aircannonsinc Chapter 7: Sparring with Fan Xian
Chapter 7: Sparring with Fan Xian
Ye Chengfeng was not the kind of person to suffer a loss.
"Hehe, this Fan Xielu is really sharp-tongued."
As he spoke, Ye Chengfeng picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, and then said, "This wine isn't that great, is it? I thought it was some kind of fine nectar!"
"Alright, you two are both outstanding young talents. Why don't you two have a friendly spar and add some more color to this banquet?"
Seeing the two arguing so fiercely, Emperor Qing immediately intervened to stop them.
Fan Xian had just killed Cheng Jushu in the street not long ago, and at that time he had already broken through to the eighth rank.
Fan Xian and Ye Chengfeng shared the same idea regarding Emperor Qing's suggestion.
"That old fox, he definitely had something planned in there!" *2.
"Not interested."
Ye Chengfeng still showed no respect for Emperor Qing.
Ye Chengfeng dared to say that because he was not a subject of the Qing Kingdom, but Fan Xian was different; he dared to disrespect Emperor Qing in front of so many people.
Looking at Li Yunrui sitting next to Emperor Qing, it's clear that the other party is just looking for a reason to deal with him!
"Your Majesty, I am naturally willing, but this friend from Dongyi City does not seem to share this sentiment. It seems that the so-called Little Sword Immortal is merely a name in name only."
Fan Xian's thinking was simple: since he didn't know the other person, offending them wouldn't be a big deal.
"Oh, this Fan Xielu seems quite confident. Since you've said that, if I don't fight you, you'll really underestimate my Dongyi City."
As he spoke, Ye Chengfeng stood up and bowed to Emperor Qing.
"Since Your Majesty wishes to investigate the background of your foreign minister, it would be extremely impolite for me to continue to refuse."
"But I only know swordsmanship. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to draw swords at this banquet?"
Emperor Qing laughed heartily, pleased to see that both young men had been inspired to be competitive.
"It's alright. Someone, bring two precious swords."
Soon, the young eunuch came in with two trays and presented them to Fan Xian and Ye Chengfeng.
Ye Chengfeng picked up the sword and lightly flicked his fingers across the blade.
"It is indeed a fine sword, but it is not very comfortable to use. Your Majesty, could you please replace it with a wooden sword? I am afraid that it might injure Fan Xielu."
As he spoke, Ye Chengfeng placed the sword back on the tray.
This time, Fan Xian was genuinely angry. After all, he was an eighth-rank martial artist, the same level as Ye Chengfeng.
When Ye Chengfeng said those words, he was clearly looking down on him.
"No need. I want to see what this so-called 'Little Sword Immortal' is really made of, and what the Four Directions Sword Technique is all about."
"Sigh, why is Fan Xielu so stubborn? Oh well, I hope he won't regret it later."
Even in a mere sparring match, Wang Xi, a ninth-rank official, was no match for Ye Chengfeng, let alone Fan Xian at this moment.
It's just a contest of swordsmanship, not a contest of internal energy. Let's put it this way: in this situation, Ye Chengfeng could take on five Fan Xians.
The two men stood facing each other, swords in hand.
Without needing anyone to announce the start, Ye Chengfeng launched the first attack.
With a gentle upward flick of his longsword, an invisible sword aura hurtled toward Fan Xian.
If Fan Xian hadn't been trained by Wu Zhu for many years, he would probably have been injured by that attack.
"Heh, you actually dodged it! Impressive, Fan Xielu!"
Ye Chengfeng's words were very sarcastic. Although Fan Xian managed to dodge it, he did so in a very embarrassing way.
The next moment, he witnessed an unbelievable scene: Ye Chengfeng's longsword flew out of his hand.
Ye Chengfeng threw the longsword away!
"What kind of move is this? Is there such a move in the Four Directions Swordplay?"
Fan Xian wasn't the only one who thought this way; everyone watching the battle shared the same idea.
Those who had witnessed the Four Directions Sword Technique were even more impressed and bewildered.
Ye Chengfeng was clearly not using the Four-Looking Sword Technique.
And what about Ye Chengfeng?
He brandished his sword, and the longsword he threw at Fan Xian also unleashed its own sword techniques!
