【Haitian Listening to the Sword Record】Chapter 1 Teahouse

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??????????????????????????? 1. Teahouse
Deep blue porcelain, contrasting with the brown tea, outlines a graceful silhouette. A slender, delicate hand lifts a beautiful teacup
, gently tilting it to the side. The tea slides down the throat, leaving a faint fragrance in the air.
"Speaking of the barbarian chieftain's journey south to pay homage, this is a sacred event unparalleled in our dynasty's three hundred years. Back then, the country was in
chaos, the world was exhausted, the northern barbarians invaded from the south, and the people suffered terribly. When Emperors Jing and Wu were ordered to revolt, they saved the dynasty from
collapse..."
It was April, the sky high and clear. Just past noon, the Deyue Teahouse in the eastern city was bustling with people, a lively and noisy scene
. The teahouse was filled with square tables and bustling with people. In the center of the hall, a middle-aged man spoke eloquently. His slightly chubby face
and two small mustaches moved with his lips as he launched into long stories like a machine gun, attracting many
tea drinkers to listen and watch. Among the many tea drinkers, a pair of bright eyes looked at the speaker, revealing a hint of barely
perceptible sarcasm.
"This barbarian king has come to establish an alliance and revise the treaty, pledging allegiance to our Great Su and requesting investiture. From now on, there will be no more war in the Yan and Yun regions
. This is truly a blessing for our dynasty and its people! May Great Su prosper forever! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty!" The gentleman's
voice was initially loud and clear, but as he spoke, his pace gradually quickened, and towards the end
, he became almost incoherent. Coupled with his emotional outburst, it was almost impossible to understand what he was saying. However, many tea drinkers were moved by his passion
, and for a moment, shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" and "Heaven blesses Great Su! Heaven assists our Emperor!" accompanied by cheers of "Long live the Emperor!"
rose and fell, filling the teahouse with a cacophony of noise.
"Esteemed guests, the tea at Deyuelou is the best in the East City. This Ninghai Maojian is fragrant and
mellow with a lingering aftertaste. What you just tasted was the first brew, freshly steeped with boiling water. It was fragrant but lacked depth. This second
brew, a strong brew, is where the true essence lies. I'll pour it for you three now."
Su Lianhai tilted his wrist slightly, and the brown tea flowed gracefully from the long-mouthed gold teapot into
the cups. In an instant, the three cups of tea released an enticing aroma. "Please enjoy." Su Lianhai put away the teapot, took off the white towel from his shoulder, wiped his hands, and 　　nodded and smiled
at the three guests . 　　 "Such fragrant tea, such a rich aftertaste, but compared to our northern liquor, it lacks a bit of boldness. 　　However, the Su people are indeed skilled at flattery, but unfortunately, it's all talk... Heh, I 　　don't think the mighty Su has many true heroes." Gently brushing aside the golden hair on his face, the foreign youth silently sipped his tea, 　　his low voice revealing undisguised disdain. 　　 Su Lianhai had already walked to the next table, but the youth's voice made him stop in his tracks. Turning around, he met 　　those bright, pale golden eyes. Just as he was about to argue, he heard a woman beside the young man say slowly, "Yin'er, don't 　　be too arrogant. The Great Su Dynasty has lasted for over four hundred years, unmatched by any previous dynasty. Back then, our clan's Asura 　　Emperor spread his military might in all directions, and all who faced him submitted, yet he could not destroy the Great Su lineage. Today, the Su Dynasty 　　is undergoing reforms, its culture and systems are constantly evolving, and its industry and agriculture are progressing rapidly. It can even divide the world with our Zhenyi clan by the river. 　　The magnificent scale of the Su Dynasty should not be underestimated!" 　　 The woman's voice was steady and magnetic. Su Lianhai couldn't help but follow the sound. She had a head of jet-black hair, and 　　although the speaker had occasional wrinkles, her features were still exquisite. She appeared to be a mature and charming woman, probably in her early 　　thirties at most. However, her voice sounded like that of a woman in her fifties, and her tone was more like that of a 　　mother disciplining a child. As she poured the tea, the woman wore a hooded cape, so she didn't attract much attention. But 　　now, she had lowered the cape, looked at Su Lianhai, smiled faintly, and took a sip of the fragrant tea in her cup 　　. Her every move exuded an imposing aura. 　　 "This sister is right. In terms of brute force alone, the men of our Great Su may not be as strong as the women of the Yi tribe. But the peace 　　and prosperity of our people and the world depend on more than just a few heroes. Soldiers and swords may be able to dominate for a time, but to establish 　　a nation and build a lasting dynasty, we need the power of civilization. For the past two hundred years, our Great Su has changed the old system of clan-based rule, 　　established a nation for all people, and used new craftsmanship to replace the old custom of men farming and women weaving that has lasted for a thousand years. Even the Yi tribe takes 　　our Great Su as their teacher in everything. The artifacts and craftsmanship of the northern kingdoms are all learned from our dynasty. How can you say that our Great Su is weak 　　?" Su Lianhai echoed in agreement, his gaze still fixed on the Yi youth, a hint of confrontation in his eyes. 　　 "Sigh, I knew the Su people were good at talking. I was just saying the Su people lack true heroes, but this young man 　　insisted on bringing up the nation and the world. It seems the Su people really do like to avoid the real issues and refuse to confront things head-on. 　　I was right when I said the Su people lack true heroes. And look at you, you're only two or three years older than me, yet you dare to call me 　　'Sister Ema'? Haha, should I call you 'Uncle' or 'Grandpa' then? Hahaha..." The 　　 Yi boy, scolded by his mother, not only didn't restrain himself but continued to mock her. Later, he even opened 　　his mouth and laughed, revealing a row of white teeth. A few strands of golden braids swayed slightly at the corners of his mouth with his laughter 　　, giving him an indescribably cute childlike charm. Su Lianhai blushed red at his sophistry 　　and was speechless for a moment. Although the lifespan of the Yi people was the same as that of ordinary people, they only showed 　　signs of old age when they were about to die. Even an old woman who was nearly sixty years old looked no different from a woman in her forties in the south. 　　In addition, the young man's mother was dressed elegantly, and Su Lianhai even mistook them for a brother and sister. 　　 "Ah Yin, you'd better shut up. This young man is right. Da Su does indeed have many 　　things that our Yi tribe lacks. Didn't you pester me to take you to the South Suburb Amusement Park to ride the steam carousel the other day? Yan Du doesn't have 　　anything like that. Your mother's secret trip south this time was to broaden your horizons. Although you are extremely intelligent 　　, your impetuous and reckless personality is really giving your mother and sisters a headache. If you keep 　　talking so recklessly and causing us trouble, your sisters won't be taking you out for the next few days in Dongcheng." Another 　　woman in purple spoke up. Her clear and melodious voice carried a spirit that was no less than that of a man. This woman had her back to 　　Su Lianhai, and her head was covered by a hood. Her words revealed a youthful vigor, and she should be around twenty-three or twenty- 　　four years old. For women of the Shangming tribe, sixteen or seventeen or eighteen might be considered the prime of youth, but for the northern Yi tribes...

Twenty-five is the prime of a warrior's life, the golden age when they are at their strongest, ready to fight and conquer. In countless Su people
's legends, it is women like these who form the invincible Yi army. If it weren't for
the power of modern firearms, the Shangming clan would never have been able to defend their land against the Yi's wolfish onslaught. No wonder that Yi youth
looked down on the Su people so much.
"Sister Harlan, don't be angry, okay? I'll shut up, but please don't stop playing with me. These Su people only know
how to bully the weak and fear the strong, they like to bully A-Yin. If you don't protect me, I can't go anywhere!" Although the youth outwardly
said he would shut up, his tone remained persistent, and his final sentence even had a touch of girlish coquettishness. Faced
with this situation, Su Lianhai felt somewhat embarrassed. "Madam, your young master is indeed straightforward and has
the air of a hero. We apologize for any shortcomings in our hospitality, as you distinguished guests have traveled a long way from the North.
" Hearing this, the Yi woman nodded slightly to Su Lianhai. "Young man, it was my son's lack of manners;
please don't mind."
"Yes, if you need anything else, just call me. Oh, by the way, this Councilor Cao is
a high-ranking official of the Eastern City Imperial Party, and our Deyue Tower is a venue sponsored by the Imperial Party for speeches. It's often a bit noisy at times, but our
Great Su is a land of etiquette, and we would never offend you." Su Lianhai bowed slightly and withdrew.
"This man speaks so politely; I didn't expect him to be just a teahouse waiter," the woman in purple said softly,
deliberately lowering her voice as if afraid of being overheard by Su Lianhai and the Yi youth beside her.
"Alas, if this child had been born into a wealthy family, he would surely have become a scholar in the Su Dynasty. However, it
is precisely because the Su Dynasty's council is filled with incompetent people who obtained their positions through family wealth that our Zhenyi
tribe, constantly embroiled in internal strife, has the opportunity to learn from and catch up with the Great Su. In this vast world, although the empire often falls apart when the dynasty changes hands
, for over seven hundred years in the past thousand years, it has been unified under one dynasty. The current situation, with the two countries divided for nearly two hundred years,
is unprecedented in history!" the Yi noblewoman said slowly.
"What 'wise emperor'? It's all the bullshit of a bunch of lackeys!" A loud shout came from the doorway, and the cheering crowd
turned to look. More than twenty teenagers dressed in black trousers swarmed in. Unlike the various people in the teahouse
, their military uniforms indicated that the intruders were students from the National Guard Preparatory School. The leader had short
hair and arrogant eyes; the shout had come from him.
