Chapter 219: Owner of the Sword
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"It's… Fang Zhengzhi?!"
Staring at the youth in the scene, almost nobody wished to believe what they had just seen. In their hearts, no matter how talented Fang Zhengzhi was, he was only somebody who had just entered the Heavenly Reflection State.
Killing an enemy with a sword?
Or was it killing an enemy with a ten thousand swords? No matter how they looked at the situation, it didn't make any sense. How could a person who just entered the Heavenly Reflection State have the power to use ten thousand swords?
One by one, doubts arose in their hearts.
Then, their gazes were drawn to the sword in Fang Zhengzhi's hand. That sword seemed extremely ordinary. However, the purple scar at the tip of the sword was extremely evil.
"Could it be… that sword?!"
There was a sword in the World of the Sage. That was the sword of Sagely Battle God Meng Tian. This was a legend, yet, it was a legend that everybody knew.
"Fang Zhengzhi had retrieved Meng Tian's sword?" When this thought rose in their minds, everybody was filled with an unparalleled sense of shock.
Next, what caused even greater shock was that the middle-aged man in the middle of the sword tornado had a black gem-like object on his forehead.
It seemed somewhat faint and dark. However, there wasn't a single person who didn't know what it represented.
The demon eye!
The demon race. That man was a demon?!
Fang Zhengzhi was using the sword of Meng Tian to kill a demon.
Most importantly, behind Fang Zhengzhi stood over ten examinees. Among them was the severely injured Xing Qingsui, and Nangong Mu whose chest was stained with blood.
There was also…
Ping Yang, lying on the ground with blood dripping down her lips.
"What actually happened in the World of the Sage?!"
"Ping Yang is injured?!"
"Fang Zhengzhi had obtained the sword of Meng Tian and is using it to kill the enemy?"
One by one, questions that caused great shock arose in everybody's hearts.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's lips moved, but remained silent in the end. Instead, he let out a long drawn out sigh. He knew that the situation was already out of his control.
The Six Council Officials instinctively gazed towards Han Changfeng. No matter what happened in the World of the Sage, just the fact that a demon had snuck into the combat examination was enough to give Han Changfeng no way of escape.
Moreover, Ping Yang lay on the ground, and the direct descendant of the Stabilisation Constabulary, Xing Qingsui, had a sword stabbed through his body. All of these meant that whatever happened in the World of the Sage, it definitely couldn't be explained by something as simple as a test.
King Duan Lin Xinjue's expression was somewhat pale. As the supervisor of the imperial examination, he had the responsibility of monitoring and supervising it. However, this current outcome was something he would never have thought of, and would never wish to think of.
However, this was reality.
Then…
Next up was finding out how to resolve this problem.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's expression was similarly somewhat dark. As the Crown Prince in charge of the government, mishaps in the imperial examination were something he couldn't shirk any responsibility in. Moreover, what grieved him the most was Han Changfeng.
Han Changfeng was his teacher, and his biggest ally and supporter as he attracted talents into the government.
As an elderly official who had organised the imperial examinations for many years, how many disciples did he have below him? It was an extremely horrifying number. It was these disciples who had been the greatest supporter of the Crown Prince.
Now, this huge tree seemed to be on the verge of falling. How could Crown Prince Lin Tianrong be satisfied with this outcome?
Among the people in the crowd, the only person with a different emotional state was Ninth Prince Lin Yun. Political matters were completely irrelevant to him. As the supervisor of the imperial examination, he had to take responsibility for this as well.
However, these weren't the things he was most concerned about. What he was most concerned about was the fact that Ping Yang was still alive, Xing Qingsui was still alive. Even though Nangong Mu was injured, he was still alive. As well as Fang Zhengzhi, and Yan Xiu…
At least half of the the future creme of the Great Xia Dynasty were still alive.
Actually…
That was enough.
"I want to enter!" After a temporary shock, Emperor Lin Mubai regained his composure. However, a painful look remained in his eyes.
His gaze was fixed upon Ping Yang's body. That was his daughter, his blood daughter. The daughter he loved the most. As long as he saw Ping Yang, he would be able to think of a woman.
That was a woman he thought of every single moment of his life.
But now, the daughter of that woman and himself was lying on the ground, with blood dripping from the edge of her mouth. How could he not feel pained? How could he still have the audacity to meet that woman again?
"Emperor, you cannot! Even though the World of the Sage is reopened, but, nobody can ensure that this isn't a trap. If it was purposely set by the demon race…" When Yu Yiping heard Emperor Lin Mubai's words, he instantly knelt down onto the ground.
"Trap? I am the true dragon son of Heaven, why would I be scared of a trap?" Emperor Lin Mubai's tone turned cold and directly walked past the crowd towards the scene projection.
Nobody dared to stop him. Instead, a stone door in the projection rapidly opened.
