Chapter 205
Book 18 Chapter 11 – Clash of the t.i.tans 2
Lu Buwei was slightly hesitant to announce the commencement of the duel between Xiang Shaolong and Guan Zhongxie. To him, it is as good as announcing the death of Xiang Shaolong. Like a bolt from the blue, Lu Niang Rong jumped up from her seat and firmly declared: "There is no need to compete any more. I have decided to disappoint Official Xiang and marry Zhongxie."
The moment she finished her words, Lu Buwei’s smile was erased from his face.
Guan Zhongxie was thoroughly shaken and his eyes were s.h.i.+ning brightly, looking at Xiang Shaolong who is staring at Lu Niang Rong with shock. This normally composed man has evidently lost his bearings.
All the guests are exchanging looks of surprises with one another.
In this case, the widely antic.i.p.ated battle is as good as cancelled.
Disappointment is written all over the faces of Du Bi and Lao Ai because they will only stand to gain regardless of the duel result.
Ying Ying, Lord Changping, w.a.n.g Ci and the others can feel a huge burden off their chests as they sighed with relief.
Qin has strict laws prohibiting private duels between military commanders and both Xiang Shaolong and Guan Zhongxie are military commanders. Even Xiao Pan who wanted Xiang Shaolong to kill Guan Zhongxie had to stick to this rule and suffer the disappointment. If he insisted on their duel, it will be impossible to enforce this law in the future. The banquet hall is momentarily silent.
Lu Niang Rong sat down in her seat with her head lowered. Her chest is rising up and down very quickly, betraying her emotional state.
After staring at Lu Niang Rong for some time, Xiang Shaolong did not know whether to be angry or amused. He acknowledged that he had offended her earlier so she is now retaliating by making him lose face in front of everyone by using her marriage as an excuse.
At the end of the day, just like Ying Ying, she favours Guan Zhongxie.
Lu Buwei is so incensed his face has turned completely red. Staring viciously at Lu Niang Rong briefly, he rolled his eyeb.a.l.l.s and sat down with a chuckle. To Xiao Pan sitting on his right, he sighed: "Kids can never make up their mind but since I had given my word, I think I should decide or I would be deceiving the world. What does Crown Prince think?" Lu Niang Rong trembled strongly and raised her head. Just as she was about to say something, Guan Zhongxie grabbed her hand below the table and whispered into her ear: "Niang Rong should stop making things difficult for Premier Mentor."
Lu Niang Rong was stunned and secretly peeped at Xiang Shaolong before lowering her head again.
Xiao Pan calmly replied: "Premier Mentor’s words cannot be taken lightly indeed. Moreover, it is common for people to choose a spouse by holding a martial arts compet.i.tion. If Premier Mentor believes that the fight should not be cancelled and Empress has no objections; I will fully support your decision."
Everyone’s gaze fell onto Zhu Ji, awaiting her reply. The tension in the air is like a drawn bow.
The every-powerful Empress of Qin has complicated emotions s.h.i.+ning from her eyes. She took a good look at Lao Ai before s.h.i.+fting her gaze to Xiang Shaolong. Her face suddenly losing colour rapidly, she lowered her head and proclaimed: "As Premier Mentor has recommended, the duel between Subject Guan and Subject Xiang shall proceed as normal."
The air is filled with loud cheering as the atmosphere began to resume the earlier enthusiasm.
On the other hand, Xiang Shaolong can feel his heart being sliced into two, knowing that between him and Lao Ai, Zhu Ji has unreservedly dedicated her entire future to Lao Ai.
Whoever that understands Guan Zhongxie’s ability will believe that Xiang Shaolong will lose without question. Zhu Ji’s support of the duel is as good as wis.h.i.+ng Guan Zhongxie to eliminate Xiang Shaolong once and for all.
He can only accept fate now that his relations.h.i.+p with Zhu Ji has deteriorated to such a state. Lu Buwei energetic laughter rang out and he barked: "Let the duel begin!" The hall broke out into ear-splitting cheers and applause.
The drumbeats sounded again, adding to the liveliness.
After comforting Lu Niang Rong softly, Guan Zhongxie rose from his seat and the crowd quietened down at once.
Just by simply standing up, this super swordsman whose fame is only second compared to Xiang Shaolong exudes an aura of arrogance, earning the respect and fear of everyone.
Stepping out of his seat, Guan Zhongxie carried a smile as he enjoyed the cheering and scrutiny of the crowd. Reaching the centre of the stage, he stood still at ease and bowed to the hosts: "It is my happiest moment in life to exchange pointers with Official Xiang. I will die with no regrets."
Hearing his valiant words and his indifferent att.i.tude towards death, the crowd became even more roused and were clapping madly and shouting at the top of their voices.
Xiang Shaolong had an ugly expression on his face. It is not so much about the fight but the pain he is undergoing from Zhu Ji’s change of heart.
