126 The Number One Martial Artist of the Great Chu Dynasty

r Lady Ye sighed inwardly as she observed the scene before her. She used to believe that Ye Yue and Ye Ying were good children, but now she could see clearly that Ye Li was truly someone who concealed...126. The Number One Martial Artist of the Great Chu Dynasty

126。The Number One Martial Artist of the Great Chu Dynasty

"Mu Qingcang!" Feng Zhirao landed in the courtyard and frowned, looking at the black-clad man before him.

Hearing this, Ye Li raised her eyebrows with interest and smiled faintly. "The number one martial artist of the Great Chu… Mu Qingcang Your precious master really thinks highly of me to send such an expert." Mu Qingcang's expression was cold as he replied indifferently, "I don't understand what Her Highness means. Nightkill takes money for his work; who is this precious master" Ye Li raised her eyebrows and looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. For some reason, Mu Qingcang seemed unable to bear her gaze and turned away, looking somewhat disheveled. She tilted her head and sized him up before smiling lightly, "The number one martial artist of the Great Chu It seems that his reputation may have been slightly exaggerated."

"What right do you have to say such things!" A murderous intent flashed in Mu Qingcang's eyes as he glared at Ye Li. He could tolerate insults about his behavior or character, but not an insult to the dignity of being the number one martial artist of the Great Chu. Glancing around at those surrounding him, he sneered and said, "Just these youngsters…" The words died on his lips when faced with Ye Li's mocking gaze. No matter how they had captured him, the fact remained that they had caught the number one martial artist of the Great Chu with little loss to themselves. Since ancient times, there has been no first place in literature and no second place in martial arts; even if you have unparalleled abilities, when you lose, you lose.

Ye Li nodded with a smile and said, "Indeed they were fortunate today in defeating you, but believe me, whether it's one or several Mu Qingcangs, I would still capture them." Mu Qingcang snorted sarcastically, clearly not believing her. Ye Li remained calm and continued, "I say that the reputation of being the number one martial artist of the Great Chu is somewhat exaggerated, not because you lost to them, but because… You are getting old." Mu Qingcang's heart sank as his face twisted into a deep shade of green with anger. He was not yet forty years old and considering someone who practices martial arts, that wasn't considered old. But he truly felt old. The four great martial artists in the world, the eldest Western Liang Southern King had indeed lost an arm when he fought against Mo Liufang but still wielded great power and fame. Next was Ling Tiehan of Hell Pavilion, a formidable force even the nobles of the Four Nations dared not easily offend due to his reputation within the martial arts world. The youngest was Prince Ding of the Great Chu Dynasty, Mo Xiuyao, who despite suffering grave injuries in youth had still become renowned across the land as a young war god. And he… He was several years older than Ling Tiehan; although holding the title of number one martial artist of the Great Chu, he could only watch over Nightkill and grow old gradually. Neither could he fight on battlefields nor roam freely in the martial arts world. People often sighed with regret when discussing his position as the number one martial artist: If not for Prince Ding's misfortune in youth, surely someone else would have taken that title long ago…

Ye Li looked at the middle-aged man before her with a sigh of pity and inwardly sighed. Mu Qingcang’s abilities and ambitions should have made him a formidable leader, but sadly he was constrained by others and caught between conflicting choices. The position of number one martial artist of the Great Chu wasn't an easy title to bear.

"Since I am defeated at your hands, do as you will," Mu Qingcang said coldly with a look of dejection in his eyes.

Ye Li waved her hand and said calmly, "Take him away. Mr. Mu, Ye Li respects you as a martial artist; it would be best if you don't take any rash actions like suicide or escape."

Mu Qingcang snorted lightly and allowed the guards to escort him away.

Feng Zhirao finally regained his senses, dusted off imaginary dirt from himself, rubbed his forehead, and walked over. "That man… how could he be Mu Qingcang!"

