nycdaug Chapter 45 Grandmaster
Chapter 45 Grandmaster
early morning.
In the capital of the Great Li Empire, a snow-white steed slowly arrived. Passing through the city gate, the woman in white on horseback, wearing a veil, stood silently on the main street of the capital.
Amidst the bustling streets and alleys, a hint of melancholy flickered in the woman's eyes. She then found a restaurant and ordered a pot of wine.
I overheard many people talking, almost all about the grand gathering at Qiudao Mountain. In various rumors, the Third Prince Li Guan was described as a true dragon chosen by the immortals, destined by fate.
She also heard the names of the Lin family, Li Lan, and others.
"Have you heard? Shangguan Xiaoxiao, the Holy Maiden of the Taiyi Sect, arrived in the capital yesterday!"
"This is going to be quite a spectacle! With divine powers descending upon the world and the strongest talents in the martial arts world arriving, the capital is bound to be in turmoil!"
"It's not just Shangguan Xiaoxiao, the Holy Maiden of Taiyi Sect; Shi Hao and Shi Zhong, two prodigies from the Shi Clan, an ancient martial arts tribe in the Central Plains; Fengyue and Erjian from the Sword Spirit Sect; Kujue, a monk from Duli Temple; and several geniuses from Zixia Academy... almost all of them are already on their way."
The geniuses of all the major martial arts sects in the world are almost all heading to Kyoto.
"Who do you think is the strongest among the younger generation of martial artists in the world today?"
"The monk Kujue of Duli Temple is so skilled in Zen that he has received the true teachings of Master Chanyue. He is already a top-tier martial artist and should be regarded as a leader among the younger generation!"
"Not so! Shi Hao and Shi Zhong of the Ancient Martial Tribe possess physical strength comparable to that of dragons and elephants, making them virtually invincible!"
"Heh, are the Two Swords of Wind and Moon really that weak? I heard that on the way to the capital, Shi Hao and Shi Zhong had already fought with the Two Swords of Wind and Moon, and the outcome is still unknown!"
There is no first place in literature, but there is no second place in martial arts. The question of who is stronger and who is weaker has always been a topic of great concern among the people.
"Gentlemen, if I were to name one person, I'm sure you would all agree!"
At this moment, someone else spoke up: "Lin Ruoxue!"
Upon hearing this, the restaurant fell silent for a moment, but soon someone chuckled and said, "Indeed, this woman is very strong. It's a pity, though, that she's already married and retired from the martial arts world. What's the point of talking about her now!"
"If this person had remained in the martial arts world, he might have been able to compete with others, but now that he is someone else's wife, his martial arts skills will naturally decline!"
"Yes, in a few years, she'll be pregnant. How can we resort to force then!"
"Hehe, yes, what a pity. Such a stunning beauty, a celestial maiden, has been given away to Li Lan, a martial arts failure!"
"Although Li Lan is quite talented in literature, he is ultimately a scholar. Gentlemen, do you think a woman like Lin Ruoxue would let Li Lan touch her? Perhaps this newlywed young woman is still a virgin! Hahaha..."
Everyone in the restaurant burst into laughter.
The marriage between Lin Ruoxue and Li Lan has always been a joke. Even though Li Lan has become a Grand Secretary of the court overnight, it is difficult to change the prejudice of the people.
"In short, Lin Ruoxue is practically a figure who has disappeared from the martial arts world."
"I'm destined to be a wife and mother for the rest of my life."
The crowd was buzzing with discussion.
The woman in the corner calmly drank a glass of wine and then paid the bill.
"Sir, you've given me too much..."
Upon seeing that she had handed him two gold bars, the shopkeeper hurriedly spoke up.
But the woman said calmly, "It's not much. The renovation of your restaurant, plus the medical expenses, will cost this much."
After saying that, she turned and left.
The shopkeeper stared at her retreating figure with a face full of suspicion. Just as he was about to say something more, he suddenly heard a creaking sound, like wood cracking. He hurriedly looked up and saw that the main beam had cracked at some point and could no longer bear the weight, collapsing directly!
Boom!
With a loud bang, the two-story restaurant was instantly reduced to ruins!
