Ceremonies
"Sir Ming, if you don't mind, how about we take a shortcut?"
As Ben Li fell into contemplation about his next script, a man appeared out from the void and greeted him with a smile.
This 227-year-old man looked young as an early 20, who styles himself with traditional clothing that was simple yet lavish. The Holy Saint aura gushing out from him was brimming with sword energy and he face Ben Li with a sincere smile on his face.
"Sir Huang, it's good to see you too." recognizing the man, Ben Li also gave him a smile and played his role in the script. "Don't mind if I do take on your offer."
Huang didn't speak anymore and simply nodded back. With a wave of his hand, the space around them jerked a little as they immediately teleported.
After seconds passing briefly, the space around them stabilized and gave them a totally different view of their surroundings.
As Ben Li and Huang floated above the space, they saw that they were in a ginormous hall that hundreds upon hundreds of people had encompassed their surroundings.
Hundreds were above them, hundreds were below them, hundreds were all around them and hundreds stood on the ground as the bells continued to sing chimes that were loud and wondrous.
The hall was so impressively huge that ten hundred people could fit inside easily. Yet, the number of people here exceeded that number and continues to grow as more people flickered, teleported, warped or any kind of transportation method and fill the hall with their exceeding population.
The hall was brightened up with starry sky as the ceiling. Chandeliers that were bright as the sun supplemented the areas lacking light and what kept them up high as the skies were tens of jade pillars distinctively seen that supported the heavens from falling.
In the far end of this jaw-dropping hall was a throne atop a tall set of grandiose staircases.
The throne was the most impressive throne in the entire world.
Holy lamps shining with all kinds of colors luminate its ethereal beauty.
The throne seat was made from all kinds of mystical metals that were treasured by gods for its rarity. Crafted by godly hands as its legs rooted down on its own otherworldly territory. The arms were splendidly thick like two walls parallel to one side. And the back part of the seat was a bigger wall with all kinds of mystical patterns carved into it.
That opulent throne chair was huge enough to fit two grown men to sit crossed-legged. Opulent as it was that whoever sat on that chair will be the most infatuated person on the planet.
Just behind that throne chair was a flag that covered up the entirety of the wall hung with it. It glowed prospering before the eyes of many.
The flag was purple in base color, embroidered bearing the insignia of its respected nation.
The insignia had the design of the four mythical beasts with a humanoid in its center.
The north had a black xuanwu that rooted itself like a mountain at the upper side. Representing the eternal territory of the nation.
The east had a green dragon that dominated the left side with its monumental stature. Representing the unshakable dominion of the nation.
The west had a white tiger that governed the right side with righteous bearings at the right side. Representing the unstoppable prosperity of the nation.
The south had a red phoenix that spread its wings of magnanimity at the lower side. Representing the boundless love of the nation.
And in the center of these four mythical beasts was Man standing proud and tall with the support of these four foundations. Together, they formed a nation that challenged the arduous generations that threatens its existence.
Millenniums may pass; but the Empire is still here! The flag declared such.
Seeing all this incredible grandeur that astounded all images of majestic, Ben Li inhaled in a deep, sharp breath and stabilized his distracted mind.
He couldn't help but reminisce back then in his precious world when he had written all about this impressive throne hall.
'Back then, I put a lot of thought and imagination when I wrote about this throne. I wrote it so much that the verbosity was almost intolerable. It was one long paragraph about a fucking chair that ended up covering 3 pages worth of content. I spared no brevity in the process and the verbs I had used were so complexing that even I had to review the dictionary a couple of times to get a clearer meaning...'
Ben Li fell into a daze when he thought back about that time and the joys of writing his imagination. Back then, his imagination was in full throttle. The image about a powerful looking throne chair was stuck in his mind for a whole week. And when he tried to visualize it on pen and paper, his hands wouldn't stop for a moment as words after words connect like an unending bridge of stories. Even when his right hand ached from all the writing, he would then switch to his left hand and continue writing. And when his pen ran out of ink, he would curse and throw the pen across the classroom. Shocking his classmates and teachers in awkward moments.
Ahh... Good times...
"I hate to interrupt your moment, sir Ming, but we must go now and prepare for his Majesty's 'Ceremony of Worthiness'." Huang who had floated by Ben Li's side hesitated for a bit before speaking to remind him about the next event.
"Right, let's go." not wasting time any longer, Ben Li and Huang descended downwards.
Ben Li descended down and cheers erupted when everyone saw his face. Paying no heed to them, he walked shortly and arrived to stand on his designated spot. Just at the edge of the hall carpet that lead up to the throne where the 30 Conferred Sword Knights are stationed for the ceremony.
