The Emperor of the Three Realms

chapter 56

The entry of Princess Gouyu made the frenzied sound disappear completely.    

After all, every heir present felt a hint of fear and fear towards the identity of the main organizer of the Hidden Dragon Trials. If you upset Princess Gouyu and as a result you face additional obstacles, the losses will outweigh the gains.    

A venerable annual meeting like the Hidden Dragon Trials was something that the entire nation followed. Shortly after the appearance of Princess Gouyu, two strong practitioner squads from the Tiandu army ran down the highway and occupied both sides of the road, besieging out of the area.    

This means the king has arrived.    

Eastern Lu was very excited and his pace was steady and strong. Her bright eyes looked around with a stern and inspiring look.    

“May the Emperor live ten thousand years, long live the Eastern Kingdom!”    

The people and courtiers all knelt down one by one, waiting for the king's arrival.    

The 108 dukes also found their respective territories and took their seats.    

Eastern Lu occupied the middle of the courtyard and spoke with a powerful and resounding voice, “Our Eastern Kingdom, with a thousand-year legacy, has always emphasized the heritage of martial dao. In order to display our martial dao prominently, and give encouragement to the dukes, we – Eastern Kingdom – highly appreciate the Hidden Dragon Trials held every year. We happened to meet with this esteemed meeting and we saw the heroic demeanor and valiant demeanor of all the nobles, people with extraordinary abilities in all their great diversity. We are so grateful.    

Today, the 108 dukes of our palace have gathered in a gathering of wind and clouds. It is said that each epoch gave birth to new geniuses in this noble land, and each one will rule its own territory for many years to come. We hope all the dukes present will display new aspects of themselves, and decipher their highest abilities, continue to cultivate and enhance the venerated power traditions of our dynasty.”    

Eastern Lu handed the reins back to Princess Gouyu after only saying a few simple words, not a long speech. After all, Princess Gouyu was the main organizer of the Hidden Dragon Trials.    

Your Majesty, Yan Jiuzhuang has a problem to report. Yan Juizhuang of the rank of a Yanmen duke stepped forward and bowed after Eastern Lu ended his speech.    

"Oh? What business does Duke Yan have?” Eastern Lu smiled faintly.    

“Your Majesty, your people have heard that Duke Jiang Han is suffering from a severe illness, and even heard that he may not be a part of this world anymore. The Jiang Han territory borders the southern part of my territory, and is a military fortress of strategic importance. If the Duke of Jiang Han did not reappear for a long period of time, the thieves and rascals in the southern region would take advantage of this opportunity to revolt. Your subject sincerely asks to discuss the jurisdiction of the rank of a duke Jiang Han before the Hidden Dragon Court.”    

Jiang Han territory – rights to the rank of a duke.    

Eastern Lu's expression froze slightly. No one knew for sure Jiang Feng's condition. This Duke of Yanmen was the first to plunge in an apparent attempt to become the vanguard for the duke of Soaring Dragon.    

Eastern Lu's gaze shifted to the rank territory of a duke Jiang Han.    

Jiang Chen smiled faintly and took a step forward, “Your Highness, this Yanmen Duke does not respect his own seniority and publicly condemns my father at a dignified meeting. As a child, how could I sit still and ignore this? Your subject asks Yan Jiuzhuang to apologize to me.”    

"Apardon me? Jiang Chen, you are at an age where you still smell your mother's milk, who are you that I, a proud duke of a province, apologize to you?” Yan Jiuzhuang laughed coldly.    

“Cursing others without cause and reason is a mouth without virtue. A mouth without virtue is an old dog. Old dog Yan, you are an honorable noble, yet you are willing to be an eagle and a hunting dog for others.1 Condemning you as a dog is a grave offense against dogs.”    

The foundation of Jiang Chen's venomous snake tongue wasn't made of pure snapping.    

“Jiang Chen, you dare openly insult and ridicule a territorial duke...This duke will petition to remedy the heinous crimes of slander and contempt towards a noble!”    

“Dog old Yan, just try moving against my son!”    

