The First Lackey Under The Empress

“Six Talisman Armor?” Zhao Du'an chewed on the name.

The archives of the Zhao Yamen contained records of many famous weapons and treasures of the Jianghu world.

But this name was not among them.

However, since it was a gift from the Empress, one could imagine that it was definitely not a cheap item.

Zhao Du'an was very interested and walked up to this "protective gear", discovering that its size and appearance resembled a "vest", and its texture was slightly strange.

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It seemed to be woven from silk, with a net-like structure, and mixed with strange metals. The armor was very light and soft, belonging to the category of "inner armor" that could be worn inside clothing.

“So light…” Zhao Du'an picked it up with both hands, greatly surprised.

This thing was as light as a cloud in his hands and had a strange touch.

“As you can see, this is an extremely high-quality piece of defensive equipment. Don't underestimate its slenderness and thinness. It can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth on its own. Once full, it can withstand attacks below the Celestial Realm… Even if the magical power within it is exhausted, ordinary so-called divine weapons will not be able to leave a mark on it.”

Xu Zhenguan moved lightly with lotus steps, walking gracefully.

My spear can pierce any shield in the world, and my shield can block any spear… Zhao Du'an complained, recalling the classic contradiction, and asked curiously:

“Can it block the Golden Crow Flying Knife?”

Xu Zhenguan said calmly:

“If you throw the flying knife, it can block it. If I throw the knife, it cannot.”

Okay… So, it means I'm too weak to fully unleash the power of the weapon… Zhao Du'an muttered:

“Is this also a treasure from the Imperial Palace's armory?”

Xu Zhenguan seemed to see through his thoughts and said, “Want to know its origin?”

Zhao Du'an flattered and complimented her, revealing a thirst for knowledge.

Xu Zhenguan said with a look of emotion:

“This armor really has some history. Its earliest origin was with a craftsman and sorcerer hundreds of years ago. This person was powerful in forging and especially liked to create defensive equipment.

Every time he created one, he would order his disciples to wear it and provoke strong opponents to attack, in order to test its protective power. Therefore, those that could be passed down to later generations were all top-quality.”

Passed down to later generations… Zhao Du'an asked curiously, “How many have been left behind?”

“No more than the number of fingers on your hands,” Xu Zhenguan glanced at him, and said quietly:

“So, most of his disciples were beaten to death during the armor testing process.”

Zhao Du'an: “…”

Xu Zhenguan continued:

“Later, this Six Talisman Armor was transferred to Martial Emperor City and became the treasure of the then City Lord. Later, it was won by the royal family in a gambling match and collected in the palace.”

“Martial Emperor City? The one on the coast of the East Sea?”

Zhao Du'an didn't forget that Eunuch Hai had once introduced him to powerful figures from all sides.

He said that among the four current “Celestial Realm” experts, one of them was in Martial Emperor City, a grandmaster-level figure who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts.

“Yes.”

Speaking of this, Xu Zhenguan's expression also became a little serious, and she said:

“Since the time of Emperor Taizu six hundred years ago, our Great Yu Imperial Family has formed some grudges with the Martial Emperor City lineage. Every hundred years, if there are no accidents, there will be a gambling match.

Heh, this is similar to the tradition of the Buddhist and Taoist families, who have each produced outstanding disciples to compete every thousand years, which can also be regarded as an imitation. This Six Talisman Armor was won in one of those matches.

Well, the current King of the Martial Emperor City lineage is named Wu Xiankui, and he is also the number one martial artist admired by countless martial artists in the Jianghu world.

The Jianghu world is accustomed to ranking experts, but the other rankings often change, but the top position has been almost monopolized by the Martial Emperor City lineage for hundreds of years.

Although Wu Xiankui has not taken action for many years, he is still recognized as the pinnacle of martial arts.”

Zhao Du'an perked up his ears.

Buddhist and Taoist competitions?

The Martial Emperor City gambling with the Great Yu Imperial Family?

This was the first time he had come into contact with this knowledge.

He couldn't help but yearn for the Jianghu world.

Which young man hasn't dreamed of traveling the Jianghu world with a green shirt and a sword?

Defeating all the experts in the world?

Being high in the imperial court for a long time doesn't prevent him from yearning for the distant Jianghu world.

Silently remembering the name Wu Xiankui, he said firmly:

“How can mere Jianghu villains have any knowledge? I believe that the martial arts should rightfully belong to our Great Yu Imperial Family.”

A trace of bitterness flashed in Xu Zhenguan's eyes.

