After becoming the villain

Chapter 156 "Da Qian Martial Arts Competition" and "Princess Returning to the South"

"Your Majesty, this martial arts..." Xia Hai seemed to hesitate when he heard this.

The martial arts examination is completely different from the imperial examination of Daqian.

The imperial examination was something that the emperors of the Daqian dynasty tried their best to promote, but it could not be absolutely fair. Favoritism and fraud were endless, and the children of aristocratic families accounted for most of the Jinshi rankings.

And martial arts has long been reduced to a tool used by the emperor to appease aristocratic families.

Since ancient times, "the poor in literature and rich in martial arts", not everyone can practice martial arts.

The word "martial arts" sounds extremely simple, but just an iron sword made of ordinary materials is enough to feed an ordinary family for several days.

Not to mention the expensive and rare skills, the medicines needed to assist, and the guidance knowledge required for various martial arts.

The one with the most in the world is Qianshou (1).

Qianshou is already struggling enough just to survive, and he has no extra financial resources and energy to practice expensive martial arts.

Daqian's martial arts competition takes place once every four years.

Although nominally any martial artist over 15 years old and under 30 years old can participate, in fact, martial arts has long been regarded as a "game" between young heroes from the Jinling family. ,

Even privately, countless people refer to Da Gan's martial arts competition as a "competition of martial arts" between aristocratic families.

Ordinary warriors are not qualified to participate at all.

Not to mention those who come from poor families (2) are not eligible, even ordinary wealthy people are not eligible to participate.

Xia Hai, a deputy commander-in-chief of the Jinyi Division who climbed up from the bottom of the patrol, even though he holds a high position, he is still a member of a poor family who is not looked down upon by the Jinling family.

His apprentice, in the eyes of the Jinling family, was naturally not qualified to participate in martial arts.

……

Seeing Xia Hai being embarrassed for a moment, Zhao Purui felt very relaxed. He was very at ease and said directly——

"Don't worry, Xia Hai. It's just a martial arts competition. Is it possible..."

Zhao Purui originally spoke kindly and gently, but in the second half of the sentence, the words suddenly became gloomy and serious, even with a hint of murder, "...will you still kill me?!"

The pressure from the emperor made Xia Hai breathless for a moment.

Xia Hai is also a martial artist in the middle stage of the sixth rank, and he can be regarded as an absolute master.

But facing Zhao Purui at this moment, he was terrified, and couldn't help kneeling even more respectfully...

Xia Hai seemed to understand Zhao Purui's meaning - the emperor needed a lonely minister. Since he had always claimed to be loyal to his majesty, he had to completely separate himself from the aristocratic family in Jinling.

Breaking the hidden rules of martial arts is the first step.

Moreover, the emperor should no longer be able to tolerate aristocratic families using martial arts as a tool to obtain fame and titles for their family's descendants.

only……

Xia Hai himself didn't care about this, but he really didn't want his two juniors to get involved.

After many thoughts, Xia Hai could only bow respectfully.

The old emperor Zhao Purui was very satisfied, and his words became kind and gentle again, "What are the names of your two disciples?"

"They are Wei Chen's adopted son, Ren Yi, and his daughter, Xia Jingjing."

"How's the strength?"

"The strength of the adopted son Ren Yi is in the middle stage of the fifth-level warrior. The daughter Xia Jingjing is slightly weaker, but she is also in the late stage of the fourth-level warrior."

"Yes." Zhao Purui seemed very satisfied, "...With this strength, he should be able to win the first place and second place in this year's martial arts examination, right?"

"...you have to find a way to find another Tanhua."

"...Otherwise, the three-legged cat kung fu of those young masters from aristocratic families really can't stop my nephew Wulu."

Xia Hai listened quietly.

The emperor's words sounded like he was talking to himself...

Xia Hai suddenly didn't quite understand the meaning of the emperor's words.

"Don't your Majesty want to completely separate yourself from the aristocratic families and become a lonely minister and a loyal minister, and then take the opportunity to gradually take back the martial arts from the aristocratic families?"

Xia Hai secretly thought, "...What does this have to do with Prince Zhenbei?"

The old emperor Zhao Purui didn't seem to say anything more to Xia Hai. He gave some minor instructions, saying that the Jinyi Division would be entrusted to Xia Hai in the future, and then asked Xia Hai to bow and retire.

until later.

Xia Hai left the palace and said this to Xia Jingjing and Ren Yi at night.

Suddenly, from the mouths of Xia Jingjing and Xia Jingjing, I heard about a major event that had already caused trouble in Jinling City today, about a bet between Princess Taiping and the Prince of Zhenbei——

At noon today, Taiping Princess Zhao Lingrui, dressed in a bright red riding uniform, stood in front of the Yan Mansion gate, in front of the Yan family and the people of Jinling, and bet against the prince of Zhenbei.

