Chapter 48: Winners

The audience watching the tournament from the stands all broke out into laughter as they watched the scenes happening on the large screen floating in the air. Zhang had tied Ming Jiang up and dangled him off the side of the tower upside down. It was pretty silly how Ming Jiang looked because only his foot was tied by the rope so he was hanging by a limb.

Shortly after doing this to Ming Jiang, Zhang's forces claimed the red tower and changed the ray of light it shot out to a blue color.

Zhang with his advance party moved forward to take another one of Shu Shangs towers. However, when they reached the tower Shu Shang had holed up inside of the tower. With so little time left Zhang could not take the tower so he opted to move toward the next one. Yuying had also tried to take another one of Shu Shangs towers however it too had soldiers holed up inside so she too moved on to another tower.

That blue team has six towers and the green team has four. I wonder why the blue team did not go back for that one tower that was stolen by the green team earlier. A woman watching from the stands said to a man beside her.

Soon after a loud bell sound could be heard transmitting through the colosseum then a loud voice could be heard.

Once the end of the tournament was announced the audience broke out cheering. It had truly been a spectacle for those watching. It had showed how crafty and resourceful some of the future leaders of the forces in the alliance were. Since the tournament ended the screens floating in the sky no longer showed the scenes from the arena but the image of king Huang He was now visible.

In a short while there will be a reward ceremony in front of the colosseum for the two winners of the tournament. King Huang He added.

Down below in the arena soldiers from various teams could be seen walking toward any one of the ten gates leading out of the arena. Those who were injured would be looked at by doctors while everyone else was to return the armor and weapons they were lent and head out to the front of the colosseum.

Odd we agreed to meet over here. Zhang thought as he walked through the forest heading toward the gate.

There my three beauties are. Zhang said with a chuckle.

Who else? Zhang replied.

Lets go return this armor and go to the reward stage. Zhang said.

However, before they left a voice sounded out from a bush behind them.

As the group of four turned back they could see Shu Shang could out from behind a bush.

Had this been an actually battlefield and not an arena then perhaps Shu Shang would have come out victorious.

Ah then you can call me Shu Shang. Shu Shang said.

I wanted to thank you for leaving me that tower rather than taking it back. Although you shouldnt have I appreciate the gesture. Shu Shang said.

We can stand here and talk about whats and ifs all day but that wont change the outcome of what has already been decided. You had the foresight to do what you did and I applaud you for that. Shu Shang said to Zhang with a faint smile on his face.

Sure why not. Shu Shang said.

Brother Huang Zu how are you. Zhang said as he saw Huang Zu.

Zhang noticing the awkwardness in Huang Zus voice decided to take the initiative in breaking the ice. He still felt that Huang Zu was someone worth being friends with. From the fact that Huang Zu kept to his word and stopped pestering Ling to marry him was a testament that he kept his word.

Brother Huang Zu how about you join us and head to the reward stage and along the way tell me about some of the treasures in the treasury that are worth picking out. Also feel free to tell me one item you want also Ill pick it for you. Zhang said to Huang Zu. He knew full well that despite being a prince Huang Zu most likely was not permitted to just take whatever he wanted from the treasury of the kingdom. Thus Zhang hoped to use this to be on friendlier terms with Huang Zu.

"Also I'll have to decline on your offer of picking out a treasure for me." Huang Zu added.

In the treasury there is a scroll made of some material Ive never seen before. It is said this book was personally created by the first king of our Heilong Kingdom. This book has no name and no one know whats written inside.

No its not that, its the fact that no one is able to open the book. My ancestors have passed the book down for generations but no one has been open it. It is said that when our founder created the book he said only if someone is fated to know the contents of the book will it open for them. Huang Zu said while looking at Zhang.

Actually on the contrary if you picked that book some people would be very happy. As many people see it that book is somewhat useless and since no one can open it there is little use for keeping it. And if you took it they would see it as you wasted a prize and took a useless book instead of some other treasure.

Huang Zu sighed knowing that Zhang would not let him go so he resigned to his fate.

As the group headed toward the reward stage they conversed and soon The awkwardness around Huang Zu was somewhat reduced. This of course was thanks to his personality. Huang Zu naturally was not a schemer and was very easy to get along with.

However, Shu Shang did not wish to fight with his brother or cause civil war so he tended to avoid people and had only a few friends who he seemed were worth of becoming friends with.

"Your highnesses please follow me." A man walking toward the group while they were heading to the reward stage said.

"Father wants to talk with us?" Huang Zu asked.

"It's alright brother Huang Zu you might as well come with us." Shu Shang said.

"Your majesty they are here." The servant said as he bent on one knee.

"Your majesty Zhou Zhang pays his respects." Zhang said while bending on one knee.

Soon Yuying, Ai and Ling also paid their respects. As for Huang Zu he did not do so since the King is his father.

"Ming Jiang come in here." Huang He said. Shortly after a door that led to another room opened and Ming Jiang walked in.

"Your majesty." Ming Jiang said.

"If brother Ming Jiang is willing to forget about the past then I am willing also." Shu Shang said.

"The less enemies one has the better I guess." Zhang thought. His relationship with Ming Jiang was not the point where it was unfixable like with Jin Chang so why not give it a shot.

"If you two are willing then so am I." Ming Jiang replied. Although he did not like Shu Shang and Zhang the king had a point. He definitely did not want his kingdom to fall due to some silly arguments. Also Zhang was enticing him with the chance to pick out a treasure from the treasury.

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Charity dinner took way longer than i expected and it was really awkward to be the only one typing on phone when the lights were off so I did not get as much writing done as i wanted to. With that said you guys enjoy this chapter as i finish up another one.