Chapter 7: The Emperor's Grand Banquet (Part 2)

  The emperor would not wear this usual attire to receive the court's homage. This grand banquet is being held for the envoys of the Rong and Di tribes. The Rong and Di have been defeated by Yue Wu, their vitality greatly injured, and they cannot help but cede many border territories to seek peace. Therefore, the emperor holds this grand banquet to share joy with all officials.

  The Great Yan originally had nine states, but now the Rongdi has been greatly defeated. To the north of Jizhou, there are still Yanyun. If nothing unexpected happens, in the border agreement negotiated between the two sides this time, there should be two major states, Yan and Yun. However, the Rongdi's military tradition is even more so than the Great Yan. The king of Rongdi has always respected brave warriors.

  Rong Di is a slave state, and the only way to escape slavery is through military merit and martial arts. Slaves or criminals can enter the fifth heaven of Tianren, no matter how serious the crime, and can be redeemed in the army. Therefore, there are many brave warriors in the Rong Di army. Especially the Blood Blade Guard under the command of General Xiang, each one is fiercely courageous, even more so than the Tiger Leopard Army!

  Tang An walked while listening to Ming Xiao's analysis for him.

  Tonight's biggest highlight is what kind of brave warriors the Rongdi envoys will send. This battle is said to be a joint celebration of the two countries' diplomatic relations, but it is actually about the fate of the world and whether Great Yan can take down Yanyun's two states and 30,000 miles of rivers and mountains.

  This burden can't be said to be light!

  Although he was a famous jester, always laughing and joking, at this moment he couldn't help but sit up straight, his expression serious. He patted Tang An beside him nervously and said, "Brother Tang, I don't know what kind of expert the Xiongnu will send this time. However, it's rumored that under the Xiongnu king's throne, there are two peerless swordsmen. These two men have spent ten years cultivating in the extreme north ice fields of Xiongnu before entering the heavenly realm as peerless experts. However, these two men never leave the Xiongnu king's side by more than three steps, even if they leave, it's impossible for both to come together, at most one person will come! But just this one person, I'm afraid it will be difficult to deal with."

  Ming Xiao said, "Here," and glanced around, just in time to see the Rongdi envoy appear. The envoy led the way ahead, but kept turning back to talk to someone behind him. His expression was extremely respectful. Ming Xiao was shocked by the envoy's behavior, and his heart began racing wildly.

  This envoy was the youngest son of the King of Rongdi, with a high position and prestige. Who could match his demeanor? Ming Xiao's hands involuntarily tightened their grip on the chair, the armrests creaking loudly under his grasp, almost to the point of breaking.

  "It must be one of those two great swordsmen who has arrived!"

  He had already guessed the identity of the person behind him. Looking at Tang An, his expression was stern: "Tang brother, as expected, the visitor should be under the throne of King Rongdi, the Great Sword Saint of Western Kunlun, Geloba! He is the swordsmanship teacher of Prince Rongdi. The Rongdi people respect their teachers and value morality, a teacher is no different from a father, and that young prince respects him so much, which also explains his identity!"

  Tang An nodded slightly, his eyes narrowing slightly as a divine thought swept past.

  But...

  "Boom!"

  Divine thought like lightning, but suddenly encountered a strong icy intention.

  Two thoughts clashed for less than a moment before quickly parting ways.

  Tang An's face changed color, he is a top-notch expert in Tianjing!

  His heart was not only fearless, but also rose with a strong desire for battle!

  A rare talent in the world! Today, being able to fight with him makes Tang An even more excited! His hand grasped the Frost Condensation Sword, and the sword hummed in agreement, as if wanting to soar into the sky!

  "Huh?"

  Behind the Crown Prince of Rongdi, Ge Roba's footsteps paused slightly, and he couldn't help but feel puzzled. Just now, a strange divine thought had clearly swept over his body. He looked up at Emperor Zhao Yuanhao of Great Yan, then at Yue Wu, Nian Wushuang, and Yuan Wanli. Seeing that they were all calm and composed, he became even more perplexed.

  He couldn't help but frown: "When will Great Yan have another top-notch expert in the Tianjing realm?"

  The Prince of Rongdi saw Ge Luoba's unusual expression and hastily asked: "Master, what's wrong?"

