A man in the martial world, a reincarnated sword immortal.

A Man in the Martial World, A Reincarnated Sword Immortal, Chapter 106

As Zhao Ji wiped the sweat from his body with a handkerchief, he said to Yan Xingzhou, "It's still early."

"I also plan to go admire the flowers and have some tea."

"Yan Qing, if you are tired, please go back and rest."

Zhao Ji's words, though spoken casually, struck Yan Xingzhou like a bolt from the blue.

Even Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) was neither tired nor weary; how could he, the head of the Imperial City Guard, simply go back to rest?

I'm afraid that once he goes home to rest, he'll really be stuck at home for the rest of his life.

Yan Xingzhou's expression immediately hardened, and he bowed respectfully to Zhao Ji, saying, "Your Majesty."

"I am guilty----"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji tossed the handkerchief in his hand onto the tray held by the young eunuch beside him, and took some tea to rinse his mouth.

After rinsing her mouth thoroughly, she asked Yan Xingzhou with a slightly surprised look, "Are you guilty?"

"What crime have you committed?"

"Yan Qing, do you think I was blaming you just now?"

"Haha~~~"

"I'm not that petty."

"Since I ascended the throne, you have been serving in the palace day and night, guarding its safety. I have seen all of this."

"This imperial palace is guarded by the Imperial Guards and protected by the Imperial City Guards."

"I am perfectly safe in the palace."

"You just overthink things."

"I've noticed that you don't seem to be in good spirits lately, and you look much more haggard."

That's why I let you go home and rest.

Yan Xingzhou felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this.

My grandfather often said, "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger."

However, the current officials are very lenient towards those around them.

He rarely gets angry on ordinary days.

Now that the Emperor is comforting him like this, how could he not feel warm inside?

However, the better the emperor treated him, the more resentful he felt.

This was because the news that Zhong Yuan, the leader of the Ming Cult, and Kumārajīva, the Grand Master of Tibet, were going to have a decisive battle in the imperial palace had already spread like wildfire throughout the martial arts world.

However, no one in the palace dared to leak this news to the Emperor.

Firstly, few people in the imperial court would respect those from the common folk.

Secondly, if this news were to reach the ears of the authorities, the consequences could be too great.

The emperor is very likely to be furious and remove him from his position as head of the Imperial City Guard.

after all.

How could a mere outlaw like myself possibly catch the eye of the officials?

These江湖人士 (jianghu figures) dared to challenge each other to a duel within the imperial palace.

This is not just disrespecting the emperor; to put it more seriously, it's defecating and urinating on the emperor's head.

Once the emperor orders him to lead men to capture Zhongyuan and Kumārajīva.

How can he catch it!

How do we catch it?

Not to mention Bright Peak, the current stronghold of the Ming Cult, he wouldn't dare go there with the Imperial City Guard.

Even if he dared to go, he wouldn't be a match for that guy surnamed Zhong.

The times have changed.

The Ming Cult of today is not the same as it was back then.

He manipulated the Ming Cult back then with ease!

However, the Ming Cult of today is no longer someone he can easily provoke.

Therefore, he had no choice but to keep quiet about it.

If, today, the man surnamed Zhong and Kumārajīva appear in the palace.

He laid a trap, determined to kill the man surnamed Zhong in the palace at all costs.

At that time.

If you then ask the officials for credit, the outcome will naturally be different.

of course.

The palaces within the imperial palace are enormous.

Who knows where Zhongyuan and Kumārajīva will have their final battle?

Right now, the most important thing is to ask the Emperor to go back and rest.

At the very least, the emperor must not be allowed to leave this imperial garden.

Immediately.

He immediately gave a wink to his subordinates behind him, then respectfully addressed Zhao Ji, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"The flowers in the back garden are quite beautiful; I've had tea prepared in advance."

"I was thinking that if the emperor finished playing football, he might want to enjoy the scenery and have some tea."

