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“The Title Bestowal Ceremony? Why would Emperor Tang invite the Four Great Sword Sects to participate in the ceremony?” Daoist Eastern Flower furrowed his brow.
The Title Bestowal Ceremony was a function to confer titles of nobility. From the very start, this was of no concern to the sects of the Jianghu. The average sword sect would never participate, but if this was a personal invitation from Emperor Tang, things were different.
“I heard that His Highness White Clothed Tanhua of Chang’an Mansion was killed by Huan Wen. Emperor Tang probably wants to take down Lord Chang’an in front of the entire world.” The disciple hypothesized.
“That is reasonable. Lord Chang’an is a Human Sovereign, but even his prestige could not compare to his son’s.” Daoist Eastern Flower stroked his beard.
The disciple hesitated to continue in front of outsiders.
“Perhaps he is planning to make the Four Great Sword Sects surround and annihilate Chang’an Mansion.” Chen Mo expressionlessly added in the words that the disciples wanted to say.
Daoist Eastern Flower said: “Since this is the case, we had better attend.”
“I urge that Daoist best not wade into these murky waters. Chang’an Mansion certainly is not that easy to devour.” Chen Mo sneered.
Daoist Eastern Flower insincerely smiled: “Quite naturally. Our Sword Sect has never inquired matters of the imperial court. However, given the issued invitation, not attending is irreverent. Hm…This Headmaster is in secluded cultivation and unable to attend. Have two Ancestors lead the disciples there.” Daoist Eastern Flower said.
“As you command.”
“Let us go quickly.”
Chen Mo feared a change in the situation and hurried to the Secret Dragon Pool with Daoist Eastern Flower.
The Secret Dragon Pool was situated in a valley of Dragon Sword Peak. Standing on a cliff overlooking all down below, the Secret Dragon Pool seemed like an ordinary pond. There was nothing special about it at all.
However, the Eastern Flower Sword Sect had a legend. Once upon a time, a Star General sustained serious injuries and recuperated in the Secret Dragon Pool, submerging like an actual dragon, thus did this pool receive its name. The Star Energy and Innate Skill that this Star General left behind still lingered in the water. It was said that this Star General’s Star Name could even be sensed from it.
On February 2nd every year, the Secret Dragon Pool would discharge water. One could sense a certain phenomenon, and reportedly, one could see the birth of the aforementioned Star General.
Every year, the Eastern Flower Sword Sect’s headmaster would hold the Secret Dragon Ceremony. However, there had been no changes at all in the past few decades. But it had already become a custom of the Eastern Flower Sword Sect, and it represented a prayer for blessings. Last year, as in the past, Daoist Eastern Flower stayed over the Secret Dragon Pool and meditated in prayer for good fortune. Then, he clearly witnessed an image in the water.
A month later, a Star Name was born in the Tail Fire Star Field’s Western Region.
After listening to his story, Chen Mo felt this was too absurd, that there actually could be such a type of Star Name. Qin Weiyu, on the other hand, felt this was logical. The Innate Skills of Star Generals were all-encompassing, and Star World was full of wondrous and mysterious things. Chen Mo simply could not conceive of it.
“Then how should we learn about Nianyou’s Star Name?” Chen Mo asked.
“Since it is illustrated in the Secret Dragon Pool, this signifies that Nianyou perhaps is somehow related to that ancient Star General. Perhaps she can even succeed her Star Name.” Qin Weiyu surmised.
Daoist Eastern Flower nodded and echoed: “Yes, yes, if you want to learn her Star Name, you can let a drop of Nianyou’s blood fall into the pool and perhaps reveal it. This Daoist can use the ‘Chanting Dragon’ technique to pray.”
As matters stood, there was no other way. He could only try this.
Daoist Eastern Flower flew over the Secret Dragon Pool and sat crosslegged on a green stone. His hands formed seals, and he read an incantation.
Qin Weiyu extended Nianyou’s finger. She pricked her own nail against the girl’s fingertip. The graceful Magpie Bridge Immortal hesitated. “Chen Mo, I have a bad feeling. If this drop of blood does not reveal Nianyou’s Star Name, what do we do if it instead disturbs the Innate Skill that Star General left behind and draws her out?”
“Better than sitting and waiting.” Chen Mo muttered. As long as there was a chance for Nianyou, it was better than doing nothing. Otherwise, if this went on, Nianyou would not last much longer.
Qin Weiyu pondered. This was the only way. She poked open Nianyou’s fingertip.
Blood dripped into the pool.
Like a rock sinking into the depths, there was not a single wave.
The wait was long, but just when Chen Mo was losing patience, a subtle change finally appeared in the pool. That drop of red blood spread in a ripple, and then the light red blood slowly changed.
Chen Mo stared at the change in the water.
