Page 484

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Following the eunuch’s duck-like shriek, a pathway was cleared by a group of soldiers at the Martial Arts Field, revealing the long-unseen figure of the Emperor to the public.

Many had never seen the Emperor in their lifetimes. Startled by the shout, numerous eyes curiously turned his way.

But in the next moment, everyone’s gaze inexplicably grew dull; for some reason, although the Emperor was striding boldly, many failed to register his approach until he had already taken his seat.

Despite straining to see, the harder they tried, the less they could make out, until he disappeared from view, leaving no one able to recall exactly what the Emperor looked like.

It felt as if they had witnessed something extraordinary, yet they couldn’t remember...

This sensation was shared by all the princes as well, who revered their father and dared only sneak quick glances during their salutations, not daring to stare openly in wonder like the commoners.

They... naturally saw even less clearly.

The only ones who had a clear view were the old Empress Dowager on the stage and Siao Mingxue beside her.

"I pay my respects to Father Emperor," Siao Mingxue said as she performed the salutation of a subject, prompting a slight smile from the Emperor.

"In what capacity do you perform this salutation?"

"Naturally, as the Princess Consort!" Siao Mingxue stood tall and firm, facing the Emperor, whose presence was both strange and powerful: "A princess is a subject to Father Emperor. Having married as his wife, I naturally offer the salutation suitable for a subject’s lawful spouse."

"Oh?" The Emperor chuckled. "But Chen Qing must win today for you to become the Princess Consort to the King of Qin!"

"He shall win..." Siao Mingxue lifted her head.

"So confident?" The Emperor smiled.

"The Empress Mother once said that the scholar is very cunning. He appears bold, but in reality, he is someone who doesn’t undertake actions unless he is sure of success. If he were not confident in winning, he would have already whisked his daughter away in secret."

"Hahahaha!" The Emperor burst into laughter: "You and your mother think highly of him then, suggesting that if he couldn’t win, he could still whisk you away right under my watchful eye?"

"He probably could..." For the first time, Siao Mingxue smiled, and her cold beauty blossomed like a plum in the snow, making the surrounding hues seem brighter.

The Emperor glanced at Siao Mingxue and after a long while, nodded slightly: "You and your aunt were very similar once."

As soon as the Emperor mentioned Siao Mingyue, the Empress Dowager’s expression darkened instantly.

Her bottom line was Siao Mingyue; for years, the Emperor’s compliance with not harming Siao Mingyue was the Siao Family’s lifeline.

While her death seemed unrelated to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager always felt there was a connection. ..

"In what way are we similar?" Siao Mingxue curiously looked at him.

"Both are such proud beings, yet have such trust in a man," the Emperor said earnestly, looking at Siao Mingxue: "Do not trust outsiders too much. Even the strongest of men can disappoint you. If you are not strong yourself, the heaven you believe in will eventually collapse."

Siao Mingxue was stunned for a moment, then earnestly nodded: "I will become stronger. I will make him realize that marrying me... is the most worthwhile thing in the world!"

"Hahahahaha!" The Emperor laughed heartily again; he hadn’t laughed like this in a long time.

He had indeed heard such words before; Siao Mingyue of those days had made him envious, truly like a bright moon in the sky.

What a pity... Chen Qing would not have such good fortune.

"The appointed time has come!"

The duck-voiced eunuch approached the front of the Martial Arts Stage, glanced at the pavilion once reserved for the King of Qin, and declared coldly: "According to the agreement, failure to arrive on time will result in forfeiture!"

"Please welcome... the Second Prince of Wutu Country: His Highness Wutu Gu!"

As the announcement was made, Wutu Gu opened the pavilion door and descended step by step from above the Martial Arts Field.

He was in no hurry, each step deliberate, as if walking atop people’s hearts.

With each step he took, all their hearts seemed to tighten, causing many commoners to avert their gaze and gasp for breath.

Meanwhile, on the Martial Arts Field, many of the older generation of Military Generals turned crimson, struggling to bear this oppressive feeling as they watched the other take more than a dozen steps.

Gradually... some began to succumb. Unlike ordinary people who could look away if they couldn’t bear it, the warriors could not.

If they couldn’t even endure watching the other walk to the stage, the warriors of Great Jin would feel too ashamed to show their faces in public upon their return.

Yet... not a single one could manage it!

Pfft!

One by one, an increasing number of noble scions couldn’t hold back, spitting out blood and quickly avoiding his gaze.

Slowly, even the older warriors began to buckle, their faces ashen like liver, also starting to vomit blood and covering their chests as they averted their eyes, their faces revealing mutual shock and shame.

