nyslfriends Chapter 105, Gu Jian
Chapter 105, Gu Jian
A fragrance, even richer and more intoxicating than the night-blooming jasmine outside the window, drifted in silently, accompanied by the soft rustling of clothes.
Ye Tian didn't even need to look up to know who the newcomer was.
"Tian'er,"
Li Yunrui's voice, like the finest wine yet also like the most deadly poison, carried a hint of husky allure as it rang in his ear. She had somehow slipped into the study, and now, from behind him, she stretched out two snow-white, soft arms, gently encircling his neck, her burning red lips pressing against his earlobe.
The two did not do anything outrageous.
However, as usual, Ye Tian had no choice but to comfort his mother.
.
Meanwhile.
Previously.
The "sparring" at the Qin Prince's mansion, and the news of Sword Saint Si Gu Jian kneeling and bowing to Ye Tianxing,
Like the most violent hurricane, it swept through Kyoto once again, and reached the depths of the Imperial Palace at an even faster speed.
When Emperor Qing learned that Si Gu Jian, the unruly guardian of Dongyi City, had actually submitted to Ye Tian (the rumors circulating outside had become somewhat distorted), his shock and fear reached an unprecedented level.
He knew he could no longer ignore Si Gu Jian, this "guest" who had traveled from afar. After all, Si Gu Jian represented Dongyi City and was one of the four Grandmasters. If something happened to him in the capital of Qing Kingdom, or if he suffered some injustice, it would be a huge blow to Qing Kingdom's reputation. Moreover, he also wanted to know Si Gu Jian's true purpose in coming and his true opinion of Ye Tian.
Emperor Qing suppressed his unease and anger and immediately issued an edict inviting Si Gu Jian, the Sword Saint of Dongyi City, to the palace for an audience to discuss "state affairs." He also specifically requested that Prince Qin, Ye Tian, accompany him.
The Imperial Palace, a side hall of the Imperial Study.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy. Emperor Qing sat high in the main seat, his face bearing the majesty befitting an emperor, with a hint of deliberately cultivated gentleness. Ye Tian, on the other hand, sat leisurely in the guest seat, his expression indifferent. Si Gu Jian, after a brief period of recuperation, had recovered somewhat, but his brows still held an undisguised shock and an almost transcendent awe of Ye Tian.
"Master Si Gu Jian has traveled a long way; you must be tired from your journey," Emperor Qing broke the silence first, his voice calm. "I heard that yesterday at the Qin Prince's residence, you sparred with Minister Ye Tian. I wonder, what is your opinion of this young grandmaster of my Qing Kingdom?"
His words, seemingly asking for an evaluation, were actually a test of Si Gu Jian's attitude and his true assessment of Ye Tian's strength.
Si Gu Jian's gaze was sharp as a sword. He glanced at Emperor Qing, then at the composed Ye Tian beside him, and said in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, I have long admired your name. Meeting you today, I realize that within the Qing Kingdom, not only does it possess a peerless genius like Prince Qin, a talent unparalleled throughout the ages, but Your Majesty yourself is also likely to be a man of extraordinary talent, hiding your abilities in secret."
His words were loaded with meaning. While at the Prince of Qin's residence, he had focused most of his attention on Ye Tian, but now, in the palace, facing Emperor Qing, his keen master intuition sensed a more powerful, more restrained, and more dangerous aura emanating from Emperor Qing than that of Ye Liuyun!
Upon hearing this, Emperor Qing's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but his smile remained unchanged: "Hehe, you jest, sir. I am but a mortal, preoccupied with state affairs every day, and have long since neglected my martial arts. It is you, Minister Ye Tian, who is the true pillar of my Qing Kingdom, the backbone of the nation."
Si Gu Jian ignored Emperor Qing's self-deprecation and continued, "Miss Ye, Ye Qingmei stirred up a storm in the Qing Kingdom back then. Her talent, magnanimity, and methods were all beyond the reach of ordinary people. Your Majesty was able to gain her wholehearted assistance and eventually ascend the throne. Presumably, you also possessed a magnanimous heart, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people. However, life is unpredictable, and beautiful women often have short lives, which is truly regrettable."
His tone shifted abruptly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he stared directly at Emperor Qing: "I dare to ask Your Majesty a question. What exactly caused Miss Ye's death in the Taiping Villa massacre? Where were you at the time, Your Majesty? Why were you unable to protect her?"
This is almost an interrogation!
