National Division

Chapter 114 What kind of scoundrel is this, a mere roadside scion!
On the competition stage
As Shen Xian grasped the essence of the art, Cui You's expression grew increasingly grim, and his swordplay began to become somewhat chaotic.

In particular, Shen Xian's Night White Blade Technique, imbued with the intent of a sword, first swept towards Cui You like darkness, and then, like a bright light, intimidated Cui You's mind.

As Shen Xian's understanding of sword intent suddenly rose to 20%.

Yunyin's sword intent had already been completely suppressed!

"Buzz..."

The Ink Rain Blade trembled and hummed incessantly, seemingly with immense joy.

The inky rain had perfectly blended into the imagery of the night, and Cui You felt his five senses gradually fading away, his heart filled with extreme terror.

The sword technique in the palm of the hand is unpredictable and chaotic.

Just then, a flash of light appeared, and Cui You's heart tightened. In the blink of an eye, a figure was already in front of him.

"Whoosh!"

As Cui You's longsword flew from his hand, he was still in shock when he felt an indescribable pain in his cheek. Then, with a muffled groan, several molars and blood flew out of his mouth, and he was sent flying uncontrollably.

The ball struck the magical barriers surrounding the arena, creating faint ripples on the water.

It's exactly the same as Lu Ziling's big hole just now!
Shen Xian stood in mid-air and looked at Cui You, his cold face seemingly covered with a layer of frost.

Cui You lay on the ground, his cheeks bleeding from the sharpness of the sword intent and true energy, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at the young man.

He actually lost?
How could he lose? Especially in front of the entire population of the capital!

At this moment, a wave of humiliation and anger enveloped Cui You like darkness, making him feel like he was living a life worse than death.

Because this time, the shameful thing was known to everyone!
"The young members of the Cui and Lu clans are nothing special," Shen Xian said calmly, sheathing his sword.

Now that he has made his move, his understanding of swordsmanship has reached a very deep level. With the addition of his movement skills and sword intent, he completely overwhelms Cui You in terms of combat power.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the martial artists below the stands were also visibly shaken.

Such a casual remark, yet it was another crushing defeat.

Everything that just happened seemed to take a very long time to describe, but it actually happened in the blink of an eye. From the moment Shen Xian began to comprehend the artistic conception to the moment he slapped Cui You so hard that his buttocks were ripped open, it only took a short quarter of an hour.

On the canopy-covered stands, Cui Yan suddenly stood up, his aged face filled with shock and disbelief.

My grandson Cui You, with the talent of a mortal immortal, how could he be defeated by a brat like Shen Xian?
Cui Kun was also pale and had a blank stare.

It can be said that the Cui family at this moment really did not expect that Cui You would suffer such a crushing defeat!
Because Choi Woo has never lost a match since his debut.

Of course, there were times when they failed, but they never publicized it like this.

To be slapped across the face in broad daylight, in the presence of so many people, was not just a slap on Cui You's face, but a slap on the face of the entire Boling Cui clan!
"What kind of scoundrels are you? You're nothing but a nobody on the roadside!" Shen Xian said with a slightly cold expression, "As members of a prestigious family, you enjoy high prestige and occupy high positions. Just like your two patriarchs, you are deceitful and fraudulent, only knowing how to flatter and fawn. Any of the grandmasters below you could easily trample your so-called prodigies underfoot! You're just a bunch of good-for-nothings, not even worth a second glance!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd below cheered in unison, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Scholar Shen is right! What kind of scion of a noble family is he? He's nothing but a nobody by the roadside!"

"What abilities do the Cui and Lu clans have? Just because someone gives them a hand, they think they're invincible masters!"

It can be said that Shen Xian's scathing remarks, comparable to those of a "junior minister," were far more explosive and widely disseminated among the people and martial artists of the capital than his previous refined words in court.

Hearing the boy's humiliating words, Cui You's face turned ashen, and his knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white.

Meanwhile, members of the Cui clan, such as Cui Sheng and Cui Ang, had ashen faces, their faces contorted with rage, and they glared fiercely at the young man, wishing they could kill him with their own hands.

This boy has disgraced the Cui family's reputation and should be killed!

Cui An, too, frowned as he looked at the icy-faced youth, a sudden thought flashing through his mind.

Fell into a trap!
I'm afraid this person had the Cui family in mind from the very beginning, and was using this competition to suppress the prestige of the Cui and Lu clans!

What's frightening is that, after this incident, the Cui and Lu clans have become a joke in the eyes of the world!
Since the founding of the Great Jing Dynasty, although the Great Jing royal family has suppressed the Cui and Lu clans many times, the Cui and Lu clans still have a good reputation among the common people and scholars.

Even though Emperor Taizong of the Zhenyuan era listed the Cui family as the third class in the "Clan Records", people still considered marrying a woman from one of the five surnames as their lifelong pursuit.

