Chapter 153: The Sunshine Sword
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“This sword is called the Sunshine Sword. It can dispel all falsehoods under the heavens, bringing hope and light.”
“The origins of this broken blade are unknown, yet wherever it rests, no evil dares to approach,” declared the maid standing beside the Divine Maiden of Western Yue, her tone filled with pride.
Gasps of awe spread through the crowd.
“This year, during the Ghost Festival, no malevolent forces stepped foot into the royal city of Western Yue. It safeguarded countless citizens.”
“If any of you can draw this sword, not only will you win against us in this contest, but we will gift the sword to your nation as well. What do you say?” The maid directed her gaze toward the Emperor of Northern Zhao.
“However… if you fail to draw it…” Her lips curled into a subtle smile. “We will take Northern Zhao’s treasured heirloom, passed down for a thousand years.”
Her words sent the crowd into an uproar.
“Outrageous! The treasure of Northern Zhao is for the emperor alone! Do you think you’re dreaming?” An elderly minister with snow-white hair rose from his seat, pointing at the people of Western Yue in fury.
“A mere broken sword, and you dare to trade for our national treasure? Bah!”
The Divine Maiden of Western Yue maintained a faint smile. The maid behind her spoke respectfully but firmly.
“It is said that this sword is extraordinary, a divine relic. Even sheathed, it can protect an entire city. If someone can draw it, they can shield the world from malevolence for generations to come.”
“The benefit is immediate, the merit everlasting.”
“It is, after all, a divine object. Trading it for Northern Zhao’s treasure would not be a loss.”
“And should you succeed in drawing it, we will give it away freely.”
The court officials of Northern Zhao appeared tense. The Emperor’s gaze darkened. It was clear that Western Yue had set their sights on Northern Zhao’s heirloom, forcing the country into a precarious position with the eyes of all foreign emissaries upon them.
[Heirloom? What heirloom? Why haven’t I heard of this?] Lu Chao Chao wondered to herself.
“Emperor of Northern Zhao, have you made your decision?”
“Is Northern Zhao, a mighty nation, so lacking in confidence?” The Divine Maiden Jing Li tapped her fingers lightly and raised her gaze.
Lu Chao Chao tugged at the Emperor’s sleeve. “Emperor Daddy, agree…”
The Emperor looked at Lu Chao Chao. The usually carefree child now stood straight-backed, her eyes shining with determination.
“Very well. I will wager Northern Zhao’s heirloom.”
He gestured to Rong Che, whose expression grew resolute. Whenever the situation did not involve Madam Xu, Rong Che was a valiant general of indomitable spirit.
“General Rong, you are a man of immense strength. Do you have confidence?” The Emperor summoned his military leaders, among them the Protectorate Duke.
Rong Che carefully assessed the broken sword’s weight and felt a heavy burden. “Your Majesty, I am only thirty percent confident.”
The four men who had carried the sword from Western Yue were well-known to Rong Che for their sheer brute strength.
The Protectorate Duke also shook his head. “Your Majesty, I am but twenty percent confident.” Age had robbed him of his former glory.
“Uncle Prince, do you have confidence?” The Prince Xie Yu Nan, who was equal in stature to the Stabilizing General, pondered for a moment. “At most, forty percent.”
“Northern Zhao has three attempts. If any succeed, your nation wins,” the Divine Maiden of Western Yue said with a smile.
The sword had been unearthed in Western Yue, and despite the emperor’s efforts, no one in the entire kingdom could draw it. They were confident in the sword’s impossibility.
“Who will take the first attempt?” the Divine Maiden asked leisurely.
Rong Che stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, I volunteer to go first.”
Madam Xu slightly tightened her grip on her handkerchief. The woman beside her said, “Ah, General Rong is leading the charge. Speaking of which, the general is already over thirty and still unwed. The girls of the capital must be devastated.”
“Many are watching him now. Upright, noble, and from a distinguished family—his sister is even the Empress. Who could possibly win his heart?”
Madam Xu’s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze fixed intently on Rong Che.
As Rong Che approached the broken sword, he immediately felt an overwhelming force repelling him. Surprised, he realized that the sword was alive.
He reached out to touch the hilt. Though rusted and worn, it radiated a sacred, untouchable aura.
“This is indeed a divine sword,” he murmured, having encountered countless legendary weapons, none of which compared.
Planting his feet firmly, he grasped the hilt with one large hand. The moment he did, a surge of immense energy burst forth.
He held on tightly, avoiding being flung away. His grip grew stronger as the ground beneath his feet cracked open, spiderwebbing outward. The crowd gasped.
“My heavens! The famed General Rong, said to have the strength of a god, is struggling!”
The general’s brow was drenched in sweat, veins bulging across his skin. With a shout, he managed to move the sword slightly, but before he could celebrate, a powerful force hurled him backward, slamming him into a pillar and causing him to cough up blood.
Madam Xu’s clenched fists trembled. Her usually composed face hardened at the sight of his injury. She frowned as the imperial physician rushed forward to tend to him.
The Divine Maiden Jing Li smiled faintly. “It seems General Rong’s legendary strength is no exaggeration. Still, it took four of our strongest warriors to budge it a mere fraction, only to be repelled by an even greater force.”
The sword possessed a spirit, rejecting any who dared touch it.
The Emperor of Northern Zhao’s face was grave. Seeing Rong Che shake his head slightly only deepened his concern. No wonder Western Yue dared offer the sword—they must have known its challenge was insurmountable.
“Who will try next?” the maid of Western Yue asked sweetly.
Prince Xie Yu Nan stepped forward as the second challenger. The people of Northern Zhao watched anxiously. As expected, within half an hour, the prince was also thrown back.
A strange silence blanketed the room. Losing Northern Zhao’s treasure to Western Yue would shake the nation to its core. It represented the dignity of their kingdom.
The Emperor’s aura grew icy, his grip on his teacup whitening his knuckles. Eunuch Wang Yuan Lu lowered his head, not daring to meet the Emperor’s gaze. In contrast, the emissaries of Western Yue smiled, appearing certain of their victory.
“Who will be the third?” The maid’s voice carried a hint of amusement.
Leaning lazily against her seat, the Divine Maiden of Western Yue exuded ease, confident that no one could draw the sword.
Lu Chao Chao stared at the Sunshine Sword, her gaze dazed. [Old fellow, have you come looking for me?]
“Emperor Daddy, Chao Chao wants to draw the sword!” Her soft, childlike voice pierced the heavy silence, drawing everyone’s attention to her.
The Divine Maiden of Western Yue chuckled. “Little one, you’re not even taller than the sword.”