met free Chapter 85 The First Strike Through the Ages: Allure!
Chapter 85 The First Strike Through the Ages: Allure!
Chapter 85 The First Blade of All Time: Alluring Beauty!
Unparalleled, historical observation, concise remarks, profound principles;
Continuous, concealed, iron-brush, historical record;
These eight sword techniques are the basic moves of the "Spring and Autumn Sword Technique" and the basic routines of sword techniques. Sword techniques of all schools and sects cannot be separated from these eight postures.
In essence, it consists of: vertical slash, horizontal sweep, diagonal slash, straight thrust, combo attack, building momentum, blocking, and desperate strike!
The complete "Spring and Autumn Sword Techniques" is the sword technique used by Guan Yu in battle, consisting of sixty-four moves. After being modified and improved by swordsmen throughout the ages, it has been refined into eight moves!
It is not only the foundation of swordsmanship and the basics of sword style, but also the culmination of the hard work of countless swordsmen over hundreds of years. If later generations are not as good as their predecessors, what is the point of practicing martial arts?
Most of the seventy-two unique skills passed down by Bodhidharma have been replaced by unique skills created by later generations. Zhang Sanfeng's Tiger Claw Hand was pointed out to have flaws by his disciples on the very day it was taught, and a stronger version was modified and improved.
If I can see further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. In other words, if I stand on the shoulders of giants, then I am destined to see further than my predecessors. Otherwise, why would I stand on them?
In the blink of an eye, Xu Qingya unleashed eight consecutive sword techniques. They appeared simple and casual, but every gesture, every step, every turn, and every block demonstrated a rock-solid foundation and the wisdom passed down through generations.
Let alone the lingering intent of the sword, even Guan Yu himself would be greatly pleased to see these eight sword techniques.
This is exactly the kind of successor Guan Yu needed!
If it is merely a crude imitation, at best it can only become a weakened version of Guan Yu, a mere shell with a hollow appearance. When facing a true master, it will most likely crumble at the first touch.
The blade reflected light like ripples on water.
Xu Qingya felt an unprecedented and exhilarating pleasure, as if all the shackles on his body had been broken, and the gloom that had plagued him for many years had vanished without a trace at this moment.
He could effortlessly wield all sorts of unique skills, including the Spring and Autumn Saber Technique, the Five Tigers Severing the Gate Saber Technique, the Creation Saber Technique, the Wei Family Saber Manual, the Ice Jade Saber Technique, and the Wind God Leg Technique. Every move he made was a masterpiece.
Three Cuts Before the Horse VS Three Cuts Before the Horse!
Unending VS Unending!
Building momentum for an explosion VS Building momentum for an explosion!
The sword intent left behind by Guan Yu carries the blood, ferocity, madness, and arrogance of Guan Yu's battles. Xu Qingya is like a student giving a graduation defense, showing his professor the results of his hard work in the coldest and hottest winters!
The Magpie Blade and the Azure Dragon Blade clashed and clashed. The two azure dragons circled the clear wind and clouds, soaring, sweeping, and roaming freely in the air. The dragons could grow large or small, rise or hide, move like thunder or be still as clouds.
It appears still, yet all things are impermanent, like clouds.
It appears to be in motion, but it is as formless and shapeless as the wind.
The wind moves, but the clouds remain still; the clouds move, but my heart is like the wind!
Suddenly.
Xu Qingya stood in the middle of the square, surrounded by cloud-like internal energy. He held a knife in both hands, his eyes closed, having moved from a contest of moves to a connection of minds.
The spirit teleports into the void!
The remaining ability of the fragments of the Light Weapon.
The last trace of power remaining in the Martial Saint's sword intent.
Let the inheritors, pursuers, and transcenders experience an unforgettable "teaching" in the mental space. Xu Qingya knew that this was not a murderous illusion and would not harm him, so he actively immersed himself in the mental space.
The scene before my eyes has completely changed.
The solemn and majestic Imperial Ancestral Temple has been transformed into a battlefield of corpses and blood. A general clad in heavy armor and wielding a long sword charged forward on horseback. Xu Qingya swung his sword in retaliation, and the booming war drums rang in his ears.
This isn't Guan Yu, this is—Hua Xiong!
Using the momentum of his warhorse, Hua Xiong blasted Xu Qingya back several steps. Xu Qingya steadied himself and, before Hua Xiong could charge again, brandished his sword and shouted to the sky.
"Pour the wine, I'll be back in a moment!"
"The Azure Dragon knows the wine's temperature; it drinks the blood of the bandit chieftain to the last drop!"
