Chapter 677

For a time, Yunzhou once again became a place where the winds and clouds of the world gathered.

Or perhaps, one cannot say "once again."

After all, the last time there was such a stir was when Zhuoyu Villa held the Sword Casting Conference, and Xue Xianyun wanted to become the number one Sword Smith in Yunzhou. At that time, many people did indeed come to attend the grand Sword Casting ceremony, but most of those who came were there to watch the excitement or had ulterior motives; they were mostly rough-and-tumble wanderers from the Jianghu with no status to speak of. It looked bustling and noisy, but in truth, many were just there to make up the numbers—others came, so they came too. Some might not even have known what a Sword Smith was; they were purely there to stir up trouble.

The truly important figures who attended back then, besides the officials from Yunzhou and the surrounding northern regions, were the old acquaintances of Xue Xianyun and Tang Zhao. And more than half of Xue Xianyun's old acquaintances had come looking for trouble.

To be honest, a Sword Smith is very novel, but that is only rare in the barren lands of Yunzhou. In places like Jingcheng, Jiangzhou, Pingzhou, and Yongzhou—not to mention those hidden great sects—there are quite a few Sword Smiths walking in the secular world. If every time a Sword Smith appeared, big shots from the temples and the Jianghu showed up to watch, those big shots would be far too idle.

This time, however, is a truly major event for Yunzhou: it is a grand ceremony for the enfeoffment of a marquis, initiated by the Gaoyuan Marquis—a vassal of great importance to the world—and approved by the Imperial Court. It is not just about the enfeoffment; the Gaoyuan Marquis has used many methods to build momentum, which is completely different from her usual low-profile, unassuming style. The inside story behind her operating with such high profile is what makes people think deeply. Anyone with a not-so-dull political sense must think about it carefully.

Therefore, not only the powerful and noble in Jingcheng, but even the vassals from other regions cannot help but cast their eyes this way and send envoys to participate. This is all for the sake of the Gaoyuan Marquis, and it is also the goal the Gaoyuan Marquis wants to achieve. She not only wants to accomplish these things, but she also wants to make a grand display of it. Once the Lord of Yunzhou exerts all her strength to build momentum, the world will be shaken by it.

Thus, the last conference only affected Jichun City, while this one affects the entire territory of Yunzhou.

Any team with status that enters Yunzhou is immediately met by ceremonial envoys the moment their leader steps one foot inside. They are polite and the arrangements are thoughtful, leaving no room for criticism. Yet, that rigorous atmosphere makes one suspect that if one were to show even a hint of malice, a giant iron hammer would smash down on one's head.

As for the individual travelers who have not reached the status threshold, they are not necessarily met by anyone. After entering, they can walk around freely without that sense of heavily guarded vigilance. However, thinking of the reputation of the Gaoyuan Marquis, ordinary travelers do not have the guts to make any moves to test the depth of the pool in Yunzhou.

Such an atmosphere of being relaxed on the outside but tight on the inside naturally requires manpower to create. The Yunzhou government has once again mobilized everyone; anyone drawing a salary is so busy their feet barely touch the ground.

One must know that ever since Tang Zhao brought back the news of the Golden Crow beneath Yunzhou, Yunzhou has never had a moment of ease. It was only after the Zhaoyang Camp was built that, for the sake of secrecy, everyone except the personnel screened for the camp gradually dispersed, maintaining a surface of normalcy. The ordinary staff had a month or two of leisure, but then they were blasted awake, as if a loud thunderclap had been dropped to urge them to get to work.

Although the matter this time is not as urgent as the last, the previous matter involved secrets, and few people knew the truth. Most people were just assigned tasks to do, and even if they were busy, it was aimless work that ended in nothing, leaving them with no sense of accomplishment.

This time is different; everyone knew from the start what they were busy with: they were busy with Tang Zhao's enfeoffment ceremony!

Tang Zhao was actually being enfeoffed as a marquis?

Wait?

Who is Tang Zhao?

Upon hearing this name, big question marks appeared in the minds of most people.

Is Tang Zhao famous? In specific circles, he is of course very famous.

For example, in Jichun City, he is relatively famous. In the world of Sword Smiths, he is very famous, and in the Training Camp, he is hugely famous.

If it were in the Zhaoyang Camp, he would simply be the brightest star in the night sky.

But at the general public level, even in the government or the Land Inspection Bureau, he is not considered famous. Those who have come into contact with him leave with a deep impression, but most people have never come into contact with him. How many days did he even spend in Zhongtian Prefecture? He came and went in a hurry, not even sitting down in the busiest restaurant; who would know him?

So when this name exploded in their ears like a thunderclap, most people were stunned.

Enfeoffed as a marquis? The only one in Yunzhou after the Gaoyuan Marquis?

When did such a figure emerge in Yunzhou?

This... this must be some hero with distinguished service who has been hiding his name and has now returned from the front lines, right? Only by accumulating war merits over many years could one be enfeoffed as a marquis in one go?

Thus, information about Tang Zhao began to circulate widely again.

However, the information was not specifically released by the Gaoyuan Marquis. She did not compile a flawless biography for Tang Zhao; she merely allowed the Land Inspection Bureau to let out some news that was difficult to distinguish as true or false.

In the outside world, the versions of Tang Zhao's information are now mixed and contradictory. Some say he is an old hero, some say he is a frontier powerhouse returning from Liangzhou, some say he is a warrior back from the front lines, and some even whisper that he is the illegitimate son of the Gaoyuan Marquis. This most sensational version is the most widely circulated.

By comparison, although there is true news that he is a seventeen-year-old Sword Smith and a powerful Sword Hero, because it is both absurd and not sensational enough, it was quickly drowned out by all sorts of other news.

