Chapter 124: Bestowing the Sword (I)

Although Huang Shan was unfamiliar with the treacherous nature of officialdom, she had roamed the pugilistic world long enough to know that Princess Taiping would not perform such a favor without a purpose. Suspecting a hidden agenda, she immediately rose, handed her child to Meidaizi, and performed a deep, formal kowtow of gratitude to the Princess.

Taiping feigned annoyance, saying, "There you go again! Must you be so formal between sisters over such a small favor?"

Huang Shan replied solemnly, "Your Highness, my followers and I were nothing but drifters at the ends of the earth. Now, thanks to your grace, we have been appointed as envoys to the Tang, an elevation as sudden as reaching the heavens. I am deeply moved by your kindness, yet I do not know how I might ever repay you."

Before Taiping could answer, Wu Xin smiled and said, "Lady Huang, you take this too seriously. The Princess favors you, and because of that, she extends her care to everyone on Emerald Bamboo Island. If you truly wish to repay her, there is no need for words; just keep it in your heart. In the future, should there be matters that the Princess finds inconvenient to handle personally, we shall have to rely on your help. I trust you will not refuse us then."

Huang Shan asked in surprise, "The Princess holds a position of unparalleled status; why would she ever need us, mere wanderers, to do anything for her?"

Seeing her genuine confusion, Wu Xin laughed. "The world sees only the surface. While the Princess is highly respected at court, there are treacherous sycophants who whisper slander in the Emperor's ear. Though the Emperor is wise and knows the Princess is prudent and self-disciplined, and thus disbelieves these lies, constant dripping wears away the stone. Over time, even the Emperor may begin to harbor doubts. At such times, we may need to borrow your particular set of skills, Lady Huang."

Huang Shan, who held the Princess in high regard, was filled with righteous indignation at the thought of someone harming her. She nodded firmly and bowed low. "Whatever the Princess commands, the people of Emerald Bamboo Island shall not dare to disobey!"

Princess Taiping smiled gently. "Do not trouble yourself, sister. Those are matters for the future, and there is nothing for you to do right now. Perhaps Wu Xin is merely worrying over nothing. Let us set aside such dreary topics. I have heard that you are a heroine with remarkable martial arts skills; why not perform a sword dance for me to broaden my horizons?"

Huang Shan bowed. "As you command, Your Highness."

She stood up, walked gracefully forward, and took the long sword Meidaizi had just used from the maid. After assuming a starting stance in the center of the hall, she flourished the blade and began the "Snow-Falling Sword Technique."

Although it was the same technique, Huang Shan’s execution was vastly different from that of Meidaizi and Shuidaizi. Their version was like willow branches swaying in the wind—beautiful, yet devoid of any lethal intent, more of a dance than a martial art. Huang Shan’s version, however, possessed no such delicate languor. Her strikes were as swift as lightning and as thunderous as a storm. Her movements were as fierce as a tiger escaping its cage, and her transitions were as fluid as a dragon soaring from the abyss. Her lithe figure darted across the hall like a startled swan; one moment she seemed to be everywhere, and the next, she vanished entirely.

Intent on displaying her prowess, Huang Shan channeled her internal energy into the blade. With a sharp cry, the sword's aura surged by a foot. A piercing, frigid energy sliced through the air, severing the silk cords of two palace lanterns hanging at the back of the hall from a distance of ten paces. As the lanterns fell, she moved like the wind, flickering beneath them to catch both before they hit the ground. She placed them gently on the floor, the candle flames inside barely flickering. As she performed the final move, "Snow Settles, Clouds Clear," she withdrew her sword, and the hall fell into a silence so profound one could hear a pin drop.

Taiping could not help but strike the table in applause. Though she did not know martial arts herself, her vast experience allowed her to see that Huang Shan’s skill far surpassed that of the others. Secretly pleased, she nodded at Wu Xin.

Wu Xin understood immediately. After bowing and retreating a few paces, she turned and walked into the inner chamber, returning shortly with a long, narrow package wrapped in yellow cloth. Taiping took it, placed it on the table, and unwrapped it. Inside lay a long sword—or rather, a weapon with a shagreen-covered scabbard, gold-wire-wrapped hilt, and a pommel shaped like a *Yazi* beast adorned with turquoise. It radiated an aura of ancient simplicity.

Taiping drew the blade. Huang Shan noted that it was quite peculiar. A standard sword was usually three feet long and three fingers wide, but this weapon was four feet long and only two fingers wide. It was narrow, long, and possessed an incredibly thick, four-sided spine. Engraved on the spine were the characters for "Moon-Breaking" on one side and "As You Wish" on the other, written in powerful, dragon-like ancient seal script. The edges were not sharpened, but the tip was lethal. The blade was a dull, yellowish hue, devoid of reflection but emitting a biting chill.

Taiping smiled. "You find this sword strange, don't you? It is no wonder, for it is not a sword at all—it is a piercing spike."

"A spike?" Huang Shan asked, bewildered. "I have never heard of such a weapon in the pugilistic world."

Taiping laughed heartily. "Such a weapon is rare even in the military, let alone the martial arts world. It is designed specifically to pierce the heavy armor of generals on the battlefield. It is so hard that it is nearly indestructible. Because they are so costly to forge, there is a saying: 'A sword sells the land, but a spike breaks the household.' Even powerful regional governors would only dare to commission one or two for their most trusted generals. Since warriors in the martial arts world rarely wear heavy armor, who would bother forging such an impractical weapon? Do you know the origin of this one?"

Huang Shan smiled bitterly. "I do not even recognize the object, let alone its history."

Taiping smiled. "It is only natural. This spike was once the prized possession of Yang Su, Duke of Chu during the Sui Dynasty. When the Turkic khans Dulan and Datou invaded, Yang Su led the defense and crushed their alliance. After the khans were killed by their own subordinates, Yang Su seized their weapons—Dulan’s saber, 'Blood-Leaver,' and Datou’s battle-axe, 'Meteor.' Because these weapons were cursed by the blood they had spilled, they would chime in the moonlight at night. Deeming them ominous, Yang Su had them melted down and forged into this spike to suppress their killing intent. It was named the 'Moon-Breaking Wish-Fulfilling Spike,' and because much gold was added during the casting, it is also known as the 'Golden Spike.'"