Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter One

In the palace Na Lam competed against his imperial guards.

‘How can you men call yourself skilful fighters?’ Na Lam asked. ‘In less than three moves I’ve defeated all of you. Useless!’

‘Your majesty, your fighting skills are extraordinary,’ Cao Qian praised. ‘We’re not worthy to be your opponents. Jing Lu what do you think?’

‘Yes, Yes,’ Jing Lu diplomatically agreed. ‘Cao Qian is right. Your majesty’s Kung Fu is almost at a deity level. Even the world’s number one swordsman isn’t worthy to be called your majesty’s opponent. Your majesty, I’m truly in awe of you.’

‘Everyone here only has fast tongues,’ Na Lam criticized but he was secretly happy to hear everyone’s praises. ‘Jing Lu it’s your turn.’

‘Your majesty, last night I had diarrhea,’ Jing Lu said. ‘I fear I have no energy to fight. Your majesty, can I forfeit?’

Jing Lu was unhappy to fight the emperor because he couldn’t attack the emperor. He rather admit defeat than his body being bruised.

‘Is that true?’ Na Lam asked.

‘Yes, yes!’ Jing Lu lied. ‘If your majesty doesn’t believe me then you can ask Cao Qian who shares the same chamber as me.’

Jing Lu thought it was Cao Qian’s fault for asking his advice.

Cao Qian glared at Jing Lu who added to his sufferings. But he wasn’t going spare Jing Lu.

‘Your majesty, Jing Lu had a stomach ache,’ Cao Qian said. ‘But he’s a master glutton. Your majesty fighting with him will help him lose weight.’

‘Cao Qian, we’re not enemies but why do you want to drown me?’ Jing Lu asked.

‘It’s called sharing blessings and sufferings,’ Cao Qian said.

‘Jing Lu, come here and fight,’ Na Lam said.

‘Yes, your majesty,’ Jing Lu said.

Jing Lu reluctantly stood in a fighting stance. He waved his fists in the air but he didn’t use his full strength.

Na Lam used full force to hit Jing Lu’s chest.

Jing Lu secretly let the emperor hit his chest.

‘Ah!’ Jing Lu cried out and purposely fell on the ground.

‘Your majesty, today I lost to your majesty,’ Jing Lu said. ‘Indeed no one is worthy to be your majesty’s opponent.’

Jing Lu didn’t care about over praising the emperor because praises coming out his mouth didn’t cost him money.

‘Your majesty, your fighting skills are improving each day,’ a chorus of eunuchs praised and applauded.

‘Everyone here is a disappointment!’ Na Lam said. ‘If none of you can defeat me then how can you keep the palace safe?’

‘Your majesty is right,’ Xiao Shun Tu said. ‘The imperial guards are useless. It’s better for them to go home and eat.’

Xiao Shun Tu was the emperor’s trusted personal eunuch. He knew praising the emperor would make the emperor happy.

Cao Qian and Jing Lu exchanged a secret glance. They worked together for many years and they could communicate with each other without exchanging words.