Chapter 949: Hidden Sword

"Hidden Sword?"

Lu Yao's eyes lit up with radiance.

Liu Zheng chuckled and lightly stroked the tabletop; at this moment, Pei Qianyun brought over a chessboard.

Black and white crisscrossed, the fragrance of tea curling in the air.

Lu Yao was, by nature, a person of the pugilistic world and had never cared for such elegant pastimes. There was a hint of doubt in her eyes, but she still did not speak.

The accommodation arranged for Liu Zheng by the Honglu Temple this time was of a much higher grade, spanning three full floors. The two of them were sitting on the third floor at this moment, from where they could almost overlook the entire Hancheng; the view was excellent.

Liu Zheng made a gesture of invitation.

Lu Yao stiffly shook her head, indicating she did not know how to play.

Liu Zheng did not mind and began to play by himself, then added with a soft voice, "Although I do not practice the sword, I know the sharpness of a sword; if it is too rigid, it is easily broken! In the levels of the Hidden Sword, there is the saying of Man and Sword as One, and Heart and Sword Connected."

Liu Zheng had just briefly explained the rules of this chessboard to her, so she was able to understand.

Slaughter!

Remember the website.

She took a deep breath and looked at Liu Zheng seriously for the first time.

Lu Yao nodded: "This is the first layer."

Liu Zheng continued to smile as he placed a piece.

Gradually, the black and white pieces on the chessboard began to engage in slaughter, which startled Lu Yao, causing her to look down at it for the first time.

The entire Hancheng was going crazy.

While it could not be called panic, the hearts of the people were becoming unsettled.

The Westerner Party, which held the reins of government, likewise felt a sense of crisis.

That face which still wore a calm smile.

Vice Minister Liu has arrived in Hancheng!

The Li Dynasty is about to change!

Vice Minister Liu is riding in the same carriage as the King, discussing how to cooperate with the Li Dynasty! He wants to save the Li Dynasty! Once this viewpoint emerged, the atmosphere became different again.

The scholars had long since learned during this debate in Huangzhou that this Vice Minister Liu was the founder of Heart Learning. Upon hearing this news, they were naturally incredibly excited and immensely supportive. The founder has come to the Li Dynasty, so the scholarship of the Li Dynasty is bound to reach a higher level! The ideology will also be greatly elevated!

The public's acclaim for Vice Minister Liu was too high.

Li Tun remained silent.

But more and more people were talking about Vice Minister Liu; those scholars, those merchants, those storytellers, and even those courtesans were all buzzing. At any time and any place, they were discussing Vice Minister Liu.

Not to mention that this Vice Minister Liu, having passed five passes and slain seven generals, was majestic and dashing, long since becoming the dream lover and idol in the hearts of hundreds of millions of young girls in the Li Dynasty. The calls echoing from afar to bear Vice Minister Liu's children and keep him in the Li Dynasty made many a spring-struck wealthy young lady in the Li Dynasty blush and feel like cursing, deeply feeling that they were not hot or bold enough?

The atmosphere.

It was just like this.

The merchants were even more excited. Who was this Vice Minister Liu? The founder of the Liangzhou Chamber of Commerce! The things produced in their Yintan City were all more valuable than the last, making all merchants flock to them. To get an order from Yintan City, they would queue overnight, sometimes for three days and three nights. Sometimes, they even had to go to the people of Liangzhou to buy Yinzhou Coin at a high price.

If this Liu Zheng really were to cooperate with the Li Dynasty and help the Li Dynasty develop its economy, then they would strike it rich!

A courtesan?

Curfew?

No matter how chaotic the Li Dynasty was, Hancheng had not had a curfew for over a hundred years. Was it really necessary for one Vice Minister Liu?

"Is it really necessary?"

And so the Westerner Party panicked.

They announced a curfew on the very first day Liu Zheng entered Hancheng!

This caused many people to start cursing.

"Do you know what he said to the King in the royal carriage?"

"I don't know, I don't know either!"

"However."

Such questions were also asked of the current leader of the Westerner Party, Jin Wanji.

Jin Wanji gave a cold laugh: "Fellow colleagues, the Southern Faction is already secretly replacing the Duwei commanders; you ask me if it is necessary?"

"Who is this? This is Vice Minister Liu!"

A group of people instantly became of one mind.

"Curfew, curfew!"

Consequently.

"Prevention is better than cure! Prevention is better than cure!"

"We cannot lose again this time!"

"Yes!"

The situation in the Li Dynasty was now this tense.

Who could still let you hold a courtesan and listen to the story of Vice Minister Liu passing five passes and slaying seven generals?

"Curfew, curfew, everyone go home!"

The Duqi began to take to the streets; riding their War Horses, they were arrogant and domineering, coming out to drive the crowds away just as the hour of Hai arrived. The people of Hancheng were not used to this at all; the people of Hancheng were all either rich or noble, so how could they be easily provoked? I just arrived at the brothel, and the courtesan in my arms hasn't even warmed up yet, and you want to chase people away?

A shouting match!

These Duqi did not care about that.

"Let's see who dares!"

The Duqi commander looked, his expression changing slightly.

The father-in-law of the current Minister of Rites of the Li Dynasty!

"Return home quickly! Anyone who lingers will be thrown into the Heavenly Prison!"

The Duqi was very overbearing.

The owner of the largest brothel in Hancheng, dressed in brocade, stepped out.

The Duqi Commander's face darkened: "Curfew!"

Instantly.

Swords drawn and bows bent.

"This..."

All of a sudden, these Duqi were in a difficult position.

The brothel's procurers and guards also ran out, each holding their weapons.

On the side of the Southerner Party, everyone was unhappy.

Where was this a curfew? This was clearly the Westerner Party wanting to assert their sovereignty here in Hancheng!

"No, we absolutely cannot let them be this arrogant!"

Chaos ensued.

"Curfew?"

"Yes!"

The Duwei set out again.

This was going to be interesting.

"Then we..."

"Pass down the order: as long as it is our firm, brothel, inn, or restaurant, do not participate in the curfew! Send Duwei to help them maintain order!"

Li Hang made up his mind.

Yes.

From daytime to nighttime.

She had been watching for so long.

Conflict between the two sides seemed inevitable.

Lu Yao still watched the chessboard before her quietly.

"Who are they trying to show by drawing their swords?"

Lu Yao was speechless.

Liu Zheng continued to amuse himself, chuckling: "Me."

The black and white pieces on the chessboard grew more numerous. The intent to kill grew more intense; back and forth, one attacks, the other blocks.

Liu Zheng was still smiling.

"Just like Hancheng today, these people cannot help but draw their swords."

Lu Yao finally could not hold back.

Liu Zheng dropped another piece and laughed heartily: "This is the second level of your sword path: Sword in Hand, Sword in Heart."

"What they fear is the sword in my heart."

Because she had been sitting for a long time, Lu Yao shifted her posture.

Liu Zheng looked up, gazed at that incomparably cold and stunning face, and asked with a smile: "They are afraid of me."

"Afraid of what from you?"

"Those in a hurry to unsheathe are only out to scare people."

"Hidden Sword."

He glanced at Lu Yao and laughed heartily: "Miss Lu, you must first learn how to hide the sword."

"What they fear is the sword I have hidden!"

He stared fixedly at Lu Yao.

"Those in a hurry to draw their swords are those who harbor fear in their hearts. Those in a hurry to slay demons are those who fear gods and demons."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yao's expression stirred.

"Is Hidden Sword just being beaten passively?"

Liu Zheng smiled: "No, wait for the right moment, and when it is time to draw the sword, draw it."