diymy Chapter 44 The Grand Gathering at Qinglan Mountain Begins!
Chapter 44 The Grand Gathering at Qinglan Mountain Begins!
On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, at Qinglan Mountain
The main peak of Qinglan Mountain, Tianjian Peak, is adorned in its finest attire today.
From the mountain gate to the summit, along the 9,999 blue stone steps, a blue flag with cloud patterns is placed every ten steps on both sides.
As the mountain wind blows, thousands of flags unfurl and flutter, like a thousand troops arrayed in battle.
At the summit of Tianjian Peak, the spacious training ground has been transformed into a ceremony venue.
The high platform to the north is built of thousand-year-old sandalwood, standing nine feet nine inches tall, taking the number nine as the ultimate.
The stage was covered with a scarlet carpet, and a rosewood chair with dragon patterns was placed in the center, which was the main seat for the audience.
There are eighteen seats on each side, arranged in a fan shape, which are for the leaders of various sects and the heads of aristocratic families.
Although there was still an hour before the ceremony officially began, the training ground was already bustling with noise.
Looking around, all you see are figures from the martial arts world.
There were Taoist monks dressed in robes and carrying long swords, Buddhist monks in cassocks and holding staffs, scions of noble families in fine clothes and jade pendants, and rough-and-tumble heroes in coarse linen clothes with sharp eyes.
A rough estimate suggests there are over a thousand people!
This only applies to those who are qualified to ascend Heavenly Sword Peak.
At the foot of the mountain, countless wandering travelers eager to witness the spectacle gathered in the inns and teahouses.
The enthronement ceremony of the new sect leader of the Qinglan Sword Sect has become the grandest event in the martial arts world of China in the past thirty years.
In the southeast corner of the training ground, seven or eight middle-aged men dressed in brocade robes were gathered in a circle, talking in hushed tones.
The leader was about fifty years old, with a fair complexion and no beard. He held a white jade folding fan and was none other than Su Mubai, the head of the Su family, the most prestigious family in Jiangnan.
"I heard that people from Liyang have also come?" Su Mubai waved his folding fan, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over a group of envoys dressed in Liyang attire on the west side.
"Not just Liyang."
A thin, elderly man beside him chimed in. He was Tang Qingsong, an elder of the Tang Clan in Sichuan, and his voice was deep.
"Sects from the Western Liang Khanate, the Northern Mang Dynasty, and even the Miao villages in the Southern Frontier have come. The Qinglan Sword Sect has quite a lot of influence."
"It's more than just saving face."
Another chubby middle-aged man, Qian Wanguan, a wealthy man from Jizhou, lowered his voice and said, "In my opinion, this is not a grand ceremony for the enthronement of a sect leader. It is clearly a gathering of various forces to test the waters. The Qinglan Sword Sect has been established for three hundred years and its disciples are all over the Nine Provinces. Whoever can win over the Sword Sect will have an important piece in the martial arts world."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The martial arts world and the imperial court have always been inextricably linked.
Especially in a country like Qin, where martial arts are revered, the support of a top sect can often influence the situation of a province or prefecture.
"Who do you think will be able to sit in the position of sect leader today?" someone asked.
Tang Qingsong stroked his beard: "Elder Mo Wentian and Second Elder Liu Suifeng are evenly matched. However, I've heard that Elder Liu has secretly recruited many deacons and true disciples in recent years, so his chances of winning might be greater."
"That's not necessarily true." Su Mubai shook his head. "Elder Mo is Sect Master Xiao's personal disciple and has extremely high prestige within the sect. Moreover... I've heard that some people support him."
"Who?"
Su Mubai did not answer, but only glanced at the high platform to the north.
There, a group of people dressed in Northern attire were talking.
The leader was tall and had a resolute face; he was none other than Xu Longxiang, the heir apparent of the Prince of Zhenbei.
Xu Longxiang was dressed in a black python robe, with a jade belt around his waist and cloud-patterned boots. Although he was not wearing armor, the murderous aura he exuded, honed through years of battlefield experience, still made many martial arts practitioners around him subconsciously keep their distance.
