632 War Preparation (1/2)

The war games had always been the climax of the annual Tournament of the Royal Court, and especially so when the war between the Central Plains and Norland was about to start. But this year's war games were extremely disappointing.

The kings seemed to have little enthusiasm, and their men were also in low spirits, as represented by their humble behavior on the court. The officials who were responsible for judging the outcome were struggling to find reasons to praise the teams.

In the end, King Shengri's army, which had been at the bottom of the list for more than a decade, had the fewest number of soldiers fall off of their horses as they charged and thus won the race.

There were very few cheers from the audience. Most people had left before the game was over.

The Dragon King's guards, who had gone to the tournament, however, returned with fruitful results. Most of the kung fu experts of the Central Plains and the Western Regions had been expelled. The Norland people, though full of vim and vigor on horseback, were poor at fist and saber techniques on the ground. The swordsmen of Big Snow Mountain had easily won all kinds of competitions and brought back many horses and cattle, some of which were sold on the spot and changed into gold and silver.

Gu Shenwei divided the guards into two groups, appointed captains, and ordered them to take turns to be on duty tonight. Although he did not explain, the fifty or so swordsmen understood that the battle was about to begin.

The guards remained undaunted even in a foreign country. They drew their grandswords and honed them carefully.

Shangguan Fei and Old Man Mu brought back the news that Zhang Ji had left the Royal Court with only three killers and that no one knew where he had gone. Gu Shenwei already knew this so he didn't inquire any more into it.

Fang Wenshi returned the latest and it was already dark when he came to see the Dragon King. As soon as he entered the tent, he cried out, ”This is not good! This is not good!”

”Which lord is going to make a move first?”

”All of them at the same time.” Fang Wenshi took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead before continuing. ”Rumor has it that King Kuari and King Rizhu have agreed to fight to the death tonight and that the cavalry on both sides are ready. The officials are all panicking and looking for an excuse to move out of the Royal Court temporarily but they can't do so openly. They can only sneak away, and several of them want to stay in our camp. Dragon King…”

Liman and Wild Horse came inside uninvited before Fang Wenshi could finish talking.

Although Liman was Prince Duodun's good friend, he remained ostensibly loyal to King Rizhu. With a full military uniform and a serious look, he nodded to the Dragon King and said with a businesslike tone, ”King Rizhu has ordered the whole army to be on guard, and the lord wants to know if the Dragon King would like to be the vanguard.”

”Yes, I'd like to.”

”Tonight at the third night watch period, the Dragon King and Wild Horse will go to assassinate King Kuari. My own men will join with the Dragon King's guards to storm into the camp of Golden Roc Castle and wipe them all out.”

”Great.”

Liman was a bit surprised that the Dragon King would agree so readily. Fang Wenshi, who was even more surprised, interrupted. ”The Khan's side …”

”Don't worry about the Khan. He will support the winner of tonight, and the victory will surely belong to King Rizhu,” Liman said with certainty.

”Really?” Fang Wenshi asked in a low voice.

”My lord has won the support of four kings and another three kings who are remaining neutral have already withdrawn from the Royal Court with their soldiers. King Kuari is a loner except for King Riyao who's dead set on following him. So, who do you think will win?”

”King Rizhu will win.” Gu Shenwei answered for Fang Wenshi before he gave an order. ”Counselor Fang doesn't know kung fu, so it's better for him to hide in the camp on the west for a while.”

”But…” Fang Wenshi still wanted to say something but immediately changed his mind when he saw the Dragon King's stern look, and acquiesced without a struggle. ”Yes.”

”I'll get you some guards.”

Gu Shenwei walked out, and Fang Wenshi followed closely behind. Liman and Wild Horse followed them to the door, their eyes on the Dragon King.

Gu Shenwei assigned five guards to escort Fang Wenshi, saying, ”Tell the female soldiers to stay alert and to not panic. No matter what happens outside, they must keep the camp under a strict guard. Do not let anyone go out and do not allow anyone to come in.”

Fang Wenshi tacitly nodded.

Liman had really brought a group of about three hundred people with him, who were not Norland Cavalry. Instead of being equipped with bow and arrows, they were armed with different types of sabers and swords. Part of them crowded into the Dragon Army while the rest stopped outside the camp in a formation that seemed to surround Golden Roc Castle's camp on the opposite side.

Most of the kung fu practitioners of the Central Plains and the Western Regions had been banished. No one knew where these people had come from but Gu Shenwei felt a strong sense of banditry from them.

All of the guards walked out of their tents to guard the Dragon King's tent while keeping a watchful eye on the intruders. It was not until the Dragon King nodded to them that they moved their hands away from their sword hilts.

The camp of Golden Roc Castle appeared to be even quieter than the day time, but Gu Shenwei knew that it was because the killers were preparing for battle.

In the midst of the tension, only Old Man Mu looked relaxed and carefree. He looked around and walked to the Dragon King, asking loudly, ”So we are going to have a fight? Dragon King, how many people can I kill tonight?”

”None.”

”Ah? I was hoping that I could show my capabilities and make a big contribution for the Dragon King.

”Your mission is to protect General Liman.”

Old Man Mu glanced at Liman in armor and coldly said, ”I? Protect him? Will King Rizhu be happy?”

”I don't need his protection,” answered Liman unyieldingly. Old Man Mu was the enemy of King Rizhu, and naturally the enemy of the whole Naihang Tribe.

Without giving either of the two a choice, Gu Shenwei sternly said, ”This is my order. Keep General Liman safe and sound or I'll drive you out of the Dragon Army.”

Old Man Mu jumped up, and exclaimed, ”You're not being serious, are you?” Then he put on a flattering smile. ”Please rest assured, Dragon King. He'll definitely be unscathed with me around.”

Liman, who originally wanted to refuse, was also affected by the Dragon King's sharp tone. He opened and closed his mouth several times but didn't utter a sound. He secretly made up his mind that he would never accept any protection from Old Man Mu.

Shangguan Fei's excitement was long gone. As he followed behind Old Man Mu, he seemed to want to say something but stopped on second thought, flinching and cowering.

Looking at him, Gu Shenwei's tone was sterner. ”Shangguan Fei, tonight's mission is to attack the Golden Roc Castle's camp. Can you do it? If you dare not go, then hide in the women's camp.”