The Human Emperor c1-2382

by Huangfu Qi (皇甫奇)

  The event snowballed, and there were signs that it was getting out of control! In fact, some of the powers outside of those swordsmithing clans and weapon shops were pulled into the matter as well.

  “Hmph! Do you all really think that any one of your swords is worthy of the title of the number one weapon in the world?”

  As the event continued to develop, no one noticed a brawny man with a full beard standing within the crowd, sneering in contempt as he stared at the swords and sabers displayed on the pavilion.

  The Bluebottle Pavilion wasn’t some remote alley which few people passed by. On the contrary, due to its proximity to the royal palace, it was often filled with crowds. Those who traverse here were either very wealthy or powerful experts.

  Such a major incident by the Bluebottle Pavilion had attracted the attention of many.

  The full-bearded man was one of them.

  “I have immersed myself in forging for many years, just to awe the world with my sword. When I finally craft the ultimate sword, I will show you all what the number one sword in the world is!”

  The eyes of the full-bearded man were filled with indignance. Eventually, after staring deeply at the sword hanging on the pavilion, he retracted his glance and silently left silently. His appearance and departure didn’t catch anyone’s attention.

  Leaving through the city gates, he walked on the paved roads, traveled across the mountains, traversed through the forest, and eventually, reached the remote depths of a mountain.

  There was a clearing at the peak of the mountain, and even from afar, one could smell the heavy scent of a forge.

  As one approached the peak, one could see broken swords scattered everywhere. At the center of the dense congregation of broken swords, a sword workshop towered.

  Beside the sword workshop, a tall metal forge was still alit, and thick smoke was rolling from within.

  The full-bearded brawny man walked over, crouched down, and removed a red glowing sword cast from within using tongs, placing it onto a metal board. Ding ding dang dang! He started to hammer it forcefully.

  The sword cast was around four fingers thick and five chi long. Even though it was still a semi-complete product, it felt exceptionally strong.

  (a chi = 33.3cm)

  “Bronze, chromium, and tin… The secret formula that I’ve been researching for ten years! Finally, I am about to create the world’s strongest and sharpest sword! This time, I will show all of the swordsmithing clans in the world what a true master swordsmith is!”

  As the thought flashed across his mind, the metal hammer in his hands started swinging faster with greater force. Countless sparks were emitted under his hammering.

  Deep in the remote mountain, no one could have imagined that there would be an unknown master swordsmith here.

  As a descendant from a lineage of hermit swordsmiths, the full-bearded brawny man possessed the bloodline of an ancient swordsmithing tribe, the Rouran Tribe. Coincidentally, this was also the ancient tribe that first created metal weapons in the world.

  Even though it had disappeared along with the passing of time, the full-bearded brawny man inherited an ancient Rouran secret manual!

  The greatest wish of the full-bearded brawny man was to inherit his ancestor’s will and forge the world’s sharpest and toughest sword. Regardless of how powerful the other party could be, it would be impossible to break this sword. Through such, he would cleanse his ancestors’ of their shame!

  And this was an ideal opportunity to do so!

  Ding ding dang dang!

  Deep in the mountains, the frenzied wind roared, and the flames rose up to several dozen of zhang high. It burnt furiously through the night, even til the arrival of dawn.

  Only until the sun was right above the forge did the flames in the depths of the mountain finally stop.

  The full-bearded brawny man looked at the freshly forged sword he held in his hands in satisfaction. Despite his fatigue, he stepped out of his sword workshop and left the mountains. Soon, another sword would appear on the Bluebottle Pavilion!

  …

  The effects of the duel gamble at the Bluebottle Pavilion gradually grew larger and larger. In just the short span of a single day, more than twenty swords had appeared on the Bluebottle Pavilion. Furthermore, this was after a careful selection of the swords.

  Even the entrance fee of 1200 gold taels didn’t stop them.

  The Four Great Swordsmithing Clans in the capital, the weapon merchants in the Western Regions, the weapon shops and workshops in the capital, as well as unknown master swordsmiths… Wei Hao was busy all day dealing with the various parties.

