The Elite Team

Gui Shan in that instant addressed the crowd.

"Though this may sound shocking, the man I just fought with is a poison tribe spy, perhaps he's one of their lieutenants considering how powerful he is. I guess he was here to destabilize the competition and get some Intel about our strength," Gui Shan said.

"Ahhhh...," the crowd exclaimed.

On hearing this, vice general Qing Wu climbed up to address everyone.

"I'm sorry that we were so gullible to allow a poison tribe member cause havoc in the competition. But the winner of this competition is our one and only Gui Shan of Guiyi academy," he said.

"Without his help, the plot of the poison tribe wouldn't have been exposed. He is indeed a great man and I believe would do great things in the elite team," Qing Wu said.

"Twenty candidates would be chosen to form the elite team. So by tomorrow morning, their names would be posted on a bill board here in the royal estate," he said.

So that evening, everyone returned to their homes and inns. Elder Si Yin and the students returned back to the inn.

On their way back, they strolled past the candidates from Nainji academy. But this time, the encounter was different, it wasn't like the first confrontation they had.

This time around, they covered their faces in shame, and slowed down, letting Guiyi academy students go before them.

"Ohhhh... hahaha... hahaha...," Hu Mei laughed out loudly as he openly mocked them.

"Gui Shan! It seems you taught scumbags a pretty good lesson... hahaha," Hu Mei laughed as they all joined in the laughter.

The candidates from Nainji academy couldn't utter a word to counter them. This was what made them laugh even harder.

They walked majestically with shoulders high as they approached the inn. They entered the inn and went straight to their room to relax.

"Today, indeed would be memorable," Elder Si Yin said.

"I just hope you all get enlisted into the elite team," he added.

"I just hope we can all make it in. As for Gui Shan, there is no reason for him to worry, since he's already the number one candidate," Qin Feiye said.

"Yeah! I never knew Gui Shan could be so powerful. I wonder where he got all that strength and Qi from," Chen Feng said.

"It's my luck that I'm born with such strength," Gui Shan said.

"I just wished we could switch places," Hu Mei said rumbling some words.

"Hahaha...you know that will be impossible," Tan Ning said as he laughed.

They all laughed as they continued their discussion, till it was already dark. They all had dinner together and slept soundly as thoughts of the next day flowed through their minds.

.....

It was eventually another day, the Guiyi academy candidates woke up that morning with high hopes. Without wasting much time, they made preparations and marched down to the royal estate.

They arrived there and all headed to the training wing of the royal estate. As they approached the leaderboard, they hearts pounded within them.

They saw sad looks on the faces of many candidates. Considering the fact that about 50 candidates partook in the martial arts competition, but only about 20 of them would be chosen.

Elder Si Yin and the students went to the leaderboard to see how they performed. To their surprise, they were among the first twenty which would be enlisted to join the elite team.

"Wow...we all made it," Bi Yao said almost crying.

"Gui Shan, you came first," Elder Si Yin said.

"I'm proud of you Gui Shan," Bi Yao said.

"Thanks," replied Gui Shan.

...

"Announcement! Announcement! The emperor requests to have a banquet with the twenty candidates who were enlisted to join the elite team," one of the royal messengers announced.

"Wow...we get to feast with the emperor," Qin Feiye said out of joy.

"Yeah! I can't wait to see the splendor of the royal palace," Gui Shan said.

"Bi Yao, seems your home is in the royal court. I can't wait to meet your father formally."

"Maybe after the banquet, you'll introduce me to your father," Gui Shan said to Bi Yao candidly.

"I can't wait for that moment to come true," Bi Yao said as she giggled.

...

Among those that enlisted were;

'Gui Shan, Wu Zhu, Chen Feng, Tan Ning, Bi Yao, Hu Mei, Zao Lu, Guo Jing... amongst others.

...

"Huhh... seems three of those scumbags made it to the elite team," Hu Mei said referring to candidates from Nainji academy.

"I can't wait to pay them back, most especially their team leader, Wu Zhu," he added.

...

"Elder, why don't we go back home and refresh before coming back to attend the banquet," Tan Ning said.

"Good suggestion, at least, let's get a change of attire. We're talking of a royal banquet," Qin Feiye said.

"Okay, let's do as he said," Elder Si Yin answered.

So they returned back to their inn and made preparations for the banquet which was to take place later in the day.

When it was time for the banquet, they all dressed and made way for royal estate.

Upon arriving at the entrance, they were directed by the guards to the way which led to the palace.

"Wow..., Unbelievable," Qin Feiye exclaimed.

"Such magnificence," Tan Ning added.

"Yes indeed. It more than the description people give about it," Gui Shan added.

They marched in a grand way with much elegance. Some other candidates had arrived there earlier and others followed after them.

They were welcomed warmly by the royal attendants as they marched up the stairs that led to the main bowl. On getting to the front of the edifice, they saw an inscription written, 'TAIHE PALACE'.

"I can't believe my eyes, so this is the legendary Taihe palace," Qin Feiye said.

"Yes of course. But please don't get too excited and lose your composure," Hu Mei chipped in.

They took their respective seats with their individual tables. As soon as everyone was present, the ceremony began.

They were all welcome by officially by one of the emperor's ministers. Many dignitaries were present including the empress, the princess and all the ministers in the capital.

"I welcome you all to this banquet which is held in respect of our newly enlisted elites," the minister of rites, Wei Mi said.

"But before we proceed, can the champion of the competition come forward, a special seat have been prepared to honor you, considering the feat you achieved," Wei Mi said.

Gui Shan came out and sat in the seat that was prepared among the dignitaries. He sat right in front of them feeling uneasy with the elevated acknowledgement.

Immediately that was done, the banquet began in earnest. Different kind of dishes and wines were served.

They were served a very sumptuous meal. They ate and drank as the banquet progressed.

Just then, the emperor called the attention of everyone.

"Ahem! I would like our champion here to tell us a little about himself," the emperor said already having interest in Gui Shan's background.

At this moment, all eyes were directed towards Gui Shan as they awaited his response.

Gui Shan himself was muzzled. He dropped the meat he was holding and cleated his throat. Indeed he didn't see this coming, but he had no choice.

"I'm Gui Shan from Ciafa village. I'm the only child of a hunter and his wife who lives in the village," Gui Shan said in short.

Immediately Gui Shan said this, there was murmuring among the people as they were shocked by the village he mentioned.

"How can a boy from such a strange village possess such strength and ability," some murmured among them.

"Uhmmm...," the emperor did to silence the murmuring.

"Before joining the academy, did you have any other master? You seem to have a very strong Kung Fu base which surpasses the rest of the candidates," the emperor said.

"I didn't have any master in my village," Gui Shan replied.

"Hmmm... seems you're a rare talent," the emperor said already picking interest in Gui Shan.

Eunuch Wang at that moment became suspicious of Gui Shan. He wondered how someone from such a background would possess such ability and strength.

"Seems there is more to his background and bloodline than he disclosed," Eunuch Wang said within himself.

The feast continued as the emperor then had a toast with the champion. They all drank and fed to full.

The banquet came an end few hours later as the emperor alongside the empress returned to their chambers.

Immediately the banquet ended, in a hurry, Bi Yao took Gui Shan to see his father, Eunuch Wang. Eunuch Wang on his part was surprised to see his daughter leading Gui Shan towards his direction.

Seeing they were coming for him, he saw it as an opportunity to know more about Gui Shan's background.

"Father!!!," Bi Yao called out as she embraced her father.

... continue reading from the next chapter...