Chapter 178: Zhou Jinghuan, do you believe that I will tear your mouth apart?

For those who enjoy watching the excitement, sword fighting is certainly more exciting than a person foolishly dancing with a sword.
Yuan Xiu is also a person with the same thoughts. He looked at Zhou Chuan and said, "Since the southern swordsmen are interested, why not accompany them, Hero Zhou?"
Showing off... showing off...
In Zhou Chuan's mind, there were only two words spoken by Zhao Cheng. He didn't even bother with Yuan Xiu and slowly turned his neck to look around at the crowd.
Try not to speak, and even if you do, keep it short... Zhou Chuan recalled some key points when Zhao Cheng talked about showing off.
The muscles on Yuan Xiu's face twitched. If this were during an imperial meeting, anyone who dared not respond to him could potentially be dragged out and beheaded in a fit of rage.
Deep in his heart, he desperately advised himself that it was a state banquet...he should be happy...this hero is from the martial world...he has merits for the country...and he shares the same temperament as his sister...
Don't get angry... Don't get angry...
Zhou Jinghuan shouted, "Zhou Chuan, the emperor is asking you a question!"
Zhou Chuan raised his index finger to his lips, "Shh..."
Zhou Jinghuan asked, "Do you need to pee first?"
Zhou Chuandao: "I'm looking for a place."
Zhou Jinghuandao: "If you need to pee, let someone take you to the restroom! Why do you need to look for a place? Can you just pee anywhere in the palace?"
"Rude." Zhou Chuan said faintly, "I mean finding a place to duel."
As he spoke, Zhou Chuan looked around again and said, "It's easy to hurt someone here."
"Nima..." Zhou Jinghuan pulled out Chen Chong and asked, "Is what he said true? Does it easily hurt people?"
Chen Chong nodded and said, "I'm not sure if his sword can harm people, but my Hunyuan Sword does indeed have a tendency to accidentally injure."
Zhao Chengzhen wanted to shout at Zhou Chuan, "Learn! Learn from others! Look how well they dress!"
"Step back a bit and make way for them," Yuan Xiu raised his hand and smiled, saying, "It's just a friendly match, both of you don't have to fight to the death. Stop when you touch."
This means it's clear, just show your intention and let go of the sword energy. We are not here to see who kills who, just observe the sword moves!
The emperor said so, and the people in the front rows of the surrounding area stepped back, creating a larger space.
Chen Chong slowly walked to the opposite side of Zhou Chuan and carefully removed the cloth strap from his back. Then, he gently uncovered the cloth.
Zhou Chuan also placed his hand on the sword hilt, ready to draw it at any moment.
After Chen Chong completely uncovered the cloth, there was a long sword inside that was entirely black.
Yuan Xiu suddenly asked left and right, "Is there a law in Dajing that forbids envoys from bringing bows, crossbows, and iron tools into the country?"
He Yin immediately said, "Yes, there is such a law."
Yuan Xiu looked at Zhou Jinghuan and was about to speak, when Zhou Jinghuan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, it wouldn't be fun if you did that..."
Yuan Xiu turned his face away and said, "Don't panic, I'm just asking casually."
"Let's begin, two masters!"
Zhou Chuan said, "Your Majesty, you think we are still preparing, but we have already started."
Chen Chong said, "Gazing at the opponent is actually a form of swordsmanship confrontation."
Zhou Chuan said seriously, "My gaze represents my sword intent."
Chen Chong shook his head gently and said, "Then your sword intent is not sharp enough, because I am not afraid of your gaze."
Yuan Xiu's mouth twitched, and he took a few steps back. He forced a smile and said, "It seems that I am not knowledgeable in this field. Please continue, continue..."
Zhou Jinghuan smirked and sat directly on the long table where the food was placed. He grabbed a piece of fruit and stuffed it into his mouth.
He has full confidence in Chen Chong.
