Chapter 148

Soon, the talented youths returned, and amid cheers, the game was piled up.

A dedicated official historian began to count and tally.

Zhou Tian stood among them, his bearing extraordinary.

His confidence overflowed, making everyone think he was sure to win.

The counting was quick; shortly after, the Minister of Rites in charge took the tally list from the junior official, unfolded it, and amid everyone's anticipation announced the winner.

「The one with the most game in this autumn hunt is, General Zhou Tian! 」

With a word from the Minister of Rites, everyone nodded in agreement.

Those who acknowledged Zhou Tian couldn't help but nod at him with relieved smiles.

Such a thing, in their view, was nothing but perfectly normal and reasonable.

Yet some talented youths remained unconvinced, for in their eyes, if they just had a little more time, they could surely surpass Yang Jun.

It's just a pity; looking now, Zhou Tian is indeed somewhat stronger.

After all, Zhou Tian's martial prowess is high; he is a general, so archery and horsemanship are routine for him, certainly doable.

Thus, now Zhou Tian's victory leaves no one doubting or refusing to acknowledge it.

Zhou Tian's victory prompted those around him to start flattering him.

Of course, they also thought it was the emperor's discerning eye that spotted General Zhou Tian's potential, leading to this victory.

Zhou Tian's reaction, however, was quite low-key.

With a smile, he responded in turn to each person who spoke to him.

However, his eyes glanced at Yang Jun once more.

This time, he himself had won.

Moreover, he won by an absolute advantage over Yang Jun.

Thus, Zhou Tian's mood improved considerably.

Yun Fengyun glanced at Yang Ye, smiled faintly, with deep meaning.

After all, he has always valued Zhou Tian, while regarding Yang Jun as nothing.

Thus, in his view, this result was naturally most appropriate and highly satisfactory.

With such thoughts, Yun Fengyun now felt even greater delight.

Such matters are indeed worth doing, and they earn even more agreement.

Lin Qingyue was also happy; this matter seemed ultimately to have been fulfilled as wished.

Her junior brother still managed to save face; the first place he wanted was finally obtained.

Lin Qingyue gazed at Zhou Tian from afar among the crowd.

Zhou Tian now was full of vigor and high spirits.

At this moment, Lin Qingyue's heart was still very satisfied.

As long as she marries Zhou Tian, then whenever she makes requests, he will surely help with family matters.

With such thoughts, Lin Qingyue also looked forward to it.

Zhou Tian felt Lin Qingyue's gaze, lifted his head, and their eyes met across the crowd, colliding in midair.

Zhou Tian was very pleased, gazing at Lin Qingyue's exquisite figure, his heart also stirred with anticipation.

Furthermore, Lin Qingyue's present conduct gave Zhou Tian a feeling unlike what he had experienced from Mo Qingyan and Leng Qingyue before.

Especially Mo Qingyan, whose manner toward others is extremely aloof.

Her actions and their impact remain quite evident.

Thus, only now does he understand what ought to be done and what is worth cherishing.

One must know that, compared to Mo Qingyan and Leng Qingyue, Lin Qingyue has an additional advantage.

That is, her understanding of the martial path.

In the martial path, she possesses a rather different cognition.

Thus, Zhou Tian also realizes that as long as Lin Qingyue exists, he need not worry about other matters.

However, regarding the restoration of Zhuzhou, Zhou Tian still has calculations in his mind.

Such matters still require weighing gains and losses.

Otherwise, once the situation develops, wanting to resolve it will not be so easy.

At that moment, the Minister of Rites looked at the pile of game, suddenly spoke, and let out a long sigh.

「Minister, such a grand event, do you still have any dissatisfaction? 」

Those nearby, hearing the Minister's sigh, involuntarily spoke up and asked him.

「Although this autumn hunt yielded considerable gains, they are merely ordinary game. 」

「I recall that, years ago, someone hunted a Beast King, a truly extraordinary creature of the world. 」

「However, Beast Kings are something you may encounter but cannot seek. 」

「If one truly wants to obtain and take down a Beast King, it will be even more difficult. 」

The Minister's remarks also drew many others to share the same lament.

After all, such events are remembered by everyone.

Having witnessed such grand affairs, who would easily forget them?

Only when it can be achieved is it truly a joyous matter.

「Beast Kings are hard to hunt, but young beasts are even rarer. 」

「If one could capture a young beast and tame it, that would truly be a great fortune. 」

Again someone spoke up; a single sentence immediately caused the rest of the crowd to nod continuously.

Such things are indeed rare for everyone.

We didn't encounter the young beast, but we encountered the Beast King.

It's just a pity that this Beast King is too strong; even working together we could only wound its fur.

This Beast King is too formidable.

Upon saying this, someone who had participated in the hunt spoke up.

The others couldn't help but nod slightly.

At that time, the Beast King had already been enraged and gone mad.

Fortunately everyone withdrew; otherwise, we would likely have suffered more losses than gains.

Moreover, at that time, everyone had been frightened enough by the Beast King; who still had the time and energy to go look for the young beast?

Oh? Really?

Ah, seeing the Beast King seems common enough, after all people have seen it before, but this young beast is truly rare.

The Minister of Rites first felt a surge of joy, but while speaking, he let out a soft sigh.

Some things, if one wants to achieve them, are truly not easy.

Today this Beast King must be protecting the young beast; it shows that this young beast is indeed difficult to get along with, but what does this young beast look like?

Someone asked again, and Yang Jun, hearing this, hurriedly stepped back.

At the same time he reached out and pressed the young beast back into his embrace.

But this little fellow didn't take it as a big deal, and kept poking its head out to look outside.

Ferocious beasts, small beasts—after so long, I don't remember clearly, but it should be snowy white in color.

Right, it's snowy white.

The Minister of Rites spoke, and someone else added.

These old fellows have indeed experienced some things, and they still remember such matters.

The adult form of the ferocious beast, the Beast King, is ferocious beyond compare.

Its strength is so great that no one dares to approach.

But when it is a young beast, its whole body is snowy white, looking very cute, just like a cat or dog.

Moreover, its call is clear and crisp, sounding completely different from the young of other animals.

As this person spoke, everyone nodded in agreement.