Chapter 547: Festival (2/2)

On the first day, only 1/3 of the crowd could finish the run, which most of them consisted of those from the poverty. They were fed generously, though they were still fatigued. That was when they understood the joy of a hard-earned meal. However, they knew it well enough, that the training was just the beginning. Oh well, it was fine, the bowl of rice turned more sumptuous as they looked at the so-called noblemen lying dead on the ground.

The training course on the second day was again a run of 50 rounds. There were improvements as more people were able to complete the course.

Liao San had loved every second of the training. It was so fun to mess with punks this many, especially when they were the spoiled nobilities who reacted ridiculously towards any form of harsh commands.

Life in the valley was as boring as one could imagine and the folks had been charred by the sun in the past few days. Their lips were cracking, even the lovely girls like Shu sisters. Gui Gui was heartless enough to press them moving. Their fair white skin had been grilled gracelessly.

”I wanna go home!”

”Please, let… let me die!”

”Did I ask you to leave?”

The boys were whipped to forget the incompetent thought, putting them to the ground. And nobody asked to leave after that.

The run of 50 rounds had become something effortless for everyone on the 7th day, and Ye Chong decided to increase it to 80. ”Take over everything from here,” said Ye Chong, ”The next thing I will check on this team would be the result, and that would be only when everybody could run 300 rounds and every hundred rounds should not take more than an hour and half. That would be the passing line. It better be within a month.”

Alright, that sounded tedious indeed, even to a trained soldier like Liao San who frowned upon it. Ye Chong had a lot of works to do and that was the entire point he asked Sun Sieha to send his royal guards to the place.

In the next few days, Ye Chong crafted a few more engineering units and they had dug 20 meters into the ground under his manor.

That was one thing off the list and now there would be a festival by Sun Sieha. That posed zero attraction to Ye Chong but Sun Sieha sounded persistent in his words, ”Oh well, I'll go and check this festival out…”

On the day, Sun Sieha sent his men to pick Ye Chong up.

Ye Chong got to the palace which had been furnished with bouquets of flowers and a fresh red carpet all the way to the throne. The guards were well-dressed as their chests rose high as their spirits. The conference room was occupied by guests who were clearly from the similar majesty, acting as the noblemen themselves.

Ye Chong had again, attracted everybody's attention the moment he entered the room. He was the cover story of the recent news after all. Nevertheless, he was a person hard to get hold of. He did not bother to have complete interaction with anybody than his majesty. The lord clearly adored this fine young man and the wealthy ladies were intrigued as well.

Ye Chong picked a corner and got himself seated, as he could feel the constant stares from the people. That certainly did not feel good, he rather became the invisible man of the party room.

He closed his eyes as he maintained his breath in relaxation.

The ladies seemed unimpressed by his lack of socialization as they retrieved their passionate stares and resumed their gossips.

”The lord is here!” Announced one guard as Sun Sieha walked into the room. Loud applause was heard as people stood up, the royalties bowed, ”Long live the lord! The greatest birth of them all! God's with the lord!”

”It's more important to have all of you to be with me.” Waved Sun Sieha politely.

The following schedule was mundane. Technically the royalties led their family to greet Sun Sieha while Sun Sieha would return them some warm compliments. It felt like a reunion during the new year and the repetition bored Ye Chong while the interviews, of those fathers presenting gifts along with their beloved sons or trustworthy military commander, made Ye Chong question the meaning of his existence.

”The Western Frost is here!” Announced the guard, disrupting the friendly atmosphere of the conference room. Western Frost… the country had been Eastern Cloud's nemesis yet they had sent a man there on a festive night of Eastern Cloud's greatest leader. What was the meaning of this?

A moment of hostility was found in Sun Sieha's glimpse, ”Oh,” he forced a smile, ”Such rare guest, let him in.”

The messenger was a middle-aged man, with nothing unique discernible in his physical appearance, while a cage in dark cloak followed, about 5 meter tall.

”Mu Chen came under the command of my lord from Western Frost, to greet your majesty a happy birthday.”

Sun Sieha grinned stiffly, ”Please, get up.”

”How was the king of Western Frost? I've been hearing news of his illness.” Concerned Sun Sieha, as part of the act of making conversation.

”Our king has been in the pink of health. Your Majesty had our gratitude. I do wonder however, of where Your Majesty had perceived such news.”

”In the pink of health eh…” Sun Sieha nodded. ”Great. I still would be amused in the next few years then. I must say your king is rather a decent opponent to play with, unlike the fool in Southern Land. I'll certainly be lonely if I would lose such an opponent.” The words came sharp.

”Long live King Sun Sieha!” shouted the royalties as impressed by words of his majesty.

Mu Chen's expression changed. He had heard various stories of the new king in Eastern Cloud, though quite a number of them were degrading. He was informed that the new king had charisma and it was totally justifiable while also terrifying as Western Frost would have a hard time dealing with this king.

”Thank you for the compliments, Your Majesty. As ordered by my lord, I have come here to deliver this wonderful gift.”

”Oh.” Sun Sieha gave a smile, ”I must say I'm rather intrigued, of what gift your lord has prepared for me. It must be great, so great…”

”My lord has told me that Eastern Cloud is a land rich of crops, unlike Western Frost which had been blissed by the frigidity… However, our men are the bravest, for our shooters were able to venture deep into Darkniss and capture this mysterious beast, only to be given to Your Majesty as a token of our diplomacy. I heard that only the true brave ones could overcome such beast and I had never seen the strange beast before. I deeply apologize for the abruptness for we were short of time. I was not able to inquire Your Majesty regarding this beast. I believe that Your Majesty is fully aware of such beast, even have witnessed it before, since … Eastern Cloud has also a handful of brave ones? So please, your majesty, enlighten me, a mere nobody as well as the other people from Western Frost, who are also intrigued of your greatness.”

”I see.” Sun Sieha snorted, ”There was such strange beast? Well, show me then, let me see how strange it is.”

”Yes, Your Majesty. Immediately.” He pulled the cloak away.

Sharp gasps were heard in the crowd, even the ladies dropped their cups and fans.

Ye Chong sprung from his seat, his eyes were glaring.