Chapter 52: Golden Crow Flying Knife
Eradicated two enemies, gained recognition from the empress, and obtained weapons and Shu Brocade... Zhao Duan gained a lot.
He immediately thanked him and looked uplifted, which verified the feasibility of the idea of improving his strength through meritorious service.
"Okay, back off." The empress waved her hand away, her smile fading away.
Digging out a borer does not mean the end. It often means that there are more borers hidden.
Next, there will obviously be another bloody storm in the temple.
We can chat some more... Zhao Duan was reluctant to leave and respectfully bid farewell.
This walk and chat with the empress means that the relationship between the two has taken a further step, but everything should be done in moderation... This is an important experience he gained in his previous life.
…
"Female Prime Minister" Mochou went to the Tianshi Mansion, and Zhao Duan went to the Martial Arts Hall this time, led by a female official.
When the late emperor was in power, female officials were inconspicuous and were only responsible for the internal affairs of the harem. After the empress succeeded to the throne, the power structure in the palace ushered in a major change.
The group of female officials headed by Mochou divided the power among the eunuchs, but when it came to matters outside the palace, most of them were done by eunuchs.
"You came faster than our family expected."
When Zhao Duan saw Hai Chongfeng for the second time, this old eunuch who had hidden deep in the palace and served the royal family for more than a hundred years said in surprise.
He has white hair, a slightly stooped figure, a white face and no beard. He is wearing a bright red python robe, which is very eye-catching.
The temperament is no different from last time.
"It's just a fluke." Zhao Duan said in a humble tone, not daring to look down on the other party.
Eunuch Hai's eyes were meaningful:
"It's better for young people to be sharper. Being too humble would be hypocrisy."
He did not doubt the empress's vision.
After Zhao Duan was promoted to "enshrined" last time, the empress personally intervened and made the old eunuch convinced that there was a hidden dragon in front of him.
After he inquired and learned that Zhao Duan had a bad reputation in Beijing, this premonition became stronger.
But despite this, he never thought that after just a few days, the other party would have the opportunity to come here again.
In memory, it is unique.
Ha...you say this, but if I really show my sharpness, you will not be happy...Zhao Duan slandered and disagreed.
His face showed a look of being taught, and he said with emotion: "People in the world like to be humble and low-key, but hate the mediocre people who show their sharpness. When a boy mixes in the world, he will inevitably live in the same world. But like my father-in-law, I don't like it. Hypocrisy, but there are very few people who appreciate the brilliance of young people.”
The old eunuch in the python robe felt relieved and nodded proudly:
"That's true."
Bah... As expected, he also likes to flatter... Zhao Duan was unable to complain and stopped talking nonsense:
"Your Majesty allows me to take a magical weapon from the arsenal and keep it close to me. Please help me, father-in-law."
Eunuch Hai smacked his lips and said, "Come with our family."
Stepping into the gate of the "Arsenal" courtyard again, you will see ancient cypresses and green pines, full of ancient charm.
Zhao Duan was led outside a house and saw the word "武兵" in large gilded letters on the door plaque.
"The palace's arsenal has its own secrets. When choosing soldiers, a warrior should choose those that match his own realm, martial arts, and temperament." Eunuch Hai walked with his hands behind his back:
"Forcing weapons beyond one's realm to contain them is harmful but useless. The weapons here are most suitable for you now."
Is that so? I suspect that the reason why you said this is because you don’t want to give me good things... Zhao Duan speculated with a villain’s heart.
Eunuch Hai took out the key and opened the copper lock. The seemingly ordinary lock was actually alive, with a human face protruding from it and grinning from ear to ear.
"Squeak."
The door is opened, and there are mahogany display racks inside, with swords or wooden boxes placed on them. There are also spears, bows and arrows hanging on the walls.
At first glance, the texture is extraordinary and dazzling.
"Pick one."
Zhao Duan suffered from difficulty in choosing. He pondered for a moment and said:
"I heard that the magic weapons held by warlocks are full of spirituality. Do they also have martial arts weapons?"