Five people were standing next to him.
These were the five chief advisors: Sikong Xuan, Fan Li, Tie Tu, Liu Hongyan, and Mo Shen.
"Your Highness, the conversation with the Third Elder, Li Wuhen, just now went very smoothly."
Fan Li waved his feather fan and said in a low voice, "He promised that if we can help him ascend to the position of sect leader, the Sword Sect will fully support the Northern Territory in the future."
Xu Longxiang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the bustling crowd in the training ground, before finally turning to look at the empty dragon-patterned rosewood chair on the high platform to the north.
That was a seat reserved for the Emperor of Qin.
Qin Mu was attacked the day before yesterday... Will he come again today?
Thinking of this name, Xu Longxiang felt a complex and indescribable emotion welling up inside him.
He harbored hatred, ambition, and a hint of apprehension that even he himself was unwilling to admit.
The ambush at Falling Eagle Gorge failed, and the entire Shadow Tower force was wiped out...
These messages weighed heavily on his heart like giant stones.
That seemingly muddle-headed emperor was actually hiding his true nature very well.
"Your Highness."
Liu Hongyan stepped forward gracefully, her red dress fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. Her voice was soft and charming, yet tinged with solemnity.
"Just now I used my charm to test a few Sword Sect deacons and learned that the Emperor of Great Qin has arrived in Linshan County and is very likely to make his appearance today."
Xu Longxiang's pupils suddenly contracted.
To be present in person?
Qin Mu is actually coming to Qinglan Mountain?
What's in it for him? Just to watch the ceremony? Or... is there another purpose?
Jiang Qingxue's face involuntarily appeared in my mind.
The woman he personally sent to the palace, the woman he promised to marry as his empress, has now become Qin Mu's concubine.
If Qin Mu really comes today, will he bring her along?
This thought gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.
"Young Master?" Fan Li noticed the fluctuation in Xu Longxiang's aura and asked in a low voice.
Xu Longxiang took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
We must not act rashly.
The more critical the moment, the less room there is for chaos.
"Proceed according to the original plan."
He said in a deep voice, "Whether Qin Mu comes or not, we must help Li Wuhen ascend to the position of sect leader today. As long as we control the Sword Sect, we will have a foundation in the martial arts world, and great things will be within our grasp."
"Yes!" the five answered in unison.
Xu Longxiang turned his gaze back to the crowd, a gentle smile returning to his face.
He walked towards the west.
There, several heads of prominent families were gathered together talking.
As the heir apparent of the Prince of Zhenbei, he needed to make as many connections as possible with various forces before the ceremony began, paving the way for his future endeavors.
.......
At 3:45 AM, the sun had fully risen.
The golden sunlight bathed Tianjian Peak, turning the thousands of sword flags golden.
As the mountain mists gradually dissipated, the outline of the rolling peaks of Qinglan Mountain was revealed, resembling an ink wash landscape painting.
More and more people gathered at the training ground.
Abbot Liaokong of Shaolin Temple arrived with eighteen Arhats, Zhang Tianshi of Longhu Mountain brought thirty-six Taoist priests, and Abbess Jingxuan of Emei Sect led twenty-four female disciples to their seats...
Almost all the prominent sects in the martial arts world of China were present.
The seats on both sides of the platform gradually filled up.
Xu Longxiang has also returned to his position in the Northern Frontier camp, chatting quietly with several newly acquainted heads of aristocratic families, their conversation radiating warmth and elegance.
His performance today was perfect.
It showcases both the noble demeanor of the Prince of Zhenbei and the cheerful and approachable nature of a chivalrous hero.
Many sects that had initially been hesitant about the Northern Territory showed friendly smiles after talking with him.
Everything is going smooth.
Xu Longxiang picked up the fragrant tea offered by the maid, took a sip, and a confident smile curved his lips.
If Li Wuhen can ascend to the position of sect leader today, half of his plan in the martial arts world will be complete.
