Chapter 237: Chapter 22: Omen of Misfortune

Lady Dugu practiced martial arts from a young age, but after marrying into the Dugu family, she set aside her martial arts for many years.

With her status and power, just one command could have countless people willing to risk their lives for her, so why would she endure the hardships of practicing martial arts herself?

Chen Tang, with the momentum from killing Kong Cong, turned his blade, splattering her face with blood.

She almost thought Chen Tang was going to attack her, and for a moment, she was thrown into chaos, scared out of her wits.

Hailing Hall was engulfed in silence.

Everyone was left shaken by Chen Tang’s Lion’s Roar, and before they could regain their composure, they witnessed Kong Cong fall in a pool of blood, dead on the spot!

The Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince had his throat slit just like that.

Not even twenty moves, not even ten of Chen Tang’s strikes could he withstand!

This was one of the weaknesses of the Mystic Master.

Through martial arts cultivation, one trains the body, reaching the Fourth Grade, stimulating the Seven Apertures, including the Ear Aperture.

Once the Ear Aperture is open, not only does hearing improve significantly, but by guiding inner qi to fill the Ear Aperture, the impact of a Lion’s Roar can be blocked.

However, whether Qi Condensing Alchemists or Foundation Establishment Mystic Masters, their cultivation relies heavily on external items, and they are lacking in physical body refinement.

Once a martial artist gets close and directly attacks with sound strike martial arts, it becomes extremely difficult for them to withstand it.

Of course, in most cases, before a martial artist can even get close, they would be slain by the Mystic Master’s flying sword.

“I lost control for a moment and didn’t manage my strength well, startling His Holiness. I humbly accept any punishment from Your Majesty.”

Chen Tang cupped his hands in respect.

Sometimes, appearances need to be maintained.

Yuan Qingmo stood up and said, “Your Majesty, after all, this challenge was initiated by Lord Kong, and he did say beforehand that even if it ended in blood, he would have no complaints. This matter cannot be blamed on Lord Chen.”

Yuan Qingshan expressed regret, sighing, “Indeed, soldiers are inauspicious, their blades and swords unseeing. It’s a pity for Grand Protector Kong.”

Yuan Qingmu timely added, “That’s why the rules of the Qilin Ranking forbid using weapons, which shows His Majesty’s compassionate heart.”

With a few words from the three siblings, the matter was brushed off.

No one present could say anything.

Everyone saw for themselves that it was indeed Kong Cong who initiated it. They just didn’t expect him to die so cleanly.

Yuan Qingshan waved his hand and commanded, “Take Grand Protector Kong’s body and bury it honorably!”

“Please, Your Majesty, Empress, do justice for me!”

At this moment, Lady Dugu collected herself and, unable to hold back, stood up and pointed at Chen Tang, accusing loudly, “Chen Tang just splattered blood on my face, what is his intention!”

Yuan Qingshan sneered internally.

As if you wouldn’t know his intention?

He publicly mocked the Empress’s background. I just can’t come forward, and the Du clan’s nature is too soft to retort.

Thankfully, Chen Tang stood up for the Du clan!

In Yuan Qingshan’s eyes, Chen Tang’s act was even more satisfying than killing Kong Cong!

Of course, thinking so in his heart, he couldn’t say it out loud.

No need to make enemies with the Dugu Clan over such a trivial matter.

Yuan Qingshan furrowed his brows slightly, looked at Chen Tang, and pretended to be angry, questioning him, “Grand Protector Chen, what happened just now?”

Chen Tang placed his long saber horizontally in front of him, bowed slightly, and said, “The saber was damaged earlier, with blood sticking to it. I wanted to shake the blood off, but unexpectedly, it splattered towards Lady Dugu. I lost control for a moment…”

Everyone took a closer look.

This blade of Chen Tang’s, after clashing with Kong Cong’s flying sword, indeed had several notches on the blade, clearly damaged.

