Chapter 60 Sword Dance
The atmosphere in the hall was extremely tense. A piece of music called "The King of Qin Breaking the Formation" played as the finale. The dancers danced barefoot, their bodices faintly visible under the tulle, and their long sleeves fluttered, moving the hearts of every warrior present.

This music for breaking the formation should have the sound of loud drums shaking the sky, musicians wearing armor and holding spears, and practicing with flags, so that one can see the majesty of the mountains and rivers.

But at this moment, there were only dancers lingering in the hall, and the music was not so loud, which actually showed an unusual style of luxury.

The curtains above the hall had been drawn, and Zhu Wen was drinking from a golden cup, with the flesh on his face shaking from time to time, showing his joy. Under the throne, the civil officials and military officers were also in high spirits, full of heroic spirit.

Xiao Yan sat quietly in the corner, looking a little awkward.

At this time, the music and drums had come to an end, and the dancer on the stage was a little out of breath. A fine layer of sweat seeped down from her chin and slid down to the fullness in front of her neck.

Zhu Wen was a little aroused, but there were so many people in the place, so he stood up and laughed.

"My dear ministers, are you happy?"

Li Zhen and other civil officials were still reserved, but a group of warriors were already shouting at the top of their lungs: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the banquet!"

Zhu Wen looked pleased with himself. Holding the golden cup in his hand, he glanced around and saw Xiao Yan's rather reserved figure among the dancers.

In fact, some officials had already seen this slight movement and also glanced towards the corner next to the pillar.

Sure enough, Zhu Wen's rough voice suddenly rang out.

"Mr. Li, why are you not very happy? Aren't you enjoying my dance and banquet?"

With this sound, the laughter in the hall became much quieter and seemed a little abrupt.

In a corner, Xiao Yan was watching the music and dance in the hall at a loss. Suddenly, he heard Zhu Wen's call and became confused. When he saw that most people in the hall were looking at him, he bent over and walked out from behind the table in great fear. He took small steps, but walked very fast because of fear. Finally, he tripped over the carpet, stumbled forward, and knelt on the ground.

A dancer was frightened by him and hid to the side, and as a result, all the other dancers slowly stopped and the sound of the drums and music also became lower.

Xiao Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead, lowered his head, and whispered, "I don't know why Your Majesty wants to call me..."

The bystanders all thought that he did not hear clearly what Zhu Wen said, and they all laughed secretly.

A warrior was leaning against the table, looking at him with contempt.

Li Zhen drank slowly, his expression indifferent. In his peripheral vision, the young man curled up in the middle of the hall, looking as pitiful as a dog. He laughed coldly and placed the cup on the table.

On both sides of the high platform at the head of the palace, the Hades Emperor Zhu Yougui didn't even bother to look. He supported his purple-black cheeks with his stubby little hands, looking indifferent.

"Your Majesty asks you, are you not happy as a minister of Liang?"

Opposite Emperor Yu Ming, the well-dressed Ghost King asked on behalf of Zhu Wen with a stern expression.

Xiao Yan then bowed his head and said respectfully, "I am very happy living in Daliang."

In front of the throne, Zhu Wen was in a good mood. He looked down at the figure in the hall, and laughed in a friendly way, "Why are you not very happy?"

Then, he asked himself and answered: "Oh, you were born in Chang'an, you must have seen this battle-breaking music, my dance banquet, isn't it beautiful?"

His friendly appearance seemed a little intimidating to others. The flesh on his face wrinkled and his smile turned into a ferocious look.

Xiao Yan first raised his head, then lowered it.

Everyone in the hall thought he would continue to weakly agree, but he heard him say: "To be honest with your majesty, I think this Breaking Formation Dance does have some flaws."

"Tell me what you want to say." Zhu Wen's expression remained unchanged, but his pair of tiger eyes had already swept coldly over the dancers in the hall.

"As far as I know, the music of the King of Qin breaking the formation should be accompanied by military drums, and the generals and soldiers holding spears and banners should support it, so as to show the excellence of Daliang's martial arts and intimidate the world." Xiao Yan clasped his hands and said, "Although there is no time to send the generals and soldiers to practice now, Your Majesty can order the generals in the palace to dance with swords, accompanied by the dancers, which should be very spectacular."

His voice was a little halting, but he finally spoke it out completely.

