Chapter 188 - Night Banquet (Part 3)

Chapter 188: Chapter 177: Night Banquet (Part 3)"What’s all the noise about?" The executing minister accompanying the queen scanned his surroundings and spoke gravely, "Do you realize that the queen is hosting a banquet for you today? To come to blows at such an important event, what sort of behavior is this?!"

"Replying to your excellency, it was Baron Yitian who allowed his demon beasts to commit atrocities under his indulgence. Seeing this, the younger generation could not sit idly by and intervened, which is why the dispute arose." Young Master Tianxing’s words received unanimous agreement from the crowd.

The executing minister turned toward Lu Hong, his voice cold as he asked, "Baron Yitian, do you have any rebuttal?"

Before Lu Hong could speak, Nono said, "Alright, it’s all trivial matters, let’s not delay the commencement of the feast."

"But..." The executing minister wanted to say something else, but upon seeing the queen’s expression, he was very clear about the consequences of talking back, so he spoke solemnly, "Since the queen has spoken, we shall set aside this matter for now."

Nono looked around and then spoke, "Everyone, please rise. You are the future of the empire. I congratulate you for successfully passing the preliminary competition and becoming candidate members of the Roland Knights."

"For the empire, for her majesty the queen!"

Lu Hong believed that such a neat slogan must have been instructed beforehand.

"Thank you," continued Nono. "This banquet is a treat for you all. The selection of the Roland Knights will enter the practical combat stage in three days. I hope that after the trial is over, I can still see all of your familiar faces."

Once Nono finished his brief speech, the executing minister began to announce the follow-up procedure for the selection of the Roland Knights.

The first task was to freely form teams and enter the Endless Forest to participate in a team hunting mission. Only the first five thousand who completed the hunting task qualified for the next round of selection. Furthermore, their safety was not guaranteed in the Endless Forest. This was also the most deadly test in the selection process, where often less than four thousand could take advantage of the five thousand advancement slots.

After the task in the Endless Forest, the advancing candidate knights would be renumbered and regrouped to participate in small-scale wars on the borders of the empire. The ranking would be based on the extent of their military achievements, and after tallying the accumulated military achievements, the top three thousand would earn the title of Roland Knight, becoming a qualified Roland Knight.

When the knight title was established, the three thousand would also engage in a melee, with the last one standing becoming the leader of the knight’s group. Henceforth, they would be conferred the honorable title of the queen’s knight, leading the knight’s group for life, guarding the queen’s safety.

The process sounded very simple, but it was very easy to manipulate due to numerous exploitable aspects; fighting alone generally made it hard to survive to the end. This was an intentional part of the assessment; after all, Roland Knights were not known for individual strength.

Feng Xi looked at Lu Hong with concern, speaking in a low voice, "Boss, I advise you to drop out early. Look at how people around are looking at you. Once we enter the Endless Forest, you’ll probably be the first target."

"I wouldn’t want to," Lu Hong shrugged. "But if I were to back out, Nono would probably call someone to chop me up with a disorderly knife right now. Relax, these riffraff should not be any match for me."

Saying so, Lu Hong pointed toward a few people to the side and said, "I reckon only a few of those batches have some real strength."

"Where?" Feng Xi followed Lu Hong’s gaze to observe carefully and spoke, "Those few don’t seem easy to mess with. The one with the longest hair seems to have already reached Second Transition Level 7, and the muscle man next to him is also at Second Transition Level 6."

"Ah, there’s another bunch over there." Lu Hong pointed to another group with strengths also between Second Transition Level 6 and 7. Moreover, these people were not coddled flowers of the families. They had bravely fought the enemies in the war between the empire and the Eight Great Families, achieving glorious military exploits and were quite renowned. However, compared to the deeds of Lu Hong, their honors seemed somewhat dimmed, overshadowed, and they likely harbored resentment in their hearts.

The queen’s arrival signified the formal start of the banquet. Various spectacular performances took place at the center of the banquet hall. Nono, as the queen, could not stay the entire time. After a short while, she turned to leave, giving Lu Hong a significant look as a slight gesture before she left.

"Boss, go quick, the queen is asking for your company!" Feng Xi nudged Lu Hong with a mischievous grin.

"Yes, yes, you understand her better than I do," Lu Hong had just turned when three young men stepped forward to block his path.

Lu Hong raised an eyebrow, "Gentlemen, to what do I owe this intrusion?"

"Let’s get acquainted. My name is Su He." The man on the left spoke first, "I have participated in the empire’s campaign against the Feng Xi family, slaying 2,573 enemies and receiving the Empire’s Medal of Honor."