"You still have the nerve to say that the barbarian emperor is a vassal of the Great Su and pays tribute? If it weren't for our Glorious Front's National United Army fighting bloody
battles, whether you're a commoner hanging around the teahouse or an old emperor cowering in Green Lion City, we'd all be captured and sent to the barbarian
tribe as their young masters. But looking at Councilor Cao's character, he'd probably only be able to work as a janitor in that nobleman's harem! Hahaha
!" A bolder tea drinker was about to step forward to argue when he noticed that several of the young men were carrying National Guard swords with golden tassels at their waists
. Instantly, the previously lively teahouse fell into dead silence, and people looked at the uninvited guests with fearful eyes
.
Su Lianhai was startled. Although it was common knowledge throughout the Great Su Dynasty that the Imperial Party and the various Republican factions were irreconcilably opposed in their political views
, whether in the court or in the streets, the two factions, despite their heated
debates and mutual attacks, at least adhered to the principle of "accepting all opinions and persuading the masses with reason" established by Emperor Xianzong. They argued
, but rarely did they resort to armed force to disrupt each other's propaganda venues. In the northern
frontier, the elderly from the Central Plains who had migrated south from the north of the Yangtze River supported the Republican factions advocating the recovery of lost territories,
while the residents who originally lived in Jiangdong mostly supported the Imperial Party, which advocated peace negotiations with the Zhenyi (Chinese). Therefore, the northern frontier was a hotbed of political party clashes. As for the islands and territories in the vast South China Sea, 　　political infighting
often arose due to commercial trade and the treatment of sailors and workers .
However, in the stable southern border region, especially in the prosperous and peaceful Eastern
City of the Southern Capital, it is quite incomprehensible that political party fighting would occur.
"Since the banner of the Republic was raised atop Jianling City, one hundred and fifty years have passed. To this day,
the 140 million people of the Great Su are still oppressed by the emperor, nobles, and their lackeys, the royalists.
The emperor in the Green Lion City only knows how to enjoy himself, ignoring the fact that our three thousand miles of beautiful land in the Central Plains have been lost to the barbarians. Yandu, Changding, and
Shangluo were once the most civilized cities in the world for our Xia people, but now they are under the iron heel of the enemy. All of you here,
whether you are from the Ming, Tai, or Shang dynasties, have the right to overcome your homeland! Glory belongs to the people of our Republic, with gold and blood, and unparalleled national heroes
!" The leader in black continued his impassioned speech, occasionally brandishing his sword. His performance was quite moving, and
some of the people present, whose hometowns were north of the Yangtze River, silently nodded in agreement.
Su Lianhai glanced at the leader and noticed a golden pattern dancing like fire on the dark cuff of his sleeve.
A crimson line embroidered along the winding edge of the pattern made the gold stand out starkly. Gold and blood—this was
a symbol favored by the most radical Republicans. The Republican Party was rife with factions, and the Glorious Front was one of them. Unlike
other Republicans who recruited members from among intellectuals and impoverished peddlers, the Glorious Front's members mostly came
from the military and schoolchildren. Both their political platform and methods were quite radical. This year, the Southern Front held
elections, and the Republican Party's strongest candidate, former naval admiral Mei Weijiang, was from the Glorious Front. It was no wonder that
they, who had only operated in the Northern Frontier in previous years, were now conducting such radical activities in the Eastern City.
"Brothers, let's tear down all these traitorous banners! The revolutionary leader taught us: the ideological battleground
must be firmly in the hands of the people! Everyone, hurry up and do it! Anyone who doesn't know what's good for them, let them taste
the swords of our National Guard!" The black-clad leader's sword flashed, and a banner above his head bearing the words "Monarchy and Constitution" instantly
shattered like rags, falling limply to the ground.
The black-clad youths also began to vandalize the decorations in the teahouse. Several wooden plaques promoting the monarchist party were torn down and chopped
; anyone who tried to stop them was either shouted at or brutally beaten with the back of a sword. The teahouse was a mess of dishes and cups, and innocent
people scattered in panic. The National Guard, who were supposed to maintain order, had become bandits oppressing the people
, running rampant in the teahouse.
"Listen up, everyone! We are soldiers of the people, and we will never make things difficult for you. As long as you are willing
to sign and vote in support of Admiral Mei for me, we will guarantee your safe departure." The leader in black pointed...
He addressed the crowd in the teahouse, pointing to a stack of documents on the table. "
To catch the thief, first catch the king; we must bring this farce to an end." After silently formulating his plan, Su Lianhai mingled with the fleeing
crowd, approaching the black-clad leader from behind. At that time, the black-clad military academy students had already scattered and were causing
chaos everywhere, completely unaware of the impending resistance. The leader only had one guard with him, who, perhaps
too careless, hadn't even drawn his knife.
