his "World" realm, he couldn’t bully Xiao Ran or Qi Ye.

Like Xue Shence’s judgment, Ma Yan also lacked confidence in this century’s martial arts competition.

"Tang Jinzhong has always hidden his cultivation, and with his willingness to risk his life, facing the newly promoted Chai Keqiao, his chances aren’t small. But Song Jinxi, skilled in assassination, facing Qi Ye or Xiao Ran, struggles to showcase his full strength, likely to lose, as for within the Martial Arts Hall, no other in the Divine Chapter Realm stands out."

Ma Yan sighed, brows furrowed in distress: "What a pity, they came too early. If only a year later... no, even half a year, perhaps Zhao Douan could face one of them."

A year? Half a year? By then, that guy might have already crossed into the "Worldly Realm," equally unable to participate... Haitang sighed.

In the oppressive and heavy air, suddenly, the sound of hurried horse hooves came from the outside of the hall, followed by the noise of a horse being reined in.

Then, one of the Jin Yi, who had been waiting at the Imperial City gate, came rushing in, breathless and with a joyful expression, loudly announcing: "Reporting to the Lord! We’ve won! The Martial Arts Hall won! Two out of three victories!"

Won?

The long-faced, cold-looking Lord Ma suddenly stood up, and Haitang, Zhang Han, Qian Kerou, and others couldn’t hide their surprise.

"Did Song Jinxi win?" Ma Yan was incredulous.

In his view, a two-to-one victory could only mean that Tang Jinzhong and Song Jinxi, the two most outstanding, had won.

The Jin Yi messenger reached the hall and shook his head, saying: "No... Tributor Song lost to Qingshan Qi Ye. Tang Tributory did win against Chai Keqiao, though."

Everyone was stunned. Haitang couldn’t help but ask, "So, who defeated Xiao Ran?"

The Jin Yi messenger said: "It was Master Zhao, Master Zhao has already advanced to the high grade of the Divine Chapter, and he personally fought."

Zhao Douan? Did he take the field?

"Did the Master take action?" The round-faced secretary Qian Kerou’s eyes lit up.

The expressionless Zhang Han was surprised, hesitatingly said: "Could it be that Master Zhao used the Taia Sword?"

The Jin Yi messenger shook his head, his eyes vivid, his tone excited: "No. Master Zhao didn’t even use a sword, he only used a peach blossom branch."

A peach blossom branch? What kind of divine weapon is this? Everyone was bewildered.

The Jin Yi raised his hand to point at the tree in the courtyard: "Just an ordinary branch from a peach tree..."

Then, he vividly narrated the process relayed by the Martial Arts Hall Trubutor, of how Zhao Douan used a peach blossom branch to perform the renowned sword technique "Sky Opening," defeated Xiao Ran, and along with Tang Jinzhong, achieved victory in the centennial small martial arts match.

He only used a peach tree branch... didn’t even use any spell, relying solely on martial arts to directly defeat Xiao Ran... Ma Yan was stunned.

Feeling incredibly unreal.

The other Censors also exchanged glances, Haitang rubbed her face, dumbstruck: "Last time, when he fought Tang Zhao, didn’t he use Buddhist magic?"

No one replied.

Only Qian Kerou looked overjoyed, without any hesitation, swiftly ran outside, ready to report the joyous news back to Lihua Hall.

In her heart, any miracle her Master created was completely normal.

...

...

Imperial Court of Supervision.

In the back hall.

Imperial Censor Yuann Li sat solemnly in his "office," reviewing the stack of documents sent by his subordinates. As he casually picked up a document concerning the appointment and dismissal of new Jiancheng Road officials, and opened it.

The clear-faced, wise-eyed, and slightly greying at the temples Big Qingyi suddenly frowned and said to the clerk standing guard outside: "Summon Chen Hong."

"Yes."

The clerk responded and left.

Moments later.

With a silver tooth embedded, the mature and experienced Imperial Censor Chen Hong stepped forward, saluting: "Subordinate pays respect to Mr. Yuan, what instructions does Mr. Yuan have?"

Yuann Li, with a serious expression, signaled with a gesture, pushing a document across the table: "Who delivered this?"

Chen Hong glanced at it, with a knowing expression, said: "Indeed it is."

Yuann Li leaned forward, earnest: "Are you certain? You must know this matter involves the appointment and dismissal of new policy officials, and concerns a noble contribution, no false statements allowed."

Having anticipated, Chen Hong calmly replied: "Subordinate, presenting to Mr. Yuan, certainly not without basis."

"Good!" Yuann Li suddenly stood up, tucked the document into his sleeve, ordered: "You will accompany me to the palace to meet the Emperor."

Chen Hong glanced at the sun, stating: "The martial competition in the palace is happening now, the Emperor might be inconvenienced."

Yuann Li, indifferent: "First enter the palace and wait."

"Yes."

The two, one ahead, the other behind, just walked out of the back yard, only to see an Imperial Censor entering from the main gate, upon seeing Yuann Li, his eyes brightened: "Mr. Yuan, the martial competition in the palace has settled!"

...

Typos corrected, then amended.

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