Nujiang Hunting Ground.
Although it was a hunting ground in name, it was actually a huge barracks.
However, this barracks was relatively idle most of the time.
Today, the whole hunting ground was full of people with flags fluttering in the wind.
There was a sentry every three steps and a sentry every five steps. It was heavily guarded.
The battle for Jinshan Island was a life-and-death disaster for Xuan Wu Mansion, but for some people, it was a slaughterhouse.
Of course, there were not many families and forces that were qualified to share the meat.
For most people, this was an arena. They were here to watch a show.
A big show of life and death.
The winner would take it all. If they lost, it might mean that the whole family's century-old foundation would disappear in the long river of history.
So, it was a big show.
Almost all the influential families in the entire Tiannan Province had come.
Not only that, most of the old aristocrats in the State of Yue had sent people to watch the battle.
This could be considered as a fox mourning the death of a rabbit.
It was not easy for Xuan Wu Mansion. It was like taking a knife and taking a thunder for everyone.
So, so, so we all supported you spiritually.
But that was all she could do to support him mentally. She could not do anything else.
Our boss Marquis Zhenyuan Su Nan had betrayed the camp.
Speaking of Marquis Zhenyuan Mansion, his son Su Jianting had also come, and his ranking was very high.
Even Qiu Xiao of Nu Tiao City had come.
When Xuan Wu Jin Zhuo led the cavalry to the Nujiang Hunting Ground, it caused a big sensation.
Many people came forward to express their condolences and looked at them with sympathy.
After all, in their minds, death was the most important thing.
It was of course exciting to be able to witness the demise of a family, but they still had to show their sympathy and condolences on the surface.
This made Shen Lang extremely disgusted.
People in the State of Yue also liked to gamble. Almost any martial arts competition could be opened as a gambling house.
Under normal circumstances, such a big thing as the battle for Jinshan Island could be opened as a big gambling house.
Shen Lang also wanted to take the opportunity to make a fortune.
But unexpectedly, no one opened this gambling house.
Because everyone felt that the result was doomed.
Xuan Wu Mansion would definitely lose.
This was too much.
In the 2002 World Cup, even the China team and the Brazil team had a gambling house, right?
…
Not long after the people from Xuan Wu Mansion arrived.
The people of Jinhai Count House also entered the Nujiang Hunting Ground.
There was another commotion.
The people who had just looked at Xuanwu with sympathy and sorrow went up to him again.
However, this time, their gazes were burning with jealousy.
Jin Hai Count House was very shameless. They actually betrayed their own camp and became the butcher's knife in the hands of the Monarch to kill their own kind.
But this had nothing to do with them.
The only thing they cared about was that the Jinhai Count House was going to make a fortune.
The enmity between the two families for a hundred years was finally going to come to an end.
It was true that a hundred years in the east, a hundred years in the west.
More than a hundred years ago, when the Jin Zhou Count was born, the Kim family was at its peak. How miserable was the Jin Hai Marquis' residence? Even its castle was taken away by pirates.
And now, Xuan Wu Mansion was about to be destroyed.
Jin Hai Count House was about to rise.
Fate really made a fool out of people.
…
After both Xuan Wu Mansion and Jin Hai Count House arrived.
The real adjudicators came.
The real big shots came.
The battle for Jinshan Island was a big deal. Governor Zhu Jung couldn't be the referee.
The fourth prince, Ning Zhen, read the decree of the Monarch, and he didn't judge.
Those who could be judges must meet several characteristics.
They were highly respected, top nobles, and had a transcendent status.
This was not only the case for Jinshan Island this time, but also 20 years ago.
This time, the three big adjudicators were the uncle of the Monarch, Ning Qi, the first-class duke of the State of Yue.
The former Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, the former Left Prime Minister of Shangshu, the first-class marquis of the State of Yue, Suo Xuan.
The first giant of the military of the State of Yue, the Grand Protector of the Crown Prince, the Duke of Weiwu, and a top martial arts master, Bian Xiao.
As soon as these three super big shots arrived, everyone bowed.
Everyone here stamped their feet, and the ground of the State of Yue would tremble a few times.