A perfect opportunity! Su Lianhai tossed the bronze teapot in his hand; its heavy body traced a simple arc, knocking down
the young man standing guard beside the leader. Simultaneously, Su Lianhai moved with lightning speed towards the leader
, who was reveling in the chaos he had created, displaying a smug expression. Suddenly, a gust of wind struck from behind. In his
haste, he turned and swung his sword; a flash of moon-white silver light streaked past. Su Lianhai, however, darted past beneath the flash, his right
hand swiftly seizing the leader's wrist as he swung the sword. The leader of the black-clad soldiers felt a numbness in his hand, then a sudden
jolt in his chest as Su Lianhai kicked him. He saw stars and collapsed to the ground. Su Lianhai disarmed him, then
stepped on the fallen leader with his right foot, bent his left leg slightly, and ducked again to avoid
two swords thrusting from behind. With lightning speed, he turned and unleashed two consecutive slashes with his right hand. The swords fell to
the ground, and the two black-clad military academy students, clutching their wrists struck by the backs of the blades, staggered to their knees.
"Your reaction was quick, immediately rescuing your commander, but your swordsmanship was full of flaws. If this were a battlefield,
you would have lost your right wrists and legs," Su Lianhai said calmly, his blade pointing at the black-clad leader at his feet.
The black-clad warriors, having already regained their senses, surrounded him, but intimidated by Su Lianhai's thunderous power in defeating four men, and
knowing he wouldn't harm them, none dared to step forward.
"It's truly ironic. You constantly proclaim yourselves to serve the country and its people, yet why are your swords now pointed at your unarmed
compatriots? Don't you Republicans claim to be people-oriented and to establish the nation based on its people? Since you advocate that
all matters of state should be decided by popular vote, why are you forcing people to vote for you here,
ignoring freedom of speech, and disrupting other parties' gatherings?
What difference is there between you and those arrogant nobles and wealthy merchants who only know how to oppress the people?" Su Lianhai's angry gaze swept across the crowd, showing no panic despite being surrounded
. The black-clad youths who were attacking him looked at each other, speechless.
"Su Lianhai, it's you! So you've become a lackey too!" The black-clad leader under his feet recognized the attacker
and began to curse, "Do you remember five years ago, when you were stranded in Dongcheng, destitute and alone? It was our Glorious Front's National
Charity Hall that took you and your siblings in and helped you find a job. Who knew you would be such an ungrateful wretch?"
Su Lianhai was shocked to hear this. He released his right foot from the black-clad leader, looked closely at the defeated man's face, and exclaimed
, "Wu Xiuwen, I didn't expect to run into you here! Three years ago you went north to join the army and disappeared without a trace. Look at you now,
hehe, you're doing quite well! It's just that your foul mouth is still particularly unpleasant, hahaha!" Upon meeting an old friend,
Su Lianhai ignored the encirclement and burst into laughter.
"I was blind back then to befriend a despicable scoundrel like you! I heard you're now working as
a eunuch for a courtesan from Luzhi, serving a client who spends a fortune. Now that you have money, you've forgotten
the pathetic life you once led!" Wu Xiuwen, however, showed no mercy, rising to point at Su Lianhai's nose and continuing his tirade.
"Hai Ping has always missed you…you know that?" Faced with his old friend's accusations, Su Lianhai remained unresponsive,
simply uttering a seemingly unrelated remark.
Wu Xiuwen seemed to be pierced by an invisible sword, trembling slightly, and quietly replied in a low voice, "Uh,
of course I'm fine! Hai Ping…is she alright?"
"That girl is fine in every way, but unfortunately her health is still the same, no improvement. She
'd be so happy to know you're back!" Wu Xiuwen's words made Su Lianhai lower his guard. He lowered his sword,
answering with a smile, though a faint sadness lingered in his eyes.
Seeing Su Lianhai lower the blade held horizontally in front of him, a sharp glint flashed in Wu Xiuwen's eyes. "By the way, when you
go back and see Haiping, please give this to her for me." He then unbuttoned his left sleeve and reached inside to fumble for
something.
"Why bother with all that? Everyone, put your weapons away and tidy up the place. Later, I'll treat you and
your men to a couple of drinks, and then I'll take you to my house to see Haiping. Maybe seeing you will
cheer her up and cure her illness! Hahaha!" Su Lianhai was overjoyed, patting his old friend on the shoulder, as if
they had returned to their close friendship of years past.
"Su Lianhai! Even if we were once brothers, the greater good of the nation cannot tolerate such personal feelings. Recognize this!"
Wu Xiuwen abruptly pulled his right hand from his sleeve, a pistol swiftly pressed against Su Lianhai
's forehead. The brass trigger in the lacquered oak hilt was ready to fire, the silver barrel radiating a chilling aura.
Su Lianhai, who thought he had been moved, was caught off guard by Wu Xiuwen's sudden attack and was instantly
subdued.
"Men, seize the bandit!" Wu Xiuwen shouted again. Two black-clad youths stepped forward,
pinning Su Lianhai's hands behind his back and disarming him. Su Lianhai felt his hands go empty, then his knees buckled, and
he fell to his knees.