"To be prepared."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji's eyes lit up immediately, and he raised his hand towards Yan Xingzhou, saying, "Alright."

"Minister Yan, you understand me best!"

"Alright."

"You lead the way."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xingzhou immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, he had considered everything carefully beforehand.

As long as the emperor stays in the Imperial Garden, there shouldn't be any major problems.

Not long after.

Yan Xingzhou had already led Zhao Ji to the back garden of the Imperial Garden.

Under the pavilion, tea had already been brewed, and the steaming tea, carrying its aroma, wafted in all directions.

Emperor Huizong drank a few sips of hot tea to warm himself up.

When the mood strikes, I'll paint.

Yan Xingzhou immediately arranged for people to prepare drawing paper, brush, ink, paper and inkstone for Zhao Ji.

As dusk approached, the surroundings gradually darkened.

The eunuch on the side had already wisely lit lamps around the area.

This allowed Zhao Ji to concentrate on painting.

Yan Xingzhou then quietly withdrew from the Imperial Garden.

As soon as he stepped out of the Imperial Garden, he asked his trusted aide, "How was it?"

"Is there any movement?"

The trusted aide immediately replied, "Master, we have not yet found any trace of Kumārajīva or the man surnamed Zhong."

Yan Xingzhou squinted. Ten years had passed, and he had become more experienced and mature.

He knew that this Zhong's martial arts skills had already reached a state of perfection.

Therefore, tonight, he deployed enough manpower and crossbows in the palace.

As long as that guy surnamed Zhong dares to sneak into the palace at night.

We must take him down.

Just then.

A firework suddenly rose into the sky from the southeast direction of the palace, blooming in mid-air.

The vibrant fireworks, in their purple and red hues, appeared especially beautiful against the night sky.

Yan Xingzhou's expression changed immediately upon seeing the fireworks.

He then turned to his trusted aide and said, "We have a signal!"

"You take your men and protect the officials here!"

Before he could finish speaking...

Yan Xingzhou was already rushing towards the southeast of the palace.

The Imperial Palace of the Song Dynasty.

Shengping Building.

This place was where the Song Dynasty emperors usually watched plays and held banquets.

It wasn't considered a particularly important location within the entire Song Dynasty imperial palace.

Normally, the number of imperial guards stationed there is also the smallest.

tonight.

Because the Imperial City Guard has strengthened its defenses.

and so.

Personnel were also deployed near Shengping Building.

at this time.

A bright moon hung high in the night sky.

A figure appeared on the roof of Shengping Building.

Looking out from Shengpinglou towards the distant city of Tokyo, one can see the night view of the city.

That figure was none other than Kumārajīva, dressed in a monk's robe.

Ten years have passed.

Compared to ten years ago, Kumārajīva appeared much older.

However, there was something even deeper in his eyes.

He clasped his hands together and looked up at the night sky.

It's been ten years.

then.

He witnessed firsthand at Lingjiu Palace on Misty Peak that the Ming Cult leader, Zhong, killed Li Qiushui.

That year, he climbed to the summit of Bright Peak and challenged Zhong Yuan.

As a result, he was defeated by a single sword strike.

It's been ten years.

It's been a full ten years.

For the past ten years, he has been in seclusion, cultivating in order to comprehend the profound methods and defeat Zhong Yuan, the leader of the Ming Cult!

now.

He finally grasped the true meaning of formlessness and intangibility, and with the current power of his supreme Tibetan Tantric technique, the Flaming Blade.

It seems that he has already earned the right to compete with Zhong Yuan.

and so.

He returned to the martial arts world, solely to have a rematch with Zhong Yuan, the leader of the Ming Cult.

just.

He didn't expect that.

That Master Zhong actually chose Shengping Tower in the Song Dynasty Imperial Palace as the location for this decisive battle.

Although he didn't know what the leader of the cult was really up to.

But he still accepted it gladly!

because!

he knows.

A true grandmaster of martial arts is not afraid of imperial power.