It was an absolutely luxurious lineup.
Ning Qi, the imperial uncle of the State of Yue, said, "Xuanwu, Jin Hai, this time, the three of us will be the judges of the battle for Jinshan Island. Are you willing?"
Count Tang Lun of Jin Hai bowed and said, "I'm afraid I'm not worthy of the three seniors coming in person. I'm deeply grateful."
Xuanwu wasn't that good with words. He directly bowed and said, "I'm willing."
Ning Qi said, "The three of us added together are more than 200 years old. The Duke of Weiwu is still in power. Lord Suo Xuan and I have already retired from politics for many years. We were originally at home, but since the Monarch asked us to come, we came. We're old and not far from death. We've accepted everything else, and the only thing we care about is this little bit of reputation. We definitely don't want to bring shame to our ancestors and descendants after we die. So, the ruling this time is fair and just. Please rest assured. "
Count Jin Hai bowed again and said, "I'm afraid."
Xuanwu said, "Of course I believe that the three sirs are fair and just. I have no doubts at all."
Would these three big shots really be fair and just?
They really would!
Just like what Ning Qi said, they were old and about to die. What they cherished the most was their reputation.
The reason why the Emperor sent them here was because these three people were of virtue and prestige, and also because the Black Tortoise Count Manor was bound to lose in the battle for the Golden Mountain Island, so there was no need for them to tamper with the fairness. Doing so would only damage the Emperor's prestige.
The Duke of Weiwu was the oldest noble in the State of Yue. He had the largest fief and the largest private army.
But he was detached from it. The new policy wouldn't burn his head.
Why?
Because he used to be a border general of the Wu Kingdom in the north. During the war between Wu and Yue more than 20 years ago, he led his army south to the State of Yue at a crucial moment, dealing a fatal blow to the Wu Kingdom. This directly led to the Wu Kingdom's great defeat and the Wu Kingdom ceded nine counties.
And at that time, Bian Xiao didn't just lead his army south. He also brought the territory of three counties.
The Monarch personally held his hand and said that he was the benefactor of the Ning clan for generations.
The Ning clan was the royal family. Normally, those who weren't members of the Ning clan wouldn't be given the title of duke. But Bian Xiao was made an exception and was given the title of Duke of Weiwu.
Now, he led a hundred and fifty thousand troops to guard Yanzhou and Tianbei Province. He was at the frontline against the Wu Kingdom's army.
This Duke of Weiwu was the absolute pillar of the State of Yue. How could the fire of the new policy burn his head?
His status was detached, far beyond anyone else's.
And this Duke of Weiwu was also an extremely arrogant person. He had never bothered to deal with the old nobles in the State of Yue.
In his eyes, there was only the Monarch.
You want such a super big boss to play favoritism and cheat in the battle for Jinshan Island?
That was completely impossible.
But you want him to be partial to the Xuan Wu Mansion? That was also impossible.
This man looked down on all the heroes in the world. He didn't even care about someone like Xuanwu.
Uncle Ning Qi took out a life-and-death contract.
"Whether it's a martial battle or a military battle, swords have no eyes. Casualties are inevitable. If there are no objections, both sides can sign this life-and-death contract."
Count Jin Hai stepped forward, signed his name, and stamped it with his seal.
Then, Xuanwu and Jin Zhuo signed and stamped their seals.
Every battle for Jinshan Island was like this, with heavy casualties.
Not to mention the battles between the two armies, even in the first martial arts competition, there were many deaths.
Two generations of successors of the Xuan Wu Mansion died in the martial arts competition.
Three generations of young masters of the Jin Hai Count House died. From then on, the Tang family learned to be obedient. They specifically picked a person to practice martial arts in the family, but this person couldn't be the successor of the family.
So, Tang Yan, the martial arts fanatic, appeared.
It could be said that he existed solely for the battle for Jinshan Island.
At least at the beginning.
Of course, the current Tang Yan would become the next South Sea Sword King, a grandmaster of the State of Yue.
The martial arts competition for Jinshan Island was no longer in his eyes.
The life-and-death contract was signed!
Uncle Wang Ning Qi took out another box.
