Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 650 - 255: Making a Move (2/2)
Gong Yu's response clearly had been within Qianshan Si's expectations. Without hesitation, Qianshan Si said, "This place is the bustling hub of Jiangnan Road. It would be difficult to fully engage in battle near the city."
"Nearby, there's the branch of Tianmu Mountain called Yufu. Below the mountain, there's a vast open space where few people live within a hundred miles. We can fight with swords to our heart's content there. What do you think of this plan, Miss Gong?"
Gong Yu nodded in agreement. When it came to setting the time for the duel, Qianshan Si said that since he decided the place of the sword fight, it was only fair that Gong Yu should decide the time.
Since the supervision in Wanling City had been quite strict lately, they agreed on a time three days later. Qianshan Si then stood up to take his leave without any hesitation or lingering affection, which relieved Yuchi Jie somewhat.
For some reason, this man exerted tremendous pressure on him, but after a moment's thought, he also understood why.
Qianshan Si had been traveling alone for cultivation since three years ago, descending from Heavenly Mountain and heading south before turning east and then west, similar to the path of the Heavenly Mountain's leading swordsman of old.
He would pay respects to every mountain he encountered and often dueled with others. Like a sword forged through countless hammerings, the more he fought, the sharper and more dazzling he became. Now he had reached the final stage, and since Yuchi Jie's martial arts were inferior, naturally, he couldn't hold his ground.
The Military Family speaks of overwhelming spirit in the first attack; this is what it means.
However, Heavenly Mountain... Qingfeng Edge?
Yuchi Jie's thoughts condensed, and his expression subtly changed.
As if it had been prearranged, just less than half a teacup's time after Qianshan Si left, Wen Hong, who had departed earlier, returned with a smile.
Yuchi Jie forced his spirit to cope for the duration of burning an incense stick, but noticing that both Wang Anfeng and Gong Yu seemed somewhat distracted, he took the initiative to say his farewells.
After Wen Hong had tried several times in vain to persuade them to stay, he personally escorted them out of the central hall, a gesture that showed great respect for their status. Wen Hongyun was even assigned to personally drive them in a carriage back into Wanling City.
By that time the city gates had long been closed, and considering the fact that the news regarding the murderous Blade Madman's actions in Fufeng hadn't settled yet, people were truly fearful at night. The streets were sparsely populated, almost having the appearance of a curfew.
However, for a Noble Clan like the Wen Family, the city gate closure and curfew were merely empty words.
With just a few casual words from Wen Hongyun, the burly and heroic-looking city guard personally led men to open the gates and respectfully admitted the two carriages into the city.
Due to the absence of pedestrians, the two carriages could speed up along the empty cobblestone road, galloping under the moonlight that was faintly reflected.
The sound of horse hooves was crisp, the night air and moonlight were piercingly cold, almost seeping into one's very bones.
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Passing by the spot where the Blade Madman attacked the youths of Noble Clans earlier when returning to the inn, Wang Anfeng could see over a dozen men dressed as government officials kneeling on the ground, busily repairing the sword marks left by today's strike.
Judging by the size of the sword mark, it seemed they would have to toil through the entire night.
Or perhaps even two full nights.
Wang Anfeng's face showed embarrassment, and he sincerely apologized in his heart.
With a swift turn, the carriage had left the street behind, leaving Wang Anfeng's field of vision. Sitting beside him was Yuchi Jie, who seemed a bit tired.
Considering that it was Yuchi Jie who had dealt with Wen Hong today, Wang Anfeng understood why he was physically and mentally exhausted. Not wanting to speak, he couldn't help but think of the carriage behind him.
He wondered what Gong Yu, who had just agreed to a sword duel, was thinking at this moment.
After Wen Hong watched Wang Anfeng and his party depart, he waited a while longer. Only when the sound of horse hooves in the night wind diminished did he turn and re-enter the central hall. The two guards wielding swords at the door had vanished.
Wen Hong straightened his clothes before respectfully knocking on the door. When a nonchalant "Come in" was heard from inside, he carefully pushed the door open and entered.
Past the Map of Myriad Mountains and Rivers, which formerly depicted Wu Country, a white-haired elder in black sat in the master's seat. Wen Hong reverently knelt down and performed the proper rituals.
Knees on the ground, hands held together, bowing his head to his hands, yet keeping his chest from touching the floor, his movements were meticulous and his demeanor was exceedingly respectful; he didn't dare to show the slightest negligence.
Ever since Wen Hongyang became an official at the Imperial Court, the vast Wen Family had been under the control of Wen Hong for the most part, except for extraordinarily important matters which would prompt him to specially correspond with his elder brother in Heaven Capital City.
