The Prince of Travelers

The Swearing of the Swordsman

Li An refused to take classes at the temple when he was invited by a monk. The boy did not like the crowd. So, he insisted on studying with Yun Jili alone in his residence or the Little Archive Pagoda.

The monk in question had complained about the rejection to Emperor Yung Wei. He is a professor who is responsible for the education of the princes. However, the emperor did nothing but tell the monk to let the Eighth Prince choose his own path. It also caused a commotion.

Initially, the ministers were about to oppose the privilege. Every prince and princess must learn according to the rules that have been determined since the previous generation. However, they suddenly stopped doing so after hearing the explanation of an old scholar from the Wu Family, Consort Zhouyi's family of origin.

Minister Liu became suspicious of their movements. The old man in charge of the imperial administration also locked himself in the office to ponder the various possible political wind directions of the Tang Empire in the future. He thought so hard that some of his work was abandoned. Unfortunately, he never got an answer for what he was looking for.

"Sorry, Sire," Minister Liu expressed regret upon reaching Emperor Yung Wei's room. He got a call because some work was stuck on him. Even Emperor Yung Wei could not stay silent to see it.

"Is what makes Minister Liu so agitated that he ignores his responsibilities like this?" asked Emperor Yung Wei with a cold head. He was very confident in his talented ministerial abilities. So, he did not directly judge her rashly.

"Emperor, you have given the Eighth Prince a lot of attention. The crowd was talking about him, "Minister Liu said truthfully, "I can understand what you mean by considering how intelligent the prince is. However, the moment you freed the prince from his class at the temple, it was ...."

"Just break the rules?" guess Emperor Yung Wei as soon as Minister Liu fell silent. He already knew the movements of the ministers who wanted to oppose, but never came. All movements in the palace were monitored by him. However, he still did not know Old Scholar Wu's intention of stopping them. Either the old man helped him, or even got his roots behind it.

"Yes, Sire. This could even have a devastating effect on the Eighth Prince in the future," Minister Liu nodded. He also gave the fruit of his thought that was ripe for several days. The old man was convinced that the Eighth Prince would find it difficult to get support if he did not take classes at the temple at his young age considering the magnitude of the temple's influence.

"That was his choice. I want to see how the Eighth Prince will deal with this matter in the future," Emperor Yung Wei simply smiled. He added, "Again, the lessons in the temple were not suitable for him. He might even rebel if he's too forced."

In the end, Minister Liu nevertheless failed to persuade Emperor Yung Wei over the matter of the Eighth Prince. That made him even more convinced that the emperor was preparing something for the estranged prince. However, he still could not find the answer for as long as he thought.

As the Inner Minister was busy thinking about it, Li An was relaxing in the saung of Aixin Pavilion while drawing hanzi calligraphy. He studied quietly with Miao-Miao who occasionally invited him to play. Li Huanran was with Liu Meili back then, so no one bothered him until the Seventh Prince came.

"Hi! An-An. Why don't you come?" li Xiang asked in annoyance. This morning, he came to Aixin Pavilion with the monk to take the Eighth Prince to the temple. However, again Li An refused for various reasons. It was fortunate that Yun Jili immediately came by then.

"I'm busy. Brother Xiang is playing out there, "push away Li An in a gentle tone. He was lazy to argue with the ambitious boy. I don't know since when he felt made a rival by his brother.

"What's? Obviously you're just a toy with Miao-Miao. What are you trying to say again?" li Xiang said.

Li An stopped her hanzin scratch as soon as Li Xiang barged into her house recklessly and made a fuss. He couldn't concentrate because of that. Hence, he took Miao-Miao and played with her to overcome boredom. In addition, he was alert so that his kitten was not stolen.

"I should be working on PR from Big Brother White Hair. Brother Xiang came to disturb me, so I couldn't continue," Li An blatantly blamed, "Sister Hong will be coming soon. I'm going to practice with him. Brother Xiang just go there."

"Huh? Little skinny kid like what do you want to practice?" cibir Li Xiang's. In fact, he was rather envious of Li An being trained by the Twin Swordsman Cenangkas. The young warrior was one of his idols. Unfortunately, he could not just sue. After all, he already had his own coach who was also a great swordsman.

"Sister, were you not taught that pride brings evil upon yourself?" li An asked. He did not give face to his brother who came uninvited, but still wanted to just play a word with him.

