Chapter 1717: The First Round! I (1/2)
Chapter 1717: The First Round! (I)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”…There are three rounds to the competition. The first round is the competition for the seats of the Marshals. The twelve best Vice Marshals of the Imperial Army will challenge the six current Marshals until only six remain!
”The second round is the Marshal advancement competition. The victors in the first round will fight each other until only three are left, who will take part in the last round against the Grand Marshals.
”The last round is the Grand Marshal competition. The three victors of the second round will challenge the current three Grand Marshals, and the victors will be the new Grand Marshals of the Imperial Army! They will be personally granted a token from the First Prince and receive official certification of the title!
”This Imperial Army martial exhibition is a training exercise. Thus, when one party falls from their horse, they are considered defeated and must immediately withdraw, forbidden from taking part in any other battles. But as swords and sabers have no eyes, injuries are difficult to avoid. In this contest, everyone must remember to be careful!”
The eunuch's sharp voice resounded across the drilling ground.
”We will comply with His Highness's decree!” the surrounding soldiers all loudly proclaimed.
On the edge of the drilling ground, Wang Chong wore an emotionless expression, but deep within his eyes, there was a cold gleam.
”Swords and sabers have no eyes… in other words, you're ready to kill everyone?” Wang Chong muttered, his eyes glancing at the First Prince before quickly settling on those two mysterious Imperial Army Marshals. Though they were covered completely in armor, Wang Chong knew that they were the First Prince's trump cards.
It was pointless for the First Prince to hide such things from him.
Bong!
With another round of fierce drumming, the competition began.
To the east and west, the soldiers of the Imperial Army began to march in, taking up neat formations.
”Chong-er, those are the twelve Vice Marshals of the Imperial Army. This sort of competition can also be considered a path of promotion within the Imperial Army, and many Grand Marshals have reached their seats by challenging those above them, rank by rank. Normally, the Vice Marshals are no match for the Marshals, but that's not for certain. The scions of some great clans who join the Imperial Army enjoy many resources that can help them improve. Those Vice Marshals backed by great clans can experience sudden leaps in strength. Bai Hanzhou could be considered one of them,” Li Lin explained to Wang Chong.
Bai Hanzhou was the most brilliant of the three Grand Marshals and the most legendary. Although his talent and intelligence far surpassed his peers, there was no denying that the vast wealth of the capital's Bai Clan had assisted him in occupying the post of Grand Marshal.
Wang Chong merely nodded in reply.
He was so powerful now that he only needed a glance to determine the cultivation levels of these twelve Vice Marshals. In this first round, none of these twelve was strong enough to shake Zhao Fengchen's position.
”Let's wait and see! In addition, Xu Keyi, has there been any news of the three Grand Marshals?” Wang Chong asked without turning his head. He cared more about the three still-absent Grand Marshals than the first round.
He had already learned last night that two of the three had been injured, but which two, and how their injuries were doing, remained a mystery. Wang Chong had sent Zhang Que to investigate, but Zhang Que had learned that the Imperial Palace had been locked down, with gyrfalcons, giant hawks, and golden eagles preventing any news from traveling through the air.
Wang Chong had tried to get in touch with Zhao Fengchen, who had enough status to know what was going on inside, but the Eastern Palace had been one step ahead. On the excuse that all the officers participating needed to be in peak condition, the First Prince had ordered that Zhao Fengchen and his hand-picked escort of five hundred Xuanwu Army elites should isolate themselves, banning any visitors.
The First Prince's intentions with this were obvious.
Xu Keyi bowed and respectfully said, ”Zhang Que has already gone to investigate. While it's impossible to send messages through the air, Zhang Que has other methods, though they will take a little more time!”
”Have him finish as quickly as possible! This is an extremely important matter!” Wang Chong said.
He had some theories on this competition, but he needed to wait until Zhang Que came back to confirm them.
”The first round! Feng Tieqiong challenges Xuanwu Army Marshal Zhao Fengchen!”
The loud announcement interrupted Wang Chong's thoughts, and he looked up to see a stalwart and burly general, wielding a halberd, enter the field with five hundred soldiers and charge straight at Zhao Fengchen.
The man radiated waves of frightening killing intent that placed him well above the average generals. He could even somewhat vie with the other Marshals of the Imperial Army.
And the first person he had challenged was none other than Zhao Fengchen!
Wang Chong glanced at that man and frowned, an idea taking form in his mind.
But on the drilling ground, the battle had begun!