Chapter 456: Xu Weixiong, Prelude to a New Era

A woman lives by the side of Dayi Lake.

The woman's surname is Xu, her name is Xu Weixiong, and she is the second daughter of the Great Pillar Kingdom, Xu Xiao.

This Second Princess's name lacks even a hint of feminine delicacy; she has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, possesses a mind full of strategies, and is a widely renowned talented woman.

At the age of sixteen, Xu Weixiong entered Shangyin Academy to pursue her studies, directly becoming a student of the two great masters, Libationer Wang and Han Guzi.

Some people refused to accept this and came to the banks of Dayi Lake to provoke her. This woman, who entered the academy carrying a sword, first cut off the topknot of the leading scholar, and the second time, she killed one on the spot. Although she was grounded by the academy afterward, no one else was willing to stir up trouble for this "Grand Duke of Tai Sui" again.

This lady is truly capable of killing people.

Precisely because of this, no one dares to trespass on Dayi Lake anymore, and it has become a semi-forbidden area of Shangyin Academy.

Everyone is a Jixia Xueshi with a promising future; there is no need to gamble their own lives against a madwoman.

Of course, if Xu Weixiong were merely a madwoman, that would be underestimating her too much.

This woman not only has superb Sword Technique, but she also created the Vertical and Horizontal Nineteen Paths, and her poetry is even more astonishing.

The "Green Ant Wine," which is extremely famous in Beiliang, became renowned precisely because of her line: "New Brewed Wine of green ants, a Red Mud Small Fire Stove."

She has stolen all the limelight at Shangyin Academy for the past five or six years. Don't look at how fiercely some scholars curse her; if they were to truly face her, they would certainly be the quickest to turn tail.

The so-called integrity of scholars is just like wild grass in a strong wind—it bends as much as it possibly can.

The two students crouching behind the green lotus, the one with the short-lived, "die early and seek Reincarnation" appearance, had lost a bet with someone and had to swim a lap in Dayi Lake, otherwise he would lose fifty taels of silver.

However, when the moment came, he grew timid.

That person is the Second Princess of the Beiliang Prince Mansion; if an ordinary student were killed, so be it. Furthermore, he was the one who took the initiative to trespass into Dayi Lake, so he would deserve it if he died.

Just at this moment, a small boat broke into Dayi Lake.

"Picking lotuses in the southern pond in autumn, lotus flowers rise above people's heads. Lowering my head to play with lotus seeds, the lotus seeds are as clear as water. The south wind knows my intent, blowing my dreams to Xizhou..."

The soft and melodious singing drifted over the misty, water-covered lake. This is a folk song from the Music Bureau of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. The poem describes a young girl's bitter longing for her beloved from early spring to late autumn, from reality to dreams, with every four lines forming a stanza, connected by repeating the last word of the previous line.

The one singing is a peerless beauty in the prime of her youth. She is currently kneeling by the side of the boat, singing a tune while leaning over to reach out and pick lotus pods.

The beauty's sleeves are slightly rolled up, and her pair of slender, jade-like forearms are fair, tender, and smooth, as if a gentle pinch could squeeze water out of them.

This beauty is clearly also a young lady of a noble family; every movement is elegant, noble, and pleasing to the eye.

When the beauty plucked a lotus flower and lowered her beautiful head, her hair fluttering as she lightly sniffed the flower, it was enough to make one's bones melt halfway.

Although Shangyin Academy does not place importance on status or wealth, almost everyone who can pass the academy's examinations is either rich or noble.

After all, in this era, how could an ordinary family manage to have five cartloads of books and travel thousands of mountains and rivers to reach the academy?

The two scholars hiding behind the lotus flowers rising from the water are just like this; they have also frequented brothels and have seen countless courtesans.

Especially the scholar with the refined appearance, who is a frequent guest of many beauties.

Yet at this moment, his eyes are dazed, looking like a Flower Addict. He only feels that all the women he has met in his life, compared to the beauty before him, are truly like dust compared to mud.