"Sad, weak boy! Face me if you dare. We practice this match up," Li Xiang challenged confidently. He was very confident in his martial skills. His coach also admitted that he was a martial genius.

"Hm? Brother Xiang is shameless? Wasn't Brother taught to protect a weaker brother?" Li An continued to insinuate while rejecting her brother's challenge. Knowing your opponent's abilities is power. He doesn't need to fight in a match he obviously can't win.

"You coward!" ridiculed Li Xiang, trying to provoke his sister.

Li An simply turned his head and stared flatly. His face was like saying, "Do I care?"

"Sister, let me tell you. True strength is patience in the heart," Li An said, "A gallant general may die silly in battle because of emotion. I don't want Big Brother to suffer like that in the future. That's why, I'm warning you now."

"Hmph! Know what you are? You wise ass!" Li Xiang refused to accept his sister's advice. He insisted on challenging Li An to fight him on the field. However, Li An still steadfastly refused, "I am indeed not a wise man. That's the book I read from. I'm sure it's useful, so I'm sharing it with Big Brother happily."

"You've got a lot of excuses ...!" unfinished Li Xiang said, Li An suddenly patted her on the shoulder and returned to his side, "Sister, you are indeed a strong and talented child. Brother Hong even praised your talent. Unfortunately, there is something less inside of you. The lack is here."

Li An pointed at the Seventh Prince's chest. Li Xiang was silent not because he was amazed by the statue, but because he had just heard that the Twin Swordsman praised his talent. He asked Li An for more information about it.

"Bc ...! Ask it yourself. Brother Hong has already come, but don't disturb me from training," Li An was left feeling uneasy. He also pointed at Wang Hongli who had just arrived at his residence. The young swordsman was about to pick Li An up to set off for afternoon training. He was shocked when the Seventh Prince suddenly approached him.

“What does the Seventh Prince want to join us in training with us this afternoon?” Wang Hongli turned to Li An, asking for his approval. Li An wanted to reject it straight away, but Li Xiang had already scolded her with enthusiasm, “Iya, yes. I'll be in training with Pendekar.”

“How about Senior Xiao? Shouldn't you be with him?” Wang Hongli did not want to steal a disciple from his elder brother-in-law, so he wanted to make sure of his senior's condition first. Li Xiang instead snorted and rolled his eyes. He looked lazy to explain, but still said, “Entah, the Swordsman of the Pliable Sword is drinking wine .. maybe? I want to duel with An-An. Come quickly to the field.”

“Hai!” Li An wanted to protest, but Wang Hongli instead had already agreed to the challenge without asking for his approval, “Kakak, but I just trained for a while.”

“Hmph! Only once,” Li An turned to leave Miao-Miao to Li Huanran or Mimi. Shortly after, he came up with an annoyed face. His mouth looks grumbling. Something seems to be happening inside.

“Let's go before my brother comes,” Li An hastened his pace. Li Xiang looked astonished, whereas Wang Hongli only smiled amiably. To be honest, he was anxious to see Li An's behavior that was appropriate for his age. When with Yun Jili, the little prince always looked mature.

“We run race first,” invite Li An once arrived at the landing training field, “Five laps.”

“Yakin? Will you be sapped?” li Xiang asked dismissively. As a child martial genius, of course he was very confident in his running speed. Li An simply sneered sarcastically. He also asked Wang Hongli to watch his sheep.

Li Xiang and Li An immediately ran as soon as Wang Hongli finished counting. Both are fast. However, Li Xiang was able to instantly take the lead shortly afterwards. He smiled proudly as he could extend his distance in Li An, while Li An himself also smiled, but looked cunning.

“Cih! Slow boy,” sneer Li Xiang when he managed to overtake Li An over a lap. He continued to accelerate his pace every time, so he could complete five rounds in just a few minutes. His breath was puffed up as soon as he finished running. Sweat drenched his entire body and face.

“Let's start,” Li An instantly thrust a sword as soon as it gets to the finish line. He was running at a constant speed and regular breathing. In the last round, he chose to walk for a moment of cooling. Seeing how tired Li Xiang was, he smiled happily. The first plan worked.

“You! Why don't you seriously run?” snapped Li Xiang annoyed. He still hasn't finished breathing. It's too much if you duel right now. Li An even just raised his eyebrows. He replied without guilt, “I ran, really. Just ask Brother Hong.”

