Chapter 197 Summons
Taizhou
Flowing Wind Sect
As the top sect in Taizhou, the Flowing Wind Sect's compound was extremely impressive, with a total of four courtyards, located in the southeast of the city. Almost the entire street was the Flowing Wind Sect's property.
The very center of Flowing Wind Street was the location of the Flowing Wind Sect.
Two thin youths were standing unsteadily in front of two stone lions, their legs slightly bent, acting as guards while practicing the Flowing Wind Stance. They were diligently combining their duties with their training.
Passersby glanced at them and then looked away, no one bothering them during their cultivation.
As the top sect in the entire Taizhou City, every disciple of the sect was not mediocre, possessing outstanding talent. Now guarding the gate, guarding the gate while also practicing their skills, one day they might become a great figure.
Just at this moment, two white steeds galloped over. "Hee-hee..."
The two horses reared up, their hooves pawing the air a few times, and then landed steadily. The knights on horseback sat firmly.
These were two youths about the same age as the two guards, wearing black robes, their temples bulging, indicating innate cultivation.
Seeing their cultivation level, the two guards immediately stepped forward, placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, and said in a deep voice, "You two..." One of the young knights took down a token from his waist and held it up to the two guards.
The two guards glanced at it, their expressions changing slightly. They removed their hands from their sword hilts and clasped their hands together forcefully: "So it's the two Sima from the Town Protectorate. May I ask what brings you to our sect?"
"Is the Flowing Wind Sect's Lu Feihong, the great hero Lu, present?"
"Elder Lu?" The two were stunned, exchanging glances.
Another young knight took out a warrant from his bosom and tossed it to the two: "This summons is for the great hero Lu Feihong. Please introduce us to the great hero Lu!"
"Summons?"
"The imperial court summons the great hero Lu Feihong."
"...Please wait a moment, you two Sima!"
Upon hearing the summons, their expressions became excited. They waved their hands hastily, and one of the youths had already rushed inside with the summons. The two Town Protectorate youths gracefully dismounted.
"You two Sima have worked hard. Let me get your steeds something to eat and drink?"
"Hmm, very well."
The youth hurriedly took the reins of the two white steeds and headed inside.
As guards, they were not qualified to directly invite people in, but leading two horses in was no problem.
They could maintain an attitude of neither servile nor arrogant towards ordinary officials from the Town Protectorate, but these two Sima had come to deliver a summons, which was different.
The summons, in its full name, was the 'Summons of Heroes Under Heaven'.
When a major event occurred in the imperial court and the help of experts from various sects in the martial world was needed, this summons would be issued. Those who could obtain this summons were all outstanding experts.
All sects in the martial world and experts from all walks of life regarded it as an honor to receive this summons. They had only heard of it, but had never seen it.
The Flowing Wind Sect had never received a summons before.
This time, Elder Lu Feihong had actually received the imperial court's 'Summons of Heroes Under Heaven'. This was truly a great joyous event. They were already so excited that they couldn't help but want to sing loudly, letting the entire Taizhou City know the news.
Amidst a flurry of footsteps, more than a dozen middle-aged and elderly people appeared at the gate, surrounding a middle-aged man. The leading elder clasped his fist and said: "This old man is Zhang Changgeng. You two Sima have worked hard, please come in quickly."
The two Town Protectorate youths clasped their fists, their expressions calm and reserved, and followed the group into the main hall.
After taking their seats, tea was served.
After taking a sip of tea, the summons was once again taken out.
A thin middle-aged man stood up, opened the purple-golden warrant with both hands, and looked carefully at the patterns on it, as well as the date and location. He closed the summons and clasped his fist solemnly: "How fortunate Lu is to be valued by the imperial court. I will obey the imperial decree!"
The two Town Protectorate youths nodded.
"Great hero Lu, it's best to set off a few days in advance, lest something unexpected happens along the way and delays you!"
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the main hall became solemn.
Everyone had only been concerned with being happy before, but now they realized that once the summons was issued, there would inevitably be bloodshed. It contained great danger.
Of course, it also contained great wealth.
Among the recipients of the summons throughout history, there were many who directly entered the Town Protectorate due to their merits, which was a path to the heavens! This was an opportunity to defy fate.
Therefore, every summoned person went forward without hesitation, never retreating.
Lu Feihong smiled: "Lu has also heard of the dangers involved, but it is Lu's honor to work for the imperial court, and it is a blessing that cannot be sought. What fear is there of even greater dangers!"
"Good!" Although the two Town Protectorate Sima secretly smiled inwardly, they did not smile on their faces, maintaining their solemnity, and continued: "Does great hero Lu need the imperial court to provide weapons or armor?"
"This..." Lu Feihong hesitated.
"If great hero Lu does not have a sharp weapon, the imperial court can provide it. If the merits are sufficient afterwards, it can be directly gifted to you. If the merits are not enough, it can be returned to the imperial court."
"What kind of weapons does the imperial court provide?"
"Armor-Piercing Divine Weapons, either swords or sabers."
"Armor-Piercing Divine Weapons?!"
Everyone in the hall gasped.
These Armor-Piercing Divine Weapons were truly divine weapons.
They were sharp weapons that could break through the protective qi of a grandmaster, and were coveted by martial artists. The entire Flowing Wind Sect did not have a single Armor-Piercing Divine Weapon.
These were divine weapons that were often only circulated within the four major sects, and not spread among the martial world. If one could possess such a divine weapon, it would truly be a life well-lived.
They sighed inwardly.
No wonder everyone flocked to the summons, and everyone regarded it as an honor. It was not just about reputation, but also about amazing benefits.
Not only was there hope of obtaining merits and exchanging them for heavenly treasures, elixirs, and divine weapons from the imperial court's Heavenly Treasure Department, but there was also hope of entering the Town Protectorate. Before the action, one could even directly obtain an Armor-Piercing Divine Weapon. Even if it was just for temporary use, it was enticing enough.
"In addition to the Armor-Piercing Divine Weapon, the imperial court also provides two bottles of elixirs, one for healing and one for saving lives, both grade four elixirs."
"Grade four elixirs..."
Everyone in the hall gasped again.
The most advanced elixirs in their entire Taizhou City were probably only grade eight elixirs. Now they were getting two bottles of grade four elixirs. This was simply unimaginable wealth.
The two Town Protectorate Sima took out two jade bottles and looked at Lu Feihong again: "Does great hero Lu want a sword or a saber?"
"...A sword!"
"Very well, this is the Flying Cloud Sword. The blade is light and should be suitable for great hero Lu's martial arts style."
A dark blue sharkskin-sheathed long sword was handed to Lu Feihong.
Lu Feihong tremblingly took it.
He was filled with excitement, and with everyone's eyes fixed on him, this sword seemed to weigh ten thousand pounds.
The two Town Protectorate Sima did not show any ridicule, but looked at them calmly and said slowly: "As the saying goes, wealth comes from danger. Great hero Lu, let me remind you again, make arrangements for your affairs before your departure. This matter is very dangerous!"
"Yes!" Lu Feihong said in a deep voice.
He felt the earnestness and concern of the two Town Protectorate Sima.
The two Town Protectorate Sima clasped their fists, bid farewell to the excited crowd, and soon left Taizhou City, returning to Yujing.
