Chapter 226: A slight tug
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
There was a blade stuck right in the middle of the cavity.
It looked like an incredibly ordinary sword. There were no patterns or intricate engravings on the hilt. The entire sword, from hilt to blade, began to glow.
A faint purple light began to shine from the ground. This was a strange purple glow, and it represented Si Kong's last drop of blood.
This blade was not exquisite, however, no one in the entire court would call this an ordinary blade.
This was Meng Tian's sword, the sword which had killed the Demon Lord Si Kong.
Everyone in the throne room was staring at the sword.
"This is the Sagely Battle God Meng Tian's sword?!"
"This is an extremely good sword!"
"With this sword, the glory of the Great Xia Dynasty would be reinforced!"
All of the officials looked at the sword, their eyes filled with greed and lust. However, none of them dared to make a move on it.
This blade meant too much.
This was the sword of Meng Tian, one of the greatest heroes of the Great Xia Dynasty. He was the pride of humanity, and his sword represented his legacy.
King Duan and Lin Tianrong were both looking at the sword. Both their eyes glimmered and King Duan felt his hand shaking unconsciously.
If he could get hold of this sword, then it would solidify his place in the courts.
This blade represented greatness. Being Sagely Battle God Meng Tian's sword, it represented his legacy and will.
Combining that with his current position, who would dare go up against him in the three armies?!
The heir also felt his palms begin to sweat. He knew what King Duan wanted. You want to use the power of the sword to bring the three armies to their knees?
He could not let King Duan have his way. No matter what, he had to get the sword, because the sword represented Meng Tian's will.
The Emperor himself was slightly taken aback, nothing more. Even though the blade was stuck in the ground, it was almost as if it was in his hand.
As the Emperor, he could have the sword at any time he wanted.
This was the first time Yan Xiu, Ping Yang, Xing Qingsui and Nangong Mu seen the sword.
They knew that Fang Zhengzhi had gotten this sword from the World of the Sage, but, Why did he stab it into the ground?
Also, what did Fang Zhengzhi mean...
"An item with an owner?!"
Yu Yiping's expression was much darker than everyone else. Even though he was also looking at the sword, he was thinking about what Fang Zhengzhi had said just now.
"Any item with an owner should not be taken away even if it's lying on the floor!"
What did Fang Zhengzhi mean by that?
Could it be...
Yu Yiping had a bad feeling. The feeling was strong, but he refused to believe that this was going to happen.
Fang Zhengzhi was slightly nervous. He was not nervous about the sword, but about the gaping cavity he had caused in the throne room.
Uh oh, I might have thrown it a little too heavily...
Where is this place?
The Throne Room!
Uh oh... am I going to have to pay for the gaping hole I made in the throne room? How much is it going to cause...
Will anyone believe me if I said it was an accident?
Fang Zhengzhi's gaze swept over all the officials in attendance, then he snuck a peek at King Duan and the Heir before finally looking at the Emperor's expression.
Then he heaved a sigh of relief.
No one seemed to notice the hole in the ground. All of them were looking at the sword. Well that was easy. He could simply push the blame to the sword. No one would have the sword killed or fine the sword right?
When he thought about that, Fang Zhengzhi's courage grew as he looked at the officials innocently.
"Fang Zhengzhi, you just said that this was an item with an owner, even if it's thrown on the ground, no one should take it away. What did you mean by that?" One of the officials stood out after Yu Yiping glanced in his direction.
"What do I mean? Don't you understand the meaning of that statement? Then how did you pass your examinations..." Fang Zhengzhi looked at that official condescendingly.
"How did I pass my examinations?!"
All of the officials looked at Fang Zhengzhi. It was extremely humiliating for a Rank Four Official to be humiliated this way.
It was nothing but blatant humiliation...
This humiliation was equivalent to a well read sage picking up the simple 'Three Character Classic' and having it snatched away by a child saying, "Return it to me, it's not like you can understand it!"
