Cheng Yaojin shook the golden lion three times, and the assembled civil and military officials trembled three times. Only when he set it down did they breathe easy and wipe the cold sweat from their brows.
Yang Guang asked, "Yaojin, are you truly flesh and blood, or a heavenly god reborn?"
Cheng Yaojin grinned. "You flatter me, Your Majesty. I'm just a hundred million times
stronger, and a hundred million times better at fighting, that's all."
The officials silently sneered at his words.
Cheng Yaojin said, "Now that we've tested our strength, it's time to test our martial skills. Does General Tianbao still want to compete?"
"Yes, of course," Yuwen Chengdu replied.
"Good. Then please step outside the hall, Your Majesty, my lords," Cheng Yaojin said.
Yang Guang and the assembled officials began making their way toward the open ground outside the Golden Throne Hall, while Yang Lin sent someone on a swift horse to fetch Cheng Yaojin's weapon.
A quarter of an hour later, everyone had gathered outside to wait for Cheng Yaojin's weapon.
Before long, four guards carried the weapon over to Cheng Yaojin. He picked up the Eight Trigrams Mountain-Splitting Axe and said, "Your Majesty, I'm ready."
Yang Guang glanced at Yuwen Chengdu, who said, "Your Majesty, I'm ready as well."
"Then begin," Yang Guang said.
The two men took their weapons onto the open ground and stood facing each other. Cheng Yaojin grinned. "After you, General Yuwen."
Yuwen Chengdu wasted no time. He raised his Phoenix-Winged Gilt Trident and roared, "Watch yourself, Thirteenth Guardian!"
Then he charged at Cheng Yaojin. Once within reach, he brought his weapon crashing down in a Mount Hua-Splitting Strike.
Cheng Yaojin held the Giant Axe crosswise and thrust it upward with General Bracing the Iron Gate Bar. A thunderous clang rang