Everyone fell silent and looked over.
The speaker was a big, burly man. After he finished speaking, he picked up his wine cup and downed it in one gulp. Then he slammed the cup back on the table, making a sharp "bang".
Everyone at the scene paused for a moment. Soon, a young man in white took up the conversation. "If Young Master Zhou can't accept defeat, why did he come here to make a fool of himself? Miss Bai San has a gentle and elegant temperament. Naturally, she should be matched with a refined and cultured scholar."
"Precisely because Miss Bai San has a gentle and elegant temperament, a beauty should be paired with a hero. If a couple can only enjoy themselves in the moonlight and flowers, when they encounter bandits, are you going to recite poems and compose paintings to drive them away?" The man replied disdainfully with a look of contempt on his face.
The young man in white sneered. "A reckless man who only knows how to wield swords and guns all day. You might as well become Miss Bai San's bodyguard instead of trying to be her husband!"
"You!" The man's eyes flashed with hostility. Then he bowed to the Marquis of Gaochang. "My Lord, wasn't it said that there would also be a sword - fighting competition today? Why not have the competition right now? This way, some people who only know how to sweet - talk will finally show their true abilities!"
"This..." The Marquis of Gaochang stroked his long beard. Seeing that none of the princes beside him objected, he nodded with a smile. "Very well. Servants!"
The Marquis of Gaochang stretched out his hands and clapped twice again.
Soon, two servants carried up a wooden rack. When Bai Zheng turned around, she saw that there were many swords placed on the rack.
"Not all young masters may know how to fight with swords. Therefore, I will not force anyone. You can challenge anyone you like. However, since time is limited today, we will use the one - on - one form. Whoever can defeat the opponent with the fewest moves wins. But please note that everyone here is of noble birth. When competing, remember to stop at the right moment. It is inauspicious to shed blood."
"Thank you, My Lord." In the crowd, the burly man who had proposed the sword - fighting competition just now stood up upon hearing this. He walked to the center, saluted the people in the main seats, then picked up a sword from the wooden rack. He turned around, lifted his chin at the young man in white, and said, "I am Zhou Chao, the son of the Minister of War. I challenge this young master."
The young man's face stiffened. He stammered, "Who... who said I would accept your challenge?"
Zhou Chao looked down at him contemptuously. "Wasn't this young master very sharp - tongued just now? Why is he backing down now?"
The young man glared at him. "Since the Marquis said it is a free challenge, whether I accept the challenge or not is my freedom. Young Master Zhou, please find someone else!"
"Humph! You're really just a handsome but worthless fellow." Zhou Chao sneered.
The two of them were at a stalemate like this, and the atmosphere fell into an awkward silence for a moment.
The young masters present all had a bit of pride in them. Now, in front of Bai Zheng, and with Zhou Chao looking so aggressive, no one dared to step forward rashly for fear of making a fool of themselves instead of showing off.
Feng Linyuan took a sip of tea, looking completely unconcerned.
Feng Jingxuan frowned and scanned the crowd. Suddenly, he looked at Feng Jingyi and said, "Why don't you go up and accept the challenge, Fifth Brother?"
Feng Jingyi lowered his eyes. "Since this young master is so dissatisfied, it's only appropriate to give him a chance to show off."
"Fifth Brother is really considerate." Feng Jingxuan snorted. Then he turned his head and glanced at Feng Jingye. He saw that Feng Jingye had his eyes closed, seemingly enjoying a peaceful moment. He felt a bit anxious.
He turned back and gave a subtle look with his eyes.
"I'll accept the challenge on behalf of this young master." Soon, a tall and elegant young master let out a long laugh, straightened his clothes, and walked to the center. He turned around leisurely and bowed to Zhou Chao gracefully. "I am Liu Zhixuan from the Censor's Mansion. Greetings, Young Master Zhou."
Zhou Chao sized up Liu Zhixuan for a few times and laughed. "I didn't expect that Young Master Liu is not only excellent in poetry and painting but also has extraordinary courage."
Liu Zhixuan smiled faintly. He casually picked up a sword and said, "My sword - fighting skills are also passable. Young Master Zhou, please excuse me."
As he spoke, the sword light danced, and the cold light was menacing.
