About Cao Cao's reincarnation as the emperor's uncle

Chapter 49 The Music Was Wrong, Huangfu Lang Gu (Bonus Chapter 520)

Looking at the young men lined up in the arena, Liu Fang suddenly felt a surge of heat in his chest.

The fingertips suddenly exerted force on the strings...

The melody suddenly soared, like iron cavalry charging out with the clang of swords and spears, startling the birds roosting under the eaves.

Just as the seven strings were vibrating, a clear laugh suddenly came from the courtyard gate.

Liu Fang flicked his fingertips, and the strings emitted a sharp vibrato.

Looking up, one could see a figure in pure white standing in the distance.

Everyone looked over, but there was no hostility in their eyes.

After all, someone who could be let in by the hidden agents at this time couldn't possibly be an outsider.

Only Xu Feng scrutinized the young man...

The young man cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, bowing once in a circle.
"Yan greets Lord Yuanyi and all of you."

Liu Fang recognized the person who had arrived and his face lit up with joy:
"Jianshou..."

This person was Huangfu Yan, the eldest son of Huangfu Song, whose courtesy name was Jianshou.

He was the boy who knelt and swore an oath behind Huangfu Song at the Huangfu residence.

He was also the boy whose head Xu Feng had touched.

Logically speaking, Huangfu Yan was still quite a ways from reaching adulthood.

However, in some special circumstances, it is permissible to reach adulthood or receive a courtesy name ahead of schedule.

The reason why Huangfu Yan came of age early was that Huangfu Gui was seriously ill.

Both Huangfu Gui and Huangfu Jie knew Huangfu Song's temperament well and did not expect him to take good care of the Huangfu family.

"Song'er's nature is like unpolished jade, unfit to bear the heavy burden of passing down the family legacy..."

The implication is that the future rise and fall of the Huangfu clan is entirely entrusted to the next generation, Huangfu Yan.

Therefore, the clan decided to give him a courtesy name ahead of time, hoping to inspire his ambition and restrain his behavior through the coming-of-age ceremony.

Its name, Yan, originally means continuous or extended.

The character “坚寿” is adapted from the “Huainanzi”:
"Form, spirit, energy, and will each reside in their proper place, in accordance with the workings of heaven and earth."

The so-called "firmness" refers to cultivating one's inner spirit and will as firm as a rocky cliff.

The term "longevity" refers to a physical appearance and vitality that is evergreen, like that of pine or cypress.

The given name and courtesy name complement each other.

We hope that this son will cultivate himself and establish himself in the world to carry on the bloodline, and we also hope that he will be like a pillar in the middle of the stream, never losing the spirit of the Huangfu family, and that he will be both steadfast and long-lived.

……

Huangfu Yan stepped over the bluestone steps, approached, and bowed deeply to the ground:

"Yan, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night, Yuanyi Gong."

Before Liu Fang could speak, Huangfu Yan had already taken out a sealed letter from his sleeve:

"I had intended to visit you sooner, but I heard that you have been preoccupied with paperwork lately, so I dared not disturb you..."

"Tonight, my great-uncle suddenly sent an urgent order, saying that Qiao Gong's children have come here, and that he should bring a letter with him as soon as possible, saying that he will understand once he sees the letter."

Liu Fang's fingertips brushed against the seal clay, and he already understood.

He temporarily tucked the letter into his sleeve, then suddenly looked up:

"Jianshou, why were you laughing loudly outside the courtyard just now?"

Huangfu Yan touched his nose, and after a moment's thought:

"This...is because Yuan Yigong's zither playing...is somewhat different from that of ordinary people..."

As he spoke, the tips of his ears suddenly turned red:

"No... uh... it's not the refined sound that the common ear can distinguish..."

As soon as Huangfu Yan finished speaking, Xu Shao, who had been holding back for a long time, could no longer contain himself and burst into laughter.

Feng Xu lowered his head and stared at the crevice in the stone, shaking it slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

The poor students in the arena looked at each other in bewilderment, while Xun Yu repeatedly tapped his sword hilt and chuckled softly.

Qiao Lan couldn't hold back her laughter when she saw Xun Yu's expression, and the command flag in her hand trembled slightly with her smile.

Liu Fang's gaze swept over everyone; how could he not understand where the problem lay...

So these people think his piano playing is strange?
In my past life, my zither skills were said to be on par with Cai Yong's.

Perhaps it's because I haven't played the zither for too long and have become a little rusty?

After thinking it over, Liu Fang looked Huangfu Yan up and down, then suddenly sighed:
"Like father, like son..."

Huangfu Yan thought Liu Fang was praising him, so he clasped his hands and bowed again.

"Thank you, Lord Xie Yuanyi." The words circled in Liu Fang's mouth twice, but he ultimately didn't say them...

Even if Gu Zhen's playing was flawed, how come everyone else was able to hold back?

He doesn't even realize when you call him "tigerish"...

As expected of Huangfu Song's eldest son, he really does resemble him.

