Chapter 1213: The Martial Battle Begins
Translator: Lordbluefire
“Mn?”
Sun Mo frowned. Why did he suddenly feel like happiness had descended? “Your Majesty, I think it’s better for me to return to the hotel. I still have some matters I need to handle.”
“Oh!”
The Qi Emperor thought about it. In any case, he wanted to admire the painting tonight and also wouldn’t have time to chat with Sun Mo. Hence, he decided to agree.
“Sect Lord, farewell!”
Sun Mo clasped his hands.
“Teacher Sun, please wait!”
Su Taiqing smiled. “I actually came here this time because I wish to obtain the ocean of stars painting created by your brilliant disciple. I wonder if I can have the honor of doing so?”
Although the Qi Emperor said that he didn’t want it, the painting was ultimately something created by Li Ziqi, so it was better to ask the true owner.
Si~
Upon hearing this, everyone was incomparably shocked. So, the Sect Lord came to Western Jing for the sake of Li Ziqi’s famous painting?
Didn’t that mean that this princess of Great Tang had won against Xai Taikang?
Yet, the ranking of that battle showed Li Ziqi to be in second place instead.
The countenance of Zeng Gongnian and the other two artists turned unsightly. One must know that they were the judges. By doing this, Su Taiqing was implying that they had eyes but couldn’t see clearly.
Just think about it, how outstanding a painting had to be if it was admired by the number one great teacher in the Nine Provinces?
“I think it’s best for you to ask Ziqi about this question.”
Although Sun Mo could make the decision, he decided to give the chance of gaining the Sect Lord’s favor to the little sunny egg.
“Teacher Li, might I have the honor to obtain it?”
Just Su Taiqing’s address for Li Ziqi was enough to bring much fame to her.
Look at the princes and princesses of the Five Empires, other than Li Ziqi, no one else had this much clout.
…
The painting battle finally concluded. The audience was fully satisfied, discussing with each other as they headed home.
The conclusion of the literature and arts battle produced two victors – Great Xia and Great Tang. These two empires fought to a draw. Now, the crucial point was the martial battle.
Three days later, the martial battle would begin in the Flying Swallow Drill Ground in the outskirts of Western Jing.
Sun Mo returned to the hotel after bidding farewell to the major characters here.
“Senior martial sister Zhiruo, what’s wrong?”
Xianyu Wei could see that Lu Zhiruo kept turning her head back after every step. She didn’t know what she was looking at. “Did you lose your wallet?”
“Nope!”
Lu Zhiruo hurriedly shook her head. She then snuck a glance at Su Taiqing who was chatting with the Qi Emperor.
(Father doesn’t seem to have any intention of speaking with me?)
(Should I go and greet him?)
Because she snuck out from home, Lu Zhiruo was worried she might be punished. Naturally, the thing she was most afraid of was that her father would want to bring her back to the Saint Gate.
(If he does that, I won’t be able to follow and learn from Teacher anymore!)
Upon thinking of this, the lucky mascot decided to cower back. Out of sight, out of mind. Hence, she hastened her steps. “I’ll make a move first and get the hotel boss to prepare hot water and a good meal for us.”
“Eldest Martial Sister, as long as you continue displaying such performance, even if you cannot obtain the first place in the war discussion, your prestige in the empire will surely exceed Li Xuan.”
Qin Yaoguang’s eyes glowed brightly. “At that time, you can even seize the throne!”
“I won’t seize the throne!”
Li Ziqi shook her head. If she did so, Great Tang would surely descend into chaos.
…
Three days later, the information about the literature and arts battle had spread. The main point was that there were too many fascinating segments in this battle.
This was especially so for Great Tang Princess Li Ziqi. She was the youngest great teacher in history, shining in all glory.
In the zither battle, she performed seven solos, and each of them was an heirloom-level music piece. Finally, she even comprehended the great teacher halo that countless musicians yearned for.
One could say that Li Ziqi was already on the verge of becoming a Music Sage.
After that, in the chess battle, everyone knew how Qing Wuzi became a Chess Sage and also the story about his spiritual chess soul. However, it seemed so lackluster when the news of three Ancient Sage halos appearing within Sun Mo’s group.
