Crown Prince Liu Qian

When will our operation begin?

"Once you see them, you can take action: detain those who need to be detained, and send those who need to be escorted back to Chang'an City Chang'an City!"

"That monk has a really sharp head, he really won't headbutt me?"

"If you have enough people with you, why would he bump into you?"

Zhang Xuezhou and Zhang Qian waited for Wu Chao and the others to arrive in Shouchun City, exchanging only casual words, while Lei Bei patiently taught Su Fei to follow the rules.

"Lei Bei available?"

When a sharp shout rang out from outside the residence, the people chatting idly outside finally looked up.

Outside the half-open door, Tian Jiu's crown stood tall, and he was clad in a purple robe, making it clear to everyone who had come.

As for the extremely high-pitched voice of the person shouting, it was probably a eunuch who had been summoned to do some work.

Lei Bei's expression gradually turned solemn.

What's meant to happen will happen; Tianjiu has already come knocking.

It's never a good thing when people from the same trade meet. There's no need to speculate; Lei Bei was well aware that the two of them were bound to clash today.

He waved to Su Fei, who immediately ran over and opened the door.

"You Lei Bei Highness the Crown Prince has come in person, yet you didn't even come to open the door and greet him. What are your intentions?"

The gate opened, and a young swordsman in white, with red lips and white teeth, stood at the forefront.

Behind the other party, on the left, was an old eunuch, and on the right, Tian Jiu stood.

Upon seeing that it was Su Fei who opened the door, Tian Jiu couldn't help but jump up and down, accusing him repeatedly.

Tian Jiu's gaze was deep. He seemed to be jumping around, but Tian Jiu's heart was very steady, and his sword was also very steady.

If an opponent is influenced by his words, it will directly affect the outcome of the match.

He doesn't mind using his words, even if it means being criticized, because only the surviving swordsman is a true swordsman; the dead are worthless.

He is quite old and has witnessed a great deal of ups and downs over the years.

Even if the other person was a guest of honor of the King of Huainan just a moment ago, the King of Huainan will not feel any nostalgia once that person dies.

Those who should be buried are buried, and those who are disabled retire to contribute their knowledge behind the scenes, either by writing books or teaching, barely surviving on ordinary treatment, a stark contrast to their treatment as guest advisors.

Tian Jiu didn't want to lose; he didn't even want to fight Lei Bei.

If Lei Bei cultivate slowly for more than ten years, that would be the best thing for him.

As long as Lei Bei blocked by this second-ranked swordsman, his first place will be very secure.

But everything was no match for the intervention of the white-clad swordsman.

A bitter feeling welled up in Tianjiu's heart, and he had no choice but to use the identity of the young swordsman to his advantage.

"The Crown Prince? I've never seen the Crown Prince, nor do I know him!"

Lei Bei shook his head and then carefully examined the young man at the doorway.

The other person looked more than ten years younger than him, but his eyes were sharp and determined, clearly indicating that he had considerable swordsmanship skills and was even extremely good at attacking.

"Tian Jiu, are you here to cause trouble again?" Lei Bei asked solemnly.

"I have long heard that Elder Lei's horizontal sword technique is unparalleled. I have also tried to learn this technique, but no matter how I try, I can't seem to get it right. I wonder if Elder Lei would be willing to demonstrate it?"

The white-clad swordsman didn't mind Lei Bei's rudeness, nor did he mind Tian Jiu's criticism of Lei Bei.

He was eager to see Lei Bei's swordsmanship and compare it with his own, to see why Lei Bei's swordsmanship could defeat opponents of higher levels, while his own horizontal swordsmanship, not to mention defeating opponents of higher levels, couldn't even defeat swordsmen of the same level.

The best way to watch yōkenjutsu (horizontal swordsmanship) is through a duel.

In the King of Huainan's Household, there was only one opponent who could allow Lei Bei fully demonstrate his horizontal sword technique.

This is the reason he invited Tianjiu over, and also the main reason he visited Lei Bei's residence.

In his eyes, there was only swordsmanship; everything else was secondary. No matter how Tian Jiu provoked him, or how rude Lei Bei, everything would be fine once the two of them started fighting.

"The Horizontal Sword Technique can only evolve into countless sword techniques when it encounters an opponent's attack," Lei Bei whispered. "This kind of sword technique is all about life and death; how can it be demonstrated!"

