Chapter 677: A Sword Cuts Ghosts, the Crown Prince Arrogant, the Trial

【The sword light flashed like lightning, arriving in an instant!】

【This strike came too fast; even Xie Yuan couldn’t react, let alone Li Qinlan, a master of such caliber. By the time she moved to intervene, it was already half a step too late.】

【Liu Yuan secretly gathered true qi in his sleeve, his fingers trembling slightly as he split his force into three streams—only for it to vanish silently just before he could strike. His eyes narrowed, a shadow of unreadable intent flickering in their depths.】

【Prince He Lan Zhen Shu of Changsheng Tian smiled faintly, idly turning a jade ring on his finger, as if he had foreseen this turn of events.】

【The courtesans were all pale with terror, their silk handkerchiefs falling unnoticed from their hands. In all their years in the pleasure quarters, they had never seen such a lethal glint of cold light.】

【“Stop!” Su Yun cried out—and in that instant, Pei Feng’s sword tip erupted with three inches of Gang qi, revealing his intent to kill!】

【Xie Yuan had just taken half a step forward, his face twisted with panic—when the blade was already three inches from Xie Guan’s throat. Too close to save!】

【Li Qinlan’s pupils shrank sharply; before her eyes, she already saw the sword severing a head, blood splattering five paces.】

【Pei Feng’s killing intent surged violently, his expression turning even more ruthless. This strike sealed off all qi from the four directions—even a sixth-rank “Rou Zhi Rou” master caught off guard would die. How much less could this frail scholar hope to survive?】

【Where the blade pointed, death was certain!】

【Xie Guan stood frozen, as if stunned into helplessness, his life hanging by a thread.】

【Pei Feng’s lips curled in a cold sneer—but the moment he raised his eyes, he met a pair of calm, unshaken eyes, and for the first time, he felt a flicker of surprise.】

【In the blink of an eye!】

【The courtesans had all shut their eyes and turned their heads away—except for Song Tingting, who played the qin, her face filled with sorrow.】

【“Hm—?”】

【No blood sprayed. No screams echoed. Only a low, startled grunt.】

【Pei Feng’s pupils contracted sharply—in the very moment he struck, he felt a needle-like stab in his mind, his spirit blanked out, his primordial qi faltered, his footing slipped, and his thrust veered wildly off course—while Xie Guan precisely stepped half a pace back.】

【Pei Feng stood frozen, his sword still trembling, carving a deep furrow into the empty ground where he had aimed. He shook his head, his face blank with confusion.】

【His qi had always flowed effortlessly—how could this have happened?】

【Liu Yuan frowned, sensing something amiss, his gaze shifting between the spot where Pei Feng’s sword had struck and the half-step you had just retreated.】

【Pei Feng suddenly drew in a deep breath, saw the boy’s expression still calm, and swung his sword again!】

【Too late!】

【“Swoosh—” An arrow pierced the air like a falling star, striking Pei Feng’s blade with pinpoint accuracy. The shock shattered his grip; blood spurted from his split palms, and his sword clattered to the ground.】

【Three masked black-clad guards had appeared in the hall, unseen until now.】

【The black-clad men ignored Pei Feng entirely, stepping to shield Su Yun.】

【Your gaze shifted to the three men before Su Yun—one holding a bow, one a sword, one a judge’s brush.】

【Their qi was deep and steady, forming a protective circle around Su Yun.】

【That arrow had come from the bowman—fired like lightning, silent as it cut through air, revealing his profound cultivation.】

【The moment Pei Feng’s killing intent flared, these hidden presences had already moved.】

【They were surely Su Yun’s personal guards. Long before leaving the Xie Fu, you had sensed faint, distant qi trailing behind you—but they were too far to detect without using your primordial spirit, so you never pressed further.】

【How could Su Yun, grandson of the Grand Secretary Su Xiang, travel without elite hidden protectors?】

【Now, at last, these shadow guards revealed themselves.】

【Your spirit stirred—you sensed several more hidden presences around the pavilion, all of considerable strength—likely guest masters secretly employed by Qimochun Fang, or bodyguards accompanying the princes.】

【Your eyes flickered lightly toward Liu Yuan in his wheelchair—this crown prince of Da Sui also concealed his true cultivation.】

【As for Pei Feng’s strike just now, you had sensed it in advance—and before he moved, you used “Zhan Gui Jian” to strike him subtly, causing his mind to prick like a needle, disrupting his breath and throwing off his aim.】

【“Seize him!” He Lan Zhen Shu snapped.】

【His guards moved instantly, grabbing Pei Feng’s arms and forcing him to kneel. Pei Feng offered no resistance, his eyes locked unblinkingly on you.】

【He Lan Zhen Shu strode forward and kicked Pei Feng squarely in the forehead—brutal force sent blood spraying, staining half his face crimson.】

【“You fool, daring to cause trouble here? I’ll deal with you properly when we return.”】

Xie Yuan rushed to your side, worried: "Brother Guan, are you alright? Did you get hurt?"