Suddenly, a voice sounded like thunder from the area reserved for the Jiang Han territory.    

This man's gait was similar to a dragon's step and a tiger's path. He stepped forward with a cold look out of his eyes and looked at Yan Jiuzhuang, “ Yan old dog, where did my son mispronounce? You, Duke of Yanmen, are a Duke of the first rank, in the end, and have sunk so low as to become cannon fodder for others, who are you, if not an eagle and other hunting dogs?”    

Jiang Feng's!    

It was Jiang Feng, the duke of Jiang Han who had been missing for quite some time.    

The scene suddenly started to buzz with noise and excitement. No one would have expected that Duke Jiang Han would suddenly appear, and was even filled with dragon vitality and tiger ferocity.    

And when viewed from its aura that it was completely unable to hide, it was a terrifying aura that only a true qi master could boast of!    

This Jiang Feng had broken through and become another true qi master!    

“Subject Jiang Feng greets His Majesty!” After Jiang Feng cursed Yan Jiuzhuang, he kneeled towards Eastern Lu in an extremely natural and calm manner.    

“Jiang Feng, We have heard that you are not well. So it turns out that's a false rumor?” Eastern Lu's heart also calmed down a little when he saw Jiang Feng appear at a crucial moment.    

As the king of the nation, he did not want to see the Jiang Han territory change hands in this kind of condition.    

Even if it changed hands, he, Eastern Lu, would decide who would take over his ownership. He absolutely would not allow the duke of Soaring Dragon and his men to seize possession for no apparent reason.    

Jiang Feng laughed out loud, “Some thieves and rascals use some embarrassing tricks and cannot be displayed. It's not worth mentioning.”    

“Haha, the Duke of Jiang possesses virtue and patriotism, and naturally has the protection of heaven and earth. Looks like we're too worried.” Eastern Lu was also very excited.    

However, the Duke of Soaring Dragon's side was extremely gloomy. Jiang Feng is not dead? And have you ever lived with the vitality of a dragon and the ferocity of a tiger? It seems that his training was successful.    

Long Zhaofeng had a stomach full of depression. He became increasingly dissatisfied with the competence of his subordinates. Nothing had gone smoothly since he had fought with the father and son of the Jiang family.    

This Jiang Feng had fallen victim to a deadly poison, how could he explode with the vitality of a dragon and the ferocity of a tiger?    

Not only had Jiang Feng not died, but his training had improved tremendously. In this way, wouldn't they be ridiculed if they were to attempt to seize Jiang Han's territory through cunning means?    

The Duke of Yanmen's face was filled with awkwardness, as if someone had landed a hard punch on his nose. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place for now, and felt very awkward.    

“Duke Yanmen, I, Jiang Feng, have a little advice for you. When being cannon fodder for someone, first look at Du Ruhai's exit, then think of the strait that befell Pill King.” Park    

The nobles who were confidants and supporters of the Duke of Soaring Dragon were all deeply moved by Jiang Feng's words.    

It is true, Du Ruhai was the vanguard and vanguard of the duke of Soaring Dragon, but he met his end at the hands of the duke himself with his house raided afterwards and the family property confiscated.    

Although no one had died in the Pill King Garden, their business was in a miserable state as the Hall of Healing – was like falling flowers carried away by flowing water as they continued to lose their way. There were even rumors that they had completely sold themselves to the Duke of Soaring Dragon, and had lost their autonomy.    

Yan Jiuzhuang was extremely depressed, but her tone remained proud. “Jiang Feng, don't be too quickly satisfied with yourself.”    

“Why can't I feel happy with myself?” Jiang Feng laughed out loud. “In a one-on-one fight, you won't be able to beat me. In terms of sons, your son has been thoroughly defeated by my Chen'er on two occasions. I have no reason not to be happy with myself in front of you, don't you think?”    

Yan Jiuzhuang did not say anything about it.    

With the appearance of Jiang Feng, that small interlude naturally ended with the loss of Yan Jiuzhuang's face with a loud slap.    