"How is this possible? The rumors are actually true? This little sword immortal really knows sword control!"
Fan Xian was initially flustered when faced with Ye Chengfeng's sword control technique.
However, after his longsword clashed with Ye Chengfeng's sword several times, he discovered that the power of this sword control technique was not strong.
Fan Xian felt much more at ease. After exchanging blows for a few more rounds, he found an opportunity to knock the flying sword down and then quickly closed in.
"Oh, so you want to fight me in close combat?"
"Sword, come!"
The flying sword that had fallen to the ground flew back into Ye Chengfeng's hand even faster than Fan Xian.
This time, Ye Chengfeng was no longer using basic sword techniques, but rather the Four-Looking Sword Technique!
He has indeed been practicing basic swordsmanship, but that doesn't mean Ye Chengfeng doesn't look at the swordsmanship around him.
"Gu Qian!"
Ye Chengfeng twisted his wrist, and the tip of his sword went straight for Fan Xian's right armpit, forcing Fan Xian to defend.
"Look after the consequences!"
The sword hilt circled Ye Chengfeng's wrist, and this time the attack was aimed at Fan Xian's left armpit.
Emperor Qing frowned slightly. With his Grandmaster-level eyesight, how could he not see that Ye Chengfeng was clearly showing off his skills?
Sure enough, just as Fan Xian narrowly dodged the sword, Ye Chengfeng's sword was already at Fan Xian's neck the next moment.
"I have yielded to Fan Xielu."
"Was that really sword control technique?"
Fan Xian's combat strength is actually not weak. He was trained by Wu Zhu from a young age. It should be noted that all four Grandmasters in this world have intricate relationships with Wu Zhu.
Ye Liuyun was even beaten to the level of Grandmaster by Wu Zhu.
However, Ye Chengfeng and Fan Xian are competing in swordsmanship this time, and Fan Xian does not know any swordsmanship.
If they were to spar without rules, perhaps Fan Xian could fight Ye Chengfeng to a standstill.
"What? You want to learn? It's not impossible."
Ye Chengfeng smiled cunningly.
"Really?" Fan Xian was still recovering from the amazement he had just witnessed with the sword control technique, and without thinking much about it, he asked casually.
"It's true, of course. As long as you join Dongyi City, not only will you master sword control, I'll make you the city lord of Dongyi City."
Fan Xian rolled his eyes.
"This bastard actually poached people in front of so many people! He's inhuman! And he wants me to be the city lord? Does he even have the final say?"
"Excellent! The Little Sword Immortal truly lives up to his reputation. His sword control technique is probably only comparable to that of a Grandmaster!"
It was Li Yunrui who spoke first. Her eyes gleamed with a strange light as she looked at Ye Chengfeng, seemingly plotting something.
After saying this, Li Yunrui turned to Emperor Qing and said, "Your Majesty, such a brilliant swordsmanship deserves a reward. Otherwise, outsiders might say that my Qing Kingdom is stingy."
"That makes sense. What reward would you like?"
"Forget about bestowing rewards. If Your Majesty truly wishes to reward someone, perhaps you could arrange a marriage between this official and another!"
"Oh? Which noble lady from my Qing Kingdom has taken a fancy to?"
"I have heard that the daughter of your Lord Sinan is gentle, refined, virtuous, and a renowned talented woman in the capital. I wonder if Your Majesty would be willing to grant this humble subject's request?"
That's right, from the moment Emperor Qing opened his mouth, Ye Chengfeng had planned to disgust Fan Xian.
Let alone Fan Ruoruo, no matter who Ye Chengfeng mentions, Emperor Qing would never agree.
Fan Xian was the most anxious one.
"impossible!"
"Fan Xielu, you may step down. I have my own plans."
"His Majesty!"
Fan Xian became even more anxious when he thought that Emperor Qing really intended to marry Fan Ruoruo to Ye Chengfeng.
Helpless, Emperor Qing could only give Fan Xian a reassuring look.
"Whether I agree or not depends on what Lord Sinan thinks. I need to discuss this with Lord Sinan. You may stay in the capital for a few more days."
"Of course, but would Your Majesty permit this subject to visit Miss Ruoruo at the Fan residence?"
"There is nothing wrong with that."