FIMA Ch92: Tiger Trouble

Gu Siyuan stood slightly on his tiptoes, and his body leapt toward the top of the battle platform like a flying swan.

When he ascended to about seven or eight meters, he momentarily borrowed strength by stepping on the side of the wooden frame, and in a flash, his whole person was already standing at the top of the high platform, his speed fast to the extreme.

The Northern Frontier warriors who chose to attack the same battle platform as him only felt a black shadow flash before their eyes.

The next moment, the bright yellow flag representing Great Liang was planted on the battle platform.

Those ten Northern Frontier warriors were stunned at first, and then confirmed once more:

“One person, there’s actually only one person?”

“Truly only one person?”

“Hmph, it seems this is a good opportunity for us?”

“Humph, this flag-planting battle isn’t about who climbs the fastest, but who can hold the ground?”

The leader among the ten warriors grinned malevolently: “Arrogant to the extreme, let me experience the formidable power of this Great Liang’s number one expert.”

During the previous arena martial arts, they were naturally also watching offstage and deeply knew Gu Siyuan’s prowess. But they themselves were also warriors chosen one out of a hundred. If one person was no match, ten fighting one surely wouldn’t lose, right?

Moreover, they didn’t necessarily have to beat him.

According to the rules, once the flag-planting battle began, anyone who fell off the high platform during the process would be immediately eliminated.

At worst, they would have nine people charge up together, each grabbing a different spot. Could they still not drag the person off the platform? Even if all nine were eliminated, the remaining person just needed to plant the flag properly.

Thinking this, the ten exchanged glances and rapidly charged toward the battle platform.

They were all people with agile movements, quickly taking positions at the ten corners of the high platform’s top, firmly surrounding Gu Siyuan in the middle.

Gu Siyuan had his hands behind his back, narrowing his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping over these murderous-looking guys.

Since their will to fight is so victorious, I hope they won’t disappoint me too much.

“Come!”

The ten Northern Frontier warriors immediately charged up together.

Ten fist winds came like rolling waves, one after another, finally converging fiercely in one spot, instantly emitting an astonishing roaring sound.

Like an explosion, the momentum was incredibly terrifying.

Xie Xuan stared fixedly at the arena without blinking.

The crowd watching the battle below also stared intently at this high platform one by one, wanting to see if Gu Siyuan could cope.

Right at this moment, Gu Siyuan moved. His right foot shifted slightly, his body turning sideways.

The next moment, the crowd only felt figures fluttering on that high platform, as if ten Gu Siyuans appeared in an instant.

Those Northern Frontier warriors also immediately discovered that their fists hadn’t hit anything solid. The strike they thought was a sure hit had actually missed.

But at this very moment, they couldn’t distinguish which one was the real person before their eyes.

A boiling sound immediately erupted offstage.

“This is…”

“Is this the movement technique Batur used earlier?”

“How come he knows it too?”

“How come General Gu also knows Batur’s movement technique?”

Listening to the discussions of the people around, Xie Xuan narrowed his beautiful eyes, recalling that when fighting Batur earlier, Gu Siyuan spent the first half cup of tea’s time observing.

Don’t tell me he secretly learned it then?

Meanwhile, on the intensely fighting high platform, a Northern Frontier warrior suddenly felt an astonishing severe pain from his body. “Ah…”

The next moment, like a fish falling into water, his whole person fell straight backward with an undeniable posture.

This high platform was already narrow; falling meant direct elimination.

In an instant, the encirclement was broken.

And before his teammates could react, Gu Siyuan’s next strike arrived immediately.

Several exclamations and miserable shrieks rang out consecutively, and nearly ten figures fell from the high platform.

In less than a moment, only Gu Siyuan stood alone on the high platform.

When the feet of those ten Northern Frontier warriors touched the solid ground, they still couldn’t quite react. They looked at each other in dismay. It ended just like that?

The ten of them were resolved so cleanly and neatly by one person?

They weren’t ordinary guards.

They were the most elite soldiers carefully selected by the King of the Northern Frontier, who had walked out from the slaughter of the battlefield.

The spectators present were also completely dumbfounded. This ended way too quickly.

Then, they turned their heads to look at the other four battle platforms currently engaged in anxious combat nearby, and silently thought: It’s not that we have a problem, it’s just this person has a problem.

However, following that, waves of earth-shattering shouts erupted across the venue: “General Gu!”

“Ah ah ah, General Gu takes on ten alone!”

“This is truly ‘one man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot open it’ (a single man holding a narrow pass against ten thousand enemies).”

