I Promise You

Watching the once-arrogant Martial Emperor bowing in submission, the morale of the Tianxuan crowd soared. 

Cheers resounded, "Long live Your Majesty! Long live Tianxuan!" 

In the midst of the excited crowd, the shouts nearly overturned the entire palace. 

Observing this scene, Mo Fan couldn't help but feel moved. Despite the decline of the Tianxuan Empire, the people's loyalty and unity were still formidable. 

During the war of extermination, they fought relentlessly, refusing to surrender even on the day their nation was wiped out. If not for the internal strife among the younger generation, with the Empress as the sole pillar, the recovery of the lost territories would be just a matter of time. 

"What can mere sects do to resist the rule of the court?" Mo Fan murmured to himself, foreseeing the challenges faced by the four major sects. 

The Empress's calm voice came through the veil, "It's gratifying to see disciples from the Yuan Sword Sect participating in the martial examination and exchanging skills with the talents of Central Province. The presence of the Martial Emperor is also a welcome addition. Continue." 

"Someone, arrange a seat for the Sword Emperor." 

Servants quickly brought a seat and arranged it for Qin Wufeng. Only then was he released from the restrictions and managed to climb up from the ground. 

Looking quite elegant with his previously flushed face now covered in dust and his once-flowing grey robe now dirty, Qin Wufeng appeared a far cry from the ethereal figure he was just moments ago. 

He nodded respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting me a seat." 

His polite demeanour contrasted sharply with the dust-covered appearance, and he headed to the seat. Facing Lin Yang on the stage, he said, "Lin Yang, give your best. Don't let the talents of Central Province look down on the disciples of our Yuan Sword Sect." 

"Yes!" Lin Yang expressed his gratitude, quickly bowing to acknowledge the support. 

Although Qin Wufeng's cultivation level was not on par with the Empress, he represented the Yuan Sword Sect. This support was enough to reassure Lin Yang greatly. 

Even if the Tianxuan Empire was furious, they wouldn't disregard everything and tear apart their relationships. 

The Empress, with her longstanding authority, had already spoken, commanding the martial examination to continue. Both the dominating Sword Emperor Qin Wufeng and the furious Minister of War Li Zheng dared not speak further. 

Seeing that the situation was under control, Zheng Tao took advantage and announced, "In this match, Yang Lin is the winner. Please have the next challenger step onto the stage!" 

All eyes turned to the previously eager Mo Qingkuang. 

Kuang Qing was their last hope among the participants of this examination, and he had been regarded as a formidable opponent by Lin Yang. 

Despite high expectations, contenders like Chen Shi, Tian Sheng, and Li Ang consecutively suffered defeats. 

Kuang Qing became their final hope. 

Mo Qingkuang looked at Lin Yang with a complex expression. 

'Is it finally my turn for the battle of vengeance?' 

In his heart, there was excitement, enthusiasm, and a trace of anxiety. 

Those feelings were shadows from past failures, the last regrets before facing death. 

Han Yan'er and Gu Hongyi each jumped onto their respective platforms as the top two participants in the martial examination. On the stage, the challengers' focused gazes were fixed on Mo Qingkuang. 

Their message was clear —since they weren't a match for Lin Yang, they would leave the title of Martial Champion to him and Mo Qingkuang. 

"Ancestor, should I go up?" Mo Qingkuang asked in his mind. 

He thought he could rely on other participants to wear down Lin Yang. However, with the unexpected turn of events, all eyes were on him, leaving him with no choice but to step onto the stage. 

But Lin Yang's impressive victory over Tian Sheng still lingered in Mo Qingkuang's mind, making him somewhat uneasy. 

"Go up; this battle is unavoidable. Isn't this the scene you've been yearning for day and night?" Mo Fan advised. 

Indeed, this battle was the image that Mo Qingkuang had been daydreaming about for over a month. 

He wanted to wash away his disgrace, make Lin Yang pay the price, make Chu Yanran regret her decisions, and force the Yuan Sword Sect to acknowledge their mistake in underestimating him. He wanted to prove, in front of everyone, that he, Mo Qingkuang, was stronger than Lin Yang! 

Lin Yang stood on the stage, looking coldly at Mo Qingkuang. "Scared?" 

Mo Qingkuang sneered, "Do I look scared to you?" 

"Then come, face another failure! See if you still have the ability to come back to life this time!" 

Everyone was stunned at his words. 

Did they know each other? From the way Mo Qingkuang spoke, did he and Lin Yang have a previous encounter? Did Lin Yang almost beat Mo Qingkuang to death? 

All hearts sank at the possibility that Mo Qingkuang might not be a match for Lin Yang. 

Mo Qingkuang coldly faced the crowd, his phantom-like speed instantly appearing in the arena. "Today, I will surely wipe away the shame of the past!" 

Seeing the ghostly speed of Mo Qingkuang, the court ministers were all impressed. Such speed was challenging for even ordinary master-level experts to catch up with. The fact that Kuang Qing could possess such speed at the level of a second-rank martial master meant that he was almost invincible in martial battles. 

Qin Wufeng's expression changed as he witnessed this. He was surprised by Kuang Qing's speed. He had thought that Lin Yang, being an extraordinary genius, was almost unparalleled, even among the young disciples gathered from the four major sects. 

Unexpectedly, Kuang Qing emerged from somewhere and even pledged allegiance to the Central Province. It seemed that there was an unresolvable enmity between him and Lin Yang. It appeared that recruiting him into the Yuan Sword Sect might be difficult. 

However, where did this person come from? 

Lin Yang's life in the first sixteen years was thoroughly investigated by the Yuan Sword Sect. He almost never left Tiannan City. Could it be an enemy made in the Flower King's Tomb or perhaps some grudge buried in Tiannan City? 

Suddenly, Qin Wufeng's eyes lit up. There was another one, another genius – Mo Qingkuang! 

Originally, Mo Qingkuang had been internally designated to join the Yuan Sword Sect. However, due to a conflict with Lin Yang and subsequent defeat, he was severely injured, and supposedly died, after which the Yuan Sword Sect revoked their promise to accept him. 

Could it be that he didn't die?! 

Qin Wufeng's changing expressions went unnoticed by the crowd. The final highlight of this martial examination was about to begin. 

*** 

The dark horse of the Yuan Sword Sect, Lin Yang, faced off against his last capable contender of this year's examination, Kuang Qing! 

"This day has finally come," Mo Qingkuang said with a cold expression as he looked at Lin Yang. His fists were clenched tightly, and his nails almost sank into his flesh. 

"Brother Lin Yang, come on! Beat him to death!" Chu Yanran shouted loudly. Lin Yang had promised to avenge the humiliation brought by Kuang Qing, and she firmly believed that Lin Yang could defeat this despicable Kuang Qing! 

Lin Yang harboured murderous intent, his gaze sharp. He hadn't told Chu Yanran the truth about Kuang Qing being Mo Qingkuang. He planned to reveal the truth to her after defeating Kuang Qing today, letting her know that her choice was correct, and Mo Qingkuang would never be his match. 

On the platform of the second-ranked contestants, Han Yan felt extremely uneasy. Lin Yang's words had cast more doubt on her confidence in Kuang Qing. However, there was no turning back now. Only Kuang Qing had the opportunity to defeat Lin Yang and uphold the dignity of the empire. 

After a long silence, she gritted her teeth and shouted, not only to reassure her own heart but also to give Mo Qingkuang more confidence, "Kuang Qing, I promise you!"

***

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