Being able to freely enter and leave the Song Dynasty imperial palace was perhaps a test that Master Zhong had given himself.

now.

he came!

Where is that Master Zhong now?

Tokyo.

Inside Fanlou.

now.

This is the time when nightlife is at its most vibrant.

Inside Fanlou, high-ranking officials and dignitaries from the capital, as well as people from all over the country, gathered together.

It was incredibly lively.

but.

Tonight, most of the people who came to join the fun were there for the battle between Zhong Yuan, the leader of the Ming Cult, and the Great Wheel King, the national teacher of Tibet.

On the third floor of that restaurant.

Now, Duan Yu, who is the ruler of the Dali Kingdom, is wearing a brocade robe and leaning against the window, gazing at the distant Song Dynasty palace.

A hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

"Ten years."

"I wonder just how far that Master Zhong has gone."

Zhu Danchen, who was standing to the side, said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, tonight, the capital city of the Great Song Dynasty, Bianjing, is quite lively."

"But—I wonder how many people would dare to enter the Song Dynasty palace to watch the battle."

Duan Yu drank a cup of wine, then said in a low voice, "As long as Leader Zhong shows himself."

"It seems there are still many people in the martial arts world who dare to risk their lives."

Just then.

A sharp shriek could be heard from the night sky.

I don't know who spoke first.

"Look!"

"There seems to be someone in the sky!"

"No, it's not a person, it looks like a big bird carrying a person on its back!"

Everyone leaned out of the window and looked up at the night sky.

Duan Yu also looked up.

Under the bright moonlight, a man and an eagle appeared, seemingly flying across the sky.

They flew towards the direction of the Song Dynasty's imperial palace!

Upon seeing this, Duan Yu's face immediately lit up with joy!

"It's Leader Zhong!!"

"It's Master Zhong arriving on his divine eagle!"

These past ten years.

Duan Yu has grown a lot and matured a lot.

My obsession with the fairy sister has long since faded away with the passage of time.

Back then, at Lingjiu Palace, if it weren't for Master Zhong's intervention, he would have lost his life long ago.

now.

He was naturally overjoyed to see Master Zhong again.

In that Fanlou restaurant.

There were also some people who had participated in the Lingjiu Palace Immortal Slaughtering Assembly back then.

They knew that Zhong Yuan, the leader of the Ming Cult, had a divine eagle under his command.

Moreover, over the past decade, there have been numerous rumors circulating in the martial arts world about the leader of the Ming Cult.

rumor.

Every time the leader of the Zhong Cult appeared in the martial arts world, he was always accompanied by an extremely ugly divine eagle.

That divine eagle possessed immense strength; even ordinary martial arts masters were no match for it.

at the moment.

Look at that dark shadow speeding across the night sky.

It was clearly that man and eagle who appeared in Tokyo.

present.

Many martial arts practitioners who considered themselves to be highly skilled jumped down from the Fanlou building and headed towards the imperial palace.

Along with the rooftops on both sides of the long street, several figures sped past.

Their directions are remarkably consistent!

They were all heading towards the Song Dynasty imperial palace!

The roof of Shengping Building.

Kumārajīva gazed at the bustling Tokyo night scene, his heart unmoved.

but.

soon.

His inner peace was shattered.

Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared in the night sky.

The sound of its cry echoed through the night sky.

When the dark figure was less than ten feet away from Shengping Tower.

Then, Zhong Yuan, dressed in purple, leaped down from the back of the divine eagle.

As if flying through the air, they gracefully landed on the roof of Shengping Building.

When Kumārajīva saw Zhongyuan's face.

His face immediately took on a dignified and solemn expression!

Then, Kumārajīva clasped his hands together and bowed slightly to Zhongyuan to show his respect.

"Master Zhong!"

"Long time no see!"

Zhong Yuan, dressed in a purple robe, looked calm and composed.

Ten years have passed, and his appearance has not changed much, but he has become even more unfathomable.