Except that this change was extremely slow. The blood in the water combined and dispersed again and again.
“Chen Mo.”
“What is it?” Chen Mo looked at Qin Weiyu.
The Magpie Bridge Immortal knew that this appearance that was outwardly as calm as water concealed tumultuous waves: “The Four Great Sword Sects have been invited. You had better go to the Title Bestowal Ceremony first. I will stay here and wait for the result.”
“How can I allow this.” Chen Mo shook his head.
“Do you want to forsake your own kin for Nianyou alone?” Qin Weiyu calmly asked.
Chen Mo was silent.
“If you want to be a cold-blooded person, then stay here.” Qin Weiyu nonchalantly said.
Chang’an Mansion’s fate at the Title Bestowal Ceremony was of great concern to Chen Mo, and he naturally could not remain aloof. “Then you’ll stay here.”
“Don’t tell me you have no faith in Weiyu?” The Magpie Bridge Immortal feigned a disappointed smile.
Chen Mo said: “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”
Pausing, Chen Mo used the Deva Eyes on Daoist Eastern Flower, speaking with an intimidating Sound Transmission: “Daoist, I’m going to take care of a problem. If my friend is missing even one strand of hair, I will eliminate the Eastern Flower Sword Sect from the Four Great Sword Sects!”
Against the might of a God Transformation peak cultivator, Daoist Eastern Flower fumed to the point his whiskers were nearly raised, but Chen Mo’s words were like a thunderclap, piercing to the bone, surprisingly making him feel powerless.
This brat is very dangerous.
“Hurry and go. Weiyu does not need the protection of a man.” Qin Weiyu urged.
Chen Mo grunted and boarded the flying chariot.
“Chen Mo!” The woman suddenly hollered.
“Hm?” Chen Mo spun around to look at her.
Qin Weiyu wanted to say something but hesitated. That gracefulness like running water was a bit anxious. “You are the person that Nianyou wants to see when she opens her eyes!!”
He noticed a different kind of concern in her voice, and boundless warmth rose in Chen Mo’s heart.
“Relax, I’d hate to leave you two as a widow and orphan, ha, ha.” Chen Mo candidly smiled.
Qin Weiyu faintly grinned, not arguing against his words.
The flying chariot left Dragon Sword Peak, and Qin Weiyu’s gaze turned back to Daoist Eastern Flower: “Daoist, assist with all your strength now, if you would please.”
“Yes…”
Bells, drums, and banners extended everywhere, and the Jade Emperor donned the dragon robe. The mist of Mount Tai stretched into the starry sky, and the will of the people followed the splendor.1
Chang’an’s southern outskirts, Circle Hill.
Majestic and grandiose ceremonial troops were already surrounding Circle Hill, making arrangements in order of the Two Lords, Three Dukes, and Nine Marquis. Other than this, high-ranking cultivators from the Four Great Sword Sects, the Ten Great Sects, and others of the Jianghu were accorded positions.
The Title Bestowal Ceremony was a function that the Great Chong Dynasty held once every five years. Other than the current emperor offering consolations to the spirit of the Great Ancestor Emperor, progressions in court rank for the nobility would be conferred, succeeded or revoked.
The Great Chong Dynasty held military strength in high esteem. Even the “lords” who were like the sun at noon were no exception. To maintain their rank, they were required to possess formidable military forces. Otherwise, later generations were unable to inherit.
Lord Jiangnan Jiang Ruxiu arrived directly in front of his sea. The positions of the Two Lords were to either side of the emperor, sitting in the same position as the imperial family. The scholarly and refined Lord Jiangnan escorted his wife leisurely to their seat, followed by Jiang Yanyu and their other children.
Princess Yanyu glanced at the seats for Lord Chang’an on the other side of the emperor. That place was the position for the Great Chong Dynasty’s second lord, “Lord Chang’an.” Right now, Lord Chang’an Chen Zhangtian and the others showed no signs of grief at all. They drank and chatted, confident and at easse. However, at the center of them all, everyone paid most attention not to Chen Zhangtian nor Chen Luan, but rather His Highness White Clothed Tanhua.
Chen Mo’s figure did not appear at all among Lord Chang’an’s seats, drawing the attention of the entire ceremony. From the most influential noble families in the Great Chong Dynasty down to each of the forces in the Jianghu, they were all whispering.
“You went with Her Highness Huan Wen to the Northern Barbarians? Is Chen Mo actually dead?” Jiang Ruxiu softly asked his slightly preoccupied daughter.
“Daughter did not see that herself, but Elder Sister Huan Wen said this was the case.” Jiang Yanyu wrinkled her brow.
“That weapon was seized by Huan Wen, so it appears so.” Jiang Ruxiu matter-of-factly said. Although the White Clothed Tanhua’s name moved the world with his outstanding talent, to compare against a Star General was as senseless as breaking a stone with an egg.