You shook your head calmly: "I'm fine."

【Su Yun’s face turned ashen: “He Lan Zhen Shu! Your man attempted murder in public—and you think you can brush it off so lightly?”】

【“Murder?” He Lan Zhen Shu raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly, spreading his hands. “Why would I kill him?”】

【He idly kicked the fallen sword with his toe: “It was merely Pei Feng’s hand slipping, losing his grip on his weapon.”】

【Su Yun’s face turned icy, fury blazing in his eyes: “Do you truly think I, Su Yun, can be trifled with?!”】

【He swept his sleeve, his voice rising sharply: “Or do you think Great Qi has no men left?!”】

【If you let He Lan Zhen Shu take Pei Feng away now, he would walk away unscathed.】

【He Lan Zhen Shu’s massive, bear-like frame suddenly shook with laughter.】

【The laughter cut off abruptly.】

【“Great Qi has oppressed our three nations for over a decade—and now you dare accuse us?”】

【He tossed his golden saber onto the ground, sneering: “I’m but a hostage from a minor state—how could I dare act recklessly in Bianjing? Why not have Lord Yun here drag me straight to the Xuanjing Si prison—”】

【“I’ve tasted all the delicacies of Bianjing. But I’ve never tasted prison food. Let the other nations see how Great Qi treats its allies.”】

【Changsheng Tian had been allied with Great Qi for ten years, bound as brother states—yet they had nearly sent this prince home several times.】

【“Amitabha.” Kong Du murmured a rare Buddhist chant, his prayer beads spinning rapidly. “Lord Yun, please calm yourself. Prince Zhen Shu has just received word that the Khan is gravely ill—he’s been consumed by grief and worry, and speaks without thought. Please forgive him.”】

【Liu Yuan’s wheelchair rolled forward slightly; he lightly tapped the armrest with his backhand: “Zhen Shu, apologize to Lord Yun.”】

【Though they had clashed before in Bianjing, now they moved in perfect unison. In this foreign land, their fates were intertwined—rise together, fall together.】

【Princes of enemy states, after all, shared the same blood.】

【Su Yun’s face darkened. In past days, would He Lan Zhen Shu have dared such arrogance?】

【But now, the Red-Eye Army in Great Qi’s southern provinces has rebelled, thirteen provinces ablaze with war. The court is in chaos. And Da Sui’s armies mass on the border, watching like wolves.】

【Truly, a land torn by internal strife and external threat!】

【If you now detained this Changsheng Tian prince, it would instantly spark a war between the two nations. Su Yun took a deep breath—he refused to add further burdens to his grandfather’s shoulders.】

【“You twist truth into falsehood!”】

【Xie Yuan, furious, pointed at He Lan Zhen Shu’s nose: “That was clearly a deliberate assassination attempt!”】

【He Lan Zhen Shu calmly brushed dust from his sleeve, smiling coldly: “Lord Yuan, you’re wronging me. I’m just a hostage from a small state—terrified to even breathe loudly in Bianjing. How could I possibly harbor such thoughts?”】

【“Third brother…” Su Shishi whispered softly, her slender fingers tugging gently at her brother’s sleeve.】

【Su Yun understood her hint—to prioritize the greater good.】

【But seeing He Lan Zhen Shu’s smug, unrepentant face filled him with rage.】

【Especially since Xie Guan was a guest he had personally invited—and a member of the Grass Hall Poetry Gathering.】

【If He Lan Zhen Shu weren’t the Changsheng Tian prince, he would have sliced him into a thousand pieces.】

【He Lan Zhen Shu feigned magnanimity, waving his hand with a false smile: “This is truly my fault for poor discipline—I should apologize.”】

【He clapped his hands, strolling casually: “Tomorrow, I’ll send a hundred taels of gold to the Xie Fu, as compensation to calm Lord Guan’s nerves.” His tone was as if he were tossing coins to a beggar.】

【“Peace is precious. Let big matters become small, and small ones vanish. Isn’t that right, everyone?”】

【He Lan Zhen Shu’s appearance and build were those of a burly, bare-chested giant—but his eyes held the cunning of a fox.】

【“Who wants your stinking money!”】

【Xie Yuan trembled with rage—but seeing Su Yun’s silent, hesitant expression, he knew today’s matter must end here.】

【Xie Yuan clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms. He saw clearly—these people were exploiting Xie Guan’s humble origins and lack of official standing. If Xie Guan had died here today, they’d merely pay a few taels and call it done.】

【He glared at He Lan Zhen Shu’s smug grin, a crushing sense of helplessness surging within him. If only he held high rank—he’d have no such fears!】