Jealousy could not help but arise in his heart: such a fairy, who could share a boat and cross the water with her?

As his gaze shifted, he was shocked once more.

He saw a figure in black drifting at the bow of the boat, indescribably dashing and handsome. Especially those eyes, which held a smile, gentle as a spring breeze, as if they could thaw a frozen river.

A man... that is not impossible either.

"Looking at these two, they don't seem to be from Jixia Academy, perhaps they are travelers visiting from outside. Should we go and remind them?" the short-lived-looking student hesitated.

"That's right, if Senior Sister Xu starts moving, she doesn't care about anyone's status." The handsome student nodded and was about to leap directly into the water.

"Senior Brother, wait." The short-lived-looking student hurriedly grabbed his companion.

"What?"

"You, you look." The short-lived-looking student pointed with his hand: "It seems Senior Sister Xu has come out."

They saw that on the banks of Dayi Lake, another small boat had appeared, creating ripples.

On the small boat was a woman carrying a sword, standing tall and straight, full of heroic spirit.

Even though her appearance was ordinary, even when standing opposite that peerless beauty, she had her own style and charm, not losing out in the slightest.

This is the mistress of Dayi Lake, the Second Princess of the Beiliang Prince Mansion, Xu Weixiong. Aside from her appearance not being outstanding, her martial arts, scholarship, and strategy are all world-class.

"Now these two fellows are going to be in trouble."

The short-lived-looking student shook his head and sighed.

"I hope Senior Sister Xu doesn't strike too hard..." the refined student said, full of worry.

However, the reality was unexpected.

They saw the young man in black smiling and saying a few words to Senior Sister Xu, and Senior Sister Xu actually cupped her hands and bowed, with no sign of drawing her sword to kill.

One must know that this Senior Sister Xu is not only accomplished in Sword Technique and scholarship, but she is also extremely proud.

In the entire academy, apart from the two teachers who taught her, there are very few people who can make her bow.

It is said that even in the Beiliang Prince Mansion, the Great Pillar Kingdom Xu Xiao is very afraid of this second daughter, and the great playboy Xu Fengnian acts as if he has met his natural enemy when he sees her.

Yet now she is so respectful to the young man in black, which makes people smell something unusual.

Black clothes, handsome as a demon, making Xu Weixiong bow... the combination of these many clues made the two clever Jixia Xueshi flash with realization. They looked at each other, vaguely guessing the identity of the visitor, and their expressions gradually became solemn.

The pavilion by the side of Dayi Lake was built by the academy's craftsmen; it does not display the grandeur of a noble mansion, yet it is ingenious and elegant, not following the beaten path. Outside the building, some chickens and ducks are raised, interspersed with a few vegetable patches, all intended for filling the stomach; it lacks the refined air of the old students who treat plum blossoms as wives and cranes as children.

"Xu Weixiong pays her respects to Mountain Master Murong."

Entering the pavilion, Xu Weixiong bowed to Yu Liancheng again.

Yu Liancheng waved his hand casually and found a seat to sit down.

As for Yu Youwei, she continued to row the boat on Dayi Lake, enjoying the flowers and water; she did not have much affection for this Princess.

Xu Weixiong brought a cup of steaming tea to Yu Liancheng and said, "Xu Xiao sent a letter saying, saying that the Mountain Master can resurrect my mother. I wonder if this is true or false?"

Yu Liancheng nodded and smiled, "That is correct, I did indeed say that."

A flash of joy passed through Xu Weixiong's calm expression: "I wonder what requirements the Master has?"

Yu Liancheng asked in return, "Xu Xiao didn't tell you?"

Xu Weixiong shook her head.

Yu Liancheng pondered for a moment and said, "It seems Xu Xiao wants you to make your own decision."

"Please speak plainly, sir," Xu Weixiong said.