After all, no matter how great one’s chess skills were, it was just a method to cultivate one’s mind and prove one’s intelligence. It wouldn’t be of much help to the country’s development. But Ancient Sage halos were different.
That was a great teacher halo that could summon thousands of ancient sages. Those who comprehended this were all believed to have the potential to become Saints.
After that, it was the calligraphy battle. The competition didn’t have many brilliant points, but in the dinner banquet after that, Li Ziqi got drunk and her 100 poems recital stunned the world.
What was more impressive was that she had even comprehended a brand new great teacher halo!
For the fourth battle, the painting battle, leaving aside Xia Taikang and Li Ziqi, Sun Mo alone had fully displayed his capabilities. Not only did he produce two famous paintings in a single day, but each of his paintings could also be considered extremely rare treasures. Now, even when counting all the famous paintings in the Nine Provinces, Sun Mo’s two paintings could be ranked within the top ten.
The first painting had an automatic halo effect and was filled with strong educational intent, allowing emperors and high officials to be more benevolent. However, everyone wasn’t too interested in that. They placed all their attention on the second painting – the Jinling Wind and Moon Painting.
It was said that Great Teacher Sun had painted 100 beauties, and each of them was extremely fine in detail. Each character within had their own stories.
In any case, after the literature and arts battle ended, Sun Mo and Li Ziqi became completely famous.
Sun Mo was even recognized by Su Taiqing as the ‘Dual Sage of Calligraphy and Painting, the only one in the word!’
Hence, several people who were originally not interested in the Five Empires War Discussion decided to set off and head to Western Jing, wanting to view Sun Mo and Li Ziqi’s brilliance personally.
…
The resting time passed in the blink of an eye, and the martial battle started!
At the vast Flying Swallow Drill Ground, hoisted flags could be seen everywhere.
This was the base of the Flying Swallow Army, so it could be considered Jiang Yuzhen’s home ground.
Early in the morning, there were already tens of thousands of people coming in and filling the temporary audience stand to the brim.
“A ticket actually cost 1,000 taels of silver. They are basically out to eat us!”
“Oioi, the martial battle would involve deaths. Spending 1,000 taels to watch a war game isn’t too bad!”
“That’s right, I heard that all previous martial battles were extremely bloody!”
Western Jing, as the capital of the Qi Empire, naturally had many wealthy people.
For an opportunity like this where one could strike it rich openly, the Qi Emperor wouldn’t spare it. If it wasn’t for his loyal subjects doing their utmost to persuade him, he actually wanted to sell the entry tickets for 10,000 taels a piece.
“You guys don’t understand. What I want is for these wealthy people to spectate.”
The Qi Emperor felt that these officers were brainless.
For something like a bloody clash like this, if one didn’t watch it, they would really regret it for their entire lives. So, many wealthy figures would definitely grit their teeth and pay up even if it cost 10,000 taels.
The general officers and field-grade officers of Great Qi helped to maintain order and acted as guides, bringing the various participating groups into the preparatory areas.
“I wonder what the results of the lot-drawing are?”
Ying Baiwu felt somewhat worried.
The martial battle could be split into three parts. Firstly, the army unit battle, the commander battle, and the individual battle!
The first round, the army unit battle. As its name implied, it was a slaughter between two army units!
Each diplomatic group could send out two army units of at least 500 pax. They were separately known as the main team and secondary team. After that, the ten teams would undergo a lot-drawing and fight one against one for the ranking.
Two teams from each country were permitted to battle in case one team screwed up, allowing the other team to mitigate for it.
“Quickly look, Li Xuan and the others have returned!”
After Qin Yaoguang spoke, the students all quickly went over.
“Eldest Princess, how’re the results?”
Sun Mo asked.
“Li Xuan got matched against Great Chu. Ziqi is a little more unlucky, she drew Great Xia!”
Li Xiu silently sighed. Ziqi would definitely not be able to win as the strength of Great Xia’s war units was extremely strong.
“Aunt, it’s fine. I will get into the finals!”
Li Xuan smiled. For this first round, Great Chu was like a freebie!