Chapter 84: Eighty-Fifth Chapter: The Curtain

September 15th, dusk.

The sunset is gorgeous, with colorful clouds filling the sky.

Today is the day the two peerless swordsmen have their decisive battle.

The location of the decisive battle is within the Forbidden City, and there are not many people qualified to watch this battle.

Lu Xiaofeng happens to be one of them.

He steps through the sunset, enters the East Prosperity Gate and the Longzong Gate, turns into the Meridian Gate beneath the dragon towers and phoenix towers, and finally arrives at this forbidden place within the forbidden, the city within the city.

Along the way, there are patrol guards, a post every three steps and a sentry every five, and without this color-changing ribbon, it would be difficult for anyone to break in; even if they could get here, they would not dare to step a single inch beyond the Thunder Pool.

Lu Xiaofeng can already feel an invisible pressure rushing toward him.

This is the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Son of Heaven.

A single political decree issued from here can make countless people live, and can also make countless people die.

Even though he is a free and unfettered wanderer of the Edo, he would never dare to be presumptuous here.

"Lu Xiaofeng." Just then, a gentle voice rings out.

Lu Xiaofeng turns his head and cannot help but be delighted: "Hua Manlou, why have you come?"

Hua Manlou smiles slightly and says: "Today is the duel between two great swordsmen, how could I not come?"

Lu Xiaofeng asks curiously: "But how did you get a ribbon? I didn't see you at the arena yesterday."

Hua Manlou smiles and says: "I naturally have my own methods, but the Green Clothes Tower did make a big move yesterday. They set up an arena to select five people from the martial arts world who have the highest martial arts, the best sword skills, the most wealth, the most eloquent speech, and the widest connections."

Lu Xiaofeng snorts: "Everyone who participates has to pay one hundred taels of silver. I think that kid Yu Liancheng is clearly crazy for money."

"But this event was held very successfully, everyone was very satisfied, and the five people selected were also very convincing."

Hua Manlou smiles: "I think if the people of the Green Clothes Tower aren't stupid, they will probably hold it once every three or five years. I have to say, that Master Yu is indeed a genius."

Lu Xiaofeng cannot help but say: "You are very satisfied with the arena, but you seem very dissatisfied with me. Every time we meet, you have to praise that kid Yu, are you trying to make me die of anger?"

Hua Manlou shrugs and changes the subject: "By the way, I heard that you have been running around these past two days, scouting for information. Have you encountered any troublesome matters?"

Lu Xiaofeng frowns, then recounts the situation he has investigated over these days one by one, saying: "I think this decisive battle might hide a conspiracy, and it is a heaven-shaking conspiracy at that."

Hua Manlou ponders for a moment and says: "The Imperial Palace is heavily guarded; no matter what schemes or plots there are, they are very difficult to realize. Furthermore, this matter is not something you should be worrying about."

Lu Xiaofeng says: "That may be so..."

"You, you always like to find trouble for yourself when there is none. Regardless, I support you. If you need my help, you can say so at any time."

Hua Manlou shakes his head and smiles: "But no matter what, we can't solve the case just by standing here. Let's go in first."

"Alright, that is very well said."

The bright moon has risen.

The moon is very large, and the moon is very round.

The moonlight is very beautiful, beautiful enough to intoxicate one's heart.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is inside the Gate of Supreme Harmony, and the Golden Water Jade Belt River outside the Gate of Supreme Harmony looks like a golden water jade belt under the moonlight.

A carriage is moving slowly within the palace.

There are three people and two swords in the carriage.

Nanwang Shizi rubs his thighs with his palms, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Although this matter has been planned for a long time and they have tried their best to make it seamless, the matter is simply too big. Once successful, he will be the supreme ruler, the highest of the high.

But if he fails, not only will his life be lost, but the entire Nanwang Mansion will be implicated.

He cannot help but feel a bit nervous.

Ye Gucheng is dressed in white, whiter than snow, as cold and arrogant as ever, his expression without the slightest ripple.

It seems that in his eyes, what they are about to do is as simple as eating and drinking water.

Only the palms resting on his knees are exerting a slight force, his knuckles turning white.

Regardless, his heart is not as calm as his surface.

He is, after all, still a person.

Yu Liancheng yawns; he is actually quite calm about this matter.

Although he did not participate in this matter in the early stages, because of his appearance, this matter has changed more or less.

Even if Lu Xiaofeng can guess the truth of the matter, I fear it will be too late.

Even if this matter fails, with his light-body technique and sword skills, he can easily escape the Imperial Palace without any danger to his life; it is just that the Green Clothes Tower will be suppressed by the Imperial Court and will never recover.

To him, this is both a high-stakes gamble and an interesting game.

Nanwang Shizi glances at Yu Liancheng and cannot help but say: "Sir, are you not nervous at all, not afraid at all?"

"I am, although not much, there is indeed a little." Yu Liancheng smiles slightly: "It's just that in front of others, I always like to put on an act, appearing as if the sky could collapse without me being startled, calm and composed."

Nanwang Shizi laughs dumbly: "Sir... Sir is truly broad-minded."

Yu Liancheng looks at Nanwang Shizi, his expression suddenly becoming serious: "Prince, it doesn't matter whether I put on an act or not; that is just a matter of face. But you must learn to put on an act, whether it is now or after you succeed in the future."

Nanwang Shizi says: "Oh?"

"The whole matter is centered on you; you are the key to the success or failure of the plan. And I, along with City Lord Ye, are merely two sharp swords here to assist you. In a certain sense, you are our boss right now. If the boss isn't confident, how can the people below have confidence?"

Yu Liancheng says solemnly: "After the matter is accomplished, when you sit in that position, you will be the boss of the Imperial Court, and everyone in the world will have to look at your expression. So... no matter how nervous or afraid you are, at least learn to put on an act, to appear as if you are in control of everything, never panicking."

Nanwang Shizi ponders for a moment and bows to Yu Liancheng: "What Sir says is very true, this Prince has been taught."

Yu Liancheng picks up the wine pot beside him and pours a cup of wine: "If you are truly nervous, you might as well have a cup of wine. But before the big event, you must not drink too much."

Nanwang Shizi drinks the cup of wine, rubs his hands vigorously, and takes a long breath in and out.

After seven or eight breaths like this, he is able to maintain stability, and no nervous emotions can be seen.

At least on the surface, that is how it is.

Boom, boom, boom!!

These are the footsteps of the Imperial Guard.

Neat and majestic, they surged forward like a tide, only to gradually dissipate before long.

The carriage rumbled along, its windows covered by thick cotton cloth, and no one's gaze could pierce through the cloth to see the situation outside.

Suddenly.

The carriage came to a stop, and an aged, wrinkled palm lifted the curtain.

A eunuch who looked like an old woman, and spoke just like an old woman, stood outside the door and whispered, "Your Highness, City Lord Ye and Jade Tower Master have already arrived."

The curtain of the grand play slowly pulled open!