"That's why I've found you an opponent," the white-clad swordsman said. "A duel between you will showcase the beauty of the horizontal sword technique!"

"Your Highness, the Horizontal Sword Technique is brutal and not a benevolent art. Why don't you choose another sword technique to practice?"

Tian Jiu's face showed a slight bitterness.

Crown Prince Liu Qian loved swords and was taught swordsmanship by him. However, Liu Qian became somewhat obsessed with swordsmanship, wanting to learn any good sword technique he saw, and even requiring swordsmen to fully demonstrate the relevant techniques.

But there's no reason to show off this kind of swordsmanship.

After the Horizontal Sword Technique entered the Class A room, Tian Jiu, as the top guest master of swordsmanship, also entered the Class A room to watch and even did some content analysis.

In the horizontal sword technique, there is no display of skill; the higher the opponent's accumulated counterattack power, the stronger the destructive force.

Once Lei Bei fully exposed, he'll be pretty much dead.

"Guest Elder Tianjiu, you didn't say this when I invited you to duel with the other guest elders," Liu Qian frowned. "You used to say that whether someone's swordsmanship is good or not will be known in a fight. Now that it's your turn to Lei Bei, why are you making such a fuss!"

"That horizontal sword technique..."

"Could it be that your reputation as the best swordsman can't even suppress the second-best?" Liu Qian asked suspiciously. "Then aren't you just a figurehead, wasting the precious medicine that the King of Huainan's Household supplies you with every month?"

"Your Highness..."

"It seems I have no choice but to go to my father; after all, he's easier to talk to than I am!"

Liu Qian spoke in a calm voice.

"No need. Since Your Highness has asked me to fight, then I will fight Lei Bei, the Guest Elder!"

Upon hearing Liu Qian mention the King of Huainan, Tian Jiu had no choice but to steel himself.

Regardless of whether he displays his skills or not, once he clashes with Lei Bei, he will inevitably unleash his most proficient swordsmanship, striving to defeat Lei Bei in a swift and decisive battle.

As for the Crown Prince's desire to watch the Horizontal Sword Technique, that's a matter for later.

"Then let's fight!"

Lei Bei a slight bitterness in his heart, knowing that he couldn't avoid this trip today.

It was common for the retainers to fight each other, and life and death occurred every year.

The high-ranking retainers of the King of Huainan's Household were well-treated, but they were also required to be meticulous in their work.

If the King of Huainan wanted to see a sword fight, those of them who had served as guest ministers had no choice but to risk their lives to participate.

Liu Qian's words don't count, but he brought up the King of Huainan, whose status could persuade the King of Huainan to grant him special privileges.

Lei Bei gripped the newly acquired iron sword, feeling its weight, and wondered if he would ever have the chance to wield it again after today.

The King of Huainan's Household was renowned for his ability to challenge those beyond their cultivation level, but the higher the cultivation level, the greater the gap became.

Lei Bei had no confidence in this battle and was somewhat resigned to death.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked at Tian Jiu with a deathly despair in his eyes. He saw the killing intent in Tian Jiu's eyes and immediately knew that Tian Jiu would not give him any power to accumulate sword techniques for counterattack.

"Why must you all fight to the death to demonstrate your swordsmanship? I have a method that will allow you all to remain unharmed, and also allow His Highness to witness a truly exquisite swordsmanship!"

As Lei Bei and Tian Jiu's aura grew increasingly heavy, a voice urging them to make peace could be heard from not far away.

This relieved Tian Jiu considerably, and then Lei Bei's gaze swept over Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Qian.

"I know of someone who is impervious to swords and blades. If you want to fully demonstrate your swordsmanship, you two can challenge him to a duel," Zhang Xuezhou said. "This won't cause any trouble or result in any deaths!"

"Invulnerable to swords and blades?" Tian Jiu asked doubtfully, "Are there really such people in the world?"

"Lei Bei, the guest elder, once drew his sword against him," Zhang Xuezhou said. "You can find out by asking him!"

You mean that person?

Lei Bei was questioned.

If one wants to test their sword skills, then Brother Tathagata is indeed the best target.

This is someone who is virtually indestructible, while the opponent's weaknesses are equally obvious. Such individuals are less agile than them, giving them the opportunity to test their swordsmanship.