A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 334 Monster: Pawn!

The words had barely faded when the thunder of war drums erupted again.The sound was so intense it seemed as though it would deafen them.

Fifth Master waved his hand impatiently. "Enough, enough, I can’t think about it anymore. Let’s just focus on getting through this immediate challenge!"

At that, Sixth Master flashed a smug smile. "Fifth Brother, look what I have here."

He then stretched out his hand, revealing two Thunderbolt Grenades nestled in his palm.

Fifth Master’s pupils dilated, his face paling in fright. "Where did you... get these? Put them away, quickly!"

Sixth Master, a disdainful expression on his face, said scornfully, "Fifth Brother, don’t be such a scaredy-cat. They’re just two Thunderbolt Grenades!"

Fifth Master was incredulous. "Just? These things can kill! You might even get yourself..."

The might of the Thunderbolt Grenades... even if he had never seen them, he had certainly heard of it. Pull the ring, and they explode in an instant—light injuries at best, fatal at worst.

The more Fifth Master thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he hastily tried to dissuade him. "This is the martial arts examination; hidden weapons aren’t allowed. Put them away! If Imperial Brother finds out, he’ll have a fit!"

Seeing him so terrified, Sixth Master scoffed coldly. "I went to great trouble to steal these two from the Divine Engine Camp yesterday. I originally intended to save one for you, brother, so we wouldn’t be at a disadvantage today. I just didn’t expect you to be such a coward!"

With that, he put the Thunderbolt Grenades away. "You won’t use them, but I will! Anyway, those lowlifes won’t even dream of hurting me!"

Seeing that his attempts at persuasion were futile, Fifth Master gave up. "Fine, have it your way!"

He had done his best. Besides, he had his own skin to save!

「」

On the viewing platform, Zhao Junyao was the last to arrive.

Xia Ruqing, wrapped in a black cloak, sat beside him.

Truthfully, Zhao Junyao hadn’t wanted to bring her. However, he couldn’t withstand her relentless pestering.

As someone who loved excitement, how could she miss such a grand occasion?

The first martial arts examination! What a momentous occasion.

Just moments ago, while still in the carriage, she could hear the distant thrum of war drums, and her heart began to pound with excitement.

Even though her brother isn’t competing this time, it’s still going to be so exciting! Absolutely not to be missed!

Once Zhao Junyao arrived and the officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War were in position, all preparations were complete.

The war drums fell silent. Then, following a loud blast from a horn, the martial arts examination officially began.

The Herald Officer announced the competition rules: contestants would fight in pairs, with winners decided on the spot, until only one champion remained. Furthermore, in these duels, the aim was to score points; taking a life was strictly forbidden.

Then, without further delay, a flag was waved. Two opponents stepped onto the platform and, under everyone’s watchful eyes, began their intense duel.

Tiger, Rat, and Monster stood in the middle of their contingent.

Rat was a little nervous, his eyes wide as he stared at the platform. "Heavens, it’s only the first round, and they’re already this fierce?"

Monster looked at him with contempt. "How disgraceful. Look around you, is anyone else acting like you?"

Rat felt somewhat disgruntled. "Hey! I don’t make a living through brute force! I rely on... my brain!"

"Brains, do you even get it? ...Forget it, you definitely wouldn’t understand!"

Monster rolled his eyes disdainfully. "Brains? Pfft! That’s not brains, that’s... a belly full of wicked schemes!"

After speaking, he elegantly flicked his hair with an air of allure. "Not like me. I rely entirely on my looks!"

After saying this, he nudged the nearby Tiger with his hip. "Isn’t that right, Big Brother Tiger?"

Tiger was intently watching the competition on the platform, with no time to spare for their bickering.

Rat then mocked Monster, "Heh heh! Big Brother Tiger is eager to win honor and find a wife back home. Who would even look at you!"

Monster just gave him a glare, shook his head, and said indifferently, "It’s not like I wanted him to fancy me anyway! Hmph!"

The two continued to bicker like this. Thankfully, Tiger was used to it and completely ignored them.

However, the others in their contingent were giving them rather strange looks.

A burly man, built much like Tiger, kept staring at Monster.

When Monster noticed, he glared back fiercely. "What are you looking at? Haven’t you ever seen a handsome man before?!"

The burly man suddenly looked a bit sheepish. "Uh, I thought... you were a woman!"

Monster flew into a rage, retorting furiously, "Woman? You’re the woman! Your whole family are women! Have you ever seen a woman as handsome as me? Have you?! Have you?!"

The burly man was momentarily stunned, tongue-tied. After a short while, he rubbed his thick palms together and said, "Even if you are a man, I... I don’t mind!"

After speaking, he shyly turned away. Monster was so furious he rolled his eyes. "You... you..."

Rat, beside him, was doubled over with laughter. "Haha... Hahaha..."

Monster was hopping mad. Then, a glint of cunning in his eyes, he spun and kicked Tiger in the rear.

Tiger, whose reaction time was notoriously slow, took a moment to register what had happened before turning around and asking, "What’s wrong?"

Monster, still fuming, pointed at the burly man in their group. "Him... are you fighting him later?"

Tiger glanced at the token in his hand, then at the other man’s, and nodded. "Looks like it!"

Monster ground his teeth. "You... you beat him senseless! Thrash him for me!"

Tiger looked bewildered. "Why? Didn’t they just say... stop once a hit is scored, and not to take a life?"

Monster: "..."

Rat, at the side, was laughing so hard he could barely stand. "Big Brother Tiger, haha... good one... haha, good one!"

Monster was so enraged he didn’t know what to do. After a moment, he said menacingly, "Just tell me, do you still want me as your brother or not!"

This time, Tiger didn’t even hesitate. "Of course, I do!"

Monster then pointed at the burly man. "Well, he has improper designs on me! Are you going to do something about it or not?!"

Tiger turned to look at the burly man. "Him?"

Monster nodded, finally feeling a sliver of relief. "Finally, you get it, big brother! My innocence is in your hands to protect!"

Tiger turned back to look at Monster. "But... I don’t think so! How can a man like another man?"

That man is about as tall and sturdy as I am. Hmm, he probably likes Beautiful Delicate Ladies too, just like me! He couldn’t possibly like men, no, impossible!

Monster: Defeated!

「」

The martial contest progressed swiftly.

When it was their turn, Rat was the first to go up. His opponent was of a similar build.

He was a scrawny man with a squash-like face, narrow eyes, and tightly pursed lips.

As soon as he stepped onto the platform, the man began swinging his fists wildly and erratically.

Rat was agile and, though never formally trained, back in his days on the streets, following Xia Tingfeng in gang fights, he had been quite capable.

Nowadays, well, this is just a duel—pretty much the same thing!

Rat first dodged and weaved. Strangely, his waist seemed different from others’.