Every word and action of this woman possessed a kind of grand bearing, as if even if the sky were to collapse, she would remain unperturbed.

Yu Liancheng cast his gaze toward the ancient sword "Red Chi" at Xu Weixiong's waist and said calmly, "I hear you practice swordsmanship, and your Sword Technique is extremely remarkable."

Xu Weixiong did not mind Yu Liancheng's digression, merely saying calmly, "It is just to pass the time; it cannot compare to Mountain Master Murong."

Yu Liancheng beckoned to Xu Weixiong: "Let me see your sword."

"Very well." Xu Weixiong answered quite crisply, her slender fingers already pressed against the hilt: "Sir, be careful."

With a "Clang—", the long sword left its scabbard, and an indescribable sharpness shot forth; the sword light swirled as she thrust toward Yu Liancheng, who was sitting on a stool.

This sword strike appeared ordinary in its momentum, but in reality, its sharpness was restrained and its power contained within; it was already top-tier swordsmanship in the world, enough to make ninety-nine percent of the world's swordsmen feel ashamed.

Yu Liancheng opened his mouth and spat out several strands of Sword Qi, enveloping Xu Weixiong like a sudden storm.

Xu Weixiong was secretly startled, not only because he could spit out Sword Qi, but also because the Sword Qi evolved into a set of swordsmanship devoid of any worldly aura.

Xu Weixiong turned her fair wrist, and the sword light in her palm danced into a rapidly spinning red glow, sweeping over.

As the Red Chi sword danced wildly and the sword light swirled, strands of Sword Qi gradually dissipated and flowed away.

Suddenly, Xu Weixiong turned her wrist, a cold light flashed, and the ancient sword Red Chi had already pierced to the front of Yu Liancheng.

Yu Liancheng's expression remained unchanged; he pointed a finger like a sword and thrust it out lightly and casually.

Ding!!

The sword light of the Red Chi sword, which was like a flying swan, instantly shattered.

Xu Weixiong only felt a sharp yet heavy aura surge over; her wrist trembled, the ancient sword Red Chi in her palm nearly flew from her hand, and she stumbled back several steps.

After a long while, the Second Princess let out a soft breath and said with sincere admiration: "Weixiong previously thought her own swordsmanship was quite remarkable, but I did not expect that compared to a top expert like you, sir, it is still a world of difference; I was truly looking at the sky from the bottom of a well."

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly: "You did not use your full strength in that previous strike; in fact, with your swordsmanship, looking at the world today, there are few among the younger generation who can match you."

Others only knew that Xu Weixiong's swordsmanship was remarkable, but they did not know that this Second Princess had already entered the First Rank Pseudo-Zhi Xuan realm. Among the younger generation, she was already a rare expert.

In the original plot, Xu Weixiong could trade blows with Chen Zhibao and not fall into a disadvantage for a short time.

Chen Zhibao himself held feelings of admiration for Xu Weixiong, and because he could not hold back his hand, he severely wounded Xu Weixiong, leaving her disabled for life.

Xu Weixiong said calmly: "Even if Weixiong were to strike with all my might, I would definitely not be your match, sir, so why ask for trouble?"

"You do have self-awareness," Yu Liancheng said calmly: "In reality, I came to find you to help you learn the sword, or rather, to forge a sword."

"Learn the sword?" Xu Weixiong frowned.

Yu Liancheng shifted his hips, stretched out his legs, and chose a comfortable posture to sit: "In this world, I have taught swordsmanship to two women; one is named Chen Yu, and the other is Xuanji. You are the third. However, you are absolutely different from them, and different from anyone else in the world who learns the sword."

Xu Weixiong sheathed her sword: "Sir, please speak plainly."

Yu Liancheng said: "Chen Yu and Xuanji both learned the Killing Sword, which is also the Commoner Sword. But what you are about to learn is the Dao Sword of the Son of Heaven, with the mountains and rivers as the scabbard, to govern the world."

