Legend of Fu Yao

Meng Fuyao refused the intense gaze Zhangsun Wuji was giving her — for two man to exchange amorous glances on such a platform? Even if you are shameless I still want my pride.

She calmed down and readjusted her breathing. Since things have now come to this, it would only be right to fight for a ranking befitting of Yun Hen and Zong Yue. And, to slaughter the people she wanted to slaughter!

The people that came to watch the battle was the same as yesterday. Though there was not as many audience as in the third round, the people that came were of high status in the society — the Tiansha royalties, officials, well-known sect leaders and royalties from other nations. However, not everyone was present yet.

In the palace hall, with exception of the rack meant for weapons, all other weapons were removed, emptying out a vast space. Tiansha nation had always favoured rugged, rough yet spacious style. Little exquisite details are added with things kept simple and plain. The hall is a couple times bigger than other halls, with the viewing platform, the judging panel and the throne set far away. Everyone stared at Meng Fuyao curiously. Apparently this fellow is awesome? The idiom “It never rain but pours” is definitely for ‘him’. Apparently this fellow is very frivolous? This fellow won Xuanyuan Yun and refused to come down from the stage?

Zhangsun Wuji sat on his chair as he leaned against the red table. He looked at the stage with vague smile as the people on the two sides hustle and bustle about — other than looking after Meng Fuyao, they still had to look after him. Zhangsun Wuji was known to avoid the crowd and barely reveal himself publicly. So why did he decide to accept Tiansha’s invitaiton this time? Rumors has it that Zhangsun Wuji is extremely ugly with a vicious heart. Could it be that underneath the mask, there are some secrets?

Technically such high level competition require more than one judge. However, Zhan Nancheng only invited Zhangsun Wuji alone. Nobody knew if such a decision was made out of respect for Zhangsun Wuji or that Zhan Nancheng found it a hassle to deal with more than one person. Regardless, for the last round, majority of the elites are present and one can only dream of playing dirty tricks in front of them.

People started streaming in, filling up the empty seats. In the palace, the Tiansha royals took their seats with the foreign royals. Meng Fuyao counted the tables set up for the royals and realized that there was two extra tables.

As the golden bell chimes thrice, the competition officially begun. The guests from the last two tables finally arrived.

The one walking in front was a middle-aged man in his forties. He looked refined with an elegant demeanor and in his actions, one could tell that he was cultured. If not for his lavish and exquisite dressing, he would look like a lowly scholar.

The jade qilin[1.The qilin is a mythical hooved chimerical creature known in Chinese and other East Asian cultures, said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler.] that hung from his purple waist belt was telling of his identity — the regent Xuanyuan Chen that held the authority for a long time in Xuanyuan Nation.

Right at the end was a pair of model siblings.

The man that stood in front of the lady was pale, thin and weak. He, too, was adorned in lavish and extravagent clothing even though he did not look that part. Rather, he looked like gentle breeze could have swept him away. The lady on the other hand…

Meng Fuyao’s eyes darted.

Another unpleasant meeting.

Lotus.

The dignified, elegant and sacred Princess Lotus. Legend has it that she was born with a lotus in her mouth and this benevolent, magnanimous Lotus donned on a pure white dress with golden embroidery of lotus at the corner of her sleeves. The elaborate golden lotus looked realistic as the plush-green leaves embroidered flattered it. The flowy sleeves swayed gently as she walked. Sophisticated yet honourable she was. She lifted her head to the perfect angle, pair with a perfect smile, emanting a form of brillance that one cannot ignore.

An ‘Ooo’ filled the room. The guests in this room were people of high status and would naturally, not loudly discuss or exclaim like the uncivilized commoners. But still, they could not help but share their thoughts. It was common knowledge by now regarding the marriage between Wuji and Xuanji. However, the two countries were too busy with their national affairs to fuss over Zhangsun Wuji and Feng Jingfan’s marriage. Finally, ten years later, it was the first time the two had publicly appeared in such a rare event. People could only question, ‘Zhangsun Wuji is already 26 and Feng Jingfan in her twenties. With their early engagement and status, why haven’t the two held their wedding ceremony?”

Princess Lotus seemed as though she was not midnful of the gazes of others as she sat down beside her brother in a demure manner. The neighbouring Xuanyuan Min greeted them with a small smile. “Fourth Prince Feng and Princess Lotus? To be able to meet the renowned Princess is my greatest honour. Princess, you who has devoted your heart to the Buddha would be interested in this martial arts competition?”

“Thank you for your concern Prince,” Lotus answered graciously. “I do not know of martial arts but brother loves it. As we met on the way here, I decided to accompany him here. Furthermore…” She gave Meng Fuyao a smile and continued. ” I have just found an old friend and felt the need to come here. Even if I do not know of martial arts, I can be here to prove moral support.”

Despite their soft exchange, Meng Fuyao could still heard them clearly with her sharp ears. She grinded her teeth silently and looked up to the sky. Fine, fine, ‘old friend’. Why are you even called Princess Lotus? Why not Princess sticky? What Zhangsun Wuji said was too polite. What ‘stubborness’? She is just a pervert!

