roccoschili Chapter 1225 - 1225 406 Returning This Sword_2
Chapter 1225 - 1225 406 Returning This Sword_2
1225: Chapter 406: Returning This Sword_2 1225: Chapter 406: Returning This Sword_2 No matter what, as the host of this Yellow River Gathering, he must announce the result.At this moment, Yan Shaofei was below the platform.
Having defeated Wei Sun of Zhongshan, he had swiftly tended to his wounds and now sat silently below, witnessing the entire battle between Dou Zhao and Zhongxuan Zun.
His hair clasp was ruined in the earlier fight, so his hair was hanging loose.
The heaviness of raising the Longsword amidst lotuses, the joy of urging one to make merry while one can, the sorrow of using the divine swordsmanship…
none of these were reflected on his face at this moment.
He was serene, grave.
“I came to the Yellow River Gathering intending to compete with the heroes of the world.
Even if my body were to burn to ashes, I still wish to be the first.”
This was no boast.
Against Wei Sun of Zhongshan, he had already fought with his life’s fire burning.
Yan Shaofei cast a deep look at Dou Zhao and Zhongxuan Zun, then respectfully bowed to Yu Xi and said, “Having witnessed an unprecedented battle today, I realize the vastness of the world and the brilliance of the sun and moon; I dare not vie for the title of champion!”
He sighed.
The sigh was resigned yet spirited: “Let me be content being the third in the world!”
He had made a decision that he could be proud of for himself.
However, he still owed an explanation to Wei Country.
Thus, he turned around and bowed deeply to Great General Wu Xun.
He took the Longsword at his waist, still in its sheath, reversed it horizontally before him, holding it with both hands, and gently pushed it forward.
“Before setting off, I made a promise to Your Majesty to bring back the title of champion for Wei Country.
His Majesty graced me with this favorite sword and gave me a grand send-off.
Now that my skills are inferior, I dare not lay claim to being first.
Since the promise was broken, I hereby return this sword!”
The favored sword flew towards Wu Xun, sheath and all.
Yan Shaofei then turned around and just like that, he began walking away.
Leaving behind the easily obtained title of the ultimate champion of the world; leaving behind such a renowned sword of the world; also leaving behind the gazes, amazement, and discussions of the entire audience.
He was not a subject of Wei and did not serve its King; he was merely a Ranger of Wei Land.
Therefore, he had his pride and nonchalance, his choices and his path.
Only, when he reached the southern entrance,
Great General Wu Xun of Wei pushed with the back of his palm.
The favored sword shot out suddenly, easily bridging the distance, and was once again secured at Yan Shaofei’s waist, without a hint of ostentation.
Wu Xun’s voice could be heard: “A sword bestowed by the Son of Heaven is not to be taken back.
You may not be the ultimate champion, but you are the most prized of Wei Country.
To whom else can this sword belong?
As you journey afar, remember your homeland and those you cherish, and do not forget this sword and this sentiment.”
Yan Shaofei stopped in his tracks, bowed his head towards Wu Xun in respect, said nothing more, but placed his hand on the Longsword and walked away with large strides.
Listening to their conversation, the crowd realized that after this battle, Yan Shaofei was going to leave Wei Country.
Where he would go, what he would do next…
He truly was a person with a story.
“Well done!”
Someone loudly cheered.
All at once, the surrounding stands thundered with applause.
It was for Yan Shaofei’s sober self-control, for not contending for the title, for leaving his sword behind.
It was also for Wu Xun’s act of gifting a valuable sword to a hero, not dwelling on victory or defeat.
Of course, different people would think on different levels about this.
Yan Shaofei chose to leave with his sword.
Perhaps there were other considerations, or perhaps it was just his pride.
Only he knows the real reason.
But for Wei Country, this was undoubtedly a move of great wisdom.
Among all the champions of the various Outer Buildings at this Yellow River Gathering, Dou Zhao and Zhongxuan Zun were truly in a league of their own, a cut above the rest of the champions.
Aside from them, no one else earned the right to claim the top.
They fought so fiercely they nearly perished together.
Would anyone be convinced if Wei Country’s champion came to claim the ultimate title?
Qi would not agree, nor would Chu.
The whole world would disagree.
So, this “ultimate champion” and the interests it represented, could your Wei Country, which wasn’t among the top six of the world, truly hold onto it?
Devoid of the strength to claim the title but claiming it anyway would mean unworthiness.
The saying goes, “When virtue does not match the position, calamities will ensue.”
For Yan Shaofei to take the title under such circumstances would be a curse, not a blessing.
That’s why Wu Xun readily accepted his departure.
Although Yan Shaofei had previously promised the Wei Emperor to bring back the title of champion for Wei Country,
the Wei monarch and his ministers did not really expect this, for their actual aim was merely to make it to the main competition, hoping at best for the top eight.
That Yan Shaofei ended up among the top four champions of the Outer Building was a pleasant surprise.
To securely obtain corresponding resources, they still needed to make preparations.
Now that even the championship that was within grasp was given up, who else would feel entitled to hassle you for the resources for reaching the top four?
As for Wu Xun returning the sword to Yan Shaofei…
Guanhe Platform was not just a gathering of champions but also of various countries.
And it wasn’t just the champions who were after renown.
Why did so many champions pledge to fight to the death, to place a promising life in such a brief battle, and to cast their fate upon the Arena?
Because they represented not just themselves, but also the countries behind them.
Sometimes honor is more important than victory or defeat.
Hence, Bai Yuxia of Yue Country would not “pick up” a spot in the main competition.
Hence, True Man Cao Jie, an esteemed figure, deliberately made it difficult for the merest touch of compassion.
Not to trouble compassion, but to trouble Summer Country.
Wu Xun, being the Great General of Wei, of course understood this.
The reputation of Wei Country, he always had to maintain.
It’s not just a favored sword that had already been bestowed.
If there were ten famous swords of the day to be given, he would give them away without hesitation when the occasion called for it, without a frown.
As Yan Shaofei’s figure disappeared beyond the Pillar of the Six Harmonies,
people then realized that a new question had emerged—
Who would be the ultimate champion among the Outer Building contestants at this Yellow River Gathering?
Yan Shaofei, the only one qualified to contend, declared himself the third in the world.
Undoubtedly, the first could only emerge from between Dou Zhao and Zhongxuan Zun.