【If only he possessed the heavenly cultivation of Second Master—he’d have cut them down with a single sword.】

【Cai Huang and Song Tingting stood silently, lips pressed tight. This courtly struggle was beyond the reach of women of their station.】

【Yet in their eyes, a quiet fury burned—He Lan Zhen Shu’s arrogance was truly infuriating.】

【Xie Xuan’s face was tense, but beneath it, a hidden gleam of satisfaction flickered.】

【He Lan Zhen Shu suddenly kicked Pei Feng, sending him stumbling. “You useless waste!”】

【“Can’t even hold your sword properly? Kneel and beg Lord Guan for forgiveness!”】

【The moment the guards released him, Pei Feng dropped to his knees with a thud, slamming his forehead hard against the blue stone tiles. As he lifted his head, he grinned, revealing white, gleaming teeth—no trace of remorse.】

【“Now that’s better.” He Lan Zhen Shu clapped, laughing loudly: “As the saying goes, it’s better to resolve enmity than to deepen it…”】

【He finished, his gaze sharp as a hawk’s, locking onto you: “What do you think, Master Xie?”】

【The hall fell utterly silent—not even a pin’s fall could be heard.】

【Su Yun’s eyes burned with intensity; all held their breath, waiting to see how this seemingly frail Xie Fu bastard would respond to this humiliation.】

【Li Qinlan’s expression was grim. As a descendant of the Nine Great Clans, she knew He Lan Zhen Shu’s methods and power all too well.】

【Every word was laced with hidden blades, flawless—impossible to refute.】

【She glanced at you—your face remained calm as still water, as if you were merely an outsider watching others’ quarrel.】

【Liu Yuan turned his wheelchair, his gaze fixed on you.】

【Your eyes swept over Pei Feng, wiping blood from his face, then past him to the towering figure of He Lan Zhen Shu.】

【Faced with this, you decided…】

1. Accept the apology. (Hint: No impact on future.)

2. Reject the apology. (Hint: Will affect future.)

3. Cut down Pei Feng with your sword. (Hint: May benefit future.)

4. Participate personally. (1/3)

5. Predict the future once. (1/2)

The great ding rang, spewing torrents of radiant light; the characters upon it slowly solidified into place.

Yu Ke was studying the five options; as Xie Guan grew older and his cultivation advanced, leaving the Court of Beauties behind, the threat of “death” had not reappeared—this too was progress.

Nothing to agonize over—just choose.

3. Slash through Pei Feng. (Tip: May benefit your future.)

【You suddenly laughed and said, “Prince He Lan, I truly do not know where I have offended you, that you would seek my death so desperately.”】

【At these words!】

【Liu Yuan could not help shaking his head; he had assumed you would read the situation and yield, for peace and space, but never imagined you would confront him head-on without flinching.】

【You’re just a bastard son—what kind of storm could you possibly stir up?】

【Su Yun, upon hearing this, looked at you with a complex expression.】

【“Hahaha—” He Lan Zhenshu suddenly burst into loud laughter, his golden-banded belt swaying with his rocking posture.】

【Slowly, his smile faded. “Come to think of it, Young Master Guan, you’re better at amusing people than the court’s performers.”】

【He slowly straightened his towering frame, casting a shadow over you as he looked down. “Who am I? And what are you? How dare you?”】

【You smiled unconcerned, shifting the topic. “So if I understand correctly, Prince He Lan has no intention of killing me—then it is this Pei Feng who seeks my life?”】

【Pei Feng froze, but said nothing.】

【You raised your gaze to meet He Lan Zhenshu’s eyes. “I wonder, Your Highness… do you know?”】

【“A lowly retainer…” He Lan Zhenshu leisurely adjusted his sleeve. “Would I trouble myself over such a one?”】

【Your voice remained calm: “Your Highness’s apology is accepted, but the gift is unnecessary.”】

【“Oh? So Young Master Guan prefers not to let this matter be smoothed over?”】

【You stared straight at him, eyes steady. “I do not know where I have offended your retainer.”】

【“But since he wishes to take my life, let us settle this fairly—grudge for grudge, revenge for revenge.”】

【He Lan Zhenshu paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes—he had not expected this.】

【After a moment, he let out a low laugh. “Interesting…”】

【“But let it be clear: swords and blades have no eyes. If anything happens, I bear no responsibility.”】

【You nodded. “Naturally—that is how sparring should be.”】

【Even Liu Yuan was stunned—this outcome was unexpected!】

【Xie Xuan felt he could no longer understand this ninth brother; he knew your youth, your isolation within the household, that you had never trained in martial arts, nor even begun your studies.】

【Yet Pei Feng was a martial expert, his strength not to be underestimated. Your move was plainly an egg striking a stone—seeking your own death.】

【Li Qinlan also wore a look of confusion.】

(End of Chapter)