  Even he didn’t expect the incident to develop to such a level. Mosaide’s appearance was like an ignition, triggering the entire weapon industry in the capital into action.

  A great amount of swordsmithing clans, weapon shops, workshops, and even external powers had joined in. The events was as though a leaking dam, impossible to be stopped by anyone.

  Like a rolling snowball, more and more people stood outside the Bluebottle Pavilion to watch the commotion.

  “Tsk tsk! 4800 taels, to think it had become 4800 taels!”

  “Tsk tsk! Let’s see how many swords are there hanging on the pavilion. 20… 30… If the owner were to lose, he will probably lose his entire fortune!”

  “Heh, let’s see how he’ll cope when he loses even his underwear!”

  “Haha, that fellow truly has kicked on a metal board this time! The capital’s Zhang Clan, Huang Clan, Lu Clan, and Huang Clan are all top-notch swordsmithing clans. Yet, this fellow chose to take them on a duel gamble. He is truly making a mockery out of himself!”

  “Hehe, let me tell you, this is what being complacent means! In a place like the capital, countless talents lay below the surface. This isn’t something any other places could match up to! What can you do when the other party is intent at committing suicide?”

  …

  Before the Bluebottle Pavilion, the mock of the crowd could be heard. Even though the ‘The Number One Sword in the World’ had caused quite an uproar, it was something only those of the weapon industry was obsessed over.

  To these ordinary people, they were more focused on another matter.

  This storm was caused by that fellow behind the Bluebottle Pavilion, and as such, the attention of the crowd had always been on him. They weren’t concerned over how incredible his sword was, but rather, how pitiful he would be after his loss.

  Thirty top-notch swords weren’t just jokes. They were more than capable of causing the bankruptcy of that fellow.

  Some of them even opened a gambling den before the Bluebottle Pavilion.

  The event kept developing and slowly, it attracted the attention of a unique group.

  “Hehe, look at the commotion at Bluebottle Pavilion! There are so many people there that they probably number in thousands!”

  “The Number One Sword in the World, such a prestigious title!”

  “Look at those swords, they’re truly not bad. Just that, they’re a little too expensive!”

  “Pui! If it is truly a top-notch sword, money means nothing at all. I just fear that they are mere ordinary goods!”

  “Indeed! How can those 600 to 700 gold taels sword be considered as top-notch swords? It is one thing if an ordinary noble were to buy it, but it would be shameful if a member of the Imperial Army like us were to wield it!”

  …

  On top of the hundred zhang tall golden-plated walls of the Great Tang royal palace, a row of Great Tang Imperial Army members was currently standing by the city walls, looking at the Bluebottle Pavilion.

  From the towering palace walls, the Bluebottle Pavilion looked exceptionally short and small. Even so, the dense assembly of people there was extremely conspicuous.

  The Bluebottle Pavilion was just a short distance away from the Great Tang Empire. The ruckus there had long attracted the attention of the Imperial Army. As life within the palace walls was boring, the
moment the duel gamble which pitted the swords of the Central Plains against the sabers of the Western Regions appeared, it had caught the attention of many of the members of the Imperial Army.

  “Hm, who is that? It looks like Commander Li!”

  Just when they were chattering, someone suddenly spoke and the group immediately turned their heads toward where their colleague was looking at. Beyond the city walls, a few familiar figures were currently walking toward the Bluebottle Pavilion.

  “Shhh! It’s Lord Zhao!”

  “Shut up, don’t speak!”

  The faces of the Imperial Army members immediately grew stern and all of them fell silent.

  Even though it was a distance of several hundred zhang, it didn’t take them long to reach their destination. Under the gaze of the Imperial Army members, the three figures quickly reached the Bluebottle Pavilion.

  “We’re from the Imperial Army!”

  The trio took out a token from their waist and announced their identity.

  “What!”

