by Mao Ni
"Bing Hu!
"Yu Xuan!"
Chen Changsheng took one step forward and shouted out three phrases.
These were three stars in the night sky representing three locations. At the same time, they represented three different dodging postures.
In this world, only one movement technique could be so simply yet so precisely described.
Luoluo grasped her whip, the tip of her feet slightly moving, her body slightly swaying.
A stream of clear wind stirred up over the plaza.
Somehow, she had appeared several zhang away!
Guan Feibai's sword struck nothing but air!
A soft 'oh' came from the stone steps in front of the palace, a reflection of the crowd's surprise.
The hand Mao Qiuyu was using to stroke his beard stiffened.
Gou Hanshi's expression became extremely solemn as he subconsciously took a step forward.
"Yeshi Step?"
The movement technique Luoluo had just used truly shocked many people.
Because it looked very much like the Yeshi Step used by the demon experts of Xuelao City!
Only after a moment did Mao Qiuyu and the other powerful figures present make out that it was not the true Yeshi Step, but a simplified version, or perhaps a simple movement technique that looked superficially similar.
But this was still enough to escape Guan Feibai's sword!
Gou Hanshi's expression was still solemn, still in deep shock.
Even if it was only the simplified version, or a move with the same appearance, to be able to simplify it or imitate it was enough to prove that this person understood the Yeshi Step!
The Yeshi Step was an internal secret of some demon tribe!
Where did this youth learn it?
"Thirteen Returns to the West!"
Without hesitation, Chen Changsheng continued to speak, not paying attention to the shocked gazes of the crowd nor glancing at Gou Hanshi.
After using the imitation Yeshi Step to help Luoluo avoid Guan Feibai's Mountain Gate Sword and all its accumulated energy, he decided to counterattack!
When he spoke the words 'Thirteen Returns to the West', his eyes were very clear.
Because his mind was very calm.
He was calm because he was very confident that in the next moment, Luoluo would obtain victory.
Thirteen Returns to the West was the sword technique of some tribe in the north. In truth, the sword style to which this technique belonged had no name, but if one insisted on the name, then in the 'Records of the Return North', some virtuous predecessor of the Orthodoxy had recorded it as the Sword Beyond the Wall.
No one knew this sword style, and even Chen Changsheng had only skimmed it a few times from a book under the prayer mats of Xining Village's old temple when he was ten years old.
This book was not in the three thousand scriptures of the Dao. It was only a travelogue, a simple travelogue.
Previously, Gou Hanshi had used the Donglin Seven Star Sword and other such obscure sword techniques from small sects to put him and Luoluo in a difficult situation. Now, it was his turn to use an even obscurer sword technique to win!
Right now, Luoluo and Guan Feibai were separated by ten-odd zhang, both under the Eastern Star, and the locations of the stars were just right. This was precisely the situation he had been waiting for.
The positions of the two were ideal for the extraordinary splendor of the Sword Beyond the Wall to burst forth, for the mad gale to mow down the grasslands!
As long as Luoluo used Thirteen Returns to the West, then with the ability she had obtained in these several months of bitter cultivation, this match was certain to end in the Orthodox Academy's win.
Gou Hanshi's gaze had never left Chen Changsheng.
He saw the composure and confidence in Chen Changsheng's eyes.
He heard the name of the sword technique Chen Changsheng called out, yet he could not think of which sword manual it originated from.
There was a sword technique in this world that he did not know?
Somewhat shocked, Gou Hanshi stared at Luoluo's hand, preparing to respond, yet he discovered that for the first time in these sorts of matches, he felt a lack of confidence.
There was only silence in front of the palace, the wind noiselessly blowing across the plaza.
Many people sensed that this sword technique was meant to be Chen Changsheng's winning blow.
Everyone gazed at Luoluo, waiting to see just how mighty this Thirteen Returns to the West was.
After quite some time had passed, Luoluo finally moved.
She turned to Chen Changsheng and said rather pitifully, "Teacher, I also don't know it…"
In front of the palace hall, Mao Qiuyu sighed.
"Thirteen Returns to the West? …Long time no see."
His face was somewhat emotional, somewhat sentimental, somewhat sorrowful, yet also tinged with a smile.
"If Her Highness knew this technique, the Orthodox Academy would have probably won tonight."
* * *
There was no 'if'. Luoluo had not been able to use the legendary Thirteen Returns to the West, so the battle continued.
It was just an interlude.
Chen Changsheng was somewhat startled, yet he did not feel any sense of setback. On the contrary, this interlude had let him shake off all his tension, and he immediately spoke the name of another technique.
He once again returned to the Wind and Rain Sword of Mount Zhong.
Gou Hanshi gave a faint smile and responded once more with the Donglin Seven Star Sword.
In a single response, or perhaps in a single moment of harmony, the situation returned to what it was in the past.
It was a quiet beauty like a tiny breeze and fine rain falling in a green forest.
But just when the spectators felt things calming down, the wind and rain suddenly increased in speed.
"The seventh move."
"Mountain Gate Sword eleventh."
"Zhou Sect Sword return."
