kvmb Chapter 383 Discussion
Chapter 383 Discussion
Xu Sheng sat reclining on a chair in the pavilion, his head resting on his arm, his eyes half-closed.
Seashell sat by the pond, gazing at the empty pond, gently patting his head, feeling a pang of regret: How could he have killed such a beautiful fish?
Footsteps approached, and Xu Sheng sat up straight, turned his head, and said with delight, "You're back..."
The surprise came to an abrupt end; it wasn't Luo An who arrived, but An Liangchen, followed by four shadow guards.
An Liangchen's complexion was not good; it was an outward sign of his distress. People like him are most averse to showing their emotions on their faces.
Xu Sheng slowly stood up and saw An Liangchen walking towards Hailuo. He immediately jumped down from the pavilion, stood in front of Hailuo, and tentatively asked, "Your Highness, isn't my brother with you?"
An Liangchen said calmly, "He's dead!"
Xu Sheng's heart skipped a beat. Nian Yao's words flashed through his mind: An Liangchen really did something to Luo An?!
The death of his eldest sister was a major event; he bet An Liangchen would go to Heaven and Earth. Xu Sheng feigned utter astonishment: "Dead? Your Highness, who did you say died?"
An Liangchen stared at him: "What do you think?"
Xu Sheng seemed very cautious: "Your Highness, I am new to Bianjing and unfamiliar with the people and things here. Where is my brother now?"
An Liangchen drew the Jingzhe sword and threw it to him: "Heaven and Earth".
Being in Heaven and Earth meant that he was safe and sound. Xu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and took the longsword: "Your Highness, I have a favor to ask of you."
An Liangchen was naturally not as easy to talk to as Luo An: "You can ask."
Xu Sheng turned his head to look at the conch shell: "My little brother here is from your Dongyang, born and raised in Penglai. If I die, I beg Your Highness to spare his life and let him return to Penglai."
Conch stood beside him, anxiously saying, "You can't beat him? If you can't beat him, then don't fight him. Beg him! Didn't you say that face doesn't matter?"
An Liangchen smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It is common for martial artists to spar. Young brother, there is no need to be nervous. I have heard that Your Highness is highly skilled in martial arts, and even Luo An is no match for you. So naturally, I am no match for you either."
Facing An Liangchen, Xu Shengcai realized how precious Luo An was. He didn't waste words with An Liangchen: "When in Rome, do as the host says. I would be grateful if Your Highness could enlighten me."
Jingzhe, remembering An Liangchen's injuries, stepped forward: "Your Highness, this subordinate..."
An Liangchen said, "No need."
Jingzhe glanced at Xu Sheng, hesitated, and took a few steps back, looking quite nervous. Xu Sheng understood somewhat.
Luo An started learning martial arts late, but Xu Sheng and An Liangchen both started learning from a young age. After An Liangchen came of age, he focused more on governing the country, so his martial arts skills should be somewhat inferior to Xu Sheng's.
Xu Sheng only dared to use six-tenths of his skill, which made An Liangchen appear to have the upper hand. The two exchanged only about fifty moves before their longswords clashed with a resounding clang. Xu Sheng loosened his grip, and his longsword fell to the ground.
An Liangchen pointed his longsword at Xu Sheng's chest, clearly displeased: "Xu Sheng is playing the fool!"
Xu Sheng said earnestly, "Your Highness, I am not a righteous hero, but I cannot be a villain who takes advantage of others in distress. Your Highness is injured, and if I were to win, it would be an dishonest victory."
"It is my honor to spar with Your Highness. How about this: once Your Highness has recovered, we shall have a fair and square match. Whether it's a matter of victory or defeat, or a matter of life and death, I will gladly accept and never back down."
An Liangchen said slowly, "Are you so sure I won't kill Luo An?"
Of course it's uncertain! It's just that you wouldn't dare touch him in Heaven and Earth! Xu Sheng thought to himself, but what he said was: "There are indeed precedents in history for killing one's father, brother, and son to fight for the throne, but it won't be Your Highness."
My brother is just a doctor, and he only wants to be a doctor. He has no intention of competing with Your Highness for the throne. On the contrary, he will help Your Highness and is an asset to Your Highness in consolidating your throne.
"His Highness's benevolence is known throughout the land, and since he is brothers with my brother, he naturally wouldn't lay a hand on his own brother."
Xu Sheng kept referring to Luo An as "my brother," which made it sound like he was very familiar with him.
An Liangchen slowly withdrew his sword: "Your Highness is Luo An's younger brother, and naturally also my younger brother. Since Your Highness calls Luo An 'brother,' why do you call me 'Your Highness'?"
Xu Sheng stared at An Liangchen, the word "brother" stuck in his throat, unable to come out: he actually had dignity, and wasn't really like he said, willing to do anything to survive.
Seeing Xu Sheng's predicament, Conch picked up the sword that had fallen to the ground and presented it to Jingzhe, breaking the silence: "Thank you for your sword!"