To put it bluntly, the suppression from the higher levels of government is useless.

The general public felt that the Cui and Lu families were of high status, similar to old-fashioned aristocrats.

Shen Xian's actions undoubtedly further destroyed the reputation of the Cui and Lu clans from the perspective of the common people, exposing their true colors.

"Where are the Thousand Bull Guards? Hang Cui You on the flagpole!" Shen Xian shouted.

"promise."

The guards below responded in unison once again, and led by Zhang Rong, they went up to the stands and walked quickly, about to lift Cui You up.

The previously dazed Cui You suddenly sprang up, his body surging with true energy, his face full of anger, veins bulging on his forehead, and his fists gathering true energy. Clearly, he did not want to be hung on the flagpole.

Zhang Rong sneered: "Still dare to resist?"

One after another, the Thousand Ox Blades were drawn, their blades flashing, and they gradually approached.

Shen Xian said coldly, "What, is the Cui family going back on their word and can't afford to play games?"

The reason he didn't dismiss the two men from the beginning was to further damage the prestige of the Cui and Lu clans.

Going back on your word would be even more degrading!
Lu Ziling lost his composure and offered no resistance.

Cui You was clearly unwilling to be hung on the flagpole and found it difficult to accept the fact, subconsciously resisting being hung on the flagpole.

Upon seeing this, Cui Shang revealed himself, his eyes filled with urgency.

Lu Ji said calmly, "Cui, is the Cui family of Boling going back on their word after making this arrangement?"

Cui Shang's face turned ashen. He snorted coldly and shouted, "You'er, don't be ridiculous!"

The warriors and commoners below erupted in deafening boos and bursts of laughter.

"They have no shame whatsoever!"

"Playing dirty tricks, is this the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families? Haha, you're not even as good as a gambler."

"Yeah, what kind of so-called aristocratic families are they? They can't accept defeat! They're a disgrace!"

Faced with overwhelming accusations, the Cui family on the reed hut felt extremely uncomfortable, their faces all looking grim.

It can be said that in the past, the Cui family's character and family style have always been praised. When has there ever been such a scene of being condemned by thousands of people?

Cui Shang's eyes were filled with anxiety and heartache as he called out loudly, "You'er, don't tarnish the reputation of the Cui family!"

As a witness and a powerful cultivator at the fifth level of the Immortal Realm, [Divine Illumination Realm], Cui Shang's significance lay in serving as a kaishakunin (second).

Cui You, his face stained with blood and his expression one of humiliation, turned to look at the Cui clan members on the thatched roof. Most of them had complex expressions and pity in their eyes.

The once-proud prodigy of the Cui family has fallen from grace, suffering such a humiliating end, which is quite heartbreaking.

Cui Kun's face turned pale, and his lips trembled as he said, "Father, You'er, he..."

Cui Yan's hands, hidden in his sleeves, were clenched tightly. His face was ashen, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Don't let You'er do anything foolish! This time, our Cui family admits defeat!"

As he spoke, his eyes blazed with fury as he looked at the boy holding the Ink Rain Blade.

Shen Xian, you brat, just wait, one day I will tear you to pieces!

Upon hearing this, Cui Kun, despite his grief, still stepped forward and gave a few instructions to the steward beside him.

Immediately, a voice came from the Cui family's thatched hut, saying, "The Cui family admits defeat!"

Cui You closed his eyes, slowly lowering his clenched fist. Several Imperial Guards surrounded him, lifted him up, and...
Upon seeing this, Shen Xian said, "Your Highness, to prevent Cui and Lu from escaping in the middle of the night, it would be best to temporarily seal their dantian with immortal techniques, and then send someone to guard them and feed them fasting pills."

The eldest princess then revealed herself and asked, "Scholar Shen is right. What does Commander Lu think?"

Lu Ji nodded and said, "A bet is a bet, and that's how it should be."

Cui Shang's expression was not good, but his lips moved slightly without saying anything.

Shen Xian said, "Someone, hang up a banner for the two of them!"

Under the watchful eyes of the audience around the stands, several guards took a black cloth banner that had been prepared in advance from Han Yi and unfurled it with a swish.

The four large characters embroidered on it with bright vermilion thread are clearly visible: Traitor Cui Lu!
The black background with red characters was extremely eye-catching. The people and martial artists around the stands cheered in unison, which brought the atmosphere of today's competition to a climax.

“This Scholar Shen was clearly well-prepared,” Zhou Kuan said.

Huan Yanfan's tiger-like eyes flashed with a sharp light as he said, "You're young and impetuous! This move has undoubtedly offended the Cui and Lu clans completely, and now it's a fight to the death!"