The Du clan’s lady smiled slightly and said, seemingly helplessly, “Grand Protector Chen, you are too careless.”

This sounds like blame, but the Du clan’s tone was gentle, more like scolding a junior for being mischievous.

Yuan Qingshan put on a stern face and lightly hummed, “Grand Protector Chen, be more careful next time!”

Yuan Qingshan and his wife staged a soft reprimand, letting the matter pass lightly.

Lady Dugu still found Chen Tang’s reason somewhat absurd.

But Chen Tang firmly insisted it was unintentional, and she wasn’t actually harmed, so there was no point in persisting.

The most important thing was the attitudes of His Majesty and the Empress, clearly showing no desire to pursue the matter further.

Lady Dugu harbored a flame of anger but, looking at His Majesty and then at Chen Tang, felt helpless and could only sit down indignantly.

Yuan Qingshan raised his voice, saying, “Grand Protector Chen, since the saber is already broken, hand it over to the attendant. Later, go to the Ministry of Imperial Guard and choose another.”

The Ministry of Imperial Guard, one of the Nine Temples, manages the Armory, Military Equipment Storehouse, Bow and Arrow Storehouse, Mechanical Equipment Storehouse, Armor Vault, and so on.

An attendant stepped forward.

Chen Tang looked down at the long saber in his hands.

This saber was indeed beyond repair.

The weapon of a martial artist, after continuous battles, naturally wears out, and it’s common for them to be scrapped.

However, knowing that this saber was originally left to him by his father and was reforged by Cai Yin to finally reach his hands,

It had accompanied him through countless battles, from Niu Er to Cui Zhao, and then the alchemist Song Wood, cutting down countless foes. It was hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia and a bit of heartache.

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Tang still handed the saber to the attendant.

Yuan Qingshan said, “Grand Protector Chen, after today, only you remain by Ping’Er’s side. You must teach him well.”

Yuan Qingshan had appointed Chen Tang as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, originally intending just to have him keep an eye on Ping’Er, preventing him from being swayed by those two from the Profound Celestial Sect.

He hadn’t expected things to progress so smoothly.

Chen Tang had decisively eliminated the threat at its source. Kong Cong and Zhou Shuang, one dead, one discarded, vanished from the Crown Prince’s side!

Hopefully, Ping’Er will reform under Chen Tang’s guidance and understand the way of a ruler.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty.”

Chen Tang looked at Yuan Taiping, smiled slightly, and said, “I will do my utmost to fulfill my duty!”

Yuan Taiping’s eyes darted evasively, not daring to meet Chen Tang’s gaze.

After the banquet, in the days that followed, Yuan Taiping indeed became much more obedient in front of Chen Tang, showing respect and avoiding any overstepping actions.

However, Chen Tang couldn’t shake the feeling that this teenage boy was not simple.

Yuan Taiping occasionally made startling remarks, and the thoughts he inadvertently revealed were not at all like those of a ten-year-old child.

One of Yuan Qingshan’s new policies was light taxes and duties.

Yuan Taiping, though, did not agree with it.

In his view, once the common people were wealthy, they would have all sorts of unreasonable desires, making them difficult to control, and the country unstable.

Only by keeping the people exhausted and barely fed, they won’t entertain other thoughts.

Regarding this, Chen Tang had no solutions.

After all, they were not his own children.

He couldn’t just crack open Yuan Taiping’s head to see what was inside.

After the Hailing Hall incident, the Profound Celestial Sect was surprisingly calm, with no movements.

No trouble found its way to Chen Tang either.

Chen Tang was quite content.

The new policies were still being steadily implemented, despite considerable obstacles. With Murong Daoye holding the fort and the Qilin Bureau wielding their sharp blade to intimidate the officials, there were already some initial results.

On this day, it was the festival for offering sacrifices to the heavens.

The location was at the Profound Celestial Temple.

