Ji Hong opened his mouth, as if words were on his tongue but were forcefully suppressed.
A hint of helplessness flashed in Ji Jinmo's eyes, yet he spoke under the disbelieving gazes of everyone, "This Heaven-Seeking Sword, forged by the master craftsman 'Chi Xie,' is his final work. A holy sword requires a soul, so at the moment of its completion, the master leaped into the forging pool."
"The Heaven-Seeking Sword was thus completed, its blade transforming from its original iron color to gold."
"Oh!"
It was her who asked, and it was also her who lost interest upon hearing the answer.
Ji Hong's temple veins bulged, throbbing as if he were about to bleed to death. His eyes, ablaze with anger, were as round and protruding as two copper bells. Nan Shiying felt he looked like the stone lions guarding the entrance to a royal mansion.
Ah, like a stone lion with its neck being choked.
Powerless rage!
"Feng Luan!"
Ji Hong's voice seemed to want to tear Feng Luan apart.
Feng Luan politely responded to Ji Hong's 'greeting': "This commoner is here."
The scene before them had veered in an unspeakable direction since Feng Luan's appearance. If Ji Hong were not still in Ji Jinmo's grasp, the current situation would resemble a heated argument among young people.
Ji Hong's chest heaved rapidly, like a bellows, panting with rage. Ji Jinmo gripped his neck, while Ji Hong clutched Ji Jinmo's wrist, turning his head to glare at Nan Shiying.
As if wishing to devour her alive.
Nan Shiying sidestepped Ji Hong, bent down, and reached into the crack of the stone tablet, drawing out the Heaven-Seeking Sword. The sword cut through the air, and dazzling golden light spilled out. Nan Shiying raised her hand to shield her eyes, preventing the golden light from relentlessly harming her pupils.
"You..."
Everyone was stunned into silence, some even clutching their chests, gasping for breath as if their cardiovascular systems were about to burst.
As the golden light dissipated, Nan Shiying casually swung the sword. Then, she thrust the sword into the gap of the stone slabs on the ground, flicked her shoulders, and gasped, "This sword is truly heavy!"
"The Heaven-Seeking Sword weighs eighty-eight jin, it is a greatsword," Ji Jinmo stated.
Nan Shiying turned to Ji Hong and asked, "Your Majesty, this commoner has tried it. It's too heavy, may it be bestowed upon Ji Jinmo?"
If her hand weren't resting on Ji Hong's shoulder, her words might have sounded like a negotiation. However, the faint sweet scent wafting under her nose caused Ji Hong's expression to change drastically.
Was this negotiation?
This was a threat!
The situation had taken a turn. As Ji Hong glared at Nan Shiying, he quickly glanced at Ji Jinmo.
Ji Jinmo remained silent for two seconds, then released Ji Hong's neck: "This minister thanks His Majesty for his benevolence."
Though he spoke words of gratitude, Ji Jinmo made no move to bow. His back stood straight as a pine tree. Ji Hong's complexion could no longer be described as merely dark; it was utterly the color of a pot's bottom!
Are these two, a man and a woman, like bandits?
Ji Hong didn't care about the Heaven-Seeking Sword; he was merely angered by the injustice.
However, at this juncture, the situation had deviated, and his supposed ally had turned traitor for beauty. Ji Hong, even with his immense capabilities, was powerless to reverse the tide.
He gritted his teeth, his teeth making a 'grinding' sound.
As if intending to shatter every tooth in his mouth.
"Imperial Uncle, you must keep this sword well."
"Your Majesty may rest assured, this minister will cherish it with utmost care."
Ji Jinmo casually drew the Heaven-Seeking Sword and performed a sword flourish. In his hands, this greatsword weighing eighty-eight jin seemed as light as nothing, showing no weight at all.
As he swung the sword, everyone turned pale with fright, fearing he might 'accidentally' stab Ji Hong. Fortunately, Ji Jinmo merely tested it before lowering his hand, the sword tip touching the ground.
The Imperial Guards guarding the palace gates rushed over, reporting loudly, "Your Majesty, the Deputy General of the Demon Hunting Army requests an audience."
Upon hearing the words 'Demon Hunting Army,' everyone's expressions changed again.
Had the Demon Hunting Army surrounded the imperial palace and sent someone to announce it?
Could it be that the sky of Lin Yuan was truly about to change?
Ji Hong remained silent for a moment. In his silence, some civil officials' legs began to go weak.
After a long while, Ji Hong asked, "Is it only him?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, only the Deputy General."
"Summon him!"
"Yes!"
The Imperial Guards announced the Deputy General into the palace. The Deputy General, carrying a scroll, walked from outside the palace gates, through the inner gates, and arrived outside the square.
"This minister, Zhang Heng, Deputy General of the Demon Hunting Army, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
Zhang Heng, ignoring the scene before him, walked to the side of the Imperial Guards, knelt on one knee in his armor, and performed the ritual.
Observing his actions, the crowd did not think it was a military attack on the imperial city.
Ji Hong's expression gradually softened: "Rise!"
After signaling him to rise, Ji Hong asked again, "What is the purpose of your visit?"
Zhang Heng did not rise. Instead, he held up the scroll with both hands: "This minister led troops to search the Jin Yang Marquis's manor and found these letters in the Marquis's study."
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.
The Deputy General of the Demon Hunting Army had led troops to search the residence of a First-Rank Marquis without permission? This was utterly lawless!
Upon hearing this dire news, the Jin Yang Marquis immediately knelt on the ground, overcome with grief and indignation: "Your Majesty, the Demon Hunting Army, without Your Majesty's permission, has dared to search this minister's residence, showing contempt for imperial authority, disregard for royal power, and treating the court's laws as nothing. This is a grave offense! I implore Your Majesty to uphold justice for this minister!!!"