"Either you don't offend them, or you offend them to death. Although this move will put you at odds with the Cui and Lu clans, it might just win you the favor of a nobleman." Kuang Shili's eyes flickered as he whispered.

As a mid-to-lower-level military officer like the General of the Guards, and being a young man, he greatly admired Shen Xian's decisive and ruthless style.

Huan Yanfan smiled and said, "That's true."

As a result of this incident, the reputation of the Cui and Lu clans will inevitably plummet, and their civility will be tarnished.

Cui Mei stared intently at the young man, a hint of coldness in her eyes.

Zheng Ya frowned and said with dissatisfaction, "Is this Scholar Shen so petty? Why can't he be more magnanimous and forgiving?"

Shouldn't we turn hostility into friendship in this situation?
Zheng Nianxi's gaze fell on the young man's face, and she said quietly, "This person comes from a humble family and has no sense of restraint in his actions."

When Zhou Liang and Lai Jing saw this scene, they exchanged a glance and saw the same shock in each other's eyes.

Regardless of what was said beforehand about hanging the descendants of the Cui and Lu families on the flagpole and hanging banners calling them traitors, the shock was indescribable when it actually happened.

Both men came from humble backgrounds and harbored both hatred and envy towards aristocratic families.

How many people in the capital city held the Cui and Lu families, powerful and influential clans, in awe?
Shen Xian's actions can be said to have thrown the Cui and Lu clans, both prestigious families, into the mud.

Stripped of the mystique of their noble lineage, the golden status of the two clans was shattered!

When King Zhao Yang Youxing saw this scene, he stared blankly, feeling a mix of emotions. His tone was filled with complex emotions: "After this incident, I'm afraid the people of the capital will look down on the Cui and Lu families, who are powerful and influential noble families."

"When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves; when animals grieve for their own kind, they grieve for each other. This boy's methods are ruthless; I fear that his excessive rigidity may lead to his downfall," Fa Ming said in a somber tone.

There are other powerful clans in the capital city besides the Cui and Lu clans. Wouldn't they have something to say about Shen Xian?

Zhao Wang Yang Youxing said in a cryptic tone, "I'm afraid that Her Majesty will place even more trust in Shen Xian."

He knew his aunt's dislike for the Cui and Lu families; otherwise, she wouldn't have heavily relied on Zhou and Lai to undermine the powerful and influential families.

He wholeheartedly supported this matter, because even powerful and influential families like Cui and Lu looked down on the Yang family.

Thus, it can be said that evil people will be punished by evil people!

Lady Han smiled charmingly and said, "I've certainly seen a good show today, so it wasn't a wasted trip."

Lady Zheng nodded and said softly, "Yes, but hanging it on the flagpole, exposed to wind and rain, aren't you afraid something might happen?"

"Both Cui and Lu are martial artists, and some even cultivate immortality. They won't die even if they hang there for seven days." Lady Han chuckled lightly, her tone mocking, "However, they've lost all face and are worse off than dead."

At this moment, looking up at the two people on the flagpole, Lu Ziling had his eyes tightly closed, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Cui You was also deathly pale, his eyes lowered.

Lady Yang Simin of Wei also looked at the young man, her eyebrows raised, her eyes full of admiration.

Meanwhile, in the thatched hut of the Shen family in Lanxi, Shen Lincang's old face was full of excitement, but the old man had experienced the ups and downs of official life and his self-cultivation was quite remarkable.

"Muzhi, this is a complete victory." Shen Lin breathed a sigh of relief and murmured.

After Lu Ziling's crushing defeat, Shen Lin's previously anxious heart was finally at ease. However, when Cui You unleashed his sword intent and the surrounding people began to discuss it, Shen Lin's worries returned.

Now, the dust has settled.

Shen Zheng said with great concern, "Father, the Mu Zhi and Cui Lu clans have clashed."

Shen Lin waved his hand and said, "We've been at odds since the court denounced the two clans as traitors. There's no need to worry. Since the founding of the country, there have been countless ups and downs in the court. The Cui and Lu clans weren't born into their powerful and influential status."

It is simply that over the centuries, outstanding individuals have emerged and entered the imperial court to serve as officials, which has gradually built up its current reputation.

The Shen family of Lanxi might very well be able to take their place!
Shen Qian didn't think too much about it, but said happily from the side, "Nephew Xian, you have already planned this out. This banner was prepared in advance."

Shen Zhai, who was sitting in a chair in the distance, looked shocked and stared blankly at the young man, his mind filled with disbelief.

Even the Cui clan members were defeated?

So... the Cui and Lu clans have both been defeated. Is there really no one who can subdue him?
Looking at his nephew, who was radiant and dazzling in front of everyone, Shen Zhai felt an indescribable jealousy.