“To actually, actually snatch a flag just like that!”

…

Gu Siyuan’s expression, however, was very placid. He glanced at the steady flag behind him.

With his hands behind his back, he leapt down from the battle platform, and shortly after, rapidly headed toward another battle platform in the distance.

During the snatching process, those who fell off the high platform would be directly eliminated.

But after the snatching ended, the survivors of the winning side could continue to go to other high platforms to help their teammates snatch flags.

The number of people in Gu Siyuan’s five groups was relatively even. Besides his group, which only had one person, the other three groups had twelve people each, and the final group had thirteen people.

Those four high towers hadn’t yet decided a winner.

Although in one-on-one combat, the Northern Frontier people were slightly stronger.

But once Great Liang had the advantage in numbers, the battle presented an anxious state, and Great Liang even faintly held the upper hand.

Except for one platform, which was the one Gu Siyuan was rushing toward.

On that high platform, Great Liang had twelve people, but up to this point in the battle, eight Great Liang people had already been eliminated; meanwhile, out of the ten Northern Frontier people, only four had been eliminated.

These numbers were simply unbelievable.

Just because this battle platform had Batur. Despite the injuries he suffered in the first match, he insisted on participating in this flag-planting battle.

Most of those eliminated Great Liang Imperial Guards were knocked down by him.

“You guys rest for a moment, I’ll take over!”

A chilling male voice rang out.

A familiar tall figure rapidly leapt up from below.

Several Imperial Guards were pleasantly surprised: “General Gu.”

Seeing Gu Siyuan, Batur was stunned at first, and then immediately realized something. Narrowing his eyes at the person, he said: “It seems when you fought me, you didn’t use your full strength at all.”

Gu Siyuan curled the corners of his mouth slightly.

Shortly after, his cold and severe aura completely dispersed, and he directly and mercilessly began to fight.

This extreme contrast drew waves of screams across the venue again.

Xie Xuan clutched his violently thumping little heart and puffed his cheeks disdainfully: Fighting is just fighting, still smiling, definitely doing it on purpose, trying to charm who to death…

Thus, the situation on this battle platform quickly showed a one-sided trend.

Batur once again fell under Gu Siyuan’s punch; the other Northern Frontier warriors naturally were no exception. No matter how they struggled, they were no match for his single punch.

The flag on this high platform also became their Great Liang’s.

Although the remaining Imperial Guards on the battle platform somewhat bemoaned their uselessness, no matter what, victory was still the most important.

At the same time, the group of Great Liang’s thirteen-man team also decided their match result.

Although the Northern Frontier people were slightly stronger than them, it was only slightly. Thirteen fighting ten was still completely sufficient.

Although their side also had nine people eliminated, the final victory belonged to them.

The group leader planted Great Liang’s flag on the battle platform!

Three platforms.

Won!

The Great Liang subjects below the stage immediately erupted into violent cheers!

Won!

Won the final match!

Then Great Liang also won this exchange assembly.

With a cold and stern face, Gu Siyuan led the participants back to the middle of the field.

From the beginning till now, his expression hadn’t changed much, as if he took nothing to heart. But the more it was like this, the more it conversely made people yearn for him.

The King of the Northern Frontier looked at Gu Siyuan, reluctant to shift his gaze: “For the Emperor to have such a fierce general truly makes people envious.”

Emperor Jianzhao also temporarily put down his cares and laughed loudly: “I am also deeply proud of it.”

By the time the exchange assembly completely ended, it was almost dusk.

This place was close to the mountain forest, and prey had long been continuously sent over by the guards. Emperor Jianzhao ordered everyone to rest for a moment, and then hold a bonfire banquet right on the spot.

In view of Gu Siyuan’s outstanding performance during the day, Emperor Jianzhao rewarded him heavily and specially granted him several days of leave, meaning he didn’t need to participate in guard duty tonight either.

Gu Siyuan received the edict and accepted the rewards.

Just as he turned to return to his tent, he happened to cross paths with a group of people who were also going back to rest slightly; it was those several princes.

“General Gu truly stole the show today, this Prince is endlessly in admiration,” a lazy and clear voice rang out.

Gu Siyuan looked up at Xie Xuan, saying indifferently: “But this general didn’t see the Sixth Highness have a good expression throughout the entire process. Presumably, what you’re saying right now isn’t from the heart.”

Hearing this, the other three princes couldn’t hold back and let out a laugh.