"Dao Sword of the Son of Heaven?" Xu Weixiong frowned; she was a famous talented woman in the world, how could she not understand the meaning in Yu Liancheng's words?

It was just that the other party's words were too unexpected and heart-stirring, to the point that she dared not believe them.

Yu Liancheng said calmly: "What is called the Dao Sword of the Son of Heaven? It decides the floating clouds above and cuts off the foundations of the earth below. Once this sword is used, the feudal lords are brought to order, and the world submits."

Xu Weixiong was expressionless, but her flickering eyes revealed the unrest in her heart; she tried her best to make her tone calm and said slowly: "Weixiong does not understand."

"It is not that you do not understand, but that you dare not understand." Yu Liancheng picked up his teacup and took a shallow sip: "I originally thought the Second Princess had great ambitions, but I did not expect that deep down, you are just a little woman after all. What a pity, what a pity." Having said this, he let out a soft sigh.

Xu Weixiong's complexion sank slightly, her breathing grew a little heavier, and after a long while: "Sir, do you want the Luck of the world?"

"Indeed."

"But... but why is it Weixiong? Fengnian is the Beiliang Heir; wouldn't he be more suitable?" Xu Weixiong hesitated.

"There are two reasons." Yu Liancheng held up two fingers: "First, I admire you; whether it is your talent or your inner ambition, you, Xu Weixiong, are definitely not below anyone in the present age, including the Female Emperor of Beimang. Second, that fellow Xu Fengnian is used to being lazy; to put it nicely, he is suited to be a wandering knight in the Edo, wielding a sword through the world; to put it bluntly, he is like mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall. Don't let him finish conquering the world only to say to me, 'Boy, bring tea,' to wrap things up; that would be truly laughable and lamentable."

Xu Weixiong kept a plain, expressionless face; no one could guess what she was thinking.

Yu Liancheng said calmly: "In reality, my best choice would be to go and help Beimang, destroy Beiliang, swallow Liyang, and unify the world. I imagine you also know that if I wanted to kill Xu Xiao or Xu Fengnian, it would not be a difficult task. But in the end, I am still a person of the Central Plains."

After a deathly silence, Xu Weixiong finally spoke slowly: "Did Xu Xiao... did he agree?"

"Since he let me tell you this matter, it means he has handed the choice of this matter over to you. Whether you agree or not, he will fully support it."

Yu Liancheng put down the teacup and stood up tall: "Come, Xu Weixiong, do not be timid. Make those high and mighty, self-righteous fellows of the Liyang Dynasty stare in astonishment, and let the people of this world remember the first Female Emperor of the Central Plains. If any worthless rabble dares to stand in your way, I will bleed them one by one and chop off their heads to use as chamber pots."

Yu Liancheng's gaze was burning as he reached out his hand toward Xu Weixiong.

"Xu Xiao and the others ended the Spring and Autumn chaos; now let us start the prosperous age that belongs to this generation."

This hand seemed to reach out from the nine heavens, breaking through the dark clouds, with sunlight scattering and shining on Xu Weixiong's face. It was as if, as long as she was willing, she could head toward another world.

Xu Weixiong, however, hesitated and paced back and forth, unable to make up her mind.

Because of her single thought, the Central Plains would rise in arms, the common people would be displaced, and countless Beiliang men would die in battle, all for the sake of mere selfish desire.

Xu Weixiong could not help but look up and meet Yu Liancheng's gaze.

She felt that this face, handsome as a demon, was filled with heroism and generosity, and in those eyes, it seemed as if a surging, torrential river was flowing; no matter what difficulties stood in the way, it would charge forward without turning back. And wherever the river passed, it represented great destruction and devastation, washing away everything. Yet, it also nourished the living things along the banks, and all things were revived.

A look of determination flashed across Xu Weixiong's face.

Her eyes flashed.

She reached out her hand.

When the two hands clasped together, the wind and clouds surged, and a new era slowly pulled back its curtain.