Chapter 217 The Nineteenth Day of Entering a Rebirth Novel
Chapter 217 The Nineteenth Day of Entering a Rebirth Novel
Chapter 217: The Nineteenth Day of Transmigrating into a Rebirth Novel
The dagger was finally drawn!
The sound of silk and bamboo music had ceased unnoticed, and the dancers had silently retreated.
Inside the great hall, the officials exchanged knowing glances, fully aware that the main event had arrived.
The Old Emperor, though addicted to cultivating immortality, still cared about saving face. Being openly challenged in court, his expression darkened.
He glanced at the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince Qi Haocang, seated below, immediately rose and declared in a clear voice: "Father Emperor! Since the Second Prince has such an interest, how could our Celestial Empire, the foremost nation, ever back down? Let the prince see for himself what heavenly majesty really is!"
"Granted!" The Old Emperor spoke a single, heavy word.
Though he didn't bother with state affairs, he would never allow barbarians to act insolently at court.
A duel of generals was now inevitable.
They didn't believe that mere barbarians could prevail over the might of Great Ming!
The civil officials held their breath, while the military officers rubbed their hands eagerly, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
On the barbarian side, several burly warriors among their company bared their teeth in fierce grins, itching for a fight.
An Yi sat there, observing the physiques and expressions of the men about to step forward from both sides with great interest, silently assessing the odds of victory.
As for Huo Huai, the moment the Second Prince uttered those provocative words, the hand holding his wine glass tightened imperceptibly, his cold, sharp gaze like an unsheathed sword, instantly zeroing in on the most ferocious-looking warriors among the barbarian delegation.
Comments section:
"Ohhhhh! Fight!"
"Too classic, the obligatory general duel scene in every novel!"
"Wonder how our Pearl Baby will shine! I can't wait!"
"..."
On the square before the hall, on the temporarily cleared ground, torches blazed, illuminating excited faces.
The clang of metal rang incessantly, shouts and roars mingling with the sound of blades cutting through the air.
The grassland warriors were indeed fierce and brave, with powerful, heavy blows, and a reckless, savage ferocity.
But the Great Ming generals were no weaklings either!
The two sides exchanged blows, each winning some and losing some, the situation was tense.
A barbarian strongman won two consecutive bouts, swaggering arrogantly, wielding a heavy spiked club and bellowing taunts.
On the Great Ming side, several generals looked indignant, and Huo Huai stood up to volunteer for battle!
Without saying much, he simply cupped his fist in salute toward the imperial seat, then turned and strode into the arena.
His cold, chiseled face was sharp in the firelight, his gaze piercing, locked onto the barbarian strongman.
"Name yourself!" the barbarian roared in broken official language.
Huo Huai did not answer, only slowly tightened his grip on his long spear.
The tip of the spear gleamed with cold light, reflecting his impassive eyes.
The barbarian strongman, angered by being ignored, roared and charged with his spiked club, like a thunderbolt, intending to smash him into a pulp.
Huo Huai stood motionless as a mountain. Only when the club was about to descend did he suddenly sidestep, and at the same time, his long spear slid upward precisely along the club's swinging handle!
"Clang——!"
A harsh metallic scraping sound rang out.
The barbarian strongman felt his hands go light, a tremendous force transmitted through the shaft, numbing the web of his thumb, and his heavy spiked club nearly slipped from his grasp!
Terrified, before he could change his move, Huo Huai’s spear followed like a relentless shadow, straight for his vital points.
The barbarian floundered, clumsy and off-balance.
In just a dozen exchanges, Huo Huai seized an opening, smacked the opponent's wrist with his spear shaft.
"Clang!" The club fell to the ground.
Huo Huai’s spear tip rested against the strongman’s throat. The icy touch froze him instantly, cold sweat pouring down his face, and he dared not move an inch.
"Well fought." Huo Huai withdrew his spear.
Silence fell around the arena for a moment, then erupted in thunderous applause!
The Great Ming officials were vindicated, and the generals were full of admiration.
Who would have thought that the young heir of Marquis Zhongyong possessed such extraordinary martial skills?
Huo Huai let out a slight breath, steadying his breathing.
He instinctively turned his head toward the figure in black robes.
An Yi was watching him calmly. Seeing him look over, a warm, gentle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he gave a slight nod, his gaze clearly approving.
In an instant, Huo Huai felt his face uncontrollably flush red, especially his earlobes, which turned a deep, almost bloody crimson.
He cupped his fist and saluted the surrounding crowd, a smile he couldn't suppress.
The Master's smile was truly beautiful.
With Huo Huai's decisive victory, the Great Ming side’s morale soared, and they won several more bouts in a row.
The barbarians lost more than they won, their expressions growing darker.
They actually couldn't beat them?!
Several barbarian chieftains exchanged glances, a glint of ruthlessness and calculation flashing in their eyes.
Since they could gain little advantage by force, they would change their approach.
Everyone returned to their seats, and a barbarian envoy rose once again. This time, instead of proposing a duel, he bowed deeply to the Old Emperor on the throne, a smile plastered on his face that seemed respectful but was not:
"Respected Great Ming Emperor! The Celestial Empire’s martial might is awe-inspiring, and we bow in admiration! As a gesture of eternal friendship between our tribe and the Celestial Empire, our Khan wishes to seek the hand of a Celestial princess in marriage, to seal a marriage alliance, uniting our two families and sharing peace forever!"
Marriage alliance!
Damn it!
Many officials, especially those in the civil official faction who favored a policy of "conciliation," appeared contemplative, as if they considered this not a bad way to temporarily pacify the barbarians and secure peace along the border.
Yet more officials, particularly the military officers, immediately showed anger on their faces!
Sending the empire's precious princess to that harsh, cold land to live among barbarians would be nothing short of a colossal disgrace!
Harmony my ass!
An Yi, who had been idly resting his fingertips on the jade cup, paused slightly.
He slowly set the cup down on the table before him, producing a crisp "tap."
He raised his eyes to look at the few barbarians who were speaking confidently, as if certain that the Great Ming would agree. His eyes, usually filled with gentle warmth, now turned distinctly cold.
How could they resort to a marriage alliance?!
He was well-versed in history, and he knew all too well the tragic fates of women used as political pawns, sent to foreign lands.
Married off to a bitter, cold place, unable to speak the language, facing vastly different customs, suffering humiliation, and ultimately perished, reduced to a mere footnote in the annals of history.
The Great Ming still had national strength, now—how could they stoop to such a thing?!
In the original story, it involved mocking a drought; now that it's been resolved, they switched to a marriage alliance?
An Yi now held an extraordinary position in the court, and many officials secretly watched his expression.
His openly cold expression now served as a clear signal, instantly solidifying the stance of many previously wavering officials—the State Preceptor disapproved of this matter!
The barbarian envoys also noticed the man in the Daoist robe on the high platform, with that unbearably handsome pretty-boy face. Seeing his displeasure, the second prince's eyes flashed with malice, and he deliberately raised his voice: "And this gentleman...? It seems you have objections to our proposal?"