The Human Emperor c1-2382
Page 79
“How dare a small commander like you talk back to me!”
Huang Xiaotian’s eyes were cold as though the winter frost. If looks could kill, Li Lin would have died countless times then. Huang Xiaotian never held back against those who dared to offend him in his face.
However, Huang Xiaotian didn’t make a move in the end.
“Hmph! You’re just a trash who climbed to this seat because of a woman! I’ll let you off on Duke Jiu’s account!”
Pah! As though a flash of lightning, Huang Xiaotian’s hands swiftly darted toward the Death’s Abyss in Li Lin’s hands and grabbed it.
Boom! Before Li Lin could react, he was already jolted backward by a massive force. He staggered many steps backward before he managed to steady himself. Li Lin’s face turned completely red.
Even within the Imperial Army, Li Lin could be considered as an expert. However, he was still far from matching up to those of Huang Xiaotian’s caliber.
Even though Huang Xiaotian lost to Zhao Fengchen eventually, he still became the number one expert beneath that of the three Great Marshals in the Imperial Army.
How could Li Lin possibly be a match for him!
“Brothers, I am not here to settle my private grudge. The reason why I am here is because I can’t tolerate these fellows deceiving the money of our brothers!”
With just a few simple movements, Huang Xiaotian stole the Death’s Abyss from Li Lin’s hand easily. Grabbing the hilt with his right hand, he slowly turned it around the hall.
A cold gleam shot across the air, causing the crowd to feel dizzy-headed. However, Huang Xiaotian glanced at the Death’s Abyss disdainfully, as though this wasn’t a precious sword but a worthless lump of metal.
“Huang Xiaotian, what do you intend to do?”
Zhao Fengchen uttered coldly.
“Hmph, haven’t I spoken of my intentions already? I can’t stand you all deceiving our brothers, so I came to expose you all!”
Huang Xiaotian turned around to look at Zhao Fengchen and sneered coldly. A grand disposition shrouded around him, capturing everyone’s attention.
“‘The tougher the weapon, the easier it breaks’, Zhao Fengchen and Li Lin, surely you two should know this logic! Any weapon that’s longer than three chi will break easily, and the even more so the longer it is. That’s the reason why very few swordsmiths craft swords longer than three chi. Even four chi is a rarity in the market! Yet, what’s with this seven chi weapon? Do you take everyone for fools?”
(3 chi -> 1m| 4 chi -> 1.33m| 7 chi -> 2.33m)
Huang Xiaotian bellowed loudly, and a huge commotion broke out in the hall.
Everyone here had come for the name of the Wootz steel. Given that Zhao Fengchen was here, and it hadn’t been long since the weapon was unveiled, none of them had truly considered this problem.
As soon as Huang Xiaotian brought up this problem, everyone came to a realization. Indeed! The tougher the weapon was, the easier it broke. Even though the crowd here didn’t know much about swordsmithing, this was common sense.
This was also the reason why no one forged weapons longer than four chi in the Central Plains, with the exception of spears, halberds, and those of that kind. However, this kind of weapons were mainly designed for the battlefield, and they weren’t really valuable. There were many of such weapons in the Great Tang’s military armory. If one broke, they could just grab another one.
However, swords and sabers were different. No one wanted to buy sword or saber that could break easily.
“Lord Huang’s words make sense.”
“Indeed, this saber is a little too long!”
…
The Imperial Army commanders nodded in agreement. Initially, they were displeased by Huang Xiaotian’s abrupt appearance, thinking that he was here to get back at Zhao Fengchen.
But at this moment, they suddenly felt that his words were logical.
“Hmph! Hmph!”
Raising Death’s Abyss high in the air so that everyone could get a good look, Huang Xiaotian observed the expression of the crowd and sneered coldly within.
On the other hand, Zhao Fengchen and Li Lin’s faces darkened.
As Wang Chong’s Wootz steel sword played a pivotal role in Zhao Fengchen defeating Huang Xiaotian and becoming the new marshal, he subconsciously trusted Li Lin and Wang Chong.
