Chapter 627: I'm Here!

The people around pushed Lu Wu forward like a tide, moving at breakneck speed.

He could barely stand, so he could only follow by running.

Arriving at the Training Ground, he saw that it was already packed with people, dark and dense.

At the very center, a large circle had been drawn on the ground with white lime.

The soldiers stretched their necks, cracking their knuckles.

Lu Wu was squeezed by the crowd to the edge of the circle, nearly toppling in, but someone grabbed him and pulled him back.

"Lao Zhao, what's the rush? It's not your turn yet!"

Lu Wu steadied himself, wiped the sweat from his forehead, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out.

"Me? Rush? I don't give a damn!"

"Come on, uncles!" a crisp voice called from above.

He lifted his head and looked toward the sound.

He saw Tuan Tuan sitting on a chair on the Training Ground's table, between two boys.

She kept swinging her little legs, holding the white fox in her arms, her eyes smiling into crescents.

The big dark-skinned man stood behind her, looking at her with indulgence.

How come another big man, with a shallow scar on his left eyebrow, was also standing behind her?

That big man was as tall as the dark-skinned one, with a sheathless short blade at his waist.

Just how many guards does this little kid have!

How come one hasn't left and another shows up?

Zhang Wu'an walked to the center of the circle, his voice booming: "You all better show some real skill today! Let the Princess see!"

"Good!" the shout shook the heavens.

Lu Wu looked at Tuan Tuan's bright-smiling face, then at the eager soldiers around him, eyes gleaming, the muscles in his calves twitching.

To spar with this bunch of burly, vigorous soldiers?

His fingers trembled involuntarily.

Zhang Wu'an stepped onto the platform, looked down, and said: "Too many people, the usual rule."

Lu Wu looked bewildered. "What's the usual rule?"

He saw everyone automatically forming teams of several people each.

The soldier beside him tugged his arm: "Lao Zhao, come over!"

Lu Wu, unable to resist, also joined a team.

Several soldiers carried a large basket to the front of each team.

He saw the soldier at the front reach into the basket and pull out a slip of paper.

"We got an 'up'! Hahaha, we get to go on stage!"

The soldiers behind him cheered excitedly.

"Pah! Lousy hand! Didn't get it!" that team's soldiers slumped and stepped back.

Ah, Lu Wu suddenly understood: with so many people, they were using a lottery to decide who could go on stage.

Finally, the basket was brought to the front of his team.

Lu Wu's heart rose, but he wasn't too worried.

Judging from earlier, far more blanks than wins were drawn; surely he wouldn't be that unlucky.

But the next moment, the people beside him jumped up happily: "Haha! On! We got it!"

Lu Wu's heart sank. How could this be so unlucky?

He didn't dare let others notice his distress, so he also jumped up and shouted: "Great!"

Soon, the teams that had drawn to go on stage began another lottery to decide who would actually go up.

Lu Wu saw that each team had nearly a thousand people, but only a few had drawn; his heart eased again.

If he were to draw it himself, it would be like being struck by lightning—rarer than phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

He reached into the basket, pulled out a small slip of paper, and unfolded it to look.

The heavens fell again.

A crooked 'up' character was starkly written on the paper.

Lu Wu shuddered all over. "No! I absolutely will not go on stage to fight!"

He clenched his hand, trying to hide the slip.

The soldier beside him slapped his shoulder: "Lao Zhao! Did you draw it?"

Without another word, he grabbed Lu Wu's hand: "Why aren't you looking?"

Lu Wu slowly turned his head to look at him, face full of despair, helplessly spreading his palm.

The soldier snatched it away, opened it, and immediately burst with excitement, holding the slip high: "Lao Zhao drew it! Lao Zhao gets to go on stage!"

The surrounding soldiers looked at Lu Wu with envy:

"Lao Zhao, your luck is too good!"

"Lao Zhao! Your skill is decent, you're young, the young fear the strong—you'll surely win!"

"Exactly! Lao Zhao! Give us some honor!"

Lu Wu stared blankly at the 'up' in his hand. "Me? Good luck?"

His mouth full of bitterness, yet he had to laugh along with those soldiers.

He laughed so hard he was almost crying.

Soon, all the lucky ones who could go on stage gathered outside the gray-white circle.

One by one they stripped off their shirts, moving their arms and thighs.

Their solid muscles glowed a bronze hue in the sunlight,

Lu Wu stared dumbfounded; these people were truly like wolves and tigers!

Do I really have to fight them? Oh my God!

He looked around; everywhere were people, leaving no chance to escape!

In the blink of an eye, only he remained with his clothes still tidy.

Everyone's gaze gathered on him.

The soldiers roared with laughter: "Lao Zhao is still young! Thin‑skinned!"

"Take off your shirt! If we fight later, sweat will make it slippery!"

"Exactly! Don't act like a big girl!"

Lu Wu forced an awkward smile, resignedly removed his shirt, and stood rigidly in place.

"Whoa! Lao Zhao! You haven't been secretly training, have you?"

"Indeed! Look at that physique! So solid!"

The commotion drew Tuan Tuan's eyes as well: "Wow! This uncle looks the best! He must be powerful!"

Gongsun Yue and Xiao Jin echoed from the side: "Tuan Tuan has the best eye!"

"Right! He really does look stronger than the others!"

Lu Wu felt as if he were a skinned beast, being admired by everyone.

He had never endured such humiliation; the pressure in his chest made breathing difficult.

Xiao Er squinted at Lu Wu, "Miss says you're strong? How strong? Stronger than me?"

Lu Qi also examined Lu Wu from head to toe, "Strong? If you can surpass me, do I still have the right to stand here beside the Miss?"

Before he could speak, Xiao Er leaned toward Tuan Tuan's ear and whispered, "Miss, when we draw lots for the paired duel, if this one ends up alone, I'll fight him!"

Tuan Tuan clapped her little hands: "Alright! Alright!"

She rolled her eyes: "He'll definitely be left alone! Uncle Two, fight well, you'll surely win!"

Lu Qi smiled and patted Xiao Er's shoulder: "Brother Xiao, let them all see why we brothers can stand behind the Miss!"

Xiao Er grinned broadly, staring fixedly at Lu Wu.

Soon, another round of paired lot‑drawing began, and indeed only Lu Wu was left alone.

Zhang Wu'an scratched the back of his head: "That's not right; the count should be even. How did Lao Zhao end up alone?"

Upon hearing that, the weight on Lu Wu's chest lifted; great, he didn't have to enter the duel.

My good luck has finally arrived!

Tuan Tuan smiled brightly and glanced back at Xiao Er.

Xiao Er gave her a faint smile.

Lu Wu bent down, picked up his shirt, eager to put it on and retreat into the crowd of soldiers not slated for the duel.

After the duel, these people will surely relax for a moment.

That child, after watching the spectacle, should come down; I can go find her then!

The soldiers roared with agitation:

"No! Deputy Commander Zhang! I'll go!"

"I'll fight Lao Zhao! That'll make the numbers even!"

Zhang Wu'an raised his hand to stop them: "So many of you want to go up, and you'd have to draw again—won't it be dark by the time the duel ends? Forget it."

Lu Wu was completely relieved; the deputy commander was decent, but… never mind.

No one expected that Xiao Er, on the stage, stepped out from behind Tuan Tuan: "No need to draw lots again, I'll go!"

Lu Wu's hand trembled, and his shirt fell to the ground.