All the guests in the restaurant were buried inside, and for a time they cried out in despair.
The people passing by on the street were all horrified when they saw this.
"How could the sturdy Songxian Tower have collapsed?"
"Quick, save them!"
"What exactly happened?!"
People pitched in to help, and many people were rescued; there were no casualties.
"No, this building was collapsed by someone using internal force!"
The Songxian Tower was home to many martial arts masters. After escaping their predicament, they took a closer look and immediately noticed something amiss, exclaiming in astonishment, "Who on earth possesses such internal strength?!"
These words shocked everyone else!
Can you collapse a building using internal force?
"Martial arts...Grandmaster?"
Someone subconsciously swallowed and said, "Could it be that one of the four grandmasters has arrived in the capital? But why would they want to mess with this building?"
As everyone exchanged bewildered glances, the shopkeeper was helped to his feet. He coughed and said, "Ahem... It's a woman in white, a beautiful young girl!"
A young girl!?
Upon hearing this, everyone present was even more astonished!
……
The woman in white on the snow-white horse, however, did not turn her head and slowly arrived at a high platform on the central street.
This place is called Wujitai.
Established by the imperial court, only grandmasters throughout history have been able to ascend the Martial Peak Platform!
On the Wuji Platform stands a large drum called the Martial Arts Ceremony Drum. The sound of this drum signifies the arrival of a new martial arts master in the world.
The woman dismounted and then gracefully headed towards the Martial Arts Platform.
……
now.
It was the morning meeting.
In the Golden Palace, the courtiers were shocked, and everyone looked at the Crown Prince in bewilderment.
He actually proposed requesting a city lockdown? This baffled everyone.
Emperor Xianxian sat upright on his dragon throne, having finished reading Li Yue's memorial, but then glanced at Li Lan in the crowd.
Li Lan rose from a commoner to a Hanlin Academician, so naturally he had to attend court assemblies.
"Li Yue has reached the age required for a city to be sealed off, which is perfectly reasonable. Since that is the case, I will grant your request. Guards, issue the order to bestow upon Li Yue the title of King of Annam and to seal off the city as Ning An City. He shall be dispatched from the capital immediately."
Emperor Xianxian agreed, and then asked, "Is there anything else you wish to report?"
The Minister of War stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, there is an urgent military situation in the Northwest. The army led by the Second Prince Li Xian was defeated three days ago. The enemy has already reached Dayong Pass. The intelligence reports claim that demons are helping the rebels!"
Instantly, the court officials were shaken.
Dayong Pass is the last barrier in the Northwest. Once this pass is breached, the rebel army will no longer be confined to the Northwest. It will sweep across the country and enter the Central Plains, at which point even the capital will be threatened.
"How could that be? The Tiger Warriors led by the Second Prince are the elite of our dynasty."
“Demons… The immortals on the Mountain of Seeking the Dao said that demons are lurking around our realm. Could this be true?”
"What should we do..."
Even Emperor Xianxian frowned almost imperceptibly, then waved his hand, "Three days from now, Lin Zheng will lead the army to the northwest to support Li Xian!"
In such a critical moment, the only person we can rely on is Lin Zheng.
"Your subject obeys!"
Lin Zheng agreed.
"Furthermore, since Minister Lin is going to the front lines, your daughter's marriage should not be delayed any longer. I suggest that Lin Ruobing and Li Yue get married before the expedition. What do you think, Minister Lin?"
Lin Zheng is about to wield significant military power, and before that, it is essential to bind him to the First Prince.
Lin Zheng felt a little helpless, but still nodded and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
……
After the court session ended.
"It's good that the Crown Prince has left the capital."
"Indeed, if he ascends the throne, we will probably not have an easy time."
"His Highness is destined by Heaven!"
As they left the main hall of court, the officials spoke one after another, all quite pleased.
Lin Zheng was somewhat puzzled, so he walked to Li Lan's side and asked, "Why is that?"
He knew very well that the reason why the eldest prince, Li Yue, submitted a memorial requesting an official title was mostly a scheme devised by Li Lan.