“But, you walked in the last round,” reply Wang Hongli as soon as he heard his name called. Li An remains innocent, “Biarin. I have no plans to win from my talented brother. Let's start the duel now.”

“You ....,” Li Xiang wants to say something. However, Li An's irritating face made her drool. The boy dared to provoke the older brother by saying, “Eh, Gifted Brother is still tired? Well, how else? We rest first.”

Li Xiang had no intention of retaliating against Li An's provocation and wanted to stay rested. However, Li An's words after that made him unable to hold back, “Silver is strong right? It's only been five rounds. Is Big Brother just that strong? Really don't want to start now.”

“Ah …! Quick ride. We duel now,” Li Xiang hurriedly got up. He also took his wooden sword. There was an air of fierce intimidation emanating from his body. However, Li An looked at it without a care. Eve was nothing compared to the authority of Emperor Yung Wei.

“Main serious!” snapped Li Xiang. His eyes glared sharply. He formed the attacking horses. As soon as Wang Hongli gave the cue, he would immediately dart forward and slash his sword.

“Iya, yes,” Li An replied lazily. He put up his eagle eye, a clairvoyant search eye. With the horses he formed, he took the right position to read the direction of the opponent's attack. As soon as Li Xiang attacked, he directly positioned his sword to block the slash.

The double!

Li Xiang's sword struck the ground, while Li An dodged to the side and launched an attack. Unfortunately, Li Xiang quickly twitched. He also returned to the sword.

“You think, my abilities will decrease if I'm tired, huh?” Li Xiang asked cynically. He continued to slash even though all those slashes could be pushed aside by Li An. Li An himself did not reply to that provocative question. His eyes focused on finding the right gap, but Li Xiang's defense was too sturdy even though he continued to attack. When finding a gap, Li An could not use it because it was not capable enough.

Nah!

The little duel did not last long. Li An's sword escaped from his hand as he froze to fend off Li Xiang's extremely powerful attack. His stamina was also heavily drained. Sweat began to wash his clothes.

“Enough!” Wang Hongli stopped the fight. He praised Li Xiang's victory. The boy smiled proudly for it. Wang Hongli also comforted Li An not to be impassioned, “You are also a great Eighth Prince. Your defense is so strong that it can last so far. For a child who has only briefly practiced martial arts, it is already very good.”

“I'm fine,” reply Li An flatly. The boy really did not care about his defeat. He looked at his two hands that were still slightly trembling. His palms are red. It was still painful because it was too much to fend off Li Xiang's attack earlier. “I want to rest first.”

“Please, Prince,” Wang Hongli understand, “You can rest longer and return to practice later.”

“Decars Hong, do you want to be my teacher?” tanya Li Xiang offers when Li An goes away, “I can give you more with mother's approval.”

“Sorry, Prince,” Wang Hongli instantly replied, “I trained the Eighth Prince on the orders of his direct emperor. I also cannot be presumptuous to Senior Xiao. Please do not repeat it again.”

“What is important? I will be emperor in the future. When that happens, I'll give you a high position,” Li Xiang is still trying to persuade. However, Wang Hongli was even more resisting. He accepted Emperor Yung Wei's offer to become the guard and coach of the Eighth Prince not only to fulfill orders, but also to avoid political intrigue in the succession. Just like Li An, he hated such things.

“Honey once,” Li Xiang sighed in disappointment, but still gave a chance before leaving, “My offer continues to open. Swordsman Hong can come to me at any time if you change your mind.”

“Why Brother Hong didn't just accept the offer?” li An's question made Wang Hongli gasp. The boy was already standing firmly beside the swordsman. He had a cold and flat face as he could. Wang Hongli replied, “Didn't I tell you? This is the emperor's order. I can't just break it.”

“With the influence of Aunt Zhouyi, it was easy for her to change the decision of the emperor's father,” Li An did not accept that excuse. Wang Hongli smiled, “It's not that simple, Prince. Being your teacher is also my decision. This is a pride for me.”

Wang Hongli was silent for a moment before kneeling before Li An. He bowed his head and said respectfully, “I, Wang Hongli, Swordsman of the Twin Prizes swear allegiance to the Eighth Prince, Prince An Aixin. Let me protect you with all my body and soul. I swear in the name of the Most Holy God.”