The Imperial Council Hall was a place where even whispers dared to wear armor.
Massive jade pillars lined the chamber, banners of every great sect fluttering high above, symbols of prestige, honor, and ego in equal measure.
And at the center of that sanctified battlefield of politics stood Shen Liang, holding his trusty broom like a farmer who'd gotten lost on his way to market.
A hundred high-ranking officials, sect masters, and sword elders glared down at him from their golden seats. The Imperial Emperor himself sat upon his dais, serene and unreadable.
The accusation was simple.
The tone? Deadly.
"This… janitor," sneered an elder from Iron Sky Pavilion, "used demonic arts to defeat our disciples. His so-called 'broom aura' reeks of heresy!"
The council erupted in murmurs.
"Demonic arts?"
"Impossible... he looks harmless!"
"Exactly. That's how they get you!"
Shen Liang blinked, looking around like a tourist in the wrong meeting.
"Wait, did I miss the tea service? I thought this was a maintenance complaint."
A few younger officials nearly choked trying not to laugh. The Iron Sky elder turned crimson.
"Silence! You dare mock this court?!"
Shen Liang raised his hands placatingly. "Not at all, Senior! I'm just confused why cleaning the floor is considered demonic. Should I have left it dirty?"
That did it. Several ministers coughed violently into their sleeves to hide chuckles. Even the Emperor's lips twitched.
But before the argument could spiral, a clear, melodic voice rang out from the side of the chamber.
"Enough."
Luo Yan stepped forward in her imperial uniform, a vision of calm poise and quiet fury. Her sword hung at her side, glinting beneath the sunlight streaming through the high windows.
She bowed toward the Emperor. "Your Majesty, if there are doubts about Shen Liang's methods, let proof decide. Not rumor."
The Emperor leaned forward slightly. "And how would you propose that, Sword Maiden Luo?"
Luo Yan turned toward Shen Liang, eyes sharp yet soft. "A duel. The Duel of the Hundred Techniques — between him and I. A contest of skill, not status."
A hush fell. The council murmured. The Emperor nodded slowly.
"Approved. Let Heaven itself bear witness."
The Arena of Radiant Qi, that afternoon.
Golden tiles stretched across the courtyard, glowing faintly from embedded runes. The air shimmered with anticipation... nobles, sect masters, and commoners alike crowded the balconies.
On one side stood Luo Yan, her imperial-grade sword humming with refined Qi. On the other stood Shen Liang, lazily sweeping a circle in the sand.
"You're taking this rather… casually," Luo Yan said, stepping forward, sword raised.
Shen Liang smiled. "I've always believed in starting clean."
"Then prepare yourself."
She struck first, a blur of steel and grace, petals scattering in her wake.
Each movement flowed seamlessly into the next... fast, precise, breathtaking. Her Eternal Blossom Sword Technique was a dance of beauty and death.
Shen Liang, meanwhile, dodged like a man avoiding puddles after mopping.
Each brush of the broom met her strike at the last instant, redirecting her sword's Qi with infuriating ease.
"Technique one," he said lightly. "'Petal Sweep.' Not bad."
Luo Yan gritted her teeth. "Technique two—Moonlight Bloom!"
She slashed upward, her sword carving arcs of pure light. Shen Liang ducked, spun, and used the broom to flip her Qi back at her, scattering the petals in a harmless burst of air.
"Technique three," he said, mock-serious. "Avoid cleaning after guests."
She lunged again. "Technique four—Heavenly Ripple!"
He parried with a swirl of his broom. "Technique five—Return to Sender!"
The duel became a blur. Each clash sent bursts of light dancing across the arena. Sword met broom. Qi met will.
Yet Shen Liang never truly fought. He glided...turned...smiled...countered. His broom traced invisible patterns, each movement a mix of absurdity and elegance.
By the fiftieth exchange, Luo Yan's hair had come loose, her breaths sharp but exhilarated.
"This… this is no janitor's skill," she whispered.
"Hey now," Shen Liang said, deflecting another strike, "a good janitor can handle anything life throws at him — even divine sword mistresses."
The crowd roared with laughter and applause. Even the Emperor leaned forward, eyes shining with intrigue.
By the ninetieth technique, Luo Yan's sword aura burned bright — every motion a flurry of emotion and pride.
But Shen Liang remained calm, sweeping dust from the air itself. His Qi flowed effortlessly, tranquil as an old song.
At last, she gathered her power for one final move.
"Technique ninety-eight — Imperial Bloom: The Thousandfold Petal!"
A vortex of sword light exploded, filling the arena with spinning petals and slashing currents. The air itself screamed.
Even the ground cracked under her aura.
Shen Liang simply smiled and said, "Technique ninety-eight, huh? Guess I'll take a shortcut."
He stepped forward, one motion, one breath, and swept.
The broom glowed blinding gold.
The petals froze midair.
Then, unbelievably, their shadows...not the petals themselves, but their shadows shattered and vanished.
Luo Yan's sword halted mid-strike, every ounce of Qi dispersing harmlessly into mist.
Silence fell.
Shen Liang stood before her, broom lowered, his expression gentle.
"I didn't strike you," he said softly. "Just the burden your sword carried."
Her lips parted. "You… swept away the shadow of my sword?"
He nodded. "Sometimes, the heaviest weight isn't steel...it's pride."
The arena erupted. Cheers, gasps, cries...even the elders who once scorned him looked shaken.
Luo Yan lowered her blade, her gaze trembling between admiration and disbelief.
"You could have defeated me… far earlier, couldn't you?"
He grinned. "Maybe. But where's the fun in ending a good dance too soon?"
For a heartbeat, Luo Yan's composure broke. Her cheeks flushed, her lips curved ever so slightly upward.
"You are the most ridiculous man I've ever met."
"And yet," Shen Liang said with mock solemnity, "you're still talking to me instead of arresting me. Progress!"
The crowd roared again. Even the Emperor laughed openly.
Later, as dusk painted the sky crimson, Luo Yan approached Shen Liang quietly outside the arena.
"You didn't just defend your honor," she said softly. "You made the entire empire question what strength really means."
Shen Liang smiled, tapping his broom against his shoulder.
"Strength is like sweeping, Luo Yan. You don't chase the dust...you move with it, until the world shines on its own."
She looked at him for a long moment, something fragile glimmering in her eyes.
"Perhaps… I've been swinging my sword at dust all along."
He blinked, grinning. "Then congratulations... you're halfway to being an excellent janitor."
She turned away quickly, hiding her smile. "You really are insufferable."
He called after her, "Hey, if you ever want private broom lessons, I give discounts to sword maidens!"
Her voice floated back, faint but warm:
"Don't tempt me, Shen Liang."
System Notification:
[Hidden Quest Complete: "The Hundred Techniques Duel."]
[Affinity Gained: Luo Yan (Bond Strengthened).]
[Title Unlocked: "The Man Who Swept Shadows."]
Shen Liang leaned on his broom, watching her silhouette fade into the sunset.
He chuckled. "Man who swept shadows, huh? Not bad. But I'd prefer 'Custodian of Hearts.'"