  Wei Hao was still busy sorting out the information of the guests who were involved in the duel gamble. Upon hearing these words, his eyes immediately widened and he abruptly stood up. Facing the three, he suddenly calmed down.

  Before the three could even speak, Wei Hao took in a deep breath, gazed at the trio directly, and walked by the table toward them:

  “Hold it for a moment! I’ll call someone over! ——”

  Chapter 54: The Future Imperial Army Marshal

  “Wang Chong, it’s exactly as you said. The Imperial Army really came!”

  These were the first words which Wei Hao said upon hurriedly rushing into the Wang Family Residence. Back then, when hanging the sword on the Bluebottle Pavilion, Wang Chong had told Wei Hao to call him if an Imperial Army member were to come.

  Wei Hao didn’t expect that the members of the Imperial Army to really come.

  At the highest level of the Bluebottle Pavilion, Wang Chong saw the Imperial Army members whom Wei Hao spoke of. Since his reincarnation, this was Wang Chong’s first time meeting the guards of the emperor.

  The Imperial Army was tasked with the responsibility of protecting the capital and ensuring the safety of the emperor. Of the armies of the world, they were considered as ‘royalty’. Bearing the emblem of the royal family, rarely did anyone have the opportunity to interact with them.

  This applied for Wang Chong as well.

  This was also the reason why Wei Hao was so surprised by this.

  “What a strong scent of authority. No wonder no scion dared to offend the Imperial Army easily!”

  Looking at the people standing before him, Wang Chong thought.

  As the guards of the emperor and the royal family, they often came into contact with the powerful nobles who travel to and fro the royal palace, and as time went by, the deep scent of authority started to rub off them. Compared to them, the other soldiers felt like ‘officials’ or ‘constables’; even without their token, it was easy to identify them.

  On the other hand, these Imperial Army members surveyed a person intensely, yet they were austere and reticent. It was easy for ordinary civilians to feel fearful, apprehensive, and uncomfortable before them.

  Their disposition was something ordinary people could never possess.

  “The guards of the emperor are indeed incredible. As expected of the strongest and most elite army in the world!”

  Wang Chong complimented them in his mind.

  Wang Chong had met the Imperial Army in his previous life before as well. Compared to their state in his previous life, at this moment, the Imperial Army still held the image of the awe-inspiring, strongest troop.

  The Imperial Army were known for their battle prowess, and they depend on it for a living as well. Their strength wasn’t something that anyone could compare up to. However, in a few years’ time, as Great Tang gradually came to a downfall, the scions started to penetrate into the Imperial Army and they tried to buy their way through the ranks. On the other hand, those capable ones were eliminated from the Imperial Army, causing the downfall of the strongest army in the world.

  When they were required to guard the capital and the world, the Imperial Army fell with a single confrontation, causing deaths that spread over a thousand li. That became the greatest humiliation of the Great Tang then, as well as the thorn in everyone’s heart, including Wang Chong.

  “… It’s enough for such a tragedy to occur once. No matter what, I won’t allow something like that to happen to the Imperial Army once more.”

  Wang Chong suddenly felt a sour sensation at his nose. In his previous life, when the tragedy struck, he was right in the capital. He witnessed the corpses of the Imperial Army being stacked up at the alleys around the palace first-hand. It was an unforgettable sight.

  Fresh crimson blood flowed through the alleys as though a river of blood, causing Wang Chong to feel incredible astonishment, as well as… agony! It was the first time Wang Chong had experienced the loss of his kin ——his big aunt and uncle!

  “Sss!”

  Taking a deep breath, Wang Chong quickly calmed down. Regardless of how the Imperial Army was in his previous life, it was a matter that had already passed.

  In this current life, Wang Chong had already succeeded in changing the fate of the Wang Clan. What had happened in his previous life may not necessarily happen in this one.

  Upon calming down, Wang Chong’s glance slowly swept across the three. Upon seeing the man who had a lightning-shaped scar on his glabella, Wang Chong’s attention was abruptly jolted

  “It’s him!”