Even for his treacherous and cunning sixth brother, no matter how smug he usually was, he couldn’t get the slightest advantage here with this person Gu Xun.

“…” Xie Xuan.

Although it was an act, doesn’t he want face?

Gritting his teeth, Xie Xuan said to Gu Siyuan: “General Gu must have some misunderstandings about this Prince. Why not go to this Prince’s tent together, sit down, drink a cup of tea, and clear up the misunderstanding.”

Gu Siyuan shook his head: “No need. This general is extremely exhausted right now, and His Majesty has already permitted this general to return and rest.”

“…” Xie Xuan’s moist eyes glared at Gu Siyuan.

Don’t you regret it.

He just saw Gu Siyuan’s heroic and martial posture all day today, and truly couldn’t control wanting to be kissed and hugged.

Seeing this, the other three princes immediately hypocritically advised Xie Xuan: “Sixth Brother, although we know you and General Gu have always been at odds, General Gu truly has worked hard and made great contributions today. Even if you want to find fault, pick another day…”

Gu Siyuan nodded coldly.

Xie Xuan ignored this, only feigning arrogance: “Gu Xun, this Prince wants to see you, and you dare to refuse. Later, when the Xu hour (7-9 PM) arrives, this Prince has to go attend the evening banquet. You better come to this Prince’s main tent before then.”

After speaking, he flicked his sleeve and turned away arrogantly.

Looking at Xie Xuan’s back, Xie Huan sighed with emotion: “Sixth Brother’s temper is truly… General Gu, I’m afraid you won’t have an easy time for a while, even though you are a person of merit.”

Gu Siyuan’s chilling gaze swept over his face, and he said calmly: “This general takes his leave.”

“…” Xie Huan.

This guy truly doesn’t know how to conduct himself; he doesn’t even know how to respond to a single sentence. I am a prince, no wonder Xie Xuan can’t stand him.

Hmph, even after I ascend the throne in the future, I will absolutely not use such a person with no regard for superiors.

Gu Siyuan naturally didn’t know what kind of ghostly things were in Xie Huan’s mind after he left.

Right now, he was only thinking about the exceptionally obvious and passionate gaze Xie Xuan had lingered on him while he was fighting earlier, as well as the behavior of directly telling him to go to his main tent just now.

He secretly thought: The two-month period arrived long ago. I can’t wait any longer; the person is being stifled to death.

In broad daylight, he already completely isn’t hiding it anymore.

After returning to the tent, Xie Xuan immediately took off the soft armor on his body.

Although dealing with those people during the day actually didn’t require much thought, he was stained with quite a lot of dust and sweat.

He quickly washed up, changed into lighter clothes, and stood up to walk outside.

A General of the Household from the neighboring tent happened to return. Seeing this, he asked curiously: “Siyuan, don’t you not have to be on duty tonight?”

Gu Siyuan casually replied: “Going to admire the moon.”

That General of the Household froze and blinked.

Truly couldn’t tell, you ice-face are actually such a person with leisurely elegance and romantic mood?

After a long while.

When the person had walked far away, he stopped the action of lifting his tent flap, looked up at the dimly discernible, hook-like crescent moon in the dark blue sky, and muttered: “That’s not right, isn’t today the second day of the eighth lunar month? Where is there a moon to admire? It’s still more than ten days away from the Mid-Autumn Festival?”

How would a single dog understand.

Admiring the moon is naturally not just the moon in the sky, but the moon in the heart.

With Gu Siyuan’s skills, plus the movement technique he newly learned today, evading layers of Imperial Guard sentries to enter Xie Xuan’s tent was even somewhat easier than usual.

Holding a fan, Xie Xuan sat cross-legged on the couch, puffing his cheeks and glaring at him: “I already said this Prince really wanted to see you, why did it take so long to come over?”

Gu Siyuan ignored his usual acting up, took a few steps closer, and only then pinched his cheek, saying calmly: “Guess why?”

Xie Xuan fiercely pounced on him, directly hanging on that broad chest, finally hugging him.

He had been wanting to do this for a long time during the day.

His small head was also deeply buried in his shoulder and neck. An extremely fresh scent of water vapor came to his nose. Xie Xuan looked up and said playfully: “So General Gu went back to take a bath and change clothes. Is it… wanting this Prince to grace you with my favor tonight?”

Hearing this, Gu Siyuan raised his eyes, glanced at him lightly, and didn’t speak.

But in the silence, countless waves arose.

“…” Xie Xuan.

What does this look of yours mean? Are you looking down on this Prince?

