Chapter 62 - Please, Cheer For Me

Ming stood alone in his study after Zhai helped him wear his full battle gear. He wore his spherical bronze helmet on his head with his hair tied like a pony's tail underneath. A b.r.e.a.s.tplate made of five layers of Rhino hide was on his chest while a gray leather tunic covered his b.r.e.a.s.t and groin inside.

"Bless me, Master," Ming whispered, recalling the day his mentor gave him these items after getting the top scorer award. He then picked the sword from the table and in one rapid pull, the sword emitted a sharp, clear, ringing sound as it came out from its scabbard.

"Verth," he said, feeling the power reverberating through his body. He slashed the one and a half pounds thin sword on the air and satisfaction filled him as he listened to its tinging.

This was the second item he took from the Lei treasure room as the clan head. It was General Lei Ming's magic sword gifted by the king of Goding on the day he set out to war against the Chiangdas. Now, Ming would use it to win his own battle against Goding's prized warrior. Ah, such irony.

He looked up at his right shoulder and saw his round iron shield hanging on the wall, but he didn't take it. Ming preferred to fight without one for mobility, mostly with those pits with pikes in the field.

Then Lifen came in with the fruits on a tray but…

"I don't think I need them now, Ma. I insisted for them to take away the blue stones, so I will also face that man with my raw strength."

"As you wish, but… be careful. If you need one, just call me." Lifen smiled, staring at her son with pride. 'Our son has grown as a responsible man, Bodin. Can you see him?'

Ming smiled back to assure her mother. "I will. Let's go. The people are waiting," and sheathed Verth.

Lifen gazed at his son with deep concern but they had to do this. She too would fight tomorrow. Both of them left Cuxin estate when the sun was still high above their heads. She walked five paces behind to give Ming space to greet the people as their governor.

As Ming walked down the road toward the gate, the people lined up with bowed heads, paying their respects to him, while the children watched him pass by with faces full of admiration. At that moment, Governor Lei Ming became their hero.

However, the a.d.u.l.t's actions had a negative impact on Ming. Instead of feeling respected, Ming thought the people were watching their governor's funeral. Their gloomy faces made him wanted to explode and shout, "Hey! Don't look at me that way. Please, cheer for me." But he couldn't just lash out at them. They're scared too, and he knew that.

Thus, instead of flaring, he stopped in his tracks and pulled the sword from its scabbard, letting the people hear the ringing sound reverberating on the street... and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Cheer up, people of Fengfu... for we will win this war today."

After that shout, the people were somewhat like wakened from their deep slumber and began cheering for Ming.

"Hooray for our governor," a few children shouted.

"Kick their butts, Governor," an old man said as he lifted his cane.

"You'll truly win, Sire," a lady yelled. More voices mixed in with clappings were heard, giving life to the once solemn atmosphere. His clansmen even shouted 'Yeah' in unison, adding to the noise.

Ming's heart warmed listening with their cheers. As he reached the gate, his clansmen sent him off while chanting his name. "Lei Ming, Lei Ming, Lei Ming," with their fist raised until he stepped out the gate.

In the middle of the field, Tyriece stood waiting, wearing a metal plated helmet but with an open face. Goding's coat of arms adorned his outer shirt but underneath was the shiny chain mail covering his upper body and arms. He wore leather trousers and shoes. In his hand was a sheathed sword. Ming understood, he opted the shield as well and chose a lighter armor to fight.

While Ming walked to face Tyriece, the latter squinted his eyes looking at Ming's armor and ended up staring at his feet. Ming's grass straw sandals astounded him. His opponent's armor was an odd combination but understood the lightness it gave to a warrior's body.

Tyriece grinned. He saw what General Lofey meant when he said, "But this governor couldn't be taken lightly," and felt the adrenaline rushing in his brain. 'Haha, let's see how good you are.'

Then suddenly, Ming ran fast and jumped high. With one smooth movement, he unsheathed his sword and directly struck it down toward the unprepared Tyriece. The latter was surprised but as an experienced fighter, he instinctively lifted the sturdy scabbard above his head with his two hands holding both ends to receive the heavy blow.

An echoing 'Clang!' sounded as the sword and scabbard clashed. Tyriece swiftly pulled his sword out and made a horizontal slash, aiming for Ming's belly but the latter jumped back with an arched body to avoid the deadly hit.

After seeing the short exchanges, both camps roared, cheering for their warriors while the two stood four yards apart with swords in hand.