Cui Yuanyang didn’t know why Zhao Changhe was still lingering around here; after all the tumult, dawn was about to break. She dared not let anyone discover she had spent the night with a man at the inn, so she seized the faint morning light and dashed back to the Wang Family’s lodgings to play the good girl.
Zhao Changhe, however, didn’t even check out of his room, leisurely hiding inside to study the gold foil.
The gold foil had no new movements for the moment, and based on the experience of "unsealing" last time, he had to wait until tomorrow. This time, Zhao Changhe was revisiting the analysis of his game with Situ Xiao during the martial discussions.
This mattered a great deal, as it was the most important weight in his ability to catch up quickly with the martial understanding others had accumulated over the years, a condition no one else possessed.
Situ Xiao’s cultivation was mainly focused on External Skills, which, in the more fantastical parlance, is primary Body Refining. According to rumors, his Divine Brilliance Sect had inherited a complete legacy from Ancient Times, which happened to correspond with the "Taoist Body" information he had just acquired.
From this perspective, the Divine Brilliance Sect’s inheritance might not be complete; if it were, they may have been able to breach the limits of this world, and Sect Master Li Shentong wouldn’t merely rank fifth on the Heavenly List. Of course, there’s also the possibility that while the inheritance was complete, it lacked some auxiliary treasures making it impossible to refine further.
Regardless of which it was, the things Situ Xiao possessed were very much worth reference.
Situ Xiao said his Palm Skill was not considered aggressively robust... but a detailed replay of the match showed that, even though he practiced Body Refining, used a Heavy Sword, and emphasized explosive power, Situ Xiao’s cultivation truly couldn’t be categorized as the "aggressively robust" type. Instead, it was more solid and reliable.
All his techniques possessed a well-balanced quality, focused on self-defense and counterattack, exploiting powerful bursts of energy in the instant he struck, aiming to kill the opponent in one fell swoop.
If one were to say the Wang Family’s Palm Skills were like vast waves crashing through the sky, then Situ Xiao’s approach would be akin to a mountain that does not move.
Interestingly, he also practiced Drunken Boxing, with a stumbling fighting stance, the essence of an immovable set of techniques, and a free-spirited and bold nature, combining together into something quite fascinating.
His Body Refining emphasized Horizontal Training, impervious to blades and spears—in the direction where hitting his iron head against a door wouldn’t even register a feeling. Zhao Changhe highly doubted if ordinary swords could do more than leave a mark on Situ Xiao’s body, and what about his master Li Shentong, ranked fifth on the Heavenly List—how much flesh would he have? Could the Dragon Sparrow cleave through it?
It seems this might actually be the prerequisite for one man to break an army...
Regardless of whether it could cleave through or not, Zhao Changhe pondered repeatedly over Situ Xiao’s approach, first learning from his "stability," as well as the Drunk Walk—lower body immobile, upper body flexible like a willow, and the evasion technique.
These were elements Zhao Changhe’s Martial Arts lacked, and he used continuous combat and analysis to self-reflect and fill these gaps.
Beyond the aid of the Heavenly Book, Zhao Changhe was a genius in his own right.
Meanwhile, at the perspective of the Wang Family, a mass of scheming was taking place, and from Zhao Changhe’s perspective, the fact that his wife was truly wonderful. In the view of Situ Xiao and others, this night was exhilarating.
Most were peers with similar capabilities and understanding in Martial Arts, and even if there were differences in cultivation, discussions of martial skills were fitting. Normally spread across the world, yearning to meet just one was difficult, and so the rare occasion of many gathering together to drink and talk about Martial Arts was indeed exhilarating for the practitioners.
In the eyes of the outside world, this also almost counted as a martial event that could be recorded in the annals of history. In fact, the elegance of the Hidden Dragons that night was bound to be widely spread, making the public truly aware of the names that usually only briefly flashed in the Chaotic World Book—each one impressively powerful and excellent.
The dignified and serene Wang Zhaoqing, the unmatched commander who dominated both sky and sea.
The cold and peerless Xia Chichi, the fiercely striking Tiger’s Roar and Ice Spirit.
The cute and endearing Cui Yuanyang, with the enduring and mighty Purple Qi Qing River.
And that Heavy Sword spanning the hall, with the responding Broadsword, where Martial Artists’ passion shattered political machinations, leading the night’s festivities with blade frenzy and sword gaiety, reveling in the Drunken Universe.
Nobody knew where Zhao Changhe, regarded as a leader, went afterward, but they did know he had clearly expressed his refusal to participate in the martial contest. There was a sigh in everyone’s heart, as the subsequent martial discussions would surely miss a spectacle without him.
In any case, this night’s tales would give the Worldly Society much to relish for a long time.
The Wang Family had achieved their objective.
