Li Guanyi had a feeling of complete relief. He closed his eyes and whispered softly,
The safety of his aunt could finally take a brief breath.
The next day, as expected, many martial artists participated in the preliminary trial. Li Guanyi saw young faces wearing different armors arriving here, and far away at the giant martial arts platform, there was the Emperor’s chariot. Li Guanyi looked from afar with a solemn expression.
Even though it was just the preliminary trials, the Emperor only spent some time observing, yet his presence was still extravagantly luxurious: his imperial garb painted with sun, moon, stars, and constellations, and his leather headwear made of painted silk. There was also a procession of thirty-six thousand Yellow Banner guards and the magnificent imperial chariot, with the Empress and a hundred officials in ceremonial dress, all grandly adorned.
Luxurious and sumptuous, like a deity from the heavens.
Li Guanyi heard loud voices of admiration.
Even commoners proudly told people from the Western Regions that the majesty of the Emperor of the Central Plains was beyond the wildest imagination of such barbarians from beyond the borders. Li Guanyi saw that one commoner was not dressed in fine clothes, and one could even see stitches in the patches on his garments,
yet he was still proud of Emperor Chen’s majestic chariot.
Li Guanyi, dressed in armor and carrying a weapon, appeared with the Battle Halberd in hand.
Li Guanyi actually felt that during the preliminary trials, although there were many nobles and dignitaries, most of their attention — including that of their female family members — was not actually on the competing martial artists, even though these martial artists treated the competition as their opportunity.
In reality, the nobles simply regarded the martial contest as a carefree event, similar to a sword dance, while what was important to them was the interaction with other high-ranking individuals. However, Li Guanyi also saw military advisors and strategists from various legions watching the martial arts platform intently.
A thousand troops might be easy to obtain, but a great general is hard to find.
The martial skill of the young military officers was also an important benchmark.
Armored martial artists in this world, donning heavy armor, could indeed affect the outcome of small-scale battles and significantly influence morale. Li Guanyi saw other battles taking place: Ye Buyi, Zhou Liuying, all nodded at him with relaxed expressions.
The haut monde discussed their matters above.
The martial artists fought their own battles below.
Li Guanyi looked at the battle situation, and just as the word on the street went, the strongest indeed were Yuwen Hua, Geshu Yin, and Xu Huixiang, these three; almost all ended their fights within several moves. Xu Huixiang didn’t even draw his sword, and with a gentle smile, he defeated other martial artists.
Chen Yuyun was the same.
Li Guanyi watched Chen Yuyun’s fight, it was just as crisp and decisive.
Usually, just a punch or kick was enough to win.
Moreover, he chose his weapons based on those used by his opponents. If the opponent used a sword, then he used a sword; if the opponent used a spear, he used a spear, deploying the weapon his opponents were most proficient with to defeat them head-on, in a domineering manner.
The defeated ones all turned pale with despair.
Soon it was Li Guanyi’s turn. The youth thought for a moment, considering the words of Li Zhaowen from the day before, including Yuwen Hua, Geshu Yin, Xu Huixiang, Chen Yuyun, all showcasing their talent and martial arts in this land.
Then he thought about Chen Yuyun’s manner, defeating you dominantly in the area you’re most skilled at.
Emperor Chen’s grand chariot personally came to watch the preliminary trials.
Li Guanyi understood this was Emperor Chen showcasing his son.
Li Guanyi picked up his unsharpened sword, then wearing the combat armor, Ye Buyi and the others bumped fists with him in encouragement, while the others, Yuwen Hua, Xu Huixiang, and Geshu Yin, also directed their gazes here.
Suddenly, a shout came through.
The youth stepping onto the stage paused. He lifted his head and looked over.
Among the nobles and dignitaries, a young girl with her hair tied back, forehead decorated with ornate patterns, and jewels embedded in her hair waved at him. She had bright almond eyes and a smile blossoming like a flower. Amidst the ladies shrouded in heavy makeup and exuding a sense of opulence, her eyes shone like amber as she shouted loudly:
This cheer was unique.
Here, martial artists fought desperately for their futures; legions looked for new young officers; nobles networked, the Emperor showcased his son, and only one person shouted loudly that you must win, Li Guanyi.
The area where the noblewomen resided suddenly quieted down.
The ladies and misses looked at the young girl who started to laugh. It seemed they were reminded of something, sighed, and then all smiled benevolently. Li Guanyi looked towards the direction of the Miss, he sighed, stretched out his hand, and clenched his fist towards the Miss’s direction.
Then he put down his sword.
His long sword returned to its sheath.
He reached out and grabbed the Battle Halberd, which was the hardest to master. He lifted the combat weapon that hadn’t been unsealed, gave it a shake, and the Battle Halberd tore through the air, letting out a piercing screech. Then, holding the Battle Halberd in one hand, he stepped diagonally and onto the martial arts platform.
His opponent’s complexion grew paler by the moment.
The Miss cheered for Li Guanyi. She watched the youth holding the halberd from across the way.
At a higher place, with snow-white hair at his temples, Chen Qingyan watched the two of them quietly. For some reason, he suddenly became perplexed, as if he saw the past selves of himself and that man. Through the passing of time, it seemed inevitable that one would see reflections of their former selves in the next generation.
The young man opposite Li Guanyi was the second son of a Fourth Rank court martial officer, named Xiang Guangtao, diligent in his martial skills.
But when he saw his opponent was Li Guanyi, his face started to pale.
And when he saw Li Guanyi put down the sword and pick up the Battle Halberd,
And when he saw a girl who seemed to be a childhood friend cheering for him, the young martial artist’s face lost all color, yet he clenched his teeth and still stood there, holding a long spear in his hand, and said, "Military Advisor, please!"