"Your Majesty personally cleans the treasured sword, what... what does Your Majesty mean by this?"
"I don't know! But judging by General Lin Tian's demeanor, this matter seems more complex than it appears."
"Could it be that General Lin Tian's treasured sword has something special about it?"
As Ying Zheng spoke of cleaning the sword, the assembled crowd began to murmur. They all knew that Lin Tian possessed a treasured sword that had seen countless battles and slain a myriad of enemies. Yet, none of them suspected anything amiss with the blade itself. With so many renowned swords in existence, it was perfectly normal for an invincible sword god like Lin Tian to wield one. However, observing the attitudes of both Ying Zheng and Lin Tian, they sensed that the situation was far more intricate than they had initially assumed.
In the next moment, Ying Zheng spoke directly. "General Lin Tian, hand over your treasured sword to this king!"
"Your Majesty, this...!"
"Such a treasured sword, it must be wiped clean, not defiled by filth. Only then can it be presented to the world!"
"Then, I trouble Your Majesty."
Lin Tian sensed Ying Zheng's determination and could only acquiesce. Soon, Ying Zheng, holding Lin Tian's sword, requested a basin of warm water and a silk cloth. It was then that everyone truly got a clear view of Lin Tian's sword. The hilt and upper part of the blade were coated in a layer of grime, obscuring its form, leaving it merely recognizable as a sword but hiding any intricate patterns. The lower part of the blade was covered in a dark red substance, also concealing its true appearance.
The generals present knew precisely what this dark red substance was. It was the blood of their enemies. When blood stained a sword and was left uncleaned, it would turn a dark red. Ordinarily, after a battle, warriors would meticulously clean their swords, preventing them from gathering dust and rust, thus preserving their sharpness. Lin Tian's sword, however, was starkly different. It appeared as though it had never been cleaned, hence its heavy coating of bloodstains. At a glance, no one would have considered it a treasured sword.
"Is this General Lin Tian's sword? Why hasn't General Lin Tian cleaned off the bloodstains?"
"I don't know! Perhaps General Lin Tian was too busy?"
"As a swordsman, General Lin Tian should cherish his sword. Allowing it to be covered in bloodstains must have a special reason!"
The crowd was baffled by the state of Lin Tian's sword. Yet, its appearance had piqued everyone's interest. They watched intently as Ying Zheng began to meticulously clean Lin Tian's sword, piece by piece. Ying Zheng's process was incredibly thorough, as if he were cleaning his own most beloved sword, an attitude none of the generals had ever witnessed before. Consequently, a profound silence fell over the hall as they observed his actions.
Soon, a layer of bloodstains was wiped away from Lin Tian's sword. The patterns on the blade gradually began to emerge. The patterns were ancient and gave the sword an air of supreme quality. However, no one recognized these patterns, and therefore, no one could identify the sword. Ying Zheng remained silent, continuing his work. The cleaning was not a swift process, but Ying Zheng exhibited great patience. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Ying Zheng had completely cleaned the bloodstains from the sword. He then took a clean cloth and gently wiped the sword dry. Afterward, Ying Zheng flicked his wrist, and the sword pierced the air with a distinct ringing sound.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng nodded and announced, "Generals, General Lin Tian's sword has been cleaned. Does anyone wish to witness its magnificence!"
"Your Majesty, your humble servant wishes to!" Wang Jian was the first to respond to Ying Zheng's invitation. As a marquis of Great Qin, he was not only a formidable military strategist but also possessed high emotional intelligence. He had sensed the significance of Ying Zheng cleaning the sword and naturally stepped forward when invited to examine it. With Wang Jian's lead, the other generals refrained from vying for the opportunity.
Wang Jian held the sword in his hands, examining it with great care. He observed that in terms of both its patterns and material, it was a truly top-tier weapon. Its sharpness was so profound it could sever a strand of hair with ease. Merely looking at it, Wang Jian felt a pang of desire, wishing he could possess such a sword. However, as his gaze moved further down the blade, towards the hilt, he noticed two ancient characters. Upon seeing these characters, his entire body trembled. With his level of education, Wang Jian recognized them instantly. It was precisely because he recognized these two characters that he began to tremble uncontrollably. As a general and a master swordsman, Wang Jian understood the profound meaning these two characters represented. His voice, when he finally spoke, was quivering.
"This... this is the Tai'a Sword!"
"What??"
The utterance of "Tai'a Sword" caused a roar of disbelief to erupt throughout the palace hall. Many suspected they had misheard or that Wang Jian had made a mistake. Thus, someone quickly asked, "The Tai'a Sword? Is it that Tai'a Sword which represents supreme authority?"
"Heavens! It is indeed the Tai'a Sword! I never thought I would see the Tai'a Sword in my lifetime!"
"I heard the Tai'a Sword was in Your Majesty's possession, and never heard of it being lost. Why is the Tai'a Sword with General Lin Tian? Are there two Tai'a Swords? Or perhaps, the Tai'a Sword in General Lin Tian's hand is a replica?"
While the less astute were still speculating about whether Lin Tian's Tai'a Sword was a counterfeit, the intelligent had already grasped the implications. Those who understood the significance drew in a collective gasp. "Hiss! Your Majesty personally cleaning General Lin Tian's sword and publicly revealing the Tai'a Sword is essentially declaring that General Lin Tian is the holder of the Tai'a Sword! This clearly indicates that General Lin Tian's identity is extraordinary!"
"Could it be that General Lin Tian is Your Majesty's son?"
Such a speculation sent many into a frenzy. Meng Yi, in his heart, exclaimed, "I knew it! I knew General Lin Tian must be Your Majesty's son!!"
"Now that the Tai'a Sword has been revealed and shown to everyone, is this not a declaration of the succession to the throne of Great Qin?"
"We, the Meng family, must seize this opportunity and establish a good relationship with General Lin Tian!"