Chapter 593

Da Wang had the strength on his hands to grip an iron rod, and he truly snatched fourth place from Wei Shen's front. Wei Shen, who had always been fourth, had his slogan shouted in vain, and he honorably secured fourth place.

He could only grumble sourly that ginger is still old and spicy, yet paradoxically there was a little dwarf squeezed in between.

A crowd guarded below the watchtowers, waiting for them to come down so they could quickly line up in order by sharp eyes and quick hands.

By the time the main force arrived, the top four had already been decided.

Da Wang squatted on the ground watching everyone scramble, striking fiercely, and finally took some interest. Under great reward there must be brave men, and the competition for a hundred taels was fiercely intense. Da Wang had already seen several familiar faces, all from their special recruitment camp.

It took a while before someone touched the flag and joined the line behind them, and only then did the special recruitment camp realize the first four were all familiar, all from their own group. The first was someone usually silent and taciturn like a mute, the second was… a disaster magnet?

Seeing someone look over, Da Wang was about to say a few words when a golden blur lunged at him from his peripheral vision. Da Wang nimbly dodged, and Xiao Jin braked urgently but still knocked over a sentinel soldier behind Da Wang……

Da Wang guilty conscience·JPG

Alright, the creditor has come knocking.

Rou was coaxed by him into staying in the palace, waiting until night when they discovered Da Wang was missing, causing a heaven-and-earth upheaval in the search. But because Bai Ze was suppressing it, Rou couldn't escape.

I heard the grand martial tournament would basically end today. In the morning, Bai Ze stopped caring about Rou's freedom altogether. Xiao Jin, as usual, sneaked about cautiously, testing bit by bit. First he left the sleeping palace, played a while seeing Bai Ze didn't stop him, then tried leaving the sleeping palace to go to the rear garden, then circled the main hall of Jianzhang Palace that Da Wang often visited, but found no trace of Da Wang's aura. This guy directly ran out of the palace, and the Beijiang guards at the palace gate chased after him but lost him not far away.

Rou caused a ruckus half a day in Chang'an City, yet still managed to find him. It turned back and pounced on Da Wang, wanting to roar angrily, but Da Wang, quick-handed, seized its muzzle first.

You'd better shut up, you're cute.

This guy unhesitatingly pulled out the move he used before against Wei Ni: "Xiao Jin, you finally came to save me?! They left me here to train, not letting me go home~"

Upon hearing that, Xiao Jin's ears perked up! It broke free from Da Wang's embrace, scanned the surroundings, and shouted: Who is it?!

Da Wang pulled it back, saying: "Listen to me, you coming is good enough! You're so mighty and formidable, skilled in both fighting and eating, they'll surely fear you! With you around, they definitely won't dare block my way home again!"

Fighting and eating? Then it really is capable.

Xiao Jin was instantly swayed by the flattery, holding its head high with pride, and upon closer look, it bore quite the air of Da Wang.

This guy had been picked up by Da Wang since its cub stage and fed, always following Da Wang's lead like a horse to its bridle, never having seen the dangers of the jianghu. All the wind and rain it weathered were manufactured by Da Wang for it.

Having seen enough of the commotion, Wei Ke felt Da Wang was blocking his retreat. "If you keep doing this, next time it'll be harder to shake it off, and even if you temporarily shake it off, it'll desperately cause a scene to come find you."

Da Wang covered Rou's ears, saying: "Don't spout doom and gloom~ It'll forget by tomorrow, how could it be that smart~"

Rou delayed in Chang'an for a while, and Zhao Bao, upon learning, hurriedly sent people to notify the Dongdu Hou, who arrived almost exactly on time.

Combined with the golden-furred Rou, the well-informed should have guessed Da Wang's identity. Fortunately, Rou showed up now, making Da Wang's undercover operation a complete success, and this result is nothing to be ashamed of.

Da Wang saw his cover was blown, he also couldn't be bothered to pretend anymore, seeing Dongdu Hou rushing over anxiously, he beamed proudly: "Dongdu Hou, this king took second place!"

Dongdu Hou saluted: "Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Others:?

Today the Feathered Forest Guards witnessed a grand spectacle: the winner of the grand martial tournament was the Eagle Riders' commander, second was the Beijiang King, third was the new commander of the Feathered Forest Guards, fourth lowest—was a mid-level colonel, but he is Da Wang's cousin and also Da Wang's top confidant, always together like that.