The first person who followed behind Emperor Lin Mubai was naturally Crown Prince Lin Tianrong. Even though the person who moved first was Ninth Prince Lin Yun, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong still managed to win based on speed.
Next was Ninth Prince Lin Yun, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping and the Six Council Officials.
Since Emperor Lin Mubai had entered, how would they dare to not enter?
As he looked at the people entering, King Duan Lin Xinjue finally gritted his teeth and stood up from the ground. Then, following behind the crowd, he entered.
Han Changfeng didn't follow. Instead, he sat down on the floor with a rather blank expression on his face. He didn't speak. All he did was sit in silence.
Around him, the imperial messengers of the Imperial Academy were just as silent. Their eyes looked towards Han Changfeng silently. Nobody spoke…
…
Within the World of the Sage.
Fang Zhengzhi stood with the sword in his hand. Around him, the countless swords had already fallen to the ground. Because, Ying Shan had given up struggling. Since Ying Shan had given up, the swords had lost their purpose.
Ying Shan was dead…
This was definitely a shocking and joyful thing for the people within the World of the Sage.
A smile formed at the edges of Yan Xiu's mouth. This was the happiest kind of smile for a friend. Fang Zhengzhi had done it. Hence, he was happy for Fang Zhengzhi.
As for Nangong Mu and Xing Qingsui, they each began to tend to their own injuries.
The other examinees looked at Fang Zhengzhi, then looked at the Traceless Sword in Fang Zhengzhi's hand. Their gazes were filled with a complicated expression. There was envy, and a few unknown emotions...
However, these emotions were quickly replaced by shock.
Because…
Emperor Lin Mubai had appeared in front of them.
Not just Emperor Lin Mubai. There were still Crown Prince Lin Tianrong, Ninth Prince Lin Yun, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping, the Six Council Officials, King Duan Lin Xinjue. All of them appeared in the World of the Sage.
Emperor Lin Mubai and Ninth Prince Lin Yun looked at Ping Yang.
While Crown Prince Lin Tianrong, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping, King Duan Lin Xinjue and the Six Council Officials were permanently fixed upon the Traceless Sword in Fang Zhengzhi's hand.
"This is the sword of Sagely Battle God Meng Tian?"
"One that can control the World of the Sage, a sword that contained consciousness?"
Everybody's emotions were more or less stirred up. Crown Prince Lin Tianrong and King Duan Lin Xinjue's gazes were somewhat fiery. Even as princes, this sword still stirred up excitement within them.
After all, the Sagely Battle God represented a legend in the Great Xia Dynasty. A legend that had never been surpassed by any second person after so many years.
"Hail Emperor!" The examinees looked at the people who entered. Their bodies suddenly trembled and knelt on the ground.
"Rise." After Emperor Lin Mubai responded, he directly made his way beside Ping Yang. He reached out his hand and pressed it onto Ping Yang's arm as his body glowed with golden light.
It was as bright as the sun.
"Father?! I… I am fine…" Ping Yang had never thought that the first person who entered the World of the Sage would be Emperor Lin Mubai. Hence, she was naturally somewhat stunned.
As she felt the heat coming from Emperor Lin Mubai's hands, her heart grew warmer inside.
Emperor Lin Mubai nodded. After channeling Qi into Ping Yang's body, all he felt were blast injuries. There wasn't any serious injury.
"First, send the injured out. The Law Council will be in charge of investigating whatever happened in the imperial examination. As the chief examiner of the imperial examination, Han Changfeng will be temporarily confined in the Law Council prison. His crimes will be settled after everything becomes clear!"
"Roger!"
The Imperial Academy organized the combat examination. Hence, there were naturally doctors specialised in treating the injured.After the injured examinees were sent out, they could receive treatment immediately. Hence, there wouldn't be any threats to their lives.
…
The torrential rain in the Yan Capital caused puddles of rainwater to congregate on the streets. However, the restaurants and residences all around the Yan Capital was bustling with activity.
Because, today was the day the combat examination roll would be released. It also represented the announcement of the imperial examination's final results.
However...
The door to the Imperial Academy was fully shut.
This caused the people of the Yan Capital to guess wildly. Countless rumours began to spread.
As the saying went, paper cannot wrap a fire. There were no such things as perfectly sealed walls in the world. The things that happened within the World of the Sage were personally witnessed by all of the imperial messengers. Furthermore, there were many injured casualties and within the Imperial Academy, there were families and relatives of the examinees walking about to see how they were doing. Hence, things naturally began to spread rapidly.
"Did you hear? A demon had entered the combat examination. I think it was even a Vice Domain Chief!"
"Vice Domain Chief? How is that possible?"
"How can it not be possible? My cousin witnessed it personally with his own eyes. He had participated in the combat examination this time and said that the demon was named Ying Shan. He was even of the Supernatural Intermediate State!"
