Binding to Geniuses To Become Stronger
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chapter-96-30041322
Light snow encapsulated the land.
Branches covered in snow hung quietly on the black roof tiles of the palace walls.
A small building stood within the courtyard, between the curved promenade and the winding river. As snow hovered in the air, the courtyard became a picturesque scene filled with poetic inspiration.
The third prince, Li Liancheng, strolled quietly along the long promenade of the courtyard, enjoying the view of the year's first snow. He was a lazy man. He ambled bare-footed in nothing but the white robe that he had worn to sleep. Even as the end of autumn approached, his pajamas remained untied at the waist, exposing a major portion of his body to the cold weather.
"My unrestrained manner is from my father's behavior when he was younger. I watched my unbridled father rule over this empire since I was a child. Everything on these lands was in the palms of his hands."Li Liancheng stood by the pond and gazed at the fish. He looked as if he was reminiscing about the past.
He could not remember when he last saw his father. The once-unrivaled Emperor who garnered everyone's admiration had one day hidden behind the curtains and never shown his face since.
It was as if he had vanished from this world, leaving only an empty husk for the people to worship.
The man was unrivaled in strength and bravery. He spilled the royal blood of his sons and daughters to create the ironclad laws that governed the entire Tang Dynasty—the Tang Code evoked the fear and respect of countless cultivators.
Li Liancheng stood up. His exquisite silk pajamas fluttered in the breeze.
The once dazzling and mighty man had chosen to hide away yet his laws continued to grind against the empire…
Li Liancheng had made countless assumptions to explain the Emperor's actions, but in the end, he settled with two possibilities.First, the mighty man could have reached a level of power no ordinary man could fathom. Nothing in this world could shake him anymore. No matter what kind of threat loomed over the empire, he could annihilate them in the blink of an eye.
The second possibility was… perhaps the mighty man…
…was not so mighty anymore.
…
In front of the Vermilion Bird Gate.
Flight swords floated in the sky above with memorials attached to them. Wrapped within the memorials were Blood Essences which projected lifelike phantoms as if the people were there in person. They had come from the borders of the empire.
The snow seemed to have grown thicker.
The looming dark clouds above, which were heavy with snow, descended upon the lands, threatening to crush the entire city!
Citizens at White Jade Square felt their blood run cold, while the talented fighters quivered in fear.
What was going on?
"We demand an audience with the Emperor!"
A booming voice reverberated throughout the White Jade Square and seemingly lingered in the air.
Perplexed, the sect leaders of many prominent sects turned. Suddenly, their gaze intensified.
Chao Xiaojian held his blade in his arms and furrowed his brows. His tone was serious. "Asi Luoshan, Geshu Taixing, Song Xianzhi…
"They are all foreign generals from the frontiers at the borders and the demon portals. Why are they here?"
They were all cultivators of the Tang Dynasty who were notable for their incredible power—the kind that even Chao Xiaojian had to take seriously.
Su Yunyu, the sect leader of the Jade Pavilion, crossed her arms, her long and slender finger tapping against her elbow. "They arrived with memorials and Blood Essence—all those indicate an impeachment."
"Who are they impeaching?"
Chao Xiaojian's lips twitched. He turned to the hidden yet lofty Taiji Palace.
'It can't be, right?
'That brat… He just became the grand champion and he's already stirring up trouble?'
Headmaster Cui and Wen Ting stood side by side.
Wen Ting held his sword in his arms. His tone was stern yet full of confusion. "Are they trying to dethrone the Emperor?"
Headmaster Cui stroked his beard and shook his head. "No. This is a test."
In a corner of White Jade Square.
Princess Pei Shi, who had a red cloak draped over her shoulders, stared bewilderedly at the phantoms of the foreign generals kneeling in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate.
"What… What's happening?"
Pei Liao held his leather longsword in his arms and replied coolly.
"Something big.
"But it's not a big problem."
Princess Pei Shi was annoyed. 'You might as well not say a word!'
…
"Your Majesty, your humble subject, Asi Luoshan, has stayed at Beijiang for twenty years, suppressing the foreigners of impure blood. I have massacred hundreds of thousands of demons in the demon portal to maintain peace in Beijiang for the sake of the empire. I have made significant contributions to the Tang Dynasty with sincere loyalty. The essay written by the grand champion, Fang Lang, has humiliated me by slander. Your Majesty, I beg you to take a stand on my behalf!"
"Your Majesty, your humble subject, Song Xianzhi, has protected the western regions for many bitter years. I have always seen myself as a citizen of this empire. I have worked hard but taken no credit. Hearing the grand champion's judgment fills me with rage and sorrow. Your Majesty, please serve justice for your humble subject!"
"Your Majesty, your humble subject, Geshu Taixing…"
Their grandiose speeches—powerful and full of emotions—sounded before the Vermilion Bird Gate.
Everyone at the White Jade Square was dumbfounded. Their faces turned pale and they could not utter a word. Who could have thought the foreign generals would send memorials all the way there just to impeach the new champion, Fang Lang!