"If you, Yan Wulu, are able to enter the top three in martial arts, I, Zhao Lingrui, will bow my head, get engaged today, and go to Beidi with you. But if you can't enter, then you have to respect me and follow me." I live in the palace."

Natsumi suddenly realized.

He was a little lost——

It turns out that Your Majesty just wants my adopted son and daughter to help his daughter win this bet...

……

Night fell.

The martial arts masters at the Royal Palace School's martial arts field are currently packing up the training weapons, training wooden figures, sword stakes, archery targets and other equipment in the school's martial arts field.

A young martial artist raised the arrow target that was as tall as himself.

However, he discovered that the center of the arrow target had been shot into the air.

"One arrow piercing through?"

The young martial artist is considered to be proficient in martial arts, and he can see the traces of this kind of arrow target at a glance.

He was very curious. The thickness of this archery target was no thinner than his own.

Anyone who can pierce this target with an arrow must also be able to pierce his chest with an arrow.

To this level, at least an ordinary advanced warrior must have all his luck and draw the bow to a full circle with one arrow to be able to accomplish it.

But today...

It seems that His Majesty is the only one who has come to this school to practice archery, right?

……

……

The next day.

In Yan Mansion.

After Yan Nangui was in a coma for a whole day and night, he woke up and found that he was already lying safely on a comfortable bed.

The surroundings are quiet and warm, gorgeous but not obtrusive.

There is a sense of ancient literary style among the various decorations, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.

"I... haven't died yet?"

Yan Nangui wondered to himself.

He struggled to get up.

He tried to put on the clothes on the side and walked out of the room.

But after just taking a few steps, I felt weak.

Yan Nangui looked back at the Dantian in his body and found that the inner elixir he had practiced for more than [-] years had now degenerated into a hollow whirlpool of internal energy...

The original strength of a mid-level fifth-level warrior, come to think of it, is only the strength of a first- and second-level warrior at this moment.

Yan Nangui smiled helplessly...

However, he was able to save his life. It seemed that it was the Prince of Zhenbei who did it.

"you're awake."

A male voice, like the gentle playing of a guzheng, came from outside the door.

Yan Nangui raised his head when he heard the sound.

It was Yan Wulu, the prince of Zhenbei.

Yan Wulu walked into the house in a few steps and sat on the main seat on one side.

The servant behind him helped Yan Nangui to sit up on the bed.

"...You have now cleared the poison of hidden weapons in your body and the short-lived curse of the demons when you were young. The internal organs that were impacted by Zhao Lingcheng's fighting spirit have also been completely healed."

"...You are out of danger, but you still need to rest."

"...So, during this period, stay here in Yan Mansion and don't move around."

Yan Wulu said lightly.

He seemed to have suddenly thought of something, and couldn't help but add with some evil humor: "...I will take the time to go out and buy you some oranges."

While talking, Yan Wulu felt that he had taken advantage of the other party and was very satisfied.

He picked up the celadon tea cup on the long table, placed it in front of him, lifted the lid and sniffed, feeling the fragrance of the tea.

Although, Yan Wulu didn't think the other party would know the true meaning of what he just said...

Yan Nangui's originally haggard face showed a hint of excitement after hearing the words "Demon Clan's Short-lived Curse".

"Has the demon curse also been removed?"

Yan Nangui said, while extending his right hand.

On it, the pattern representing the lifeline has been greatly extended at this moment...

Yan Nangui once fought with a descendant of the demon clan when he was young. He was cursed with a short-lived life and was destined not to live past the age of 25.

The extremely short lifeline on the palm of his hand reminded him of this curse all the time.

And Yan Nangui will turn 25 this year...

There was not much time, so he had to rashly assassinate Jin Wang Zhao Lingcheng at such an extremely unfavorable and incomplete time.

Because he has no time to wait any longer...

He must avenge the Dongyue Kingdom and Princess Nangui.

"Gui Nan, thank you so much, Your Majesty, for saving me."

"It's a small matter. Taking away your more than twenty years of skill and giving you your life is considered an equal deal."

Yan Nangui could not hide his joy at this moment...

For him, once his skill is gone, he can still practice again.

But if your life is gone, you really have nothing. ,

As long as you are alive, whether it is revenge or something else, there are still infinite possibilities and opportunities.

From the bottom of his heart, he was full of gratitude for the Prince of Zhenbei...

It gave him, who was destined to die as a shadow, the possibility of looking into the future.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Highness, but I don't dare bother Your Highness with such a small matter as buying oranges."