This box was made of mahogany with golden dragons embroidered on it. There was a wax seal on the seal, and a golden seal.
Once it was destroyed, it would be difficult to restore.
Ning Qi said, "This is the topic of the prose poem. It was set by the Monarch himself. Except for the Monarch, no one knows what the topic is."
Then, Ning Qi put the box on the table and said, "Xuanwu, Jin Hai, come forward and check the wax seal on the box."
The two stepped forward and checked it.
Ning Qi said, "Are you sure?"
Xuanwu and Count Jin Hai were sure.
Ning Qi said, "Next, this box will be jointly kept by me, Lord Suo Xuan, and the Duke of Weiwu. It will be officially opened on the day of the literary battle. "
"Yes!"
Count Jin Hai even thought it was ridiculous.
Was that trash Jin Mucong worthy of such a high standard?
My son Tang Yun could beat that trash with his eyes closed. The topic wasn't important at all.
Who said the topic wasn't important?
Shen Lang, who was standing below, felt it was very important.
He used his X-ray eyes to see through the box.
There was a piece of paper with the topic of the literary battle written on it. Shen Lang could see it clearly.
A policy paper and a poem.
The Monarch was indeed cunning.
Shen Lang had bet on nineteen questions, but none of them were correct.
Jin Mucong, that fat otaku, was really pitiful. He had wasted two months memorizing nineteen policy papers and a hundred and fifty poems.
Following this, Shen Lang would use these two questions to write a world-shattering treatise on policy. Then, he would write a poem that would shock the heavens and make the earth weep.
Then, Jin Mucong would have to stay up all night to copy and memorize.
Now, the martial arts competition was in the bag.
Thinking about it, if Kaneki Satoshi was able to defeat Tang Yun, the Third Rank, in the literary battle, it would definitely shock everyone.
This world was crazy. He was really looking forward to it!
Uncle Ning Qi said, "Since there are no objections, both of you should prepare yourselves. The first battle will begin in two hours!"
This was not the Olympics. It would be held over a few days.
Everyone's time was precious. The martial arts competition had to be completed in the shortest time possible.
Two days!
The battle for Jinshan Island had ended.
…
The first battle was between Jin Mulan and Tang Yan.
It would be held in the Nujiang Hunting Ground's main hall. Those who were not nobles were not qualified to watch the battle.
There was still a quarter of an hour before the match began!
Tang Yan, the martial arts fanatic, was bored.
He stared blankly at a mosquito not far away.
This mosquito was very powerful.
It was already the end of autumn and winter was approaching, but it was still flying so nimbly.
No, I need to study it later to see if I can figure something out.
For Tang Yan, everything could be a teacher and help people understand martial arts.
Today's martial arts competition was crucial. It would decide the fate of the Jin Hai Count House.
But …
Tang Yan did not care at all.
He did not even know where he was. He did not care who his opponent was.
It was the same no matter who it was.
Anyway, no matter how powerful you are, you are not as powerful as me.
I never ask who my opponent is. I only ask where he is.
I, Tang Yan, will always kill with one move. There is no second possibility.
What?
Lonely as snow?
Was there anyone who did not have a lonely life?
What was so fun about women? What was so fun about money? What was so fun about power?
Swords were the most fun.
Jin Hai Earl Tang Lun said, "Yan 'er, your opponent this time is Jin Mulan. You must go all out …"
At this point, Tang Lun stopped.
Go all out? For Tang Yan, going all out and doing it casually meant the same thing.
"Yan 'er, remember, kill her in one move, but don't kill her. Do you understand?" Jin Hai Earl said.
Tang Yan nodded. "Okay, I won't kill her."
Jin Hai Earl Tang Lun said, "But you have to cripple her martial arts. That way, when someone important wants to possess her, she will not be able to resist. "
"Oh, cripple her martial arts," Tang Yan said.
Jin Hai Earl Tang Lun said, "When you cripple her martial arts, you must not ruin her appearance. She can have wounds on her body, but they must be small. You cannot damage her skin. "
The important people wanted a perfect Jin Mulan. If there was a big scar on her body, it would hurt their mood.