In addition, there's Fan Li's operations in the capital, his infiltration of the Northern Army, and his efforts to win over officials in various regions...
Great things can be accomplished.
Just then, a high-pitched horn blast suddenly rang out in the distance—
"Waaah—"
The bugle call sounded desolate and far-reaching, piercing through the clouds and instantly drowning out the noisy crowd in the training ground.
Everyone stopped talking and turned to look in the direction of the mountain gate.
Immediately following was the sound of synchronized footsteps.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Calm and powerful, each step seemed to tread on people's hearts.
An army in black armor appeared at the mountain gate and slowly ascended the bluestone steps.
His dark armor gleamed with a cold, hard sheen in the sunlight. He wore a sword at his waist, held a halberd in his hand, and his face beneath his helmet was as solemn as iron.
Although there were only three hundred people, their fierce and battle-hardened aura made many martial arts practitioners present feel breathless.
"It's the Imperial Guards of Qin!" someone whispered.
"The Imperial Guards clearing the way... Could it be...?"
Before the words had even finished, another loud announcement rang out, rising from the mountain gate and echoing throughout Tianjian Peak—
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Four words, as loud as a thunderclap!
The entire training ground fell silent instantly.
Thousands of eyes turned to the direction of the mountain gate, and even the sect leaders and family heads on the high platform stood up, their expressions solemn.
Xu Longxiang's teacup trembled slightly, and a few drops of tea splashed out, landing on the back of his hand, scalding hot.
But he was completely unaware.
His gaze was fixed on the mountain gate, on the slowly ascending imperial guards, and on the bright yellow gilded palanquin in the center of the procession.
Qin Mu... has really arrived.
My heart was pounding uncontrollably, and an indescribable emotion was churning in my chest.
Is it nervousness? Excitement? Or...fear?
Xu Longxiang didn't know.
All he knew was that his clenched fist had nails digging deep into his palm.
The imperial guards lined up on both sides, forming a passage on the bluestone steps.
The gilded palanquin, carried smoothly uphill by eight strong men.
The sedan chair was framed with rosewood and covered with bright yellow brocade embroidered with a pattern of nine dragons soaring through clouds. A fist-sized pearl from the East China Sea was inlaid on the top of the sedan chair, shining brightly in the sunlight.
The sedan curtains were drawn low, obscuring the people inside.
But everyone knew that the Qin emperor, who had caused celestial phenomena and purple clouds to travel three thousand miles eastward just six months after his ascension to the throne, was inside the sedan chair.
The group stopped at the edge of the training ground.
A female official in silver armor stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, we have arrived at Tianjian Peak."
A brief silence.
Then, the sedan curtain was lifted by a slender hand.
That hand was very white, with distinct knuckles and neatly trimmed nails, just like the hand of a scholar.
But with just this one hand, a gentle lift seemed to unveil the curtain of an entire era.
The hem of the black dragon-patterned robe was revealed first, followed by the jade belt at the waist, then the tall and straight figure, and finally... a handsome, smiling face.
Qin Mu stepped out of the imperial sedan chair and stood atop Tianjian Peak.
The morning light shone on him, and the gold-embroidered dragon on his black dragon robe seemed to come alive, shimmering with a dark and noble luster in the light.
He wore no crown, only a white jade hairpin to tie his hair, with a few strands falling across his forehead, adding to his casual appearance.
Yet this casualness exudes an indescribable air of authority.
That's the aura of someone who has long held a high position; it doesn't need to be deliberately displayed to command the respect of all.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The Imperial Guards shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
Immediately afterwards, all the martial arts practitioners in the arena, regardless of their inner thoughts, had no choice but to kneel down.
The sect leaders and family heads on the high platform also bowed in respect.
Xu Longxiang knelt down with the crowd, bowing his head, but his eyes were fixed on the ground, on the pair of black dragon-patterned boots that were slowly approaching.
One step, two steps...
The boots stopped three zhang away from him.