Old wine appeared beneath Xu Qingya's horse, and the two, inseparable, fiercely launched a counterattack with their knives.
Spring and Autumn Sword Techniques - Spring and Autumn!
A single word of praise or criticism can write history.
Mounted warfare differs from infantry warfare; it doesn't involve as many fancy techniques. It emphasizes speed, ruthlessness, and accuracy, and it's a contest of pedigree horses, superior riding skills, and courage.
When the two horses cross the stirrups, it signifies the moment of decisive battle between the two sides.
Xu Qingya, sword drawn, charged forward. In the instant the two horses passed each other, he swept his blade across the ground. A flash of light, blood spurted into the sky, and a head the size of a bucket flew into the air. Xu Qingya laughed loudly: "This wine is still warm! You are truly pathetic—"
The scene changes again.
The background setting is still a battlefield, but the difference is that the opponent is no longer Hua Xiong, but Yan Liang!
Xu Qingya sneered: "Does the Martial Saint intend to test me with these defeated subordinates? You are merely a remnant of the Martial Saint's sword intent; do you lack the courage to face me head-on? If this is the Martial Saint's legacy, then I refuse to accept it!"
Without needing to intervene, the scene shifted once again.
The battlefield shifted from Guandu to Jingxiang.
According to historical records, this battle was a turning point in Liu Bei's fate. Guan Yu, who was originally defeated and killed, unexpectedly won this battle, causing history to deviate.
No one knows what happened; historical records are vague and even less detailed than folk tales.
Historical records state that Guan Yu mastered the ultimate technique of destroying a city with a single strike in a desperate situation. He single-handedly turned the tide of the battle. This move was so powerful and devastating that Guan Yu only used it twice in his life.
One was the Battle of Xiangfan, and the other was—
I don't know!
There is no clear historical record of this!
There were no opponents, and no victories!
This time, the opponent is "Guan Yu"!
What puzzled Xu Qingya was that the Guan Yu before him was not the classic image of a red-faced man with a long beard. His beard was indeed very long, three feet long, swaying in the wind, but his face was deathly pale, and his robes and armor were stained with blood.
Xu Qingya did not make a move.
Guan Yu did not show any murderous intent.
It seems that Xu Qingya has passed all the tests and is moving directly to the final step: he is going to preach!
A strong person who is seriously injured will not become weak. On the contrary, the serious injury will arouse their ferocity and they will unleash a powerful move to fight to the death when they are on the verge of death.
Xu Qingya keenly sensed that a scorching yang energy, like ten suns in the sky, was rising from Guan Yu's body. The intense yang energy impacted his blood and qi, turning his skin blood red.
Guan Yu did not make a move.
Xu Qingya saw nothing.
All he could see was the intent revealed in Guan Yu's eyes, which were as deep as an abyss!
An invincible technique for eternity!
Xu Qingya was secretly puzzled. Suddenly, he heard a deafening roar from mid-air. It was the loudest, most shocking, and most terrifying sound he had ever heard in his life!
The sky seemed to collapse, the earth seemed to crack open, and everything around disappeared—no city, no pursuers, no sound.
The world was a vast expanse of white.
All was silent!
It's not about smashing through the city wall with a single stroke, but about completely erasing everything around it, like a mischievous child picking up an eraser and scribbling on a "world map," where the city disappears with a few random strokes.
Is this something humans can achieve?
Xu Qingya felt a long-lost shock, a thrill from the bottom of his heart. Every pore on his body opened up, and his hot blood surged wildly.
Instead of feeling any fear or horror, I felt an indescribable excitement. I thought, "I will be able to achieve this power sooner or later. I will learn from it, inherit it, and surpass it!"
"Martial Saint, I will surpass you!"
Xu Qingya shouted loudly at the illusion.
The illusion did not dissipate, but instead looked at Xu Qingya with a deep gaze, waiting for Xu Qingya to make a move.
Xu Qingya did not draw his sword. Instead, he sheathed the Magpie Blade and chuckled, "A sword that can topple cities cannot be wielded casually. This sword is for slaying demons and monsters, eliminating evil spirits, and restoring a bright and clear world. This sword is not for myself; otherwise, it would be nothing but a hollow shell!"
The illusion continued to stare silently at Xu Qingya.
Xu Qingya pointed to his heart: "My word will never change. A promise is a promise, and I would die a hundred times for it. If the Martial Saint wishes to test me, please ask me any question you deem appropriate!"