  "Nothing? Bring out the air of Prince Rongdi, don't be flustered. Don't let those idle officials in the Southern Dynasty look down on you!"

  "Master, rest assured! The vastness of the world cannot conceal my proud and glorious heart!"

  Grobba patted the prince's shoulder and said, "We will return to Rongdi with glory! Although we failed on the battlefield, the blood of Rongdi warriors has been shed enough! Next, it's up to me!"

  Ge Luoba finished speaking, and the prince of Rongdi raised his head, puffed out his chest, and calmly faced the mocking expressions of the Yan officials. They were losers, and naturally could not get respect on the soil of this victorious country.

  …………

  As soon as Ge Ruobai appeared, Tang An's eyes were fixed on him.

  Ge Luobu's body was slender and tall, his white hair stood on end like electricity, his eyebrows were long and straight, entering the temples, the whole person was as majestic and awe-inspiring as a high mountain peak. In his hand was a sword, still in its scabbard, yet it already made people feel chilled to the bone.

  As soon as Groba stepped out, he naturally became the focus of everyone's attention. There were not a few people in the field who knew his identity and kept discussing it privately, but no one dared to stare at him directly. The cold air emanating from Groba was not something that anyone could withstand.

  "Huh?"

  Suddenly, Grooba's expression changed, and he swiftly turned his head, staring at Tang An!

  The two exchanged a glance like lightning, meeting in mid-air for an instant, and in that moment they knew who their opponent was tonight!

  Ge Luo Ba was somewhat surprised to see Tang An's young face, in his opinion, this young man was indeed too young, but the condensed killing intent on his body was not inferior to his own!

  "He couldn't help but sigh: 'When will Great Yan have another young Tianjing strong expert like this? It's really a sorrow for me, the ruler of a small border state!'"

  Tang An looked at Groba, yearning for a battle with him in his heart, and also revealed a smile on his face.

  "Indeed, that person is a master!"

  Ming Xiao looked at Tang An's inexplicable smile, shook his head, poured himself a drink and took a sip before saying: "Alas, the wine hasn't been drunk yet, but the person is already infatuated. I don't understand, I really don't understand." As he spoke, he suddenly froze again: "Why do I need to understand?"

  Yes, why should he understand?

  Ming laughed awkwardly for a moment, but suddenly burst out laughing: "It seems that I also have to take this path. Otherwise, life would be too lonely and boring? All my friends have taken this path. If I don't follow, in the future, won't even be able to find people to drink with?"

  Ming Xiao said with a smile, then turned his head to look at the officials around him who were clinking cups together. Seeing how happily they were drinking, he shook his head: "Those guys won't become friends no matter how much they drink in their lifetime."

  The wine party is proceeding quietly, the moon is slowly tilting... The night has already deepened, and the wine party will also come to an end.

  Just then, the Rongdi prince suddenly stood up and said: "I have always asked about the prosperity of the great Yan world. But on my way here, I saw withered corpses everywhere, and the faces of the people were as pale as vegetables, which does not match what I heard. It seems that Your Majesty, the Emperor of Great Yan, has been deceived by your ministers."

  As soon as the King of Jun Di finished speaking, all the officials present were shocked and scolded him loudly, completely losing their composure. However, Emperor Zhao Yuanhao just smiled and said: "The Great Yan is not a land of immortals, and the people have sufferings too. Under the vast sky, it's all the same. Jun Di might be even more unbearable."

  The Prince of Rongdi sneered and smiled, and did not continue the topic. He said: "I also heard that there are many heroes in Great Yan, but apart from Nian Wushuang and Yuan Wanli, who I already know, I'm afraid there is no one in Great Yan who can be called a brave warrior."

  The Prince of Rongdi said, clapping his hands, and the four burly warriors behind him immediately stood up.

  "These four men are my slaves, I keep them like a big dog. Who among you dares to fight with these four vicious dogs?"

  The words of King Zhao of Yan caused a stir among the ministers!

  "What, you barbarians, how dare you compare us to pigs and dogs?! I request an imperial decree to order the Imperial Guard to execute these four men as a warning to others!" The minister's words were filled with spittle, but he was pulled away by his colleagues. If they were to send a large army to execute them, wouldn't that be losing face for the country? In international relations, interests are paramount. However, many times, face is tied to interests. This face must not be lost, lest the emperor lose it, and the general lose it too! Otherwise, when they meet on the battlefield in the future, won't they have already lost three parts of their momentum?