Chen Mo did not have the slightest chance of a fluke.
Jiang Yanyu sighed. Ever since she learned of this information, her mind suffered from indescribable rancor. Losing a man that could light up her eyes was honestly too regrettable.
To be able to cultivate Star Energy as well as be in possession of an Original True Spirit, perhaps he could have shone brightly should he be able to enter the Inner Star Fields. A pity that he insisted on making enemies with Huan Wen. This was honestly stupid.
“Father, Chang’an Mansion’s appearance is still somewhat odd, nonetheless.” Jiang Yanyu said.
“Hm?”
“Northern Dipper was taken by Huan Wen. Everyone in the world knows that Huan Wen was killed by Chen Mo, so Chang’an Mansion absolutely cannot remain indifferent. Chen Mo was a cripple in the past, but now, he is an existence that surpasses Lord Chang’an in Chang’an Mansion. For Chang’an Mansion to show no reaction whatsoever to his death, this is honestly unimaginable.” Jiang Yanyu analyzed.
After all, he was a Highness who had stunned the Great Chong Dynasty, the tanhua of the Divine Warrior Examination.
If Lord Chang’an showed no expression at all towards the death of his own children, that was too cold-hearted.
This was also the goal of Her Highness Huan Wen, to compel Lord Chang’an to revolt.
“If Chen Mo’s death can guarantee the safety of the entire Chang’an Mansion, they only naturally would not move.” Jiang Ruxiu faintly smiled: “Her Highness Huan Wen has already entered Yellow Court Realm, after all. Chen Zhangtian is hardly a match for her.”
Jiang Yanyu nodded, as if this was the only possibility.
That was truly sorrowful.
Jiang Ruxiu’s words were currently the thoughts of everyone present.
The “Duke of Impermanence” of the Cui Family, the “One Year Duke” of the Fang Family, and the “Duke Of Wei” of the Li Family entered soon afterwards. Everyone was offering them congratulations, for Lord Chang’an’s “lord” title would not continue. The glory of being the second lord was extremely likely to fall among the Three Dukes.
“That Chen Mo was surprisingly so ingenious, heh, heh. However, it is fortunate he did not know his own limits and went to fight a Star General. In the end, he died without a skeleton left.” Li Xiaxi of the “Duke Of Wei” Li Family looked at that Lord Chang’an’s seat and could not help but show a complacent grin. He still remembered the first time they met in Azure Dragon Town. Chen Mo was merely a mediocre warrior who was not even Qi-blood Nine Turns. Who could have thought that in one short year, the sparrow would transform into a phoenix, that the carp would become a true dragon.
He defeated Jiang Yanyu and obtained the position as the strongest in the history of the Divine Warrior Examination, entered the Bodhi Cliff, and became the Supreme General of Nan Jiang, successfully conquering Nan Jiang, a feat that the Great Ancestor Emperor was unable to achieve.
His various contributions were simply the subject of envy. It was fortunate that he died; Li Xiaxi felt the world was fair.
Li Xiaxi had even wanted to find the children of the other two ducal houses to congratulate them, but the Cui Family’s Cui Wumeng was in a poor mood, impatiently cursing him with a single “fuck off.” This did not give Li Xiaxi any face at all, causing him to be infuriated in his heart. However, owing to her reputation as the Yellow Springs Princess, Li Xiaxi could only bear with it.
The Fang Family’s Fang Xi was very quiet, indifferent, neither happy nor sad.
“His Imperial Majesty is entering!!”
Following Supervisor Yin’s loud announcement, the ceremony immediately fell silent. Everyone became solemn and respectful. Emperor Tang and the imperial family rode in six imperial carriages, slowly entering Circle Hill.
At the same time, everyone knelt at the same time.
“Long live Your Imperial Majesty!!!”
Also with Emperor Tang were the Wanshou Temple’s monks and Zen masters, however, this was not the most noteworthy thing. A silver-white carriage with seven twinkling stars entered everyone’s field of view. The carriage was at the center of the troop formation, surprisingly appearing more majestic than Emperor Tang’s. In the Great Chong Dynasty, there was only one person able to travel in front of Emperor Tang’s carriage.
Earthly Attacking Star “Seven Stars” Huan Wen!
Everyone had tacit understanding. Each showed expressions of pity towards Chang’an Mansion.
This was the first time Huan Wen had ever appeared at the banquet in all of the Title Bestowal Ceremonies. Clearly, there were preparations this time.
A good show is about to play, huh.
Jiang Yanyu muttered to herself.
“Chen Zhangtian, what will you do this time?”
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- A poem by Sima Zha, called “觀郊禮.” I can’t find a known English translation. ↩