Wu Xiuwen withdrew his right foot, which had been kicking Su Lianhai, and scanned the teahouse again. Among the black-clad youths, a fat man lay slumped
on the ground. This was none other than Councilor Cao, who had previously delivered a rousing speech. Now, he trembled violently, muttering
, "Sir, spare me! Sir, spare me! The Nationalist Allied Army is truly the people's army, invincible! Ah! Invincible
! I, Cao Mulin, was deceived by the treacherous party and became an enemy of the people. I deserve to die! Ah! I deserve to die! From now on, I will
definitely ..." "Support General Mei and all the young heroes, reform them properly, and sever ties with the Imperial Party! Ah! Sever ties! Sir,
spare my life!"
He was already quite frightened by the sudden intrusion and destruction by the young National Guard. He had originally planned to
take advantage of the chaos while Su Lianhai captured the leader, but he hadn't expected that these young soldiers would even bring out the weapons from the armory while causing trouble in the streets
. Even Su Lianhai was subdued by them. Under the muzzle of several rifles, Councilor Cao, who came from an official family, was completely...
The collapse, the utter disgrace, the shamelessness and opportunism of the Royalist councilor were laid bare.
Looking at the councilor Cao, slumped on the ground begging for mercy, Wu Xiuwen's initial fear of being subdued by Su Lianhai
gradually faded, replaced by a smug expression. Suddenly, he heard a furious shout beside him: "You keep saying I've changed
, that I've become a lackey of the nobility, but I think it's you who's changed! The old Wu Xiuwen, though impulsive and simple-minded,
even a bit unable to distinguish right from wrong, was a simple and somewhat endearing fellow! But now you've become a despicable and shameless
scoundrel! Remember when Old Man Liu's pancake cart was confiscated by the Royal Police on the street? Old Man Liu went to the Royal
Police... " Fang was detained instead of being released unless he paid 100 Suzhou dollars. At that time, the Imperial Party was in power in Dongcheng, and
the Bushan Hall, which supported the Republican Party, had not received any sponsorship for several years. The three children that Grandpa Liu raised and adopted depended entirely on
him selling pancakes to make a living. There was no way he could afford to pay 50 Suzhou dollars! Although Su Lianhai was being held at gunpoint,
his expression remained unchanged. He looked up at Wu Xiuwen, his face filled with doubt and regret, but his voice was
flat, as if the past he was telling had nothing to do with his old friend in front of him, but was a past that belonged only to himself
.
"You called me and Ah-Jie, and the three of us, armed with bamboo knives, stormed into the Royal Police Station early in the morning. The officers
were doing their morning training; their pistols weren't even loaded. The three of us took down two companies of over twenty officers. Then
you stole the keys and let all the prisoners escape. Looking back, it's funny—that tiny Royal Police Station
had over fifty people locked up, all detained because they couldn't pay their debts.
" Later, more constables came to arrest us, but the people from all ten streets and six alleys came too. Some set fires,
some threw stones, and even the gas lamps three streets away from the governor's residence were smashed! Later, the National Guard was called into the city
, more than four thousand men, carrying cannons, and only then were we arrested! The three children had never seen such a scene! The
Chamber of Commerce newspaper that day even thought there was a rebellion by the Restoration Party trying to overthrow the Constitutional Organization. We were originally supposed to hang ourselves
in the West Market; oh, the execution rack was only five li away back then, you and your brother should have passed by when you came here, but
of course not now. If it weren't for the 400,000 poor people of the East City taking to the streets to petition for our release, even alarming the Prince Su who was on patrol
, the East City governor would have pardoned us and stipulated that from now on, if the constables arrested someone more than fourteen hours later... " If you can't
hand him over to the authorities for conviction, you have to release him.
Haha, the day we came out, Haiping specially knitted you a bright red scarf. A-Jie's
eyes practically popped out of his head when he saw it. Do you know why A-Jie later went to the Imperial Academy in Cui Shi City? He knew Haiping didn't like
weak scholars like him, but preferred a great hero like you, A-Wu. But what about you? Back then, when you went north to study at the Fengpu
Military Academy, I thought that even if you couldn't become a great general like Zheng Linggong who served the country and its people, you could at least be an
upright and honorable soldier in the National Revolutionary Army! But now? You only have the selfishness of one party and the interests of one person in your heart. Although I
just beat you up, I still considered you a friend. But I never expected you to use such despicable means
to scheme against me! I really misjudged you, Wu Xiuwen!"
Su Lianhai initially managed to control his emotions, but by the last few sentences, he was choked with sobs and unable to speak. Although he hadn't expected
the young National Guard members who came out to cause trouble to be armed, Su Lianhai was a skilled and unassuming
martial artist. If he hadn't been deceived by Wu Xiuwen's feigned sincerity, he would have been able to subdue the rioters, or at the very least, he
wouldn't have been captured and subdued in such a sorry state.
