Exquisite Treasure Sword

The four masked men, their wrists bleeding profusely, tendons and bones broken, their claws shattered, knelt on the ground, howling in agony. Bai Shandian glared at them coldly, then roared furiously, "Open your eyes wide and see who I am! How dare you block my way! You're asking for trouble! Next time you dare to be so disrespectful, you'd better watch your lives!"

The four men stared in utter astonishment, about to ask who he was, when suddenly a burst of laughter erupted from the hall. A portly, middle-aged man, surrounded by a group of soldiers, emerged. Bai Shandian recognized him—it was none other than Heshen, the Qing Dynasty's most notorious corrupt official!

As a high-ranking official in the Qing Dynasty, Heshen's attire was naturally very elaborate. His official hat was decorated with peacock feathers, which came in three types: single-eyed, double-eyed, and triple-eyed. Among them, the triple-eyed peacock feather was extremely rare; only seven officials in the entire Qing Dynasty ever wore it. Heshen was once bestowed with a double-eyed peacock feather, which can be considered a great honor and a sign of imperial favor.

His official robes were primarily python robes, embroidered with python patterns. The number of python patterns and claws represented different ranks. The highest-ranking officials, those of the ninth rank and first rank, wore robes embroidered with nine python patterns, each with five claws, while ninth-rank officials could only wear robes with five python patterns and four claws. This design implicitly reflected the rigid social hierarchy. At this moment, he was wearing a python robe with nine python patterns and five claws!

In terms of official rank, Bai Shandian was on par with him, but in terms of real power, Bai Shandian was slightly inferior. Because throughout the land, everyone knew that Heshen was Emperor Qianlong's closest confidant, the only favored minister he could entrust with his life!

"Lord Bai, it is an honor to have you here! I have failed to greet you properly! My subordinates were unaware of your identity and deserve some punishment! Please forgive my rudeness! I have prepared a small feast to welcome you. Please come in, Lord Bai!" Heshen was indeed a treacherous villain, and his skill in flattery was truly remarkable.

Bai Shandian chuckled coldly and strode confidently into the hall. Sure enough, an antique-style eight-immortal table had been set up in the hall, with a dazzling array of delicacies and fine wines on it. The mouthwatering aromas wafted through the air, instantly whetting one's appetite and making one eager to dig in.

Bai Shandian and Heshen sat down as host and guest, Bai Shandian staring coldly into Heshen's eyes as if trying to pierce his heart with a sharp knife. He sneered, "Lord Heshen has always been elegant and luxurious, accustomed to fine clothes and sumptuous food. Why would you abandon the prosperity of the capital and suddenly come to this remote and impoverished place? Is there some secret mission you have?"

Heshen chuckled and said evasively, "Lord Bai, there's no need to overthink it. It's been quite some time since we last met, and I've been thinking of you constantly. Today is a rare opportunity for us to get together, so let's drink to our hearts' content. Come, let's drink this cup together!" He raised his wine cup with both hands, stood up respectfully, and invited Bai Shandian to drink with him.

Unexpectedly, Bai Shandian slammed his hand on the table, sending the wine cups and chopsticks flying high into the air before smashing to pieces on the floor. Enraged, he glared and roared, "A thousand cups of wine are too few when drinking with a bosom friend, but even half a sentence is too much when talking to someone with whom you don't see eye to eye. If you can't explain yourself today, what kind of wine am I drinking with you for?!"

Heshen asked, somewhat astonished, "Lord Bai, what's wrong with you today? You entered the mountain gate in a rage, as if everyone owed you eight hundred strings of cash, and you broke the hands of my four guards without a word! I didn't say anything out of consideration for your past relationship, Lord Bai, look at yourself! Even now, facing delicious food and speaking gently, you still have this attitude. Isn't that going a bit too far? Lord Bai, what exactly do you want?"

Bai Shandian sneered and shouted, "Heshen, don't think everyone else is a fool! I'll ask you this: Where is my wife, Xiang Quan? Why did you launch a night raid on the Qiongshan official residence?!" Heshen waved his hand, and four generals in bright armor behind him suddenly surrounded Bai Shandian, each brandishing their blood-dripping weapons, baring their teeth and claws as if to pounce!

Bai Shandian looked around angrily and cursed, "Although I've never seen you four before, and you're all very mysterious, I recognize you! You four, along with Jin Qiu at the entrance of the stronghold at the foot of the mountain, are known as the Five Bloodthirsty Monsters, five high-ranking generals of the Sticky Pole Bureau! Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, I roam the world freely! No wonder the Qiongshan official stronghold was wiped out overnight; it turns out Heshen gathered you five demon gods!"

Enraged, Heshen shouted, "White Lightning! His Majesty considers you a trusted confidant and dotes on you, yet you repay kindness with enmity, betraying his trust and treacherous. In this remote and desolate place, far from the emperor's reach, you've joined forces with the rebellious Eighteen Tusi Alliance! Is your blatant disrespect and lawlessness simply because the Alliance's leader is your wife, Xiang Quan?!"

Bai Shandian, enraged, shouted, "Heshen, whose slander have you listened to? I have joined forces with the Eighteen Chieftains' Alliance to fight against the Japanese invaders. Where have we gone wrong?" Heshen smiled coldly and spread his hands, saying, "I'm too lazy to ask about right and wrong. You can go back to the capital and tell His Majesty everything! Now, Bai Shandian, listen to my decree—" He took out a golden silk scroll from his waist, spread it open, and began to read it with an air of self-importance!

Upon seeing that it was indeed an imperial edict, Bai Shandian was so frightened that he hurriedly knelt on the ground, prostrating himself to receive the decree! Heshen read aloud: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Bai Shandian, the Grand Commander of the Army for Suppressing Bandits and Conquering the West, as a high-ranking official of the court, actually colluded with bandits, feigned defeat, and handed over cities and lands to the enemy. His deception and fabrication are unforgivable crimes. However, out of consideration for his family's merits and long-standing relationship with the emperor, it is unbearable to send him to the execution ground. Therefore, he is granted the privilege of committing suicide. In memory of the loyalty and righteousness of his ancestors, he is specially granted a sword left by his ancestors, which shall serve as a weapon for execution. This is the imperial decree!"

Bai Shandian was shocked, and then suddenly realized that it was that villain Zhang Guangsi who had slandered him to the emperor, not only impeaching his wife Xiangquan's background, but also taking the blame for all of his own crimes! This had enraged the emperor, who gave him no chance to explain and ordered him to commit suicide to atone for his sins!

"This is utterly a distortion of the truth, a distortion of facts! I must go to the capital to see the Emperor and impeach that scoundrel Zhang Guangsi!" Bai Shandian raised his head and shouted with heart-wrenching despair! Unexpectedly, Heshen smiled sinisterly and said coldly, "Prisoner Bai Shandian, I'm afraid you won't have that chance!" He whispered to a guard behind him, "Give him the Bai family's heirloom sword and let him commit suicide in public!"

Then, the guard, carrying a curved scimitar, strode up to Bai Shandian and handed it to him. Stroking the family heirloom, Bai Shandian was overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down his face, his heart unable to find peace for a long time.

This precious sword, curved like an autumn moon, has a wooden scabbard covered with green sharkskin and a purple woolen sheath. An ivory plaque hangs from the hilt, one side engraved with "Ebilun's Exquisite Sword"; the other side bears an imperial seal and the four characters "Divine Edge Holds Victory." It was once a relic of my grandfather, Ebilun. In his prime, my grandfather galloped across the battlefield, invincible in battle, repeatedly achieving great feats, all thanks to this sword that could cut through iron like mud. Unexpectedly, it has now become a deadly weapon that has dug my own grave. If he could know this in the afterlife, how would my grandfather, Ebilun, judge me? How could I possibly face him in the afterlife?

Ebilun (?-1674), of the Niohuru clan, was a Manchu of the Bordered Yellow Banner. He was a minister of the Qing Dynasty, the maternal grandson of Nurhaci, the founding emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and the sixteenth son of Eidu, one of the "Five Founding Ministers." His mother was Princess Mukush.

In 1634, during the eighth year of the Tiancong reign, he inherited the title of First-Class Angbang Zhangjing and was appointed First-Class Imperial Guard. In 1644, during the first year of the Shunzhi reign, he followed the army into the pass and repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. After the Shunzhi Emperor assumed personal rule, he was successively appointed as a Minister of State Affairs, Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

In 1661, the eighteenth year of the Shunzhi Emperor's reign, the Shunzhi Emperor passed away and the Kangxi Emperor succeeded him. He, along with Sony, Suksaha, and Oboi, were entrusted with the task of assisting the emperor and became regents. He was appointed Grand Tutor and granted the title of First-Class Duke.

In the eighth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1669), when the court punished Oboi, he was impeached by Prince Kang, Aisin-Gioro Jieshu, stripped of his title of Grand Tutor, and deprived of his post. Emperor Kangxi, considering that Oboi was a regent minister and the son of a meritorious official, spared him from the death penalty.

His daughter became Emperor Kangxi's second empress (Empress Xiaozhaoren), was granted the title of First-Class Duke, and served as a palace guard. He passed away in the thirteenth year of Kangxi's reign (1674), and was posthumously honored with the title Kexi.

Heshen sneered and mocked, "Prisoner Bai Shandian, how glorious your grandfather Ebilun was back then! His official career was smooth sailing, he held a high position, and received countless awards and honors! But what about you? You actually colluded with your wife, conspiring with bandits, doing nothing but murder, robbery, and anti-Qing restoration activities, truly disgracing your Bai family! Alas, I wonder what you will say when you see your grandfather Ebilun? You will truly make him die with regrets!"

"Stop talking!" Provoked by his words, Bai Shandian felt even more ashamed. With a clang, he drew his gleaming sword and held it to his own neck, about to sever his carotid artery and splatter blood on the spot!

Just at this critical moment, a flash of white light appeared, followed by a cracking sound and a burst of sparks. Bai Shandian felt a powerful force strike the blade, causing his hand to nearly split open, and the steel knife flew out of his grasp! With a clatter, it crashed to the ground. Looking closely, he saw an ordinary little pebble beside the steel knife!

"Who has such strong strength?! I am a martial arts master of my generation. Although my body has just recovered from its injuries, I am confident that my internal strength is not weak. This person actually knocked the steel knife out of my hand with ease. How amazing is his martial arts!" Bai Shandian felt extremely embarrassed.

"Who? Who is it? Get out here right now!" Heshen shouted fiercely, though inwardly he was panicking and hiding fearfully behind the four generals. A person slowly emerged from behind the screen, and everyone saw that it was Red Moon!

Red Moon's gaze was piercing as she stared intently at Heshen, her anger barely contained as she rebuked him, "Lord Heshen, have you forgotten the solemn oath you swore to me at the beginning?"

The emperor, out of consideration for their past relationship, used the Bai family's heirloom sword to force Bai Shandian to commit suicide, not wanting him to appear in the market and be publicly executed! This could be considered giving him a dignified death.

(End of this chapter)