Eunuch Hai glanced at him and said with a smile:
"The boy is quite greedy. Yes, there are indeed a very small number of magic weapons that have spirituality. They can be driven by high-level warriors, but not many are suitable for the mortal realm."
Zhao Duan felt disappointed. The next moment, Eunuch Hai changed the subject: "But you are really lucky. There is something here that meets your requirements."
Zhao Duan raised his head sharply, with the word "greedy" written in his eyes.
Grandpa Hai smiled, picked up the dust-covered treasure box from the shelf, and joked:
"I originally planned to give you this one. When His Majesty passed the order, our family knew that this one was the most suitable."
Zhao Duan opened the box and saw a palm-sized, dark golden flying knife laid out on the silk cloth. It was luxurious and restrained, with excellent workmanship. "The name of this thing is 'Golden Crow'. It is rare and has a shallow effect." The spiritual weapon is infused with Qi and guided by thoughts, like an arm. It is extremely sharp and indestructible," said Eunuch Hai.
Zhao Duan followed his instructions.
"Buzz——"
In the dim room, the thin golden thread cut through the air, and the flying knife pulled out the afterimage, flying around Zhao Duan on its own, as if jumping for joy.
So fast... Suitable for sneak attacks... Unfortunately, the control distance is limited. Zhao Duan sighed with admiration, but expressed disgust:
"I don't lack concealed weapons, I have to hold them."
Eunuch Hai smiled and said, "Just try it."
Zhao Duan tried to hold the golden knife into his palm, and instilled his Qi. The palm-sized flying knife suddenly extended and turned into a long and narrow knife, with an intimidating sharpness.
"Two forms?"
Zhao Duan's eyes lit up, he clenched his palms tightly, the golden crow dimmed, and returned to his inconspicuous posture:
"This is it!"
…
After a while, watching Zhao Duan leave, the old eunuch in the python robe touched the empty treasure box with his thin hand, feeling as if he was missing.
"The magic weapon that Taizu used in his early years is of great benefit to you..."
"Our Majesty is really partial to you, which is interesting."
"Oh, you still put a high hat on our family and flatter us. Do you really think our family can't hear it? You are so glib."
Eunuch Hai shook his head and then smiled.
I have been alone for too long, and it feels good to have a younger generation to talk to from time to time.
…
Imperial City Gate.
Zhao Duan hid the "Golden Crow" in his inner pocket, feeling satisfied and his steps brisk as he walked.
"I don't need to care about the follow-up of the case. What happens next is all the business of Ma Yan and others."
"It's a pity that I couldn't stay for a meal this time. The way the empress eats is weird."
"Well, I don't know if that Priest Jin Jian is here... I don't care. Even if she is hiding next to me, I won't suffer any loss if she watches me take a bath."
With random thoughts running around, Zhao Duan walked through the doorway.
But Zhou Cang was not seen, only a low-key and luxurious four-horse carriage parked outside the imperial city gate.
According to Dayu etiquette specifications:
The emperor drives six, the princes drive five, the ministers four, the officials three, the scholars two, and the common people one.
If it is exceeded, it is a serious sin.
The four-horse carriage... was a big shot at the level of the Three Gongs and Nine Ministers... Zhao Duan looked curiously, wondering who was waiting here.
Suddenly, a servant came straight from outside the carriage and said respectfully:
"Mr. Zhao, my lord has invited me."
Are you waiting for me on purpose?
Zhao Duan was stunned, and an incredible idea suddenly occurred to him.
"May I ask what's in the car..." he asked cautiously.
Immediately, the thick car curtain was opened by a piece of jade Ruyi, revealing the elegant and handsome imperial censor wearing a double-breasted Tsing Yi and an official hat inside the car, with a smiling face.
Yuan Li smiled and said, "We meet again."
Thank you Xicheng Xue Erlang for the 500-coin reward. If you are healthy, I will give you a 500-coin reward on a sunny day.
(End of this chapter)