CHAPTER 610: CHAPTER 504: A COMPLETE VICTORY_3

"Something’s wrong! Look closely!"

Two kites drifting into the distance—one of them is flying back.

The Minister of Agriculture sprang to his feet, excited: "It’s Prince Changsun’s kite! Its string hasn’t been cut!"

Yu Zichuan remained expressionless as he reeled in the kite string he had intentionally let loose earlier.

Chen Long, now in disguise, stood beside him.

"Try anything funny again, and I’ll beat you up."

Scaring Lu Yuan was fine, but scaring his sister? Absolutely not.

Yu Zichuan stayed silent and kept reeling in the string.

Lu Zhaoyan let out a long sigh of relief.

He, of course, knew the one controlling the kite was Yu Zichuan.

Whether his rebellious son was scared or not, he wasn’t sure—but he himself was terrified out of his wits.

Prince Ming chuckled, "You keep saying you don’t care about winning or losing, but isn’t that a lot of care I see there?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "He’s my son. Am I not allowed to care?"

Prince Ming raised his voice, "Having a son makes you special, huh?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "Well, it depends on the son. Hey, big brother, don’t take it personally!"

It was unclear whether he was mocking Lu Qi or Prince Jin.

Prince Jin’s face turned ashen.

The officials collectively let out a breath of relief.

The military generals who had doubted the Imperial Grandson were now either slapped in the face or genuinely convinced.

Who had said the Imperial Grandson was good for nothing?

How foolish they had been to believe it.

From this day forth, they dared not judge people so blindly again.

Emperor Liang glanced at the little one in his arms: "Your father won. Isn’t he incredible?"

The little one proudly wiggled her tiny feet: "So-so."

Hearing her soft, childlike voice, Emperor Liang laughed heartily.

He held the small bundle in his arms and stood at the highest point of the Emperor’s Platform, surveying the entire grounds. His imperial presence radiated, commanding awe in all directions.

"For the third trial, my Imperial Grandson, Lu Linyuan, is the victor!"

The civil and military officials bowed in unison: "Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live and prosper infinitely!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live and prosper infinitely!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live and prosper infinitely!"

Amidst the chorus of "Long live" proclamations, Lu Yuan rode his horse forward, carrying the Houyi Bow with a carefree and unrestrained air toward the Emperor’s Platform.

The fiery sunlight cast its glow behind him, enveloping his valiant figure in a divine halo.

The defeated Lu Qi, by contrast, looked dejected and disheveled.

As Lu Yuan passed by him, he casually tossed him something: "Just in case, let me keep this safe for you first."

It was the Poison Bottle Dou Qingyi had given him.

Lu Qi gripped the bottle tightly: "Are you trying to ask me—"

Lu Yuan cut him off, "Nope. I don’t want to know anything. I’m not the kind of person who gambles on someone else’s conscience. I only trust myself. Whether you’re a gentleman or a scoundrel, it has nothing to do with me."

Lu Qi asked, "Why not hand it over to the Emperor Grandfather?"

Lu Yuan responded nonchalantly, "Because I’m afraid you and your father would bite back at me."

Lu Qi straightened his posture: "Lu Yuan, you won this time, but you won’t always win."

Notably, he addressed him as Lu Yuan, not Lu Linyuan.

Lu Yuan didn’t correct him but smiled faintly and said with meaningful advice, "Brother, let me give you a word of wisdom: don’t be stubborn. Admit it when you lose. Losing to someone as strong as me isn’t shameful."

With that, he rode his horse away leisurely and carefree.

From birth until now, Lu Qi had never lost to anyone. He was his teacher’s most prized pupil, his master’s proudest disciple. His natural talent was unparalleled, grasping things effortlessly, and everyone hailed him as a once-in-a-millennium prodigy.

Yet in this contest with Lu Yuan, all of his pride and confidence had been stomped ruthlessly into the dirt.

Bit by bit, he clenched his fists, until the Poison Bottle shattered completely in his palm, shards piercing his skin.

Hot blood churned in his chest. Pain exploded in his chest, and a metallic taste surged up his throat.

Lu Yuan noticed the faint scent of blood, raising an eyebrow: "I didn’t even touch him, so you can’t blame me for this."

He tugged at the Houyi Bow in his hand: "This bow’s not bad. Makes all that effort worthwhile."

Speaking as he rode, he passed by General Hu’s shaded pavilion.

"Thanks a lot, Great General!"

General Hu closed his eyes, clenching his fists tightly.

With this one contest, he had lost the Houyi Bow he had painstakingly acquired.

This bow, his trump card from the days when he became a Great General—

At this moment, Lu Yuan was terrifyingly strong. No one from Prince Jin’s faction wanted to talk to him.

Yet, Lu Yuan believed in sharing both prosperity and adversity. How could he let the father off the hook after making the son cough up blood?

He smirked: "Big Uncle, thanks for your support. Without it, how could I have pulled off the dazzling feat of drawing the Houyi Bow?"

Prince Jin clutched his heaving chest.

His gaze swept over Prince Rui and King Qi.

The two of them felt their eyelids twitch uncontrollably!

Then Lu Yuan didn’t say anything. He simply threw them a knowing glance with exaggerated gestures, as if they were all part of some shady plot.

The two of them shuddered in unison!

Please don’t drag us into this!

Watching him ride in on his white horse, his radiance unmatched, Meng Qianqian’s eyes glistened.

The light that was once overshadowed had finally bloomed freely in Great Liang.

He had astonished the entire world.

Mr. Ziwu stepped forward and cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Grandson excels both in martial and literary pursuits. He has the makings of a star general and is destined for the fortune of the Qilin. Your Majesty should comply with fate and grant him the title of Guardian Qilin!"