The officials stood on the elevated platform of the training ground, watching the clamor before them.
That one sentence from Xie Yanlai had stirred up all the Capital Guard soldiers. They could no longer stop it—otherwise, wouldn’t the Capital Guard’s resentment all come rushing at them?
“The sons of the Xie family are all the same,” Principal Official Zhu said blandly. “Difficult to deal with.”
Third Young Master Xie was a refined gentleman—difficult to deal with. This Ninth Young Master Xie was roguish and difficult to deal with.
“My lord, more and more common people are arriving after hearing the news,” someone looked toward the distance. The Capital Guard camp wasn’t in some remote wilderness. The commotion here inevitably alarmed the surroundings, especially since it had already caused a stir and drawn attention earlier.
“My lord, should we set up barriers to block them?” someone asked for instructions.
Principal Official Zhu sneered coldly. “Block what? With fighting like this, if we also block the common people, do you believe rumors will say the Capital Guard is rebelling? The current dynasty still isn’t stable. Prince Zhongshan even declared himself king. If not for his concern about Xiao Xun being held hostage, he would have attacked the capital.”
Right now, who knew how many of Prince Zhongshan’s spies were in the capital? They would surely take this opportunity to fan the flames.
“Let everyone come and watch!” Principal Official Zhu pointed with his hand. “That man surnamed Xie is fighting with the Capital Guard.”
See what kind of things the man surnamed Xie does!
Both serving as imperial relatives by marriage, what difference was there between the Xie clan and the previous Yang and Zhao clans?
You, Xie San, what are you pretending to be so noble and refined for? Why should you have power, influence, and a good reputation too?
The clerks beside him understood his meaning and all nodded in agreement.
“My lord, we’ve already sent someone to report to the Grand Tutor,” an official said in a low voice. “At the same time, we’re requesting the Imperial Guard to come.”
Best to take the Grand Tutor’s written order and directly arrest this Xie Yanlai.
Before his words fell, an official beside him laughed out loud.
“He fell!” he shouted.
The clerks around were startled. Who fell? Was it Xie?
“Xie Yanlai,” that official said with a laugh, pointing at the training ground. “He’s been knocked down!”
The officials hurriedly looked. Sure enough, they saw that the previously arrogant young officer had stumbled and fallen to his knees. His topknot was disheveled, hair hanging down, looking utterly wretched.
As he knelt, the previously clamorous surroundings actually quieted for a moment.
“Young Master!” The border army soldiers cried out in alarm, seeming about to rush forward, but were blocked by the military officers maintaining order at the front.
“Good!” Cheers arose from the Capital Guard side, but the voices weren’t loud or numerous—it seemed only two or three people. And after they cheered, the gazes of their surrounding comrades all turned toward them—
Something felt strange. The few soldiers who had cheered felt inexplicably guilty and stopped cheering.
Xie Yanlai paid no attention to his surroundings. He didn’t struggle to stand up either, but simply sat down heavily. He wiped the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth with his hand and looked up at the soldier before him.
“Not bad. You look thin and weak, but kid, your kung fu is quite solid,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “I’ll acknowledge you’re impressive.”
That soldier’s face flushed red as he panted. But he didn’t celebrate excitedly. Hearing these words, he gritted his teeth. “I’m not impressive. This doesn’t count. Next time, you fight only me alone.”
Xie Yanlai scoffed. “Who are you? What makes you worthy of having me fight you? If you miss this chance, when will you ever get to fight me? People like you—when Young Master walks down the street, I’m too lazy to even glance at you.”
These words caused a stir in the previously quiet, stagnant surroundings, and curses arose.
Zhang Gu stood in the crowd, shaking his head helplessly. A’Jiu’s mouth really was asking for a beating.
Although many people cursed, this time when Xie Yanlai propped himself up from the ground and called for the next one, no one stepped forward.
“What? You’re admitting defeat already?” Xie Yanlai used his hands to re-tie his disheveled hair, revealing his face. The bruising and swelling on his face had already risen, and combined with the blood he hadn’t wiped clean, he looked quite frightening.
A military officer stepped forward from the Capital Guard side and said, “Captain Xie, we’re not admitting defeat. We just can’t bully people. You’re fighting alone. We can’t continue competing with you.”
He clasped his fists in salute.
“I’ll acknowledge you’re impressive.”
No one behind him among the Capital Guard soldiers refuted this, clearly agreeing with the officer’s statement.
But Xie Yanlai didn’t agree. He scoffed. “What do you mean ‘acknowledge I’m impressive’? I was impressive to begin with. What, not convinced? Don’t worry, it’s not over yet.”
Not over yet. This time, before Officer Niu could speak, the other border army soldiers shouted one after another, “Young Master, let me!”
The soldiers behind surged forward. The officers standing at the front could barely hold them back, until Xie Yanlai spread his hands and waved.
“What’s the rush!” he shouted. “Stand properly!”
The surging soldiers stopped.
Xie Yanlai looked again at the Capital Guard on three sides and said, “You’re not convinced by single combat. Next, let’s have our two armies face off and compete.”
He re-tied his disheveled sleeves and robes.
“Don’t worry—we’re guests from afar. No matter what, we have to make you lose with complete conviction!”
What words! The Capital Guard soldiers who had quieted down boiled over again.
The border army was already roaring in unison, “Compete! Compete!”
The Capital Guard naturally wasn’t willing to show weakness. “Come on! Come on!”
The common people watching outside the training ground were already densely packed. Many couldn’t hear or see clearly what was happening inside, but hearing news spread that they would continue fighting, many people fighting together, making it even more lively, they immediately boiled over too. “Fight! Fight!”
Principal Official Zhu standing on the elevated platform flicked his sleeve and sneered coldly. “Good, good!”
……