Free Web NovelIf the Emperor stood up, would the accompanying officials dare to remain seated?
The few close ministers immediately stood up, exchanged glances, and understood the meaning in each other's eyes.
Ah, His Highness the Crown Prince is His Majesty's biological son, representing the Imperial Family and the nobles of the court, the face of the Imperial Court. In the past, he was indeed invincible among his peers.
Now that His Highness has lost, it's obvious His Majesty is very displeased.
And Li Mo... if you put yourself in his shoes, your heir, whom you've nurtured for many years, suffered a crushing defeat—doesn't that make me look incompetent? It's infuriating!
Li Mo, a Disciple from a Sect that guarded the Imperial Mausoleum for the previous dynasty, what standing do you have to dare to defeat His Highness?
“This Li Mo...”
“Truly an audacious madman, lawless! He must have used some improper means!”
“Where did all those swords come from? They don’t comply with the assembly's regulations. Investigate thoroughly, a strict investigation is needed! His results must be invalidated first!”
“Why do so many Prodigies on the Qianlong Ranking know him? I suspect he harbors ill intentions and is forming factions for personal gain!”
“I took one look at his face... well, he is quite handsome. I took one look at his character... uh, never mind, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) what good person practices Hammer Technique?!”
“My intuition has always been accurate; this kid is not right.”
“I watched the Blacksmith Assembly. Did you all see how his arm suddenly thickened locally? I suspect he has an inseparable connection with divine power powder!”
The ministers, for once, managed to accurately gauge the Emperor's thoughts.
Towards the end, when they ran out of things to say, they even started to throw baseless accusations, like being connected to divine power powder. That civil official even doubted himself after saying it, wondering if he was being too absurd, and his colleagues looked at him with slight surprise.
What connection could Li Mo possibly have with heavenly venerable brand instant noodles? That's a bit of a forced smear, isn't it?
But that wasn't important.
What was important was to show their stance and be of one mind with His Majesty.
After everyone had expressed their opinions, Jingtai Emperor's latter half of the sentence drifted down lightly:
“Indeed, heroes emerge from the young. As for Jiang Yu, life is never smooth sailing. It's better to suffer a loss and lose some face now than to become arrogant and conceited in the future, bringing chaos to the empire.”
“...”
The scene was utterly silent for a moment, with the sound of slaps in the face echoing in the quiet.
However, for ministers to reach their current positions, thick skin was already a necessary skill.
“I heard he has a reputation in the Jianghu as a benevolent gentleman, with a wide circle of friends. Indeed, meeting him is better than hearing about him.”
“Our Qianlong Assembly has been held for so many sessions, and it has always been fair, just, and open!”
“Hammers represent honesty and straightforwardness. How could someone who uses a hammer be a bad person?”
“Your Majesty is sagacious!”
While the close ministers inwardly grumbled, wondering if this kid was His Majesty's illegitimate son, they simultaneously showered him with praise.
The Qianlong Ranking Top changed hands, even before the finals.
Across Dijin, there was a period of great confusion; this matter was truly earth-shattering. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
The grand spectacle in front of the Wu Gate goes without saying.
“God Hammer Little Overlord! I’m your fan!”
“I love Little Overlord, I love Little Overlord!”
“You’re all fake fans! God Hammer? God Sword!”
“I suggest God Hammer Little Overlord change his name to God Sword Little Gentleman.”
“Huh? Where’s the best sword in our village?”
There were those who were astonished, those who cheered excitedly, and those who were bent over, searching the ground for the village's best sword... The entire area around the arena was in utter chaos.
Li Mo, who had truly indulged in his sword-wielding fantasy, didn't even wait for the purple-robed eunuch to announce the results before walking off the stage on his own.
Enjoying the gazes and the thunderous cheers from all directions, he didn't feel the joy he had imagined in his heart.
Was it the loneliness of being invincible, like Dugu Qiubai with his empty sword, with all heroes helpless before him?
What a joke, he was only in the third realm.
“Isn’t my dream to be a swordsman, to display my prowess before others?”
Li Mo was a bit unclear why he was being so sentimental.
“Brother Li!” Xiao Qin, not good with words, looked at him excitedly.
“Old Li, you really won, you bastard! Here, I still have some Facial Disfigurement Powder left, heal your injuries first.” Huang Donglai was heartwarming.
“We are the champions!” Murong Xiao shouted loudly.
The monks from the Dragon Elephant Ancient Temple next to them looked bewildered. Their Junior Brother Guankong hadn't even gone up yet. When did the competition end?
The scene just now had been too chaotic; everyone had almost forgotten that the Qianlong Assembly wasn't over yet.
“Li Mo still has a match with Han Xianzi.”
“I will always support Ying Bing.” These were Ice Cube fans.
“Even the Crown Prince lost, so Han Xianzi might not have a chance, right?” These were champion fans.
“Does it matter who wins? Either way, there’s something to ship!” This was Shang Qinqing.
As Shang Qinqing spoke, she looked into the distance, narrowing her eyes slightly.
She felt satisfied.
She saw that Li Mo didn't accept post-match interviews or give a speech, seemingly not caring much about the recent events. He walked directly through the crowd, and only when he saw Ying Bing did he reveal a relieved smile.
Not far away, Ying Bing also shed her previous aloofness; her expression was like melting snow, pure and gentle, and even her steps became lighter.
So, who won or lost didn't matter at all, alright?
CP fans, always stand undefeated!
“Why don’t you say something?” Ying Bing turned her face, as if she had just noticed he had come down.
“It wasn’t just me who won, and it’s quite tiring.” Li Mo shook his head.
“I didn’t.”
Ying Bing shook her head.
She did allow Li Mo to temporarily achieve the unity of man and sword with the Celestial Human Divine Sword when the Taiyin Intent Soul was connected, but what happened afterward had nothing to do with her.
The sword's Sword Rhyme opened its doors to him because he was the one holding the sword, not her.
“Aren’t you happy, having done what you always wanted to do?”
“Not as excited as I imagined.”
Her delicate hand gently curled in his large one, and Ying Bing suddenly looked up, staring at him seriously.
It was still that youthful face, with no changes in his features.
But in his eyes, there was clearly a deeper profoundness... she had to admit it.
At times, having been reborn with the experience of her previous life, having served as the Empress and Master of the Gui Palace for so long, she often unconsciously placed herself in the position of a Master.
Even though she had basically never won in the System's rankings... she still subconsciously tried to guide this incredibly talented, childish ghost... In a daze, he had already defeated the Qianlong Ranking Top, becoming a first-rate figure of the Dragon Gate, admired by all young heroes of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
While she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard Li Mo lean close to her ear and whisper:
“Ice Cube, we agreed there would be no distinction between us, right?”
“Why bring that up suddenly?”
“My point is, since that’s the case, it’s the same no matter who wins. Let’s not fight later; we’ll just go through the motions, and I’ll step down.”
“Why?” Ying Bing frowned slightly.
Winning against her would essentially secure him the Qianlong First position, an opportunity countless people dreamed of.
And she was also a little curious.
Who would win this time in the System ranking... “I want to go back early. You know, I’m always very curious. Which feels better to wear, pearl-white lotus root or dark cloud gauze? I’ve always been very curious.”
“...”
Ying Bing's breath hitched, and she reached out and pinched his waist.
After pinching his waist, Ying Bing paused, then said:
“No, we have to compete.”
“Alright then...”