On the other hand, Li Lin fully trusted Wang Chong because the latter was his nephew
Thus, the both of them unknowingly neglected the fundamental flaw of a long saber. Upon hearing Huang Xiaotian’s words, they suddenly realized the problem with it as well.
A tough sword being brittle was common sense, Huang Xiaotian wasn’t being completely unreasonable.
“Li Lin…”
Zhao Fengchen’s first thought was to question Li Lin of it, but as soon as this thought appeared in his head, he immediately held himself back. It was too late to ask about it, especially before such a huge crowd.
Besides, if something was wrong with the sword, before such a huge crowd and under Huang Xiaotian’s interference, their reputation would immediately drop into the gutters.
——To dare to deceive so many of their brothers like that. They would lose their place in the entire Imperial Army!
As this thought appeared in their mind, the duo’s faces turned grave.
But at this moment, they had no path of retreat.
“Chong-er, you mustn’t screw up now!”
Li Lin’s heart was nearly beating out of his chest.
He didn’t have any time to plan how he could get the Death’s Abyss back from Huang Xiaotian. Standing in the center of the hall, he could feel the intentions behind the gazes around him slowly turning hostile.
The other party was his nephew. Even if Li Lin were to be done in, he couldn’t say a word at all.
“Brothers, sharpness isn’t all there is to a weapon. This weapon may look elegant on the surface, but the truth is that it is nothing more than a worthless lump of metal! Today, I’ll let you all see for yourselves what this Death’s Abyss they call truly is so that you all can judge whether it is worth spending your fortune on!”
As Huang Xiaotian spoke those words, he lifted the seven chi long Death’s Abyss with one hand, and gently bent the forefinger of the other hand. Then, swift as though a bolt of lightning, he flicked straight at the point at the third quarter from the hilt.
Hong long long!
The sound of wind and lightning raged, and a golden might brilliant as though a comet suddenly burst from Huang Xiaotian’s finger. Even though this might was forged using Origin Energy, it was as resilient as adamantine.
“Adamantine Storm Finger!”
This was one of the ultimate techniques Huang Xiaotian possessed. This technique concentrated all of one’s strength in a single finger, making it as powerful as the indestructible adamantine.
With just this single finger, Huang Xiaotian was able to rival armed opponents bare-handed in combat, regardless of what kind of powerful weapons they were wielding.
In fact, Huang Xiaotian had a record of breaking over a hundred top-notch blades.
Back then, when Huang Xiaotian’s was out on a mission, he saw a several zhang tall Xuanwu cliff while passing by a towering mountain.
The entire cliff was actually an entire piece of Xuanwu rock embedded within the mountain.
Huang Xiaotian’s companion jokingly challenged him to leave behind words on the Xuanwu rock with his Adamantine Storm Finger. With a slight smile, Huang Xiaotian walked up to the cliff, and with just a mere flick, spiderweb-like cracks started appearing on the rock, and before long, the entire rock crumbled into innumerable fragments.
This incident became extremely famous among the Imperial Army. Even a few decades later, when people spoke of Huang Xiaotian, they would still bring up this incident.
Very few weapons could withstand Huang Xiaotian’s Adamantine Storm Finger. At the very least, it was unlikely that this seven chi long saber would surviv
e his attack.
“Wait a moment!”
Zhao Fengchen hurriedly said in an attempt to stop him, but it was already too late. Hong long long, the sound of a storm filled the entire hall, and in that moment, it seemed as though countless lightning were streaking across the hall.
For an instant, time seemed to have stopped——
Hu!
A great wind hustled, and powerful air currents accompanied Huang Xiaotian’s finger as it flew straight toward the Death’s Abyss. As Huang Xiaotian’s finger approached the saber a cun by a cun, everyone’s heart slowly rose to their throat. The atmosphere was extremely tense.
Everyone knew that Huang Xiaotian’s finger was capable of smashing even cliffs, so it couldn’t be gauged by normal standards. On top of that, this flick wielded his full strength!
No one knew whether the Death’s Abyss would be able to withstand this blow or not!
Hong long!
