Chapter 150

Chapter 150: Determined to Win

“The Imperial Hunting Ground has remained untouched for many years. Wild sheep, jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards roam fiercely. Besides these beasts, I’ve specially brought in a rare red fox from Cangnan as the ultimate prey for this hunt.”

“The Sheng Kingdom and Northern Di will each take one mountain as their base. Hunt as many animals as you can, but also aim to capture the enemy’s flag from their camp!”

“Both sides will defend and attack. Lives are at stake. If after two days both flags remain safe, victory shall be determined by the number of survivors and animals hunted. The winner shall receive great rewards—the highest achiever gets a thousand taels of gold!”

As Emperor Chong Sheng finished speaking, both sides eagerly prepared for the battle ahead.

Eunuch Su looked around. “Does anyone else wish to join?”

Several brave warriors from Northern Di stepped forward, tempted by the promise of gold.

Not to be outdone, several from the Sheng Kingdom quickly filled their ranks as well.

Just as Eunuch Su was about to declare the hunt open, loud voices came from beyond the Training Field—

“Your Majesty! Count me in!”

“And me!”

“Me too!”

Sheng Zhi Wan recognized a familiar voice and turned to see Shang Hang Yu standing out like a pearl fallen into coal dust. Around him stood several others, their faces equally darkened.

“Is that… Rong’er?” Madam Ye stared in shock at her own son.

“Wasn’t Elder Brother vacationing in Yuan Prefecture? How did he end up so dark?” Ye Xuan covered her face in embarrassment.

Heavens, he looked awful!

Previously, Elder Brother had at least his handsome face to boast about. Now even that was gone!

“Pei Yu An?!” Grand General Pei Ling Yuan, however, looked pleased at his son’s newfound ruggedness. “Good! Now that’s what a Pei should look like! Before, you were always too delicate!”

“That…is that my Bao Jing? Oh heavens, he’s lost so much weight!” Censor Chen Dao Tan wept openly, thrilled by his son’s slimmer appearance after years of failed dieting.

The crowd murmured with excitement at the sudden appearance of these young men.

Sheng Zhi Wan pondered. [Were they truly off earning silver in Tedan, or did they fall into a coal mine? How could anyone turn this dark in just two months?]

Besides Zhou Yu Zheng, who couldn’t attend due to his father’s rank, the four notorious young masters had arrived to join the hunt.

“Xing Yu!” Shang Xiu Yuan whispered harshly. “Don’t fool around! These aren’t rabbits or pheasants. They’re fierce beasts. Losing would disgrace us all!”

Shang Hang Yu calmly replied, “Elder Brother, one shouldn’t underestimate a changed man. We trained rigorously in mounted archery and martial skills these two months. Look at Ye Rong and the others if you doubt me!”

“I’m only fair because of my naturally good complexion. Otherwise, you’d be seeing another blackened face.”

His voice was loud enough for even Emperor Chong Sheng to overhear, making the ruler slightly skeptical. Though Shang Hang Yu’s earlier bandit victory was commendable, surely two months weren’t enough to handle a hunt like this?

Just as the emperor began to speak, Shang Hang Yu stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. Since this land belongs to Sheng Kingdom, shouldn’t there be ordinary commoners caught in the struggle? Why not let us play that role?”

“To protect the people is a great duty. Sheng Kingdom gains points for safeguarding us, while Northern Di can capture us to glean information.”

“Excellent! Protecting citizens is indeed a noble cause!” Emperor Chong Sheng was pleasantly surprised. “But without horses or weapons, aren’t you afraid of predators and danger?”

“We are!” Ye Rong admitted honestly. “Yet when the enemy comes, fear won’t help.”

“Even with bare hands, one should fight for one’s homeland!” Pei Yu An declared passionately.

Over these two harsh months, they had indeed transformed. Shang Hang Yu’s initial act—feigning his own death to inspire his friends to endure intense training—was unforgivable yet strangely effective. Despite wanting to beat Shang Hang Yu senseless upon discovering his deception, the generous silver reward made forgiveness easier.

Now, the once useless young lords stood changed, hardened and ready to face danger.

“Very well,” Emperor Chong Sheng praised, amused and surprised.

The Northern Di emissaries scoffed, considering these youths harmless. Both sides agreed to field twenty-six warriors each, with the four formerly pampered lords joining as unarmed commoners.

With Eunuch Su’s command, war drums thundered.

The gates opened, and both sides entered the dense mountain forest.

Qi Shu Xian had secret orders: seize Northern Di’s flag, severely injure two enemy generals, and capture the coveted red fox.

The warriors rode off, leaving Chen Bao Jing stunned by the dust.

“Wait, didn’t they say we’re commoners? Did they really just abandon us?”

“What else did you expect?” Ye Rong sighed and turned to Shang Hang Yu. “You said you had a plan to seize Northern Di’s flag. How?”

“Patience,” Shang Hang Yu smiled mysteriously, waving them closer. “Let’s start by laying a trap.”