And the Wen Family is the foremost noble clan under heaven, with profound heritage, ranked just below the four great noble clans.
The reason it is placed below the four great noble clans is that these families have either been continuing for a thousand years, or they have a divine weapon great grandmaster sitting in their midst. The prosperity and fortune they enjoy truly cannot be compared to other families, and the rest can only resign themselves to a lower position.
Disregarding those four, the Wen Family was already the top-tier in Great Qin's realm. More than twenty years ago, when the majority of Jiangnan Road was under the jurisdiction of Wu Country, it was even the number one noble clan of Wu Country. The then young and talented Emperor Wu of Wu Country fell in love at first sight with a lady from the Wen Family who became his empress.
After the empress entered the palace, she enjoyed continuous favor, and the Wen Family's prestige soared for a time. Everywhere, they were referred to as the distinguished relatives of the state, and with peace and prosperity, the graceful empress of the Wen Family became the pearl of the entire Wu Country, celebrated by all.
Later, the Divine Martial Mansion's giant warships, with deep drafts, surged up the great river, firing and ramming through the iron chains that barred the way, breaking Wu Country's defenses. At the same time, the Great Qin grand commander Sima Cuo dispatched six generals, leading a mere fifty thousand men on a rapid march that captured over thirty cities of Wu Country in an instant.
The Emperor of Wu Country, skilled in writing poetry and calligraphy but not martial arts, committed suicide after his defeat. At that time, the Wen Family head personally entered the palace and whipped his daughter to death, now the empress, seized the jade seal, and immediately, with the blood-stained seal in hand, emerged from the Imperial Palace. Kneeling before the fifty thousand Qin Army troops, he thus managed to preserve the family and join the ranks of Great Qin.
Suddenly, in the following year, he passed away at the age of sixty-three, with the fourth rank inner strength.
People called her 'The Calamity of Wu Country,' for the death of the emperor and her father led to the nation's downfall.
Although the Wen Family was suppressed, they did not falter at their roots. That they could treat Wen Hong, a candidate for the family head, with such respect, was almost enough to send shockwaves throughout Jiangnan Road.
The elderly man's eyes were half closed, and he fiddled with a dark chess piece on his right hand. Wen Hong raised his head and said,
"Qianshan Si has already agreed to fence with the disciple of Qingfeng Edge, but should we really make a move against that Yuchi grandchild?"
The old man opened his eyes and said coldly, "Do you have any objections?"
Wen Hong replied respectfully,
"The junior does not dare. However, Yuchi Jie's grandfather was recognized among the generals of the Seven Kingdoms as a famous general. He also still has remnants of Divine Martial Mansion's influence in the Imperial Court. If Yuchi Jie loses his life on Jiangnan Road, I fear it would provoke discontent from old Yuchi, leading him to re-enter the Capital City."
The man in black sneered and said,
"Let him enter the city. What, should we be afraid of him?"
"Your father, who whipped to death your daughter who brought over a decade of glory and wealth to your Wen Family, acted decisively. Even the famed Great Qin's Sima Cuo, known for his swift military campaigns, fell behind your father. So why have you become a coward who cannot make the tough decisions?"
Wen Hong, after being insulted, did not retort but only said in a low voice,
"The junior naturally cannot compare with my late father."
The old man snorted coldly and spoke,
"Although only some remnants of Divine Martial Mansion are left, the current Emperor still values these people, using these rootless and leaderless individuals to balance the relationships within the Imperial Court. It is also because of this reason that these old soldiers of the Divine Martial Mansion are living well."
"Yuchi will not fail to see this. If he actively breaks this balance, the troubles that will ensue are not minor."
"Moreover, the relationship between the current Emperor and the Former Emperor is getting worse by the day. The Emperor yearns to be an eternally illustrious ruler, and 'a filial son and a kind father' is his greatest flaw and blemish; therefore, he cares even more."
"After you have done this, have your elder brother resign from his official position and proceed to the Former Emperor's side to make a strategic retreat. Even if old Yuchi's head becomes muddled, truly preparing to shatter this balance, due to the Former Emperor, the Emperor will not act against you."
Concerning the most significant reliance of the Wen Family in the Imperial Court, the imperial Doctor, Wen Hong still nodded without hesitation to agree and said, "The junior understands, I will write a letter immediately. It should reach Heaven Capital City within three days."
As for why the old man before him wanted to kill Yuchi Jie, if the old man didn't say, he didn't dare to ask. After a moment, he cautiously left the main hall that should have been his, his back drenched in cold sweat.
The old man in the room took a sip of wine, then sneered coldly.
"Kill Yuchi?"
"Hmph..."
PS: Bringing you the second update of the day...