The musicians behind the pillar screen breathed a sigh of relief, as this Qin Wang Breaking the Formation Dance was a temporary addition at the order of the chief eunuch in the palace.

Back then, batches of palace maids related to the Tang royal family were all beheaded, and even few musicians were left. If he were really asked to stage a Qin Wang Breaking Formation Dance, he could only think of ways to attract people's attention from other aspects.

If Xiao Yan had not given the following explanation, all the dancers present would probably have been dragged out and executed.

Zhu Wen has always been so brutal towards his attendants.

"Gentlemen, are there any who would like to dance with swords?"

Zhu Wen sat back on the throne, his interest in the conversation indifferent.

In fact, everyone knew that the reason for adding the music of King Qin breaking through the formation was just for fun. As for whether it was impressive enough, who cared? Besides, most officials were enjoying it.

Then a general in a military robe stood up and saluted Zhu Wen, saying, "Your Majesty, we have watched this dance and found it quite good."

He glanced at Xiao Yan and said, "As for sword dancing, although I have never learned a few words, I have heard of this dance to break the formation, which was composed by Li Shimin. Since the Prince of Jiyin is a descendant of the Li family, why don't you dance with the sword yourself to celebrate the New Year for Your Majesty?"

The atmosphere in the hall was quiet at first, and then suddenly became lively.

Even Zhu Wen leaned forward with his fat body, stroked his beard and laughed: "Your words are very pleasing to my heart."

All the generals laughed, and then looked at Xiao Yan teasingly.

"The Prince of Jiyin should dance for your majesty!"

Xiao Yan looked a little flustered. Just as he was about to confess and refuse, Zhu Wen had someone bring a long sword and placed it on the ground in front of him.

"play music."

The sound of drums and music suddenly started, but the dancers were still a little confused. They looked at Xiao Yan who had not yet stood up, not knowing how to cooperate.

The night banquet has developed into a place for the rulers and ministers of Daliang to tease the last emperor of Tang Dynasty.

After a few breaths, Xiao Yan finally grasped the hilt of the sword clumsily, then stood up and said, "I really don't know what sword dancing is. Your Majesty, can you send a general to teach me?"

Zhu Wen was in extremely high spirits at this time. He glanced down and saw that all the generals seemed eager to try.

The deposed emperor of the former Tang Dynasty was also an emperor.

If there is such an opportunity, it should be recorded in history.

"Minister, please."

Suddenly a voice was heard in the hall. Everyone turned their heads to look and saw Zhu Hanbin bowing and stepping out from among the generals present.

He looked a little nervous and his voice was trembling, but he didn't know whether it was because of excitement or other reasons.

"I have always been good at sword dancing. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to demonstrate it in front of you once..."

Under the high platform, the Hades suddenly turned around and looked over suspiciously.

He narrowed his eyes and looked up and down at Zhu Hanbin, but the latter had already crossed his hands and lowered his head.

The other generals were secretly annoyed, hating themselves for not having the courage to show off, thus letting the usually inconspicuous Zhu Hanbin get a big advantage.

Sure enough, Zhu Wen burst into laughter.

"Give me the sword."

The eunuch held a blunt sword in both hands and handed it to Zhu Hanbin.

The latter picked up the hilt of the sword, took a long breath, and began to dance with the sword to the music.

Behind him, Xiao Yan was imitating the opponent, but the sword in his hand seemed to be as heavy as a thousand pounds. After a while, he couldn't wield it, which looked a little funny.

The dancers dancing around him made Xiao Yan's clumsy posture look even more pleasing.

The warriors in the hall laughed without restraint, and almost said the ridicule loudly.

Li Zhen and other scholars were disdainful, but they had to cater to Zhu Wen's thoughts and put on a sneering look.

At that moment, a cold light suddenly flashed.

The long sword suddenly slipped out of Xiao Yan's hand and flew towards the throne.

The Hades snorted lightly, stretched out his hand and grabbed, and the blunt sword was restrained by the void.

In the hall, the dancers just started screaming, and Zhu Hanbin turned around in an instant and stabbed the blunt sword into Xiao Yan's right heart.

The generals were suddenly stunned, and the wine glasses they held in their hands stopped in the air, and they suddenly felt that the air was stagnant.

On the throne, Zhu Wen, who had not taken the flying sword seriously at all, narrowed his eyes and leaned forward.

(End of this chapter)