The fame of Hunyuan Sword is well-known, it has been dominant in the underworld for thirty years in the Southern Zhou Dynasty, and Chen Chong is the most authentic successor of the Hunyuan Sword.
Don't be fooled by his young age, everyone who has crossed paths with him says he is extremely cunning!
Despite the fact that the opponent defeated the Seven Gates of the Yang Family in Ling Mountain, Zhou Jinghuan has always looked down on them.
They are nothing more than servants of the Yang family!
Under the influence of the Grand Commander, these seven people are indeed skilled in military operations, but when it comes to personal martial arts, not a single one of them can fight!
It is not surprising that they died under the hands of true masters of the sword.
Zhou Jinghuan looked at Zhou Chuan with a chest full of satisfaction, his eyes as if looking at a loser.
It is the weakness of the seven generals of the Yangmen that highlights your strength. Let Chen Chong help regain the dignity of Lingshan in the next battle!
After a few more exchanges, Zhou Chuan and Chen Chong fell silent.
Zhou Chuan’s hand grasped the sword hilt, the sword still in its sheath.
Chen Chong pointed his long sword at the ground, the jet-black blade gleaming in the sunlight.
They just gazed at each other.
Gazing into each other's eyes, gazing at each other's hands, gazing at each other's swords.
One breath passed,
Ten breaths passed,
A hundred breaths passed...
Both of them sighed and yawned, patting their mouths.
Emperor Yuanxiu, becoming impatient, said, "May I interject?"
"No," Zhao Wu reflexively replied.
Zhao Cheng immediately pressed his head down and angrily said, "Do you want to die?"
Zhao Wu squatted down and said, "The mouth is itchy."
Fortunately, there were many people in the field, and Zhao Wu's voice did not reach Yuan Xiu's ears. The Yan Chuan formation did not have anyone to report, but everyone rolled their eyes at Zhao Wu one by one.
Zhou Chuan's mind was still echoing Zhao Cheng's instructions, and his five fingers holding the hilt of the sword exerted a slight force, as if he was finally going to draw his sword.
He turned his head and said, "Your Majesty, please step back a little further to avoid injuring the dragon body."
Emperor Yuan Xiu flicked his long sleeves and waved his hand to the people on both sides, signaling, "Come, let's all retreat together!"
Seeing that they had retreated enough, Yuan Xiu cupped his hands into a megaphone shape and asked loudly, "Can I draw my sword now?"
Zhou Chuan nodded and looked sharply at Chen Chong.
Chen Chong glanced at Zhou Chuan's sword and raised his black sword.
One breath passed,
Ten breaths passed,
A hundred breaths passed...
Yuan Xiu shouted, "Are you going to fight or not?!"
Zhou Jinghuan couldn't bear to watch anymore and said, "Chen Chong, take action!"
Chen Chong suddenly withdrew his sword and shook his head, saying, "What Zhou Chuan said is right. The collision of our sword energies would be too powerful and could harm someone if we fight here."
Zhou Chuan took his hand off the hilt of the sword and said, "I really dare not draw the sword."
If it weren't for restraining his emotions, Yuan Xiu would have wanted to kill someone, shouting, "So what do you want?!"
Chen Chong suggested, "You can move elsewhere, or you can set up a high platform."
Yuan Xiu asked, "How big of a platform do we need?"
Chen Chong said, "It doesn't need to be very big, ten feet apart is enough for swordsmen to duel."
"Come, give them a stage!" Yuan Xiu shouted.
Mu Shanyue approached Yuan Xiu and said, "Why don't we stop watching, it's too time-consuming. Your loyal ministers are falling asleep."
Chen Changyun also said, "Your Majesty, how about we drink some wine..."
"No! I must watch today! Someone come..."
"Your Majesty, there is no need to set up a stage." Zhou Chuan pointed to the observatory in Yongshou Palace and said, "That platform will do. Can we go there?"
"You can do as you please, I have no objections!"
"I can," said Chen Chong.
Zhou Chuan nodded at Yuan Xiu.