"Golden Crow Sword opening."
"Falling Golden Crow!"
"Third Sword!"
Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi's voices got faster and faster!
The moment one spoke a technique, the other immediately responded. Earlier, there would be the occasional pause, time required to think, but now there was no pause between the two, not a single break!
The spectators almost didn't have time to listen, so just what time did the two have to think!
Their voices became faster and faster, so Luoluo and Guan Feibai naturally began to use techniques at a faster and faster speed.
In a few moments, the two had each used several dozen techniques.
The sword styles of the Mount Li Sword Sect's various halls and mountain gates were all displayed with Guan Feibai's single sword.
The old sword techniques of the past on the yellowed papers in the Orthodox Academy's library reappeared today through Luoluo's hands.
There was no slackening, no rest.
Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi continued to call out techniques.
Luoluo and Guan Feibai continued to use them.
Sword intent like the wind raged through the darkness. Sword intent like the rain flooded down to the ground.
With the passing of time, countless sword techniques and countless movement techniques were displayed on the plaza in front of the Weiyang Palace.
Some sword techniques were clearly from different sword styles, but they were spoken together by Chen Changsheng or Gou Hanshi, then used together by Luoluo or Guan Feibai, actually connecting like a rainbow, as if the connection was natural!
Some sword techniques were clearly famed as part of a combination sword style, yet they were forcefully broken apart by Chen Changsheng or Gou Hanshi, only having Luoluo or Guan Feibai use the latter part of the sword style after ten-odd moves, yet surprisingly producing results!
The crowd on the steps watched in stupefaction, occasionally shouting out cries of alarm.
<
br /> "This way is also okay?"
"What sort of technique was that?"
"Teacher, this technique is too unreasonable, isn't it?"
"Martial Uncle, do you know this technique?"
The night was late, the many stars twinkled, and the sky was filled with sword glows.
Tonight, this match between the Orthodox Academy and the Mount Li Sword Sect meant to open a fresh path between the two had the spectating teachers and students of the capital, and the people of the southern diplomatic mission, so enchanted that they seemed idiots.
The deep knowledge and ability displayed by Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi was shocking, but the two people on the plaza raising their swords made the crowd want to prostrate themselves in admiration.
From the beginning until now, Chen Changsheng and Guan Feibai had already called out several hundred sword techniques. Other than the Thirteen Returns to the West, Luoluo and Guan Feibai had been able to use them all, and without a single flaw or mistake, to an almost perfect level. Just how difficult a task was this!
Principal Mao Qiuyu's earlier evaluation had already shamed the students of the capital's academies. The Mount Li Sword Sect's nurturing of its disciples had truly surpassed the Great Zhou Dynasty, as the Divine Kingdom's Seven Laws were truly all extraordinary people who diligently and persistently cultivated. But what about the girl, the White Emperor's sole daughter who had such an incomparably lofty status? How had she been able to endure so much hardship, to learn so many sword techniques?
The cries of alarm gradually grew softer and the sounds of discussion gradually vanished.
The silence in front of the hall represented reverence.
As Mao Qiuyu gazed at the plaza, he suddenly said, "The battle in Luoyang between Zhou Dufu and His Majesty Taizong probably did not surpass this."
Hearing these words, those important figures close to him instantly had a change in expression.
Xu Shiji was quiet because he had no idea what to say.
Prince Chen Liu said in surprise, "Principal, where do these words come from?"
Just what sort of person was Zhou Dufu? The man publicly acclaimed as the strongest man on the continent in a thousand years! And what sort of person was Emperor Taizong! Tonight's battle between the students of the Orthodox Academy and the disciples of the Mount Li Sword Sect was admittedly marvelous, but how could it be compared with that battle in Luoyang that had gone down in history?
"Their current selves are naturally far from Zhou Dufu and His Majesty Taizong."
Mao Qiuyu emotionally sighed, "But when the battle in Luoyang took place, Zhou Dufu and His Majesty were at the prime of their lives, and just how old are these two?"
Chapter 81 – Luoluo's Sword
Hearing Mao Qiuyu's statement finally made the crowd recall the ages of the four people on the plaza.
The oldest was Gou Hanshi, but he was no more than twenty.
Guan Feibai was eighteen.
Chen Changsheng and Luoluo were even younger.
They were all still young, one of them at Ethereal Opening, two at the upper level of Meditation, and there was even Chen Changsheng, not even having succeeded at Purification. Any random senior expert in the crowd spectating on the stone steps in front of the palace could easily defeat them, let alone Zhou Dufu or Emperor Taizong.
They were truly very young, so young that it was impossible to ascertain their futures. Tonight, they had already displayed a level that shocked the world; just who would be able to judge how far they would walk in the future?
The crowd quietly watched the flurry of swords and listened to the names of the techniques, their moods complex. In their view, the final outcome of this match between the Orthodox Academy and the Mount Li Sword Sect was truthfully no longer that important. Perhaps it would be better to say this: tonight, there would be no loser.
But Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi did not think this way, nor would Luoluo or Guan Feibai. On the sides of the plaza, Tang Thirty-Six, who was more nervous than anyone else, and Elder Xiao Songgong, whose face was growing increasingly resentful, as representatives of the Orthodox Academy and the Mount Li Sword Sect, thought only of triumphing over the other side.
No one knew how much time had passed.
They truly did not know.
The several hundred spectators and the two sides on the plaza had completely forgotten the passing of time.
The speed of Chen Changsheng's and Gou Hanshi's words did not slow, but their voices were gradually getting hoarse.
The speed at which Luoluo and Guan Feibai used sword techniques also did not slow, remaining precise and steady, but their breathing was gradually getting hurried.
Finally, at some point, Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi simultaneously stopped speaking.
All movement techniques, all foot techniques, all sword techniques had been used. The water had sunk, revealing white stone.[11]
At some point, the ten-odd zhang between Luoluo and Guan Feibai had vanished in a manner through which no one had noticed.
The two looked at each other, the Falling Rain Whip and the ordinary longsword silently meeting in the night sky.
This match had lasted for a very long time. Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi both took a step forward.
Luoluo and Guan Feibai had used several hundred sword techniques, used countless movement techniques and foot techniques, crossing the ten-odd zhang of distance.
At the final moment, the two sides met, whip touching sword.
This was not a mutual understanding but seemed a part of nature itself. Thus, it was very beautiful.
This testing of swords had finally reached this moment of meeting. The time of ending had finally arrived, not because the lamp had run dry of oil, but because the setting sun was sinking below the mountains.
The Falling Rain Whip and the longsword had already met. Since they could not use true essence, it was naturally impossible to continue.
This intense, even dazzling and resplendent battle had actually ended in a draw. This was truly beautiful, completely in accordance with the aesthetics of cultivators.
All around the palace was silence.
Even after a very long time, it was still silence.
Suddenly, someone began to clap.
The person clapping was Principal Mao Qiuyu.
Afterward, Prince Chen Liu, the archbishop, and then everyone else, including the Qiushan clan head and Xu Shiji with their awful complexions, began to clap.
The clapping was in fits, rising and falling like a storm, intermixed with sighs of emotion and praise.
The crowd was praising the demeanor Luoluo and Guan Feibai had displayed in this competition of swords, and also praising the vast knowledge and ability Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi had displayed before the crowd. This was especially the case for Chen Changsheng—many people looked at this youth and thought in shock, This person is truly worthy of Princess Luoluo's deep respect. If he cultivated, would he not become the second Gou Hanshi?
The archbishop whispered a few words to Priest Xin behind him. Priest Xin accepted the order and took his subordinates to the plaza to go to Chen Changsheng's and Gou Hanshi's sides to offer recuperative medicines from the Li Palace. Many people believed that Luoluo and Guan Feibai had greatly exhausted themselves in this match, but only the archbishop understood that it was Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi who had depleted their mental faculties to a frightening level. It was doubly true for Chen Changsheng who had not begun to cultivate, making it impossible for him to use true essence to nurture his mind. If he did not promptly take medicine, he might suffer some grave injury and even suffer some residual effects.
Defying everyone's expectations, Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi did not take the medicine or even glance at it.
They were still staring at the plaza, staring at Luoluo and Guan Feibai.
The spectators finally noticed the peculiarity on the plaza.
Luoluo had not withdrawn her whip, nor Guan Feibai h
is sword. Neither of them had any intention of retreating.
The crowd once more fell silent, staring in astonishment at this scene, mystified as to what would happen next.
Not willing to accept a draw?
Could this match possibly still have not concluded?
* * *
Luoluo and Guan Feibai paid no attention to the countless gazes on their bodies because they had even closed their eyes.
The Falling Rain Whip and the longsword had met in the night sky and had still not parted.
They kept their eyes closed, relying on the faint trembling transmitted through their palms to sense the will and thoughts of their opponent.
Luoluo's clothes were drenched in sweat, releasing a white smoke into the slight chill of the autumn night, making her seem just like a fairy.
Guan Feibai's eyes were closed, his two eyebrows like swords. A bead of sweat slowly made its way down his face, making him seem just like the final and matchlessly valiant general on the battlefield.
Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi quietly gazed at the plaza, their faces somewhat pale, but they did not speak. They had each done everything that they possibly could so as to not have Luoluo or Guan Feibai lose in this competition of swords. Now, what would decide victory and defeat in this match would not be them, but those other two who had fought for such a very long time.
Without any warning, Luoluo and Guan Feibai simultaneously opened their eyes.
The longsword suddenly rose up and casually lashed out!
Several white threads suddenly appeared in the darkness, the turbulence from the sword cutting through the air!
Gou Hanshi's eyes began to glow.
He recognized that this sword style was not a part of the Mount Li Sword Sect, not a part of any sect. It was solely Guan Feibai's.
This was a sword style Guan Feibai had created by himself and that carried his own name: Flying White[12]!
Flying White was a calligraphy style, its style one of flying strokes, a parched brush connecting all and a striking white in between the letters!
This sort of calligraphy style required a parched brushstroke and what it chose was a parched essence!