In the early morning, the weather was clear with gentle winds.
The entire populace was excited today because the Elders' Competition was held every year.
The people were united, helping the needy and poor and respecting the elderly, which were core principles of the kingdom's system.
"Fish, fish for 5 regular essence stones!!"
"Watermelon, watermelon for 3 regular essence stones!!"
"Hmm, the prices are somewhat cheap."
Yan Yue thought internally, disguised in a loose black outfit.
A giant man and a teenager stood in front of Yan Yue, demanding money from him.
"You don't look like you're from the kingdom. Heh heh heh, give us 20 regular essence stones, and you can pass."
"Hey, you, tell him to give us 30 stones, that's better."
Yan Yue raised his head toward them and smiled, "Scum like you want money?"
"Hit him, brother! How dare he talk like that in front of us!"
The older brother threw a punch at Yan Yue, but he dodged and struck him in the spot between the chest and stomach.
The older brother fell, and the younger one hurriedly pulled out a small knife. "Drawing a knife in the kingdom's territories is a crime, and you'll be imprisoned for two full years."
The younger brother ran, screaming and crying at the same time.
Yan Yue looked at him, noticing he was very young and incapable of making sound decisions in this situation.
Yan Yue grabbed the knife with his bare hand and slapped the boy across the face.
"Wake your brother and go back to your mother. Don't show up here again!!"
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Yan Yue continued his mission, inspecting the citizens' conditions, the merchants, and the prices of vegetables, fruits, and essential food supplies to satisfy people. Then he appeared before the king's palace, entered, and reported the details to the king.
"Excellent work, Yan Yue. Has the construction of the new palace for the fourth elder begun?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I've brought the best builder in the kingdom's history."
"The treatment for his burns and broken ribs began 30 minutes ago," the king said to Yan Yue.
"You may leave."
Yan Yue vanished from the king's sight. "In this world, strength is everything, even if it's used in the most vile ways."
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Farkan was asleep, surrounded by a shining green energy emanating from three women.
Their combined strength was used to produce a high-level healing ability, restoring the body and internal ribs to their former state.
Yu Xin and two renowned elderly women in the kingdom.
The healing process had so far taken about an entire hour. Yu Xin looked exhausted, but the two elderly women seemed fine.
After another hour and a half
Farkan opened his eyes and looked around, "We're happy you survived that explosion," the elderly women said.
Farkan rose from his bed and clasped his hands, "I thank the two elderly women and Miss Yu Xin for their complete healing and great effort."
"The king told me to go to his palace as soon as you awaken."
"Alright." Farkan left the room, then gradually walked toward the headquarters' door and exited.
"I feel refreshed." After saying this, he stretched a little.
"Hmm, why does that fool want me? Does he suspect me?" he thought internally.
The fifth elder appeared before Farkan and looked into his eyes…
"What do you want, fifth? Weren't you trying to kill me last night?"
"It was a good duel, fourth."
"Did you come here just to say that?"
"I won't bother you again, and I hope you forgive me for using my lethal move on you."
The fifth elder walked away from Farkan. Yan Yue, watching from above the headquarters, had previously told the fifth to apologize and stop these foolish conflicts.
Farkan laughed loudly, "Fool."
Farkan walked toward the king's palace.
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Farkan arrived at the king's palace, and the guards opened the door.
The king rose from his chair, heading toward Farkan, "I'm glad you're okay, fourth."
Farkan performed the royal salute, "Sit, fourth."
Farkan sat beside the king, his chair close to the king's.
"May I ask a question?"
"Go ahead, Your Majesty."
"When they searched the palace ruins for your body, they didn't find it. But after about 30 minutes, you were at the royal treatment headquarters?"
"That's correct."
"Where were you during those minutes?"
"I was in a far-off place, my memory was foggy, and I don't remember anything."
The king looked into Farkan's cold eyes, then smiled.
"The competition starts this evening. I hope you're ready."
Farkan rose from his chair, saluted, and left.
In this world, a person at the first rank is called a disciple, the second a trainee, the third a knower, the fourth a master, the fifth a commander, the sixth a duke, the seventh a prince, the eighth a king, the ninth an emperor, and the tenth an absolute ruler.
Since Farkan is at the fifth rank, initial stage, he's titled a commander.
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Greetings, esteemed ladies and gentlemen. We're delighted by your presence to watch the Elders' Competition of our great kingdom.
Drums sounded, almost like a ritual marking the start of the combat matches.
A list displayed the names of all the elders, from the first to the ninth.
The first match was the first elder against the third.
The second match was the second elder against the fourth.
The third match was the fifth elder against the sixth.
The fourth match was the seventh elder against the eighth and ninth elders.
The first elder looked at the third with serious eyes tinged with arrogance.
"First, don't trip over your own feet, hahaha."
The third laughed jokingly, being the only one who wished well for others and disliked harming them.
"There's a gap between us, third."
"A rank gap? Don't make me laugh. Hmm, you never know, I might beat you."
The third elder was currently titled a master, while the first was known as a commander.
"Let the fight begin!" shouted the referee standing in the center of the arena.
The king and Yan Yue watched from a distance, "Who do you think will win?"
"I don't know, Your Majesty. Both are considered strong, but I'd bet on the first. Though I think the third has a chance if he uses his lethal move, he promised me he wouldn't use it against his peers. He used it once against someone from the Demonic Alliance."
"Impressive," the king thought internally.
"But don't forget, Yan Yue, the first is a legendary swordsman who took the Harmonious Sword Path, while the fourth is at the fourth rank's peak. He uses electric abilities, especially lightning, so perhaps when he reaches the fifth rank, he'll choose the Lightning Path, as I predict."
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The End