Chapter 97 (1/2)

Ouyang Yu also frowned. He frowned not because Xiao Chen had condensed an Immortal’s Sword which could ward off the cold frost, but because he felt from the bottom of his heart that his opponent was better than he was, although he did not like to admit it. His sword whizzed through the air, aiming between his opponent’s brows.

Xiao Chen leapt back several meters and flicked the Immortal’s Sword in his hand upward, warding off the stroke. The Immortal’s Sword he had condensed out using his Mystic Cyan Skills could not last long. He needed to defeat his opponent quickly. Ouyang Yu drew back Cold Frost and realized that a flying sword assault was of no use. He turned and made a sword gesture with his left hand. With his right, he brought his sword forward to stab. Suddenly, he was flicking and lifting the blade. Although his sword strokes seemed frantic, it had its own set of rules. Almost immediately, he blocked off Xiao Chen’s escape routes at both sides.

Every sword stabbed out was accompanied by the sound of wind and snow, leaving behind streaks of shadow. Ouyang Yu started to execute his strokes with greater rapidity. Most people could no longer see them clearly; they felt as if snow and wind were swirling in the air, and every splinter or flurry seemed an extremely vicious Sword Qi. Although Xiao Chen’s condensed Immortal’s Sword could parry off Cold Frost, it could not ward off the impenetrable Sword Qi.

Below, many were already nodding to themselves. “The sword skills of the Skygale Sect are indeed unique and powerful.”

“The reason why I master this Fierce Wind and Flying Snow skill was because Ah Xue enjoys a snow scene! Have you ever understood her?” Ouyang Yu had already regarded Xiao Chen as his rival in love. Before he had finished his words, his sword had stabbed out.

Xiao Chen was momentarily distracted. His arm was grazed. Liu Fenghuang knitted her brows and yelled, “Go all the way, Junior Brother Han!” Liu Yunzheng beside her said in a deep voice, “Don’t distract him! He is memorizing the other man’s sword strokes!”

Suddenly, Xiao Chen flicked the Immortal’s Sword in his hand upward and struck off the Cold Frost Sword. Quickly afterward, the sword shadow multiplied into three, warding off the Sword Qi assault from both sides. Ouyang Yu’s heart sank. “Has he seen through my moves?”

Xiao Chen’s sword pierced forward and deftly avoided the other man’s attack. Then, he turned the stab into an upward flick. With a loud whizz, he left a grazing wound on Ouyang Yu’s shoulder. Astonished gasps resounded from under the platform. “He has managed to break through such impenetrable sword moves!”

It was not over yet. After that upward flick, Xiao Chen immediately switched the sword into his left hand. With another whizz, Ouyang Yu’s other shoulder was also grazed. Following that, Xiao Chen kept changing his sword skills. It was more deft and ingenious than Ouyang Yu’s impenetrable sword moves. None of his sword stabs were false strokes; every one landed on his opponent’s body.

The audience below cried and gasped unceasingly. They had never before witnessed such wondrous sword skills. Soon, a dozen gashes appeared on Ouyang Yu’s body. These were his final two strokes: one, an upward flick sending Cold Frost from his hand into the air; the other, the sword inching a few centimeters before the latter’s throat, before the man could react.

At this moment, had Xiao Chen exhaled his True Energy and sent Sword Qi streaking forward, the man would be dead. Ouyang Yu gave a sigh. He regretted having pitted his sword skills against Xiao Chen’s. No matter what, he was no match to him in the sword. Although he did not want to, he had to admit, “I have lost.”

Clamorous cheers broke out from under the platform. Amid the cheers, Ouyang Yu recalled his Cold Frost Sword from the distance. His lonely figure retreated, his back disappearing into the crowds.

Yu Wenji also got up and exclaimed about the wonderful performance. Not only did Xiao Chen win, it also meant victory for the day. Following that, they needed only one win out of the next two rounds.

Watching the lonely silhoeutte disappear into the crowds, Xiao Chen put away his Immortal’s Sword. Fresh blood dripped out from his arm.

Liu Fenghuang instantly soared up to the platform and rolled up his sleeve. She discovered seven or eight sword gashes on his arm and gasped in shock. “You are wounded!”

Xiao Chen shook his head. “I’m fine.” His heart was still recalling Ouyang Yu’s words. He had never understood Li Muxue, just like he did not bother to understand Flower Yet-ending in the past.

The first day of the competition was over. Xiao Chen fought four men alone and turned the tide. He won for himself instant fame, across the streets and alleys of White Cloud City. Even small children composed catchy tunes after him.

In the evening, the Zhou Emperor, Yu Wenji, held a victory banquet to celebrate their first triumph. Even sects which had not participated in today’s duels congregrated in his palace. Many Sect Leaders toasted Liu Yunzheng to congratulate him. Such an outstanding talent had emerged from his Teal Jade Sect. They would surely be highly regarded by the Zhou State. All of them had to ingratiate and play up to him. Only the Penglai Islanders looked unhappy.

In the palace, the fragrance of good wine permeated as pipes and strings played melodies together. A dozen beautiful dancers stood in the center performing a dance. Songs and dance went on unabated. Over at Xiao Chen’s side, a few dancers handpicked by Yu Wenji were urging him to drink. Soon, Xiao Chen was tipsy.

When the songs and dance ended, Yu Wenji said delightedly, “Young Master Han is truly a talent of our great Zhou State. I wonder what request you have?” He wanted to reward Xiao Chen for turning the tide today, and also spur the other sects to greater glory through this.

Xiao Chen pushed aside the wine vessel brought to him by a dancer and got up unsteadily. “Your… your Majesty! I do have a request you could grant.”

Everyone was a little surprised. Mere courtesy made the Zhou Emperor mention a reward before the company. But Xiao Chen was just a little disrespectful to urge a reward before everyone. Hopefully, his request would not go too far.

Yu Wenji laughed and said, “Speak up, Young Master Han. I can agree to anything.” He said this to show his generosity and to remind him not to ask for anything excessive.

Liu Yunzheng vaguely realized something and whispered, “Sit down, Han Chen! Don’t be disrespectful!” Xiao Chen seemed not to have heard. He eyed Luo Shangyan sitting beside Yu Wenmu and saw her lowering her head and was silent. He spoke up loudly. “I beg Your Majesty to play the matchmaker and marry Miss Luo to me!”

His words shocked everyone in the palace. Even the instrument players were stupefied and put down their instruments. The smile on Yu Wenji’s slowly froze. Liu Yunzheng stood up. “Han Chen! Stop your nonsense! After the Immortals League Competition, I will pass the divine zither over to you! Sit down, quick!”

“Please give us your blessings!” Xiao Chen ignored Liu Yunzheng and spoke out again.

This time, even Luo Shangyan had raised her head. Liu Fenghuang, on the other hand, bowed hers down, a grieved expression flashing across her face. Chu Lingjiao knitted her brows tightly, the look in her eyes turning colder and colder.

Everyone cast a look at the Third Prince, Yu Wenmu, sitting in a secondary seat at the front. Although he had not officially proposed a marriage to the Teal Jade Sect, their relationship was long known throughout the Zhou State. Right now, he smiled lightly and asked, “Is Young Master Han drunk?”

“I’m not!” Xiao Chen waved his robe sleeve with a downward flick and stared coldly at him. “Senior Sister Luo has never… ” Before he had finished, Liu Yunzheng bellowed out at Liu Fenghuang. “Your Junior Brother is drunk! Send him back to rest!”