After grinding her teeth for a while, she could not help but take pleasure in Zhangsun Wuji’s suffering. See? All you did to chase her away was for naught! She had no plans to look for another. Look, now that she has grown impatient, is she not clinging onto you?

As she laughed at him, she also felt a litte discomfort in her heart — one that she did not understand. Instead she turned over to watch Ya Lanzhu and Pei Yuan fight with their expressions.

In the palace hall, Zhangsun Wuji was no longer smiling but had no expressions either. He turned to talk to Zhan Beiheng, ignoring the inquisitive gaze of the crowd. He paid no attention to Princess Lotus either, not that she seemed to mind as she smiled quietly and continued her conversation with her brother. In fact, it was the sickly brother that had a look of displeasure in full display and glared at Zhangsun Wuji every now and then.

Finally, everyone arrived. The bells chimed in unison as Zhan Nancheng took his seat. He saw Princess Lotus and asked, “Would the crown prince like the princess to sit here instead?”

Zhangsun Wuji still refused to look at Lotus and calmly said, “Thank you for your goodwill but that would be unnecessary.”

In that spacious palace hall, a vast majority of people did not hear Zhangsun Wuji’s rejection. Suddenly, Princess Lotus flung his sleeve.

Fourth Prince Feng turned around to look at her in confusion. With a smile, she said, “An ant has climbed onto the table. Let me sent the ant out, I believe it cherishes its life.”

“Sister really do care for all lives.” Fourth Prince Feng nodded, pleased, and turn back.

The corner of Princess Lotus lips tugged upwards as she stuck a finger out of her sleeve. She dragged her sharp nail, one that resembled a knife, silently across the golden floor. Carefully, she inched towards the tiny insect and cut across it….the small ant was now neatly dissected into three parts — the head, the body and the back…

In the palace hall, Zhan Beiheng was reciting the rules as everyone listened quietly.

The last battle: Mixed battle!

The last five people: Meng Fuyao, Ya Lanzhu, Pei Yuan, Yan Taiyu and Bagu.

Mixed battle means that whoever goes first is most likely to draw the short end of the stick. The audience drank their tea as they knew intutively that the start of this competition would be the hardest, and the longest.

Zhan Beiye barely finished when someone with messy braids leaped up, pointed towards Pei Yuan and loudly shouted,”You damn old witch, come and die!”

The pair of eyes that sat on top of her veil was fuming with anger. Laughing coldly, Pei Yuan replied, “I’ll fulfil your death wish!”

Meng Fuyao immediately followed suit and stepped forward shamelessly. “Hey, I want you to die too. So two versus one?”

Everyone there roared with laughter. They have seen shameless, but never so shameless. In whatever case, she was still the top contestant and yet she had no sense to conduct herself in a manner that was befitting of her current identity.

To this situation, Zhan Beiheng replied, “A two versus two battle is allowed. Or you can battle her after. But one versus many is not allowed.”

Meng Fuyao threw her arms in the air. “Since I am up here, I do not intend to go down. If so, Ya Lanzhu you can go first while I squat in a corner.”

“Why let General Meng stay idle? Allow me to take this time to learn from General Meng.” Yan Taiyu and Bagu walked up from behind her together.

Yan Taiyu smiled. “Let the women fight it out while we men fight our battle.”

Meng Fuyao raised her eyebrow. She knew that these two fellows probably wanted to finish her first and then benefit when both Pei Yuan and Ya Lanzhu are badly injured.”Very well, whom first?”

Yan Taiyu stepped forward and cupped his hand in salute.

However, Meng Fuyao’s gaze landed on Bagu’s face. This reticent man that had short hair, a very dark skin and well-defined features. It reminded her of people who lived in the mountains –he was not fat, yet had a very “heavy” atmosphere around him. It was as though he had practiced a different form of techniques that had resulted in this forceful and “heavy” feeling. This unassuming man did not have a spectacular performance in the previous round yet, was able to smoothly make his way into the top five. Meng Fuyao stared at Bagu and felt that his aura was a little weird. In front of her, Yan Taiyu had already rushed towards her.

This tall young man wielded a whip longer than him. The whio was divided into three sections, each with a different colour. The sections are connected by joints and the way the whip moved was unlike that of a normal whip. The middle part of the whip could be on the right yet the first section already made its way to the left. When one would be focused on guarding the right side, it could suddenly appear on the left. It was like a hard yet flexible weird snake which was able to achieve sharp angles and move swiftly. More impressively, such weapons that is usually connected by joints have an achilles’ heel — the joint. But this long whip was made with a material that was neither gold or metal and with its ingenious design, it made it all that harder to deal with.

Yan Taiyu smiled as he flicked his wrist. The long whip attacks from three different angles which is hard to predict. This weapon in his hands came from an elite fighter and was known to be unbreakable. To this, Yan Taiyu remained absolutely confident of his victory.

This caught the notice of Meng Fuyao as she shouted, “Interesting.” With the inner energy,hand to hand combat and sword techniques from the Cleaving Nine Heavens and the real battle experiences she had had, she was able to boldly adapt the sword techniques taught to her. With countless improvision during real life battle, it was time to bring her sword techniques to the table.