That's right. Not only did these people distribute all the assets of the Xuan Wu Mansion, but they also treated Jin Mulan, the great beauty, as part of their precious assets. They were prepared to give her to a super important person.
Tang Yan frowned and said impatiently, "Is a wound as small as a strand of hair okay?"
Jin Hai Earl Tang Lun said, "Yes."
"Got it. You are so long-winded," Tang Yan said.
Then, he continued to look at the mosquito. This time, he mainly looked at its wings. He counted how many times it flapped its wings.
More than five hundred times?
Tang Yan was shocked. He felt that the mosquito was very powerful.
"Time's up. Mr. Tang Yan, it's time for you to go on stage."
"Oh!" Tang Yan picked up his black iron sword and walked out.
His mind was still filled with the flapping of the mosquito's wings.
…
In the hall.
Hundreds of people sat neatly.
Imperial Uncle Ning Qi, Crown Prince's Grand Tutor Suo Xuan, and Duke Weiwu Bian Xiao. The three of them sat in the middle of the judges' seats.
Xuan Wu's family sat on the right. There were only a few people sitting behind them. The only slightly famous person was Su Jianting, the son of Marquis Zhenyuan.
Of course, the reason why he sat here was to put on a show. In his mind, Jin Mulan would definitely lose. However, he was the in-law of the Kim family.
Jin Hai Earl Tang's family sat on the left. There were many people behind them.
Not only the new noble families, but the old nobles also sat on the Tang family's side.
It was not to curry favor with the Tang family, but to make a stand.
Monarch, we didn't oppose the new policy. Please don't let the next knife fall on my head.
As for the unfortunate Xuan Wu Mansion, they could only support them mentally and spiritually.
Zhang Chong, Governor Zhu Jung, and the people from Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion sat on the third side to show their neutrality and fairness.
Zhang Jin and Chi Yu sat in the same row. Zhang Chunhua sat in the middle.
"There's no suspense in this battle. Jin Mulan's swordsmanship is two levels lower than Tang Yan's. The only result is an instant defeat," Zhang Jin said.
He said it to Chi Yu.
Chi Yu nodded and said, "I've seen Tang Yan's swordsmanship. Meteor Fall is indeed unbeatable."
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Jin Mulan.
She was so beautiful.
Her figure was so hot.
What a pity.
She was about to lose. She would lose the fate of Xuan Wu Mansion and her freedom in the future.
It was a sin to be so beautiful.
When Xuan Wu Mansion was powerful, it could still protect this beauty.
Once the Kim family was destroyed, this beauty would become a crime.
…
"Dong!"
The bell rang.
The battle for Jinshan Island, the first of the three martial arts competitions, had begun!
Everyone kept their eyes wide open, afraid to miss a moment.
Because the whole process would be very fast.
It would definitely be an instant defeat.
Because countless young masters had challenged Tang Yan before, but they were all instantly defeated.
Jin Mulan's martial arts attainment was not as good as Su Jianting and the others. Naturally, there would be no other result.
So, even if it was just a blink of an eye, the battle would probably be over.
Tang Yan never looked at his opponent.
But now that he had a look, he was slightly stunned.
'This … this is a woman?
Is she so beautiful? '
Fine, I'll abolish your martial arts in a while and try to make your wound as small as possible.
Tang Yan once again raised his sword as he pleased.
He suddenly performed it!
Meteor Sword Art!
He had practiced this move for fourteen years.
Millions of times, tens of millions of times.
Every time he attacked, he was at his peak!
This set of sword techniques was invincible and unsolvable!
Mulan attacked!
Her swordsmanship was even simpler, unprecedentedly simpler.
And it was just a wooden sword.
Without any fancy moves, she directly stabbed at a certain point!
It was the eye of the wind of Meteor Fall.
The only flaw, the most vulnerable place!
"Dong!"
The next moment!
Mulan's sword pierced through the terrifying force field of Meteor Fall.
It directly stabbed Tang Yan's chest.
Suddenly, he spat out his internal force.
"Whoosh!"
Tang Yan's body flew out directly, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Instant defeat!
…