The eldest princess looked at Shen Xian with a smile in her beautiful eyes and said, "Scholar Shen, the outcome of this battle has been decided. Do you have anything else to say to the Cui and Lu clans?"

Shen Xian said loudly, "The Cui and Lu clans are overrated! But this also exposes the fact that the current martial arts world values ​​realm over martial skills. The ranking mechanism of the Qilin Ranking needs to be readjusted. In conjunction with the Empress Dowager's opening of more martial arts examinations, we should strive to create a more credible ranking list!"

Actually, he knew the reason.

Because the Qilin Ranking, unlike the Immortal Ranking, does not rely on divine inspiration, it requires a huge amount of manpower to collect information on martial artists across the land. As a result, it easily becomes a small, self-contained ranking in the capital, and thus degenerates into a tool for aristocratic families to gain fame.

The eldest princess said in a clear voice, "Scholar Shen's insightful and incisive analysis is sure to turn things around. I believe that with Scholar Shen in charge of the Qilin Pavilion, the past decline will be reversed!"

The onlookers below nodded in agreement.

This Scholar Shen is truly a man of great talent for governing the world; he never forgets his official duties even during a martial arts contest.

"I heard that Scholar Shen suggested opening a military examination in his 'Policy on Public Security'. I'm afraid that the change to the Qilin Ranking was also part of his plan."

At this moment, a martial artist who was paying attention to the court's movements spoke up.

"No wonder! I heard that martial artists on the Qilin Ranking can view the martial arts techniques in the Qilin Pavilion at a discounted rate based on their demonic skills."

"This move truly opens the door to officialdom for martial artists across the land."

"Learn both literary and martial arts, and serve the emperor. We martial artists can cultivate while serving in the government, and at least we won't lack resources. I heard that Scholar Shen wasn't at the Acquired Realm before?"

"Now that you mention it, there were such rumors before. Could it be... that they received supplies from the imperial court?"

For a time, the people of the capital were discussing it enthusiastically, and the martial artists were even more excited.

With the backing of the royal family, as long as I diligently practice martial arts, I should be able to easily defeat powerful families like the Cui and Lu clans, just like Scholar Shen!
It can be said that Shen Xian's reputation will spread from this day forward, and as time goes by, everyone in the capital will know him!

Some military officers in the court, such as Huan Yanfan, exchanged glances and could sense the decisive and efficient style of a capable official.

Zhou Kuan exclaimed, "This Scholar Shen is truly a man of both literary and military talent. I'm afraid he will one day rise to a high position in the government and become a councilor."

Heroes have emerged from among the young since ancient times. Comparisons are inevitable and can be frustrating. Scholar Shen and his good-for-nothing son are the same age, but both are exceptionally talented.

“Our Great Jing Dynasty has a long-standing tradition of producing generals who also become prime ministers. Scholar Shen is well-versed in martial arts, and I’m afraid he will lead troops into battle in the future, wielding the imperial banner and holding the imperial staff.” Huan Yanfan, being a forthright and generous man, joked, “Who knows, he might even become our superior.”

Kuang Shili laughed and said, "General Huan, that's all ten or twenty years from now."

After all, age is a factor.

The group chatted and laughed, not taking it to heart.

Just then, a high-pitched voice rang out throughout the venue: "The Empress has arrived!"

The once noisy stands suddenly fell silent. Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see a grand imperial procession coming from the capital.

In fact, the Empress and the Imperial Advisor Murong Yue watched from the city gate tower for a while until the outcome was completely decided.

Empress Tian and Murong Yue descended from the city gate tower, boarded the phoenix carriage carrying the Imperial Guards, palace maids, and eunuchs, and arrived at the front under the protection of the Northern Imperial Guards.

The crowd parted to make way, and then the Imperial Guards of the Northern Army, with swords drawn, lined up on both sides to guard the left and right.

The eldest princess, the commander of the Vermilion Bird Division, and Cui Shang all descended from the high platform and came to the front of the phoenix carriage, bowing and saying, "Your subjects greet Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years."

Shen Xian also descended from the high platform, approached, and bowed to the Empress on the phoenix carriage.

People from all directions and martial artists alike paid their respects.

In an instant, the voice of a thousand years resounded through the heavens.

At this moment, the Empress, dressed in a magnificent palace gown and wearing a golden phoenix crown adorned with pearls and beads, sat on the phoenix palanquin. Riding alongside her was the Imperial Preceptor, Murong Yue, dressed in a blue Taoist robe.

The female Taoist priest was dressed simply, but her demeanor was exquisite, with fragrant skin and a refined air, as if she were a celestial being.

To the left of the imperial carriage was Gao Yanfu, a palace attendant with a fair complexion, delicate eyebrows, and narrow eyes, holding a whisk. To the right was Gu Nanzhu, dressed in the attire of a female official, with a beautiful and elegant appearance.

(End of this chapter)