  The King of Rongdi finished speaking, looked around, and suddenly a strong man jumped out from the banquet table, took three steps to stand in front of the King of Rongdi, and said loudly: "I am Lin Zhicheng, from the Imperial Forest Army. I am willing to serve you, my lord, and carry out that evil deed of killing the dog!"

  As soon as he finished speaking, the officials on Da Yan's side cheered and shouted loudly: "General Lin is mighty!"

  The Prince of Rongdi waved his hand and said, "A Da, you're up!" Suddenly, one of the four men pounced out like a tiger or leopard pouncing on its prey, and in an instant, he pounced towards Lin Zhicheng. But Lin Zhicheng had both hands covering his chest, with his legs occasionally lifting off the ground, as if preparing to kick out at any moment.

  For a moment, everyone else was silent. Only the two in the middle were going back and forth, fighting fiercely.

  Tang An quietly watched. He looked for a while, and he had already seen clearly. That Rong Di's servant was good at using his hands, and Lin Zhicheng seemed to be better with his legs, his hands were just used to protect his vital parts.

  A'Da and Lin Zhicheng exchanged several blows, and both understood each other's moves. At this moment, they were observing each other.

  Suddenly...

  "Whoosh!"

  Lin Zhicheng suddenly moved forward, his left leg suddenly kicked upwards, sweeping towards Ada's chin.

  "Ah!"

  A strong gust of wind swept across Ah Da's face, and Ah Da hastily retreated.

  Lin Zhicheng's left leg swept past, and then his right leg kicked up again to sweep Ah Da. Ah Da's eyes stared at his opponent like a poisonous snake. Suddenly, his right hand, which had been accumulating strength, struck out fiercely, like lightning, and slapped heavily on Lin Zhicheng's foot.

  "With a 'peng' sound, Lin Zhicheng's right leg was slapped down hard, causing his body to lose balance."

  A'Da seized the opportunity to grab Lin Zhicheng's ankle, and with a fierce shake of his hands, a strange force instantly transmitted from Lin Zhicheng's ankle to his entire body.

  "Ka-cha!" A crisp sound, Lin Zhicheng's ankle was suddenly twisted and broken!

  Those Yan ministers who were cheering earlier now looked like they had their necks pinched, their excited cheers choked back into their throats. They were suffocating with their faces bright red!

  But have no way to vent!

  The entire field was silent, with only the sound of heavy sighs remaining.

  The King of Rongdi burst out laughing: "Great Yan warriors, indeed not ordinary! They said they wanted to slaughter dogs, but were instead bitten and had their wrists broken by the dogs! This is really too funny..."

  The Prince of Rongdi said, then picked up a large piece of meat from the banquet table and casually threw it to the ground in front of Ah Da. Ah Da knelt on the ground and really ate the meat like a dog!

  At this scene, the courtiers of Yan all had alternating black and white faces, which was truly extremely ugly. Even Emperor Zhao Yuanhao's face looked very bad, with his forehead veins jumping non-stop!

  Just then, a large hand suddenly descended from the sky and tightly grasped the neck of King Rong Di! Ge Luoba was caught off guard for a moment, and by the time he wanted to put on a brave face, it was already too late!

  The smile of Prince Rong Di came to an abrupt halt!

  It's Tang An!

  Then his foot moved, swift as lightning!

  "Swish swish swish swish!"

  Four consecutive kicks landed on the four claws of Prince Langdi.

  "Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

  Four consecutive roars, and those four claws and teeth flew back in unison, falling to the ground, with a large chunk of their chest already caved in, they were directly killed!

  Tang An stared coldly at the face of the Rong Di prince, whose eyes had already shown a hint of horror. He swallowed hard and wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead, forcing himself to say: "What do you want to do?"

  Tang An relaxed his neck, glanced to the side and said: "This is a grand feast of Great Yan Country, pigs and dogs are not allowed to enter! Your dog, I'll slaughter it for you!"

  ===========

  It's been sent at three o'clock! The reward is a kind intention, so I won't ask for it, just leave the recommendation ticket to me. The position is too far back, it's very dangerous.