Princess Gouyu's phoenix eyes moved slightly as she glanced towards Jiang Chen.    

“Everything, now I announce the official start of the final competition in this year's Hidden Dragon Trial. The rules remain the same: Please start applying for exam missions.    

This exam is still a mission divided into nine levels. Missions of various levels represent the rank of each duke.”    

There were 108 dukes in the Eastern Kingdom divided into nine levels. Each rank consisted of twelve dukes, and so on.    

The Duke of Jiang Han was ranked number 14 out of 108 dukes, and counted as a second-ranked duke.    

For example, dukes ranked one through twelve were all first rank dukes, and there were of course tiers in the first rank.    

Levels one through four were the four grand dukes of the kingdom and were honored with the highest first rank titles.    

Levels five through eight are honored with a major first rank degree.    

Levels nine through twelve were labeled first rank additions.    

When it came to second rank and dukes who were ranked even lower, there was no “tallest” title. Each rank is also divided into three levels.    

For example the second rank, they are divided into the top second rank, the middle second rank, and the bottom second rank.    

Duke Jiang Han is a top second ranked noble!    

And the Hidden Dragon Trials were a contest to rank the nobles of the next generation.    

108 Heirs can apply for missions of any rank. Of course, each potential heiress has only two opportunities to apply.    

If both times did not result in a mission being completed, it meant that one had failed the test and had to give up the rank of a duke, in order for the large and powerful noble families to continue taking their place.    

Many heirs are very cautious because there are only two application opportunities, and try to make the best use of these two opportunities.    

Some heirs may challenge high-level missions with the first chance. But if the first challenge fails, then they will be very careful when facing the opportunity to apply for the second. Otherwise, if they failed the second mission as well, it would mean giving up the rank of a duke.    

The feeling of every duke became extremely complicated when facing the Hidden Dragon Trials.    

If the potential is high, then the concern is which rank is most appropriate.    

If the potential is mediocre, then the concern is whether maintaining the position is the most important or not?    

Higher ranks should be concerned with the challenge from behind.    

The lower ranks should also be concerned about their dukedom being taken by aristocratic families who cast greedy gazes like voracious tigers.    

The dukes of the middle rank had to debate whether they wanted to take a step forward or stay where they were now.    

Hidden Dragon Trials are a time of – even decision making, a very difficult decision.    

Often, some heirs overestimate their potential and strength and challenge high-level missions due to momentary thrust. The end result was a failure twice and the loss of the rank of a duke.    

This will lead to extreme feelings of frustration, anger, and regret.    

“Brother Chen, what ranking mission do you want to challenge?” Fatty Xuan clustered within and it seemed obvious that the fatty was a little nervous at the moment.    

Jiang Chen glanced at his two best friends and asked back, “What have you decided?”    

“I have decided to challenge the second rank mission first.” A hint of resolution appeared in Hubing Yue's fierce expression. He had eight meridians of true qi now and thus had the ability to say it.    

He even had the right to challenge a first rank mission.    

“I... I'll take care of my position first and then look at it.” Fatty Xuan said weakly. The Duke of Jinshan was a top fourth-ranked duke. Rating is above average. It was not a bad thing if he could maintain this rank.    

At the very least, the highest expectation the Duke of Jinshan had of a fat Xuan was simply maintaining their current rank.    

Jiang Chen nodded, “It is appropriate for Xiaoyue to choose the second rank.2 Attacking the first rank rashly would be too much pressure for you. As for fat people, maintaining your rank will be considered a success.”    

Jiang Chen was quite familiar with the rules of the Hidden Dragon Trials. If the number of people applying for a mission with a certain rank exceeds the quota, then the ranking will be determined based on the quality of the mission completed, and in a row will be reversed appropriately.    

That is, if fifteen people applied and completed the mission of the third rank, then the three people who were in the last rank of these fifteen people would be pushed back to the fourth rank.    

This is the logic that follows. However the number of 108 dukes remained immortal and unchanged.    

Other people's hunting animals.    

This was Jiang Chen's nickname for Hubing Yue