Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The aftershocks of the "business war" had not yet completely subsided, but the banquet hall of the Jingbei Prince's Mansion was already brightly lit and filled with pleasant music.

However, beneath this grand feast, another undercurrent is surging—a contest between culture and etiquette.

Today is the day Xiao Chen hosts a banquet for delegations from Northern Yan, various Western Regions countries, and some grassland tribes.

Among those present were Wanyan Hong, the chief envoy of the Northern Yan state, Sadik, the envoy of the Western Regions Dayuan Kingdom, and musicians from Kucha.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere seemed harmonious, but in some people's eyes, a malicious glint had begun to appear.

"Your Highness," Yelü Qi, the chief envoy of Northern Yan, said with a forced smile, holding a wine cup, "I have long admired the Central Plains as a land of etiquette and flourishing music. Northern Yan, located on the border, has always looked up to it. Today's banquet, with its fine wine and delicacies, seems to lack a certain elegance."

He clapped his hands, and a group of Northern Yan Hu women, dressed in thin gauze, with graceful figures, barefoot and wearing bells, gracefully entered.

The music changed, becoming enchanting and tender.

The women danced to the music, their waists swaying like water, their eyes sparkling. Their movements were bold and provocative, captivating many of the envoys present, who even let out frivolous whistles.

Yelü Qi looked at Xiao Chen smugly: "This is my Northern Yan's 'Heavenly Demon Dance,' I wonder if it meets Your Highness's approval?"

The implication is that you, Hanyuan, are located in a remote border region and probably do not have such "refined music"?

The Western Regions envoy, Sadiq, stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "The music and dance of Kucha in the Western Regions are also exceptional, but it's a pity that I didn't bring any musicians with me today."

This is a blatant cultural provocation. In this era, "rites and music" are symbols of civilization. If Han Yuan cannot accept this challenge, he will be considered a "barbarian" and will be at a disadvantage diplomatically.

The faces of Han Yuan's ministers were grim, with veteran ministers like Han Lie glaring angrily. Xiao Chen, however, remained calm and lightly clapped his hands.

"The Northern Swallow Dance is indeed unique."

Xiao Chen said calmly, "However, my Han Yuan also has a dance, which I invite you gentlemen to appreciate."

The music stopped abruptly. The women withdrew. The hall fell silent instantly.

A woman dressed in plain white clothing and with her face covered by a white veil slowly walked into the center of the hall.

She was tall and slender, with a steady gait. Although her face was not clearly visible, her eyes were as bright as cold stars.

He held no musical instruments, only a long sword that was not yet drawn.

"This is my sworn sister, Murong Xue."

Xiao Chen introduced, "Today, she will perform a dance called 'Breaking the Formation' for everyone."

"The 'Breaking the Enemy's Formation Music'?" Yelü Qi was taken aback. "Is it a piece of music used in the army of the previous dynasty?"

"Exactly." Xiao Chen nodded. "However, it is Gu Xin's newly composed 'Cold Abyss: Breaking the Formation Music'."

As soon as she finished speaking, Murong Xue drew her sword!

A clear, resonant sword cry echoed throughout the hall. The sword's blade gleamed like a pool of autumn water, radiating a chilling light.

There were no musicians, no accompaniment. Murong Xue struck the ground with her sword, and a dull thud resounded, like the beating of a war drum.

Then, she moved.

The sword flashes like a bolt of lightning, and the rider moves with the sword. The opening stance is "Golden Spears and Iron Horses," with a powerful and majestic swordplay and resounding footwork, as if a thousand troops are galloping before one's eyes.

"First move, 'Beacon Fire Across the Sky'!" Xiao Chen murmured.

Murong Xue's swordplay shifted abruptly, her sword light flashing fiercely like a wildfire, swift and intense. Her figure darted through the hall, leaving behind afterimages, her sword energy crisscrossing, even causing the candlelight in the banquet hall to flicker unpredictably.

"Bravo!" The generals of Hanyuan couldn't help but cheer. This was no dance; it was clearly a magnificent swordsmanship demonstration!

The Western Regions envoy, Sadiq, stared wide-eyed. He had seen countless Hu Xuan dances and Zhe Zhi dances, but he had never seen a performance that so perfectly combined the aura of killing with the rhythm of dance.

"Second move: Bloodbath on the battlefield!"

Murong Xue's swordsmanship changed again, her moves becoming fierce and ruthless. Every strike—slashing, thrusting, parrying, and wiping—was filled with a brutal killing intent.

Her figure sometimes soared like an eagle in the sky, and sometimes crouched like a tiger on a mountain ridge. Her pure white figure seemed to have transformed into the most dazzling white rainbow on the battlefield.

The smile on Yelü Qi's face had vanished, replaced by deep shock and a hint of fear.

As a military man, he could naturally tell that this woman's swordsmanship was not just for show, but a real skill for killing!

Moreover, the indomitable and valiant spirit it contained made even this self-proclaimed brave nobleman of Northern Yan feel his heart and soul tremble.

"The third move: Triumphant Return!"

The sword's momentum abruptly shifted, becoming grand, majestic, and solemn. Murong Xue sheathed her sword and stood there, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground, slightly panting. The echoes of the clanging metal and the soaring battle intent seemed to still resonate within the hall.

silence.Deathly silence.

Then, with a loud "boom," Han Yuanwenwu was the first to erupt in thunderous applause and cheers.

"Excellent! Princess Murong's skill is divine!" "This dance should only exist in heaven!"

The Western Regions envoy, Sadiq, stood up excitedly, patted his chest, and bowed: "Great Your Highness, Noble Princess! This is a dance of the gods, the spirit of warriors! Sadiq has never seen anything like it in his life, and is utterly impressed!"

Yelü Qi's face turned pale and then red. He knew that in the face of this "Breaking the Formation Music", the Northern Yan's "Heavenly Demon Dance" had become nothing more than a plaything for people to amuse themselves.

His cultural provocation was crushed in a more forceful and noble manner by the other side.

Xiao Chen raised his cup and smiled, "Lord Yelü, Lord Sadiq, was this dance to your liking?"

Yelü Qi forced a smile: "Your Highness's forces are full of hidden talents; I admire them."

"Since everyone is enjoying themselves, let's have a few more drinks," Xiao Chen said. "Bring 'Cold Abyss Intoxication'!"

Attendants brought over jars of wine sealed with clay. When the clay seals were broken, a strong, mellow aroma of wine, carrying the scent of roasted grains, instantly filled the entire hall.

This is a high-proof liquor purified by the Chemical Medicine Department of the Gewu Institute using distillation technology, with an alcohol content far exceeding that of any other liquor of this era.

"This is my special brew from Hanyuan, named 'Drunken Peace,' but I prefer to call it 'Hanyuan Drunken.'"

Xiao Chen personally filled Yelü Qi and Sadiq's bowls, saying, "Please!"

Yelü Qi stared at the clear, yet pungent, liquor-smelling liquid, a chill running down his spine. The people of Northern Yan were known for their drinking prowess, but this wine… seemed different. However, he couldn't afford to show weakness now.

"Damn it!" He forced himself to drink it down.

The wine went down his throat like a burning thread, scorching him all the way to his stomach. Yelü Qi's face instantly turned bright red, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Wow...this is strong liquor!"

Sadiq also downed the slurped it down in one gulp, then began coughing violently. "My God... is this fire?"

"Hahaha!"

Xiao Chen laughed loudly, "This wine is strong, just like the temperament of us Han Yuan lads. Come, fill it up again!"

One bowl, two bowls, three bowls...

Yelü Qi had hoped to regain his composure at the dinner table, but the power of "Hanyuan Zui" far exceeded his expectations.

Before he had even finished ten bowls, he felt dizzy and his tongue was tied in knots. With a "plop," he slid under the table and began snoring loudly.

His deputy and entourage were also staggering and behaving in a disgraceful manner.

Sadiq struggled to stay upright, but his eyes were glazed over, and he kept saying, "I can't... I can't... Han Yuan, he's strong, and the alcohol is even stronger..."

Xiao Chen, without changing his expression, drank another bowl, then raised his cup to the swaying Northern Yan and Western Regions delegations, saying, "Gentlemen, have you enjoyed yourselves?"

"Enjoy...enjoy it to the fullest..." Sadiq muttered, then lay down as well.

"Someone, escort the gentlemen back to the inn to rest," Xiao Chen ordered, a cold smile curving his lips.

A meticulously planned cultural provocation and diplomatic obstruction was thus completely shattered by a powerful and invigorating piece of music, "Breaking the Formation," and jars of fiery "Cold Abyss Intoxication."

After the banquet, the story of Princess Murong's breathtaking sword dance and Han Yuan's drunken intoxication of the Northern Yan envoy quickly spread far and wide.

The image of Hanyuan is no longer that of a border town that "only knows how to fight and kill", but a powerful and civilized country with amazing sword dances, a strong and iron-blooded army, and wine that can make heroes drunk.

This intangible soft power is more persuasive than swords and more authoritative than gold.