"Forehead……"

Yan Wulu was a little speechless. He just felt that the atmosphere at that time had reached this point, so he was just playing a joke and taking advantage.

This guy really doesn't understand anything.

But it's normal, he doesn't know Mr. Zhu's prose.

Yan Wulu put the tea in the cup to his mouth and took a sip.

Yan Nangui was still overjoyed.

Yan Wulu's eyes were actually always focused on Yan Nangui, and he could naturally tell the other person's mood at the moment at a glance.

...Very good, it seems that there will be no adverse action against me.

Yan Wulu was initially confident. He waved slightly, and the servants of the Yan Mansion who followed him immediately retreated.

"Then now..."

Yan Wulu put down the celadon tea cup, looked at Yan Nangui and continued: "... Mr. Yan, can you tell me about your origin and background."

"...I can also make the next decision about you."

"Of course it can."

Yan Nangui agreed.

He paused. Although his status was extremely special, if he thought about it, if the other party intended to hurt him at this moment, he would have no resistance at all.

"...Actually, I have told you, His Highness, about my identity before."

"...I am the head of the royal bodyguard of Dongyue Kingdom, and also... the shadow of Princess Nangui."

……

Yannan returns.

This is actually not the name of the person in front of me.

The surname Yan was the most common surname in the former East Vietnam.

Moreover, the seventh princess in the former East Vietnam royal family was titled "Nangui".Known as "Princess Nangui".

The person in front of me is the shadow of Princess Nangui.

His role is to protect the safety of the princess and practice the "Nine Phoenix Spiritual Sutra". When the princess reaches adulthood, he will use the last "wedding dress" in the "Nine Phoenix Spiritual Sutra" to transfer his skills to the princess.

"Nine Phoenix Spiritual Sutra" is one of the "Three Treasures of the Kingdom" of Dongyue Kingdom.

Almost every important royal member of Dongyue Kingdom has a shadow.

They all practice the "Nine Phoenix Spiritual Sutra" and transfer their skills to the royal family when the royal family members reach adulthood.

The conditions for practicing the "Nine Phoenix Spiritual Scripture" are harsh, and there are very few candidates suitable for practicing this technique.And you must practice it since childhood before you can achieve anything.

Otherwise, if you practice in the middle, it will be difficult to improve your skills.Maybe even the losses in the process of transferring power are not enough.

Moreover, a person can only practice the "Nine Phoenix Spiritual Sutra" once. After passing on the skills, practicing again is the same as practicing in the middle.

Therefore, even if we search the entire Dongyue Kingdom, we can only gather a few Miaomiao people.

They will all be regarded as the shadows of the most important people in the East Vietnamese royal family.

And the person in front of him was chosen to be the shadow of Princess Nangui.

Princess Nangui is the seventh child of the former King of Dongyue Kingdom. She is kind-hearted and beautiful.

It is said that every subject of the Dongyue Kingdom, regardless of gender or age, who has seen Princess Nangui, will feel as if they have seen a fairy descending to earth and feel as if they are bathed in spring breeze.

There is also a legend that back then, when the Dongyue Kingdom was threatened by an enemy country, Princess Nangui retreated in a dance.

Princess Nangui was therefore praised as "the first of the three treasures of the country" in Dongyue Kingdom. ,

Princess Nangui is kind-hearted. She is the only one who treats the people in front of her as friends, unlike other royal families who regard shadows as their own "inner power elixir".

Back then, when Princess Nangui and Ji came of age, the person in front of her wanted to teach her the kung fu, but Princess Nangui refused.

Princess Nangui knew how painful it was for a warrior to transfer the inner strength he had cultivated for half his life to others. She didn't want to see the person in front of her in such pain, and she didn't want to do it.

Shadow was stunned for a moment, his words choked, and he couldn't say a word for a long time.

In the end, it was Princess Nangui who gently touched his shoulder and restored his freedom. He could serve as his bodyguard and friend as a free man, not as a shadow.

At that time, Princess Nangui was still thinking with him about what kind of name to choose...

At that time, only the surname "Yan" was confirmed.

But, that's it.

A huge rebellion suddenly broke out within East Vietnam.

The royal army failed to suppress it effectively, so the King of Dongyue once mobilized all the fighting forces in the palace to go out, including the shadow.

But still could not put down the rebels.

Behind the rebels, there seems to be support from a behemoth force.

……

(1), Qianshou.Refers to common people and civilians.

(2), poor family.In ancient times, the Han family, during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, refers to a family with lower status and influence.Later, it was generally used to refer to poor families, and this work will always take the latter meaning.

(End of this chapter)