Ye Lü smiled and said, "Why can't it be Mu Qingcang"

Feng Zhiyao sighed mournfully. "He is Mu Qingcang after all, the number one martial artist in Great Chu, a man of high principles who doesn't let power influence him. When His Majesty offered him the position of General to serve as an official, he rejected it on the grounds that he had no interest in politics and only focused on martial arts research. So, did he spend all these years researching how to become an assassin" Although Night Killer was indeed skilled, compared to another assassination organization like King Yan's Pavilion, it still fell short. Ye Lü lowered her eyes, and the corners of her red lips curled slightly. "To wield power while awake, and sleep on a beauty’s lap when drunk—this is what all men desire. Since Mu Qingcang neither cares for power nor beauties, do you think that's possible"

"He loves martial arts."

Ye Lü asked with a sidelong glance, "Look at his level of martial prowess compared to the other three martial artists—how much higher is it"

Feng Zhiyao rubbed his nose and remained speechless. Mu Qingcang's martial arts skills were indeed high, but Feng Zhiyao clearly felt some disappointment with the title of number one martial artist in Great Chu because he wasn't significantly better than the other three martial artists; in fact, there was a hint of deficiency in certain areas. Moreover, those three others all had busy lives dealing with various affairs. In contrast, Mu Qingcang seemed to be somewhat… more famous than seen. "What does Your Excellency plan to do with Mu Qingcang He is after all from the Mu family."

"So what if he's from the Mu family" Ye Lü asked with a smile.

Feng Zhiyao frowned and said, "Although we are not afraid of the Mu family, having one more enemy always brings some trouble. The Mu family has traditionally maintained neutrality; if something happens because of him…"

Ye Lü shook her head and said, "Senior Feng, don't you think of anything when seeing Mu Qingcang here Do you really believe that a person like him with such origins would go against the Ding King Manor for money"

Feng Zhiyao was momentarily stunned, his expression turning slightly solemn. He didn't want to think about it because he knew all too well what the Ding King Manor had sacrificed for Great Chu, and there was even a part of that sacrifice that was due to his own efforts. Whenever he saw people who once shared close ties with him acting without restraint against the Ding King Manor, he felt not just disappointment and anger but also an overwhelming sense of despair.

Ye Lü said coolly, "To serve one's lord faithfully."

Feng Zhiyao shook his head, dispelling his displeasure with a raised eyebrow. He smiled and asked, "What does Your Excellency plan to do"

Ye Li smiled and said, "What plans could there be If the Mu family can afford it, we will return Mu Qingcang to them, which would prevent any damage to the relationship between our two families. If they cannot afford it... I wouldn't need to leave a highly skilled enemy alive in this world, right"

When the sounds of fighting completely vanished outside, it was nearly five o'clock in the morning. In the distance, a faint fish-belly white could be seen on the horizon. Ye Li led her people out of the main courtyard; the thick smell of blood permeated the air. Standing at the round moon gate outside the main courtyard and looking around, she saw rivers of blood and bodies everywhere. Qingluan and Qingyu, who were following behind Ye Li, could not help but run to one side and vomit from the sight before them. Ye Li closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them again, there was only a cool glimmer in her gaze.

"We have seen the Duchess!" People holding swords and knives throughout the courtyard looked towards the white-clad woman standing at the door and respectfully called out.

Ye Li's expression was solemn as she slightly nodded. "Thank you all for your efforts tonight."

Zhang Qilan, covered in blood, said seriously, "Guarding Prince Dingtian's mansion is our military responsibility and honor; the Duchess is being too polite."

"Duchess, the Emperor has arrived," an outer court steward rushed over despite the urgency of the situation maintaining his composure.

