The Legend of the Royal Cat

In March, Bianliang City is filled with the breath of spring, and the people are busy starting their plans for the year.Today's Kaifeng city is extremely festive and lively. Prince Huai, who has not been to Beijing for 22 years, has returned to Beijing!The eyes of the busy people were opened today. The royal guard of honor is no stranger to the people of Kaifeng, but it is rare to see the mighty prince riding a red flame horse.

Sunset on the west mountain, moon on the tip of the mountain, Bianliang, Tokyo, Royal Hotel

Almost all the officials from the court came to greet King Huai, and they had been waiting in line for a long time. Most of the civil servants were curious, while the military officials waited with a look of admiration——Zhan Zhao never liked this kind of grand scene in the court , standing behind the Eighth Prince at this time, but his gaze stayed on Bao Zheng who was beside Prime Minister Wang.As soon as Bao Zheng looked up, he saw Zhan Zhao who was a little absent-minded. It was inconvenient to say anything else at this time, so he had to use his eyes to signal Zhan Zhao to regain his senses.Aware of Bao Zheng's worry, Zhan Zhao returned a confident smile, restrained his mind, looked ahead and waited——

"Eighth Prince, it's really a great royal event for my royal family to return to Beijing this time. I want to congratulate you!" Grand Master Pang Ji congratulated him without losing the opportunity, but he glanced sideways at Zhan Zhao who was behind the Eighth Prince. As the rumors said, the emperor and the eight kings intended to recruit Zhao as Princess Huaishuo's son-in-law, wouldn't Bao Heizi have more backers? !Wouldn't it be even more difficult to avenge my son Pang Yu? !No, this must never happen!

"What the grand master said is very true. Gu is also very happy!" The Eighth Prince did not doubt that he had it, and he was in a great mood.

"Hehe, yes," Grand Master Pang turned to Zhan Zhao and smiled, "I also want to congratulate Zhan Zhan, who has entered the imperial gate, so he won't have to be a black-faced man with Bao Zheng in Kaifeng Mansion anymore!"

"Teacher be careful! The guards are temporarily responsible for protecting King Huai's safety. It is the emperor's sympathy and care. The grand master should not presume the holy will!" Warn Pang Ji, lest Zhan Zhao become suspicious!He secretly sighed in his heart: Taishi Pang has many eyes and ears in court, and I'm afraid he has heard about recruiting a son-in-law for Princess Huaishuo for a long time. Because of his suspicion with Kaifeng Mansion, he will definitely get in the way, so we must guard against it!

"Yes, the old man understands. What the old man said is that it is better to be an official in the Huai Palace than to be a guard in Kaifeng Mansion, isn't it?" Pang Ji obviously didn't intend to stop there.

It has long been expected that Grand Master Pang would take the opportunity to ridicule and make things difficult, because the Eight Sage Kings were present, and this place was an extraordinary occasion. Zhan Zhao wanted to avoid it if he could, but he would not respond, but Grand Master Pang actually insulted Lord Bao in words, and at this time he even This is to intensify and openly challenge the majesty of the Kaifeng Mansion, Zhan Zhao decided to retreat as an advance, smiled slightly and cupped his fists in salute: "Thank you for your love! But Zhan Zhao was originally a wild crane in the rivers and lakes, and he joined the Gongmen just because he wanted to use the three-foot green edge in his hand to defend one side." Qingtian, black face or white face, I just want to do my best for the people of the court. As for the beauty, glory and wealth, it is enjoyed by people like Taishi who have accumulated virtue and wealth for several generations, Zhanzhao, no blessing to enjoy it!"

Why didn't I find this imperial cat so sharp-mouthed before? Baxian King and Pang Ji came to a conclusion at the same time, but Baxian Wang secretly laughed in his heart, and Grand Master Pang just made fun of himself and wanted to make trouble with excuses, but Due to the presence of the Eight Sage Kings, there was no disrespect in Zhan Zhao's words, so he let out a muffled snort and had to give up.

"Lord Huai has arrived—" Following the announcement, everyone saw the majestic guard of honor of King Huai.The most eye-catching person in the middle of the guard of honor is the one on the red flame horse.Although the man on the horse is nearly half a hundred years old, he is tall and handsome, dressed in a blue silk and satin tumbled dragon robe, with a jade face and black beard, and his brows reveal the heroic spirit of commanding thousands of troops, calm and resolute, not angry and majestic—this man It is Zhao Defeng, the thousand-year-old King Huai!