Finally, Huang Xiaotian’s finger struck the saber at the third quarter point of the blade. The hall shook violently, as though a formless comet had struck the palace. At the same time, the blade of the saber trembled furiously, and the sound of the ringing of the saber filled the entire hall.
However, in the next moment, everyone was dumbstruck.
Despite a full strength attack from Huang Xiaotian’s Adamantine Storm Finger, that seven chi Wootz steel saber was undamaged!
“How is this possible?!”
At that moment, no one was more shocked by Huang Xiaotian.
The Adamantine Storm Finger possessed incomparable strength, and with this technique, he had broken countless powerful weapons. There were barely any weapons that could withstand its might.
Furthermore, this saber was seven chi long, making it exceptionally prone to breaking. As long as he struck this weapon at its third quarter point, it should have broken into countless fragments.
It should have been impossible for a weapon that had a length of seven chi and could survive this attack to exist!
“Impossible!”
Swiftly and forcefully, Huang Xiaotian flicked his finger at it once more.
Hong long long!
The ground trembled, but the seven chi long Death’s Abyss in Huang Xiaotian’s hand still remained completely undamaged! In that instant, Huang Xiaotian’s face paled.
Just as Huang Xiaotian pulled back his finger to prepare for a third flick, Zhao Fengchen finally came to the limits of his tolerance.
“Huang Xiaotian, you better stop it right now!”
Zhao Fengchen bellowed.
“If you don’t stop now, don’t blame me for getting nasty!”
With his right hand on the Wootz steel sword by his left waist, Zhao Fengchen brought out the disposition of a marshal and glared at Huang Xiaotian authoritatively. Just like what Li Lin had said, this wasn’t Mirage Dragon, Huang Xiaotian’s territory. If the other party was going to continue acting so audaciously, then he shouldn’t blame him for getting nasty.
“Hahaha, Vice Marshal Huang, I knew it. You’re here to wreak havoc! You’re trying to use this matter to get back at us!”
Li Lin burst into laughter, but on the inside, he heaved a huge sigh of relief. The matter just now had nearly frightened him out of his wits. If it were to break under Huang Xiaotian’s attack, then he could quit the Imperial Army at this very instant.
Even Zhao Fengchen would never forgive him!
“Chong-er, well done!”
At this moment, Li Lin felt so exhilarated that he couldn’t help but laugh heartily. His nephew had truly made him proud this time.
Li Lin was sure that after this matter with Huang Xiaotian, his standing in the Imperial Army would surely rise exponentially.
At the same time, the Wootz steel weapon would also become even more famous!
The Imperial Army commanders who would knock on the doors on the Wang Clan to plead for swords would be much greater and much more formidable than before!
He could already see the bright future before him!
Chapter 144: Su Zhengchen Appears!
“Lord Huang, this location is prepared for those interested in the saber. If you aren’t here to bid for the saber, please leave the premises now. Also, even if Lord Huang intends to bid for it…”
Li Lin glanced at the metal token in Huang Xiaotian’s hand with a deep glance, as though mocking him, and said:
“…you should change your token first. This kind of metal token that can be bought with ten gold taels… only qualifies one to stand at the very back!”
At which, Li Lin gestured to the very back of the hall.
Boom!
Hearing those words, the crowd immediately burst into laughter. If Huang Xiaotian succeeded, everyone would admire him for his righteousness. However, since he failed, it meant that there was nothing wrong with the weapons that Chong gongzi forged.
The nature of the event was completely different then.
There were quite a few among the crowd who had been displeased with Huang Xiaotian from the very start. Upon seeing him make a fool out of himself, how could they miss this ideal opportunity to mock him?
“You! ——”
Glaring furiously at Li Lin, who was standing behind the black metal table, his face flushed in rage. It had been long since he made his name in the Imperial Army, and he possessed deep qualifications to match his standing. There was no one who didn’t greet him respectfully upon seeing him.
Yet, to be mocked before such a large crowd, how could he tolerate such humiliation?
Huang Xiaotian was about to lash out, but Li Lin didn’t give him the chance to.
