Chapter 105: Teaching Sword Intentions

“Old Ancestor, the Fifth Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty has arrived,” Ling Qingshu said with a hint of helplessness on her face. She thought to herself, "The Third Prince just left, and now the Fifth Prince is here." It seemed Xu Yang's intrusion into the martial arts arena truly came with a price. But ultimately, Xu Yang had done it all for Ling Qingshu and the Sky-Luo Sect.

As soon as she finished speaking, the Fifth Prince entered the Sky-Luo Sect's main hall, accompanied by several masked, golden-armored attendants.

“Your Excellency, I trust you have been well?”

The Fifth Prince was certainly one to observe etiquette; he hadn't come empty-handed. A dozen large chests were lined up inside the hall, undoubtedly filled with the finest treasures and resources from the Great Xia Dynasty's national treasury.

Xu Yang smiled faintly as he rose. Of course, he didn't care for these external possessions, but he was very interested in settling the remaining two favors as quickly as possible.

“You wouldn't visit without a significant reason. I assume Your Highness has personally come to the Sky-Luo Sect to ask me to fulfill my promise.”

“Hahaha, Your Excellency indeed possesses extraordinary insight; nothing escapes your perception. You are right, I am here today for myself and for Great Xia. The Heavenly Sword Sacred Land is furious because of our dynasty's military deployment. This is a very troublesome matter, and my father, the Emperor, is uneasy. He seeks a solution that serves both purposes: providing a reason for our military action to eliminate the border threat in the Northern Wilderness, while also appeasing the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land.”

Xu Yang's lips curved into a slight smile as he countered, “So, Your Highness has already recommended me to His Imperial Majesty?”

“Precisely. I am also here today on behalf of my father, the Emperor, to formally invite you. At the grand banquet for all court officials in three days, my father hopes Your Excellency will attend as the leader of all cultivation lineages.”

Xu Yang pondered for a moment. “If that is what you wish for me to do, then there is no problem.”

“I shall take my leave now!” The Fifth Prince bowed respectfully to Xu Yang with a smile, then departed with his personal guards.

The main hall returned to its previous tranquility.

Ling Qingshu, however, looked at Xu Yang with a puzzled expression. “Old Ancestor, he used such a valuable favor just to invite you to a banquet in the palace? This is unbelievable...”

Xu Yang glanced at her with a smile. “Silly girl, it's not that simple. Is the imperial palace a place just anyone can enter? I predict that in three days, representatives from the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land will arrive. Alternatively, the Fifth Prince's faction within the court will use this opportunity to pressure me, seeking more benefits for the Fifth Prince.”

Upon hearing Xu Yang's explanation, Ling Qingshu was suddenly enlightened, yet she became even more puzzled by her Old Ancestor's true motives.

“Since Old Ancestor already guessed their intentions, why did you agree so readily?”

Xu Yang casually adjusted his sleeves. “Are imperial matters ever simple? We just need to get rid of this trouble as quickly as possible. The Great Xia Dynasty is the most crucial barrier for the Sky-Luo Sect. If I were to leave in the future, with this lineage intact, you would also live more securely.”

What seemed like an offhand remark from Xu Yang brought extreme shock to Ling Qingshu's heart!

It seemed this man was always like this, embedding his concern for those around him between the lines, never deliberately expressing it, yet that reassuring feeling always remained.

Perhaps this was the embodiment of Xu Yang's exceptional and transcendent charm.

***

Three days later, at the Great Xia Imperial Palace.

The Emperor hosted a grand banquet for all court officials, with songs and dances creating an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. The main hall was filled with joyous festivity.

Xu Yang was seated at the first table on the left side of the upper hall, signifying his status as the foremost figure among cultivation sects. This was clearly a deliberate arrangement by the imperial court, ensuring that all courtesies were meticulously observed.

During the banquet, the Emperor raised his cup several times, reveling with his officials. He then suddenly brought up Xu Yang's name, using the previous martial arts tournament as a topic to greatly praise the Sky-Luo Sect and Xu Yang himself.

“Heh heh, Your Majesty is too kind. Xu Yang is one detached from worldly affairs, and the Sky-Luo Sect has benefited from the dynasty's grace for many years. Xu Yang truly feels unworthy of such grand courtesy.”

“Ah! Your Excellency, you speak wrongly! Today, the Sky-Luo Sect is a great foundation of our Great Xia Dynasty. With your cultivation, even the masters of those sacred land legacies are but ordinary... Your Majesty, I humbly propose that Your Excellency Xu Yang be appointed as Grand Tutor, and that one of the princes be chosen as your disciple to personally teach them unparalleled martial arts. What is your opinion?”

This old man who spoke was one of the key ministers of the Fifth Prince's faction. With his prompting, the Empress, seated beside the Emperor, also became enthusiastic.

“Your Majesty. The Fifth Prince has recently been telling me about his admiration and reverence for Your Excellency Xu Yang of the Sky-Luo Sect. I, your humble subject, boldly request this blessing for the Fifth Prince.”

“Your Majesty!!”

No sooner had the Empress finished speaking than Consort Dong, the Eighth Prince's mother, seated nearby, also became restless. She quickly approached the Emperor to plead on behalf of the Eighth Prince.

The situation instantly became awkward. Xu Yang hadn't even agreed yet, but he was immediately put on the spot by these people. If he were to refuse now, it would undoubtedly be a direct affront to the imperial family. In that case, Xu Yang's intention to have the imperial lineage protect the Sky-Luo Sect would naturally not be realized.

“Your Majesties, you may not be aware that cultivation cannot be forced. Both princes already possess the formidable strength of the Cavern Realm, but in terms of martial arts, their application abilities are lacking. I have a proposal: I will personally teach seven sword techniques here and now. Whoever can comprehend them in the shortest amount of time, I will accept as my disciple. What do you think?”

“Excellent! It shall be as Your Excellency says!”

The Emperor quickly seized Xu Yang's words as a convenient way to resolve the situation, shouting to stop the two women from arguing further. He then summoned the Fifth Prince and the Eighth Prince to the main hall, explaining the circumstances.

The Fifth Prince was the original inviter of this banquet, and the Empress and that minister had been working in concert to pave the way for him, but unexpectedly, Consort Dong had interfered.

However, the Fifth Prince showed no signs of panic. He had used that valuable favor to invite Xu Yang here, and the outcome of this trial was already predetermined.

“Two princes, these seven sword forms of mine are extraordinary; I have never taught them to anyone else. In other words, whoever learns these seven sword techniques will have unexpected opportunities in the future, and even their life's trajectory will change. Once you choose to accept, there will be no turning back. You must think carefully before making your decision.”

The Fifth Prince took Xu Yang's words as an implicit hint to himself and nodded in agreement without a second thought.

As for the Eighth Prince, he was initially a bit confused, but upon hearing he could learn sword techniques for free, he was naturally delighted. He couldn't let his Fifth Brother surpass him in the grand hall, so he quickly nodded in agreement as well.

“Very well, Your Highnesses, please close your eyes, clear your minds, and prepare to receive the ultimate techniques I shall impart.”

Xu Yang's voice was very soft. As the three simultaneously concentrated and closed their eyes, an extremely powerful sword aura surged from Xu Yang's body.

Rumble!!

Brilliant, ice-blue sword light rapidly condensed above Xu Yang's head. Unbeknownst to them, the appearance of this scene caused a small maidservant standing near the Emperor to brighten her eyes.

“Wh-what! This sword path... why does it feel so familiar!”