Chapter 153: The Radiant Sword
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“The sword you see before you is known as the Radiant Sword,” the maid announced beside the Saintess of West Yue, her voice filled with reverence. “It wields the power to vanquish all illusions, infusing the world with hope and light.”
The crowd murmured with awe and wonder.
“This fragmented sword’s origins are shrouded in mystery, yet no malevolence dares approach it. Once safeguarded within West Yue’s royal palace, it protected the city from dark spirits,” she continued, captivating the audience.
The crowd buzzed with curiosity and admiration.
“During this year’s Ghost Festival, not a single evil spirit dared enter West Yue’s royal city, preserving countless lives.”
“Should anyone manage to extract this sword, they will conquer North Zhao and gain this legendary blade. What do you think?” She turned to the king with a pointed gaze.
“But… should you fail…” Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “We will claim North Zhao’s thousand-year-old heirloom.”
The crowd gasped in shock.
“Outrageous! That heirloom is a treasure of North Zhao’s kings!” an elderly minister exclaimed, his voice thick with indignation, pointing accusingly at West Yue.
The Saintess of West Yue simply offered a serene smile in response.
Standing loyally behind her, the maid added, “This is no mere weapon but a divine artifact. Even sheathed, it can defend a nation. If extracted, it promises protection against all evil—timelessly beneficial. Exchanging it for North Zhao’s heirloom is a worthy trade. If you can wield this sword, it is yours, without cost.”
The ministers looked tense, and the king’s expression darkened. [Did West Yue truly aim for North Zhao’s heirloom?]
With envoys from various nations witnessing, it seemed North Zhao was under intense international scrutiny.
[What heirloom? I don’t remember such a thing…] thought Lu Chao Chao innocently.
“King of North Zhao, have you decided?” Saintess Jing Li asked, her voice soft yet compelling as she tapped her fingers lightly.
Lu Chao Chao, tugging at the king’s robes, added in her childlike, earnest voice, “King Daddy, say yes, pwease…”
The king glanced down at Lu Chao Chao, who typically played the idle tot, now looking unusually earnest, her eyes shining with an uncharacteristic spark.
“Very well, I accept the challenge for North Zhao’s heirloom,” he declared.
He nodded towards General Rong Che.
Rong Che, known for his unbeatable prowess except against the Xu family, appeared resolved.
“General Rong, known for lifting mountains, do you feel confident?” the king asked as he convened his generals, including the Protectorate Duke.
Assessing the sword, Rong Che felt an unusual heaviness. “Your Majesty, I’d say there’s a thirty percent chance,” he stated.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Recognizing the sword wielders from West Yue as renowned warriors, Rong Che understood the challenge’s depth.
The Protectorate Duke seemed skeptical too. “I’d give myself no more than twenty percent,” he admitted, reflecting a diminished vigor.
“Royal Uncle, what do you think?” Prince Xie Yun An, equally skilled, was consulted next.
After a moment, Xie Yun An said, “At most, forty percent.”
“North Zhao has three attempts to succeed,” declared the Saintess of West Yue confidently.
The sword, unearthed from West Yue’s depths, had resisted all local efforts to extract it. Their faith in its power was unyielding.
“Who will your king select for the first attempt?” the Saintess asked casually.
Rong Che bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, I volunteer.”
Madam Xu, watching nervously, overheard a nearby lady comment, “Look at General Rong leading the way. Still unmarried at thirty, he’s the despair of all eligible women in the capital.”
“Indeed, his impeccable character and noble family ties make him a sought-after bachelor. It’s intriguing to wonder who might capture his heart,” added another.
Madam Xu’s expression darkened as she focused on Rong Che approaching the sword.
As he touched the rust-covered blade, its original color lost to time, he felt a force repelling him, confirming its divine nature.
“This truly is a divine sword,” Rong Che acknowledged, his experience with sacred weapons giving weight to his words.
With a surge of hidden strength, he grasped the hilt. As he did, a force erupted, nearly unseating him. His strong grip caused the floor tiles to crack.
The crowd gasped, murmuring as they watched the spectacle.
Despite his formidable strength, the sword barely moved. As he was about to celebrate, a powerful force flung him back, his collision with a pillar drawing blood.
Madam Xu’s fists clenched as a royal physician rushed to Rong Che’s aid.
Saintess Jing Li’s smile widened. “It appears General Rong’s strength isn’t as formidable as rumored.”
The defiant sword seemed to allow no one to wield it.
“Who will attempt next?” the West Yue maid asked crisply.
Prince Xie Yun An rose at the call, ready to face the challenge.
As the crowd watched, anxious and silent, the prince too was swiftly repelled.
The tension was palpable; the loss of their heirloom would dishonor North Zhao for generations.
The king sat somberly, his grip tightening on his teacup.
Chief Eunuch Wang kept his gaze lowered, avoiding the king’s stern look while the West Yue delegation appeared confidently smug, having predicted this outcome.
“Who will be the third to try?” the maid asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The Saintess of West Yue relaxed, seemingly assured of their victory.
Lu Chao Chao, watching intently, wondered to herself.
[Did you come looking for me, old sword?]
“King Daddy, Chao Chao wanna twy pull sword!” Her tender voice pierced the silence, drawing all eyes to her.
The Saintess laughed. “Little one, you’re barely as tall as the sword.”