Ye Chen asked, "Did this fatty break any rules?"
The middle-aged man replied nervously, "Although he didn't break any rules, everything he did was against the regulations."
"As long as he didn't break any rules, that's enough. Pass down the order, let the three of them pass, and don't let anyone stop them," Ye Chen said calmly. Although the fatty running with the horse on his back caused the horse herd to become agitated and protest.
But as long as they three passed first, the horse herd would quickly recover.
------
"Huh, didn't they say there would be a lot of trouble on the way?"
"Why didn't anyone stop us?"
As the fatty reached the final stretch, he started to gasp for air.
Chen Nan gave a wry smile, "You're already so monstrous, who would dare to stop you? They're just hoping you'll finish the race as quickly as possible so that other contestants can continue the assessment."
The fatty was overjoyed, "So, even if we don't team up, I can still leave everyone in the dust?"
"Brother Wu, my admiration for you is like a ceaseless torrent of water. You're amazing!" Wen Ningyang gave a thumbs up and sighed with genuine emotion.
He had thought the second round of assessment would be very difficult.
But he never expected it to be as simple as a leisurely stroll.
And so.
The three of them easily reached the finish line.
"Your name is Wu Di, right?" Ye Chen asked.
The fatty replied, "Yes!"
Ye Chen nodded slightly and asked again, "Are you very strong?"
The fatty pondered for a moment, "I can lift items twice my weight."
"Twelve hundred catties?" a referee exclaimed in surprise.
In reality, for cultivators, lifting a thousand or ten thousand catties was simple. However, it was rare for mortals to lift such heavy objects with their own strength.
Ye Chen asked, "Why do you want to be a bodyguard?"
The fatty chuckled sheepishly, "Does being provided with food count as a reason?"
Ye Chen smiled, "It does!"
"Then that's fine," the fatty said without further explanation. The reason he signed up was precisely because becoming a bodyguard provided free room and board. Although he didn't care much about where he slept, eating was very important.
Not only did he need to eat well,
but he also needed to eat his fill.
------
An hour later.
The competition officially ended.
This race was a little longer than anticipated, mainly due to the unexpected turn of events.
If those horses hadn't become agitated seeing the fatty run past carrying one, this competition would have probably ended within half an hour.
Despite the small disruption, the second round of assessment was ultimately completed.
However, apart from Chen Nan and the other two, all other contestants were injured to varying degrees, as the journey had not been smooth for them.
"The third round of trials is archery. The competition will be held at noon tomorrow. You can go back and prepare yourselves." The referee announced the time for the third round of assessment.
Everyone withdrew from the hunting grounds one after another. Wen Ningyang suggested, "Brother Wu, we were able to advance so easily today thanks to you. Well, enough said, I'll treat you to lunch today. Whatever you want to eat, I'll pay. I guarantee you'll eat your fill and eat well!"
"Alright!" the fatty agreed readily. He loved it when others treated him to meals, as most people would go bankrupt treating him.
He then looked at Chen Nan, "Brother Chen, you coming too?"
"Although you and Young Master Wen had some unpleasant encounters before."
"But as the saying goes, it's better to meet than to fight."
"What do you say?"
"Then let's have a casual meal together!" Chen Nan didn't refuse. Although he didn't have a good impression of Wen Ningyang, he quite liked this fatty Wu Di.
And so.
The three of them went to a large restaurant in the city and ordered a table full of delicacies.
The fatty ate heartily, exclaiming with delight.
This was because he hadn't eaten such delicious food in a long time.
"This must be the best restaurant in Dong Sang Country, right?" The fatty held a deer leg in his left hand and a bear paw in his right, his mouth greased with food.
Wen Ningyang thought for a moment, "To be precise, it's the restaurant with the best taste in Dong Sang Country."
The fatty was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Is there a difference?"
Wen Ningyang smiled, "Of course there's a difference. While the taste of this restaurant is good, it can only rank second in all of Dong Sang Country."
The fatty asked curiously, "Which one is first?"
Wen Ningyang asked, "Does Brother Fatty know Lingxi Mountain?"
The fatty frowned, "Lingxi Mountain, three hundred miles west of Dong Sang Country?"
"Yes," Wen Ningyang nodded. "Lingxi Mountain is considered a sacred place for cultivators in Dong Sang Country. The ingredients there are all from rare demonic beasts. Cultivators who eat them can increase their cultivation, and mortals who eat them can be immune to all illnesses and prolong their lives."
"I was fortunate enough to visit once, and the taste there was truly unforgettable."
The fatty asked, "It must be expensive there, right?"
Wen Ningyang hummed in agreement, "Last time I went with friends, one meal cost a hundred thousand taels of gold."
The fatty gasped, "That's too outrageous!"
Wen Ningyang replied, "Of course. They are all spiritual birds that fly in the sky and divine fish that swim in the water, so the prices are naturally expensive."
The fatty's eyes became determined, "I must become a palace guard and save as much money as possible. No matter what, I have to go to Lingxi Mountain and have a good meal."
"If I hadn't known, it would have been fine. But now that I know, if I don't eat there, I feel like I'll have regrets in life."
Wen Ningyang picked up his wine glass and took a sip, then mused for a moment, "How about this, if the three of us can all become palace guards, I'll treat, and we'll go to Lingxi Mountain for a feast?"
The fatty was overjoyed, "Won't that be too extravagant?"
"What are you saying? The three of us became friends through conflict. Can any amount of money compare to the bond between us?" Wen Ningyang laughed heartily, "Come, come, let's stop talking and drink."
The three of them raised their glasses.
The fatty asked, "Young Master Wen, I heard you come from a distinguished family and live a life of ease. Why do you want to be a bodyguard? This job isn't easy!"
Wen Ningyang sighed, "My old man always complains that I'm uneducated and just freeloading. That's why I want to achieve something to show him."
"Being a bodyguard is hard work, but it can also make my old man look at me with new eyes."
Chen Nan replied, "This doesn't suit your status."
Wen Ningyang chuckled, "I've already thought it through. After serving as a guard for a while, I'll spend some money, pull some strings, and get a more relaxed position."
He didn't hide his true intentions, as the Wen family had enough resources to help him arrange such matters.
Chen Nan understood.
In essence, Wen Ningyang becoming a bodyguard was just a stepping stone, and he planned to use his family's connections to advance further.
Wen Ningyang raised his wine glass and said earnestly, "Brother Chen, Brother Fatty, you two can rest assured. I, Wen Ningyang, feel like I've known you both since forever. When I rise to prominence, I definitely won't forget the two of you."
"Come, let's drink this glass!"
"Wishing us excellent results tomorrow!"