"Welcome King Huai Qiansui to return to Beijing!" All the officials saluted.

"Imperial brother, I haven't seen you for many years, but you still look good! It's getting late today, and it's inconvenient for the emperor to come in person, so I specially asked me to lead a hundred officials in the court to hold a banquet to welcome you, imperial brother!" King Huai got off his horse, and the eight sage kings stepped forward. welcome.If they were not born in the emperor's family, these two brothers would be closer, Zhan Zhao sighed inwardly.

"It's my king who arrived too late. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. I'm sorry, Brother Emperor and all the ministers." Unlike the eight sage kings who were approachable and approachable, King Huai showed the indifference of being thousands of miles away from others, and his words were even more lethargic. One cannot read any emotion.

"The banquet has been set up, imperial brother, if you and I are not drunk today, we won't return home, haha!" Eight Wise Kings didn't mind Huai Wang's indifference.

Royal Pavilion, Banquet Hall

After King Huai, the Eight Sage Kings, and Grand Master Pang took their seats on the high platform, all the officials also took their seats in sequence.Zhan Zhao stood beside the Eight Sage Kings, calm and steady. Feeling that the hostile gaze was still on him, Zhan Zhao smiled helplessly in his heart. This unfriendly gaze had been on him ever since he finished saluting. Without leaving him, the owner of this gaze was standing beside King Huai.This person is in his early forties, born mighty and brave, with a square face and a dark face, and a pair of sharp eagle eyes—this person is probably the biggest obstacle to this mission—the guards of Prince Huai’s residence command Wei Bi, and at this moment the only way Responding to all changes, wait and see the development of the situation.

"Why haven't you seen Princess Huaishuo? The last time this king saw her, she was still a baby waiting to be fed, and now she should be a beautiful and beautiful girl!" The Eight Sage King asked while pushing the cup to help.

"Oh, that girl? It doesn't matter if you don't mention it, she doesn't have the slightest dignified and skillful behavior. She plays around all day and makes troubles everywhere. A few days ago, she insisted on going to the south of the Yangtze River. She's going, I'm afraid she won't be able to arrive in Beijing until some time later." King Huai's tone was not at all reproachful, but it sounded very admiring and proud in the ears of others.

"It's been a long time since my Zhao family had such a heroic princess, ha ha! But, you still have to pay attention to the princess's safety!" Baxian Wang said, glanced at Zhan Zhao from the corner of his eye, and smiled on his brows.

"Commander Wei has ordered Shadow to accompany him for protection, nothing will happen. Don't worry about it, Brother Huai." King Huai replied confidently, completely disregarding etiquette.

"That's very good!" Eight Sages nodded in response, but there was a trace of sadness in his heart. King Huai was no longer the King Huai of the past, and now he closed himself up with aloofness and aloofness. Seeing the atmosphere gradually suppressed, Eight Sages Wang thought it would be better to adjust the atmosphere and introduce Zhan Zhao to King Huai earlier, "Well, today is really a day of great joy! My king specially ordered a song and dance to cheer up the wine! What do you think, brother?"

"This king has always disliked Yingyingyan's melodious voice, don't you remember, brother?!" King Huai's face turned dark.

"This is the king's negligence! Hehe, if this is the case, how about dancing the sword for fun?" Seeing that King Huai no longer objected, the Eighth Prince was relieved, "Show the guard!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Zhan Zhao stepped forward to salute, already understanding the Eight Worthy King's intentions in his heart.

"Brother, this is Nan Xia Zhan Zhao who is famous all over the world. The emperor personally bestowed the title of Royal Cat, and the official worshiped the first four ranks of guards with swords. Zhan's swordsmanship can be described as superb. The emperor is proficient in martial arts, so he must know how to appreciate it." !"

"In that case, what are you waiting for?" From the beginning to the end, King Huai did not look up at Zhan Zhao.Seeing this situation, Grand Master Pang stroked his rich beard, secretly proud of himself.

After all, Zhan Zhao is a first-class swordsman who is full of vigor, youth and vigor. Although he has become more scruples and calm and restrained after following Lord Bao, his unyielding pride has never been reduced by half. Today, he was so rude by King Huai. Shouting, Zhan Zhao's heart was already on fire.