The naivety and inexperience he had when he first entered the martial arts world were long gone.

He looked at Kumārajīva, stood with his hands behind his back, and said calmly, "Mahāchakra Vidyā."

"In the world of martial arts, a person like you is truly rare."

"You have quite the nerve to come to the Song Dynasty palace for an appointment."

Kumārajīva said solemnly, "Ten years ago."

"Master Zhong's sword strike taught this humble monk what true swordsmanship is."

"Ten years later, this humble monk dares to once again seek guidance from Master Zhong!"

"Just to fulfill a lifelong wish."

"As for the location, that is not my concern."

Even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire.

"This humble monk will certainly keep his promise!"

Zhong Yuan smiled.

"Great Wheel King, you certainly have great courage."

"That's how it is."

"Then please, Great Wheel King, make your move."

"Let me see what progress the King has made in these ten years!"

"Of course, if the King of Light loses, don't forget our agreement!"

Upon hearing this, a knowing glint flashed in Kumārajīva's eyes.

"Don't worry, Master Zhong."

"This humble monk is absolutely not one to break his word."

"If this humble monk is still unable to defeat Master Zhong even a single move today..."

"From this day forward, I will be one of the wandering monks of the Ming Cult."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yuan's lips curled up slightly.

Ten years ago.

Kumārajīva challenged him at the summit of Bright Peak, but was defeated by him with a single sword strike.

That year, Kumārajīva was still unconvinced.

Therefore, Zhongyuan let him go and allowed him to return to Tibet to cultivate asceticism for ten years.

Let's fight again in ten years!

However, if Kumārajīva still loses to him ten years later, he will have to stay in the Ming Cult and become one of the eight great wanderers of the Ming Cult.

at the moment.

The ten-year period has come to an end!

After tonight.

The eight independent members of the Ming Cult were finally able to fill the last spot.

Wow!

next moment.

As Kumārajīva opened and closed his palms, a burst of fire shot towards Zhong Yuan in an instant.

Zhong Yuan stood there, completely still, with an invisible wall of energy appearing in front of him.

It directly extinguished the flaming blade.

Upon seeing this, Kumārajīva narrowed his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing within them.

He then leaped up and clapped his hands at Zhong Yuan.

The moment Kumārajīva struck, he seemed to vanish into the night sky.

Then!

A clear whistle rang out, exploding through the night sky!

Like a sudden clap of thunder in spring!

Then, Kumārajīva transformed into a shadow and soared into the sky with a whistle.

Extremely fast.

With another twist, it spun sharply downwards, like a meteorite falling from the sky!

Its momentum was like ten thousand horses galloping, with flames engulfing everything and scorching heat covering all directions in an instant!

He slapped his palm towards Zhong Yuan!

It seemed as if it could smash the entire Shengping Tower to pieces with a single blow.

Upon seeing this, Zhong Yuan raised an eyebrow.

I did find myself somewhat interested.

Ten years ago, Kumārajīva's martial arts skills were nothing but a mirage.

Unexpectedly, it's been ten years since we last met.

He actually figured it out!

This palm strike had long since transcended the scope of the Flaming Blade, and combined with the aura emanating from him...

It seems that he has already seen through the principle of no self, no person, and no sentient being.

Wow!

next moment.

Zhong Yuan raised his hand!

A finger is extended!

Silently!

Without any obstruction, it pierced straight through the flames covering Kumārajīva's entire body!

He was only half an inch away from touching Kumārajīva's forehead.

"Mingwang—you have spent ten years to reach the threshold of divine will."

"That's already quite an achievement."

"However, if you advance even an inch further, this one sword strike will take your life."

"Myo-wang, the time has come for you to keep your promise."

Kumārajīva stared blankly at the invisible sword energy that was only half an inch away from his ancestral aperture between his eyebrows.

He was speechless for a long time!

They were suspended in mid-air, as if time itself had stopped!