"Supernatural Intermediate State? Oh my God… then, how are they still alive?"
"I seems that Fang Zhengzhi had obtained a sword. That was the sword of Sagely Battle God Meng Tian. Then, he killed that demon called Ying Shan."
"Fang Zhengzhi killed Ying Shan?! Didn't he just enter the Heavenly Reflection State? What is this all about? Not mentioning that he killed Ying Shan, I wouldn't even believe if he managed to block one attack!"
Within the restaurant, youths in brocade robes discussed. There were also busybodies shouting out at one side. However, most of them were half in disbelief.
However, the door of the Imperial Academy was shut tightly. This was an undebatable reality. This also meant that a problem had definitely occurred during this combat examination.
…
In the military tent of the Patrol Guards.
King Duan Lin Xinjue's expression was somewhat ugly. As the imperial prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, he naturally didn't worry about losing his life because of this. However, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable about the investigations of the Law Council.
This was because the Law Council had always been under the control of Crown Prince Lin Tianrong. If the Law Council leveraged upon this opportunity to pin crimes, even he himself wouldn't be able to avoid being punished.
And below King Duan Lin Xinjue, Elder Wen who was dressed in a black and white Dao robe also frowned tightly.
In comparison, Mister Hua who was dressed in a scholarly attire had a rather calm and indifferent expression. He only sat quietly on the chair, as if waiting for King Duan Lin Xinjue to speak.
"Mister hua, you seem like you have an idea?" King Duan Lin Xinjue looked at Mister Hua's calm expression with some confusion.
"Replying Your Majesty, I wouldn't claim that it is as great as an idea. However, I believe that the person who should be worried is the Crown Prince. Your Highness, on the other hand, wouldn't need to worry too much." Mister Hua smiled lightly.
"Why is this so Mister Hua?"
"The greatest criminal charge this time will naturally be upon Han Changfeng. Even though the Law Council is controlled by the Crown Prince, if they really conducted thorough investigations, there wouldn't be any benefits to the Crown Prince."
"What do you mean?"
"If Your Highness wants to gain the advantage in this, you only need to do one thing!"
"What is that?"
"Help Han Changfeng to plea for leniency in front of the Emperor."
"You want me to help Han Changfeng to plea for leniency? My father is currently furious. I didn't fulfill my responsibility in the supervision, how can I still help others to plea for leniency?" King Duan Lin Xinjue couldn't understand.
"Your Highness please recall, what was the reason you requested to conduct the imperial examination?"
"That is naturally to form ties and recruit talen… Wait a minute. You mean?" When King Duan Lin Xinjue heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up as if he had somewhat understood.
"Han Changfeng had conducted the imperial examination for so many years. Even though he had made mistakes, he still maintains the heart of the Emperor. If Your Highness helps Han Changfeng to plea for leniency, the Emperor would naturally infer that you prioritize protecting the creme of the dynasty. Why would he blame you?"
"However, the heart of the Emperor is hard to guess. What is the point of me taking such a risk?"
"Two benefits. Firstly, gain the reputation of prioritising talents. Even if the Emperor blames you, he wouldn't truly punish you. Secondly, if Your Highness helps Han Changfeng to plea for leniency, how do you think the Crown Prince would think?"
"It would naturally be…" When King Duan Lin Xinjue said this, his eyes finally lit up. "I understand, Mister Hua your plan is killing two birds with one stone?"
"Your Highness is smart and wise. As long as Your Highness helps Han Changfeng to beg for forgiveness, then, not only would your mistakes in the imperial examination not be made more severe, the Emperor would also regard you highly. Han Changfeng is the teacher of the Crown Prince, yet the Crown Prince wouldn't help him to plea for leniency. However, Your Highness is willing to do so, implying that you prioritise talents. Other than that, Your Highness can leverage on this opportunity to spread the incident about Han Changfeng's son. Even if the Crown Prince still trusts Han Changfeng, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping had always been overconfident about his own decisions and thoughts. Hence, he might not hold back just because of Han Changfeng's reputation as the teacher of the Crown Prince. Then, there would be two outcomes. The first would be that the Crown Prince and Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping would part ways, the second would be that one party will give in. As for Han Changfeng, no matter whether he would be spared, it would still be impossible to be as powerful as before."
"Mister Hua's plan is indeed wise! There is one more thing I wish to consult Mister Hua about. Fang Zhengzhi had obtained Meng Tian's sword in the World of the Sage…"
"That sword is Sagely Battle God Meng Tian's sword. Fang Zhengzhi is just an ordinary citizen. Your Highness wouldn't have to worry about this."
"Alright, then I will act according to Mister Hua's plans. I will enter the palace to meet the Emperor right now!" After King Duan Lin Xinjue finished speaking, he immediately walked out of the military tent. There was no more worry left on his face.