The guests mistook it for fear and were baffled.
Xiang Shaolong took a deep breath and suppressed his surging emotions before standing up.
He realised that he has been heavily affected by Zhu Ji’s ‘severing’ of relations.h.i.+p.
Xiang Shaolong is someone who values true friends.h.i.+p and relations.h.i.+ps. For his friends, he is willing to forsake anything. It is because of this quality that he has won the unwavering trust of Li Yuan, Lord Longyang, Han Chuang and Tu Xian.
Despite his support for Xiao Pan, his devotion to Zhu Ji is strong too. But all he got in return for his dedication is her heartlessness, making him feel that life is meaningless.
Under the gaze of the entire hall, he walked towards Guan Zhongxie and stopped a distance away. After paying his respects to the hosts, he looked straight at Zhu Ji’s face.
After their eyes met, Zhu Ji instantly lowered her head.
Converting his sorrow into strength, Xiang Shaolong vigorously laughed: "Bring my sabre!" Hearing the word ‘Sabre’, everyone was dumbfounded. Guan Zhongxie trembled strongly on the spot and he looked at Xiang Shaolong with his sharp eyes.
Jing Shan walked out and kneeled down, presenting the Hundred Battle Sabre in its sabre scabbard.
Xiang Shaolong took the sabre from him and held it in his left hand.
Cries of surprise can be heard among the guests as everyone is trying to catch a glimpse of the strange looking weapon.
Even Xiao Pan was curious: "What is the weapon Subject Xiang is holding?" Holding his sabre, Xiang Shaolong was rejuvenated on the spot as he fully abandoned all the negative emotions related to Zhu Ji. Br.i.m.m.i.n.g with heroism, he vociferously replied: "This is a new weapon I designed myself. It is named Hundred Battle which is taken from Hundred Battles; Hundred Victories proverb from Sun Zi’s Art of War."
The guests began to discuss among themselves and could not wait for him to draw his weapon out of the scabbard for a good look.
However, Xiang Shaolong did not have the least intention of doing so.
Lu Buwei was blown away: "Didn’t Shaolong say you will fight using the Flying Dragon Spear? Why are you breaking you promise?"
Lord Changping laughingly interceded: "Premier Mentor has misunderstood. All military books advocate ever-changing tactics to take the enemy by surprise every time. Shaolong said that he would use a spear is to cover up his intention to use a sabre and it is an appropriate military strategy. Why did Premier Mentor say he is breaking his promise?"
Lord Changping’s words are firm and steady, stirring up a special emotion among those present.
Lord Changping may be the Left Premier but he lacks the experience and has always been slighted by others. He knows that he lacks the ability as well and dared not be too outspoken and maintained a low profile. Presently, he spoke out righteously and took the initiative to s.h.i.+eld Xiang Shaolong. This shows that he is gradually gaining more confidence to a.s.sume his rightful position and contend with Lu Buwei.
Xiao Pan would definitely support Lord Changping. He smiled: "Left Premier is right. Official Xiang has created this extraordinary weapon and even I cannot wait to see what it is. If Premier Mentor has nothing to add, I will announce the commencement of the duel."
Suppressing his anger, Lu Buwei swore to go after Lord Changping after Xiang Shaolong has been killed. He solemnly agreed: "Crown Prince, please go ahead!" s.h.i.+fting his view to the Hundred Battle Sabre Scabbard in Xiang Shaolong’s left hand, a pleased Xiao Pan proclaimed: "Begin!" The drums are sounded again.
Everyone began to tense up.
Xiang Shaolong’s supporters who did not know about the power of the Hundred Battle Sabre are so nervous their hearts seem to be stuck in their throats.
First, they have no confidence in this new and strange weapon; Second, Xiang Shaolong is known for his sword skills. With this new weapon, he will need to devise a different fighting style and given the short time he has to practise, it is indeed an unwise decision.
Po Hu is the happiest man in the hall. If the duel is called off, at the most, he will have to refund all the gamblers but if Xiang Shaolong wins, he will suffer a huge loss because of Wu Yingyuan exorbitant bet. Seeing that Xiang Shaolong is introducing a new and strange weapon to fight the highly skilled Guan Zhongxie, he was utterly thrilled.
Since ancient times, the sword has been used as a primary weapon and has an irreplaceable status in the minds of everyone. Every warrior would know how to handle a sword first and the sword fighting culture is deeply embedded in society. This is a kind of mindset that n.o.body can change in a short while.
Except for Ji Yanran and those who knows about the Hundred Battle Sabre, Xiao Pan has the most confidence in Xiang Shaolong. His hero-wors.h.i.+p for Xiang Shaolong has begun since he was a child and there is nothing that can convince him otherwise.
The other person who dared not underestimate the Hundred Battle Sabre is Xiang