Chapter 465: Chapter 465: Zhan Family Siblings’ Outstanding Strength!
Mu Yan walked to the back of the two, startling Chu Yin.
Zhan Lan’s expression was very calm. She looked at Mu Yan, smiled, and openly said, “Prince, you’re about to become my uncle-in-law.”
Mu Yan looked at Chu Yin, “Congratulations.”
Chu Yin responded with a smile, “Thank you, Prince.”
Mu Yan lowered his eyes, it seemed that his Lan’er really wanted a child. It seemed he had never asked if Lan’er wanted a child now.
When Mu Yan sat back at the main seat to watch the competition, Chu Yin leaned over and asked, “Why don’t you tell him?”
Zhan Lan shook her head, “I don’t want him to be disappointed together with me.”
The hardships Mu Yan had faced since childhood were enough; she just wanted him to feel happiness.
Chu Yin looked at Zhan Lan, feeling that her good friend was truly pitiable. Why did fate have to treat her so harshly?
She had finally reunited with her parents and found someone she loved dearly, but still couldn’t have everything go her way.
“It’s starting, quickly watch your husband’s competition!” Zhan Lan chuckled as she turned Chu Yin’s face towards the arena.
The four countries each sent their top swordsmanship experts for the competition. Zhan Hui defeated the swordsman from the Western Rong in less than three moves, and then defeated the swordsman from Beiyue in just over ten moves.
The crowd below roared with excitement, “Young General Zhan is indeed from the Shadow Sect, his swordsmanship is outstanding!”
“Yes, the Zhan Family siblings are remarkably talented!”
Si Yun sat at the main seat with a deepening smile, indeed he wasn’t wrong, each member of the Zhan Family could bring glory to Nanjin.
Si Yao frowned as she looked at the defeated swordsman from the Western Rong. She always knew that the Western Rong’s swordsmanship wasn’t good, but she didn’t expect it to be this bad, defeated in just three moves by Zhan Hui.
It was all because she had been humiliated by Zhan Peng back then, seen by Zhan Hui; had she married Zhan Hui earlier, she wouldn’t be in today’s predicament.
She looked at the gallant Zhan Hui on the stage and felt deep regret.
She quietly stepped down from the stage and confronted Ye Xiuhan, “General Ye, why didn’t you compete yourself!”
Ye Xiuhan glanced lightly at her, “Empress, my duty in Nanjin is to ensure your safety, not to compete with the other three countries.”
He continued to watch the arena and said, “If anything happened to you, how would I explain to the emperor? Besides, Beiyue and Nanjin have already made peace, why should we fight to the death? The emperor also doesn’t wish to see further rifts between the two countries, does he?”
“You!” Si Yao was so angered by Ye Xiuhan’s words that she felt a pain in her liver. She said coldly, “Then what about the next round, are you still not going to compete?”
Ye Xiuhan smiled faintly, “That depends on my mood.”
Si Yao stormed off angrily, Ye Xiuhan didn’t seem to care about her at all.
She desperately wanted Beiyue and Nanjin to have a falling out, even to the point of war, so she could stay in Nanjin.
But Ye Xiuhan’s unyielding attitude was truly exasperating.
Finally, Eastern Wei sent the swordsman Gu Jiang to challenge Zhan Hui.
Gu Jiang was a renowned swordsman of Eastern Wei. He held a long sword, its edge gleaming with a cold light that sent chills to those who watched.
Zhan Hui held a crimson-gold long sword, with a lifelike flying eagle carved on the scabbard.
The Sword Qi seemed alive, stirring his clothes gracefully, and a chilling glint shot from the sword tip.
Gu Jiang only felt an extremely sharp gust of wind rushing towards him. His long sword met Zhan Hui’s sword, making it extremely difficult to advance an inch, let alone change his move to retreat and block.
Gu Jiang dodged, bending his waist to avoid Zhan Hui’s attack.
Zhan Hui and Gu Jiang fought for nearly fifty rounds, and as Zhan Hui swung his sword, he exposed a flaw on his right side.
Gu Jiang seized the opportunity to attack, and in the next moment, with a swish, Zhan Hui’s sword tip was pointing directly at Gu Jiang’s throat.
“Young General, your swordsmanship is excellent!” Gu Jiang showed an appreciative look in his eyes.
Zhan Hui glanced down at Gu Jiang’s long sword touching his waist and revealed an expression of mutual admiration, boldly stating, “Likewise!”
The two lowered their swords simultaneously, clasped their fists, and saluted each other.
The audience erupted in cheers.
“Young General Zhan, mighty!”
“General Zhan, mighty!”
“It’s a draw!” Emperor Qingwu said with a beaming smile.
For Nanjin, being able to draw with the great nation of Eastern Wei was the best outcome. It both intimidated the opponent without overly stealing the spotlight.
Zhan Xinzhang and Zhan Beicang smiled gratified smiles. Zhan Hui had improved his swordsmanship greatly over the past two years in the Shadow Sect.
Chu Yin finally unclenched her tightly held fists. Zhan Lan wiped the sweat off Chu Yin’s palm with a handkerchief, “Your husband’s swordsmanship isn’t bad!”
Chu Yin looked at the star of the moment, Zhan Hui, and smiled shyly, feeling more determined to be a dedicated healer who could be worthy of Zhan Hui.
Zhan Lan held Chu Yin’s soft hand, saying sincerely, “Swordsmen protect the country, healers save lives, my sister-in-law is even more amazing!”
Chu Yin felt her eyes sting, and playfully chided, “You, how do you know what I’m thinking!”
Even if she said nothing, Zhan Lan always understood her best.
“Alright, don’t get too excited, take care of your pregnancy!” Zhan Lan said softly.
Chu Yin wiped her tears, seeing Zhan Hui walking quickly towards her with a smile.
“Yin’er, sorry for making you worried!” Zhan Hui stopped, half-kneeling beside Chu Yin, he spoke.
Zhan Lan watched the two, teasingly said, “Brother, I’m leaving Chu Yin to you, go prepare for the competition!”
Zhan Hui gave Zhan Lan a look, “Alright, be careful.”
“Mm.” Zhan Lan nodded slightly.
Mu Yan helped Zhan Lan put on silver armor, pressing his hands on her shoulders, repeatedly advising, “Winning or losing doesn’t matter, the most important thing is not to get hurt.”
“Okay.” Zhan Lan beamed a bright smile and looked back to see the Vermilion Bird leading the chestnut-colored Ferghana horse over.
“A regular horse will do.” Zhan Lan, even on the battlefield, didn’t bear to use the horse Mu Yan had given her.
To her, this horse had a different significance.
Mu Yan gently tapped her forehead with his fingers, “Be good.”
Zhan Lan took the reins from Vermilion Bird and went onto the stage.
Mu Yan said to Vermilion Bird, “Stand guard on the opposite side of the Martial Arts Arena, do not let your guard down.”
This round of competition was essentially the same as being on the battlefield, and Mu Yan was somewhat worried that Zhan Lan might get hurt.
“Yes, Master!” Vermilion Bird nodded.
Zhan Lan’s long black hair was tied up in a high ponytail. Wearing silver armor and holding the silver spear, Wuming, she rode the chestnut-colored Ferghana horse onto the Martial Arts Arena.
As soon as she entered the arena, she heard the crowd’s cheers, “Brave General!”
“Prince Zhenbei, victoriously!”
Zhan Lan looked around at the swirling dust and saw Baili Jiang, the main general of the Western Rong, riding a black stallion.
Zhan Lan recalled what Ye Xiuhan had reminded her that night, to be cautious of Baili Jiang.