With a "clang", the swords collided. Although Zhou Chao looked big and burly, he was very flexible when wielding the sword. His fierce sword - play showed no mercy as it headed straight for Liu Zhixuan's face.
Liu Zhixuan was also extremely fast. With a graceful turn, he avoided Zhou Chao's sword. He twirled the sword flower, and Bai Zheng only heard the sound of the sword breaking through the air several times. The sword - play was fast and urgent, aiming at vital points.
Everyone watched intently, not daring to even breathe loudly.
"Not good!" Feng Jingxuan let out a low cry. Liu Zhixuan's sword had flown out.
Zhou Chao placed his sword in front of Liu Zhixuan's neck and said coldly, "Thank you for your concession, Young Master Liu."
Liu Zhixuan stared at him in disbelief with wide - open eyes. His face turned deathly pale.
"Clap, clap"
In the silence, Feng Jingye clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Young Master Zhou has excellent martial arts skills. He truly deserves to be a young hero."
Zhou Chao put away his sword gracefully, bowed his head respectfully, and then returned to his seat satisfied.
After this opening battle, the atmosphere at the scene naturally became extremely tense. Soon, some people stepped forward one after another to challenge. For a moment, the scene was filled with the glint of swords and the sound of clashing weapons. The sound of the clashing swords was as fierce as a howling wind and a rumbling thunder.
Bai Zheng was shocked. In this era, it was really not easy to be a young master from a noble family. Looking at those who took the stage, each of them had extraordinary skills and unique strengths. It made Bai Zheng feel as if she had come to a martial arts convention.
After about seven or eight matches, Song Yiqing, who had been waving his fan, munching on an apple, and watching the show, suddenly threw away the apple core and stood up. He bowed to Feng Linyuan, who was pouring tea for himself. "I am Song Yiqing. I challenge the Marquis of Dingyuan."
"Pfft—" Bai Zheng almost spat out her tea. This Song Yiqing was so weak that he couldn't even bind a chicken, yet he dared to challenge Feng Linyuan?
Feng Linyuan raised his eyebrows slightly and placed the teapot on the table.
"Please, Marquis of Dingyuan, give me a chance. Let me show off in front of Miss Bai San." Seeing that Feng Linyuan remained unmoved, Song Yiqing simply pleaded.
"Master Song is right. I haven't seen the elegance of the Marquis of Dingyuan for a long time. In the past, the Marquis of Dingyuan had superb sword skills. He even knocked me down." Feng Jingye smiled slightly.
Feng Jingxuan also said, "I remember when I was a child, I chased after the Marquis of Dingyuan to learn sword skills, but I was disliked. Today, I must see the Marquis of Dingyuan's abilities with my own eyes."
As a result, the looks in people's eyes when they looked at Feng Linyuan became eager.
Bai Zheng lowered her head and smiled. She already understood Song Yiqing's intention.
Even if Feng Linyuan didn't want to take action in this event, with his status, now that he was sitting in the seat of those seeking to marry, he naturally became the number one enemy in the hearts of Feng Jingye and Feng Jingxuan. But since Feng Linyuan had been out of sight for a long time, these two didn't know much about his current strength. Therefore, they would definitely try every means to force Feng Linyuan to take action.
Since he knew he couldn't avoid it, it was better to take the initiative and gain the upper hand.
The corner of Feng Linyuan's lips curled up slightly. He stood up leisurely.
Seeing that Feng Linyuan had accepted the challenge, Song Yiqing showed his white teeth satisfactorily. He walked to the pile of swords and carefully selected one. After comparing for a long time, he finally picked out a sword with a red agate on the hilt and said with a smile, "This one! It's barely worthy of my handsome and elegant temperament."
Feng Linyuan didn't even look at the swords. He casually picked up one. Seeing that Song Yiqing had finally finished selecting, he stretched out his hand and made a "please" gesture.
The people who had almost lost their patience because of Song Yiqing's long selection finally waited for the most anticipated moment.
"Fifth Brother, open your eyes wide and watch. The elegance of the Marquis of Dingyuan... It's been six years and..." Feng Jingye's excited voice suddenly faded. He stared at the scene in disbelief with wide - open eyes.