Chapter 181 - 103: I’ll Do the Countdown, You’ll Be Down for the Count

Chapter 181: Chapter 103: I’ll Do the Countdown, You’ll Be Down for the Count

RUMBLE RUMBLE...

The carriage from the Tenth Prince’s Mansion moved slowly down the main street.

It drew a great deal of attention along the way.

The events of yesterday had already spread throughout Lingge in a single night. After all, the news was simply too explosive.

Over a dozen challengers, fighting him one after another, had all been brought to their knees by Zhao Ci’s spear.

Although none of the dozen or so fighters were especially famous, even the top experts of the younger generation had never seen anyone dare to accept more than ten challenges in a single day!

After all, before one’s Flesh Body Divine Pattern had condensed, no matter how strong one’s cultivation, they were still mortal flesh.

Never mind whether their body could take it.

Their True Qi would most likely give out before their body did.

With their Divine Treasure not yet opened, how much True Qi could they possibly have?

But Zhao Ci had not only endured it, he had won every single match.

The vast majority of people didn’t know the specific details of the battles at the Tenth Prince’s Mansion.

But they knew that for Zhao Ci to end the day with over ten consecutive victories, his Imperial Extreme True Qi must have reached a truly profound level. Otherwise, it would have been impossible.

"I heard the Tenth Prince’s Mansion isn’t just defending this time. They’re going on the offensive to challenge others. Looks to me like they’re heading for the Ninth Prince’s Mansion!"

"Whoa! Now things are getting interesting! Those two princes have quite a history of bad blood."

"Let’s go! Let’s go watch the show."

"Let’s go, let’s go! The fights at the Tenth Prince’s Mansion were so incredible yesterday. Why didn’t I go?!"

"Well, I wouldn’t dare. I remember going to the Tenth Prince’s Mansion on the first day, and that Young Master Kucha from the Feng Family splashed a faceful of manure water on me."

"No wonder..."

"But the Ninth Prince’s Mansion is full of tough customers. This challenge might be like kicking an iron plate."

The carriage rolled on, and the crowd following it grew larger and larger.

These kinds of duels usually took place in the Martial Arts Arenas within a Prince’s Mansion or a Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Ordinary commoners, of course, were not allowed inside.

But as long as one was a Martial Scholar participating in the Prefecture Examination, the guards at the gate would not refuse entry if they stated their identity.

After all, these duels were held before the Prefecture Examination precisely so these Martial Scholars could get a clear look at the strength of each mansion, making it easier for them to choose after passing the exam.

Although the mansions usually did the picking, it wasn’t unheard of for two mansions to choose the same person. In such cases, the candidate would get to choose in return.

The carriage was initially headed for the Ninth Prince’s Mansion, but unexpectedly, it made a sharp turn at the next intersection.

"Huh? What’s going on? Aren’t they going to crash the gates of the Ninth Prince’s Mansion anymore?"

"Where are they headed? Prince Lie’s Mansion?"

"No! It’s turning again."

The carriage of the Tenth Prince’s Mansion raced along, leading the crowd in a wild loop. With every street it passed, it attracted the Martial Scholars living nearby. By the time it had completed a full circle, almost everyone participating in the Prefecture Examination had been drawn into the procession.

The first group had all seen the carriage from the Tenth Prince’s Mansion and followed along to watch the show.

Later, because the crowd grew so large, they couldn’t even see the carriage anymore, yet they still followed along.

"Say, brother, what’s everyone doing?"

"What are we doing? I have no idea!"

"What’s with you two? You don’t know anything, so why are you running along blindly?"

"I saw everyone running, so I figured I’d look like I didn’t fit in if I didn’t run too."

"..."

Soon, the carriage had passed all the resting places of the Martial Scholars.

Leading a massive, teeming crowd, it charged straight for the main gate of the Ninth Prince’s Mansion.

The crowd was so large that even the bluestone-paved street seemed to tremble.

「Inside the Ninth Prince’s Mansion.」

Zhao Yong, who had been sound asleep and nursing his injuries, shot up in bed, his face filled with alarm. "Who is it?! Who?! Who brought the army? Have the Longyuan Barbarians breached Lingge?"

A serving girl hurried over to wipe the sweat from his brow. "Your Highness, were you having a nightmare? How could Lingge possibly be breached by the Longyuan Barbarians?"

Zhao Yong: "..."

’He had a point.’

’It was all because he’d been so on edge lately.’

’How could such a ridiculous thought even pop into his head?’

’The Longyuan Barbarians hadn’t come.’

’So who had?’

Zhao Yong’s expression turned exceedingly grim. Listening to the footsteps, there had to be several hundred people at least. Who in Lingge could mobilize so many?

’I’m screwed!’

’Could my dealings have been exposed? Did Father Emperor send men to arrest me?’

He grabbed the serving girl’s collar, his eyes bloodshot as he snarled, "Nightmare my ass! All these people are surrounding the Ninth Prince’s Mansion! Are you deaf? Why haven’t you gone out to investigate?"

The serving girl’s face went pale with fright. "Yes! Yes! This servant will go at once!"

Once Zhao Yong let go of her collar, she fled the bedroom as if escaping for her life.

Zhao Yong, his heart burning with anxiety, slipped on his shoes and paced back and forth in his room.

「A short while later.」

The serving girl came rushing back. "Your Highness! The carriage from the Tenth Prince’s Mansion has arrived, followed by some Scholars who are here to watch the excitement."

"Ah? It’s him!"

Zhao Yong froze for a moment, a sliver of joy—the joy of surviving a close call—actually rising in his heart. But he was quickly bewildered again. "Wait! How many people does the Tenth Prince’s Mansion even have? How could they make such a huge scene?"

The serving girl looked troubled. "There are several hundred people here to watch. From what I saw, I think every single person participating in the Prefecture Examination has come!"

Zhao Yong: "..."

’Huh?’

’Several hundred people... all of them came?’

He was dumbfounded for a moment, then an indescribable rage welled up inside him.

’Fine!’

’So he thinks my Ninth Prince’s Mansion is a soft persimmon, does he?’

’Bringing several hundred people over just to watch the show?’

Just then, Zhu Yan also hurried over. "Your Highness! Zhao Ci is at the gate, demanding entry. Should we...?"

Zhao Yong said hatefully, "Have all our men get ready. I’d like to see just what gives Zhao Ci the right to be so arrogant!"

"Right!"

Zhu Yan nodded. Normally, during the day, everyone would be at the Ninth Prince’s Mansion anyway. But it was too early today. Aside from himself, who was Zhao Yong’s cousin and found it convenient to live there, the others all had their own residences.

But it didn’t matter. They all lived nearby, so everyone would arrive in no time.