"Heaven—transmits—"
The illusion uttered two syllables and then vanished completely. Xu Qingya opened his eyes and felt that all his joints were open, as if he had just had a full-body massage. He subconsciously stretched and his joints cracked.
Liu Qingci rushed over: "Qingya! Are you injured? How did the Martial Saint test you?"
Feeling the warmth of the small hand, Xu Qingya quickly came to his senses: "It's alright. The Martial Saint just wanted me to fight all the enemies he had faced before. I found it too exhausting, so I decided to challenge the Martial Saint directly. I unexpectedly skipped the trial and received the Martial Saint's inheritance!"
Liu Dinghuan was dumbfounded.
For hundreds of years, the imperial court has tried every means to cultivate a successor to the Martial Saint, but it has always come to nothing. Judging from Xu Qingya's experience, it is a bit too simple!
In fact, it's not simple at all.
Guan Yu was arrogant towards superiors but compassionate towards inferiors. He disliked making things difficult for others. Regarding his successor, besides basic requirements such as talent and character, he set only one condition:
—It suits Guan Yu's temperament perfectly!
The heirs cultivated by the imperial court regarded Guan Yu as a god, how could they dare to lay a hand on him? Even if they were lucky enough to start the inheritance process, they would proceed step by step, fighting their way through Hua Xiong until they were exhausted.
Xu Qingya performed well in this regard.
Xu Qingya respected Guan Yu greatly, but if he had to choose one of Guan Yu's many divine titles, Xu Qingya would likely choose the God of War and Wealth, rather than the Demon-Subduing Emperor, the Heavenly Venerable of Zhenyuan, the Dharma Protector, or the Unity of the Three Religions!
When people in the imperial court mention "Martial Saint," they mean "the Martial Saint in the literal sense." But what about Xu Qingya? When Xu Qingya thinks of the Martial Saint, only one line comes to mind:
-
Guan Yu, the Martial Saint who shook China, had the divine skill of using red cards as kills, while Cao Jinyu, an unknown soldier in the corner of history, could only play eighty cards in one round!
You're testing me, and I'm testing you too!
Are you testing me with a bunch of defeated underlings?
I'd rather not learn it at all!
It perfectly matches Guan Yu's temperament!
He has no arrogance whatsoever, always looking down on everyone with a subservient attitude. He only knows how to practice martial arts rigidly or crudely imitate others, doing whatever you're told. What makes him worthy of inheriting the legacy of the Martial Saint? Can you even learn it?
Even if this person possesses unparalleled talent and accidentally learns the "Alluring Beauty" technique, would they use it for good? They are very likely to be deceived!
Xu Qingya's surname is neither Liu nor Guan, nor is it Zhang, Zhao, Huang, or Zhuge. However, apart from being somewhat lecherous, he fits Guan Yu's temperament in every way. As for his blood relationship with the royal family, he doesn't have it now, but he will in the future.
To put it simply, the more you admire Guan Yu, the more you kowtow to him, the less likely you are to receive the martial saint's inheritance. Even the descendants of Guan Yu are no exception. If you take the initiative to fight with him and show your challenge to Guan Yu, you can actually gain benefits.
Xu Qingya would not say these words to anyone.
Liu Dinghuan regarded Xu Qingya as an "auspicious omen".
Xu Qingya would certainly not undermine Liu Dinghuan.
How did you obtain the Martial Saint's inheritance?
The Martial Saint gave me a test, and I answered every question correctly. The Martial Saint praised me highly.
What are these test questions?
Such an important matter cannot be casually revealed. I, Xu, must report to His Majesty privately.
What else did the Martial Saint say?
These are words I can only tell the Emperor!
Are you pretending to be a ghost?
Xu is His Majesty's certified successor to the Martial Saint. Are you questioning the Emperor? Could it be that you intend to rebel?
If something cannot be proven, it is very likely that it cannot be disproven. Don't fall into the trap of self-proving; you must confidently declare: I am right!
Moreover, in a sense, Xu Qingya did indeed inherit Guan Yu's legacy. Although he didn't get the specific secret manual, that was enough.
Xu Qingya didn't want the answer, but the process of deriving the answer, and then, based on this process, he would deduce "The Fall of the City" from his own conditions!
Liu Dinghuan instructed, "My esteemed ministers, this matter is of utmost importance. After the sacrificial ceremony concludes, the ministers of the six ministries will accompany me to the Imperial Study to discuss matters. The ceremony will then continue!"
Liu Dinghuan hoped that another young man qualified to inherit the Five Tigers' legacy would emerge, but unfortunately, no unusual phenomena occurred until the end of the sacrificial ceremony.