"Bring the ladder!" Yuan Xiu said.
"No need!" Zhou Chuan waved his hand, then suddenly started running forward, in an instant stepping on the wall of the Yongshou Palace and leaping towards the observatory tower.
Seeing this, exclamations came from the crowd.
"Wow, is this light work?"
"Such a skilled person!"
"My eyes have been opened..."
Chen Chong smiled and didn't want to be outdone. He quickly ran to the front of Yongshou Palace. Instead of following the wall like Zhou Chuan did, he jumped vertically and landed on the Astronomical Observatory.
"I am going..."
"This person's light skill looks even better..."
Yuan Xiufinally approached the Minister of the Ministry of Works, Luo Mingyi who waved his hand and said, "Raise the Observatory Tower after the state banquet."
"Yes..." Luo Mingyi nodded vigorously. The safety of the Emperor is paramount.
These two people jumped up as if they were playing. If the assassins were also at their level, the observatory with ventilation on all sides would be too dangerous.
In the spotlight, Zhou Chuan and Chen Chong stood on opposite ends of the star-gazing platform, their eyes meeting.
Below, Yuan Xiu shouted, "Stop exchanging glances with each other! Draw your swords! Draw your swords!!! Draw the sword for Us!!!"
Yuan Xiu was really anxious. It had been a long time since he had been so irritable, and it had been a long time since he had been in such a bad mood without killing anyone to vent his anger.
Feeling the gaze of tens of thousands in the audience, Zhou Chuan felt that he had not let Zhao Cheng down, and this could be considered quite high-profile, right?
It's time to draw the sword.
Swish!!
Almost at the same time as he drew his sword, Chen Chong flicked his black sword and stabbed straight towards Zhou Chuan.
The black sword, like Zhou Nuo's arrow, tore through the air, making a deafening buzzing sound.
周川甚至看到，在黑剑移动的同时，剑刃周围的空气都扭曲了起来。
That's not distorted air.
That's sword aura!
There was only one feeling in Zhou Chuan's heart, the sword momentum of the Hunyuan Sword is indeed fierce!
Many sword techniques can manifest sword qi, but they are all very subtle, merging into the air and barely noticeable if you don't look carefully. However, the sword qi of the Hunyuan Sword seems to stir up a gust of wind!
However, Zhou Chuan was only surprised, not afraid.
He drew his sword and immediately launched an attack, with incredible speed.
Klang!
As their swords clashed, the air around them seemed to explode, making a crackling sound.
But in the eyes of the spectators, they just blinked, and Zhou Chuan and Chen Chong changed positions.
The two went from facing each other to back to back.
Boom!
The observation platform started to shake and then collapsed with a bang.
Looking at the rolling dust rising inside Yongshou Palace, Yuan Xiu didn't feel well at all.
We waited for you to dawdle around for so long, and then you ask us to clear the area, and then you want us to go up the high platform, only to finish it with one sword?
I haven't seen anything either, and now you guys have even demolished the observatory platform!
What the hell is this supposed to be, a sword fight???
Foreplay for an hour, finished in one breath.
Damn it!
Watching the two figures slowly walking out of the dust, Wen was the first to applaud.
Most of the people there have never witnessed a battle between top-notch experts, especially between two top swordsmen, and they couldn't see the tricks, but Wen Hu understood.
Zhou Chuan and Chen Chong, tied.
There was clapping from someone, naturally followed by others joining in, and in an instant, the whole scene was filled with applause.
Yuan Xiu wanted to ask but was too embarrassed to do so. He secretly approached Wen Tai's ear and whispered, "Who won?"
Wentai turned back and glanced at Wenhuzi, then answered, "It's a tie."
Yuanxiu asked again, "What level are they at?"
Wentai turned back and looked at Wenhuzi again.
Yuan Xiu immediately turned around and shouted, "Wen Hu, come over here! Isn't it tiring to pass on messages like this?!"
