Around the hour of the snake [9-11pm], the sound of war drums began to ring out from the arena, “Boom, boom, boom...”
The passionate, majestic drum beats rolled like spring thunder, striking at people's hearts and arousing their fervor.
The crowd instantly quieted down to watch this grand opening performance.
This was why on competition days, people from all walks of life in the Capital City were eager to come view the games—just the opening alone was incredibly shocking and stirred one's blood.
As the drum beats gradually stopped, it signified the competition was about to commence.
At this time, the 200 competitors were standing in the middle of the arena. The entire competition ground was circular, approximately 200 meters in diameter, surrounded on all sides by spectator stands arranged in tiers three levels high.
The first two levels were regular spectator seats, while the third level was the VIP spectator area, with independent pavilions and white gauze curtains on each pavilion to avoid jostling by commoners.
As one of the judges representing the event host, the Deputy Minister of War made the announcement of competition rules.
“I declare the Capital City Wrestling Competition preliminary rounds officially begun!”
“Here, I must state that this year's preliminaries will differ from past competitions. The first match will be battle royale style until only 20 contestants remain on the field.”
“The second match will be one-on-one challenge format, where the victor of each challenge advances, until the top 10 are decided.”
“Additionally, the literary exam has been cancelled and will not factor into assessment this year.”
“Finally, I want to emphasize that whether in the battle royale or one-on-one challenge matches, the one condition is competitors cannot intentionally take a life—any infraction will result in disqualification from the competition."
"Does everyone understand the competition rules clearly?”
“Clear!” the contestants below responded in unison.
“Very good, then let the competition begin!”
In one of the pavilions of the VIP spectator area, the Sixth Prince sat watching.
“The competition is rather interesting this year, testing not just one's martial prowess but tactics as well,” the Sixth Prince remarked.
“Your Highness, what do you mean?” a young nobleman asked curiously.
“With 200 competitors, only 20 will remain—if each person relies solely on individual skill, no matter how great, they will still be swallowed up in this battle of numbers. The outcome will either be total defeat or the contestants banding together first to eliminate others until only the final 20 are left in the alliance to vie for victory.”
Upon hearing the Sixth Prince’s explanation, everyone continuously nodded their heads in understanding. No wonder the literary exam was cancelled as an assessment criterium this year. Anyone who reached the final 20 by brute force alone and no brains would inevitably be worn down by the others' superior numbers. Such mindless persons were not the talent the court sought.
“I wonder whose clever idea this competition format was—certainly no ordinary wit conceived it,” the Sixth Prince mused thoughtfully.
“Replying to Your Highness, it was Abyss’ idea,” Lin Zhixuan, who sat with Qin Chuyuan, answered.
“Oh? No wonder I keep hearing Eldest Royal Brother praise Abyss’ intelligence—as expected.”
“You flatter me unduly, Your Highness.”
In the arena, everyone was similarly caught unprepared by the drastic competition reforms this year, remaining in a wait-and-see attitude for the moment.
In terms of numbers, the twelve imperial guards alone totaled 120 people. If they united, relying solely on strength of numbers, no combination of the other units could rival them.
At this time, Gong Xiaohua and the nine Ministry of Justice members stood together, dressed in somber outfits with matching waist sashes, long hair casually tied high in a ponytail with a strip of cloth.
Furthermore, after days of recent training and dieting, she had lost nearly ten jin, now weighing about 150 jin. Though still slightly overweight in build, the current overall look was one of robust heroism and handsome charm.
“Damn whoever came up with this freak competition format, how the hell are we supposed to fight like this?”
Yang Shu and several others gathered, complaining.
“Xiaohua, what should we do?” Yang Shu asked Gong Xiaohua.
“Don’t panic first. Yang Leader, consult the Ministry of Justice, Prefect of Jingzhao, and Ministry of War people first—see if the four departments can form an alliance to deal with the imperial guards together.”
“Good idea, I’ll go talk to them now.”
"Leader Xiao, want to cooperate with us?" Yang Shu found the Ministry of Justice leader.
"Oh? Cooperate how? Don't we have adversarial relations?"
"Leader Xiao, you know the imperial guards have 120 people. If they choose to eliminate us minority groups first, do you think our smaller numbers stand a chance to remain? If we unite with the other departments to whittle down the guards’ side first, doesn’t that increase all our chances of making the final 20? What do you think?”
After some thought, Leader Xiao looked towards his own people and saw them nod in agreement to Yang Shu’s proposal, consenting to a temporary cooperation.
Yang Shu likewise extended cooperation invitations to the Prefect of Jingzhao and Ministry of War.
While the Prefect agreed to join, the Ministry of War declined.
Gong Xiaohua could guess a large part of the Ministry of War’s rationale—with 50 people under their five armies, the imperial guards would choose to swiftly eliminate their department first as the obvious minority group with weaker combat abilities. As long as they remained a neutral observer, they could watch the tigers fight and reap the rewards later.
Unfortunately, their plans were doomed to fail. If you want to watch tigers battle, I’ll drag you right into the fray instead.
She stood behind Yang Shu, softly whispering by his ear, “Later when the melee starts, steer the combat towards the Ministry of War’s direction...”
Yang Shu nodded and relayed the information to the other alliance leaders, who then notified their respective members.
Ultimately, three sides formed on the field—the imperial guards on one side, the Ministry of War on another, and the ad hoc alliance between the other three departments on the third side.
Battle erupted swiftly as the imperial guards first charged at the tri-department alliance.
With Gong Xiaohua and Yang Shu leading the Ministry of Justice group, they immediately raced towards the Ministry of War's direction, the other two departments following right after.
Aside from Gong Xiaohua choosing a sword, the weapon of choice for the other Ministry of Justice members was a set of blades, relentlessly practicing the Eight Slash Saber Technique day and night leading up to the competition. Though still far inferior to Gong Xiaohua’s skill, they had achieved considerable proficiency.
The alliance stormed into the midst of the five Ministry of War armies, weaving wildly back and forth inside. At this time, the pursuing imperial guards caught up and crashed into the Ministry of War ranks.
The three sides tangled together chaotically with no clue who struck first between the guards and Ministry of War, but open combat also erupted between them. Throwing all restraint aside, the groups devolved into a raging melee.
The five Ministry of War leaders nearly choked from anger at the alliance's sinister ploy to drag them into the fray.
Up in the spectator stands, the crowd saw the 200 people below erupt into chaotic fighting, inflaming their hot-blooded fervor as the primal thrill awakened deep in their bones, cheers and applause continuously ringing out.
The pampered young masters, misses, and ladies of good upbringing in the VIP area watched the magnificent unfolding battle scene before them, also incredibly awed.
“Thrilling, simply thrilling! This prince has certainly not come in vain today.”
“Indeed! I assumed the tri-department alliance would crumble quickly yet they actually managed to pull the Ministry of War into the fight, reversing near certain defeat. Such guts and shrewdness!”