Ye Li was a bit surprised as she raised her eyebrow. "The Emperor has come"

The steward nodded and said, "Yes, His Majesty is two miles away. Should we go out to greet him"

Ye Li smiled gently and replied, "Since the Emperor came at night from the palace to Prince Dingtian’s mansion, how could his servants not come out to welcome him Chief Steward Mo, you lead people outside to welcome His Majesty first." The chief steward respectfully responded and led a group of people out. Ye Li looked at everyone in the courtyard and smiled slightly as she said, "Everyone should also go out to greet the Emperor."

Outside the grand Prince Dingtian’s mansion, the corpses lying on the wide street had been quickly removed by someone, but the streets stained red with blood were not easy to clean up immediately. In the light of the lamps, the dark red stains appeared even more eerie and cold. The imperial sedan chair slowly approached under the escort of a large number of royal guardsmen; an attendant lifted the curtain as Emperor Jingqi emerged wearing his imperial crown and robe. As soon as he saw the blood all over the ground, his expression changed and he frowned at Chief Steward Mo who was respectfully waiting on the street, asking, "Where is Prince Dingtian's Duchess"

Chief Steward Mo said solemnly, "Due to being frightened, the Duchess’s appearance is disheveled; she is late in coming to greet His Majesty. We apologize for this."

Mojingqi was taken aback for a moment, and then he smiled again and said, "It's good that the Queen Consort of Ding Wang is safe. Since Ding Wang is not in the capital city right now, if anything were to happen to her, I wouldn't be able to explain it to him."

After watching Mojingqi get off the imperial sedan chair with the help of a eunuch, Chief Eunuch Mo stepped back and lowered his head respectfully. "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. Please come in."

Mojingqi wasn't the only one who came along; behind him were also high-ranking officials and powerful nobles from the capital city. Regardless of what they were thinking inside, on the surface, they all put on a worried and fearful expression with an air of relief mixed with joy. Chief Eunuch Mo observed them coldly without any warmth in his old eyes that had seen through many things. Mojingqi turned around to address the officials and said, "In this case, let's all go inside together to visit the Queen Consort of Ding Wang."

Zhang Qilan stepped forward and frowned as he spoke, "Your Majesty, since the王爺 is not in the capital city right now, it might be inappropriate for so many people to enter the residence of Ding Wang simultaneously."

Mojingqi's eyes flashed slightly. He stared at Zhang Qilan and asked, "General Zhang I remember that you are responsible for commanding tens of thousands of troops near the capital city. Why would you appear here"

Zhang Qilan did not evade the question but spoke solemnly, "Before his departure, the王爺 entrusted me with the safety of Ding Wang's residence. In recent days, the situation at the residence has been very restless, so I led troops back to the capital city for guard duty. This matter... I have already submitted a memorial to Your Majesty, but it hasn't received an imperial decree yet. However, the safety of Ding Wang's residence is crucial as a mountain, and thus I had no choice but to return to the capital first to ask for Your Majesty’s punishment."

Mojingqi felt as if an old stream of blood was flowing in his heart. Zhang Qilan's memorial must have been mixed together with those other petitions about Ding Wang's residence being attacked day after day, and he hadn't even bothered to read it before throwing it aside. But now, if he denied Zhang Qilan punishment publicly because of this, it would mean setting Ding Wang’s residence up for disaster in advance since Zhang Qilan had already informed him beforehand. Even though this was his true thought, he couldn't let others know.

With a forced smile, Mojingqi said, "General Zhang is being too modest. You are indeed a model of martial officers for our Great Chu kingdom with your loyalty to the nation. I will definitely reward you richly for today’s service in protecting Ding Wang's residence."

Zhang Qilan hadn't had time to thank him yet when a delicate female voice came from inside, "Your Majesty is wise; hence Ye Li will have Zhang General thank Your Majesty."

—— Extra note ——

I went around today for job interviews and only got home at 8 PM to write this, sobbing. I'm just reaching the recommendation list! Ahhh! heard about some tribal areas occupying parts of northeastern Great Chu. Especially for those soldiers under the Mo Family’s army; they viewed Mo Jingqi with even more disdain."Since he hasn’t improv...