What audacity.
"You..." The official's face turned red and white. He wanted to rebut Fang Zhengzhi, but it would really be a joke if a Rank Four Official took offence with what a commoner said. As such, he had no other choice but to rephrase his question, "What I am asking you is, what is your purpose in saying this?"
"Oh, so you are asking me for purpose? But, didn't Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping make it very clear? Any item with an owner should not be affiliated with who picked it up, but with who owned it initially. Do you have any issue with what he said?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.
"Hahaha... Prime Minister Yu is clearly right. But you seem to imply that this sword is yours? Fang Zhengzhi, I do agree that you are talented, but this is the legacy of Meng Tian, how can it be yours?" The official laughed. He did not see the link between what Yu Yiping said and what Fang Zhengzhi was saying.
"That's simple. All we have to do is call and see if the sword responds. Whoever makes the sword respond is clearly the owner?" Fang Zhengzhi said in a matter-of-fact fashion.
He had called out the sword in the World of the Sage. He had the confidence to do it again here. All he needed was someone to question him.
Then, he could prove it to everyone.
"Is it possible that you can..."
"Official Wang!"
A voice interrupted the official. Then, one of the observers rushed out and shook his head at the official.
As one of the invigilators of the Imperial Examination, he knew exactly what had happened inside the World of the Sage. He also knew that Fang Zhengzhi had called out the sword then.
Fang Zhengzhi was clearly setting up a trap.
The moment the official said anything to challenge him, Fang Zhengzhi could call the sword and the entire court would be silenced.
Using Yu Yiping's words to silence the courts?
The man who stood out smiled icily. He had to admire Fang Zhengzhi's plan. However, this was the throne room, how could a brash youth be allowed to have his way?
"Fang Zhengzhi, you found this sword in the World of the Sage and used it to kill a demon. It is only natural for this blade to listen to you temporarily. However, this does not prove that the blade is yours!"
"Furthermore, this sword is the embodiment of Meng Tian's will. It was made to kill demons. Whilst I am sure you can use this sword, there are many talents in the Great Xia Dynasty. I believe that this sword should be given to someone more powerful. That is the only way its full power can be brought to bear!"
"Of course, I also believe that you will have outstanding power in the coming years. When that day comes and you have served the dynasty, who is to say the blade won't be given to you?"
After finishing his little speech, that man looked at Fang Zhengzhi contentedly. He thought that he outmaneuvered Fang Zhengzhi once again.
So....
What is Fang Zhengzhi going to do now?
The official who had asked the question felt a chill down his back. He finally understood the danger just now. He had nearly played right into the hands of a court novice.
If he had done so, his future would have been over.
He nodded appreciatively at the law official. Then, he retreated back into the crowd.
The other officials also knew what Fang Zhengzhi was trying to do. They were slightly surprised. Even so, they mocked, You're trying to play us even before you enter court?
Don't try to bite off more than you can chew. You may have the heart, but you don't have the abilities.
Yu Yiping was slightly solemn. He had thought that Fang Zhengzhi had already given up, but Fang Zhengzhi was trying to turn it in his favor?
Sadly, Fang Zhengzhi was still quite immature.
The law official saw that Fang Zhengzhi did not speak anymore. He also saw all of the officials looking at him. He knew that this was the time to close the case.
"I will help young master Fang present the sword!" The law official smiled at Fang Zhengzhi and at the seated Emperor.
After getting the Emperor's approval, he walked to the sword.
After a faint cough, he held the hilt in his hand.
He tensed his arm and pulled...
The sword did not move.
"Oh? It is a good sword. It is stabbed quite deep into the ground, hahaha... I have to use some strength!" The law official flushed in embarrassment when he failed to extract the sword.
However, being a seasoned politician, he knew how to adapt.
He laughed.
But his laugh was slightly forced. His expression became solemn and his posture changed. He placed two hands on the hilt and tugged...