The smile on Emperor Qing's face gradually faded, and a shadow of gloom flashed in his eyes. He hadn't expected Si Gu Jian to bring up the old story so directly, especially in front of Ye Tian!
Just as Emperor Qing was about to speak and use some high-sounding words to evade the question, the dormant sword intent on Si Gu Jian's body slowly rose again! Although it was not as sharp and domineering as it had been in the Qin Prince's mansion, it carried a more refined and pure sense of oppression, like a peerless sword about to be drawn, its sharpness concealed, ready to be unleashed.
This sword intent was not directed at Ye Tian, but rather, it was subtly locked onto Emperor Qing!
Emperor Qing felt a chill run down his spine! He could sense that Si Gu Jian was testing his strength in his own unique way!
Just as Si Gu Jian's condensed sword intent was about to touch Emperor Qing's body, Emperor Qing's dragon robe fluttered without wind. A vast and powerful imperial dragon aura, yet carrying supreme majesty and profound restraint, flashed out from his body, like an invisible barrier, easily dissipating Si Gu Jian's probing sword intent into nothingness!
All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Apart from Ye Tian and Si Gu Jian, who were both Grandmasters, no one else could perceive the hidden dangers and clashes involved!
Si Gu Jian's body trembled violently, and his eyes flashed with disbelief! He stared intently at Emperor Qing, and for the first time, his usually unchanging icy face showed a look of horror as if he had seen a ghost!
"You, you actually—" Si Gu Jian's voice trembled slightly with extreme shock.
Although the collision just now was brief, he felt it very clearly! The power hidden within Emperor Qing's body, its purity, its vastness, and its domineering nature, was absolutely, absolutely at the level of a Grandmaster! Moreover, its strength was probably even greater than Ye Liuyun's, and perhaps even greater than his own at his peak!
How is this possible?!
The Emperor of Qing Kingdom is actually a supreme grandmaster with such hidden power and terrifying strength?!
This discovery struck Si Gu Jian like a thunderbolt from the heavens, leaving even this sword saint feeling unprecedented shock and a chill.
He had always believed that Emperor Qing's ability to secure his throne stemmed from political maneuvering, checks and balances, the legacy of Ye Qingmei, and the support of Chen Pingping and the Ye family. He never imagined that this seemingly unassuming emperor was, in fact, a true dragon lurking deep within!
At this moment, Si Gu Jian had a completely new and even more terrifying understanding of Ye Qingmei's death, the situation in the Qing Kingdom, and the Qing Emperor before him!
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Si Gu Jian's sharp, hawk-like eyes were fixed on Emperor Qing. The imperial dragon aura that had flashed across Emperor Qing's body just now, though subtle, could not escape the perception of a grandmaster like Si Gu Jian! The purity and power of that aura were far beyond the simple protection of an ordinary emperor's dragon aura; it was clearly a martial arts cultivation that had reached a state of perfection!
Emperor Qing felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that he had inadvertently revealed a trace of his true trump card in order to intimidate Si Gu Jian's probing sword intent! Yet, he maintained the composure and majesty of an emperor, even displaying a perfectly appropriate hint of "confusion" and "self-deprecation."
"Hehe, Mr. Si Gu Jian is joking."
Emperor Qing waved his hand, letting out a forced, relaxed laugh. "As the supreme ruler, I bear the weight of the nation's safety on my shoulders. Naturally, I am protected by the dragon aura of my ancestors throughout the Qing Kingdom. It is only natural that this dragon aura occasionally leaks out to protect me; it is nothing surprising. Compared to true martial arts grandmasters like you, sir and Minister Ye, my meager and long-neglected cultivation is but a firefly's light, utterly insignificant. Sir, could it be that you have misjudged me?"
His words attributed everything to the illusory "dragon energy protecting the body," neither admitting nor denying it, revealing the cunning and meticulousness of an old fox.
Ye Tian stood to the side, a cold smile playing on his lips. He could naturally see that Emperor Qing was putting on a show. Emperor Qing's hidden strength was probably more terrifying than anyone imagined. However, he didn't expose him on the spot. Some secrets, if revealed too early, would lose their value. He was happy to watch this old fox continue his performance.
Si Gu Jian gave Emperor Qing a deep look. He knew the emperor was deliberately concealing something, but he had no evidence. However, Emperor Qing's unfathomable cunning and strength set off alarm bells in his heart.
The atmosphere in the side hall of the Imperial Study suddenly became somewhat subtle and oppressive.
After the meeting, Si Gu Jian did not linger in the palace. He found Ye Tian with a solemn expression.