"My name is Tie Li, from the Beimei family. I once led a thousand-man squad to cut off the enemy’s retreat in the Beimei family eradication battle, holding off Beimei’s army for a critical moment, laying the foundation for the empire’s victory and was specially awarded the Eternal Glory Medal."

"I am Gu Ding..."

"Alright, alright, enough," Lu Hong mercilessly interrupted the last person before he could finish, "Chattering on and on; what is it that you want? Can’t you speak directly? Don’t waste everyone’s time."

"Hmph!" Gu Ding, who was interrupted, was the least pleased, "So the famous Baron Yitian is such an ill-mannered man."

Lu Hong laughed, "You guys coming over means trouble, so why should I show you any good face?"

"At least we’re up front about it," Tie Li spoke up, "I believe most people here today hold hostility towards Baron Yitian."

"It doesn’t matter."

"Why all the nonsense?" Su He said in a deep voice, "Listen up, the three of us will challenge you in the Endless Forest, hope you can make it till the end."

"Don’t worry, I will." Lu Hong patted Su He on the shoulder, "Excuse me, I’ve got things to do. If you want to discuss something else, talk to my little brother."

Upon receiving Lu Hong’s signal, Yin Feng stepped forward, an arm around the necks of the three men, and a slight display of Holy Light Power was enough to subdue them, "Boss is busy, I’ll entertain you fine gents."

The three brothers didn’t realize at first, but when they tried to break free, they discovered the unfathomable strength of the other, forced to stay in place, unable to lift a finger.

After shedding the challengers, Lu Hong strode outside. Nono’s guard captain, Lily, had already been waiting outside the hall. Reluctantly turning to lead the way upon seeing Lu Hong, she swore she absolutely did not want to show Lu Hong the way. However, if she didn’t do it, the meeting between the queen and Baron Yitian would end up taking place at the banquet, and that was even less acceptable to her.

"If I were you, I wouldn’t have come." In the flickering-lit corridor, Lily warned Lu Hong.

"Guard captain, aren’t you overstepping a bit? Nono and I were good friends back at school..."

"How dare you!" Lily scolded, "Is the queen’s childhood name something you can just spout now?"

Drawing her long sword, Lily pointed it coldly at Lu Hong, "Feena is now the queen, please recognize your status. You’re not fit to stand with Her Majesty."

"I think I’m pretty well-matched with her," Lu Hong glanced at the sword pointed at his heart and said, "I suggest you best mind your business concerning Nono’s affairs, and just fulfill your duties as the guard captain."

"Scoundrel! I must teach you a lesson today!" As she spoke, Lily lunged forward with her sword. Luckily, Lu Hong was prepared and dodged to the side; then the two of them tangled in a fight.

Lily and Lu Hong tacitly avoided using Magic Power, as there were many magic power sensors within the Imperial Palace, any fluctuation of magic power could alert the court guards.

As guard captain, Lily’s skills were unquestionable. Though a woman, she had been through countless battles. Her skills were honed to perfection. Lu Hong was far from her match, especially unarmed, and under her relentless assault, he was driven back, danger constantly looming.

"Hey, you crazy woman, are you playing for real?!"

"Today, I’m really going to teach you a lesson!" Lily shouted low, a flick of her sword distracting Lu Hong’s vision before she kicked him hard in the stomach.

Without the enhancement of the Lion’s Heart bloodline, Lu Hong’s strength was now at the basic level of an ordinary person. Lily’s kick, which would hardly have affected him before, was now so painful it nearly made Lu Hong vomit last night’s dinner.

"Old lady, are you trying to kill someone?"

"Old lady?" Lily’s mood, momentarily improved by kicking Lu Hong, plunged again, "I’m only forty years old, old lady? Are you seeking death!"

"At forty, if not an old lady then what?" Lu Hong retorted, "With how fierce you are, I bet no man would dare to marry you."

"You’re asking for it!" A cold gleam flashed on Lily’s sword, and Lu Hong quickly activated his essence blood power to trigger the magic alarm.

"Who’s there?!" The palace guards were quick, and within a few seconds, the nearest team surrounded them.

"It’s me," Lily retracted her sword, "The Baron Yitian and I were just sparring and accidentally set off the alarm. Sorry!"

"Oh, so it’s Guard Captain Lily." The guard saw the faces of the two, "Then it’s fine, brothers, let’s go." The court guards, swift as the wind in their arrival, departed just as quickly.

Looking down at Lu Hong still on the ground, Lily said irritably, "Get up, Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you."

"Heh, I knew it, you don’t have the guts to kill me."

Lily spun around, staring daggers at Lu Hong, "I really do want to kill you, but I know your place in your queen’s heart. For now, you can’t die, though I think the Endless Forest would make a nice grave for you. Hopefully, you rest there forever. That way, at least the Queen’s sorrow won’t endanger anyone else."