Wu Xiuwen's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty after being scolded like that. In fact, during his years in the army, he had come to know the unpredictability of human nature
and the fierce factional struggles within the Republican Party. For a mere military man like him
to stand out among the many eloquent lobbyists of the secret societies was virtually impossible. However, a golden opportunity had presented itself. As the personal guard commander of Admiral Mei Weijiang, this
re-election of the Southern Frontier Military Governor was undoubtedly a golden chance for him
to rise to prominence. Moreover, many radical members of the Imperial Party in the Eastern City had long harbored the same intention. If he were to lead troops to cause trouble at this time, he could not only strike at the Imperial Party but also gain
the support of many powerful members of the secret society, killing two birds with one stone. He thought that his attack on Deyue Tower was a natural and flawless operation, but he encountered
the obstruction of an old friend. Although he subdued him with a scheme, such an unjust act would seriously
damage his prestige in the army if word got out.
Avoiding Su Lianhai's sharp, piercing gaze, Wu Xiuwen surveyed the crowd and said quietly, "Take these two guys back
to the camp. Pay special attention to Councilor Cao; make him
report all the ways the Imperial Party has wasted tax money and engaged in extravagant construction projects in Dongcheng over the years. If we encounter any of the Hanfu News Agency's reporters on the way, arrest them all as well. We absolutely
cannot let the Imperial Party's lackeys know about our operation. Everyone, let's retreat!"
Su Lianhai was pinned down by two young men and pushed towards the teahouse door. His heart was filled with resentment and anger, but
even more so with shock at being betrayed by his friends. When the bright sunlight shone through the door onto his face, Su Lianhai only
felt an overwhelming cold. The wind blew in from outside—it was the spring breeze of April—but at this moment, Su Lianhai's eyes only
held endless chill.
Frost—why did the spring breeze of April carry the harsh frost of late autumn? When a crystal of ice landed
on Su Lianhai's eyelashes, he felt utterly astonished.
"Sir, be careful!" Looking at Su Lianhai being pushed towards the door, Wu Xiuwen's right hand, gripping his gun, suddenly went numb
. Just then, a black-clad youth suddenly crashed into him and his arms, both falling to the ground. The black-clad youth's
hat rolled off, revealing the delicate face unique to a southern girl.
"Miss Mei! What brings you here!" Wu Xiuwen, lying on the ground, looked at the girl in his arms and exclaimed in surprise. However,
what surprised him even more was that right where he had just stood, an ice pillar rose from the ground, as thick as three people could
hug. Countless thin, sharp ice spikes shot out from the pillar like a thousand swords, piercing in all directions.
Within a radius of ten feet, four or five black-clad youths were impaled by the ice spikes and fell to the ground. Although they were not fatally wounded, they were enough to incapacitate them
. On the girl's back, three ice spikes, stained with bright red blood, were particularly glaring! Looking down,
he realized that his pistol was now covered by a layer of solid ice, making it impossible to pull the trigger! Only then did Wu Xiuwen notice that
in the chaotic hall of Deyue Tower, three guests were seated at another table. A handsome young man
was looking over with great interest, a pale blue light symbol flickering on his chest before finally disappearing.
Invisible.
"It's a sorcerer! Infantry, fire!" Wu Xiuwen, regaining his senses, immediately roared. True to their reputation as a
National Guard trained in marksmanship, five rifles lined up instantly.
The sounds of bullets being chambered and bolts engaging were barely audible, yet they struck Su Lianhai's heart like a hammer blow. He looked back; on one side, the
gleaming silver barrels; on the other, the gentle, refined smile of the Yi youth.
"Wu Xiuwen, stop! The National Guard isn't a group of thugs who randomly shoot and kill!"
"Southern Frontier Military Law: Anyone who attacks the Six Armies with magic can be executed! Fire!"
"Bang!" Five rifles fired simultaneously, without the slightest deviation. Only one gunshot rang out in the Deyue Tower.
The firing pin precisely strikes the rear of the chamber, and the air mixed with gunpowder forms a scorching jet of air that
shoots out from a small hole leading to the barrel, pouring entirely onto the tail of the steel bullet. There, the airflow surges again
into a narrow, hollow tube, propelling the bullet under high pressure. It spins rapidly through the threaded barrel, and the high-temperature airflow
expands and surges wildly within that narrow tube, giving the steel bullet invincible power. Finally, the steel bullet
bursts out of the barrel at high speed, the surging airflow dissipating all its energy in the instant before transforming into a
warm breeze that gently escapes from the muzzle.
In another instant, as the blooming golden rose revealed its majestic and awe-inspiring presence, Su Lianhai's
breath caught in his throat. He tossed aside his purple cloak, and the blonde Yi woman, gripping her sword in a backhand grip, white cloth wrapped around the blade
and her wrist, stood like a towering, beautiful snow-capped mountain before the equally golden-haired youth. Newly forged armor
covered her entire body; her breastplate stood tall, and heavy leg armor outlined the graceful curves of her legs.
Beneath the leather gauntlets and arm guards, beneath her snow-white skin, undulating mountains seemed to radiate a
power ready to burst forth. Before her, five bullets fell like petals onto water, creating ripples in the air,
yet unable to advance further.