“Everyone, I believe that you all have witnessed the quality of the Death’s Abyss for yourself. The longer the weapon, the easier it breaks. However, the weapon my nephew forged broke this convention! Let’s resume the bidding now. The previous bid is 190,000 taels, is there anyone who wishes to raise the bid?”
Li Lin turned his gaze from Huang Xiaotian to the crowd below.
“Me! Me! Me! I offer 200,000!”
“Tsk, what does 200,000 taels count as? I offer 220,000!”
“230,000!”
…
Huang Xiaotian’s two Adamantine Storm Fingers had flicked out the enthusiasm in the crowd. The quality of this saber was simply way too high! Not only was it sharp enough to cut through metal as though mud, it was even able to remain undamaged from the two flicks of Huang Xiaotian’s Adamantine Storm Finger. Just by these itself, this saber was definitely one of the best, if not the best, in the world!
“240,000!”
This time, the voice came from behind. Taken aback, Li Lin realized that it came from the Imperial Army commander seated on Zhao Fengchen’s right. He was staring at the Death’s Abyss in Li Lin’s hands with an exceedingly passionate gaze.
“Why, Lord Li, can’t we participate in this auction?”
The Imperial Army commander who goes by the surname of Zhou asked.
“Of course! Of course you can!”
Li Lin smiled brightly in agitation. Why would he say no? This was what he wanted!
“240,000, is there any higher bidder?”
“250,000!”
This time, it was the commander by Zhao Fengchen’s left. The passion in his gaze didn’t lose out to the other.
Initially, he had no intentions of participating in this auction. However, Huang Xiaotian’s Adamantine Storm Finger… That was a legend of the Imperial Army! Any weapon that was capable of withstanding two flicks from him was worth collecting!
An incomparably sharp weapon possessing outstanding aesthetics and capable of withstanding the Adamantine Storm Finger… He didn’t feel that it was a loss even if he were to buy it at 250,000 taels.
“251,000!”
“260,000!”
This time, even Zhao Fengchen joined in as well. He upped the bid with a highly interested look. He could tell that the saber Wang Chong crafted was extraordinary, and it was very different from the
sword he had bought from him previously.
Zhao Fengchen wanted it sorely. Even if he didn’t use it, it would be worth collecting!
Zhao Fengchen possessed a good eye for weapons. In his view, the value of this saber would only grow higher in the future.
Objects were often priced on their rarity, and this kind of exclusive collectible was very different from the mass produced weapons in the market.
“Bastard!”
Huang Xiaotian stood there awkwardly. It would be humiliating for him to stay, even more so if he were to leave, leaving him in a difficult position. In an instant, his face became as dark as the bottom of a pot.
At this moment, no one’s attention was on him anymore. Everyone’s energy had been devoted to the auction. Furthermore, what that infuriated Huang Xiaotian further was that these people weren’t intentionally disregarding him, they were truly uninterested in him.
The saber had stolen all of their consciousness.
“300,000! ——”
Boom! Just when everyone was vying over the saber in agitation, a lightning-like voice abruptly sounded from the door.
The voice contained immense strength, and even the tiles on the ceiling jolted before it. Inexplicable deep deference was induced in the crowd upon hearing that voice.
Hu!
A black mantle danced in the air, and an imposing and majestic figure suddenly appeared at the entrance. The aura he exuded felt so powerful that it seemed that it was capable of tearing apart the heavens, and it was as if one was staring at a humongous mountain or ocean.
Before this majestic and domineering aura, everyone felt as insignificant as an ant.
“Gra-Grand Marshal!
An Imperial Army commander stuttered. His eyeballs were about to pop out from its sockets from shock.
Hua!
The room abruptly descended into chaos. The crowd which was still fighting to bid over the weapon suddenly trembled in fear, and one by one, they began kneeling down.
And this wasn’t just limited to the crowd. Shocked, Zhao Fengchen hurriedly got up from his seat and kneeled on the ground as well.
Li Lin, as well as the other Imperial Army commanders, hurriedly got to the ground fearfully too, not daring to move at all. In an instant, the massive palace turned completely silent and still.