Thinking this, Xie Xuan angrily directly aimed for those thin lips and kissed them fiercely.

Gu Siyuan didn’t expect the little Highness to be this anxious. But since the person was already in his arms at this moment, and he had also made preparations long ago, he naturally had no need to push him away.

He turned from guest to host, instantly seizing the initiative. A brutal plunder began between their lips and tongues, his palm tightly gripping the supple, slender waist of the person in his arms with force.

Not knowing how long it passed, the two gradually changed positions.

Xie Xuan was lying on the couch, while Gu Siyuan stood neatly on the ground, leaning over and kissing him bit by bit, from his forehead, to the tip of his nose, and then to his already overly bright red lips.

Outside the main tent was thin moonlight; inside the tent, two slightly yellow lights flickered.

Casting the shadows of the two people onto the side curtain.

Right at this moment, an earth-shattering din of gongs and drums suddenly rang out outside.

However, neither of them paid it any attention.

At this time, even if the sky collapsed and the earth cracked, what did it have to do with two innocent little wild mandarin ducks?

The next moment, a familiar sharp, high-pitched, and loud voice sounded outside the tent; it belonged to Wang Chengying, the head eunuch by Emperor Jianzhao’s side.

“Sixth Highness, the evening banquet has started. You are the only one missing. His Majesty has asked several times and sent this old slave to invite you!”

The two little pigs哼哼吃吃 (grunting and eating), burying their heads in gnawing, were forced to raise their heads.

“…” Xie Xuan.

“…” Gu Siyuan.

A few breaths later.

Xie Xuan changed into a brand-new set of clothes at rapid speed, tied his hair crown again, and stepped out of the main tent.

Sitting on the couch, Gu Siyuan looked down at his still excited little brother, feeling somewhat pitiful for himself for the first time in his life.

Tsk, the weather is cold, maybe Emperor Jianzhao shouldn’t be the Emperor anymore…

After brewing for a moment, he recalled Wang Chengying’s words just now, feeling that Emperor Jianzhao’s attitude today was somewhat amiss, and silently darted out again.

When Xie Xuan sat down in his seat, unsurprisingly, he was met with the sour and sarcastic words of his several royal brothers.

Probably about being presumptuous, putting on great airs, and the like.

However, right now, he was truly extremely unsatisfied in his desires and didn’t even have the strength to talk back.

His slender body lay lazily slanted on the chair, holding a cup of wine, sipping it intermittently.

Gu Siyuan sat on the crown of a huge tree beside the banquet venue, looking at those red lips moistened by the wine, secretly thinking: I wonder if the wine is sweet, maybe I can taste it later?

The banquet hadn’t been going on for long.

The subordinates of the King of the Northern Frontier pushed over an iron cage cart covered by a black cloth.

Emperor Jianzhao asked with some curiosity: “What is this item?”

The King of the Northern Frontier laughed loudly: “Last winter, there was heavy snow on the mountains. This creature was probably starved ruthlessly, charged all the way down from the deep mountains, and attacked several villages at the foot of the mountain, causing nearly a hundred casualties. This King personally led people into the mountain forest to capture it. Now, I have specially brought it to Great Liang, intending to present it to the Emperor. However, after the rushing journey, this creature was quite listless, so I kept it for a few more days. Having taken it for a spin in the mountain forest today, it has completely recovered its spirit.”

After speaking, he directly lifted the black cloth.

Upon seeing what was in the cage, several exclamations rang out from the audience.

Locked in the iron cage was astonishingly a tiger, the king of beasts, and it was more than twice as large as the ones they usually saw in the Central Plains region. Its four limbs and body were naturally also sturdier. Perhaps because it had just returned from the mountain forest, there were still some bloody remnants of meat hanging on its whiskers at the corners of its mouth. As its golden pupils turned, its gaze was extremely ferocious and terrifying, making one feel a murderous aura rushing straight at their face.

Many timid people even started shivering directly.

However, Emperor Jianzhao seemed to like it very much, his eyes burning.

With this being the case, naturally, there were people who emboldened themselves to step forward to feed and admire it.

Xie Xuan toyed with the wine cup in his hand, his fine white fingers made to look as clear and flawless as jade by the black porcelain. He said carelessly: “This fur wrapped around the body in winter must be very warm, right?”

Beside him, Xie Huan cast a glance at him.

The next moment, not knowing if these words were heard by the tiger, the tiger in the cage suddenly turned in Xie Xuan’s direction, opened its bloody large mouth, and roared in anger.

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