Not all of the 30 Conferred Sword Knights had arrived yet but supposedly, all 30 of us are to divide into 2 groups and station ourselves at the edges of the hallway where his majesty will pass through.
The two groups will stand in columns each 5 meters apart and according to the ceremony, all of us must draw our Swords and perform the ceremony to test his majesty's worthiness.
Ben Li stood where he was stationed for the ritual. To his right about 5 meters was the 10th ranking sword knight and 5 meters after him was the 8th ranking and after that guy was the 6th and so forth.
To his left was 14th ranking sword knight, Huang and in front of him was the 13th ranking sword knight, Shao Zhang. To the right of Shao Zhang was the 15th ranking sword knight, Tyrant.
As the 4 saw each other, they each nodded respectfully and said nothing more.
...
While waiting for everything to get started, Ben Li felt bored and restless standing on the same spot for 6 minutes now.
Amidst the quiet clamors of the crowd of thousands, Ben Li can hear many people greeting each other, laughing off some jokes, complimenting each other's appearances, gossiping hot topics.
'The memories are so full of life... Just like the real world... Back in ordinary earth, I would have never thought that my first novel would come to life with a world of its own... I never understood how I got myself into another world... Perhaps I died and this happened or perhaps some mysterious force is at work... In any case, I need to make up for my mistakes as God. Otherwise, I might as well just become a sociopath...'
Ben Li mused as he waited and shuddered at his thoughts. The crimes were too heavy to bear yet if he had known, then maybe things would have been different...
Different, huh?
Ben Li stood where he was and perked his ears a little. And just then, perhaps he imagined it, but he heard a familiar name spoken in the crowd behind him.
"Wang... Qi Lian?" Ben Li turned his head to look and was stunned beyond words.
Who he saw was gorgeous woman dressed in adorable silk fabrics with a folding fan on her hands. Her silky black hair was tied up with two chopsticks, her visage was extraordinarily attractive, and her curves of her body were drop-dead stunning and with all that together, even the coldest hearted man would sway in defeat under her beauty.
She didn't have just beauty, even power was within her grasp. The Holy Saint aura gushing from within her was reminiscent to a queen descending from the divine lands.
She stood with a haughty poise and carried an arrogant look as others attempted to fawn over her. Yet, her eyes landed on no one and remained closed for the entire time. It was as if she regarded no one as her equal and considered everyone as ants.
"Wang... Xie...?" but Ben Li was experiencing the most inexplicable feeling since the time he got here. Seeing her lovely features that garnered everyone's attention, he couldn't help but compare her with Wang Xie's devilish features.
And to his surprise, they look almost identical!
It was as if he was looking at the female version of Wang Xie!
His eyes remained on her and his thoughts drowned him into a daze. He was thinking what if he went over and talked to her. Though he doubted the possibility, what if he was allowed to talk to her?
"Does anything of me interest you, sir Ming?"
It was at this point that Ben Li jolted into action as the female's cold voice woke him up. Gazing out, he looked at the beauty incredulously who gave the cold gaze that was snowy and frosted.
It was a gaze that meant she would tolerate any insult. And if you said the wrong word, you're dead already.
Her attitude is just like his... Ben Li couldn't help but thought.
"Im sorry if I had offended you." without delay, Ben Li bowed his head in apology and spoke no further.
If her attitude is like his, then the only way to quell this evil queen's anger was to act sincere in front of her without beating around the bush.
The beauty harrumphed coldly and turned to leave from his sight. Feeling the success, Ben Li heaved a sigh of relief.
"Umm... Could I ask a question young miss Wang?" as if he hadn't regretted pushing his luck at this point, Ben Li wanted to ask what he had been wondering for some time.
"What is it? If you attempt to bore me with your antics, then prepare to get cut down here, sir Ming." without turning around, Wang Qi Lian spoke thus.
"I'm sorry if I offend you with this question but I couldn't help but ask, if you had a son, what name would you give him?"
Only then did Wang Qi Lian faced him and gave him an odd look. Then for a brief moment, she laid the tip of her folding fan on her chin, looked up with closed eyes and fell into contemplation. Eventually, she opened her eyes and stared at Ben Li again then said with her soft, frosty voice.
"If you must ask then I feel I should answer... If I had a son, I would name him... Hmm... Xie."
"... Why?" after a short delay, he couldn't help but question her again. Then she shrugged and turned around. Then she said. "Because I felt like he is destined for such a name."
She walked away afterwards.
"Destined... Huh?" Ben Li was dumbfounded by her answer. He hadn't misheard it. Otherwise, he would have been laughing at his own ignorance. But he didn't and heard every word she had spoken.
Xie... The same name I gave him as the Antagonist of this world.
And not to mention that she said it felt like he was destined for such a name... Could it have been the influence from me?
"Dang!"
"Dang!"
"Dang!"
It was at this point that the bells that sang an hour ago had suddenly changed its chiming into loud and earth-trembling noises that seemed as if someone was bludgeoning divine gold.
The crowd went silent and still as if they were frozen in place and all the 30 Conferred Sword Knights were present and stationed for the ceremony.
"Present! Swords!" someone commanded loudly as his voice shook the void. All 30 sword Knights drew out the swords stylishly at the same time.
Wooosh!!!
Immediately, the hall was instantly bathed with sword energy. It filled every nook and cranny and spared no area in between. The void shook tremendously under the sharpness drawn upon by the appearances of the 30 mythical swords.
The bells ringing continuously, quelled down in silence and everything went still as a painting.
After a brief moment, a divine beam shot from the heavens and descended into the earth. A figure emerged from it and appeared standing before everyone.
The man wore the most majestic robes that were all purple in design. It shrouded him entirely, showing not a single speck of his perfect flesh as a result. Crowned over his head was a black hat with thick curtain beads covering his whole visage. And even though none could see through those curtains, it could not contain the mysterious blue eyes blazing out from his gaze.
The aura that blankets his entire being seemed ordinary yet deep and indescribable. It gave everyone the feeling that he was indomitable, and he rule in his domination all the lands beneath his skies.
He stood poise with hands cuffed around each other with his sleeves. Standing before everyone like a sovereign inspecting his territory.
Everything was silent. None dared to breathe loudly. And those nearest to this being had genuflected without hesitation. And as if a wave of influence, everyone followed the same posture, genuflecting before him as they saw their emperor standing before them.
Swoosh!!!
The 30 Conferred Sword Knights who remained standing rather than genuflecting and swept their Spiritual Awareness against the emperor.
It was an unwritten law that sweeping one's Spiritual Awareness over a resonate without consent was a legitimate offense that warranted arrest. And these 30 sword Knights here had dared to sweep their gaze against the Emperor could consider as capital offense that warranted immediate execution.
Bit for today's Ceremony of Worthiness, it was pardoned for the time being.
As their Spiritual Awareness shrouded the Emperor, the swords they wield in their hands let out an eerie roar like two metals rubbing against each other.
Killing intent gushed out from their blades and the Spirits within them glared at the man as if they wanted to kill him. As if they deemed his existence as an eyesore and must erase him right away.
But the man remained unfazed by it all despite the swords wanting to kill him. And after a brief moment, without uttering a word, the man finally made a move, he walked forward with brave, graceful strides. And his aura flowed behind like water flowing in the sea.
In this ceremony held every year, the incumbent emperor must participate in this ritual of crossing 30 life-threatening swords to attest his worthiness for the throne.
It wasn't a coronation ceremony, it was a ceremony that demanded the oath of the emperor to test his powers, reasons, wisdom, and courage to rule over the entire empire.
Each sword represented the powers of empire. Like Ming Jian Ming's sword that had the powers of Redemption. And if the current emperor does not have the will to enact redemption into the empire, and if he were to pass by Ming Jian Ming's sword today, then he will be slain right away regardless how powerful the emperor was.
The same goes for everyone with their swords raised, the swords will slay the emperor if he doesn't have the will to enact the powers of the empire.
And how does a sword judge an emperor?
Well, the spirits within the swords are kind of special in terms of existence. They were like children of God who chooses the ruler wisely. It wasn't explained how, just raise your blade against the emperor and we'll tell you if he's good enough or not.
At this point, the emperor had passed by 30th and 29th swords at the same time, and the swords retracted their killing intent as they had judged that the emperor has the will to carry the powers of the empire.
That followed with the swords of 28th and 27th that had judged the emperor worthy.
Then 26th and 25th, 24th and 23rd, 22nd and 21st, 20th and 19th, 18th and 17th, 16th and 15th, 14th and 13th...
Finally, the emperor was about to pass through Ben Li and the comrade in front of him. His Spiritual Awareness had completely shrouded the empire over and over yet, he couldn't peer through the aura that shrouded him. It felt like he was looking at a mighty wall that protected the forbidden city. None shall gaze through to peer over the veils.
Time seemed to have slowed down for Ben Li at this moment. The emperor continued to walk step by step as his sandals clack against the jade floor.
Then he looked at the sword he wielded over his chest. The Sword of Redemption was seething with killing intent, ready to kill the emperor anytime, and if he were to stop it, then the sword will kill him too regardless if he was the master or not.
Ben Li's back was covered in cold sweat. He afraid that if he moved or even breathe, his sword will slash out and kill the emperor with all its power.
"?!"
As if to scare hits wits, Ben Li felt like his sword had jerked for a bit. Only for a bit yet the blade was aiming right for emperor's neck. He was suddenly afraid things might go wrong at this point but luckily for him, that was just his unfounded worries.
The emperor had passed by them without a hitch and the sword of Redemption retracted its killing intent.
'Whew... Incredible. To think he wouldn't even faze so much against Redemption... Well, this happens every year so he must've gotten used to it... Still, that was scary, y'know? What if it really did kill you, Li Hao?'
Ben Li couldn't help but shudder still the thought of his sword assailing the emperor. Shaking those thoughts off, he continued to watch as the emperor passed through his comrades and even managed to pass through Xingjian who was stationed standing the third place.
Then, everyone gazed intently as the emperor climbed the stairs. With every step he took, it seemed heaven and earth supported his every move, with one step, it felt like he would fly away at any moment.
Eventually, he managed to arrive before the throne, turned around before everyone and did a solemn ceremonial bow.
After which, the emperor sat cross-legged on the throne and suddenly, he transformed to into a deity who reigned Supreme. His gaze frozen and downcast as he saw all his loyal subjects genuflecting before him.
"""LONG LIVE HIS MAJESTY, IMMORTAL EMPEROR CHEN!!!"""
"""LONG LIVE THE XIANWU EMPIRE!!!"""
...
"Hahh~ that was tiresome..." sitting on a bench in the palace garden, Ben Li heaved an exasperating sigh as strength left him.
That was probably the most exhausting event that had happened to him since he came to this novel world.
After sighing in defeat once again, Ben Li mulled over the things that had transpired and was overwhelmed with a thrilling sensation.
Then his hands went to massage his joints, overwhelmed by the exhaustion of genuflecting for hours in front of a guy sitting on the most comfortable chair.
Then suddenly, the surrounding space jerked for second and a beauty with blue eyes appeared before him.
Ben Li didn't appear to shock to see her as he had anticipated it in his script. Then the beauty sat down by his side without asking from his consent.
"Heal me, Xu'er. I'm dying for your touch." after saying that coquettishly, Ben Li drowned his face on the beauty's bosom without her consent. Burying his nose deep into her cleavage and sniffed out her lovely womanly scent.
The beauty didn't shove him off and smoothly comb his lovely purple hair with her slender fingers.
Embracing him softly as she comforted him with lovely praises.
"Right, right, you did well, my dear. Rest all you want..."
It was only then that Ben Li started feeling uneasy about what the actual fuck he was doing digging his nose into someone else's girlfriend. He then after which just shrugged and let it be.
And if he will ever meet Ming Jian Ming some time later, then he'll just have to apologize sincerely for harassing her girlfriend.
Next scene in the script is... Fling with her.
Well, I could do that if I was crazy enough...
At the next moment, Ben Li moved his hands to smoothly glide over her curvy body. Feeling every inch of her gently and caressing her sexually.
"Mmm... Stop, this embarrassing." the beauty tried to resist his physical affection. Ben Li looked up and saw that she was blushing with her blue eyes looking away from him. He thought nothing of it and continued to give her affection. Gliding down his hands all over her body and press firmly to feel the warm skin under her clothes.
A soft moan escaped from her mouth as electricity traveled gently over spine. Her heart drummed loudly that it seemed it would pop out from her chest.
"Wait, we can't do this here. What if someone sees us?"
"... Hm, look around. No one's coming to see us. But if you're that worried, we can do it in the bushes if you like?" said Ben Li as he grinned wickedly.
The beauty looked around carefully and saw no one was around. Not even a hint of presence was discovered under her scrutinizing gaze. Still, she couldn't help but worry. She even felt frightened perhaps.
"Let go to room just for us. We'll talk over there." looking down on Ben Li who was still caressing her and even fondling her two hills, she suggested this to him hoping he would stop.
"... Hm, ah, okay... But before that..." Ben Li then retracted his hands from him and stood up. He stood in front of her and suddenly knelt down while she sat down looking at him incredulously.
Then Ben Li took out the small black box from his pocket and opened it in front of her eyes. Inside was a golden ring with precious diamond rock mounted on top of it.
As the beauty saw this ring in his hands, her heart was skipping beats multiple times it felt she might faint in shock anytime. Then she heard what Ben Li spoke and could believe her ears. She widened her eyes in shock as heard him say.
"Fang Bingxu, will you marry me?"