In fact, if the Gaoyuan Marquis were to release the true information to set the record straight, it would be easy. But firstly, most of Tang Zhao's achievements cannot be spoken of, and the parts that can be spoken of would not dispel doubts but would instead bring more questioning. Secondly, there is no need.

Hearing is false, seeing is believing.

Could it be that the Gaoyuan Marquis set up such a large stage just to hold a ritualistic ceremony?

Of course, there are earth-shattering scenes to be presented to everyone.

And the hustle and bustle of the outside world is something Tang Zhao does not know about.

Because Tang Zhao is in seclusion.

After testing his compatibility with the Kun Sword and the energy he could exert, Tang Zhao felt it would be safer to comprehend his second Sword Intent and significantly increase his Sword Essence, so he asked the Gaoyuan Marquis for a month's leave.

The Gaoyuan Marquis was very generous and said, "Don't talk about one month or two months, don't limit the time. Comprehending the sword is not something that can be forced. You go ahead and comprehend it; we will always wait for you."

But Tang Zhao said a month meant a month, because he already had the inspiration and was now just one step away; even a month was considered long. So now he has already passed that stage and is doing something more important.

The Gaoyuan Marquis knew Tang Zhao could not be distracted, so she declined all requests from noble people wanting to meet Tang Zhao in advance. She even politely declined the request from Xu Zhongnan to visit his junior brother. Xu Zhongnan thought this must be a request from one of their own and beneficial to Tang Zhao, so he did not insist; instead, he used his status from the Nine Heavens Dao Palace to pressure other guests, telling them not to push too hard.

Some old friends also came on this trip. For example, the Snow Mountain Prince Wang Fei, who is far away in Kungang, arrived again as a friend of Tang Zhao. Not seeing Tang Zhao, he went to find Xing Ji, the intermediary who introduced him to the Gaoyuan Marquis last time. After exchanging greetings, he asked with confusion, "Did you heavily damage the Turtle Bandits in Yunzhou? Recently, the Turtle Bandits have been retreating significantly; it is a world of difference from their previous overbearing behavior."

Xing Ji said, "You could call it a heavy blow. I didn't expect the Turtle Bandits in Kungang to also be retreating. There is such an unexpected harvest?"

Wang Fei said, "It is indeed unexpected. We have been entangled with the Turtle Bandits for many years, and only recently gained the upper hand thanks to your aid. I didn't expect that the hope for victory we finally see is because you attracted their attention here. After all, Yunzhou's strength is greater than ours; we were facing a formidable enemy."

Xing Ji suddenly laughed and said, "Suppressing the Turtle Bandits—is that not also Yunzhou's strength? You got a pie falling from the sky, and we grew the pie in our own kitchen; who isn't eating what's ready-made?"

Wang Fei was used to his strange way of speaking and said, "If so, the retreat on our side should be real, and we can breathe a sigh of relief, but you must not relax. We detected that after the Turtle Bandits retreated, they didn't hide; instead, they gathered and seem to be marching north. The north is where your relationship with the Turtle Bandits is most tense; perhaps they are coming for you."

Xing Ji sneered, "They are coming for us; we poked a turtle's nest. Let them come. The jar of Yunzhou is very deep; it's enough to hold that old turtle for stew."

Besides Wang Fei, there was Yun Xiyan, who returned from traveling in Liangzhou with a face weathered by the wind and frost; Ju Tianxuan, the Dragon Abyss Envoy who came to deliver gifts as usual; the Black Widow, who is already a Sword Student; and Yue Lai, who rushed over from Youzhou. These old friends all heard the news of Tang Zhao's enfeoffment. Although they were greatly surprised and even suspected they had heard wrong, once the news was confirmed, they were all happy for him and rushed over at full speed. Among the various distinguished guests, their status might not be the most prominent, but they were rare in that they had no ill intentions.

Amidst various invisible clashes of swords, the preparations in Yunzhou proceeded in an orderly manner. The high platform for the enfeoffment was built on the bank of the Tongyang River. All kinds of materials used were the best.

At this time, the Gaoyuan Marquis was watching the layout of the venue with an old friend from the capital. The venue was by the Tongyang River, on the river beach inside a water bend.

That old friend was a middle-aged woman whose attire was low-key but not lacking in nobility. At this time, she chatted with the Gaoyuan Marquis in a casual tone, "The high platform you built is too strange. How is this like a ceremony platform for a marquis? It is practically like an altar for sacrificing to the River God."

The Gaoyuan Marquis laughed, "As expected of you, Imperial Envoy, your eyes are truly sharp; you hit the mark at a glance."

The woman was stunned and said, "Is it really for sacrificing to a god? I remember you don't believe in these things. Furthermore, the Imperial Court now reveres Dongjun; those minor gods cannot be brought to the table. Don't openly violate the taboo."

The Gaoyuan Marquis said leisurely, "Rest assured, besides Dongjun, which deity is worthy of my sacrifice?"

The woman said, "And that spectator stand is too far away. What can one see clearly from there? Even if the miscellaneous people sit further away, don't we people have a good position?"

The Gaoyuan Marquis said, "Those are all good positions. Don't underestimate that spectator stand; it is a large Art Tool produced in our Yunzhou, very practical. In a moment, it will be able to rise..."

Just then, someone was seen entering and whispering to the Gaoyuan Marquis, "Marquis, a guest has arrived at the manor; you need to go back."

The Gaoyuan Marquis raised her eyebrows slightly, and the woman beside her said in a flat tone, "Where did the distinguished guest come from? Such a big ego; could it be bigger than the Imperial Court?"

That person nodded lightly, and the Gaoyuan Marquis suddenly trembled and pointed upward. That person nodded again.

Is it really from the heavens?