NCCnovel Chapter 121 Fight
Chapter 121 Fight
Amidst the guards' astonished gazes, Liu Shan bowed in apology and quickly withdrew.
The guards looked at each other, wondering why this lowly county magistrate had suddenly changed his mind.
However, this was exactly what they wanted to see. If the county magistrate dared to force his way in, even if they outnumbered him, they would inevitably suffer casualties.
After watching Liu Shanyuan leave, the guards breathed a sigh of relief and continued their daily vigilance.
Even after Liu Shan left, his heart was still churning with turmoil.
He retreated not because he feared the guards' threats, but because he suddenly realized that forcing his way in was not the best way to solve the problem.
Acting impulsively can endanger not only oneself but also implicate subsequent investigations.
Compared to forcibly breaking in, sneaking into the Prince's mansion might be a more appropriate course of action.
After making several turns, Liu Shan was sure he had escaped the guards' sight and began to wait for night to fall.
However, the sun had only just risen, and there was still a considerable amount of time before sunset.
Liu Shan was impatient and unwilling to wait any longer. Even though the risks of acting during the day were higher, he decided to take the risk.
He quickly found a secluded corner, and when the opportunity arose, he lightly leaped over the wall of the Prince's mansion.
Upon landing, he quietly adjusted his posture to ensure he made no sound.
After scanning his surroundings and confirming that no one had noticed him, Liu Shan quickly made his way stealthily toward the princess's residence.
Not long after, he stopped and hid behind a thicket of flowers.
In the past, when Liu Shan met the princess, he always used the main gate. But this time, he had to choose a more secluded path.
However, the Prince Kang's mansion was simply too large, and since he hadn't explored the layout beforehand, Liu Shan got lost.
Just as he was getting anxious, Liu Shan heard a cough coming from not far away.
Liu Shan quickly held his breath and looked alertly toward the source of the sound.
A mysterious old man was standing not far away, watching him with amusement.
Liu Shan was startled. He recognized the mysterious old man. He had seen him before; at the last poetry gathering, the old man was the princess's personal bodyguard.
At that time, he sensed the old man's unfathomable depth; now, he felt the old man's immense inner strength once again.
Liu Shan sighed, knowing that his infiltration had failed. He could only slowly stand up, bow deeply to the old man, and say solemnly, "I have no intention of offending you, but I have important matters to tell the princess. Please lead the way, sir."
Although his words were calm, his heart was in turmoil. He did not know the old man's preferences, but judging from his behavior at the last poetry gathering, the old man was quite hostile towards him.
The old man stared intently at Liu Shan, and after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "I know you are anxious, but this is not a place for you. However, since you mentioned that you have important business, I will take you to see the princess."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shan breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he kept a watchful eye on the old man's every move.
The two walked through the corridors and courtyards of the Prince's Mansion. Liu Shan followed closely behind the old man, but gradually, he noticed something was amiss.
The direction they were heading didn't seem to match the princess's residence; rather, it seemed they were heading deeper into the palace.
Liu Shan slowed his pace cautiously, wondering to himself, "Could it be that this old man isn't leading me to the princess's residence?" He tentatively asked, "Sir, where are we going? If I remember correctly, the princess lives in the east courtyard, but we've been heading west."
The old man didn't stop walking. He glanced at him calmly and replied, "Your memory is indeed good. The princess's residence is indeed in the east courtyard, but she is not in the east courtyard at the moment. Instead, she has important business to attend to at the west academy grounds for her morning exercise. Since you have important business to tell me, I will take you to see her."
Although Liu Shan had doubts, he had no choice but to trust the old man.
He followed the old man onward, passing through winding corridors, and finally arrived at a spacious training ground.
However, the princess was nowhere to be seen on the training ground; only a few guards were practicing martial arts.
Liu Shan turned to look at the old man, only to find a faint smile on the old man's face.
The old man pointed to the center of the training ground, gesturing for Liu Shan to go over there.
Liu Shan hesitated for a moment, then stepped towards the center of the training ground. When he got there, he suddenly understood the meaning of the old man's smile.
His expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "I understand. The old gentleman wants to spar with me in martial arts?"
The old man nodded, his smile unwavering, and stroked his white beard: "Indeed, I see that your inner strength is extraordinary. Since you possess such skill, why not have a contest with this old man?"
Liu Shan sighed and said helplessly, "Old sir, I did not come here to compete. Besides, if you want to compete, just say so. Why lie to me?"
The old man chuckled and continued stroking his white beard. “I have never lied to you. The princess will indeed be practicing here in half an hour, but before that, let me see how skilled you are. If you are better, I will speak on your behalf when the princess arrives.”
Knowing he could no longer refuse, Liu Shan took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said, "Since that's the case, this junior will respectfully accept your offer."
After saying that, he got into a fighting stance, ready to face this unexpected contest.
The old man was not negligent either. He picked up a long stick, and with a swift movement, his cane shot out like a snake from its hole, aiming straight for Liu Shan's waist.
Liu Shan dodged to the side, his steps light as a swallow, and struck the old man's wrist with a backhand palm strike, the wind from his palm fierce.
The old man smiled slightly, and his staff suddenly transformed into specks of cold stars, enveloping Liu Shan.
Liu Shan's eyes narrowed, his body spun rapidly, his palms flashing and intertwining with the old man's staff technique, and bursts of energy collisions erupted in the air.
The two figures clashed, their moves exquisite, dust billowing and air surging across the training ground.
Liu Shan possessed powerful palm strikes, while the old man's staff techniques were agile; for a time, it was difficult to determine who was superior.
As time went on, Liu Shan felt the pressure, but his fighting spirit grew stronger, and his moves became increasingly fierce as he tried to break the old man's offensive.
Approval flashed in the old man's eyes, and his stick strikes became even more rapid, intending to test Liu Shan's limits.
Liu Shan was secretly amazed; the old man's martial arts skills were indeed unfathomable.
Having dodged another dangerous move, Liu Shan seized the opportunity to grab the old man's long stick and twisted it forcefully. The old man swayed slightly and had no choice but to let go and retreat.
The two distanced themselves, faced off for a moment, and then their breathing calmed down.
The old man said slowly, "Young man, your martial arts skills are indeed extraordinary."
Liu Shan humbly returned the greeting: "You flatter me, sir. I still need to hone my skills." The old man nodded, a hint of expectation in his eyes: "If you can withstand my final blow, you will gain my approval."
The old man gathered his strength in his palm, his energy surging like a rainbow, and suddenly struck Liu Shan.
Liu Shan concentrated his energy and met the attack with both palms.
A loud bang was heard, and shockwaves spread outwards.
Immediately afterwards, a figure was sent flying backward.
Liu Shan had nowhere to grab hold in mid-air and could barely maintain his balance. When he landed, he staggered back several steps, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.