They had seen the methods of the Southern Barbarians before but had not anticipated such a disparity. Was it truly impossible to watch the other reach the platform?

Great Jin was a nation established on martial prowess, having conquered the known world without defeat in the past twenty years. Now... were they to be humiliated by a barbarian prince?

In that moment, every warrior hung their head in shame!

"General Weichi, don’t push yourself too hard!" A few young people, seeing Weichi Peng’s eyes bloodshot and his seven orifices bleeding, hurriedly advised.

Weichi Peng, however, remained unmoved, staunchly enduring until the towering figure of Wutu Gu reached the top of the stage and slowly, turned his gaze toward Weichi Peng.

At this moment, Weichi Peng’s eyes were continuously bleeding, presenting a terrifying appearance.

"There are still some tough guys, huh..." Wutu Gu grinned, remembering Weichi Peng in his heart, and then looked towards the loft from where Chen Qing was expected to emerge.

Honestly, he was eager to fight with Chen Qing, but he was displeased to have learned some unfavorable news yesterday.

The Chen Qing who came to Capital City this time... was a fake.

And he... had to fight a counterfeit in front of so many Central Plains monkeys!

Humph... If it weren’t for that person’s orders, he would never have agreed. Although he had stepped onto the stage, he couldn’t help but feel bored.

Jiangnan... was just like this. Perhaps only when that grand era spoken of by that person arrives will things become interesting, right?

Spurt!!

From a distance, Weichi Peng spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Once the pressure was removed, his body trembled violently, and he could barely even sit steadily.

And at this moment, the Military Generals in the stands reluctantly lowered their heads to look at the Martial Arts Stage.

Honestly, if they weren’t worried about losing face completely, they would want to flee home in disgrace right now. It was too shameful!

What a humiliation!

"Doesn’t the Emperor want to say something?"

The Empress Dowager looked coldly at the Emperor, "Your subject is being humiliated like this, is this what you wanted to see?"

"This is not what I wanted to see, it’s just that they are too weak," the Emperor said.

"Haha..." The old man chuckled, "If it weren’t for some crooked paths that Southern Barbarians’ Prince took, even in a thousand years, they would not be worthy of our direct gaze, given the state of that place."

"But he has done it," the Emperor looked towards the Empress Dowager, "Whether it’s crooked paths or special opportunities, strength is strength, weakness is weakness.

When it comes to fighting, no one will fuss about how you obtained your strength.

In this world... victory and defeat are judged by outcomes. "

"Is that so?" The Empress Dowager sneered, "Does the Emperor think... he has already secured the victory?"

"Does the Empress Dowager see any chance of reversal?"

The Empress Dowager didn’t respond this time, but looked towards the stage.

Jiangnan was a good place. If Chen Qing could win, then Siao Ming Xue, whose powers had not yet grown, would indeed be suitable to entrust with.

She believed that given some time, Siao Ming Xue could become the second Phoenix of the Siao Family!

"Please welcome... Chen Qing, King of Qin from Jiangnan, to the stage!"

The eunuch with a drake voice called out to the empty loft.

"Is the King of Qin there?"

The first call...

Everyone’s hearts tensed as they looked towards the loft. Even the aristocratic warriors had a glimmer of hope in their eyes this time.

Honestly, speaking from the perspective of their interests, they indeed wished for Chen Qing to die here, but now... deep in their hearts, they somewhat hoped that this man, rumored to have defeated Lumings, could win back a little pride for the Central Plains.

"Is the King of Qin there?" the eunuch asked for the second time, "If not present, this contest..."

"Ah... sorry, sorry... I’m a bit late."

A gentle voice with a hint of apology came from within the crowd. The voice was mild, but clear enough for tens of thousands in the Martial Arts Field to hear, cutting through all the noise.

Many looked instinctively towards the source of the voice.

The voice did not come from the loft, but from the surging crowd at the bottom.

"Excuse me, excuse me, please let me through," the Scholar in white appeared a bit disheveled as he carefully squeezed his way forward through the crowd, apologizing with a smile to each person who gave way: "Sorry about this, my apologies..."

"Hmm?"

A rare expression of surprise flashed in the Emperor’s eyes as he looked towards the center of the field, where the previously bored Wutu Gu also shed his indifferent demeanor to observe the Scholar in white among the crowd.

Is that Chen Qing?

Is that the fake?

No!!

The Emperor and Wutu Gu both became earnest at the same time.

The Scholar who seemed somewhat disheveled... was not a fake!!!