"Staying in Kyoto is too dangerous. Leaving for now might offer other opportunities."
Li Lan said.
Lin Zheng nodded and said, "It's good to temporarily avoid the limelight and protect ourselves!"
"Father-in-law, I need to go back to the manor to pack my things. I'm going to Ning'an City with His Highness Li Yue."
Li Lan then spoke.
As the Junior Tutor to the Prince, he would definitely need to assist Li Yue.
"Ruoxue will naturally go with you."
Lin Zhengdao.
However, no sooner had he finished speaking than a eunuch rushed up the steps, shouting, "A grandmaster has been born! A grandmaster has been born! The Martial Arts Memorial Drum has been sounded!"
This eunuch was clearly also an extraordinary martial artist. His clear voice carried into the Golden Palace, surprising all the officials who had just come out of the palace.
"A grandmaster has emerged? Has our Great Li gained another grandmaster?"
"Is it Master Chanyue of Duli Temple, or Wang Twenty-Nine?"
"These two are the closest to becoming a grandmaster; they should be one of them!"
Everyone started asking questions.
The eunuch had already run to the front of the main hall, knelt down, and said, "Your Majesty, Lin Ruoxue, daughter of General Lin Zheng, has attained the rank of Grandmaster of Martial Arts!"
Lin Ruoxue has already attained the rank of Grandmaster!
This statement caused an uproar among everyone.
"what?"
"Lin Ruoxue...didn't she already retire from the martial arts world and give up the path of martial arts?"
"How is this possible... How could she be so fast!"
The entire audience was stunned.
Martial Arts Grandmaster is the highest realm in martial arts, and there are only a handful of people like that in the entire world.
Once you reach this point, it's almost impossible to be killed unless you're surrounded by an army in an open field.
Invincible in martial arts!
That is why, once you become a grandmaster, you can enjoy the greatest freedom and privileges, and even the emperor has to show you respect!
"Lin Ruoxue...is it really her?"
"On the Mountain of Seeking the Dao, even after being poisoned by the Nine Medicines Breaking Yuan Powder, she was still able to defeat a master like Zuo Tianlong. It's not surprising that she attained the status of a Grandmaster!"
"She...she's only in her early twenties, right? Such a young Grandmaster is truly invincible!"
Everyone had complicated expressions.
At the same time, their gazes all turned to Lin Zheng and Li Lan.
Lin Zheng was originally a general who protected the country, and now he has the daughter of a martial arts grandmaster. Anyone who wants to target him in the future will probably have to think twice.
But Lin Zheng was completely stunned.
what on earth is it?
My daughter has been "well-behaved" at home all this time, hasn't she? She hasn't even practiced martial arts much, so how could she suddenly become a grandmaster?
Li Lan, who was beside him, sighed softly.
The real Lin Ruoxue has finally arrived.
This renowned and exceptionally talented woman astonished the world upon her return to the capital.
Inside the Golden Palace.
Emperor Xianxian was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, but he immediately nodded: "Let's proceed, all ministers, follow me to congratulate the Grandmaster!"
Immediately, the palace was filled with ceremonial guards, and the civil and military officials who had just finished court all followed the emperor's procession toward the central avenue.
"Minister Li, did you arrange this as well?"
The journey had begun, but Emperor Xianxian summoned Li Lan to his side, smiled slightly, and asked a question.
Clearly, Emperor Xianxian could also see that the eldest prince Li Yue's request to seal off the city was probably Li Lan's idea, but what about Lin Ruoxue?
Why would Li Lan display his Grandmaster cultivation at this time? What is his intention?
The Emperor Xianxian couldn't fathom it.
That's why I asked the question.
But Li Lan could only smile bitterly, “Your Majesty, I am not sure about Ruoxue’s temper, and I don’t even know how high her martial arts skills are. I am truly unaware of the situation at this moment.”
Lin Ruoxue's return to the capital caused such a commotion that it was indeed beyond his expectations...
But Lin Ruoxue's eagerness to prove her strength clearly stemmed from her desire to use her status as a martial arts grandmaster to break free from and sever certain ties that displeased her...
Li Lan sighed softly; what was destined to come would eventually come.
……