It was all because of the policy essay Fang Lang wrote in the Imperial Examination.
Within the Taiji Palace, there was pin-drop silence.
Even Li Puyi, who had just been screaming, felt a lump in his throat. He was at a loss for words.
His eyes widened and he panted heavily. The moment he heard the voices coming from the Vermilion Bird Gate, his eyes instinctively narrowed.
'It's rash…
'It's way too rash!'
Suddenly, Li Puyi regained his composure.
He had initially wanted to criticize Fang Lang's argument, yet the moment his words reached his lips, he swallowed them back down again.
In the end, he only spat out the word 'nonsense' before returning to his spot. He stood with his hands by his side, not uttering another word.
Li Puyi understood well what the third prince was trying to achieve, but he was way too hasty. Fang Lang might have written a policy essay that shook the entire empire, but Li Puyi was confident he could repress it—all he needed was time.
Perhaps the third prince had started to lose his cool and become impulsive due to the many failures he had faced at the hands of Fang Lang. Perhaps the past few years had been too breezy for him and he decided to turn to unscrupulous methods when faced with consecutive failure.
The third prince wanted to probe the Emperor that sat high up on his throne—he wanted to know if the Emperor was still a mighty man.
From the corner of his eyes, Li Puyi subtly glanced at the mighty figure sitting high up within the palace.
That face… It was too blurry.
To a point where Li Puyi seemed to have forgotten the Emperor's face.
He sighed. The third prince was arrogant, overbearing yet easy to control. Nonetheless, he was prone to causing unnecessary drama like this.
Li Puyi took a quick glance at the silent first prince who was standing with his hands by his side.
The first prince had an indecipherable smile on his face.
Fang Lang raised his brows slightly. Claims of impeachment sounded from outside the palace just as he was done expounding his argument.
That was not all.
The Tang Dynasty ruled over a significant portion of the lands. Thus, many nations of pure blood had surrendered to the empire and became subject nations. As a result, in the last 200 years, some foreigners had been enlisted as civil and military officials in the court; though their numbers were not many.
At that moment, the foreign courtiers all left their post. They kneeled down and started wailing complaints one after the other.
In addition to that, some of the imperial censors of native descent also yelled out their accusations toward Fang Lang.
A profound look appeared in Li Puyi's eyes. Those imperial censors… They were not the third prince's men.
That was when Li Puyi knew, the third prince was not the only one trying to probe the Emperor.
Fang Lang stood upright, surrounded by countless kneeling courtiers and some imperial censors yelling accusations at him. Fang Lang was at a loss for words.
Nonetheless, he remained unfazed. He did not lose any of his courage.
The situation convinced Fang Lang the empire would, someday, be thrown into a state of disarray if they proceeded with the individual border regiment policy.
Thus, with that in mind, Fang Lang faced all those kneeling foreign courtiers and imperial censors accusing him of impeachment.
Fang Lang flashed a cold smile. He stood with his back as straight as a pencil, like a stubborn tree, firmly rooted to the ground.
Jiang Linglong's expression was as cold as an iceberg, yet she could not hide the concern in her eyes.
The situation was extremely unfavorable for Fang Lang.
Wei Sheng maintained a respectful stance. He never anticipated his audience with the Emperor as one of the top three winners of the Imperial Examination would turn into a political scene.
When Wei Sheng thought about his teacher's reminder, he could not help but frown bitterly.
'Teacher…
'No matter how much Fang Lang gives, in this situation… I can't help him either."
In the court, Old Man Gao stood beside the mighty figure with an expressionless face. His white hair hung loose.
A scornful look flashed in his eyes when he heard the foreign generals' screams of impeachment at the Vermilion Bird Gate.
In his heart, Old Man Gao knew what the foreign generals were trying to test from a long time ago.
Perhaps Fang Lang was right to say the foreign generals had held power in the army for too long. They had inevitably developed a different mindset.
The palace had kept mum for far too long.
The uncomfortable silence made beads of perspiration form on many of their foreheads.
Some imperial censors, who were kneeling on the floor, did not dare to move a muscle.
Finally, the mighty figure that sat high above opened his mouth to speak. His voice was terrifyingly intimidating. His gaze seemed to have traveled through space and time to fall on Fang Lang.
"Fang Lang, is there fear in your heart?
"I can deny these claims of impeachment and grant you a chance to take back the argument you've made."
He ignored the screams of accusations outside the Vermilion Bird Gate.
He ignored the courtiers kneeling in the court.
The Emperor's tone was as calm as a stream. He unexpectedly continued to query the new champion, Fang Lang, about whether he would like to retract his statement.
Innumerable foreign generals voiced out their accusations and countless courtiers claimed impeachment.
Under such circumstances, what would be Fang Lang's reply?
Everyone's gaze fell onto Fang Lang.
Fang Lang knew he had accidentally fallen into a whirlwind of complications. In truth, from the moment he wrote his policy essay during the Imperial Examination's theory exam, he knew he would be involuntarily thrown into such a mess.
