(4)
The martial and courageous Emperor Gao Huan of Qi would never refuse talented people and strangers to come and perform. For this reason, he did not hesitate to temporarily put aside national affairs and leave all government affairs to Gao Hou to take care of it. He let Prince Gao Yang assist in the government and devote himself wholeheartedly. to the next "Imperial Martial Arts Competition".
Prior to this, every official who was selected to participate in the competition had to accompany the warrior he recommended to the palace to meet the saint. If the emperor felt that the warrior had no special qualities, he would not be able to participate, and the official would not be able to participate in the competition in the future. It's bound to be a cold reception.
Very ruthless but realistic results.
After a whole day of selection, the remaining eight warriors are still waiting in the palace, namely: Mei Xinghe, a dancer raised by Mei Lin, Yu Hengzi, one of the "Seven Sons of the Big Dipper" on Taiping Road, Monk Juexin from Xiangguo Temple, Shangshu Ling The retainer "Breaking Bad" Yang Kang, the Hun generals Qiao'er and Ling'er under the command of General Murong An, the patrolman Wei Chizhen of Dali Temple - finally, there are the people recommended by the central defender general Bai Feng who have not yet decided whether to stay or not. .
In the evening, the emperor deliberately left the people recommended by the newly promoted Zhongwei general to last, and had dinner with the newcomers as if he had ulterior motives. He also sent everyone away, leaving only the eunuch Mei Lin to serve around him.
Bai Feng and Fu Wentao entered the palace together to meet the saint. They sat on the left and right respectively.
The meal was very light tonight.
Just a spoonful of clear soup, a bowl of rice, and a few beets garnished with it. It must be difficult for a martial arts practitioner who is used to big fish and meat to swallow.
"General Bai Feng, where is the best swordsman in the world that you recommended?" Mei Lin stood next to the curtain where the emperor was, which was a small high platform with three levels of stairs.
Bai Feng said: "That's the person next to me."
Mei Lin teased: "I have never heard of any of the best swordsmen in the world having a broken arm? Your Majesty, such jokes are enough to deceive a child, but how can they deceive the emperor? General Bai Feng regards the imperial contest as child's play. It's really absurd!"
Bai Feng spoke bluntly and retorted: "Yu Hengzi of Taiping Dao is also physically disabled and blind, but he can draw his sword very quickly and created his own 'Ignorant Flying Sword'. Have you ever heard of anyone talking about his swordsmanship?" Is it child’s play?”
"Hmph! Yu Hengzi has been known for his outstanding swordsmanship for a long time. I wonder what the person you recommended is capable of?" Mei Lin glared at Bai Feng, and the two faced each other.
Bai Feng signaled for Fu Wentao to take off his shirt to expose his arms and back, then he greeted the emperor respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, please come and decide for yourself."
The emperor drank water, rinsed his mouth, and then wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief - the curtain prevented others from seeing his movements but not his expression.
"Since it was General Bai Feng's move, I must not take it lightly." After hearing this, Mei Lin stepped forward to lift the curtain and bowed to invite the emperor out.
Gao Huan came to Fu Wentao and looked at him sternly.
Fu Wentao's body is unusually strong. Long-term and rigorous training has made his muscles as hard as stone. His arms, chest, and lumbar muscles have all been forged like a unique weapon or armor - this This intuitive feeling was enough to impress the emperor.
Is there such a strong person in the world?
Gao Huan slowly walked behind Fu Wentao and was completely shocked by the man in front of him. He couldn't help but said: "This...is this, dragon bone?"
The scene the emperor saw was due to Fu Wentao's non-stop exercise day and night for a year. The "exercise" that exceeded the human body's load seemed to have caused strange changes in his body - he was clearly sitting upright with his chest raised. However, his backbone became particularly prominent, the muscles on both sides were tight, and his powerful lines were staggering.
Just like the legendary "Dragon Bone".
"Born with strange visions!" Gao Huan said: "Fu Wentao, I look forward to your performance."
After saying that, the emperor returned behind the curtain, but after a moment, a young servant hurriedly came to whisper to Mei Lin, and then Mei Lin's face turned pale and he immediately told the emperor what had happened.