This was a tradition passed down through generations, wherein the Emperor and the Empress led the officials in worship, praying for blessings for the world, and seeking favorable weather and the well-being of all people.

At that time, there would be a series of rituals and various procedures.

Chen Tang, unwilling to deal with these, chose not to attend and stayed at Prince Wei’s Mansion for some peace.

At this moment, it was precisely noon, the skies were clear, and the scorching sun was high in the sky.

Chen Tang was practicing the Burning Wood Saber in the courtyard when suddenly, he felt the light above him dim!

He instinctively looked up.

He saw a dark shadow slowly appear, obscuring a corner of the sun!

“Hmm?”

Chen Tang’s heart stirred.

Is this a solar eclipse?

Unexpectedly, having come to this otherworld, he was able to witness such a rare and extraordinary phenomenon.

He wondered if it was a partial or total solar eclipse.

Chen Tang couldn’t help but recall his childhood in his previous life when he had the fortune to witness a total solar eclipse, feeling both curious and excited at the time.

At this moment, Chen Tang slightly squinted his eyes, looking up at the sun being gradually covered in the sky.

The surrounding light was also gradually dimming.

Judging by this phenomenon, it seemed to be a total solar eclipse.

All the more rare.

Interesting.

“Something’s wrong!”

At this moment, an exclamation came from outside the courtyard.

“What a fuss.”

Chen Tang chuckled lightly and leisurely walked out of the courtyard.

Looking around, he saw that everyone at Prince Wei’s Mansion, whether servants or guards, regardless of status, were staring at the sky in terror.

The sky was getting darker and darker.

Everyone in Prince Wei’s Mansion knelt on the ground, continuously bowing.

Even some of the Fourth and Fifth Grade Inner Qi masters of the Qilin Bureau were kneeling on the ground, their faces pale, eyes full of fear.

Chen Tang’s smile vanished.

He suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility!

At this moment, the sun was completely covered, the sky was dark and dim, as if night had fallen.

Chen Tang’s heart sank into the abyss.

Today is the festival for offering sacrifices to the heavens!

Yuan Qingshan is in trouble!

Chen Tang wasn’t worried about Yuan Qingshan’s life being in danger.

After all, Murong Daoye was also there at the festival.

With all eyes watching, no one could harm Yuan Qingshan.

But this celestial event was unimaginably impactful for ancient people!

A solar eclipse was considered an ominous sign!

There’s no need for the Profound Celestial Sect to instigate; this belief was already deeply rooted in everyone’s minds.

Prince Wei’s Mansion’s reactions alone were revealing enough.

Chen Tang didn’t know if today’s solar eclipse was orchestrated by the Profound Celestial Sect or just a coincidence.

Either way, the solar eclipse had occurred.

And it happened during the festival for offering sacrifices to the heavens!

Not waiting for the sun to reappear, Chen Tang, relying on his strong night vision, ran towards the direction of the Profound Celestial Temple.

Meanwhile.

By the mountainside gorge.

The Evil Emperor looked up at the sky, his gaze profound.

“Auntie, what is happening?”

Lu Qing asked with some fright.

The Evil Emperor said indifferently, “I’m afraid the world is about to fall into chaos.”

“Ah?”

Lu Qing was startled.

The Evil Emperor continued, “The last solar eclipse was a hundred years ago, after which the Divine Land sank into decades of warfare until the Great Xia Dynasty disintegrated and was forced to migrate south.”

At Xiping Temple.

Master Le Kong looked up at the sun obscured by the sky, his expression troubled, letting out a deep sigh.

Unexpectedly, in his lifetime, he would experience a solar eclipse twice.

Master Le Kong recalled scenes from his childhood, as if countless swords and flames crossed his cloudy eyes, gradually returning to calm.

At the same time, in Qian Country, across the various states of Nanxia, and even in Barbarian Land, Cold Domain, Xiling, and the top experts of India, all were waking up and making movements!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep