Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

The "Hidden Edge Banquet" was held in the garden pavilion of the Prince Jin's Mansion, where plum blossoms were in full bloom, the surrounding area was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the aroma of wine.

Four tables had already been set up in the center of the pavilion, laden with a dazzling array of delicious dishes, porcelain, and jade, resembling a grand banquet.

The three talented men were already seated at the table, exchanging glances and nodding slightly, as if waiting for something.

Shen Hao, dressed in a blue robe, possessed an extraordinary air about him, exuding the demeanor of a scholar.

He wore a faint smile, his eyes were deep, and he appeared calm but actually possessed a sharp edge.

Lu Jin, dressed in a purple robe, had delicate features and a resolute face. His eyes, which gleamed with a desire for power, reflected his years of immersion in books.

Liu Yin was taciturn, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's. He always silently observed his surroundings, like a hunter in hiding.

Zhu Han led Chen Heming closer step by step, and everyone stood up to greet them.

"Your Highness, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Shen Hao smiled and bowed, his tone gentle.

"I have long admired Your Highness's name, and seeing you today, I can confirm your exceptional demeanor."

"Lord Shen, you flatter me."

Zhu Han smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. "I heard that you three talented gentlemen have prepared this banquet, so I have come to pay my respects. Please forgive me if there is anything I have done inappropriately."

Lu Jin smiled slightly, with a hint of arrogance on his face: "It is an honor that Your Highness has come in person. Today's banquet is precisely to test the way of the Crown Prince and see if he can shoulder the responsibility of the world."

"The Crown Prince bears a great responsibility; how can he be measured by words?"

Zhu Han spoke calmly, his tone carrying an undeniable air, "If we judge heroes by their words, wouldn't that be shackles on all those with ambition?"

Liu Yin's eyes flickered, and he frowned before saying, "Your Highness is right. However, how can we know what ambitions the Crown Prince truly harbors? Without such tests, how can we know if he is capable of shouldering great responsibilities?"

"Everyone has a sword in their heart; the test is whether they can conceal its edge."

Zhu Han smiled slightly and slowly said, "Today, let's see if this Crown Prince intends to hide his true strength."

He nodded slightly, indicating that Zhu Biao could speak.

Zhu Biao stepped forward, smiling, and respectfully bowed.

His words were gentle yet authoritative: “Three wise men, today’s banquet to test your swordsmanship is actually a contest of ‘words’.”

The three talented men looked at each other, a complex expression flashing in their eyes.

"The Crown Prince's lack of eloquence only makes him seem more profound," Shen Hao said in a low voice.

"Though his words are gentle, he harbors a sword within his heart." Lu Jin nodded slightly.

Liu Yin's gaze sharpened further: "In that case, let's see how the Crown Prince conceals his true strength."

Zhu Biao's eyes were calm as he slowly spoke: "At this banquet, if I, the Crown Prince, have a sword in my heart, I will certainly not dare to hide it too deeply. What we are testing today is the 'sharpness' of each person."

Before he finished speaking, he gently unfolded the folding fan in his hand.

He slowly pointed at Shen Hao: "What Lord Shen calls 'testing the edge' is nothing more than testing people's hearts. Testing their desires and their schemes. If this heart is hidden in the sword, then it is the 'sword's edge'; if this heart is hidden in words, then it is nothing but empty talk."

"Empty talk?!" Shen Hao's expression changed immediately, and he said in a deep voice, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

"If it fails to prove itself, it's all just empty talk."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, “Words may have their sharpness, but those who test their sharpness must also have a sharpness in their hearts.”

As they spoke, the atmosphere inside the pavilion grew increasingly tense.

"The Crown Prince truly lives up to his reputation as a man of destiny; he is indeed profound."

Liu Yin said in a deep voice, "But if we're talking about people's hearts, who doesn't harbor a sword in their heart?"

Zhu Biao raised his head, his gaze resolute: "Yes, everyone has a sword in their heart. But who can conceal the sword's edge? Who can use the sword to subdue others?"

"Today, it is for this sword."

"In this game, those who conceal their strength will surely take the lead."

In the pavilion, Zhu Biao waved his hand gently, the movement of his fingertips carrying an elegant air.

He calmly sat back down, his gaze remaining as composed as ever.

Shen Hao spoke first: "Your Highness, you are indeed unexpected. In that case, I want to see what kind of game you are playing by using this strategy of retreat as a means of advancement."

"Do you think my move was too conservative?"

Zhu Biao asked calmly, his voice as gentle as a breeze across a lake, serene yet impossible to ignore.

"It's not conservative, it's ingenious."

A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Hao's eyes. He slowly said, "The Crown Prince's move may seem like a retreat on the surface, but it is actually an attempt to lure us into attacking. If we advance rashly, we will fall into the Crown Prince's trap."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly and looked at Shen Hao: "A smart person can always see the situation clearly. This move is precisely to make the three of you no longer underestimate this game. All the changes will happen in the next move."

Lu Jin was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "Your Highness, you are indeed a brilliant general with a meticulous mind. But even so, we may not be easily fooled. Although the situation has changed, we can still find a breakthrough in this situation."

Zhu Biao remained calm and composed, slowly saying, "What you are testing is my sword. But a true sword is not only sharp on the blade, but also capable of being used at will and unpredictably."

Liu Yin then interjected, "Since the Crown Prince is so confident, let's continue to try and see how you can finish this game."

As they spoke, the atmosphere in the pavilion grew increasingly tense. The three scholars began to concentrate, clearly having entered into deeper thought.

Zhu Biao sat there with his hands on his knees, his expression as calm as a stagnant pool.

But every movement he made, every glance he gave, revealed the calm strength within him.

At this moment, Zhu Han walked over from a distance, his steps light and composed.

They seemed unaffected by the tense atmosphere.

After giving Zhu Biao an approving look with a smile, he casually sat down on a chair to the side, keeping his eyes on the people involved.

"Uncle," Zhu Biao said in a low voice upon seeing this.

“You have come at the right time. I am now at peace with the situation, but these three wise men still have doubts.”

Zhu Han nodded and smiled slightly:

"Your strategic retreat has made them realize that this game is not as simple as it seems. If these three talented men can truly see through your scheme, they may well know that you have already gained the upper hand."

"But they are well-versed in the principles of chess and may not give up easily."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, "What I did, though it seemed like a concession on the surface, had already set up multiple exits for myself. As soon as they made a move, I would launch a clever counterattack."

"A counterattack?" Zhu Han repeated softly. "You want to use their strength to break through the situation?" "Exactly." A hint of confidence flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes.
"Although they all intended to probe my weaknesses by 'testing the waters,' I retreated to advance, giving them time to naturally lower their guard. When the situation eased, that was my chance to counterattack."

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "Your move has put even more pressure on them. If the three wise men truly want to win, they will be more committed. Unfortunately, they don't realize that you have already guided their steps with your words and actions."

He paused, his gaze falling on the three talented men.
He said in a low voice, "Every move in this game is not just about controlling the situation itself, but also about manipulating their mentality."

"Uncle, your words are concise yet insightful."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, his expression becoming increasingly confident.

"These three talented men, though they may seem to have their own agendas, will ultimately only struggle within the net I have carefully laid."

"If this game can end smoothly, it will be your perfect transformation from 'hiding your strength' to 'revealing your strength'."

Zhu Han's gaze was profound. "What I hope for is that this 'Hidden Edge Banquet' will open up more possibilities for you."

At this moment, Shen Hao suddenly stood up.

He walked slowly to the table, his gaze intense: "Your Highness, since that's the case, I won't delay any longer. I've already seen that Your Highness isn't simply backing down, but is setting up a much bigger scheme."

"In that case, I will use this round as a starting point to see if the Crown Prince can truly handle this challenge."

As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up the chess piece in his hand and placed it on the table.

Do you think I'll back down next?

Shen Hao's voice was icy, "If you think you have victory in the bag, you're wrong. My offensive has only just begun."

Lu Jin and Liu Yin also stood up, exchanged a glance, and seemed to have reached some kind of tacit understanding.

The three of them joined forces and began to launch a clever offensive.

Zhu Biao's gaze never left them, but there was no trace of tension in his eyes.

He simply stared calmly at the chessboard, seemingly already aware of their intentions.

"Just as I expected."

Zhu Biao said softly, "Your alliance, though extremely threatening, has not exceeded my expectations. You want to defeat me in one fell swoop, but little do you know, the real test has only just begun."

He slowly picked up a chess piece from the board and gently placed it down.

At this moment, Shen Hao, Lu Jin, and Liu Yin were all stunned.

The chess piece fell gently, as if striking a chord in their hearts.

The situation suddenly became more complicated, and they seemed to see the hidden sharpness in the Crown Prince's heart in an instant.

"This is the trap you set?"

Shen Hao said in a low voice, "You've been waiting for us to make a mistake all along, haven't you?"

"Making a mistake? No," Zhu Biao slowly shook his head.
"I have merely set up a stage for you, waiting for you to enter voluntarily."

His voice remained gentle, but every word struck the hearts of the three like a heavy hammer blow.

"Now that you have made a mistake, this is my best opportunity."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, "The next step will be my counterattack."

The three scholars' expressions changed instantly. They finally realized that they were just a few small pieces in this game of chess, and had already been lured into Zhu Biao's trap.

The atmosphere in the pavilion grew increasingly heavy. Shen Hao, Lu Jin, and Liu Yin stood there, as if Zhu Biao's words had struck a chord deep within their hearts.

The three looked at each other, realizing that they seemed to have already fallen into the prince's trap.

Shen Hao's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just lowered his head in silence.

Zhu Biao slowly got up, walked to the chessboard, and gently moved the chess piece to the most conspicuous position, right in the key spot.

What seemed like a simple step instantly and fundamentally changed the situation.

Shen Hao frowned, his eyes filled with doubt and resentment.

"Crown Prince..." Lu Jin finally broke the silence, his gaze fixed on Zhu Biao.

"From beginning to end, you have been guiding us into your rhythm, and all of this is a scheme you have already set up."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, his gaze gentle yet incredibly firm:

“I have already anticipated your thoughts. You think I am backing down, but in reality, I am waiting for you to lower your guard. Every move you make is within the framework I have set, and every step you take is something I have already foreseen.”

Liu Yin said in a low voice, "You really have us all under your thumb. The sword in your heart has been hidden for a long time, waiting for the right moment to strike."

"It is not the sword in my heart, but your sword."

Zhu Biao laughed and said, “Each of you thinks you have a sharp sword in your heart, but you forget that a true sword never shows itself.”

"I am not in a hurry to show off my talents, but am willing to wait."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. "I already know what you're thinking. You're trying to find out something from me, trying to find my weaknesses, but you've forgotten that I've already concealed them."

"You only see my chess game, but you haven't realized that every move you make is deeply controlled by me."

Zhu Biao's voice was soft, but every word was like a heavy hammer striking the hearts of the three.

Shen Hao finally couldn't help but sneer: "The Crown Prince is indeed extraordinary, with a meticulous and ingenious mind. But do you really think that can decide the situation? We will not give in so easily."

He acted swiftly as soon as he finished speaking, strategizing and planning as if he intended to turn the tide in one fell swoop.

However, Zhu Biao remained calm and composed. He gently waved the folding fan in his hand, his voice flat yet full of authority:
"Your counterattack, though seemingly fierce, has long deviated from the essence of the game. Every choice you make is a trap I set. You attempt to fight back, but every move is under my control."

Lu Jin took a deep breath, his gaze suddenly sharpening: "Your Highness, if we continue to proceed cautiously, what will the final outcome be?"

Zhu Biao looked at Lu Jin, his eyes lighting up slightly:
“If you continue, you will naturally find that no matter how you attack, you will eventually find that the situation is firmly under my control. Your offensive will not be able to change the outcome.”

"The ending?" Shen Hao laughed angrily. "Are you so sure?"

Zhu Biao shook his head slightly: "It's not that I'm certain, but that you have no other choice. Although your thoughts are profound, you haven't realized that the real choice is no longer in your hands."

With a wave of his hand and a gentle gesture, the chessboard on the table instantly changed, and the expressions of Shen Hao, Lu Jin, and Liu Yin immediately turned serious.

"This is the true meaning of 'concealing one's strength'."

Zhu Biao said slowly, "In this game of chess, I never rushed to make a move. Instead, I guided you step by step in the direction I had set. Every move you made was an outcome I had already foreseen." (End of Chapter)