Wen Hu hurried over, and after Wen Tai repeated Yuan Xiu's question, Wen Hu answered, "They are all top experts."
"A supreme expert..." Yuan Xiu thought for a moment and asked, "In the words of the martial arts world, are they second only to grandmasters?"
Wen Hu nodded and said, "These two individuals are still very young, with a promising future."
With that, Wen Hu deliberately glanced at Chen Chong, his face revealing a murderous intent.
The meaning is clear, these two are top experts at such a young age, and they have the potential to become grandmasters in the future.
Zhou Chuan is Jingren and must be recruited.
As for Chen Chong, find a way to kill him as soon as possible.
Wen Hu, the title of Sha County Earl, was earned through his own struggle. Yuan Xiu knows his temperament and says, "Don't cause trouble during the state banquet."
"I understand, Your Majesty."
"As long as no trouble arises during the state banquet, it doesn't matter afterward."
Seeing Zhou Chuan and Chen Chong return, Yuan Xiu laughed and said, "Your swordsmanship is truly extraordinary. Each sword strike surpasses the previous one in terms of power..."
Zhouchuandao: "Your Majesty, we only exchanged one sword."
"I know!!" Yuanxiu exclaimed loudly. "I can tell that you two fought evenly, how could I not know that you only exchanged one sword?"
Yuan Xiu made a gesture indicating the two to sit, and said, "Your competition was impressive, but please don't compete anymore in the future."
As the two sat down, everyone in the audience returned to their seats, digesting the competition that had just taken place and calming their somewhat inexplicable emotions.
What was just compared?
Maybe experts are just like this, incomprehensible.
If everyone could understand, wouldn't they be mediocre?
Zhou Jinghuan was somewhat disappointed, but he knew it wasn't that Chen Chong was too weak, but that Zhou Chuan's strength exceeded his expectations.
"Chen Chong, use your connections in the martial arts world to investigate him."
"Zhou Jinghuan glanced at Zhou Chuan and Zhou Mei and said, 'His last name is Zhou, find out if he has any connections to the Southern Zhou Dynasty.'"
Chen Chong placed the Black Sword flat on the cloth, carefully wrapping it up, and said, "Nanzhou and Jingguo were originally one family, and now there are also many people with the surname Zhou in Jingguo."
"I know, but Chacha is never wrong. What if he is a talented person from Nanzhou in Jingguo?"
"Understood."
另一边，赵澄不好直接给周川打招呼，但两人还是默契的用眼神交流了一下。
赵澄用眼神表扬了周川，至于周川能不能看得懂就不在他的考虑范围之内了。
“赵澄哥哥！”
听到这声呼喊，赵澄抬头看去，见小巧玲珑的王玉岑来到他的面前。
"How did you come over here?"
王玉岑虽然是从燕川来的，但他们一家都跟着王刃坐在京官的区域。
“是你说的，想你了就来找你吖！”
王玉岑对赵澄甜甜的一笑，然后跑到赵澄身后去，和两丫头拉起手来。
“夏棋姐姐！秋书姐姐！”
“哇，小岑今天穿的好漂亮！”
"Haha!"
赵澄朝对面望去，见王刃正看着他，并举起了酒杯。
王玉岑从赵澄身后探出头，笑道：“爹让我来向你道谢，感谢赵澄哥哥的一路护送。”
赵澄微微一笑，也举起了酒杯，和王刃遥望对饮。
听过了朴坚对王刃的评价，又见证了王刃灭了夜丹的事实，赵澄相信王刃肯定是个聪明人，稍加分析，就能猜到王玉峰的队伍是被他灭的。
王刃此时的示好，只会让赵澄更加警惕。
对赵澄而言，最危险的对手绝不是像杨桃枝那样的宗师强者，而是跟他一样深有城府心藏猛虎之人。
这种人安静起来如同藏在暗处的毒蛇，一旦出手便是猛虎下山。
Unstoppable!
