Chapter 1732: Reversal! Bai Hanzhous Choice! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Zhao Fengchen had barely risen when a young and forceful hand pressed onto his shoulder.
”How long can you go on in your current condition?” Wang Chong asked. Although this plan had been worked out between him and Zhao Fengchen, Zhao Fengchen was in no state to fight.
”Relax; I can still go on! Despite how fierce and grim the Battle of Talas was, I was still able to endure at your side. Do you think that I can't even last through this Imperial Army competition?”
Zhao Fengchen shook his head, and he looked toward the drilling ground with determination.
Lu Qiongji had already reached the center of the drilling ground, and the match was about to begin.
The same eunuch looked toward the distant Lu Qiongji and asked, ”Lu Qiongji, have you decided who you will challenge?”
All was quiet as everyone watched Lu Qiongji and waited for his decision.
Lu Qiongji's face was obscured by his armor, and one could only see his eyes slowly sweep across the drilling ground, examining Huang Tianzhao, Bai Hanzhou, Li Xuanyi… and the still-seated Zhao Fengchen.
As Lu Qiongji's eyes moved around, everyone on the western end of the drilling ground felt their hearts tense as they nervously awaited the decision.
Finally, Lu Qiongji began to speak.
”For this last match, I wish to challenge…”
”Wait!”
Just when Lu Qiongji was about to announce the name of his last opponent, a cold and aloof voice interrupted him.
This resounding voice instantly captured everyone's attention.
On the eastern end of the drilling ground, a white-armored man with a dignified expression slowly trotted forward on his horse.
Bai Hanzhou!
Everyone was flabbergasted by the emergence of this individual.
For this last match, it was Lu Qiongji's right to challenge one of the three Grand Marshals, but to everyone's surprise, Bai Hanzhou had come forward.
”This… What is Grand Marshal Bai thinking?”
The other generals around the drilling ground looked at each other in consternation.
When Wang Chong saw that youthful figure, his eyebrows shot straight up. He instinctively sensed that things were about to get out of control.
The presiding eunuch took several steps forward and said, ”Grand Marshal Bai, what are you doing? Please follow the rules of the competition and return to your place. This is the last round, and as a Grand Marshal, you can only wait to see if the challenger will choose you!”
”Heh, is that so?”
Bai Hanzhou's hair drifted about in the wind as he sat upon his snow-white stallion and glanced at the eunuch.
His eyes were as cold as the edge of a blade.
”If this one remembers correctly, there is a rule that has rarely come up in past Imperial Army competitions.
”When one of the three Grand Marshals feels that one of the challengers lacks the strength, character, and ability to challenge the Grand Marshal, or that to be challenged by one would be a disgrace to a Grand Marshal, they may make an exception and challenge that individual to eliminate them.”
Buzz!
The crowd buzzed with chatter upon hearing Bai Hanzhou's words.
”What is Grand Marshal Bai up to?”
”I have no idea. Does the Imperial Army competition really have this rule?”
”Grand Marshal Li Xuanyi is badly injured. Does he want to help Grand Marshal Li by challenging Lu Qiongji and eliminating him?!”
Bai Hanzhou and Li Xuanyi were both Grand Marshals, but Li Xuanyi was clearly in much worse condition. If Bai Hanzhou challenged Lu Qiongji, he truly could stop the First Prince, as the chances of Lu Qiongji occupying one of the three Grand Marshal posts would become incredibly slim.
Bai Hanzhou's appearance had instantly caused a massive shift in this competition.
”Correct! The Imperial Army competition truly does have such a rule. This is a privilege enjoyed by the Grand Marshals!”
The eunuch's reply provoked another round of chatter in the crowd. At this moment, Bai Hanzhou became the center of attention, and everyone wanted to see what he would do.
Bai Hanzhou's cold eyes flitted across more than half of the drilling ground before eventually settling on an unexpected figure.
”For this match, this one wishes to challenge… Xuanwu Army Marshal Zhao Fengchen!”
Bang!
Bai Hanzhou announcing that name was the equivalent of a meteor slamming down from the heavens, sending massive shockwaves through the crowd that struck all of them dumb.
”Zhao Fengchen! Xuanwu Army Marshal Zhao Fengchen? How is that even possible!!!?”
The eyes of countless people were wide open, none of them daring to believe their ears.
Zhao Fengchen was heavily injured, and someone of Bai Hanzhou's strength fighting him could easily win. But Bai Hanzhou was one of the revered Grand Marshals!