In terms of the height of inheritance, the "Martial God" lineage created by Emperor Taizu was naturally higher than the "Martial Emperor City lineage".

But unfortunately, the royal descendants were disappointing. The reason why the Empress was eager to advance and wanted to find the Dragon Soul to become a complete "Celestial Realm" was.

On the one hand, it was to stabilize the court.

On the other hand, it was because the hundred-year period was approaching.

She was not confident in defeating that old scoundrel who had entered the Celestial Realm for many years.

However, there was no need to tell Zhao Du'an, who was just a mortal of high rank, about these things.

She smiled mischievously:

“It's not too late to say these words when you enter the Jianghu world in the future.

The Martial Emperor lineage has three thousand disciples traveling the Jianghu world. They are all eager to take back the Six Talisman Armor. If anyone knows that this armor is on you, it may attract the snatching of the Martial Emperor City lineage.”

…I can just hide it and not let anyone see it… Zhao Du'an took the opportunity to show his loyalty:

“I only wish to stay in the capital and share the burden for Your Majesty. As for the Jianghu world, it's not too late to go in ten or eight years.”

Well, going out of the mountain after reaching the Great Perfection of the Cautious Path is his principle…

Xu Zhenguan looked at him with disgust, thinking, why are you so cowardly, and shook her head:

“It's okay to temper yourself only in the Mortal Realm, but when you enter the Divine Chapter Realm, if you want to make progress, you must fight and kill with others, and understand in life and death.

The dangers of the capital are mostly in the imperial court. If you stay for a long time, it will wear down the martial artist's sharpness and hinder your cultivation.”

Is that so?

So, you can't become a master by being cautious in the capital… Forcing it will also result in a fake master… Zhao Du'an said dejectedly:

“But I see that Divine Official Jin Jian is also in the Divine Chapter Realm, but he roams around all day and never travels outside.”

The Empress said lightly:

“The key to a sorcerer's cultivation is not in fighting and killing, but in being close to the gods, which is different from a martial artist.”

“…” Zhao Du'an suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

During this period, he had been busy earning merit, and a large number of court officials had been overthrown, reducing the time he had invested in cultivation.

He originally thought that he could slowly level up by hanging up, but now it seems that it is not that simple.

“Heh, do you understand?” The Empress said with a smile:

“Giving you the armor is only one thing, and me personally guiding your martial skills is the second thing.”

Saying that, the Empress grabbed with her slender jade hand in the air.

“Buzz!”

Far away.

From the weapon rack, a long sword suddenly swept up, heavily placed into her fair and soft jade hand.

Xu Zhenguan turned around, her skirt swirling in a circle in the spacious martial arts field. With a smile that was not quite a smile, she looked at Zhao Du'an, who was completely dumbfounded:

"Put on your armor, and fight a round with me? I will suppress my cultivation to be the same as yours, and test your mettle."

Zhao Du'an's spirit lifted.

A powerhouse at the half-step Celestial-Human Realm was personally sparring with him. How could he hesitate even for a moment?

Hastily, he put on the Six Talisman Treasure Armor and chose a saber from the weapon rack, cupping his fist and saying:

"Your Majesty, this subject is about to offend..."

As soon as the words fell, his body suddenly sank, his physique taut like a drawn bow.

The pure energy emitted by the sleeping Dragon Soul within his Qi Sea, following his meridians, wrapped around the great dragon of his spine, propelling him into a blur, directly attacking Xu Zhenguan!

Of course, he wasn't worried that his martial strength could harm the female emperor in the slightest.

Therefore, he went all out from the start.

Somewhat motivated by a desire to show off...

In his opinion, even if the female emperor lowered her cultivation to the same level as him, even if there was a gap, it wouldn't be very large...

However, the next second, he saw Xu Zhenguan casually deliver a sword strike, without the slightest hint of fanfare.

The tip of the sword had already pierced towards Zhao Du'an's chest.

A surge of immense and powerful force attempted to penetrate his chest. Instantly, the "Six Talisman Treasure Armor" on his body reacted, emitting a faint light.

A set of illusory full-body armor faintly covered Zhao Du'an's body, protecting him completely.

Around him, the air vibrated in a circle of ripples, and six illusory talismans formed a "circle", enveloping him within.

At this moment, the ring formed by the six talismans rotated violently, instantly weakening ninety percent of the female emperor's sword force.

Even so, Zhao Du'an, who had forcefully withstood ten percent of the force, flew backward, crashing out several zhang like a shooting star, slamming heavily on the ground, feeling a slight sweetness in his throat and a surge of blood.

"Your Majesty..." He was dumbfounded.