The special recruitment camp was the most shocked; if one were to say whose mood was most complicated, it would still be those few who came knocking to recruit Da Wang.

Everyone in unison paid respects to Da Wang, who, wearing a small flowered face, called out calmly, and since no one dared laugh. From then on, Da Wang left a legend in the Feathered Forest Guards: when he leads troops in battle, it's certainly not just a trick or two.

The 220,000 forbidden troops gathered again, and this time Da Wang personally stood on the central command platform.

Da Wang on the spot handed over the newly formed 20,000 Feathered Forest Guards to Wei Ke, and this time no one objected.

Wei Ke, Da Wang's cousin, heir to the Marquis of Wei Ting, has multiple times led troops in campaigns against the Western Qiang and Western Regions, placed third in the 220,000 forbidden troops' grand martial tournament, his identity and ability established, those with ambition have begun to feel disheartened, there's no hope.

"I hereby declare here that from now on, I will personally command the 200,000 forbidden troops of Chang'an. These days, I have eaten and resided in the army, so I have a basic understanding of everyone. There are problems, there are strengths, and I hope henceforth everyone will unite as one, strive to become true elite of the imperial city, and not lose my face. As for what happens if one loses my face, it's better everyone remains unaware." This guy finished speaking, clasped his own paws, and only those he has struck know how painful it is.

"This also counts as indirectly giving the forbidden troops a taste of their own medicine~" Everything concluded, Da Wang comforted himself like this, this turmoil was barely brought to completion.

As he was leaving, he still held a banquet in the Eastern Great Camp, Da Wang's carriage entered the city as dusk fell. Da Wang had fled the palace on foot, and upon returning he low-key hitched a ride on Dongdu Hou's carriage. After being dropped off near the palace gate, Da Wang let Dongdu Hou return first.

Bringing Xiao Jin along, he got off the carriage, and these two fellows led the way, hopping and jumping.

"Xiao Jin, I've missed you terribly out there!"

"Ah~"

"Xiao Jin, you must have missed me these days too, right?"

"Ah~"

"You're so good~ Even the Heaven-Shrouding Adult doesn't miss me, today he didn't even come see me right away! Sigh~ I might be past my prime……"

This time Xiao Jin made no sound, Da Wang turned back, "……right. Why aren't you howling~ wailing?"

Xiao Jin was staring straight ahead at the Zhuque Gate, Da Wang followed his gaze upward, and was glared at by the Heaven-Shrouding Adult, a cricket, crouched on the gate tower, those golden round pupils piercingly bright in the night……

Da Wang guilty conscience·JPG

Wei Shen had never seen someone crash so fast, he nearly laughed out loud, but Wei Ke punched him in the gut before he could recover, believe it or not Da Wang will turn his guns on you!

Before Da Wang could think of an excuse to deflect, lowering his head he saw Xie Yuan standing by the door, clad in dark robes blending into the night. At that moment, Da Wang seemed to hear the sound of something breaking? Like his carefree little days.

"Please greet Your Highness, Your Highness, eternal joy."

Da Wang scratched his cheek: "Don't be so formal, it's scary at night like this."

Xie Yuan still gazed at him, Da Wang lowered his paws and turned his back. "Sir, it's so late, haven't you rested yet?"

"I must prepare for Your Highness's coronation ceremony, handle Chang'an affairs, and worry about Your Highness's studies and health."

Da Wang, while hearing the first two, still felt guilty, but upon hearing that they worried about his health, he immediately straightened up and patted his small chest: "This king's health, sir, need not worry—just recently in the forbidden troops I fought one against ten!"

Wei Ke: ……Is this the only one who can respond?!

Xie Yuan also felt relieved. "Then it truly is the blessing of the state and altars. Since seeing Your Highness is not easy for me, I'll now outline Your Highness's schedule for tomorrow. The coronation robes must be personally tried by Your Highness tomorrow, or there won't be time to alter them. After trying the robes, Your Highness will go to Chengming Hall, where I will inspect Your Highness's coursework. Civil and martial governance—currently, Your Highness's martial prowess needs no worry from me, but coursework must not be neglected."

Da Wang: ……Civil governance is no good then?

The sky fell.