He was a helpless boat caught in a storm, forever living in fear of capsizing at any moment.
At that moment, what choice did he have?
Fang Lang stood in the middle of the court.
He lifted his head up, staring straight at the Emperor.
To everyone's surprise, he smiled and uttered in a casual tone, "Between broken rocks, I strike my root deep. I bite into the mountain greens refusing to let go. From whichever direction the winds leap, I remain strong, despite being hit by many a blow."
His voice echoed throughout the court, onto the White Jade Square and lingered around the Vermilion Bird Gate.
"Your Majesty, that is my answer."
In the court, everyone's eyes were fixed on the teen in a green robe. The words he spoke were elegant and powerful.
Many staggered.
Lu Taixuan stroked his beard and smiled. He took a step forward, cupped his hands in obeisance and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I think the grand champion's argument carries logic. Perhaps the individual border regiment policy and the decision to put generals in major positions should be… reviewed."
An uproar broke out in the court again.
Many foreign courtiers could not resist speaking up.
At the same time…
The phantoms of the foreign generals kneeling outside the Vermilion Bird Gate all stood up with their fists cupped within their palms and condemned Fang Lang.
"The child, Fang Lang, has insulted our loyalty and painted us in a fallacious light!
"Your Majesty!"
Asi Luoshan's booming voice sounded.
Suddenly!
A thunderous voice sounded from within the court.
"Enough!"
For an instant, it was as if the entire world had gone silent.
The eyes of Asi Luoshan's blood phantom glimmered. He stood upright, staring at the Taiji Palace where the skies seemed to be changing color.
…
Deep within the Royal City.
On the promenade leading to the concubines' chambers.
The third prince held his head high and stared in the direction of the Taiji Palace. His eyes twinkled with anticipation!
However, just moments later, his pupils constricted.
He turned to the direction of the Martial Arts King's manor in Changan City. His eyes widened in anger—they looked like they were about to pop out.
"Jiang Wushen!"
…
Just as everyone was waiting for the Emperor's reaction…
All of a sudden!
Changan City, the Martial Arts King's manor.
"Presumptuous!"
A voice as deep as valleys blasted out from the Martial Arts King's manor.
Invisible waves of undulating spiritual energy swept through Changan City, shaking the earth and mountains.
The gate of the Martial Arts King's manor opened.
A figure with disheveled hair stepped out of the manor. As he set foot on the limestone path of Changan City, the city streets quacked.
It felt as if a menacing being had descended upon this world, as if they could see an ocean of blood and a mountain of corpses.
The man took one long stride forward…
...and appeared on Vermilion Street.
He took another stride forward and reached the Vermilion Bird Gate.
Asi Luoshan widened his eyes. His blood phantom stared intensely at Martial Arts King Jiang, who had abruptly appeared out of nowhere.
"Jiang Wushen!
"What are you trying to hide… Are you trying to bury…"
Asi Luoshan's blood phantom was becoming incredibly unstable.
The figure with disheveled hair that covered his face reached out his arm and squeezed his open palm into a fist.
Smash!
Asi Luoshan's blood phantom that stemmed from his Blood Essence was not weak, yet it was completely crushed.
The Blood Essence strapped onto the flight sword above was instantly turned into dark energy. The spiritual senses infused in it were instantly quashed.
"How dare you foreigners make a racket outside the Taiji Palace, right below the Emperor's feet.
"His Majesty may be able to tolerate this behavior, but I will not."
The Martial Arts King with disheveled hair declared calmly.
Having said that, he headed toward the imperial court in the Taiji Palace.
As he left, the Blood Essence of Song Xianzhi, Geshu Taixing and the other foreign generals shattered soundlessly.
Right before their phantoms exploded, they all stared at Martial Arts King Jiang with profound yet cold eyes.
Silence engulfed the White Jade Square.
In a corner, Princess Pei Shi covered her mouth and continuously stomped her little feet. Her face had completely reddened with excitement.
"My husband!
"It's my husband!
"So cool!"
She was almost leaping with excitement.
On the other hand, Pei Liao remained expressionless. He rubbed his ear nonchalantly.
'Tch, women.'
…
The Martial Arts King arrived at the court with his disheveled hair. The moment he stepped over the elevated threshold of the doorway, everyone's baffled gaze fell onto him. The foreign courtiers quivered in fear.
He proceeded to the center of the court.
There was nothing but pin-drop silence in the court.
Martial Arts King Jiang cupped his hands in obeisance toward the mighty figure that sat above.
From the corner of his eyes, he glanced at the boy in green and commented, "Nice poem."
Then, he turned his head toward the Emperor and declared, "Your Majesty, I support the grand champion's argument."
Jiang Linglong's eyes widened.
Fang Lang glanced at the burly figure beside him.
At that moment, the only thing on his mind was how cool and straightforward the man beside him was.
- Translated from Chinese poem 竹石 written by 郑板桥