But Zhan Zhao is Zhan Zhao after all, at this moment, there is no lack of manners. Whether he can stay by King Huai's side and complete the task will depend on this sword dance. Since King Huai is rude, let's prove him wrong with strength.Thinking about this, Zhan Zhao raised his sword, turned around and walked down from the chairman, and came to the middle of the hall.

"My lord Bao, why does this old man feel that Zhan Huwei's aura is different this time?" Prime Minister Wang whispered to Bao Zheng beside him.How could Bao Zheng fail to see Zhan Zhao's change? He knew that Zhan Zhao's aggressive aura must have his own reasons, and he would definitely hold his own.

Quiet—the originally noisy hall was so quiet that one could hear the rhythm of his own heartbeat, Zhan Zhao focused his eyes on the giant sword in his hand, making his heart slowly quiet—finally he raised his sword, and with a howl of the sword, everyone saw The scabbard flew out, piercing the airflow and nailing it straight into the painted red doorpost!With just this move, King Huai, like everyone else, shifted his eyes from the wine glass in his hand to the smear of red surrounded by streamers in the middle of the hall!The hall as bright as day cannot conceal the light of the giant tower, but the splendor of the giant tower still cannot conceal the magnificence of Zhan Zhao.Zhan Zhao's sword dance has no murderous aura but has a breathtaking domineering aura. No matter whether you are a warrior or a literati, you have to admit that Zhan Zhao in Juque Liuguang has a distinctive temperament. silence!

Turning around and dancing with the sword, Zhan Zhao felt that the images around him gradually blurred and disappeared, and he returned to the boyhood when he was studying swordsmanship in the peach blossom forest on Wudang Mountain——

"Zhaoer, do you know what the way of martial arts seeks, and what is the so-called original intention of being a chivalrous man?" My master asked me when I was studying for three years.

"The way of martial arts seeks only benevolence, and the original intention of a chivalrous man is also benevolence. Only with a heart of benevolence and love can one do acts of benevolence and righteousness. Use what you have learned all your life to save the common people in the world!" At that time, I was 13 years old.

"Zhao'er, my master is going to teach you the Xuantian swordsmanship. This is the last thing I can teach you. There are many people who use swords in the martial arts world. However, there are not many who are truly worthy of this gentleman's weapon." .To become a real swordsman, apart from superb swordsmanship, famous swords and precious blades, the most important thing is to comprehend the highest state of swordsmanship! From today on, you can comprehend and practice swords in this peach forest!"

Three months later, I had firmly engraved the Xuantian swordsmanship in my heart, and the blade of the sword swept across the peach blossoms, but within ten strokes, I was defeated by a branch in the hands of my master.The master didn't say anything, just looked at the peach blossoms all over the ground and sighed, then turned and left.A year later, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom again, the moves of the Xuantian swordsmanship taught by the master had already drifted beyond the sky, and I was practicing the swordsmanship I had realized in the peach forest and the sea of ​​flowers. Dance with the wind.

"Zhaoer, what is the highest state of swordsmanship, have you realized it?" Master asked with a smile.

"I don't have a sword in my hand, but I have a sword in my heart!" That year, when I was 15 years old, I once again fought swords with my master, and the two fought a hundred rounds.

That night, the master handed the Juque into his hands, "Zhaoer, to realize the highest state of swordsmanship is not something that can be achieved overnight by retreating and self-studying, it is time for you to go for it! This Juque is The ancient magic weapon, I gave it to you as a teacher, I hope you will not disappoint the expectations of being a teacher! ——Zhaoer, whenever there is a man and a sword, remember it!" I still remember the kind face of the master before going down the mountain , caring words, and earnest teachings-now, everything has changed.

Could it be that what I did really disappointed Master? !With a heart of benevolence, doing acts of benevolence and righteousness, using what you have learned all your life, saving the common people in the world, guarding the blue sky with a three-footed love front, isn't this what Master expects? ! ——Zhaoer, have you realized the highest level of kendo?Thinking of Master's words in his ears again, Zhan Zhao couldn't help but smile wryly in his heart, yes, it's been a long time since he calmed down to study martial arts and comprehend swordsmanship!As a result, everything returned to silence, and my mind once again returned to the flying sword in my hand.

Few people have seen Nanxia immersed in the soul of the sword. Even if he is as close as Bao Zheng and as expensive as the emperor, he has never seen such a Zhan Zhao with his own eyes. The state of the sword and man's unity, the demeanor of madness——