Chapter 591: Forbidden Army Grand Martial Competition

Indeed, two thousand people thrown into the 220,000 didn't even make a splash; the camp is too vast—someone living here for years still hasn't met anyone, and the idea that colluding could unite the ten thousand in purpose is basically impossible.

The King followed Li Qu and the others as they jumped about for a few days, gaining no say at all, and after getting a noseful of dust, the Grand Martial Competition proceeded as scheduled.

The King had never organized or participated in a Grand Martial Competition of 200,000 scale; thoroughly selecting the top 20,000 winners would conservatively take ten days to half a month.

At the si hour, an expanse eighteen li east-west and thirteen li north-south, the broadest tract of wasteland east of Long Peace was filled with 220,000 Forbidden Army troops; additionally, on the periphery there were Mysterious Armor Cavalry riding warhorses, patrolling back and forth.

At the very center stood the Central Army's Great Banner, the Northern Border Army's military flag fluttering above, and the largest General-Appointment Platform was also here; of course, this Grand Martial Competition's scale is so huge that such platforms, albeit smaller in scale, number several more, and even a general would need a long time to tour them all once.

The King's Special Recruitment Camp is located near the Central Army, with a good geographical position.

Whoever thought today's event would be so grand expected the Northern Border King to show up, but it turned out only the senior leadership of the Northern Border Army attended, with the Marquis of the Eastern Capital being the highest-ranking among them.

He thought of the King having Xie Tu deliver instructions to him, and his mouth twisted into a flat line; in his view, there was no need for so many words—this is a martial selection; just fight and it's over.

But today, that won't do.

The King himself is standing down there; he must follow the procedure the King wants.

The Marquis of the Eastern Capital raised the Little Bee, not directly shouting to start, but adopting a chatting posture.

"Those of you standing below all have the chance to become the elite troops of our Great Jin Dynasty."

"……I don't know how much you all know about other overseas countries? Besides the tribes on the plains and the various states of the Western Regions, there are still many other big and small countries under heaven."

Wei Ke glanced at the King, who raised his chin; indeed, it was the King who ordered it.

"Let's not mention the countries so far away that one could never reach them in a lifetime; Your Highness, there is an advisor who has traveled to the far side of the sea, and among the many countries there, there is also a powerful state like our Great Jin, called the Roman Empire. This nation's military strength is formidable; their soldier selection is extremely strict, and they call this trial—Blade Tempering."

Just like today, two or three hundred thousand people gather in one place, then a flag bearing the character 'Select' is planted on a distant mountaintop; within fifteen days, those who survive to reach the flag and kill all who block the way remain. Out of two or three hundred thousand, ultimately only twenty thousand survive alive.

The Marquis of the Eastern Capital stopped to observe everyone's reaction; seeing each face turn pale, he felt reassured.

"Those twenty thousand who survive are called the Fierce Arrow. They are the troops the empire needs, extraordinarily ferocious and unstoppable."

Seeing that everyone's faces had already begun to turn white from tension, the Marquis of the Eastern Capital spoke again.

"Your Highness, after hearing this advice, shouted a rebuke at him, saying this move is too ferocious and harms yin virtue. The soldiers of Great Jin are his subjects; every life is precious. Martial skill can be improved through diligent study and hard training; courage can be forged on the battlefield—Great Jin's soldiers do not need this path. Since that advisor once donated his family wealth to help the Northern Border overcome a crisis, the King spared his life and let him go; it is heard he has since gone south to join other forces to pursue his ambition." Then he asks you all: Are you not afraid? Those who harbor divided loyalties toward the King may end up living such a day.

The soldiers: ……

Wei Ke: ……

The King continued to raise his chin; follow the King and you'll be fortunate! Without a control group, the King will forcibly create one for you.

Happiness comes only from comparison.

"Now we announce His Highness's competition rules: the top twenty thousand winners will directly join the Feathered Forest Guard. The remaining 200,000 Forbidden Army troops will be divided into the East and West Forbidden Army according to performance and rank. The Northern Border King's rule is to eat by merit and loyalty; you are no inferior to anyone."

"This competition consists of three parts, elimination style. One is hand-to-hand combat, i. e., combat techniques; two is archery and horsemanship; three is flag seizure. Military doctors are in place; intentional harm to opponents' lives is prohibited. This marquis formally announces: the Forbidden Army Grand Martial Competition has officially begun!"

War drums boomed, sound waves pushing the yellow earth, rolling over the wasteland. The Great Jin's highest-standard Grand Martial Competition ever recorded in history has begun.

The Marquis of the Eastern Capital still had to rush to another event; after he left, someone lively in the King's Special Recruitment Camp let out a wail: "We've only had a few contacts with horses! We've just touched them a few times since arriving—is this fair?" Aside from its weak cavalry, only the aristocracy in Great Jin gets to handle horses.

The King nodded: "Unfair. But even if you are eliminated in the first round, there's no need to worry beforehand."

Everyone: ……

Is it just by relying on looks that you've lived this long?!