After hearing this, Gao Huan suddenly spoke to Bai Feng: "General Bai Feng, just now Mr. Mei reported that someone wanted to assassinate me at the imperial martial arts competition. Do you know about this?"
"Assassination?" Bai Feng said, "I really don't know."
Mei Lin immediately reprimanded: "Bold! The assassin wrote down the assassination on the list and spread it around Jinyang. The people in the entire Jinyang City knew about it. How could you not know? This is the responsibility of General Bai Feng. "
When talking about responsibilities, Bai Feng sighed silently, speechless.
"Forget it, General Bai Feng has been in the palace all day today. It is normal not to know what is going on outside the palace." The emperor knew that he was about to be assassinated. Instead of being nervous or angry, the emperor was very calm.
"Tomorrow is the first day of the imperial martial arts competition. Eight talented people with high martial arts skills will draw lots and compete in pairs. The competition will last for three days. At that time, the palace will open the urn city, and the people of Jinyang will come to watch the competition. Mei Lin explained with great emotion: "General Bai Feng, if you can't find the assassin within three days or if your Majesty accidentally damages the dragon's body at all, you know what the consequences will be."
Bai Feng could only accept the order.
That night, the eight warriors participating in the imperial competition were all assigned to live in the palace as usual and were under centralized control. Before taking a break, the central guard general Bai Feng gathered them all in the hall.
"You must have heard the rumors - there is an assassin who wants to assassinate the emperor at the imperial martial arts competition." Bai Feng did not flatter, but directly explained his purpose, saying: "If the assassin is among you, I hope he can come out and surrender now. Bai Feng will definitely tell His Majesty for him and beg for a lighter sentence."
The eight warriors relied on their superior abilities, and most of them cast a cold eye on Bai Feng. Only monk Juexin and Fu Wentao agreed.
Recalling that they were invited by Zhao Xiaomei and Bai Feng to gather in front of the Zhao family two days ago, they were deeply moved.
"Don't you want to save Sister Murong from Taiping Dao? I miss Sister Murong as much as you do."
"I proposed that Mr. Fu and Master Juexin both participate in the competition, waiting for an opportunity to cause trouble, and let the palace guards focus on one thing and not the other. At that time, Su Qing sneaked into the palace to steal the 'Saint Girl'... and finally left Jinyang without anyone noticing. The plan will work!"
"I heard that 'Xiangguo Temple' has also been selected to participate in the competition. The Zhao family has a good relationship with Xiangguo Temple. They can interfere with it and ask the abbot of 'Xiangguo Temple' to recommend Master Juexin who lives in 'Golden Snake Temple'. Mr. Fu, Bai Feng Recommended by the general..."
The atmosphere of the summer night was turbid, as if everyone was planning something in their hearts.
Yang Kang, a disciple of Shangshu Ling, is a Gu master of Miao origin, exuding a gloomy aura; Taiping Dao Yu Hengzi and Yao Guangzi are a pair of siblings. Since Yu Hengzi is blind and has difficulty moving, the two have always been together, but Their behavior was too ambiguous, and it was obvious that they were more than just siblings; Qiao'er and Ling'er were not very proficient in Chinese, and seemed not to understand what Bai Feng was saying, and they were just playing around; Dali Temple patrol officer Yu Chizhen was always serious Sitting, with a serious face and a burning gaze.
Mei Xinghe dozed comfortably and asked: "General Bai Feng, do you have anything else to say? I am really sleepy."
As a royal guard, Bai Feng knew that her mission and duty was to eliminate all threats to the royal family. All those who were hostile to the royal family, whether rich or poor, high or low, were all enemies.
Very clear, no ambiguity at all.
"Everyone should know that I am the son of a dragonfly, not a noble." Although Bai Feng looked at Mei Xinghe, he was talking to the eight warriors present: "In other words, I am no different from you. If' "Now that the assassin can tell me the truth or the reason for the assassination, I am willing to meet the emperor with you and give you advice to clear up the injustice and rectify the trend of injustice."
When identity and status do not match, Bai Feng is obviously more willing to choose the former.
However, this time, only Monk Juexin and Fu Wentao replied.
Bai Feng smiled, relieved.
"In that case, everyone will rest here. Tomorrow, I ask you to dedicate your life's study to the people of the world. There is no need to hide it."
