Chapter 382: Overwhelming Strength (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Emperor Jing Xuan was furious that such an accident had happened during the riding and archery competition.
Qin Jiang was unconscious and no testimony could be retrieved from him.
According to Su Cheng, the traitor of the imperial guards had killed Qin Jiang’s horse, snatched Qin Jiang’s bow and arrow, and shot Qin Jiang while he was escaping.
Then, after killing the traitor, Imperial Bodyguard Cheng took back his bow and arrow and shot the group of assassins in black.
“Lord Protector, these are all your one-sided words,” an official from Xiao Duye’s camp said.
Su Cheng raised his eyebrows. “So you think I injured Qin Jiang and killed two imperial guards and so many assassins? You don’t really think I have this ability, do you? Although I’m indeed very powerful, look carefully. Two imperial guards died from sword wounds. My weapon is a saber! Also, my archery skills aren’t that accurate… Otherwise, why would I capture my prey
alive…”
When Emperor Jing Xuan heard this, his eyes were so cold that they could freeze a hundred fish.
If he had known that Su Cheng’s weakness was archery, would he have let Qin Jiang win through a simple contest instead of doing such complicated things?
“Maybe you know how to use a sword…” the official said.
Xiao Zhonghua said unhurriedly, “Assistant Minister Zhao, killing the imperial guards is a capital offense. There’s no enmity between the Protector Duke and the imperial guards. If he really did it, what’s his motive? Was he asking to be dragged back to be beheaded? If he really wanted to kill, he should have killed Qin Jiang, right? After all, the person who occupied his identity all these years was Qin Jiang. Since he killed two imperial guards, why did he let Qin Jiang
The Assistant Minister of Revenue, Official Zhao, successfully choked.
Su Cheng had no reason to attack the imperial guards. Of course, it could also be said that he wanted to attack Qin Jiang, and the imperial guards stopped him from being killed.
And after the imperial guards died?
Why did he keep Qin Jiang alive?
Moreover, they had all seen how powerful Su Cheng’s martial arts were. He was indeed above Qin Jiang, but to say that he could seriously injure Qin Jiang alone, kill two imperial guards, and shoot ten assassins to death…
They would not believe it.
Emperor Jing Xuan did not believe it either.
If he believed it, wouldn’t he be admitting that Su Cheng’s talent was more powerful than Qin Canglan’s?
It was not clear if they could find evidence to convict Su Cheng in the end, but the military power was probably Su Cheng’s.
“Father, it’s time to announce the results,” Princess Jingning reminded softly.
From the beginning, Emperor Jing Xuan had been playing dumb. He was unwilling to face the results of the investigation.
Princess Jingning’s voice wasn’t loud, but everyone could hear her clearly.
“That’s right. We’ve got the prey and we’ve recovered the body. Isn’t it time to announce the results?”
Emperor Jing Xuan’s face darkened as he looked unwillingly at the white-tailed fox in Su Cheng’s bag.
Su Cheng seemed to have read Emperor Jing Xuan’s mind. He did not give Emperor Jing Xuan a chance to show off. He said seriously, “You didn’t say that we have to kill it with arrows. You only said that we just have to hunt it down!”
More importantly… who would hunt with their bare hands?
This was really unexpected.
Emperor Jing Xuan’s face darkened. “Riding and archery competition… Qin Che wins!”
Emperor Jing Xuan gritted his teeth.
Many officials were so happy that they clenched their fists!
It was very strange. They clearly did not think highly of Su Cheng in the beginning and did not even look forward to his win. However, Su Cheng’s counterattack in the past few days was too exciting. Even if they did not participate in the competition between the two families, they could not help but want to cheer for Su Cheng.
Emperor Jing Xuan’s cold gaze swept across the crowd.
The officials straightened their expressions and returned to their usual expressionless faces.
Only Qin Canglan and the Old Marquis were still grinning from ear to ear.
They had no choice. Su Cheng was too hardworking!
Their old faces were glowing!
“Don’t be happy too early. There’s still one more match that hasn’t come to fruition.” Emperor Jing Xuan said calmly.
As soon as he said this, Qin Canglan and the Old Marquis’s smiles froze and they looked at Emperor Jing Xuan strangely.
The others were also surprised.
There was another one… Was he referring to the art of war?
Su Cheng had already won two of the three matches. It didn’t matter if he won or lost in the art of war, right?
Emperor Jing Xuan put on an innocent tone. “You have to win all three rounds to qualify for military power. Why? Didn’t I say it? Fude Quan?” Eunuch Fu understood that he had to take the blame again.
He bowed and said, “His Majesty asked me to pass the message. I forgot… It’s my fault. Please punish me, Your Majesty!”
As he spoke, he knelt down in fear.
How many people in the bureaucracy were not smart? How could they not tell that Emperor Jing Xuan was deliberately making things difficult for Su Cheng?