Chapter 180: Chapter 180 Preaching

The Sword Emperor, a figure akin to a prince, resided on a luxurious ship that traversed the great rivers and seas. Onboard, his entire retinue consisted of women known as Sword Attendants.

Although Sword Attendants were merely handmaidens, they belonged to the Sword Emperor. Therefore, ordinary people, even city mayors, were exceedingly hospitable toward them, hoping the attendants would put in a good word for them.

“Oh,” Wu Tian responded with bland indifference.

“So they’re just handmaidens,” the little girl added.

The Sword Attendant was stunned; she had never been treated this way before. In the past, the moment she identified herself as a Sword Attendant, everyone, without exception, would grow wide-eyed with shock before speaking to her with the utmost cordiality. It made her feel immensely important.

Yet the man and the girl before her remained completely unmoved. The Sword Attendant’s brow furrowed. “Surely you know of the Sword Emperor? I am speaking of Tie Zhongtang, the First Sword of Dragon Country, leader of the Seven Saints, who presides over Longjing!”

“So what?”

The Sword Attendant had expected to see shock on Wu Tian’s face, but all she found was cold indifference. It was like the frigid winds of the Arctic blowing in, a chill that froze people to the core. This wave of cold caused the temperature in all of Longjing to drop, and people on the streets began to shiver uncontrollably, completely unaware of what was happening.

The little girl giggled. “That Tie Zhongtang guy definitely isn’t as amazing as my Daddy!”

The Sword Attendant, however, was dumbstruck, utterly taken aback. How can such a person exist in this world? The weather changes with a single cold look from him?

“She’s in shock! Somebody call 911!” the little girl suddenly shouted.

“Stop messing around,” Wu Tian told her gently.

The little girl giggled. She wished she could be like Wu Tian. For example, when she got angry, fire would rain from the sky instead of water. That would be so great! Then, she could get whatever she wanted. If people didn’t give it to her, she would just get angry and make it rain fire! All the world’s delicacies would be hers. She loved food more than anything, but Qin Yuhan always told her not to eat too much, saying children would get fat, get cavities, and… In short, the little girl felt she was growing fonder and fonder of her father, Wu Tian. He always brought such interesting things into her life.

…

At Wu Tian’s smile, the air suddenly returned to normal, and even the sunlight seemed to grow a little brighter.

Is… Is he even human? The Sword Attendant didn’t know what to say, her eyes filled with sheer terror.

“State your purpose. Why has an attendant of the Sword Emperor come looking for me?” Wu Tian asked coolly.

Instantly, the Sword Attendant felt a pressure as heavy as Mount Tai, making it difficult for her to breathe. She was like a tiny boat in a stormy sea, at risk of being capsized at any moment. Not even the Sword Emperor, when angered, exuded such pressure.

The Sword Attendant’s legs trembled uncontrollably. Forcing a faint smile, she said, “The Sword Emperor will be giving a lecture at the Heavenly Altar today. He knows you have arrived and requires your presence to listen.”

“He’s giving a lecture? And he wants me to listen?” Wu Tian chuckled. Who did the Sword Emperor think he was? Hongjun? If Hongjun himself were giving a lecture, Wu Tian would naturally attend. But a lecture from the Sword Emperor? Wu Tian was utterly scornful.

“Yes. The Sword Emperor lectures on the Sword Dao once every three years, and this is the year,” the Sword Attendant said earnestly. “Sword aficionados from all over Dragon Country are converging on Longjing to hear him speak. All of Dragon Country’s young prodigies will be in attendance. The Sword Emperor hopes you will come.”

“He knew as soon as I arrived in Longjing?” Wu Tian watched her with a smile that wasn’t a smile.

What exactly does the Sword Emperor do? If he were just an ordinary swordsman, where would he get the money for such a luxurious ship? He must have some illegitimate sources of income.

The Sword Attendant gave an awkward smile. The truth was, the Sword Emperor was also pursuing power; a third of Longjing’s officials were already secretly taking his orders. What were the Sword Emperor’s ambitions? She didn’t dare to guess. Wu Tian’s arrival had been flagged when he used his card to pay for a meal, and the information was immediately reported. That was why she had been sent to invite him. The Sword Emperor hoped that after hearing his discourse on the Sword Dao, Wu Tian might be moved to ask to become his disciple.

With Huang Xuantian dead, the vacant final spot among the Seven Saints of Dragon Country would naturally be given to Wu Tian. The master, leader of the Seven Saints, and the disciple, the newest member—if word got out, it would surely become a celebrated tale.

“I refuse,” Wu Tian stated plainly.

“This…” The Sword Attendant was taken aback, but not entirely surprised. Given Wu Tian’s abilities, he certainly had the right to do so.

Wu Tian smiled, then left with the little girl to go eat roast duck. The Sword Attendant sighed and departed in her BMW.

…

The luxurious ship was a massive steamer, decorated with the utmost opulence. It was now moored at the harbor, and many people were boarding, each carrying a sword. They had all come to listen to the lecture.

“An event held only once every three years. This is truly a rare opportunity.”

“Indeed. Three years ago, my swordsmanship improved significantly after hearing the Sword Emperor’s lecture.”

“Mine too. The Sword Emperor is truly extraordinary.”

“Of course! How else could he be the leader of the Seven Saints of Dragon Country?”

Everyone sang the Sword Emperor’s praises, hosted by a group of his Sword Attendants. The Sword Emperor’s attendants were identified by number. For example, the one sent to fetch Wu Tian was 003.

Having returned, 003 went immediately to see the Sword Emperor.

In the highest room of the ship, the Sword Emperor sat cross-legged with his sword resting across his knees, meditating on its nature. Other attendants stood by, waiting on him. “Have you brought him?” he asked, his voice calm.

“He refused,” 003 replied.

“What?” the other Sword Attendants exclaimed in shock.

“Does he not know how rare this is? The Sword Emperor only lectures once every three years!”

“Does he not realize the Sword Emperor doesn’t invite just anyone?”

“He’s too arrogant! Does he think he’s invincible just because he defeated a Qi Spirit?”

“A newborn calf truly doesn’t fear the tiger.”

The Sword Attendants all shook their heads.

The Sword Emperor’s eyes remained closed. He couldn’t be bothered to open them for a trivial matter like Wu Tian.

“Then let him be,” the Sword Emperor said slowly. “The final position among the Seven Saints of Dragon Country will go to Murong Ziqi. He has always wished to become my disciple but never had the chance. Today, I shall accept him and make him one of the Seven Saints.”

“What immense fortune for Murong Ziqi!”

The attendants were stunned for a moment, then began to smile. “The Murong Family is no small power.”

“Indeed. That Wu Tian doesn’t know how to appreciate a gift. This fortune was destined for Murong Ziqi.”

The Sword Emperor said nothing more. In his eyes, Wu Tian and Murong Ziqi were nobodies. He knew his true opponent would soon arrive in Dragon Country: the Fusang Sword Saint, Sakamoto Shinryūma.

As for everyone else? The Sword Emperor couldn’t be bothered with them. He had been practicing the sword since the age of seven and had never known defeat. He was lonely. He eagerly awaited the arrival of the Fusang Sword Saint, hoping the man truly had skill and could offer him a challenge, lest he be bored.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep