The demon had been observing the situation from above the stage, and seeing that gesture, he paused for a moment before leaping off the parade float.
The crowd wowed in amazement as the demon, his form like a streak of black cloud, stole through the air to the stone pillar where the saber was deeply embedded. He gripped the hilt and yanked the saber out of the crack, then flipped again to land in the middle of the street before the martial warrior.
Seeing that he instantaneously understood his intentions and came forward to cooperate, Xie Lian lauded him under his breath, “Good, Mu Qing!”
Now both the God-Pleasing Martial Warrior and the demon had descended from the stage. One black, one white, one saber and one sword clashed once again, heightening the excitement, electrifying the crowd. Upon the towering platform, the faces of nobles finally relaxed, looking appeased.
The demon feigned aiming for the child in the warrior’s arms; with both his hands gripping the saber, he flashed the blade, then lunged at Xie Lian. The two faked parrying, move after move, strike after strike, before they leapt back onto the stage anew. While the crowd was distracted, Mu Qing used the opportunity to do a somersault onto the street and grab that golden mask, then dashed through the procession, urging in a low voice:
“Stay in formation! Compose yourselves! Pretend nothing’s happened and continue the march! Finish marching this round and return to the palace!”
Everyone in the procession immediately steadied and returned to their posts, their spirits renewed. The moment Mu Qing returned to the stage, his attacks became even more vigorous, clinking and clanking as Xie Lian received more slashes. Just then, the child in his arms cried out, probably terrified from being stuck between the clashing weapons.
Xie Lian’s left hand held him tighter, and he whispered, “Don’t be scared!”
Hearing his words, the small child clutched the folds of Xie Lian’s robes at his chest. Even with a child in one arm and the other hand handling a sword, Xie Lian was still fighting with ease. After parrying for a while, he felt the child in his hold raise his trembling arms and grab his shoulders in a desperate grip, as if he were hanging on for dear life.
Xie Lian soothed again, “Don’t worry, nothing will hurt you.”
Then, Xie Lian ordered in a hushed voice, “Mu Qing!”
The demon facing him imperceptibly nodded, and Xie Lian struck.
Thus, before the eyes of millions, the God-Pleasing Martial Warrior pierced the heart of the demon, slaying it on the spot!
Mu Qing, with his demon mask on, clutched his “wound,” stumbled back a few steps, and struggled for a moment before finally—THUD—he fell to the ground and stopped moving.
Above, on the platform, Qi Rong laughed out loud, applauding.
“DEAD! HE’S DEAD! COUSIN CROWN PRINCE HAS SLAIN THE DEMON DEAD!”
While all this was happening, the magnificent Heavenly Procession had continued to march and soon moved onto the path back to the palace. Because of how well the act was saved and how the unexpected improvised act was so exhilarating to watch, not only did the people not complain, but their excitement grew even stronger. Countless within the crowd were shouting “Your Highness!” or hollering “God!” and followed behind the grand stage, thousands upon millions rushing to the palace. A few generals had to send out more troops of warriors and soldiers to block the overly excited people. In the end, they still couldn’t hold them back, and the crowd broke through, pushing themselves toward the palace gates.
The King of Xianle ordered from the top of the towering platform, “Guards! Warriors!”
Meanwhile, the hundreds within the procession had reentered the palace, and the giant scarlet gates closed soundly shut after the grand stage, the colorful banners of the performance now out of sight. The people rushed the gates, knocking and slapping upon it, their cheers shooting to the heavens.
Inside those firmly shut palace gates, upon the grand stage, the white-clad God-Pleasing Martial Warrior and the black-clad demon both tossed their weapons aside with clanking sounds before they collapsed heavily on the ground.
Xie Lian was covered in sweat and ripped open layer after layer of his elegant costume before he heaved a long breath. “That was close. Too close. I’m exhausted.”
Mu Qing also removed his heavy demon mask and let out a silent sigh, but he didn’t complain about being tired. When he looked over, he saw that Xie Lian was still holding on to that young child and frowned wordlessly. Feng Xin, on the other hand, called out as he followed after the grand stage in a jog.