"Ah Yin, didn't you just promise me you wouldn't talk so much anymore?! You're not only causing trouble for me,
but also putting your mother in a difficult position!!! How will you ever be able to marry into the family if you keep acting like this?!" The female warrior's voice had lost
its initial crispness and sharpness, but this deep, resonant tone gave it a more heroic air. After she finished speaking
, she sighed softly. With this sigh, a gentle breeze, carrying five bullets, sank to the ground and then
spread outwards, brushing past everyone's feet. Like a waterfall cascading down a vast expanse of clear water, it brought a touch of coolness.
"Oh dear, I said I wouldn't talk anymore, but I didn't say I wouldn't fight! So many of them are beating one of us, I just
can't stand it! Sister, you can't ignore me! Also, you said I can't find a husband? Are you kidding me?
I'm the son of...Ema! There are so many girls from the ten tribes of Zhenyi who want me as their teacher! I bet
you, you big she-bear, are the one who can't find a teacher!" The Yi boy spoke again, his clear, girlish voice filled with childlike
innocence and playfulness. Su Lianhai couldn't help but chuckle, his suppressed emotions easing somewhat
.
"It's the Yi people! All troops on alert, prepare for battle! Infantry, load your guns!" Wu Xiuwen, holding the woman in his arms, angrily
ordered. The remaining dozen or so black-clad youths drew their swords and flanked the five musketeers, their movements
perfectly synchronized, clearly demonstrating their training. However, a hint of barely concealed panic lingered on each of their faces.
After all, they were still military academy cadets in training. Although they had practiced many times, they were not yet fully familiar with
the use of various weapons and tactics. Facing a barbarian warrior who could deflect bullets with his battle aura in their very first encounter
, fear involuntarily gripped their hearts.
"At this distance, it's practically suicide. You'll see the might of the Grassland Wolf, Sister Harlan
! The true heroes of the barbarian tribe are not to be defeated by you three-legged Su!" The barbarian youth couldn't
help but taunt again, but the situation on the battlefield was critical, and who could hear his nonsense?
The sound of a bullet being chambered rang out again. The Yi warrior gently pulled away the white cloth wrapped around the blade.
At the end of the rectangular blade, a wolf-blade slashed out in a slanted straight line, with two straight blades, one long and one short, extending on either
side of the blade. "Hah!" The Yi warrior raised the blade with both hands and slashed down fiercely. The black-clad youths looked at their opponent in confusion.
There was nothing within two zhang in front of the Yi warrior. What was she slashing at? But when the blade fell, no one
could believe their eyes. The Yi warrior's broadsword seemed to have cleaved into a non-existent space!
The end of the blade shortened by ten inches out of thin air. The slanted blade seemed to sink into the boundless void and disappear without
a trace. The blade in her hand became a regular rectangle. And when the wolf-blade horse-slaying saber drew a perfect circle
and returned to the Yi warrior's head, it returned to its original heavy shape, only the blade seemed to bear
the marks of metal friction.
"Clang, clang, clang." The five muskets lined up side by side were instantly sliced in two. The musketeers turned pale.
If the blade had struck a little further back, their wrists, or even
their heads, would be on the ground now! The blade's
momentum changed again. The blonde female warrior did not stop. Her sword slashed down from above. A gust of
wind swept out along the trajectory of the blade. The blue bricks paving the ground were scattered and flew everywhere with the fierce and unparalleled strike. The
flying pebbles stung everyone's cheeks. This invisible gale re-condensed in the air into a roaring gray
wolf, which passed through the black-clad warriors' defenses and struck the thick ice pillar. A deafening, thunderous
roar nearly shattered Su Lianhai's eardrums. Under this fierce and unparalleled attack,
the ice pillar summoned by the barbarian youth shattered, leaving countless ice shards reflecting vibrant colors in the air. What a powerful wind strike! Su Lianhai
secretly cheered!
"My god, it's a barbarian!" Councilor Cao, who had been slumped on the ground, suddenly shouted, rushing out of the teahouse, mounting
a black horse, and galloping away. Most of the black-clad youths were still captivated by the imposing presence of the blond warrior. Only after he
mounted his horse did two of them give chase. Unexpectedly, Councilor Cao was a skilled rider; with a spur of his legs, he
spurred his horse into a wild gallop. Several others tried to fire their guns to stop him, but all their pistols had been destroyed, leaving them only to watch helplessly as the figure on horseback disappeared into
the distance.
"You can leave now, release her." After unleashing that earth-shattering strike, the blond
warrior slowly spoke, looking at the trembling black-clad warrior. His cold, deep voice was devoid of any emotion.
"Wu Xiuwen, if that young lady isn't treated soon, her life will be in danger. Are you really going to
let my Great Su warriors die in vain just for a moment's pride?" Su Lianhai had already seen the severity of the black-clad girl's injuries, and
the strength of this barbarian warrior was unfathomable. He only hoped he could persuade Wu Xiuwen to stop, otherwise, who knew how many souls would be lost in Deyue Tower today
. But at this moment, Wu Xiuwen just stood there, holding the woman in his arms,
motionless as if he were a clay statue.