The fairy-like female emperor stood calmly, holding her sword, a powerful aura like a deep pool, causing people to feel as if they were seeing a white waterfall cascading down three thousand feet.

Silky hair brushed past her peerless face, and a slight smile curled on the fairy's lips:

"Is this all you've got? Seems like you're not up to par."

A man cannot be told he is not up to par... Zhao Du'an slammed his hand on the ground, using the force of the rebound to pounce towards the female emperor a second time.

...

Outside the hall.

The hall doors were closed, and a group of eunuchs standing here could clearly hear the screams coming from inside, one after another.

"Ah!"

"Ah, ah!"

"Your Majesty, please be gentle..."

"...This subject can't take it anymore..."

"Hmph, stand up and try again! If I don't allow it, you can't stop."

"Eunuch." Suddenly, the eunuchs saluted.

Hai Gongfeng, wearing a bright red python robe, paced over, looking at the tightly closed hall doors, his face full of ravines and wrinkles, marveling:

"It's good to be young... so energetic..."

...

...

"Lord Zhao's legs are broken! His hands and feet are not listening to him either, quick, carry him to the room!"

An eunuch ran out from the martial arts field, anxiously calling for people.

Several eunuchs rushed in, flustered, carrying Zhao Du'an, whose face was bruised and swollen, his clothes tattered, his body covered in bruises and wounds, and already exhausted, who had collapsed on the ground.

He was carried to the prepared room, and his outer clothes were stripped off.

First, his body was wiped clean, and then he was placed on the bed.

The palace eunuchs evenly applied the prepared wound medicine for repairing external injuries on his body.

"It hurts... it hurts, it hurts..."

Zhao Du'an lay on the bed, feeling that his body was no longer his own.

The eunuch applying the ointment had a bitter face:

"Lord Zhao, please bear with it, these are all top-grade wound medicines, and the effect will be immediate after application."

"...Your hands are too heavy, can you change to a palace maid..."

While Zhao Du'an's head was dizzy, he twisted his body, not forgetting to bargain.

Although they were all "men", in his previous life, he had been to bathhouses and had frankly met friends, rubbing each other's backs.

But thinking that it was an eunuch touching his body, Zhao Du'an felt uncomfortable all over.

The eunuch smiled bitterly and said: "This needs to be reported to Your Majesty..."

"...Then forget it." Zhao Du'an sighed.

However, the eunuch's technique was actually not bad. At this moment, after experiencing two hours of inhumane teaching from the female emperor.

Zhao Du'an felt a strong sense of drowsiness coming over him, and he fell asleep in a daze.

But he didn't know that the door was quietly opened, and a lotus foot, crossing the threshold, silently entered the room.

"Your... Your Majesty!"

The eunuch applying the wound medicine was shocked and hurriedly got up to salute.

Having worked up a sweat, having just taken a bath, changing into dry clothes, the Da Yu female emperor, with wet hair scattered behind her head, reservedly "En"ed and said:

"How is it?"

The eunuch said: "Lord Zhao is too tired and has already fallen asleep. This servant is applying wound medicine according to Hai Gongfeng's orders."

Xu Zhenguan shook her head and said: "You go out, I'll check the injuries."

"Yes."

The eunuch went out, considerately closing the door.

Xu Zhenguan walked to the side of the bed, looking at Zhao Du'an, who was lying on the bed, sleeping soundly.

His back, full of bruises and wounds, with obvious muscle lines, wide and sturdy, was covered with half of the ointment.

It's just that the eunuch's cultivation was not enough, and he was completely unable to use his energy to stimulate and exert the medicinal power.

"Zhao Qing?"

Xu Zhenguan called out softly, seeing that this dead pig had completely no reaction, she couldn't help but smile.

Seeing those many scars, she also felt a little unbearable, but if one wanted to improve quickly in martial arts, how could one not be injured?

It's just that, if this body of injuries is not properly healed, I'm afraid he will have to lie down for ten days and a half.

"Forget it, you got lucky."

On the female emperor's face, carved like white jade, a trace of helplessness flashed across her beautiful eyes, and a trace of unnatural blush flashed across her fair neck.

After a little hesitation, she finally stretched out her slender, scallion-like fingers, dug a piece of ointment from the bowl, slowly rubbed it open in her palm, hesitated for a moment, and slowly pressed it on Zhao's back.

A cool force slowly pushed the medicinal power into the skin.

Piece by piece, inch by inch.

In his sleep, Zhao Du'an vaguely sighed comfortably.

Thanks to Huang'er for the 500 points of currency reward support~