Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(81)
That hurled teapot flew quickly right at the back of the demon’s head, looking like it might knock him out on the spot and spill his blood. Unexpectedly, however, the demon shifted his stance, slanted his saber flat, and caught the teapot on the tip of the blade. The tottering teapot came to a stop, prompting another wave of cheers. Mu Qing then flicked the long saber, and the teapot was hurled into the air to be caught by someone below.
He continued to play the role of the demon languidly, swinging the long saber, slaughtering humans. Qi Rong was outraged and was about to throw something else, but the queen had ordered someone to pull him away, so he was reluctantly dragged off. Yet the faces of the nobles were looking more and more grim, and some were growing restless.
That the God-Pleasing Martial Warrior would disappear right before the Heavenly Procession of the Shangyuan Festival was no laughing matter!
But just then, a roaring cheer like a storm exploded from amongst the people, louder than the cheers from before. A snow-white silhouette had descended from the sky and landed right before the black-clad demon!
Upon his landing, his heavy white robes fluttered and covered the grand stage in the shape of a giant flower, and a golden mask hid his face. He held a sword in one hand, and the other gently flicked that foreboding blade, the resounding ringing pleasing to the ear. This gesture was serene and confident, as if the demon meant nothing to him. The demon slowly raised his long saber and pointed it at him, and the white-clad martial warrior unhurriedly rose to his feet.
Qi Rong’s eyes were shining bright, his face red. He jumped up and down, shouting, “Cousin Crown Prince! COUSIN CROWN PRINCE HAS COME!!!”
Above and below, all were agape.
This entrance was like the descent of a real heavenly being, exceedingly audacious!
The city wall’s tower was at least thirty meters tall, and the eminent crown prince, whose person was worth a thousand gold, had still leapt down from it! In that moment, thousands had thought a god had truly descended. When they recovered from their shock, fervor filled their veins; the crowd went hysterical, applauding with wild intensity. Qi Rong too was shouting, leading the crowd in wild applause, yelling until his voice was hoarse, clapping until both his hands were red. The king and the queen shared a look, smiling, and applauded too. The rest of the nobles eased their furrowed brows and sighed a breath of relief before joining in the cheer. On either side of the Grand Avenue of Divine Might, the crowds went wild like crashing waves, hundreds and thousands of men so excited that they pushed against the royal guards, wanting to approach closer to holler.
Upon the grand stage, two figures—one black, one white—faced each other. Each with their own weapon in hand, god and demon would finally face off.
Seeing that everything had worked out, the State Preceptor finally relaxed his shoulders and mounted the towering platform. After nodding to his fellows in greeting, he found a seat for himself and sat down.
The king chuckled. “State Preceptor, how did you come up with such an exhilarating entrance? How splendid.”
The State Preceptor wiped sweat from his face and smiled. “Splendid indeed. But unfortunately, this lowly subject didn’t come up with it. I’m afraid it’s His Highness the Crown Prince’s own idea.”
The queen patted her heart. “That mischievous child. To jump from such a height without a word of warning! I almost stood up in fright.”
The State Preceptor couldn’t help but lace his words with pride. “My Lady Queen can be at ease. The martial might of His Highness the Crown Prince is extraordinary. Dozens of meters is nothing to him. Even with towers that are many times higher, he can easily mount and easily jump off with his eyes closed.”
The queen appeared pleased and said gently, “Thanks to the teachings of the State Preceptor.”
The State Preceptor laughed. “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. His Highness the Crown Prince, darling of the heavens, is divinely gifted, marvelously talented, and graciously brilliant. It is the fortune accumulated from three lifetimes that gave this lowly subject the chance to become his teacher. I have a feeling that with His Highness the Crown Prince’s presence, today will go down in history as the most impressive of the God-Pleasing Ceremony’s Martial Matches.”
His words of praise were exceedingly smooth, alluding to the heavens. The king smiled and turned back to watch the performance.
“I hope that’s the case.”
In the Heavenly Procession of the Shangyuan Festival, the God-Pleasing Martial Warrior and the Demon were the two most important roles. Both must be played by young men exceptionally skilled in martial arts. The God-Pleasing Martial Warrior especially—the presentation and make of his costume were strict, transcendentally magnificent, and after dressing, the weight of everything worn came to twenty-five or thirty kilos. The Martial Warrior must, under this heavy burden, before the eyes of millions, march around the capital a number of times and perform in the Martial Match for at least four hours. There must also be no mishaps throughout, and so the performer must be extraordinarily skilled.
Fortunately, both of these young men were outstanding. It was a fierce match, the saber parried the sword—the combat was a thrilling sight to behold. The moves were also calculated to the minutest detail, obviously having been practiced and rehearsed many times.
“Who’s the one playing the demon and sparring with the crown prince?” the king asked.