"Ah, what are you all standing there for? Hurry up and help! Give the wounded brothers some basic first aid, then we're
leaving! You, you, and you! Go back to the camp now and get the medical station to prepare blood plasma and anesthetic. Tell them a mountain gun exploded
and someone needs surgery." After a moment of silence, Wu Xiuwen suddenly came to his senses. The black-clad youths, as if
waking from a dream, helped each other out of the teahouse.
"Until we meet again, hero!" Wu Xiuwen cupped his hands to the blond warrior and led his men out of
the teahouse.
"I'm sorry," Wu Xiuwen whispered to Su Lianhai as he stepped out of the Deyue Tower. His voice
was barely audible, but Su Lianhai heard it clearly. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the black-clad youths had vanished
without a trace, leaving only a mess on the ground as evidence of the fierce fight that had just taken place.
"Alas, life is unpredictable, worldly affairs are like a dream. Even so-called friendships will fade in the turbulent world...
But on this vast land, through the rise and fall of dynasties, heroes and valiant warriors have fought and bled for power, for righteousness, for
the rise and fall of their clans. After a hundred years, they are nothing but dust. Who can truly unify the land for ten thousand years?
Is the persistence here really more steadfast than the heart, drifting like flying catkins?" Su Lianhai rubbed his aching arms, looking at the once
bustling hall, and couldn't help but sigh loudly. This sigh carried an endless desolation beyond his years,
echoing a sense of loneliness in the empty hall.
"I once saw the orioles singing at dawn in the jade palace of Jinling, and the flowers blooming early on the pavilions of Qinhuai, but who knew they would so easily melt away like ice."
The clear and ethereal voice of the Yi youth drifted in, dispelling the sorrowful atmosphere in the hall. This was originally a mournful song, but in the young
man's singing, it had an added air of open-heartedness.
"I watched him rise to power, I watched him feast his guests, I watched his power crumble. On this pile of green moss and blue tiles, I once slept in a
life of luxury, feasting on fifty years of rise and fall." The blond-haired barbarian youth left the table and walked towards Su Lianhai. A mournful
melody flowed from a square brocade box in his hand, accompanied by his elegant voice, blurring the lines between joy and sorrow, leaving
one silently captivated, forgetting everything in this world.
"The Black Robe Lane no longer belongs to the Wang family, the ghosts of Mochou Lake weep at night, owls perch on Phoenix Terrace. The dreams of the remnant mountains are the truest, the old scenes are hard to let
go, I don't believe this map has been changed. I'll compose a 'Lament for Jiangnan,' and sing my sorrow until I'm old." Accompanied by the intoxicating rhythm from the music box
, Su Lianhai sang loudly, and the air of sorrow once again filled the spacious hall.
The voices of two men, one calm and the other melancholic, intertwined with the mournful melody played by the needle in the oak soundbox. In an instant
, it seemed as if a thousand years had flowed through the teahouse. Through hazy vision, the beautiful
scenery of the Jiangnan water towns in the song appeared in the listener's mind: swallows from the south, arriving in spring, lingering among the carved beams and painted
rafters before flying away, leaving behind lingering cries; the once grand mansions, once bustling with activity, now transformed into crowded
alleyways. Only the Maple Bridge and flowing water watch over travelers coming and going, fallen petals drifting into the water towards the unknown
distance. Occasionally, smoke signals would cross the river, staining it with blood, only to be followed by the return of spring and the blooming of flowers once more. The great river flows eastward, carrying
away the blood and tears of heroes and common people, yet it cannot wash away the endless prosperity of this bustling world, year after year.
As the song ended, Su Lianhai's turbulent emotions gradually calmed. Looking around, he noticed several flower-selling
girls gazing at him intently from the doorway. The bunches of pale yellow apricot blossoms in their baskets emitted a delicate fragrance.
The three Yi guests had quietly departed. Only the needle on the oak music box on the square table, bathed in
the glow of dusk, seemed to whisper tales of a distant past.
In the lonely yet warm twilight, something within Su Lianhai felt as if it had shattered, a tinkling sound echoing in his
chest—a sound that was both vividly present yesterday and an endless yearning for the unknown future. Gently pushing
open the door to the girl, Su Lianhai stood on the street in front of the teahouse, bathed in the shadows of the towering eaves at dusk
, sinking into a deep melancholy. Faintly, he heard the crisp sound of whips and the clatter of hooves
approaching and then silently receding from the corner of the alley. Su Lianhai watched the carriage pass by at the alley's end. A gentle evening breeze
stirred the curtains, and the blond warrior's flowing braids danced like a golden streak of light outside the window—so dazzling and
radiant.
As twilight descended, Su Lianhai stared, mesmerized, at the receding figure at the alley's end.
(To be continued)

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【Haitian Listening to the Sword Record】Chapter 1 Teahouse

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