While secretly sighing, Qiaolan stepped forward gracefully:

"This humble woman is not talented, but I would like to play a tune for Lord Yuanyi to add to the merriment."

Xu Shao grinned so wide his eyes disappeared, and quickly chimed in:

"My lord, I second that proposal!"

Feng Xu suddenly looked up, his face inexplicably ashen, and unusually, he took the initiative to speak:
"Since you're rarely free, why don't you practice swordsmanship to loosen your muscles and get some youthful vigor?"

Liu Fang looked at everyone and smiled helplessly:
"That's good, it just so happens that Jian Shou is here."

Before he finished speaking, he had already drawn his sword and stepped into the battle formation, taking Li Kui's place.

Behind him were six men, Jian Shuo, Huangfu Yan, Shi A, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Gao Lan, each carrying a weapon.

Qiao Lan gently raised her hand, her fingertips brushing across the strings of the zither...

Suddenly, the song "Nie Zheng Assassinating Han Kui" began to play.

In an instant, a passionate sound suddenly exploded...

Zhu Jun raised his arm and waved, Xu Feng led the way with his sword, Liu Dai and Liu Yao stood on the left and right respectively, Xun Yu stood in the center with his sword horizontally, and Qiao Zhu stood at the rear of the formation with his sword hanging down.
This is called "Crane Wings," which extends to the left and right like a crane spreading its wings, and can be used for both offense and defense.

Liu Fang drew his sword from his waist with a backhand motion:

"Arrange the formation, break through the enemy lines!"

Before the command was even finished, Shi A shot out like an arrow, his long sword flashing seven times.

Amidst the flashing sword shadows, Xu Feng did not dodge at all, aiming straight for Shi A's face.

Shi A raised his sword to meet the attack, but the sword shadow suddenly changed, like a snake spitting its tongue, grazing his hair and then slashing at his wrist.

Shi A hurriedly withdrew his hand. Seeing this, Xu Feng touched the ground with his toes and used the force to leap into the air, pointing his sword at Jian Shuo again.

Yan Liang roared and brandished his sword to come to the rescue. The wind from his sword swept up fallen leaves and formed a black curtain in front of Jian Shuo.

Just then, Zhu Jun's longsword arrived and clashed with Yan Liang's blade with a loud clang, sparks flying everywhere.

Huangfu Yan thrust his spear straight at Liu Dai's throat, the spear's momentum like a dragon emerging from the sea.

Liu Yao charged in from the right flank, his spear tip pointing back at Huangfu Yan.

But then Huangfu Yan's iron spear spun rapidly, like pear blossoms fluttering in the air, and in an instant, he stabbed two people at once, fighting against two opponents and forcefully stopping their attack.

Xun Yu, who was in the central army, saw this clearly. He exchanged a glance with Qiao Zhu, and the two of them simultaneously drew their swords and attacked Liu Fang.

Wen Chou sneered, and his spear, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, deflected the weapons of the two men with a "crack".

In the midst of battle, Jian Shuo was forced back three steps by Xu Feng's sword strike, his clothes soaked with sweat.

Shi A and Gao Lan flanked them, forming a triangle with Xu Feng and engaging him in battle.

As Liu Fang gazed upon this scene, a sense of unease began to stir within him.

He boasted that his family tradition was excellent, citing Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, and others as proof.

Moreover, he had spent half his life fighting in his previous life and was used to seeing battlefields.

This life's foundation is far superior to that of the previous life, and the previous incarnation had received swordsmanship instruction from Wang Yue for many years.

At that moment, he really felt the urge to try it...

Liu Fang surveyed the battle situation and suddenly noticed that Yan Liang was at a slight disadvantage. He immediately made a decision and rushed to Yan Liang's side with a light step.

The sharp blade flashed like lightning, heading straight for Zhu Jun.

Zhu Jun's sword flashed like a dazzling array of flowers, his sword strikes clashing with Liu Fang's blade.

A tremendous force struck, making Liu Fang's hands go numb and almost causing him to lose his grip on the sword hilt.

As Zhu Jun withdrew his strength, Yan Liang swept his broadsword across Zhu Jun's leg, but Liu Yao suddenly appeared from the side and barely managed to block Yan Liang's attack.

As the battle reached its climax, Qiao Lan's zither music suddenly turned rapid, the seven strings vibrating as if an ice river were cracking.

Liu Fang's heart skipped a beat, and he waved his command flag. Everyone understood, and the battle formation dispersed like a tide.

Looking around the arena, only Liu Fang and Zhu Jun remained, their eyes locked.

In an instant, Liu Fang's sword stance suddenly changed. Zhu Jun, seeing this, neither dodged nor evaded, and their blades met:

"Lord Yuanyi, be careful..."

Liu Fanglang laughed, his wrist flicked, and the sword's momentum changed again, like a startled swan skimming the water:
"Gongwei, come here!"

　Here's an extra update for 520, let's celebrate together!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)