赵澄把酒满上，改为双手端起酒杯，并对王玉岑解释道：“令尊是长辈，我也该敬他一杯。”
对面的王刃笑了一下，再次举起酒杯。
两人又一饮而尽。
赵澄放下酒杯，对王刃轻轻点头。
你敬我一尺，我敬你一丈，既然都心知肚明是面子工程，那就得把面子做足。
至于往后想怎样，兵来将挡，水来土掩！
“赵澄哥哥我过去了，我二哥不喜欢我待在你这里。”
"Go ahead."
秋书看着王玉岑小巧玲珑的背影道：“小岑挺可爱的，主子干脆把她收了吧！”
赵澄道：“别说瞎话。”
“春琴姐姐看冬画和我们姐妹都看烦了，你给她找一个小岑这样的妹妹，她肯定很喜欢。”
“你这话啥意思，什么叫给春琴找个妹妹……”
赵澄立马反应过来，惊道：“你们是怎么知道的？！”
夏棋道：“夫人给我们说的啊，她说等春琴过门后，让我们姐妹俩只负责服侍春琴，让冬画再找几个丫头服侍你。”
赵澄的脑袋顿时耷拉下去，捂着额头道：“头疼……”
席间又开始了歌舞和表演，宾客间进入了自由互动的阶段，直到袁修回去睡了个午觉再次回来后，在吕禄的安排下场间才再次静下来，开始诸国使臣献礼的环节。
西域诸国号称百国，其中最小的国家还没有燕川大，每天日升日落的，陆陆续续的有些国家被灭，又有些新的国家建立，导致靖国不是专门研究这块的人，根本叫不全那些国家的名字。
连袁修都只记得其中十几个国名。
此次从西域来的使团，大概有五十多个国家，几乎有一半的西域国家都来了，这在袁修一朝也是仅有。
灭了夜丹，果然把大靖的国威提升了一个台阶。
这些小国家大部分都很低调，献完礼后就退下，却有七八个国家争着比谁的礼送的更多更贵重，让赵澄一时感觉来到了拍卖会。
赵澄知道，诸如大月国、特伦突国、阿比烈国、金然国等等这些西域诸国中的大国都把大靖当做最粗的大腿，想要借大靖的力量吞掉别的小国，成为西域霸主。
在朴坚家的时候，朴坚与赵澄聊过西域的局势，现在好像是以特伦突和阿比烈为首，联合了许多小国，想要灭掉大月国。
主要原因是大月国是西域中的大国之一，而现在又处于国王奄奄一息，王位更迭的不稳定时期，便遭到了恶邻居的窥视。
袁修极为狡猾，他们要拼礼就让他们拼，反正在国宴上对所有西域国家都是一视同仁，还一副老父亲的做派，字里行间都是劝说你们要和睦相处，充满了浓浓的父爱。
西域诸国献礼过后，便是大靖西南部的后苍国。
后苍使臣倒也直白，说后苍国力不济，经济拮据，金银珠宝的统统没有，只能送来点土特产。
袁修一副无动于衷的模样，想来是早已适应了后苍国的风格。
关键是他也知道，后苍国大部分面积都是山，的确很穷。
大国就要有大国的风范，人家都这么穷了，就别嘲讽人家了，就说土特产好吃吧……
最后献礼的是南周。
大国果然是大国，周景焕以亲王身份担任使臣，并亲自宣读国书与礼单，那一串礼单听的西域诸国心惊肉跳，心想南方是真富庶啊……
大靖若不是具有战略性的地理优势，纯拼经济的话还真不是南周的对手。
赵澄越发坚定了要与蔡一路合作，将画册卖到南周的决心。
不光如此，以后只要利润高的东西都要在南周开辟渠道。
狠狠地赚他们的钱，也算是为国谋利！
赵澄正大义凛然想着的时候，肩膀突然被人拍了一下。
他回过头去，顿时惊道：“蔡一路！”
蔡一路端着酒杯，微笑道：“你这片地方一直是焦点，开始不想惹人耳目，这才迟迟来敬酒。”
赵澄先和蔡一路碰杯喝了一杯，问道：“你也受到邀请了？哦对，你是成功的商人嘛，属于被邀请的民间精英行列。”
"No."