  Wang Chong recognized the person standing before him.

  ——Zhao Fengchen!

  Wang Chong could never have thought that the one who came would be him, one of the legendary top three experts of the Imperial Army. In his previous life, he managed to become the marshal of the Imperial Army.

  His greatest distinguishing feature was the lightning-shaped sword scar on his glabella.

  In his previous life, he was reputed for carrying two sabers, one by his waist, and one on his glabella. It was due to this that Wang Chong immediately recognized him.

  Compared to the Zhao Fengchen that Wang Chong remembered, the one before him looked significantly younger. There were still marks of youth on him, and he had yet to become the valiant figure he had in his past life, exuding an aura as though the entire universe was within his grasp.

  Even so, there were many outstanding features to the current Zhao Fengchen. Of the trio, his disposition and authoritative aura clearly stood out.

  If he didn’t recall wrongly, the current Zhao Fengchen should already be a commander of the Imperial Army, one of the leading figures of the organization.

  In the future, he would reach even greater heights. In the truest sense, his future was bright. The unparalleled authority over the Imperial Army was waiting for him!

  “To think that it would be him, I could have never imagined it!”

  Wang Chong’s heart was beating furiously at the moment, but it wasn’t because of this that he had remembered him. To Wang Chong, he had another identity:

  ——The most famous Wootz steel weapon collector in the Central Plains!

  He was nearly involved in all legends regarding the Wootz steel in Wang Chong’s previous life!

  Zhao Fengchen was the typical ‘martial arts fanatic’. He possessed exceptional love for top-notch weapons, especially for Wootz steel weapons. In his previous life, of the highest priced Wootz steel weapons, nearly a third of which was his doing.

  Zhao Fengchen’s interest in the solidity, sharpness, as well as the highly aesthetic patterns of the Wootz steel had reached an insane level. In his previous life, Zhao Fengchen was the one who led the craze for the Wootz steel in the Central Plains!

  When the incomparably sharp Wootz steel sword was paired with his outstanding cultivation, he created a legend of his strength in the Imperial Army.

  “… To
think that I would manage to catch a whale with my rod!”

  Wang Chong suddenly felt his entire body lighten, and comfort gushed through his body.

  This was truly fate! Wang Chong had just intended to attract a few wealthy Imperial Army members to buy the Wootz weapon, but to think that he would manage to bait Zhao Fengchen, a ‘legendary whale’!

  Zhao Fengchen’s love for Wootz steel weapon was publicly known to have reached an insane level. If Wootz steel weapons could be considered as a poison, then Zhao Fengchen must have reached the terminal stage, and no medicine could save him anymore.

  For such a famous figure to suddenly appear in Wang Chong’s plan, Wang Chong suddenly felt extremely confident of his future.

  “You’re the owner of the sword?”

  Zhao Fengchen spoke. The feeling the youngster gave him was weird. When others found out that he was from the Imperial Army, they would more or less show some apprehension against him. Yet, this youngster simply stared at him silently. It was inconceivable to him what the other party was contemplating over.

  “Yes!”

  Recovering from his thoughts, Wang Chong smiled. His gestures and expression exuded magnanimity.

  Zhao Fengchen didn’t report his name to Wei Hao, and his actions clearly showed his intentions to conceal his identity. As such, Wang Chong complied with his wishes. Since Wang Chong knew his true identity, it was impossible for him to let him off the hook so easily.

  “I wish to buy the sword hanging in front of your pavilion. I wonder if you can remove the black cloth and show it to me. If the sword pleases me, I am willing to offer a high price that you will be satisfied with—— A price higher than the one you have offered!”

  Zhao Fengchen immediately dived into the topic at hand and revealed the intentions behind his visit. His way of doing things was straightforward.

  “How much can you offer?”

  Wang Chong followed suit and asked him frankly.

  “I can ensure you that it won’t be less than 8000 gold taels!”

  Zhao Fengchen’s hand gesture made Wei Hao feel as though his eyes were playing tricks on him.