147: Chapter 115: The Sword Contest Begins, Ends!
(Seeking Monthly Pass) 147: Chapter 115: The Sword Contest Begins, Ends!
(Seeking Monthly Pass) Note: The second update of 8,000 words is here, and to keep you all from being on tenterhooks, we’re going straight to the big chapter of 8,000 words.
Today there are two updates totaling 12,000 words, which is equivalent to six updates from others.
Bros, if you don’t give monthly tickets, I’m going to faint in the bathroom from sorrow.
That’s right, Ling Ao only had two words to describe Suo Lun—idiot!
Despite Suo Lun’s dazzling performance in the royal city that nearly blinded everyone, his reputation skyrocketed.
Whether it was conquering a great monk of the Dragon Temple with a performance of “Fate” or his blind archery that never missed, both were deemed miracles.
Moreover, he managed to escape from Princess Zhining’s encircling army.
All his actions were indicative of a genius.
But in Ling Ao’s eyes, he was still an idiot, far from a strong competitor.
What is a strong competitor?
One who holds great military power in his hands, one who controls massive authority.
Everything else is illusory.
Suo Lun, for the so-called family legacy, chose to stand against the entire royal family, making a futile effort that seemed tragic and brilliant.
However, in reality, he was taking steps towards his own doom.
Thus, Suo Lun was just an idiot, an idiot unworthy of mention.
And at this moment, everyone present was waiting for this idiot, Suo Lun, to arrive.
Listening to everyone around making fun of Suo Lun or sympathizing with him, Ling Ao sneered inwardly.
This person, no matter where he was, always managed to attract attention, always stood in the center of the stage.
Perhaps others would enjoy being the center of attention, but Ling Ao felt it was no different from being a clown.
A true strong competitor was feared, not spectated, and was low-key.
As time ticked by, Gui Qinshao remained seated quietly on the sword platform.
The sun rose high, reaching its zenith during the late summer, the height of the scorching heat.
The guests who had arrived early to watch the battle were growing impatient.
“Why hasn’t Suo Lun arrived yet?
He couldn’t be cowering from battle, could he?”
“A man’s word, like an arrow shot, cannot be taken back.
Even if his legs were broken today, he should make an appearance.”
“He surely won’t come now.
It was just a show of bravado that day.
Knowing he’s bound to lose, why would he still come?”
Gui Qinshao, however, remained with closed eyes and sword in hand, sitting on the sword platform awaiting.
But because of the intense heat, someone had held up a large parasol for her and placed a basin of ice beside her.
Gui Xingfu, on the other hand, had not shown up.
He was in the City Lord’s Mansion entertaining a distinguished guest, Princess Zhining.
Zhi Ning had come in secret, first because lords and members of the royal family could not be seen getting too close, and second, to conceal her moves against Suo Lun.
Zhi Ning had visibly lost weight, and her stunning face remained pale and bloodless.
Ever since she stood in opposition to Suo Lun, she had spit blood three times already.
“City Lord, there is a secret report,” suddenly sounded the voice of a samurai from outside.
Gui Xingfu, not allowing anyone to see Zhi Ning, said in a low voice, “Speak, just say it out there.”
The samurai outside said, “Suo Lun has disembarked and set foot on land, heading towards Linhai City.
He will arrive at the City Lord’s Mansion in less than four hours.”
“Understood,” responded Gui Xingfu.
Zhi Ning looked at Gui Xingfu and said, “Lord Gui must not think much of this battle, believing that Suo Lun could not possibly be Gui Qinshao’s opponent.”
Gui Xingfu nodded and said, “I’ve thought of dozens of possibilities, but Suo Lun doesn’t have a chance of winning.”
Zhi Ning said, “I also think Suo Lun has no chance of winning, but we must be absolutely sure.
Suo Lun is more cunning than you can imagine.”
Gui Xingfu asked, “What does the Commandery Princess suggest?”
Zhi Ning said, “The Calamity Nine Swords, what it tests most are the meridians.
If the meridians are severed, then the sword technique is useless.”
Gui Xingfu frowned and said, “Doing so obviously would tarnish my reputation.”
Zhi Ning said, “Use concealed force to sever the tendons in his arms without any external injury visible.
Even if someone notices, they would think he broke his meridians trying to forcibly learn the Calamity Nine Swords.”
Gui Xingfu asked, “Who should go do it?”
“Let Ling Ao do it,” said Zhi Ning.
Gui Xingfu was taken aback, why let Ling Ao do it?
Any high-ranking samurai could easily handle the task, and Ling Ao had a promising future ahead of him, why should he get his hands dirty?
But Zhi Ning had already given the order, and Gui Xingfu nodded, saying, “Very well, let Ling Ao do it.”
After hesitating for a good while, Gui Xingfu said, “Why doesn’t the Commandery Princess just kill him outright?
There should have been many opportunities.
Just send a Dragon Samurai to do it.”
Zhi Ning shook her head and said, “There was a chance to kill him before and it wasn’t taken; now there is no chance.
The only one who could have killed him, Suo Hanyi, failed.”
Gui Xingfu shuddered.
He was a man of extreme intelligence and realized he had learned something he should not have, and then he stopped asking any further questions.
Eunuch Li Zhu had a plain face that did not attract attention, no matter what guise he assumed.
At the moment, he was disguised as a servant of the City Lord’s Mansion, approaching Ling Ao from behind.
Likewise, he drew no one’s attention.
Then, his voice rose in Ling Ao’s ear, audible to him alone, “Suo Lun has landed.
You go intercept him, break the tendons in his arms; leave no external wounds, let no one realize it.”
Ling Ao trembled, why me?
Why must I do this, any high-ranking samurai could handle it.
Although he very much wanted to kill Suo Lun, it wasn’t supposed to happen at this time.
But he knew that Li Zhu was Zhi Ning’s confidant, so this command had come from Zhi Ning herself.