Not only had they made a secret pact with the Four Symbols Sect, but their previous presumptuous actions were largely forgotten, replaced mostly by praise, regarded as a grand undertaking bolstering the Xiang Martial World.
The impression of the Wang Family leading the martial world’s multitude subtly planted itself in many hearts, successfully conveying two messages:
First, whether there is an Imperial presence is actually not important.
Second, the Wang Family has the Empress, who understands Xia Longyuan’s situation the best. Daring to do such a thing essentially means that Xia Longyuan’s situation might be more severe than imagined.
It wasn’t just the Wang Family’s separatist momentum that began to coalesce; in fact, it invisibly propelled the dark plots of other ill-intentioned factions, causing turmoil throughout the land.
A scenario in which the organizers, the contestants, and the spectators all revel in delight, with only the Imperial prestige taking damage.
Thousands of miles away, in Jinling—
Tang Wanju stood atop the city walls, gazing tranquilly at the distant Maitreya Sect’s encampment. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI[F]ire.net
"Head of Department..." A subordinate from the Demon Suppression Department rushed to report, "We’ve received a message by pigeon. The Langya martial arts competition has concluded."
"Oh? Who was the victor?"
"It’s said Situ Xiao and Zhao Changhe shifted the wind’s direction somehow, and it turned into just a friendly exchange with no ranking. All the Hidden Dragons present enjoyed themselves, and indeed, the spectacle of Martial Arts was fully displayed." The subordinate said, "Our brothers in attendance mentioned that this was the most satisfying martial arts competition in recent years."
A smile, the first in many weeks, appeared on Tang Wanju’s face as she repeated softly, "Situ Xiao and... Zhao Changhe..."
The subordinate: "..."
Scratching his head in confusion yet continuing on topic, he said, "Since there was no ranking, the Wang Family got less of the influence they wanted. After all, accepting a rank and receiving a prize is what really creates a sense of subordination... It seems the Hidden Dragons are too proud, and not many are willing to do so. It fits the conjecture that the situation would play out this way. What is surprising though, is that after fighting with Situ Xiao, Zhao Changhe stopped participating in the rest of the competition, showing a great deal of resistance."
Tang Wanju’s smiling eyes: "It’s not that the Hidden Dragons are too proud and none are willing... In truth, it’s only a few who are reluctant, like Zhao Changhe."
"Uh, maybe so." The subordinate said, "But the Wang Family has essentially got what they wanted. They’ve already started appointing and dismissing officials on their own. Commander Zhang was dismissed on some pretext or another... Regardless of whether the pretext was true or false, where do they get the authority to appoint or dismiss officials? They’re rebelling!"
Tang Wanju’s smile faded, and she sighed softly, "Ever since the birthday banquet invitation, we should have known."
"So what do we do now?"
"What’s the use in asking me when I have no authority to command troops?" Tang Wanju said calmly, "Neither Maitreya nor I are military leaders, and we won’t keep this deadlock forever—it’s pointless. He will surely return to the Main Temple in the next few days to handle matters in other directions, and I should also return to the Central Capital, where many decisions await me."
Her voice trailed off as if speaking to herself, "I should also see His Majesty again... What exactly is he thinking..."
"Not to say..." The subordinate hesitated, "If the Wang Family is only seeking to carve out their own territory, for the moment, it’s still manageable, but if they genuinely raise an army to march south in response to the Maitreya Sect..."
"Harboring different schemes, an alliance isn’t so easy to come by... The Wang Family only began to harbor crooked thoughts after the Maitreya rose up; there was no prior interaction. To truly establish such cooperation would require envoys traveling back and forth. Since the Four Symbols Sect’s Holy Daughter attended the competition, she represents the sect as an envoy. I reckon it’s possible these two factions might have reached some agreement first."
The subordinate pondered, "Indeed. I was wondering why the Four Symbols Sect would be willing to participate in all this..."
Tang Wanju spoke with equanimity, "The Four Symbols Sect and the Maitreya Sect are at odds. Once the Wang Family has an agreement with the Four Symbols Sect, it’s unlikely they would consider the Maitreya Sect any longer, as the nature of the two factions is incompatible. The Wang Family may not have much regard for the Maitreya Sect."
"Zhao Changhe slaying Fa Sheng threw a wrench in the Maitreya Sect’s plans, and the current situation isn’t looking too great. Is it possible for them to send an envoy north to contact the Wang Family? What if they offered some extravagant promises..."
Tang Wanju gazed towards the Northern lands, her eyes tinged with a trace of melancholy, before finally saying, "They should already be on their way."
"Should we intercept them?"
"Finding a needle in a haystack, where do we search for a passerby?" Tang Wanju suddenly smiled, "I rather think there’s no need for us to act; the Maitreya envoy is going to be unlucky again..."