蔡一路摇摇头，道：“我做生意只是小打小闹，还不够格。”
“Then who are you?”
“不瞒小相爷，云荆郡守是我爹。”
闻言，赵澄的嘴巴张成了o字。
云荆郡守！
云荆郡是靖国最南部的郡，是与南周的交界，下辖云荆城云水城云梦城等十多个城市，还有无数小县城。
和下辖靖东十三城的靖东郡一样是个大郡。
大靖不设州，堂堂云荆郡守，那就是妥妥的封疆大吏！
赵澄顿时明白，蔡一路那天为何自信的说，画册在南周的代理人非他莫属了。
与南周相邻的一郡之首，有这层关系在，蔡一路不愁没有深入南周的人脉。难怪别的云荆人只能在边境处或南周北方做点生意，他蔡一路却可以在南周国都康邺大展拳脚。
拼爹啊！
赵澄想起周诺对蔡一路的调查情况，说他身边有隐藏的高手保护。
这就对了，似蔡一路这种身份，没高手保护才奇怪了。
赵澄心想蔡一路把他当大腿，他自己又何尝不是把蔡一路当大腿？
咱俩是互为大腿啊！
心里这么想，嘴上却故作不开心的说道：“还真是惊喜啊！为何要瞒我，有意思吗？”
“在没搞清楚小相爷为人之前，我这特殊的身份，实在不敢轻易坦白。”蔡一路倒也坦诚。
赵澄一听便明白，虽说冠军王的军队就驻扎在云荆城，但蔡一路他爹是郡守，仍然掌控着整个云荆郡的军事民生。皇帝本来就对赵欢充满戒心，若是赵澄和蔡一路交好，难免皇帝不会多想。
蔡一路先瞒着赵澄，既是自保，也是保护赵澄。
他的隐蔽工作做的很成功，不然就不会连周诺都没查出他这层身份了。
赵澄点了点头，道：“那你走吧，喝一杯意思意思就行了，别在我这逗留太久。”
“画册的事……”
“能不能开开心心的玩，等国宴结束后再谈工作？”
“哈哈好好好，小相爷慢慢喝！”
赵澄对着蔡一路的背影舒了口气，心想这的确是个好消息。
与此同时，南周的献礼也到了尾声。
“靖国能除掉夜丹这个心腹大患，南周自然是表示真心祝贺的。皇兄说，夜丹人生性残暴，与狼同吃同眠，如同未进化的野兽，他们伤害的不光是靖国百姓，更是全天下的人类，所以靖国之功，乃人类之福！”
“夜丹灭亡，靖国百姓从此便能享受安定和平的日子，我南周皇帝也是爱好和平之人，希望两国的和平能一直持续下去。故此，本王代表南周向靖国联姻，我南周二皇子将迎娶靖国的一位公主！”
周景焕说完后，袁修点了点头，道：“这是好事。两国联姻休战，我大靖可以安心发展经济，而你南周也能安心吟诗作赋，专心致志的驱逐海寇。这事朕准了，国宴后就遴选出合适的公主。”
闻言，百官们都露出笑容，这的确是件喜事，然而周景焕接下来的一句话让所有人都大吃一惊。
“二皇子已有心仪的公主了。”
“哦？这二皇子都没来过大靖，他看上谁了？”袁修好奇道。
“大靖国手涂先生曾画过一副公主图，此图在南周广为流传，为文人士子津津乐道……”
闻言，袁修脸色微微一变。
周景焕接着说道：“二皇子要迎娶的，是靖国长公主，袁韵！”
袁修立马从龙椅上蹦起来，指着周景焕大骂道：“放你娘的屁！！周景焕，信不信朕撕烂你的嘴？！！”