Logically, Xu Qingya could go home for a vacation after the ceremony, but with this incident, he certainly couldn't go home or cook in the imperial kitchen. He could only lie in Hengwu Garden, waiting for the emperor's arrangements.
Liu Qingci was quite astute in this regard, thinking to herself that she had to keep an eye on them, otherwise, the princess consort she longed for would become Empress Xu. Given Liu Dinghuan's personality, this kind of thing was not surprising.
Xu Qingya was originally a martial arts practitioner. Even as a Grandmaster of the Heavenly Gang, he was not qualified to marry a prince. Now that he has become the successor of the Martial Saint, he is imbued with the Martial Saint's divinity. Even if he is granted the title of a prince of a different surname, no one will object.
If a prince really falls in love, then he will first become Consort Xu, and then Empress Xu.
Of course, there are many people eyeing the crown prince.
Things won't be that simple.
The civil and military officials would argue for at least half a month.
In the short term, we should first promote Xu Qingya's official rank to prevent him from running away. Otherwise, the court will be in big trouble and we might have to "restart" the system.
In the evening, a preliminary result was reached through discussion.
Xu Qingya was appointed as the Grand Temple Master, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Imperial Inspector, and his title was "Marquis of Jing'an"!
The main duty of the Imperial Ancestral Temple Director was to preside over sacrificial rites. Previously, this position was held concurrently by Zhuge Zhengwo. When the emperor offered sacrifices to Heaven, the Director was responsible for reciting the sacrificial texts. The position was extremely high and of unparalleled prestige.
The Grand Master of Ceremonies was also in charge of sacrificial rites. If Liu Dinghuan wanted to offer sacrifices to Liu Bang, Liu Xiu, and Liu Bei, he would burn memorials to his ancestors, and Xu Qingya would preside over the ceremony.
The Imperial Inspector was equivalent to the emperor's closest and most trusted bodyguard, similar to the commander of the Imperial Guard. He did not directly control military power and could be seen as a "Li Yuanfang".
Li Yuanfang was the Inspector General of the Imperial Guard, a third-rank official position, equivalent to that of a prime minister. In reality, it was a nominal position with only the salary of a third-rank official.
Of the Thousand Bull Guards that Li Yuanfang could directly command, only Zhang Huan and Li Lang were primarily responsible for protecting Di Renjie's safety, not guarding the palace.
Xu Qingya's official position was also like that.
The official position was very high, the rank was very high, and the salary was very generous.
Except for not being able to command troops, they have all the rights.
Incidentally, Xu Qingya was promoted from deputy head of the Dragon Guard Manor to head, and put in charge of training the Dragon Guard Clan.
As for the title, it cannot be too low, nor can it be too high. Considering Xu Qingya's achievements in suppressing the Blackwater Bandits, it is tentatively set as "Marquis of Jing'an".
The title "Marquis of Jing'an" means "to pacify and secure the country".
From all perspectives, it is very suitable.
Xu Qingya was completely unaware of this and was chatting with Mi Cangqiong. Mi Cangqiong was also a pitiful person. He was born into a prestigious family, but because of his exceptionally handsome appearance, the late emperor took a liking to him and had him castrated, turning him from the sole heir of the Scripture Hall into a palace eunuch.
When Mi Cangqiong entered the palace, there were not yet enough "Ten Attendants" in the palace, but "Zhang Rang" had already shown his fangs. Mi Cangqiong thought to himself that if he became a eunuch, he would become a grand eunuch. So he challenged "Zhang Rang". In less than ten moves, he was easily captured by the other party.
Mi Cangqiong knelt down to acknowledge his adoptive father, and because he was a eunuch appointed by the emperor, he was able to save his life. After that, he lived in constant fear until Liu Dinghuan rose to power. He did not hesitate to join Liu Dinghuan, and from then on, his fortunes turned around.
The anger of being castrated, the oppression of the palace, and the erosion of internal energy cultivation techniques caused Mi Cangqiong to age very quickly. He quickly transformed from a noble young man skilled in both literature and martial arts into a rotten old eunuch. In daily life, the word that Mi Cangqiong hated most was "old"!
Anyone who mentions the word "old" will make Mi Cangqiong angry, except for Xu Qingya.
Because Xu Qingya had no ill intentions.
It's purely a unique custom of my hometown dialect.
"Old Mi, this is strange. Who exactly is that grand eunuch? Why is he being so secretive? Is he a supreme grandmaster? What kind of martial arts does he practice?"
"The Sunflower Manual!"
"Huh? The Sunflower Ancestor?"
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