Chapter 141: The Power Struggles in Yanjing (3)

Page 1 of 3

“What is happening outside?” Changqing asked.

“Master, the One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder King has returned!”

“The One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder King?”

“Yes. One of our servants happened to be at the city gate earlier. The three thousand soldiers of the Imperial Guard Battalion are now all dressed in splendid brocade robes and mounted on sweat-blood steeds. They look magnificent! At their head, one man destroyed the city gate with a single thrust of his spear, and all three thousand rode into the city!”

“Oh? The One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder King?” the woman asked curiously.

“He is Yan Chuan, whom we mentioned earlier—the son of Yan Tao!” Changqing explained.

“Yan Tao’s son? Yan Tao? At the Heaven-Bestowal Assembly all those years ago, he showed extraordinary brilliance. He was a remarkable man of his generation. What a pity. Still, as the saying goes, like father, like son. Come, let us go have a look!” the woman said with a smile.

“If the young lady is interested, then let us go,” Changqing replied with a smile.

--------------------

Yanjing, the imperial palace, within the Crown Prince’s residence.

Crown Prince Yan Wudi sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, regulating his breath.

Across from him, the Dugu Sword King watched him intently, carefully supervising his cultivation.

“Your mind is unsettled. How can you practice the sword?” the Dugu Sword King said gravely.

Yan Wudi slowly opened his eyes and looked at him. “Master, today marks the beginning of the Five-Nation Conference. It is held only once every twenty years, and I am somewhat worried about Father.”

“You have already entered the world of cultivation. The affairs of the mortal realm no longer concern you, so what is there to worry about? Besides, the three retainers who accompanied you to the Feng Shui Formation all swallowed dragon energy and have already reached the Essence Realm. With them there, what need have you to worry?” the Dugu Sword King said solemnly.

“Master is right.” The furrow between Yan Wudi’s brows eased slightly.

“That Poison Master fled to this vicinity to recover from his injuries. I can sense him. Once I have slain him, I will take you to the Dugu family,” the Dugu Sword King said in a low voice.

“Master, who is this Poison Master?” Yan Wudi asked curiously.

“He is a Feng Shui master—and also my mortal enemy!” the Dugu Sword King snapped, his eyes flashing.

“Your mortal enemy?” Yan Wudi nodded.

“Reporting!”

A cry of alarm suddenly rang out from beyond the hall.

Yan Wudi glanced at the Dugu Sword King, who nodded.

“Come in!” Yan Wudi called.

A guard soon rushed inside.

“Your Highness, the One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder King has returned to the capital. He has also brought the Imperial Guard Battalion and is rampaging through Yanjing!” the guard reported.

“The One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder King?” the Dugu Sword King asked in confusion.

“Master, that is my royal uncle—the man you met inside the formation last time, Yan Chuan,” Yan Wudi explained.

“Yan Chuan?” The Dugu Sword King’s expression shifted slightly.

Their brief encounter the last time had left an especially deep impression on him.

--------------------

Page 2 of 3

Yanjing, outside the imperial palace, at the entrance to the military training grounds.

“Whoa!”

With a sharp pull of the reins, three thousand sweat-blood steeds suddenly reared and let out a long, thunderous neigh that echoed in every direction.

Yan Chuan’s horse stood at the very front.

Seated atop his tall warhorse, Yan Chuan looked at the group of armed soldiers before him.

“Who goes there? Dismount at once and surrender!” the leading commander shouted.

“Have you gone blind, you cur? This is the One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder King! Show your respects!” Liu Jin’s hoarse voice suddenly rang out.

“The One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder King?” The soldiers’ expressions changed.

Liu Jin swiftly drew out a token. It was purple-gold, with the five words “One-Character Shoulder-to-Shoulder King” engraved upon it.

“Greetings, Your Highness!” everyone cried, immediately bowing.

“How long ago did the Five-Nation Conference begin?” Yan Chuan asked indifferently.

“It has been going on for two days and two nights!” the leading commander answered truthfully.

“Who has arrived?” Yan Chuan asked.

“The princes of Zheng, Chu, Han, and Wei have all come in person, along with the retainers and armies of their respective nations!” the commander replied.

“Oh? The retainers of Zheng have come as well? Is Liu Gang here?” Yan Chuan asked with a smile.

“He is. The people from Zheng have been extremely arrogant this time. Before the conference even began, they injured several of our brothers,” the commander said with a frown.

“Arrogant? Ha ha ha! Stand aside. I am going in!” Yan Chuan laughed loudly.

The commander glanced at Yan Chuan and frowned, hesitating for a moment. In the end, he did not dare stop him.

“Yes!”

“Your Highness, shall this old servant go prepare your seat?” Liu Jin asked at the appropriate moment.

“Go ahead.” Yan Chuan nodded in understanding.

“Five hundred men, come with me!” Liu Jin called to the Brocade Guard.

“Yes!” a junior officer answered.

“Giddy up!”

The troops split into two groups. Yan Chuan led two thousand five hundred Brocade Guards straight toward the training grounds, while Liu Jin led five hundred Brocade Guards directly toward the imperial palace.

Page 3 of 3

P.S. A supporting-character thread has been set up in the book review section. Anyone interested in helping choose names for minor characters who will appear in the story is welcome to fill it out!